Loma Theatre

3150 Rosecrans Boulevard,
San Diego, CA 92110

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Showing 1 - 25 of 47 comments

CenturyBill
CenturyBill on June 8, 2023 at 1:05 am

When I was stationed at NTC for Radioman School, I walked down Rosecrans to watch McArthur there. Beautiful theater. I had worked for Century Theatres in NY before I joined the Navy and wanted to see the inside of the theater as much as the Movie. Neither disappointed.

rthompson_14
rthompson_14 on April 6, 2022 at 10:08 pm

I worked there from Jan 1986 until it closed on Dec 17, 1987. Was so sad to see it closed - not just because I worked there. It was a beautiful theater. I am so happy that Bookstar didn’t demolish it. Even happier that they restored all of the neon signage. The only neon lights that worked the entire time I worked there were the letters “LOMA”. I thought it was ironic that the last movie we showed was Fatal Attraction. Transferred to the Loma from the Cinema 21 (horrible manager - had to get away). When the Loma closed, I transferred to the Valley Circle. Top Gun ran there for 20 weeks, we had a LOT of the recruits and trainees from MCRD and NTC come in for that one.

MSC77
MSC77 on December 30, 2021 at 6:41 pm

Here’s a new 4-page 50th anniversary FIDDLER ON THE ROOF retrospective featuring a roadshow playdate chronology and historian Q&A. The Loma’s year-long run is mentioned (twice) in the piece.

moviebear1
moviebear1 on October 19, 2015 at 11:33 am

When I was in the Navy I saw both My Fair Lady & The Sound of Music here.

dcubs
dcubs on December 17, 2014 at 1:41 am

Nope, the last film I saw was STAR TREK IV.

dcubs
dcubs on December 17, 2014 at 1:33 am

This place was gorgeous and always had the best presentations of the films that played here. The last film I saw here was TOP GUN. One of my college mates worked as a projectionist in 1980. So sad that it’s gone though its a bookstore when last I knew.

LomaUsher
LomaUsher on August 29, 2014 at 11:09 pm

Yes, I think I remember you! (KIDDING!!!) But I wouldn’t have confiscated your teapot, even if I had seen it! How wonderfully civilized of you! I used to go to the Ken Cinema (and still do on rare occasion), and would invariably order a large cup of Orange Spice tea for sipping in the theatre. There’s nothing like a double-feature with hot tea on a winter’s afternoon/evening. :–)

keeba
keeba on August 29, 2014 at 10:19 pm

I saw E.T. at the Loma during the summer of ‘82. You might have torn my ticket. It was a few weeks into the movie’s run after the initial crowds had dissipated, on a weekday afternoon if I remember right. What stands out about that particular movie excursion is the audacious smuggling of a pot of tea that my sister and I pulled off. I had just made tea when my sister burst into the kitchen and said, “let’s go see E.T.”. “But I just made tea.” “Bring it along.” I had this Chinese tea cozy basket that my mom bought in Hong Kong — a padded wicker basket with slots for a tea pot and two cups. So I put the tea in there and we went. I think the usher may have given me an odd look but nobody stopped me from carrying that basket into the theater. So we enjoyed E.T. over a hot cup of tea.

LomaUsher
LomaUsher on March 1, 2014 at 6:37 pm

In 1979 I went to see “1941” at the Loma, but my crowning experience in that theater was working as an usher (see my profile picture) during the Summer ‘82 initial release of “E.T.” It was an old fashioned blockbuster situation, with an audience inside watching the film, an audience already lined up outside the theater about four or five abreast and curving around the theater, and a third audience forming up at the bottom the parking-lot. As the patrons roasted and sweated in the summer sunshine, we sold cokes and drinks to them up and down the line from trays that hung around our necks like the cigarette-girls of the old days. Speeches had to be made from the front to get people to move in towards the center, so that we could seat late-comers on the sides, showing them to their seats with our flashlights. Between shows we had to do a quick cleanup, during which one would find the most outrageous things, such as dirty diapers, and once I found a Visa Gold Card. It was a lesson in public management and crowds, plus by repeated watchings I learned where all the continuity flaws are in E.T.! I still can’t believe that I actually wore an Usher uniform for Mann Theaters. It seems like another age! I guess it really was.

