Comments from stevenj

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stevenj
stevenj commented about Egyptian Theatre on Jun 17, 2022 at 1:06 pm

Mikeoaklandpark…this is from the American Cinematheque website:

Egyptian

“In 2020, Netflix acquired the landmark Egyptian Theatre from the American Cinematheque; the movie palace will undergo a much-needed renovation in 2021 which will return it to its original 1922 grandeur. Once the renovations are complete, the AC, a non-profit cultural arts organization, will program the theatre on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays under a long-term agreement with Netflix, which will program Monday-Thursdays.

The Egyptian will continue to be the Hollywood home of the American Cinematheque."

stevenj
stevenj commented about Shattuck Cinemas on Jun 1, 2022 at 6:18 pm

According to the Landmark website for this theatre, today is the closing day.

Shattuck Cinemas

stevenj
stevenj commented about California Theatre on Jun 1, 2022 at 11:13 am

A proposal to build “approximately 15 stories” of new housing behind the theater’s facade cleared an early hurdle this month.

An article in Berkeleyside Here

stevenj
stevenj commented about Odeon Lakeshore Theatre on May 25, 2022 at 2:30 pm

New Toronto is a neighborhood of Toronto. It is in the SW corner of Toronto. Easily found on Google maps by the Canadian zip code (since the Apple maps here have not been working for weeks). There is also an Old Toronto neighborhood. Normally the locations of theaters at the top of the overview is listed by city though, then neighborhoods, districts, boroughs etc.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Century 21 on May 18, 2022 at 5:29 pm

Preliminary plans submitted for renovation of Century 21. From the Hoodline aticle linked below:

“At this point, it’s unclear what the old theater will be reused as, but there are several options on the table. Despite not yet having a specific use, the developer and owner, Federal Realty Investment Trust, plans to renovate the building in a flexible way so that it can cater to several different types of businesses. According to a preliminary proposal obtained by the Mercury News, “the design team will include provisions to accommodate the ability to support office, kitchen, cafeteria, gym, and small data center.” It could also become a restaurant or a performing arts center.”

Hoodline

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Mar 18, 2022 at 7:10 pm

Hoodline article from March 17 has some of the architectural plans for orchestra level seating removal that are larger and viewable at this link:

Hoodline

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Mar 16, 2022 at 7:02 pm

Thanks for the link MOOse1111. Lots of photos of the theatre inside and out are included in the Page and Turnbull proposal (a local architectural firm with experience in notable old buildings) as well as the plans for a second floor lobby concession bar and HVAC air filtration system. I would have happily provided a direct link to the plans but your link will only allow for a downloaded file.

It is unfortunate that the sloped orchestra level will be partitioned and leveled for standees at concerts and temporary seating for other events. Wondering what that will do to sight lines for films or stage events when seated (except for those seated in the front row of each section)?

I googled Page and Turnbull and what came up first is the link below to EverGreen Co. which has been retained by Page and Turnbull “to conduct historic finishes investigations of painted finishes within the Castro”.

EverGreen Co

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Mar 9, 2022 at 10:41 am

mOOse1111…the marquee looks the same today as the photo I posted on July 2, 2021 (“Happy 99th Birthday”) in the photo pages.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Mar 8, 2022 at 7:05 pm

Walking by the Castro today I noticed that the marquee has not been restored - yet. The very faded and peeling paint are still there. The neon on the vertical blade though appears to have been repaired after a naked man climbed it last August and damaged it.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Embarcadero Center Cinema on Feb 4, 2022 at 12:44 pm

SF Chronicle Datebook article on the closing of the Embarcadero Cinemas after 26 years in SF.

Embarcadero

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Jan 28, 2022 at 12:02 pm

Another article from Hoodline yesterday and more comments from Another Planet CEO Gregg Perloff addressing the Castro’s history and future. Emotions have been running high over the Castro. Possibly these statements will qualm some fears over the amount of film presentations and community input but physical changes inside are likely regarding (some flexible front orchestra) seating, organ installation, sound upgrades, lighting, HVAC and marquee rehab and more.

Hoodline

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Jan 22, 2022 at 10:34 am

“Castro Theatre will still show movies, new operator Another Planet assures distraught film fanatics”.

“People are making assumptions that are unfounded,” he (Greg Perloff, CEO and founder of Another Planet) said on Thursday, Jan. 20. “What we have talked about is doing a little of everything. The intention is to have film and film festivals, along with music and comedy and lectures. Ultimately, the public will tell us what they want to see.”

