Here is a 2022 article about the attempt to Landmark the theater.https://www.mtshastanews.com/story/news/2022/03/28/dunsmuir-eyes-protection-california-theatre-historic-landmark/7056332001/
The legendary Ann’s Cafe on Fruitvale near MacArthur in Oakland has been closed for years after owner/chef Frances retired. It was across the street from the Dimond Theater (now Farmer Joe’s). Francis gave me a two-sided handout 35 years ago and today it surfaced while doing clean-up. It is packed with special events and giveaways. Unfortunately I am not being allowed to upload the jpegs and I do not know why. Too bad. I posted them on Bay Area Historic Theaters Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/466648040141511
Hans and Lila stumbled on a successful double feature of “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” and “War of the Buttons," an unlikely pairing. But they drew two different audiences and were turning people away from many shows. They realized if they dropped reels from "Shadows” they could get an extra show a day. Since the film has a little narrative logic they got away with it as few people noticed.
Another thing I remember about the theater is that they served soda in bottles and when people accidently kicked over their drink (no cup holders then) it rolled down, making a loud sound on the wooden floor, spewing sticky soda in its path. Regulars would try to guess when it would make its loud bang into the stage at the bottom so they could yell out “bang!”
Shortly after the Landmark publicist sent out next week’s bookings to the media they sent out a notice they were closing the theaters because of Coronavirus.
While they will re-open someday at least one won’t survive. The Ken in San Diego was one of the earliest theaters in the chain, for many years a great rep house. Beloved by the locals it had a Crying Room and Cigar Room (used for private parties and then storage by the time LTC —-actually called Parallax Theatres then—– got it). A dedicated staff made sure it was a welcoming and fun place to see great movies.
But alas…it is closed now forever unless an angel comes to save it.
We had magnetic sound and would demand prints with a mag stipe. Made for a fantastic sound experience. Check out www.EatDrinkFilms.com for some interesting articles on 2001. Another coming soon.
About the closing that made the media only hours before the closing. https://hoodline.com/2019/02/amc-van-ness-14-movie-theater-to-shut-down
I have it on good authority that a foreign-based company new to San Francisco will be taking over and making major changes—-expect food and beverage, luxury seating and 4D. The place has been an unappealing location to see movies for many years so closing for big upgrades in a good thing and they can relaunch as if a new theater..
When AMC sold the Kabuki to Sundance it was because of the Justice Department insisting that they had too much control in SF and had to divest of screens. With a long-term lease on Van Ness and it having more screens, the Kabuki was the logical one to let go. But after Sundance made it a huge success, AMC now bought it again and once again faced the restraint of trade issues and had to divest again. Van Ness makes the most sense.
This is a new one on me. The Telegraph Rep started as a downstairs twin run by Tom Luddy. Late another operator took the name but used two apartment living rooms upstairs. The Studio/Guild long preceded all of them, run by Pauline Kael and Ed Landsburg but it was several blocks north on Telegraph.
After some electrical problems that caused the grand-reopening of the U.C. Theatre to be delayed, the theater is up and running with a solid schedule of live music. Plans include some film showings, festivals and a revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show where the UC’s 22 year run was the longest continuously running engagement of any movie, anywhere.
Some photos of the first concerts http://www.theuctheatre.org/gallery/
I am proud to have developed the Empress business, marketing and programming plan for the city of Vallejo and am so proud of what was accomplished.
I worked at the family store , Meyers Jewelers on Saturdays and in the late afternoon I attended the “Crest” as a kid in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They played first run double features but the El Rey on Tennessee got the bigger films.
When my father was a young boy he would wait for Mrs. Burr to finish her shift playing the organ so they could walk up the hill for his piano lessons and then he and Raymond would play. My grandparents and parents stayed friends with Raymond long after he left Vallejo.
The Crown was on Virginia directly across from the Empress, know as the Crest when I attended both as a kid in the early 1960s. Phil Garber I believe was the owner or manager’s name and was friend of my father. At that age I did not know the distinction between those jobs.
The Crest played first run double features but the El Rey on Tennessee got the bigger films.
