@lostmemory thanks for posting the 1970 photo. I remember seeing B&C&Ted&Alice at the El Rey at that time. It was a beautiful theater. I also remember seeing “Bikini Beach” there in 1964. The stars John Ashley, Mary Hughes and Candy Johnson were in the lobby signing autographed publicity photos. Wish I still had them.
The Rafael was featured in Lucas' “American Graffiti”. When the cop pulls over Milner in the yellow deuce coupe he stops right in front of the theater. Images here
I grew up in the neighborhood and have many fond memories of the Avenue. As I child at the Saturday matinees in the 1950’s I vividly remember the art deco chandeliers and paintings on the walls and ceiling and the etched glass doors. It was a work of art. My friends and I were once thrown out for throwing popcorn (by the uniformed usherette with flashlight). Hey, I was only 10 years old! Great memories.
Great arthouse…very small, maybe 100 seats. Used to go there in the late sixties, seventies. If my memory serves me correctly this was the theater that Woody Allen watched “Casablanca” in the film “Play It Again Sam” shot on location in San Francisco, 1972.
2015 photo can be seen here
1991 photo
1991 photo2
@lostmemory thanks for posting the 1970 photo. I remember seeing B&C&Ted&Alice at the El Rey at that time. It was a beautiful theater. I also remember seeing “Bikini Beach” there in 1964. The stars John Ashley, Mary Hughes and Candy Johnson were in the lobby signing autographed publicity photos. Wish I still had them.
The Rafael was featured in Lucas' “American Graffiti”. When the cop pulls over Milner in the yellow deuce coupe he stops right in front of the theater. Images here
I grew up in the neighborhood and have many fond memories of the Avenue. As I child at the Saturday matinees in the 1950’s I vividly remember the art deco chandeliers and paintings on the walls and ceiling and the etched glass doors. It was a work of art. My friends and I were once thrown out for throwing popcorn (by the uniformed usherette with flashlight). Hey, I was only 10 years old! Great memories.
Great arthouse…very small, maybe 100 seats. Used to go there in the late sixties, seventies. If my memory serves me correctly this was the theater that Woody Allen watched “Casablanca” in the film “Play It Again Sam” shot on location in San Francisco, 1972.