stevenj
stevenj on January 26, 2014 at 12:34 pm

etcmss…McArthur played only 10 weeks at the Loma in 1977 while Saturday Night Fever ran 26 weeks. Meanwhile Star Wars tied up the nearby Valley Circle for 57 weeks starting in 1977 and into 1978. San Diego may still have been a big military town in the late 70’s but my guess is that the movie going taste of the young soldiers and sailors stationed there favored disco and sci fi action rather than the famous WW2 general.

kagemusha98
kagemusha98 on January 26, 2014 at 2:03 am

I definitely saw SAYONARA at the Loma in it’s first engagement. 1957

etcmss
etcmss on January 13, 2014 at 10:23 pm

Man, you can sure tell this is a military town. They were showing “MacArthur” in August of 1977, instead of “Star Wars”!!!

etcmss
etcmss on January 13, 2014 at 10:18 pm

Me again. I was back in San Diego at 32nd Street starting in July of 1975 (for Electronics School). Making my nostalgic rounds of the Rosecrans area I stopped into the theater again … this time it was to see “Tommy”. I felt right at home even though I’d been in Charleston for quite a while before that. The four years since my first visit flew along rather quickly. And by the time the movie came around I was already a big fan of The Who, and practically wore out the grooves on the rock opera dual-album. So seeing the movie was pretty cool at the time, as I quietly hummed along to every song. That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.

etcmss
etcmss on January 13, 2014 at 9:59 pm

As a young submarine sailor and walking up from Sub Base Point Loma, I remember stopping in to the theater in January of 1971. I saw Tora, Tora, Tora (a nice Navy film). Checking out the dates of all of the shows that “neeb” listed confirms that my memory of places and dates hasn’t crapped out yet.

neeb
neeb on November 26, 2013 at 5:23 am

LOMA THEATRE (1960 to 1987)

3150 Rosecrans Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92110

RE = Re-Issue/ Return Engagement MO = Move-over (i.e. continuation of engagement from another theater) RSE = Reserved-Seat Engagement

Listings include regular engagements only. Dates for this part represent the first day of release or premiere, and, where known, the presentation format has been provided. Test screenings, sneak-preview screenings, midnight screenings, exclusive premieres and other private events are not included. Unless noted, presentations are all 35mm-mono sound presentation. All listing from San Diego Union, San Diego Tribune and “70mm in San Diego” by Michael Coate and William Kallay.

03/02/60 … THE GAZEBO / HAPPY ANNIVERSARY (2 weeks)
03/16/60 … AUNTI MAME / GIGI
03/23/60 … LIL’ ABNER / THE F.B.I. STORY
03/31/60 … PORGY AND BESS / THE LAST ANGRY MAN
04/08/60 … BLACK ORPHEUS (4 weeks)
05/06/60 … CARRY ON NURSE (2 weeks)
05/20/60 … CARRY ON NURSE / YOUR PAST IS SHOWING (2 weeks)
06/01/60 … CAN-CAN (RSE, 17 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09/28/60 … I’M ALL RIGHT, JACK (4 weeks)
10/26/60 … THE ROYAL BALLET
11/02/60 … MAN IN A COCKED HAT (3 weeks)
11/23/60 … SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS / THE BIG CHIEF
11/30/60 … THE APARTMENT / THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
12/07/60 … PSYCHO / ELMER GANTRY
12/14/60 … AND QUIET FLOWS THE DAWN / RUE DE PARIS
12/23/60 … NEVER ON SUNDAY (4 weeks)

