Mrs. Stimmel was always very kind and gracious to me when I went to see a movie at the Regency. (I was an employee of another chain)
My feeling was that she was a person who respected those that demonstrated respect for her. I am sorry to hear of her passing.
The Lumiere was always a bit of a poor stepchild in the world of San Francisco cinemas. Run by the penny-pinching Blumenfeld chain for years and it showed. I don’t think Landmark did much better. They had quite a cockroach problem in auditorium #1 due to the restaurant (still in business) next door.
I feel the need to come to the defense of The Empire. Yes, it was triplexed at an unfortunate time for such things and it could have been done with a bit more sensitivity. The large auditorium remains a fine place to see a film. The smaller auditoriums are adequate, especially when not busy.
Still, it’s a very comfortable, clean, well-run neighborhood theatre. I’ve been seeing films there for almost 50 years and I’m very grateful for a local cinema that retains a bit of character and serves the neighborhood well.
I’m afraid I’ll have to agree with MST-SF. I’ve lived in the Mission for almost 20 years and the poor old Roxie just keeps getting grimmer and grimmer. Most of my movie-going pals avoid the place regardless of how badly they want to see the picture that’s showing. Good grief, a little paint and polish would go a long, long way! The “little Roxie” going in next door is taking forever to get up and going and I can’t see how spending money on a new auditorium will improve the old one. This place has interesting and challenging booking but must have rather inept managment. People want to go the movies in this neighboorhood, but they’d like to retain SOME sensation in their buttocks before the film is through. (Someone mentioned to me that the seats are from the old Surf Theatre!)
Mrs. Stimmel was always very kind and gracious to me when I went to see a movie at the Regency. (I was an employee of another chain) My feeling was that she was a person who respected those that demonstrated respect for her. I am sorry to hear of her passing.
The Lumiere was always a bit of a poor stepchild in the world of San Francisco cinemas. Run by the penny-pinching Blumenfeld chain for years and it showed. I don’t think Landmark did much better. They had quite a cockroach problem in auditorium #1 due to the restaurant (still in business) next door.
I feel the need to come to the defense of The Empire. Yes, it was triplexed at an unfortunate time for such things and it could have been done with a bit more sensitivity. The large auditorium remains a fine place to see a film. The smaller auditoriums are adequate, especially when not busy. Still, it’s a very comfortable, clean, well-run neighborhood theatre. I’ve been seeing films there for almost 50 years and I’m very grateful for a local cinema that retains a bit of character and serves the neighborhood well.
I’m afraid I’ll have to agree with MST-SF. I’ve lived in the Mission for almost 20 years and the poor old Roxie just keeps getting grimmer and grimmer. Most of my movie-going pals avoid the place regardless of how badly they want to see the picture that’s showing. Good grief, a little paint and polish would go a long, long way! The “little Roxie” going in next door is taking forever to get up and going and I can’t see how spending money on a new auditorium will improve the old one. This place has interesting and challenging booking but must have rather inept managment. People want to go the movies in this neighboorhood, but they’d like to retain SOME sensation in their buttocks before the film is through. (Someone mentioned to me that the seats are from the old Surf Theatre!)