The Crown was 25cents for adults and a dime for kids. Usually a triple bill of older movies with Three Stooges, cartoon, Our Gang between each show. Hot dogs were a dime too. Lots of sailors.
In about 1969 my wife (then girlfriend) Cathy and I were on a camping trip and the Drain Theatre in Drain, Oregon was showing 2001 with MA AND PA KETTLE GO TO WAIKIKI. Now that is a trip!
Yes Eric was a godsend for the Coronet. As dedicated as they get.
I booked the Coronet and the other UATC Theaters in Northern California from !972-1977. Good ole Albert Levin—-a fixture and a character. We had a lot of sneak previews there as filmmakers loved the place——except maybe the night Stanley Donen, Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds sneaked LUCKY LADY and there were constant projection problems. They came up front and told stories, just as Coppola did at the GODFATHER 2 sneak with a break down. Those were the days of changeover and for sneaks, double system which is where the problem usually was. The studio would bring in their own sound and projection team to screw it up in a booth they did not know.
Booking STAR WARS was my job. UATC and Fox had a strong relationship. 20th wanted THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT in the best venues and luckily they also liked the Alexandria so I put that drama there, saving the Coronet for STAR WARS. Nobody at Fox nor practically anybody in the movie business believed in the Lucas space western, just as they had no faith in AMERICAN GRAFFITI before it.
So a lot of theaters got a new life by proving they could gross when they fell into STAR WARS as a last choice.
I had friends at Lucas and knew about their own unique grass roots marketing efforts that even Fox wasn’t aware of dedicated to generating massive turnout of science fiction fans to camp overnight and be the first to see it. (The head of distribution told me in Feb.that the Board has slept through it and were going to shelve it—-until I told him that the comic book and paperback novel were huge hits and about the science fiction convention slide shows Charles Lippincott was doing).
All went according to plan and in San Francisco and around the country the Lucas folks posing as regular folks called broadcast news directors and print editors to say, “Hey…what is going on at the Coronet? I just drove by and there are hundreds of people with their sleeping bags wrapped around the corner.”
Those camera crews arrived in plenty of time for the 11:00 o'clock newscast. The morning papers had front page photos. And the rest of the world was suddenly curious about this social phenomenon they hadn’t previously heard about and didn’t want their friends to find out they weren’t hip enough to have seen STAR WARS. They had to go asap. And thus the inverted word-of-mouth pyramid scheme was launched.
And science fiction suddenly came out of the geek closet.
Jimwhiterice,
How is your book on SF Theatres coming. I have been involved with SF theaters for many years starting with the Times in the late 1960s. I wrote a chapter in LEFT IN THE DARK. http://julielindow.com/?p=1
The Balboa was taken over by Adam Bergeron and Jaimi Holker on Jan. 13, 2012. The master lease was turned over to the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation in late 2011. The enthusiastic new operators, Cinema SF, also are running the sister theater, the Vogue.
I had obtained a city grant to redo the facade and we are proud of the results…need to get a photo up here soon. New heaters were installed and there are many other projects planed for both theaters.
I will still consult on special events and whatever they need help on but the plans are going to really bring back the theaters with contiued special events too.
And if you live nearby and want to experience a night at the movies, circa 1926, check this out.
BALBOA BIRTHDAY BASH
Sunday, March 4, 2012 Doors open at 6:45pm
Show starts at 7:00
The Balboa Theatre will celebrate its 86th Birthday on Sunday, March 4. A night at the movies circa 1926 will be the order of the day.
Inspired by Martin Scorsese and Brian Selznick’s HUGO, the evening’s feature film will be Harold Lloyd’s silent classic SAFETY LAST with a 35mm print directly from his granddaughter Suzanne.
It will be accompanied with an original score by pianist extraordinaire Frederick Hodges www.frederickhodges.com , preceded by a program of short subjects including films by George Melies http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2004/great-directors/melies/ (HUGO again).
There will also be a live vaudeville show featuring Melies himself performing some of his famous magic effects. Songstress Linda Kosut www.lindakosut.com/ will sing songs her mother sang.