Here is G. Allen Johnson’s SF Chronicle article on the changes coming to the Castro and the importance of the Castro Theater to film lovers and film makers as a special place for cinema.

Castro

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Jan 19, 2022 at 3:51 pm

another article here on Another Planet taking over operating the Castro at sfist:

Castro

stevenj
stevenj commented about Basilone Theater on Jan 19, 2022 at 10:48 am

Added to Photos - an image capture from Google maps from June 2021.

stevenj
stevenj commented about RKO Warner Twin Theatre on Jan 7, 2022 at 7:48 pm

A reminder on how to link to another site in your comment… Between these brackets [ ] type in a name or title for the link (as MSC77 did with “this link”). Between these parentheses ( ) copy and paste the web address. There is no space between ] and(. After you click on Add Comment your link should go live.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Castro Theatre on Dec 2, 2021 at 8:10 pm

The Castro’s website shows that films are back starting with Nightmare Alley (2021) tonight and a free showing of Spielberg’s West Side Story Dec 12 among others this month.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Rivoli Theatre on Nov 19, 2021 at 6:16 pm

In addition to Mike (saps) find in Variety, on page 4 of the photos for the Rivoli, I noticed a newspaper ad grindhouse uploaded in Aug 2020 during the run of West Side Story that exclaims about ¾ of the way down “EXCLUSIVE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS For Your Convenience in the New York and New Jersey Areas”.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Landmark Opera Plaza Cinema on Nov 17, 2021 at 10:20 am

“Landmark’s Opera Plaza Cinema, whose future was uncertain to due to the pandemic and which a property owner at one point wanted to convert into office space, is set to reopen Friday, Nov. 19, with a couple of San Francisco classics and some new art house fare on its screens.”

The SF Chronicle story here: OperaPlaza

stevenj
stevenj commented about Rivoli Theatre on Nov 9, 2021 at 6:44 pm

Ed S - I have no idea but I suppose that was possible - I saw 2 films in one evening at the Golden Gate in SF in the early 70’s - one on a flat wide screen (the musical western Zachariah), the other on their Cinerama screen (a sneak preview of The Andromeda Strain). One of the recent commenters above posted that he was the manager of the Rivoli in the 70’s. Maybe he could chime in on that.

bigjoe59 - According to the link, the ToddAO screen was 52' X 26'. The D150 screen was 74' X 29'.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Rivoli Theatre on Nov 9, 2021 at 4:15 pm

bigjoe59…This is a link to the Rivoli page on In70MM.com…

Rivoli D150 Screen

“A few years after this purchase (referring to ToddAO’s purchase of D150 from it’s inventors), in 1966, a Dimension-150 screen was installed in the Rivoli prior to the opening of “The Sand Pebbles”, which was filmed in Panavision and was screened at the Rivoli in 70mm. This screen remained in place until the theater was twinned in 1984. (“The Bible” and “Patton”, the only D- 150 films, played elsewhere on Broadway so the Rivoli never ran a D-150 film. However, it projected “Hello, Dolly!”, “Star!”, and “The Last Valley” in D-150.)”

stevenj
stevenj commented about Regency I on Oct 31, 2021 at 4:26 pm

The building is on the market for sale or lease. If you click on the link Regency and scroll down to “Watch the Drone Tour” and click on the image you will be taken virtually through this entire amazing building.

stevenj
stevenj commented about California Theatre on Oct 25, 2021 at 7:02 pm

Here is a link to an SFGate story about the closing of the California:

Cal

stevenj
stevenj commented about Apple Cinemas San Francisco on Sep 10, 2021 at 10:21 pm

This theater reopened Sept 3. The new name is CGV Cinemas San Francisco. There are 2 other CGV Cinemas in California. One is in Buena Park, the other in Los Angeles.

The website is Here

Currently tickets for 6 films are being sold on Fandango in 8 of it’s screening rooms.

stevenj
stevenj commented about 4-Star Theatre on Sep 9, 2021 at 10:35 am

The 4 Star has been sold. The new owner has hired Adam Bergeron, owner-operator of the Balboa Theater and operator of the Vogue Theater, to program the 4 Star.

Details here with links to an SF Chronicle story about the sale and also the CinemaSF.com website that oversees the 3 theaters.

stevenj
stevenj commented about Granada Theatre on Aug 21, 2021 at 4:25 pm

I don’t think this is the Market St Granada (Paramount) either. There were businesses on both sides of the theatre in 1923 with display windows. This Granada has what looks to be a brick wall to it’s right.