Downtown Theatre
198 Ellis Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94102
198 Ellis Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94102
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Blumenfeld Theater Circuit
Architects: Benjamin Geer McDougall, Charles C. McDougall
Firms: McDougall Brothers
Previous Names: Casino Theatre
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The Casino Theatre opened on April 8, 1917 with vaudeville and films. It prospered until the advent of sound and struggled through the depression with low-cost late-run motion picture attractions.
Following a remodel in 1941, it reopened as the Downtown Theatre in January 1, 1942, with double features which changed daily, and a nightly Spin-O-Win game. Television brought an end to this policy in 1950, and it survived two more years with burlesque before finally shutting down in September 1952. In 1953, the Downtown Theatre met the wrecking ball.
Contributed by
Tillmany
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The Downtown Theatre seated 1934 people.
The Casino Theatre was designed by architect Benjamin G. McDougall, according to the November, 1917, issue of The Architect & Engineer of California.
This opened on April 8th, 1917. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
and reopened as Downtown on January 1st, 1942. Another ad posted.
Casino Theatre architect Benjamin Geer McDougall was a partner in the firm of McDougall Brothers, Architects. Youngest brother George Barnett McDougall became State Architect in 1913, though I don’t know how long he remained in that office. It’s possible that he wasn’t active in the firm at the time the Casino was built. Eldest brother Charles C. McDougall probably was, though.