Hillsdale Cinema
3011 S. El Camino Real,
San Mateo,
CA
94403
3011 S. El Camino Real,
San Mateo,
CA
94403
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Showing 26 - 39 of 39 comments
I also can’t find info on the UA Redwood City theater.
Maybe Larry knows???
“I think it had more character than some of the new megaplexes we see on the peninsula now a days.”
True, theaters of today are just cookie cutters with no real thing that stands out from others.
Off subject, do you know when the new downtown San Mateo theater opened? 2000? 2001?
I think it had more character than some of the new megaplexes we see on the peninsula now a days. It was your typical GCC plex theatre (one screen split into four), with the gray metallic walls and metal reclining seats. The look was identical to the GCC Southland theatre in Hayward, but the Hillsdale theatre never got the remodel (new blue high back seats, red paint on the metallic walls) that the Southland Cinema got in the early ‘90’s. Wow, it’s been 10 years since this closed as a theatre. Building still stands though…
“This theatre had to be the ugliest,functional use only building I have ever seen.”
I wouldn’t call it ugly.
It was just plain and simple.
It was nice and clean.
This theatre had to be the ugliest,functional use only building I have ever seen. It showed all the current films of the times, but lacked any “personality” of architecture. General Cinema seemed to always be on a ‘budget’ when it came to building theatres. With so many other peninsula theatres during the 60’s & 70’s to choose from I did my best to avoid that one.
Seen a lot of movies here over the years.
Rocky III, Star Trek IV, Commando, Tommy Boy, Mortal Kombat, etc…
It was a box outside, but it was rather nice inside.
I really like the Belmont theater and Fashion Island theater.
Here is a November 1968 ad from the San Mateo Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2ahr33
I remember it had a big arrangement of hanging white lamps that seemed ultra-modern at the time, and entertainingly kitschy in later years. Though I agree it was never considered any kind of architectural treasure—it was the new, big, modern cinema that was driving the older theaters out!
I suspect the same architects were also involved in the UA cinema along Bayshore in Redwood City, because its bathroom has the unusually long arrangement of sinks & stalls that was characteristic of the Hillsdale (though I remember the Hillsdale’s stall doors as being some kind of hyper 70’s color like bright orange, or harvest gold.)
Coincidentally, a teacher at Ralston Intermediate School in Belmont appeared as an extra in “Family Plot”. I saw it at the Hillsdale, and almost fell out of my chair getting dizzy during the mountain-driving sequence.
On 2/21/77, the Hillsdale was showing a double feature of “The Sentinel” and “Family Plot”, according to the San Mateo Times. $1.50 bargain matinees daily.
Nope sorry Eric….
When I went back couple days after the exhibit was taken down… :(
Is the photo of the theatre still on display in the mall?
I wanna add that its NOT a furniture store as stated above………
The site stood vacant for awhile and was converted into Organized Living a home improvement store that seels storage and what have nots…. I got to see old photos of what the Hillsdale Cinema was like when it was goin at a display Hillsdale Mall had up and I thought was kinda neat….
Hmm, I can’t say I had as much enthusiasm for the decor and aesthetics of the place. It was just giant box that was conveniently located across from the mall… Sure modern multiplexes don’t have the charm of cozy old theaters, but I don’t think the Hillsdale Cinema qualified…
This was a grand and beautiful ultramodern 70mm theater on El Camino Real across from the Hillsdale Mall Shopping Center in San Mateo. I went to this theater many times. I’ll never forget seeing the premiere engagement of “SUPERMAN” here in 1978 with family and friends. The theater was painted white and had square-block columns around the front windowed, curtained facade below the marquee with tasteful wood paneling inside the lobby. This should have been saved by the City of San Mateo. It looks downright awful now as a furniture store.