01/20/61 … TUNES OF GLORY (3 weeks)
02/08/61 … SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON / THE THREE WORLDS OF GULLIVER (2 weeks)
02/21/61 … THE STORY OF RUTH
02/22/61 … HIROSHIMA MON AMOUR / MITSOU (2 weeks)
03/08/61 … BUTTERFIELD 8 / MIDNIGHT LACE (2 weeks)
03/22/61 … THE MISFITS / GIRLS OF THE NIGHT
03/29/61 … THE GRASS IS GREENER / FACTS OF LIFE
04/05/61 … THE SUNDOWNERS / SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO
04/12/61 … SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER / STRANGERS WHEN WE MET
04/19/61 … NEVER ON SUNDAY / SONS AND LOVERS (2 weeks)
05/03/61 … THE APARTMENT / ELMER GANTRY
05/12/61 … 101 DALMATIANS / WACKIEST SHIP IN THE ARMY
05/17/61 … GONE WITH THE WIND
05/24/61 … FROM THE TERRACE / INHERIT THE WIND
05/31/61 … SUZIE WONG / BUTTERFIELD 8 (2 weeks)
06/14/61 … BEN HUR (4 weeks)
07/12/61 … CIMARRON / THE ABSENTMINDED PROFESSOR (2 weeks)
07/24/61 … THE ABSENTMINDED PROFESSOR / ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT 07/26/61 … SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING / THE ANGRY SILENCE
08/02/61 … PARRISH / WILD IN THE COUNTRY
08/09/61 … ALAKAZAM THE GREAT / BEWARE OF CHILDREN
08/16/61 … BY LOVE POSSESSED / THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY*
08/23/61 … THE PARENT TRAP / SNOW WHITE AND THE THREE STOOGES
08/30/61 … SPINNING BOARDS
08/31/61 … THE PARENT TRAP / MORGAN, THE PIRATE
09/06/61 … FANNY / A RAISIN IN THE SUN
09/16/61 … FANNY / CRY FOR HAPPY
09/22/61 … LA DOLCE VITA (3 weeks)
10/13/61 … LA VERITE / MORE DEADLY THAN THE MALE
10/20/61 … FANNY / GOODBYE AGAIN
10/25/61 … THE GUNS OF NAVERONE / THE LAST SUNSET
11/01/61 … COME SEPTEMBER / THE HONEYMOON MACHINE
11/08/61 … WARREN MILLER’S SWINGIN’ SKIS
11/09/61 … ROMANOFF AND JULIET / ON THE DOUBLE
11/17/61 … GREYFRIARS BOBBY / GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN
11/22/61 … THE HUSTLER / RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE
12/06/61 … THE COMANCHEROS / MAGNIFICENT
12/13/61 … BLUE HAWAII / I BOMBED PEARL HARBOR
12/20/61 … BACK STREET / PARIS BLUES
12/25/61 … THE ROMAN SPRING OF MRS. STONE (6 weeks)

*: Featuring ‘Pinky,’ the Channel 6 Clown

02/07/62 … A MAJORITY OF ONE (7 weeks)
03/28/62 … JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG (11 weeks)
06/13/62 … ONLY TWO CAN PLAY (4 weeks)
07/11/62 … CAVALCADE OF SURF
07/12/62 … THE MIRACLE WORKER (4 weeks)
08/10/62 … A TASTE OF HONEY (6 weeks)
09/19/62 … THE MUSIC MAN (MO, 7 weeks)
11/07/62 … BOCCACCIO 70 (2 weeks)
11/21/62 … GIGOT (2 weeks)
12/05/62 … GIGOT / BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S (2 weeks)
12/20/62 … CLOSED
12/21/62 … THE LONGEST DAY (RSE, 14 weeks, Stereo)

03/27/63 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RSE, 23 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09/04/63 … 8 ½ (3 weeks)
09/27/63 … 8 ½ / PHAEDRA (3 weeks)
10/18/63 … FANTASIA (RE, 3 weeks, Stereo)
11/06/63 … THE WHEELER DEALERS
11/15/63 … THE WHEELER DEALERS / SPENCER’S MOUNTAIN (2 weeks)
11/27/63 … LILIES OF THE FIELD (4 weeks)
12/25/63 … CHARADE (11 weeks)

03/11/64 … DR. STRANGELOVE (8 weeks)
05/06/64 … DR. STRANGELOVE / THE MOUSE THAT ROARED (2 weeks)
05/20/64 … THE BEST MAN / THE CEREMONY (2 weeks)
06/03/64 … LILIES OF THE FIELD / THE CARDINAL (2 weeks)
06/19/64 … BECKET (8 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
08/12/64 … THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (10 weeks)
10/28/64 … TOPKAPI (8 weeks)
12/23/64 … GOLDFINGER (14 weeks)

03/31/65 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (133 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)

