Comments from gsmurph

Showing 1 - 25 of 329 comments

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Shattuck Cinemas on Jun 19, 2024 at 5:07 pm

To make way for Berkeley’s housing expansion/obsession, the Shattuck Cinema portion of the building (the hotel remains intact) has been demolished; only its entrance and marquee remain as of this writing.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about United Artists Berkeley 7 on May 21, 2023 at 9:31 pm

There’s a group called SAVE OUR UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE on Facebook. They are lobbying to save the UA from demolition and restore it to its original configuration.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about United Artists Berkeley 7 on May 21, 2023 at 9:27 pm

Let’s not forget AMC Bay Street, New Parkway, and PFA. But jwmovies definitely has a point.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall on May 21, 2023 at 9:19 pm

UC’s full name is now UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall; as the name implies, it’s primarily a concert hall, seldom if ever showing movies.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Pacific Film Archive on Feb 3, 2023 at 12:25 am

Pacific Film Archive’s new address (since 2016) is 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704. It is once again part of the Berkeley Art Museum.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Varsity Theatre on Oct 21, 2021 at 11:39 pm

The Priya Indian restaurant, located in the former Varsity, has since closed; the site is currently vacant.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Lux Theatre on Dec 19, 2020 at 12:02 am

The Goodwill inside the Lux has closed; the space is now vacant.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Royal Theater on Mar 5, 2020 at 7:35 pm

I was in the area recently and noted that the building housing the Royal has been torn down; I’ve no idea when that happened.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Cine 7 Theatre on Jun 9, 2017 at 4:13 pm

I am sorry to report that the Laurel/Cine 7 is undergoing demolition as of this writing.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rockridge Showcase on Dec 27, 2016 at 5:38 pm

The Rockridge Shopping Center has been undergoing a massive overhaul and renovation in recent months (and is now referred to as “The Ridge.” As a result, nearly all of its original structures, including the one that formerly housed the Rockridge Showcase, have been demolished and are bring supplanted by new ones.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Fruitvale Theatre on Aug 16, 2015 at 3:41 pm

It was December 22, 1968.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Palace Theatre on Feb 6, 2015 at 4:10 pm

This IS a most unexpected and pleasant surprise (the return of the Palace, that is). May it enjoy a long and productive success.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about New Peralta Theatre on Mar 29, 2014 at 12:55 pm

Went by there recently on the bus and repair/renovation work seemed to be occurring (FINALLY!). Not sure if it’ll be a church again though.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Cinema-Guild and Studio on Dec 8, 2011 at 4:53 pm

Sadly, the Sequoia Apartments, the building housing the former Cinema Guild was gutted by a several-alarm fire in November 2011 and was so badly damaged it had to be demolished. The cause was said to be an electrical short in the elevator’s machinery.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Telegraph Repertory Cinema on Nov 22, 2011 at 7:16 pm

It should be noted that the photo above is of the original Telegraph Repertory Cinema (which later became Flickers/Studio Guild), the address shown above is that of the later location, just north of the original.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Dimond Theatre on Nov 14, 2011 at 12:36 pm

The theatre’s name was actually “Dimond” (the missing “a” is NOT a typo); it was named for the Dimond neighborhood, which was itself named for Hugh Dimond, an early Oakland political and civic leader.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Northside Theatre on Sep 15, 2011 at 5:59 pm

The Northside is now a restaurant/bar known as the PhoBar.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Elmwood Theatre on Apr 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Apparently that vertical was removed at some point during (or at least no later than) the mid-‘60s, for there was none to be found after that.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Rivoli Theatre on Sep 22, 2010 at 1:58 pm

Must point out that the opening contribution by William Gabel mistakenly says “Rialto” rather than “Rivoli.”

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Elmwood Theatre on Nov 13, 2009 at 4:42 pm

Not sure if it did as the Strand (as the Elmwood, its name was most often seen at the top of the movie display cases), but it definitely has “Elmwood” on both sides of the marquee as of very recently!

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Fruitvale Theatre on Oct 19, 2009 at 5:46 pm

It is the one listed here (not the New Fruitvale, in other words).

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Theatre 70 on Sep 8, 2009 at 2:59 pm

The former MacArthur-Broadway Shopping Center is being leveled (and has been in stages) for some time now, after a long period of dormancy at least part of which it was used by Kaiser Permanente. Recently that demolition extended to the section where the Cinema 1 once stood. So officially, the Cinema 1 has been demolished.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about UC Theater eyed for concert use on Aug 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm

Good news—-the Zoning Adjustments Board unanimously approved the use permit. Check the “sequel” of sorts at View link

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Crown Theater on Mar 23, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Look for it under CINE LATINO, its most recent operating name.

gsmurph
gsmurph commented about Cine 7 Theatre on Mar 16, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Victory Outreach has left the former Cine 7; the new occupant is called the Dominion Christian Center.