Tamalpais Theatre
328 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard,
San Anselmo,
CA
94960
328 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard,
San Anselmo,
CA
94960
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Blumenfeld Theater Circuit, Pacific Theatres
Architects: Harold G. Stoner
Functions: Office Space, Retail
Previous Names: Tamalpais Community Playhouse
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Opened on February 22, 1924 as the Tamalpais Community Playhouse. The opening movie was Gloria Swanson in “The Humming Bird”. A concert was performed on the stage, headed by female vocalist and pianist Uda Waldrop who also opened the $25,000 organ. It became a full time movie house a year later as the Tamalpais Theatre. It was operated until 1976 by the Blumenfeld Theatre chain and from 1976 until closing in 1989 by Pacific Theatres.
The 1,086-seat auditorium was demolished after the Tamalpais Theatre closed to make way for a parking lot. The remaining interior at the front of the building was gutted, with the lower level becoming retail space and the upper floor becoming offices. The façade was restored and the marquee is now used to announce community events.
Contributed by
frenchjr25, David Guastavino
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
A correction to the above —-
The Tam Theatre, as the locals new it, was originally opened in 1924-25 as the Tamalpais Community Playhouse, and one year later, became the Tamalpais Theatre and was operated as a movie theatre until its closing in 1989. It was built and operated for most of its existence by the Blumenfeld Theatre circuit of San Francisco, and later (from 1976 until its closing) by Pacific Theatres of Los Angeles. The theatre was named after a local geological landmark, Mount Tamalpais, which dominates views for most of central and southern Marin County, north of San Francisco.
It seated 1086, all on one main floor, with about 250 of these seats, located at the back of the theare, being rocking-back loges (cost 50 cents extra to sit in them when I was a kid!)
Prior to demolition, the auditorium chandeliers visible in the photo were salvaged. I remeber seeing them sitting in the lobby as demolition of the auditorium commenced.
Harold G stoner was the Architect of Tamalpais Theatre. He was my Grandfather.
Here are photos from 1970, 1980 and 1986:
http://tinyurl.com/pj86sq
http://tinyurl.com/pa2fws
http://tinyurl.com/pzzdkz
http://tinyurl.com/qusq6s
Link with multiple vintage photos.
http://www.marinnostalgia.org/portfolio/tamalpais-theater/?fbclid=IwAR1WOeyKbY18I99VtYvJ2pTeHpwi8fZW1SsylMWy3x0qGonipaCUHZntQUI