Author John Bengsten will offer an illustrated lecture exploring the locations Harold Lloyd used to make his movie. Bengston will sign copies of his newest book, Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York through the Films of Harold Lloyd,
http://silentlocations.wordpress.com/
Everybody will get birthday prizes and the evening will conclude with a special birthday cake created by the Cake Lady, Diane Boate served with liquid libations.
Audience members are encouraged to dress in their best jazz age clothing as we recreate a night at the movies in 1926. Vintage cars will be in front of the Balboa.
Advance tickets are on sale at the Balboa and online at www.BalboaMovies.com
The Balboa Theatre is located at 3630 Balboa Street (Fox Performing Arts Centerth Avenue) in San Francisco’s Richmond District.
I grew up at the Uptown and someday will get around to writing some stories. The recent restoration is gorgeous but sadly the wonderful ceiling mural of topless ladies riding chariots has only been recreated quite small and is hidden by lighting bars unless you are in the front rows. At a recent high school reunion several people confirmed the original mural…we remembered if the movie was boring the ceiling was not! The first manager claimed there was no such mural so my guess is it was done n the late 1940s when a painter came through Northern California creating similar works in small town theaters.
This recent article in the Napa Register has some mistakes (like claiming the Fox becoming a bowling alley when it was actually the State per above and my own memory). But there are theaters mentioned here I never knew about.
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/real-napa/columnists/rebecca-yerger/napa-s-old-movie-houses/article_565a63e6-4faa-11e1-a1f0-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story
I do hope the Uptown operators will consider dong some films programs. Art films, classics and shows presented by the Napa Valley Film Festival. Wouldn’t it be grand to offer these on nights between live shows.
What happened to the historic picture that was here? I don’t know if this is the correct corner as I think McCalou’s Department Store is where the Fox was.
This recent article in the Napa Register has some mistakes (like claiming the Fox becoming a bowling alley when it was actually the State per above and my own memory). But there are theaters mentioned here I never knew about.
http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/real-napa/columnists/rebecca-yerger/napa-s-old-movie-houses/article_565a63e6-4faa-11e1-a1f0-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story
The Tower was triplexed long before Landmark took it over…in fact before they existed. Multiplexing in the 70s always was terrible.
The big upstairs theater had great 70mm presentation and yes downstairs was lousy though Landmark did spend money making it better. But there is just somethig creepy about some divided up theaters.
There is no economic sense in going back to a single screen unless the theater wants to do live shows like the Crest. When you book a movie you are stuck playing it for a certain amount of time. If the reviews are less than raves or even 4 stars but buried in the paper, the film will possibly bomb. With multiple screens you at least have the economy of scale and collective box office to help with overhead. I don’t think most cusomters have even the slightest idea how much it costs to run a movie theater. And if you don’t have many customers then you aren’t selling much concessions. And you can’t survive resulting in less choice for the audiences.
Landmark did explore building additional theaters on the Tower site but the Landlord refused to discuss it, an adjacent restaurant was part of the appeal of the location and there were city restrictions and neighborhood opponents.
Reading promised many things when they closed for remodeling. Since I haven’t been to Sacramento since they took over I don’t know if they did upgrades or not.
I am disappointed to hear from Mr. Smithee that he will be at the Cinearts rather than attending the Crest where they need his support right now. And incompetent staffs are part of what come with the megaplex circuits. At the Crest they care about you, the experience you have and the quality of the show they present.
Who are you, Mr. Smithee. That is a pseudonym for someone who doesn’t want their name attached to a project they created. Come out from behind your wall. How generous of you to offer to work at a restored Tower. You must be somebody special to make such an offer even though you are an unknown commodity.
Here is a 2022 article about the attempt to Landmark the theater.https://www.mtshastanews.com/story/news/2022/03/28/dunsmuir-eyes-protection-california-theatre-historic-landmark/7056332001/
oops. should have proofread it. Manager Walley Levin was famous for his marquee jokes and they carried over to press releases
In going through old papers and repertory cinema flers I found an old press release for the Hub’s last gasp programming.Posted in photos.
