I went to this theatre for the last time back in 1997, and was really surprised at how good the projection and the sound was. Even though I was watching a second run film… the print looked REALLY GOOD. I was especially impressed at the strong sound system that the theater employed- very clear, strong- sounded great! There was nothing special about the design though, it looked very dated. I believe one of the auditoriums was orange. ORANGE!!!! haha but it was still a good place to check out a flick for a very VERY reasonable price.
I am so happy that they renovated it- it really needed it! Today it looks STUNNING. I recently took a friend to see “Gone with the Wind”, and his jaw dropped when he walked in. That surprised me since he doens’t appreciate movie palaces, but he was amazed at this place. The film presentations are spectacular, and the enthusiastic crowd always adds to the delight of the Castro theatre experience.
I am very interested in seeing the inside of this theatre. The entire downtown area has been beautifully kept, so the very good looking exterior only adds to my curiosity.
The Grand Lake is HANDS DOWN the best first-run theatre in the Bay Area. As an Oakland native, I’m really happy that the Grand Lake still shines every so gloriously as it’s beautiful marquee and rooftop sign. Every film is receives a top notch presentation, this theatre was also one of the first to implement digital sound when it first surfaced. It doesn’t bother me that the balcony was converted into a second auditorium, growing up I loved how it was the only theatre to have “stadium style” seating. Another bonus of the balcony conversion is that the screen is much closer and looks stunning- they did a really good job. The other two screens that they added on the side are also nice, cute with their own themes. But the experience of the main screen… WOW!
I went to this theatre for the last time back in 1997, and was really surprised at how good the projection and the sound was. Even though I was watching a second run film… the print looked REALLY GOOD. I was especially impressed at the strong sound system that the theater employed- very clear, strong- sounded great! There was nothing special about the design though, it looked very dated. I believe one of the auditoriums was orange. ORANGE!!!! haha but it was still a good place to check out a flick for a very VERY reasonable price.
I am so happy that they renovated it- it really needed it! Today it looks STUNNING. I recently took a friend to see “Gone with the Wind”, and his jaw dropped when he walked in. That surprised me since he doens’t appreciate movie palaces, but he was amazed at this place. The film presentations are spectacular, and the enthusiastic crowd always adds to the delight of the Castro theatre experience.
Was one of the rare bay area theatres to have a THX certified auditorium for many years, before many of the huge 15+ screen multiplexes came along.
I am very interested in seeing the inside of this theatre. The entire downtown area has been beautifully kept, so the very good looking exterior only adds to my curiosity.
It was closed for a very long time- then demolished. The lot where it once stood is still empty.
The Grand Lake is HANDS DOWN the best first-run theatre in the Bay Area. As an Oakland native, I’m really happy that the Grand Lake still shines every so gloriously as it’s beautiful marquee and rooftop sign. Every film is receives a top notch presentation, this theatre was also one of the first to implement digital sound when it first surfaced. It doesn’t bother me that the balcony was converted into a second auditorium, growing up I loved how it was the only theatre to have “stadium style” seating. Another bonus of the balcony conversion is that the screen is much closer and looks stunning- they did a really good job. The other two screens that they added on the side are also nice, cute with their own themes. But the experience of the main screen… WOW!