Grand Lake Theatre
3200 Grand Avenue,
Oakland,
CA
94610
3200 Grand Avenue,
Oakland,
CA
94610
48 people
favorited this theater
Showing 76 - 86 of 86 comments
The Grand Lake was one of two Roadshow houses in the East BAy during the 1960’s. I Saw Ben Hur, How The West Was Won, Dr. Zhivago, The SandPebbles, Magnificient Men in There Flying Machines, Camelot, Grand Prix during there reserved seat engagements. The theatre had a major renovation by National General During the engagement of The Sand Pebbles. When the exclusive Runs dissapreared the Grand Lake showed all ist Run Disney product in the 1970’s. The theatre was in excellent shape . I return to the Grand Lake and see many films over the years but I still miss the balcony. It is my favorite theatre in the Bay Area to see a film.
Thank you so much for the “Democratically Elected Presidents' Day” marquee, as well as many of the previous ones. To whom does the public owe a hearty thank you for speaking out in a way that pleases so many?
The mural in the lobby says it was from a bank building in “upstate New York”. Does anyone know which bank and in what city?
Also upstate New York is Syracuse to some people and Albany to others. That is why I want to know which upstate New York city it is from. I am from Syracuse.
Architects of the Grand Lake were the Reid Bros. This was the largest theatre they designed, although several of their others came close. Also, there were many other theatres in the Bay Area which once had rooftop signs as the Grand Lake has. The only other surviving rooftop sign is on the Parkway, Oakland. Some others which once had them are the FAIRFAX, Oakland (blown down in a windstorm—Fairfax is now a church), IRVING, San Francisco (demolished), FOX PENINSULA, Burlingame (demolished). There were others as well.
The plush curtain in the main auditorium is originally from the long-ago-lost San Francisco Fox. Actually what you see is about the central one-third and bottom two-thirds of it, the Grand Lake having a much smaller proscenium. The remaining parts of the Fox curtain were carefully de-stitched and now embellish the panels of acoustical fabric between the columns along the auditorium sidewalls.
HI MY NAME IS JOSE CRUZ I,M A 25 YEAR OLD CHECANO FROM EAST OAKLAND I,M A PROUD OAKLANDER THE GRAND LAKE THEATER IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE THEATER I THINK IT,S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TEATER IN ALL OF NORTHERN CALIFAS IT HAS THAT OLD SCHOOL CHARM THAT THESE MODERN THEATERS DON,T HAVE
This and the Paramount Theatre are the two grandest and most glorious cinema palaces in all of Oakland, and surrounding cities.
I’ll never forget going to see the premiere of “E.T.” here in 1982, when the manager, Allan Mischaun (excuse me if it’s misspelled!) was promoting Spielberg’s movie on John Stanley’s “Creature Features” TV show on KTVU Channel 2. I’ve since gone back whenever I’m in the Oakland area to enjoy its plush lobby, grand staircases up to the balcony, and overall cinema ambience, so much lacking in theaters today.
There used to be a time when you can see a movie on the Big main screen from the balcony but today that is another auditorium. I am not against adding more screens by building an adjacent auditorium but I am against altering any part of the main original auditorium.
The Grand Lake Theatre is a jewel!!! It never fails to delight me everytime I drive by it on my way home. Like the exterior facade, the interior is another beautiful sight to behold. Every that plays there is good simply because the experience is so rewarding.
The Grand Lake is still the best theatre in Oakland. On Saturday nights, in the big downstairs theatre, they still play the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’ – it’s a great theatre!
I lived in Oakland for years and attended the Grand Lake many, many times when it was still a single-screen operation. On one occasion I had the privilege of playing its renowned pipe organ.
The huge sign is spectacular and dominates the neighborhood.