According to Michael Coate’s Showcase Presentations list for Silicon Valley, Doctor Zhivago opened August 17, 1966 (58 weeks) at Cinema 21, The Sound of Music opened July 12, 1966 (67 weeks) at Cinema 22 and The Sand Pebbles opened March 14, 1967 at Cinema 23 (34 weeks).
Indeed. This theater has 3699 so hopefully, even with limited capacity it will eventually come back ok. But the smaller and/or independent theaters (of any size) are likely to have problems. My closest local theater (an independent) has 1400 seats but in the past only the orchestra floor seating was open. Seems they were doing a good business with their varied programming up until the shutdowns but may have to reopen the balcony to increase the capacity.
robboehm Parts of California, yes. But the governor has allowed counties or groups of counties in the same geographical area to supercede state covid regulations based on public health data. We have been told here in the Bay Area that reopening will be very slow. In SF where I live the mayor has said “August” for theaters reopening (that could change) and at that only limited capacity allowed.
New York Times article from June 9 on AMC reopening some of it’s theaters in July. I’m posting here since this is where the conversation is but if someone wants to move it to the main page be my guest.
“youtube UA Theater Westwood Animal Crackers” typed into a goggle search brought the May 23, 1974 Animal Crackers re premiere video up. There is no sound and Marx is wearing a pith helmet and smoking a cigar.
“Groucho Marx and companion Erin Fleming arrive at the May 23, 1974 repremiere of ANIMAL CRACKERS at the U.A. Westwood Theater. The campaign to get ANIMAL CRACKERS back in theaters after it was tied up in litigation for decades was spearheaded by UCLA student Steve Stoliar, who later became Groucho’s secretary. Also shown are ANIMAL CRACKERS director Victor Heerman, Groucho’s longtime publicist Bill Feeder, and rocker Alice Cooper. At the end is footage of the news story on a TV set. (This silent, Super 8 footage was taken by Michael W. Johnson.)”
“The Castro Theatre chose to beautify the protective box office barrier in an effort to add positive visual life and inspiration to the streetscape during these difficult times,” says Keith Arnold, the Castro’s general manager. “We are proud to collaborate with Mace to honor these modern heroes, workers who continue to serve the public through the pandemic. We appreciate their sacrifice and dedication.”
If it is indeed demolished, probably housing. A non profit, the SF Theatre Foundation, which oversees the Vogue and Balboa, is injecting over $1million into the Opera Plaza and in a recent link mentioned on that theatre’s Cinema Treasures page mentions possibly trying to save the Clay also. From that link:
“Meanwhile, the foundation is in talks to save another neighborhood theater: the Clay Theater in Pacific Heights, which ceased operations this month. Jim Herbert said his group is hoping to “help restore and preserve this cultural treasure for the benefit of future generations.”
Add to that list of pre WW1 theaters still operating in SF the Roxie (1909 or 1912) on 16th St in the Mission District:
Goodfellas and Casino were on a double bill (both 35mm) earlier this month at the Castro (SF). I had not seen Casino since it came out in the 90’s – highly recommend.
My father took me to see Shane here in the late 1950’s or early 60’s. – the sound from those side speakers was awesome. When the lights went down the ceiling cove was lit in deep purply/blue neon.
That is not just any car show – that’s a car show of Mission Dist (and Bay Area) low riders. Many of them are tricked out and in A1 shape. Notice the dark car (lower right) performing a side stand?
There seemed to be some interest in seeing souvenir programs added to Photos so I unearthed the 5 I had, photographed them and added to the appropriate SF theaters I’d seen the films at over the years. Seven Wonders of the World was the first one I bought when I was 8 years old. My father took my sister and I to see this at the Orpheum Cinerama. We were blown away by the huge screen.
From the intro above:
“By the 1960’s, the Balboa Theatre had very long runs of blockbuster films, at popular prices, including 92 weeks in 1966 and 1967 for “The Sound of Music”, which followed the roadshow engagement at the United Artists Theatre on Market Street.”
The roadshow engagement of The Sound of Music played at the UA from March 18, 1965 until the week of Dec 19, 1966 (92 weeks) according to Michael Coates' list of SF roadshow/70mm engagements:
Here.
Is the above inferring it ran for another 92 weeks at the Balboa?
I read the same as rsalters, Wicked cancelled the rest of it’s performances due to the street being closed and the implosion of the cranes apparently broke a few windows at the Saenger.
From the theatre’s website: Because of the ongoing search and rescue operation, the Saenger Theatre is still under a mandatory evacuation. We are unable to answer our phones and any email responses will be delayed. For the most up-to-date information on all upcoming shows, please continue to check this page, our Facebook Page, and our Twitter Page.
An evening screening tonight will be the last for the Guild. The building has been sold to three investors — Drew Dunlevie, Pete Briger and Thomas Layton, all Peninsula residents — who plan to demolish the theater and rebuild it as a music hall, ending the movie house’s 93-year run in Menlo Park. Details here:
According to Michael Coate’s Showcase Presentations list for Silicon Valley, Doctor Zhivago opened August 17, 1966 (58 weeks) at Cinema 21, The Sound of Music opened July 12, 1966 (67 weeks) at Cinema 22 and The Sand Pebbles opened March 14, 1967 at Cinema 23 (34 weeks).
walterk – thanks for the detailed info.
