In the mid-1920’s press adverts show the Coliseum Theater being operated by the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres, San Francisco Theatres Inc.
The Balboa Theatre was built for the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres known as San Francisco Theatres Inc. It opened on 7th February 1926.
In a newspaper report (currently on display in the lobby of the Balboa Theater and built by the same promotor and architects) it states that the Harding opening night was May 8th 1926 (not April as given the opening header above). All other details, movie, star and builder/architect are correct.
When I was recently in San Francisco, I passed by the Nob Hill Cinema several times, both in day time and after dark. There were always customers entering, so it must be doing ok.
The S.F. Visitor Information Center at Market and Powell St’s has glossy Nob Hill Theatre leaflets on display in their racks. I’m sure only a tolerant city such as San Francisco would allow a gay entertainment venue the shelf space to promote diverse attractions such as this.
Looking at their web site wwww.nobhilltheatre.com, in programme schedules, it seems that mainly live performances take place during the day time and evening and xxx rated movies are shown last thing in the late evening/early morning.
The Raymond Theater opened on 5th April 1921 with Wallace Reid starring in “The Love Special”. A seating capacity of 2,350 was given at opening in newspaper reports.
It was re-named the New Crown Theatre, opening on 13th February 1948 with Larry Parks starring in “The Swordsman” (A Columbia Picture)
I went and investigated the former World/Marcal Theatre this week. The original facade has been removed (or covered over) and is now cinder-blocked and plain. There was a side exit doorway open so I went a peeked inside what was the former auditorium. There is nothing remaining inside of original decorative detail from its theatre days. It has been gutted back to its exterior walls and roof beams and the floor has been leveled.
This theatre was known as the Paramount in 1928, so it could have opened with that name. It had been re-named Loma Theatre by the early 1940’s, operated by Fox West Coast Theaters.
A small shopping centre has now been built on the site.
This opened as the Danilo Cinema on 7th August 1939. The opening programme was a double bill; Sydney Toler in “Charlie Chan in Honolulu” and Jane Withers in “Always in Trouble”.
The architect was E.S. Roberts with Andrew Mather inputing some plans.
The original seating capaity was 1,598. The cinema was tripled in 1973.
savage;
I will be away for 4 weeks, so e-mail me mid February (e-mail address on my profile) and I will scan the photo for you. That’s if you haven’t already purchased it from THS.
The only example of a ramped access to upper parts of a building I have seen (having never been inside the Raymond Theater, Pasadena) is the ramped access to the Casino Ballroom which is located above the Avalon Theater, Avalon, Catalina Island CA.
Patsy;
I know there are so many wonderful theaters in the USA, I have visited many of them over the years. I just haven’t had time to sit here and contemplate which are my real favourites, I spend far too much time on here updating and adding comments! LOL I will share my USA favourites with you all one day soon, I promise.
Now I am off to CA for four weeks (doing some theater research) so you wont be seeing me online for a while, but I Will Be Back!
Patsy;
Well it’s the only one in the USA on my favourites list>>>so far>>> lol
The Avalon Theater is a beautiful movie palace which has been lovingly restored to its original 1929 appearance. Plus, its a magic moment when you enter the auditorium to the strains of ‘I Left My Heart in Avalon, Beside the Sea’ being played on the mighty Page organ.
In the mid-1920’s press adverts show the Coliseum Theater being operated by the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres, San Francisco Theatres Inc.
The Balboa Theatre was built for the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres known as San Francisco Theatres Inc. It opened on 7th February 1926.
The Portal/West Portal Theatre was built for the Samuel H. Levin chain of neighborhood theatres known as San Francisco Theatres Inc.
In a newspaper report (currently on display in the lobby of the Balboa Theater and built by the same promotor and architects) it states that the Harding opening night was May 8th 1926 (not April as given the opening header above). All other details, movie, star and builder/architect are correct.
The Grand Lake Theater opened on 6th March 1926.
When I was recently in San Francisco, I passed by the Nob Hill Cinema several times, both in day time and after dark. There were always customers entering, so it must be doing ok.