10/18/67 … TO SIR, WITH LOVE (25 weeks)

04/10/68 … IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT / BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (RE, 7 weeks)
05/29/68 … HALF A SIXPENCE (2 weeks)
06/12/68 … BEDAZZLED / TWO FOR THE ROAD
06/19/68 … ROSEMARY’S BABY (19 weeks)
10/30/68 … BELLE DE JOUR (4 weeks)
11/27/68 … BELLE DE JOUR / INTERLUDE (3 weeks)
12/18/68 … STAR! (RSE, 12 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)

03/12/69 … CHARLY (12 weeks)
05/28/69 … IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM (5 weeks)
07/02/69 … GOODBYE, COLUMBUS (14 weeks)
10/08/72 … ALICE’S RESTAURANT (11 weeks)
12/25/69 … CACTUS FLOWER (12 weeks)

03/18/70 … MAROONED (8 weeks)
05/13/70 … WOODSTOCK (21 weeks, Stereo)
10/07/70 … TORA TORA TORA (RSE, 25 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)

03/31/71 … LITTLE MURDERS (4 weeks)
04/28/71 … MRS. POLLIFAX – SPY / ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER 05/05/71 … MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN (4 weeks, Stereo)
06/02/71 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ / THE MAGUS (2 weeks)
06/18/71 … SUMMER OF ‘42 (9 weeks)
08/18/71 … SCANDALOUS JOHN (3 weeks)
09/10/71 … THE ANDERSON TAPES / THE REIVERS
09/17/71 … THE TOUCH (2 weeks)
09/29/71 … THE TOUCH / Z (2 weeks)
10/15/71 … BEAD AND BOARD / CLAIRE’S KNEE
10/22/71 … THE STEAGLE / THE MAN WHO HAD POWER OVER WOMEN
10/29/71 … SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY (3 weeks)
11/19/71 … THE LION IN WINTER / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (3 weeks)
12/08/71 … BONNIE AND CLYDE / BULLITT
12/14/71 … FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (RSE, 52 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)

12/14/72 … MAN OF LA MANCHA (RSE, 15 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)

04/04/73 … LOST HORIZON (10 weeks)
06/13/73 … CAMELOT (RE, 5 weeks)
07/20/73 … A TOUCH OF CLASS (4 weeks)
08/15/73 … AMERICAN GRAFFITI (18 weeks)
12/21/73 … THE PAPER CHASE (7 weeks)

02/08/74 … THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN (8 weeks)
04/03/74 … MAME (13 weeks)
07/03/74 … DAISY MILLER (2 weeks)
07/17/74 … OUR TIME / 40 CARATS (MO)
07/24/74 … THE WHITE DAWN (2 weeks)
08/09/74 … THE TAMARIND SEED (9 weeks)
10/09/74 … FANTASIA (5 weeks)
11/15/74 … EARTHQUAKE (19 weeks, Sensurround)

04/30/75 … TOMMY (17 weeks, Stereo)
08/27/75 … BEYOND THE DOOR (4 weeks, “Quadrophonic Possesound” )
09/26/75 … BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?
10/03/75 … THE HAPPY HOOKER (MO, 2 weeks)
10/17/75 … ROOSTER COGBURN (6 weeks)
11/26/75 … ROOSTER COGBURN / KING OF HEARTS (4 weeks)
12/25/75 … THE HINDENBERG (10 weeks)

03/05/76 … GABLE AND LOMBARD (6 weeks)
04/14/76 … GABLE AND LOMBARD / THE SUNSHINE BOYS (2 weeks)
04/30/76 … BABY BLUE MARINE (2 weeks)
05/14/76 … THE MAN WHO SKIED DOWN EVEREST (2 weeks)
05/28/76 … W.C. FIELDS AND ME (3 weeks)
06/18/76 … CAMELOT (RE)
06/25/76 … THE OMEN (16 weeks)
10/15/76 … FANTASIA (4 weeks)
11/12/76 … TWO MINUTE WARNING (5 weeks)
12/14/76 … TWO MINUTE WARNING / THE EIGER SANCTION
12/22/76 … SILVER STREAK (16 weeks)