The legendary Ann’s Cafe on Fruitvale near MacArthur in Oakland has been closed for years after owner/chef Frances retired. It was across the street from the Dimond Theater (now Farmer Joe’s). Francis gave me a two-sided handout 35 years ago and today it surfaced while doing clean-up. It is packed with special events and giveaways. Unfortunately I am not being allowed to upload the jpegs and I do not know why. Too bad. I posted them on Bay Area Historic Theaters Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/466648040141511
Ther loges look almost like couches
Hans and Lila stumbled on a successful double feature of “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” and “War of the Buttons," an unlikely pairing. But they drew two different audiences and were turning people away from many shows. They realized if they dropped reels from "Shadows” they could get an extra show a day. Since the film has a little narrative logic they got away with it as few people noticed. Another thing I remember about the theater is that they served soda in bottles and when people accidently kicked over their drink (no cup holders then) it rolled down, making a loud sound on the wooden floor, spewing sticky soda in its path. Regulars would try to guess when it would make its loud bang into the stage at the bottom so they could yell out “bang!”
Shortly after the Landmark publicist sent out next week’s bookings to the media they sent out a notice they were closing the theaters because of Coronavirus.
While they will re-open someday at least one won’t survive. The Ken in San Diego was one of the earliest theaters in the chain, for many years a great rep house. Beloved by the locals it had a Crying Room and Cigar Room (used for private parties and then storage by the time LTC —-actually called Parallax Theatres then—– got it). A dedicated staff made sure it was a welcoming and fun place to see great movies.
But alas…it is closed now forever unless an angel comes to save it.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2020-02-25/ken-cinemas-future-uncertain-as-landmark-theatres-pulls-out
A loving editorial that also points out the negatives that the writer didn’t mind. https://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/apr/15/ken-cinema-closing/
We had magnetic sound and would demand prints with a mag stipe. Made for a fantastic sound experience. Check out www.EatDrinkFilms.com for some interesting articles on 2001. Another coming soon.
About the closing that made the media only hours before the closing. https://hoodline.com/2019/02/amc-van-ness-14-movie-theater-to-shut-down
I have it on good authority that a foreign-based company new to San Francisco will be taking over and making major changes—-expect food and beverage, luxury seating and 4D. The place has been an unappealing location to see movies for many years so closing for big upgrades in a good thing and they can relaunch as if a new theater..
When AMC sold the Kabuki to Sundance it was because of the Justice Department insisting that they had too much control in SF and had to divest of screens. With a long-term lease on Van Ness and it having more screens, the Kabuki was the logical one to let go. But after Sundance made it a huge success, AMC now bought it again and once again faced the restraint of trade issues and had to divest again. Van Ness makes the most sense.
Blind bidding was a totally different issue where theater owners had to competitively bid for movies that had not been screened for them.
This is a new one on me. The Telegraph Rep started as a downstairs twin run by Tom Luddy. Late another operator took the name but used two apartment living rooms upstairs. The Studio/Guild long preceded all of them, run by Pauline Kael and Ed Landsburg but it was several blocks north on Telegraph.
And how do we show the theater as reopened here?
Check this article http://www.berkeleyside.com/2016/04/12/dark-star-orchestra-opens-revived-uc-theatre/
Cool drone flight video during remodel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEux2Qv8qSk
After some electrical problems that caused the grand-reopening of the U.C. Theatre to be delayed, the theater is up and running with a solid schedule of live music. Plans include some film showings, festivals and a revival of The Rocky Horror Picture Show where the UC’s 22 year run was the longest continuously running engagement of any movie, anywhere.
Some photos of the first concerts http://www.theuctheatre.org/gallery/
I am proud to have developed the Empress business, marketing and programming plan for the city of Vallejo and am so proud of what was accomplished.
I worked at the family store , Meyers Jewelers on Saturdays and in the late afternoon I attended the “Crest” as a kid in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They played first run double features but the El Rey on Tennessee got the bigger films.
When my father was a young boy he would wait for Mrs. Burr to finish her shift playing the organ so they could walk up the hill for his piano lessons and then he and Raymond would play. My grandparents and parents stayed friends with Raymond long after he left Vallejo.
