Bella Union Theatre
825 Kearny Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94108
825 Kearny Street,
San Francisco,
CA
94108
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Additional Info
Functions: Retail
Styles: Oriental
Previous Names: Shanghai Theatre, Kearney Street Theatre, Kearny Burlesque, Rex Theatre, Kearney Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Bella Union Theatre, third and last San Francisco theatre to use this once popular name, located on the eastern edge of San Francisco’s Chinatown, opened around 1911 as the Shanghai Theatre. In 1913 it was renamed the Kearny Street Theatre, and, by the 1940’s had become Kearny Burlesque. It began screening adult movies on September 11, 1943.
In 1948, it was renamed Rex Theatre, and, as such, was an outlet for Filipino films. On October 5, 1948, it was renamed Bella Union Theatre, the occasion being a short-lived attempt to show silent films, with recorded musical accompaniment, but this venture was not profitable, and Chinese films soon became its mainstay. On June 14, 1974 it became an adult theatre renamed Kearney Theatre.
Following this it successfully operated as the Bella Union Theatre until 1985 at which time the space was converted into retail space.
Contributed by
Tillmany
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
In late 1960 and 1961 the theater was not showing films, but was home to a theater group that presented three-act plays on the stage. Performances were on weekends for several weeks. Then the theater was dark while a new play was rehearsed and new sets were built in the cellar. I was stationed in San Francisco in the Coast Guard at the time and worked on the stage crew for several productions.
From the above posted 1972 photo, was that arched front building on the left also once a movie house? It certainly looks like a nickelodeon facade.
Hmmm. That photo from ‘72 is of course the theater ( I remember the sign w/ Chinese characters so well), so my recollection of someone shouting down to 'Johnny" from an upper window to open the theater must be wrong. Or the person could have been shouting down from a window in the apt. building 2 doors to the right. At any rate, the mid-week matinee unspooling of Black Sunday was sparsely attended to be sure, but probably cost a buck & change and it was one of my favorite movies at the time so I had a great time. 'A Moment in Time’ sounds really cool. I spent a lot of time roaming the streets of Chinatown as a kid and remember some Chinese theaters, one on Grant Ave. (Sun SIng?) and Great Star on Jackson. Also the Grandview & the Palace. Never saw a movie inside these theaters but wish I had.
Confused about which one of the two buildings was the Bella Union. the one housing World Ginseng Center (825 Kearny) or the building to its left with the semi-circle window? Any insights appreciated.
I google street viewed the address (825 Kearny). After enlarging it the numbers 825 are visible above the entry doors of the World Ginseng Center.
Jack Tillmany’s thorough listing of SF theaters at http://home.earthlink.net/~minhnghia/theater.html is undecided as to the address of the Bella Union, née the Shanghai. Either 825 or 821. Anyone with photos of the building when it was known as the Bella Union (1949-1985) should post to clear up the address conundrum.
Reopened as Kearny on September 11th, 1943 showing adult movies. Ad in photo section.
And reopened again as the Kearny cinema on June 14th, 1974 showing adult movies. Ad in the photo section.
The Bella Union Theatre is seen several times in background scenes in “Impact” (1949) which caught my eye and I researched its identity. See our photo gallery.
Mid to late
60s photo added courtesy Mark MacDougal. It had an overhang built over the entrance with a totem pole on top in front of a vertical Bella Union sign. Appears to have still have been a live theatre venue, as mentioned it had been in the early60s.