Hillsdale Cinema
3011 S. El Camino Real,
San Mateo,
CA
94403
3011 S. El Camino Real,
San Mateo,
CA
94403
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 39 comments
Saddens me read some of the comment I never saw this unite but being first in NEW ENDLAND and then in CO. working for GCC four decade I heard noting buy good things and remember same about it early manager Lynn Blackburn if anyone reads this or work for GCC please come join us on FACEBOOK GENERAL CINEMA MEMORY
Expanded to four screens on December 19th, 1980. No ad found.
This opened on December 22nd, 1966 and became a twin on November 19th, 1971. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
OCSlacker, was his name Bill?
Probably the most fun job I ever had. It was challenging as well. I worked for a a guy by the name of Harry Morgan. Nice man. The place was robbed one night and he was handcuffed to a toilet overnight. I am still in touch with former coworkers. One former coworker and friend was Bob Ost. A Bay Area fireman who was killed in the tragic Alaska Airlines Flight 261 debacle
I generally liked this theater, but it had the most unusual seats that were attached to some sort of sliding apparatus. It allowed you to move around in your seat a bit, but by the end of the movie your back was toast.
I was the closing manager for this theatre. Hillsdale was my first GM position. Before that, I was an assistant at GCC in Fremont. It was really run down by the time it closed but was a cash cow. Could never understand why they would close a theatre that made the company so much money.I can say that working here wasn’t my first choice.I tried to clean it up but it always seemed like it was never enough.Rats ran rampant throughout the building and I have a huge fear of those little critters. Almost quit my first day there because of that problem. The worst day was when someone drove by and shot out the huge windows in the lobby while the theatre was being closed for the night. The one plus I can give it was that the projectionist decorated the upstairs in all old movie posters and memorabilia. He worked there for over 20 years and saved everything, even an old spot light from the early 60’s that I was able to take home when the theartre closed it’s doors. Unfortunately, no one outside of the employees ever saw the projection booth. Also, loved watching movies from the small balcony off of the booth. Seemed like no one every knew I was I up there. Fremont on the other hand holds many dear memories for me. Cleanest theatre I have ever worked in and the hardest working employees I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Sometimes wish it was still around.
Lynn Blackburn was manager of Hillsdale when it was a single (end of 60’s) and was mgr when it was twinned around 1972. He was transfered to LA in 72-73 when GCC bought Loew’s of So. California. PS—the theatre never had sticky floors during this period of time.
A few versions of the “Feature Presentation” trailers that played at this and other GCC cinemas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F_tv1XNoCc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=m6uHhUKURYE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=dDK0U6OEc_w&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6oc1EYKRlg&feature=related
I seen “Superman” there in 1978 and I still remember my shoes sticking to the floor with what felt like syrup..That was the most untidy theater I ever watched a flick in.
John,if you are asking Mike R,No.I don’t ever recall a David Blackburn working at Regency.
HEY mike, was david blackburn the Manager when you worked there?
Paul68,just be glad you got to work in a theatre,seems like most of the folks on CT never had the fun we did because we worked in the business,Me 7 years and for GCC. Our REGENCY MALL I.II.&III looked the same as yours inside.
My first Job was working at the Hillsdale Cinema.( 1984). I served popcorn, drinks and candy. The movies playing the first day I started were: far-lap, Places in the heart, A soldiers Story, and Starman. Everyone working there were teenagers and we had a lott of fun. ( Goofing Around). Got to see many free movies, and eat all the free popcorn. I allways let my friends into the movies for free. My uniform was the standard black polyester pants, white dress shirt and clip on tie. After work I would cruise up and down the El Camino.
There were hundreds of teenagers cruising the El Camino. San Mateo is a totally different place. Everyone I know has moved away. No more Hillsdale Cinema just memories.
I saw a lot of movies here in the 70’s and 80’s, including Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and All the President’s Men. Didn’t they tear down that wonderful Foster’s Fried Chicken restaurant to build the theatre? (They had the best fried chicken, with mashed potatoes and cream gravy. The perfect Sunday dinner.)
Does anyone know if Friday 13th Parts 3 +/or 4 were shown there? I sort of need to know.
Excellent photo. That’s how I remember her!! Thank you for posting.
“‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.”
I don’t doubt that.
What I’m saying is Return of the Jedi was not shown in the 70’s, since it was first shown in 1983.
“What’s there now and what about the parking garage that was next to the theatre, is it gone too??”
It’s an office building now.
‘Return Of The Jedi’ played at the UA Redwood 6 in Redwood City around 1983. That theatre had 70mm capability, and was able to play ‘Jedi’ in that format.
I’m sure the UA REDWOOD 6 THEATRE was not there in the 70’s. It had to have gone up and opened in the MID eighties. My children were about 7 and 8 when they were begging me to take them there. And that would put it at 83 or84 The first movie there I took them to was to see DUTCH. It sure seems the theatre was closed up by 93 or 94 at the latest. It just sat there for so long. Now I understand it was torn down. What’s there now and what about the parking garage that was next to the theatre, is it gone too??
Return of the Jedi was released in May of 1983.
The UA Redwood City opened around the mid-70s because ‘Return Of The Jedi’ was shown there.
Hey Larry,
I recall seeing movies at the UA Redwood City in 1984 (when it first opened?), so it seems was just there for 10 years and gone.
“The Hillsdale Cinema was just a typical 70’s looking building that housed a movie theatre lacking any of the charm of the aformentioned REAL THEATRES.”
I can agree with that statement.
Not a lot of charm like the other theaters in the area.
In regard to the Hillsdale Cinema comments made by my self, I should clarify that compared to the theatres I was raised around, IE: Fox Stanford, Palo Alto, Fox, Redwood City, Carlos, San Carlos, Laurel, San Carlos, San Mateo Theatre, San Mateo, Fox, Burlingame, even the Fox Skyline, San Bruno, The Hillsdale Cinema was just a typical 70’s looking building that housed a movie theatre lacking any of the charm of the aformentioned REAL THEATRES.
In regard to the UA Redwood Theatre, I remember it opening in the late 80’s early 90’s. However it was not able to compete with the newly opened Century Theatres near Bayshore (old Redwood Drive-in site.) It was a pretty nice multiplex, 6 screens as I remember. It sure did not last long. It was closed in 94 if my memory serves me right. Also UA THEATRES was in a financial bind during that time period. A lot of UA Cinemas closed.