The S.F. Visitor Information Center at Market and Powell St’s has glossy Nob Hill Theatre leaflets on display in their racks. I’m sure only a tolerant city such as San Francisco would allow a gay entertainment venue the shelf space to promote diverse attractions such as this.
Looking at their web site wwww.nobhilltheatre.com, in programme schedules, it seems that mainly live performances take place during the day time and evening and xxx rated movies are shown last thing in the late evening/early morning.
The Raymond Theater opened on 5th April 1921 with Wallace Reid starring in “The Love Special”. A seating capacity of 2,350 was given at opening in newspaper reports.
It was re-named the New Crown Theatre, opening on 13th February 1948 with Larry Parks starring in “The Swordsman” (A Columbia Picture)
The opening production at Asher Hamburger’s Majestic Theater was the Shubert production of “The Land of Nod”.
In 1912 adverts stated that Sarah Bernhardt in “Camille” and Mme. Gabrielle Rejane in “Mmn. Sans-Gene” were billed as being shown ‘on screen’.
A correction to my Dec 14th post;
The Eastern-Columbia Building was not built on the site of the Majestic, it is located immediately next to it.
A sign in the poster frames outside the cinema states that it has been open since 1968.
Jeff;
The correct street address we found today was 6820 La Tijera Blvd.
That’s what I wrote down on my sheet as we stood outside the former theatre.
I went and investigated the former World/Marcal Theatre this week. The original facade has been removed (or covered over) and is now cinder-blocked and plain. There was a side exit doorway open so I went a peeked inside what was the former auditorium. There is nothing remaining inside of original decorative detail from its theatre days. It has been gutted back to its exterior walls and roof beams and the floor has been leveled.
It is currently used as a disco/nightclub.
This theatre was known as the Paramount in 1928, so it could have opened with that name. It had been re-named Loma Theatre by the early 1940’s, operated by Fox West Coast Theaters.
A small shopping centre has now been built on the site.
I have been notified that the Jewel Theatre has now closed and has been for a while. It was seen as closed in December 2004,
A low rise retail unit named ‘8th & Main’ (with parking on the roof) has now been built on the land previously occupied by the California Theatre.
The current status of the Banner Theater needs to changed to Closed/Demolished. The land is currently used as a parking lot.
The Las Palmas Theatre, Hollywood is listed here on Cinema Treasures and did show movies /theaters/2368/
Christian;
I have no records of the Ivar Theatre showing movies but let us know if you fine out more info please.
This opened as the Danilo Cinema on 7th August 1939. The opening programme was a double bill; Sydney Toler in “Charlie Chan in Honolulu” and Jane Withers in “Always in Trouble”.
The architect was E.S. Roberts with Andrew Mather inputing some plans.
The original seating capaity was 1,598. The cinema was tripled in 1973.
The address is La Tijera Blvd, Westchester, CA. Sorry I dont have a street number.
Jim;
Thanks for posting a most interesting account on the history of the building.
savage;
I will be away for 4 weeks, so e-mail me mid February (e-mail address on my profile) and I will scan the photo for you. That’s if you haven’t already purchased it from THS.
The only example of a ramped access to upper parts of a building I have seen (having never been inside the Raymond Theater, Pasadena) is the ramped access to the Casino Ballroom which is located above the Avalon Theater, Avalon, Catalina Island CA.
Headers need updating here to:
Architect: John Roth Jnr.
Seats: 790
Patsy;
I know there are so many wonderful theaters in the USA, I have visited many of them over the years. I just haven’t had time to sit here and contemplate which are my real favourites, I spend far too much time on here updating and adding comments! LOL I will share my USA favourites with you all one day soon, I promise.
Now I am off to CA for four weeks (doing some theater research) so you wont be seeing me online for a while, but I Will Be Back!
cypress;
Can you post that link of the photo of the Circle Theatre onto its page here on Cinema Treasures /theaters/9237/
Thanks
Patsy;
Well it’s the only one in the USA on my favourites list>>>so far>>> lol
The Avalon Theater is a beautiful movie palace which has been lovingly restored to its original 1929 appearance. Plus, its a magic moment when you enter the auditorium to the strains of ‘I Left My Heart in Avalon, Beside the Sea’ being played on the mighty Page organ.