Indeed. This theater has 3699 so hopefully, even with limited capacity it will eventually come back ok. But the smaller and/or independent theaters (of any size) are likely to have problems. My closest local theater (an independent) has 1400 seats but in the past only the orchestra floor seating was open. Seems they were doing a good business with their varied programming up until the shutdowns but may have to reopen the balcony to increase the capacity.
robboehm Parts of California, yes. But the governor has allowed counties or groups of counties in the same geographical area to supercede state covid regulations based on public health data. We have been told here in the Bay Area that reopening will be very slow. In SF where I live the mayor has said “August” for theaters reopening (that could change) and at that only limited capacity allowed.
New York Times article from June 9 on AMC reopening some of it’s theaters in July. I’m posting here since this is where the conversation is but if someone wants to move it to the main page be my guest.
AMC
“What will SF movie theaters look like when the pandemic wanes?”
SFGate story Here
“youtube UA Theater Westwood Animal Crackers” typed into a goggle search brought the May 23, 1974 Animal Crackers re premiere video up. There is no sound and Marx is wearing a pith helmet and smoking a cigar.
“Groucho Marx and companion Erin Fleming arrive at the May 23, 1974 repremiere of ANIMAL CRACKERS at the U.A. Westwood Theater. The campaign to get ANIMAL CRACKERS back in theaters after it was tied up in litigation for decades was spearheaded by UCLA student Steve Stoliar, who later became Groucho’s secretary. Also shown are ANIMAL CRACKERS director Victor Heerman, Groucho’s longtime publicist Bill Feeder, and rocker Alice Cooper. At the end is footage of the news story on a TV set. (This silent, Super 8 footage was taken by Michael W. Johnson.)”
Animal Crackers Re Premiere
“The Castro Theatre chose to beautify the protective box office barrier in an effort to add positive visual life and inspiration to the streetscape during these difficult times,” says Keith Arnold, the Castro’s general manager. “We are proud to collaborate with Mace to honor these modern heroes, workers who continue to serve the public through the pandemic. We appreciate their sacrifice and dedication.”
From an April 25 SF Chronicle article:
Castro Box Office
Photo taken at about 2pm on what would normally be a bustling Monday afternoon.
markp and anyone else wanting to see this Treasure can view it here on PBS’s website (free):
St George Theatre
If it is indeed demolished, probably housing. A non profit, the SF Theatre Foundation, which oversees the Vogue and Balboa, is injecting over $1million into the Opera Plaza and in a recent link mentioned on that theatre’s Cinema Treasures page mentions possibly trying to save the Clay also. From that link:
“Meanwhile, the foundation is in talks to save another neighborhood theater: the Clay Theater in Pacific Heights, which ceased operations this month. Jim Herbert said his group is hoping to “help restore and preserve this cultural treasure for the benefit of future generations.”
Add to that list of pre WW1 theaters still operating in SF the Roxie (1909 or 1912) on 16th St in the Mission District:
Roxie
Tomorrow, Jan 26th is the last day for the Clay Theatre. From the SF Chronicle this morning:
Clay
Goodfellas and Casino were on a double bill (both 35mm) earlier this month at the Castro (SF). I had not seen Casino since it came out in the 90’s – highly recommend.
My father took me to see Shane here in the late 1950’s or early 60’s. – the sound from those side speakers was awesome. When the lights went down the ceiling cove was lit in deep purply/blue neon.
Photo from OpenSFHistory.org
Photographer unknown.
That is not just any car show – that’s a car show of Mission Dist (and Bay Area) low riders. Many of them are tricked out and in A1 shape. Notice the dark car (lower right) performing a side stand?
There seemed to be some interest in seeing souvenir programs added to Photos so I unearthed the 5 I had, photographed them and added to the appropriate SF theaters I’d seen the films at over the years. Seven Wonders of the World was the first one I bought when I was 8 years old. My father took my sister and I to see this at the Orpheum Cinerama. We were blown away by the huge screen.
From the souvenir program of Seven Wonders of the World.
Souvenir program for Apocalypse Now added to photos.
Photo of souvenir program and ticket for Oct 1996 showing of restored 70mm print of Vertigo added in photos.
From the intro above: “By the 1960’s, the Balboa Theatre had very long runs of blockbuster films, at popular prices, including 92 weeks in 1966 and 1967 for “The Sound of Music”, which followed the roadshow engagement at the United Artists Theatre on Market Street.”
The roadshow engagement of The Sound of Music played at the UA from March 18, 1965 until the week of Dec 19, 1966 (92 weeks) according to Michael Coates' list of SF roadshow/70mm engagements: Here. Is the above inferring it ran for another 92 weeks at the Balboa?
I read the same as rsalters, Wicked cancelled the rest of it’s performances due to the street being closed and the implosion of the cranes apparently broke a few windows at the Saenger.
From the theatre’s website: Because of the ongoing search and rescue operation, the Saenger Theatre is still under a mandatory evacuation. We are unable to answer our phones and any email responses will be delayed. For the most up-to-date information on all upcoming shows, please continue to check this page, our Facebook Page, and our Twitter Page.
Nice shots Mike (saps). Beautiful interior.
An evening screening tonight will be the last for the Guild. The building has been sold to three investors — Drew Dunlevie, Pete Briger and Thomas Layton, all Peninsula residents — who plan to demolish the theater and rebuild it as a music hall, ending the movie house’s 93-year run in Menlo Park. Details here:
Guild Closing