This might be of interest.
http://vallejomuseum.blogspot.com/2008/04/vallejos-movie-palaces.html
The Crown was on Virginia directly across from the Empress, know as the Crest when I attended both as a kid in the early 1960s. Phil Garber I believe was the owner or manager’s name and was friend of my father. At that age I did not know the distinction between those jobs. The Crest played first run double features but the El Rey on Tennessee got the bigger films. The Crown was 25cents for adults and a dime for kids. Usually a triple bill of older movies with Three Stooges, cartoon, Our Gang between each show. Hot dogs were a dime too. Lots of sailors.
This might be of interest.
http://vallejomuseum.blogspot.com/2008/04/vallejos-movie-palaces.html
I booked the theater in it’s last year and it was spectacular and if I remember correctly it did have D-150.
In about 1969 my wife (then girlfriend) Cathy and I were on a camping trip and the Drain Theatre in Drain, Oregon was showing 2001 with MA AND PA KETTLE GO TO WAIKIKI. Now that is a trip!
Yes Eric was a godsend for the Coronet. As dedicated as they get.
I booked the Coronet and the other UATC Theaters in Northern California from !972-1977. Good ole Albert Levin—-a fixture and a character. We had a lot of sneak previews there as filmmakers loved the place——except maybe the night Stanley Donen, Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds sneaked LUCKY LADY and there were constant projection problems. They came up front and told stories, just as Coppola did at the GODFATHER 2 sneak with a break down. Those were the days of changeover and for sneaks, double system which is where the problem usually was. The studio would bring in their own sound and projection team to screw it up in a booth they did not know.
Booking STAR WARS was my job. UATC and Fox had a strong relationship. 20th wanted THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT in the best venues and luckily they also liked the Alexandria so I put that drama there, saving the Coronet for STAR WARS. Nobody at Fox nor practically anybody in the movie business believed in the Lucas space western, just as they had no faith in AMERICAN GRAFFITI before it.
So a lot of theaters got a new life by proving they could gross when they fell into STAR WARS as a last choice.
I had friends at Lucas and knew about their own unique grass roots marketing efforts that even Fox wasn’t aware of dedicated to generating massive turnout of science fiction fans to camp overnight and be the first to see it. (The head of distribution told me in Feb.that the Board has slept through it and were going to shelve it—-until I told him that the comic book and paperback novel were huge hits and about the science fiction convention slide shows Charles Lippincott was doing).
All went according to plan and in San Francisco and around the country the Lucas folks posing as regular folks called broadcast news directors and print editors to say, “Hey…what is going on at the Coronet? I just drove by and there are hundreds of people with their sleeping bags wrapped around the corner.”
Those camera crews arrived in plenty of time for the 11:00 o'clock newscast. The morning papers had front page photos. And the rest of the world was suddenly curious about this social phenomenon they hadn’t previously heard about and didn’t want their friends to find out they weren’t hip enough to have seen STAR WARS. They had to go asap. And thus the inverted word-of-mouth pyramid scheme was launched.
And science fiction suddenly came out of the geek closet.
Jimwhiterice, How is your book on SF Theatres coming. I have been involved with SF theaters for many years starting with the Times in the late 1960s. I wrote a chapter in LEFT IN THE DARK. http://julielindow.com/?p=1
Gary Meyer
The Balboa was taken over by Adam Bergeron and Jaimi Holker on Jan. 13, 2012. The master lease was turned over to the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation in late 2011. The enthusiastic new operators, Cinema SF, also are running the sister theater, the Vogue. I had obtained a city grant to redo the facade and we are proud of the results…need to get a photo up here soon. New heaters were installed and there are many other projects planed for both theaters. I will still consult on special events and whatever they need help on but the plans are going to really bring back the theaters with contiued special events too.
And if you live nearby and want to experience a night at the movies, circa 1926, check this out. BALBOA BIRTHDAY BASH
Sunday, March 4, 2012 Doors open at 6:45pm Show starts at 7:00
The Balboa Theatre will celebrate its 86th Birthday on Sunday, March 4. A night at the movies circa 1926 will be the order of the day.
Inspired by Martin Scorsese and Brian Selznick’s HUGO, the evening’s feature film will be Harold Lloyd’s silent classic SAFETY LAST with a 35mm print directly from his granddaughter Suzanne.