04/01/77 … SLAP SHOT (6 weeks)
05/13/77 … NASTY HABITS (4 weeks)
06/10/77 … ROLLERCOASTER (8 weeks, Sensurround)
08/05/77 … MACARTHUR (10 weeks)
10/19/77 … LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (8 weeks)
12/16/77 … SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (26 weeks)

06/16/78 … JAWS 2 (10 weeks)
08/25/78 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 5 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09/29/78 … DEATH ON THE NILE (11 weeks)
12/15/78 … OLIVER’S STORY (5 weeks)

01/19/79 … GOIN’ SOUTH (MO)
01/26/79 … GREASE (MO, 2 weeks)
02/09/79 … SUPERMAN (MO, 20 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/29/79 … BLOODLINE (5 weeks)
08/03/79 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/12/79 … WINDS OF CHANGE (3 weeks)
11/02/79 … SLEEPING BEAUTY (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
12/14/79 … 1941 (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02/29/80 … NORMA RAE (3 weeks)
03/21/80 … LITTLE MISS MARKER (5 weeks)
04/25/80 … WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM (4 weeks)
05/23/80 … NIGHT GAMES (3 weeks)
06/13/80 … THE ISLAND (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/11/80 … THE BLUE LAGOON
07/18/80 … THE BLUE LAGOON (10 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09/26/80 … DIVINE MADNESS (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/24/80 … IT’S MY TURN (6 weeks)
12/05/80 … FLASH GORDON (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/30/81 … THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (5 weeks)
03/06/81 … AMERICAN POP (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/10/81 … NIGHTHAWKS (6 weeks)
05/22/81 … THE FOUR SEASONS (9 weeks)
07/24/81 … EYE OF THE NEEDLE (5 weeks)
08/28/81 … COMIN’ AT YA! (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo, 3-D)
09/25/81 … MOMMIE DEAREST (8 weeks)
11/20/81 … WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS (2 weeks)
12/04/81 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE / 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo / 70mm-Stereo)
12/18/81 … RAGTIME (8 weeks)

02/19/82 … SHOOT THE MOON (5 weeks)
03/26/82 … PERSONAL BEST (3 weeks)
04/16/82 … FANTASIA (RE, 5 weeks, Stereo)
05/21/82 … AC/DC: LET THERE BE ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/11/82 … E.T. THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL (52 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

06/08/83 … TRADING PLACES (20 weeks)
10/28/83 … THE RETURN OF LAUREL AND HARDY (2 weeks)*
11/11/83 … STAR 80 (4 weeks)
12/09/83 … SUDDEN IMPACT (6 weeks)

*: Presented with “Live Organ Accompaniment by Tommy Stark”

01/20/84 … NEVER CRY WOLF (MO, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02/17/84 … LASSITER (3 weeks)
03/09/84 … CHILDREN OF THE CORN (2 weeks)
03/23/84 … CHILDREN OF THE CORN / SUDDEN IMPACT
03/30/84 … GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/23/84 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (18 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09/28/84 … A SOLDIER’S STORY (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/05/84 … BEVERLY HILLS COP (18 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

04/12/85 … LADYHAWKE (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/07/85 … THE GOONIES (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/12/85 … EXPLORERS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/26/85 … NATIONAL LAMPOON’S EUROPEAN VACATION (3 weeks)
08/16/85 … THE BRIDE (Dolby Stereo)
08/23/85 … THE BRIDE / THE EMERALD FOREST (Dolby Stereo / Mono)
08/30/85 … COMPROMISING POSITIONS (4 weeks)
09/27/85 … AGNES OF GOD (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/22/85 … AMERICAN FLYERS (70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/27/85 … MACARONI
12/04/85 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

01/03/86 … THE COLOR PURPLE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/07/86 … PRETTY IN PINK (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/21/86 … SLEEPING BEAUTY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/11/86 … SLEEPING BEAUTY / CROSSROADS (Dolby Stereo / Dolby Stereo)
04/18/86 … WISE GUYS
04/25/86 … VIOLETS ARE BLUE
05/02/86 … JO JO DANCER, YOUR LIFE IS CALLING (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/16/86 … TOP GUN (20 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/26/86 … STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME (13 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

02/27/87 … SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/27/87 … 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD (2 weeks)
04/10/87 … RAISING ARIZONA (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/20/87 … BEVERLY HILLS COP II (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/17/87 … SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/31/87 … THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/28/87 … HAMBURGER HILL (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/18/87 … FATAL ATTRACTION (13 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/18/87 … DARK

rivest266
rivest266 on April 6, 2012 at 2:55 pm

This opened on May 25th, 1945. Grand opening ad in photo section for this theatre.