It will be accompanied with an original score by pianist extraordinaire Frederick Hodges www.frederickhodges.com , preceded by a program of short subjects including films by George Melies http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2004/great-directors/melies/ (HUGO again).
There will also be a live vaudeville show featuring Melies himself performing some of his famous magic effects. Songstress Linda Kosut www.lindakosut.com/ will sing songs her mother sang.
Author John Bengsten will offer an illustrated lecture exploring the locations Harold Lloyd used to make his movie. Bengston will sign copies of his newest book, Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York through the Films of Harold Lloyd, http://silentlocations.wordpress.com/
Everybody will get birthday prizes and the evening will conclude with a special birthday cake created by the Cake Lady, Diane Boate served with liquid libations.
Audience members are encouraged to dress in their best jazz age clothing as we recreate a night at the movies in 1926. Vintage cars will be in front of the Balboa.
Advance tickets are on sale at the Balboa and online at www.BalboaMovies.com
The Balboa Theatre is located at 3630 Balboa Street (Fox Performing Arts Centerth Avenue) in San Francisco’s Richmond District.
I grew up at the Uptown and someday will get around to writing some stories. The recent restoration is gorgeous but sadly the wonderful ceiling mural of topless ladies riding chariots has only been recreated quite small and is hidden by lighting bars unless you are in the front rows. At a recent high school reunion several people confirmed the original mural…we remembered if the movie was boring the ceiling was not! The first manager claimed there was no such mural so my guess is it was done n the late 1940s when a painter came through Northern California creating similar works in small town theaters.
This recent article in the Napa Register has some mistakes (like claiming the Fox becoming a bowling alley when it was actually the State per above and my own memory). But there are theaters mentioned here I never knew about. http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/real-napa/columnists/rebecca-yerger/napa-s-old-movie-houses/article_565a63e6-4faa-11e1-a1f0-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story
I do hope the Uptown operators will consider dong some films programs. Art films, classics and shows presented by the Napa Valley Film Festival. Wouldn’t it be grand to offer these on nights between live shows.
What happened to the historic picture that was here? I don’t know if this is the correct corner as I think McCalou’s Department Store is where the Fox was.
This recent article in the Napa Register has some mistakes (like claiming the Fox becoming a bowling alley when it was actually the State per above and my own memory). But there are theaters mentioned here I never knew about. http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/real-napa/columnists/rebecca-yerger/napa-s-old-movie-houses/article_565a63e6-4faa-11e1-a1f0-001871e3ce6c.html?mode=story
The Tower was triplexed long before Landmark took it over…in fact before they existed. Multiplexing in the 70s always was terrible.
The big upstairs theater had great 70mm presentation and yes downstairs was lousy though Landmark did spend money making it better. But there is just somethig creepy about some divided up theaters.
There is no economic sense in going back to a single screen unless the theater wants to do live shows like the Crest. When you book a movie you are stuck playing it for a certain amount of time. If the reviews are less than raves or even 4 stars but buried in the paper, the film will possibly bomb. With multiple screens you at least have the economy of scale and collective box office to help with overhead. I don’t think most cusomters have even the slightest idea how much it costs to run a movie theater. And if you don’t have many customers then you aren’t selling much concessions. And you can’t survive resulting in less choice for the audiences.
Landmark did explore building additional theaters on the Tower site but the Landlord refused to discuss it, an adjacent restaurant was part of the appeal of the location and there were city restrictions and neighborhood opponents.
Reading promised many things when they closed for remodeling. Since I haven’t been to Sacramento since they took over I don’t know if they did upgrades or not.
I am disappointed to hear from Mr. Smithee that he will be at the Cinearts rather than attending the Crest where they need his support right now. And incompetent staffs are part of what come with the megaplex circuits. At the Crest they care about you, the experience you have and the quality of the show they present.
Who are you, Mr. Smithee. That is a pseudonym for someone who doesn’t want their name attached to a project they created. Come out from behind your wall. How generous of you to offer to work at a restored Tower. You must be somebody special to make such an offer even though you are an unknown commodity.