Coate
Coate on July 1, 2011 at 1:26 pm

“Internet Movie Database gives a March 1965 world premiere date of 29 March 1965 for Sound of Music (but it may not have opened immediately in San Diego)”

March 29, 1965, is not the correct date for the world premiere (in New York) or the opening in San Diego. (March 29th is when the film premiered in London.) The world premiere of “The Sound of Music” was actually held on March 2nd. The San Diego premiere was held four weeks later on March 31st.

The IMDB…sigh… Great for actors and which films they starred in, but not very reliable for things like release dates or technical data. For more insight on “Sound of Music” release dates and its exhibition history, please see my article, Happy 45th, The Sound of Music

PassatDoc
PassatDoc on June 30, 2011 at 5:14 pm

@TArbiter: Your recollection is most likely correct, Sound of Music began there in 1965 and—since it ran 2 ½ years—must have lasted until at least late 1967. I remember seeing “Rosemary’s Baby” at the Loma during sixth grade (1967-68), after Sound of Music concluded its run, so it must have been sometime in winter or spring of 1968. Internet Movie Database gives a March 1965 world premiere date of 29 March 1965 for Sound of Music (but it may not have opened immediately in San Diego), and a June 1968 USA premiere date for Rosemary’s Baby. So I must have seen the latter film shortly after eseen the latter film about the time school let out in June 1968.

By the way, the “Gateway Village” military housing along Barnett St was torn down several years ago and replaced by condominiums. St. Charles Catholic Church is still there. MCRD is still there as you knew it, but NCTD was torn down and today hosts homes and shopping areas, called “Liberty Station”. If you lived in Gateway Village, then you would have attended Dewey Elementary, Collier Junior High, or Point Loma High, depending on your school grade at the time.

TArbiter
TArbiter on June 30, 2011 at 4:36 pm

“The Sound of Music” was playing at this theatre when my family moved to San Diego in April 1966, and it was still playing there when we moved away in November 1967. We saw most of our movies at the MCRD theatre and at the Aero Drive-In. The Aero was on El Cajon Blvd, if I remember correctly.

PassatDoc
PassatDoc on June 24, 2010 at 11:02 am

In the early to mid 1960s, the Loma ran Saturday morning matinees during the summer months. It may have been going on during the 40s and 50s but I was too young to have remembered. Usually a Disney flick, some cartoons, and a drawing for a free trip to Disneyland. At one point, if you presented I think a dozen Mountain Dew bottle caps, admission was free. Otherwise you paid 25 cents. It wasn’t a Saturday morning habit with me, but I recall going maybe half a dozen times as a kid.

PassatDoc
PassatDoc on June 24, 2010 at 10:50 am

The Loma held a “second anniversary party” for Sound Of Music when it hit the two year mark. They rounded up some of the child cast members and had a huge cake prepared. I remember seeing a photo in the Union of one of the two boys in the cast cutting the cake with Angela Cartwright (who by that time was appearing in “Lost In Space”). I don’t recall if the public was invited to the party or if it was just a PR stunt for the papers.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on June 21, 2010 at 10:31 pm

Check the map — the theater is between Rosecrans Street and Rosecrans Place. There is no Blvd.

But you’re right that Bookstar is using Place in their address, but Street is more correct for the theater.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on June 21, 2010 at 7:35 pm

The correct street address is Rosecrans Place, not Blvd.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on May 18, 2010 at 2:13 pm

“SOUND OF MUSIC” played 133 weeks. I can’t even comment on that,but i shouldn’t ever complain about having to play it for a couple of weeks back in the 70’s, I pity the poor ushers dealing with the old ladies.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on March 2, 2010 at 8:38 pm

Very nice looking theatre,the Belle Meade Theatre in Nashville,Tenneessee is also a bookstore now,but they still have the sign board and vertical signs still there.