Comments from terrywade

Showing 1,101 - 1,125 of 1,168 comments

terrywade
terrywade commented about Skyview Drive-In on Sep 14, 2007 at 9:18 pm

Just learned today The Skyview is being sold to Sutter Health people. They will turn the DI into a new maternity ward. This was a great Santa Cruz DI going strong for 60 years! Owned by the Martins family since 1947. I remember as a kid when they added Cinemascope to the big flat sq screen tower in 1955. It was also the time I got lost going to the rest room in the fog. They had to flash a lost kid sign up on the screen so my parents had to come and get me. I forgot the car location! If you are in the Northern CA Santa Cruz area check the place out before the movies stop playing. The Drive In has two screens now but the main screen in the largest. It will be missed as you drive by on the freeway. I am so glad my parents took me to the old Encina DI in the 50’s and 60’s. The screen tower has big lights on the top that come on during the intermission. I guess to guide you to the refreshment counter. The proj booth is now in a sep building. Goodbye Encina/Skyview DI thanks for the memories!

terrywade
terrywade commented about Fox Rosemary Theatre on Sep 14, 2007 at 8:52 pm

Was this the theatre that had the Magic Carpet ride when it was Pacific Ocean Park in the 60’s ? I seems to me that a old movie theatre had this ride in it. The Flight To Mars ride was my favorite. What a great park this was. I even think it was owned by the Fox West Coast people National General Corp just like in San Francisco they got money hungry in the 60’s and tore down the SF Fox Theatre and built a apt building on the spot. Good thing they didn’t own the land under the Graumans Chinese that they ran as a Fox West Coast Theatre the NGC folks lost money on not being able to sell this house and add it to the destruction they did to the other fine theatres they owned. I still have a popcorn box from the Fox West Coast Theatres a NGC Co The Place To GO! A place to go no more.

terrywade
terrywade commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Sep 6, 2007 at 1:34 am

A recent visit to ‘Madame Dara’ the gypsy fortune teller in San Francisco CA has told me today the future of the Mann’s Grauman’s Theatre in Hollywood CA. Looking just 2 years from now; and with city help. The new owners CIM will put a new big fancy hotel above the air space on top of the Chinese Theatre. (Just like in NYC) It will be called the Grauman’s CIM Hotel Hollywood. It will have a oriental/tiki look with 600 rooms. The big draw she told me will be all the Movie Star beggers outside dressed for the tourist crowd will move inside the new hotel and offer nite tuck down service to the guests that pay a little extra for a Hollywood touch! Imagine Marilyn or the Pirate can come to your room. The big money thing that the CIM people will do $$$ is put in the Big Tong Gates in front of the forcourt and charge $5 per person to enter and see the movie star prints and take photos (No Video) that’s extra. If your on a tour bus the bus people will pay CIM $3 per head for entrance 24/7 The big news that blew me away ‘Madame Dara’ told me this afternoon when Mann goes out of business two brothers from the San Francisco area will take over the Mann Theatres (what is left after the big LA earthquake and fire in 2008) I asked her the name of the brothers she said it started with a S. I thought it will be the Forman brothers with Pacific she said no. I mentioned Syufy Brothers. Yes she said that will be the new owners of the former Mann Chinese in the future. They are breaking away from the tired Century/Cinemark multiplex folks and go single screen at the Chinese. They will only run the Graumans Chinese Theatre part for the CIM folks. She thinks the 6 plex behind the main Chinese will be a big Chinese food court for the out of town people? Also the Syufys will have to pay 50% of the theatre candy/popcorn sales direct to the CIM owners so they can buy more land in Hollywood. I was thinking when I left ‘Ms Dara’ today the CIM guys are very smart business people buying the Chinese Theatre and the air space above. Watch for booking reservations in 2010! Superman or Batman can come visit you in you room! Will the old Mann Paramount/Warner Bros Theatre people get a cut of this new room entertainment venture? Big flat wide screen Tv’s will be in every room. You will be able to watch the exact movie that is playing in the big curved screen Chinese below you in your room without showmanship; or will they put a little curtain on each TV? A extra charge for Dolby Digital Stereo per movie in your room will be added to your room bill. The CIM people know how to bring in the tourist $$$$. Hollywood needs more nice big hotels bring on this new venture. And thanks to ‘Madame Dara’ she knows all!

terrywade
terrywade commented about Showcase Theatre on Sep 2, 2007 at 5:21 pm

The Burl Theare in Boulder Creek Ca still stands. At one time they put a gym on the top level. The same people I think owned a small Drive In also in Boulder Creek across from the Boulder Creek Country Club. Called the Starview or Starlite. One of the great things about this little Santa Cruz mountain theatre It was a fun to go during the summer in the 60’s. They ran 2 movies, had curtains and color lights on the side walls. I collected the monthly adds with small photos on what was playing for the whole month. Like a movie Calendar. To bad my dad tossed out all my collection of movie adds for this theatre and the Encina Drive In in Santa Cruz. CA when I was on vacation in Hawaii in the mid 60’s. I didn’t talk to him for 2 months. At least he did'nt get to my poster collection. If your in the Santa Cruz mountains go by and check out this nice little town Boulder Creek CA and check out what is left of the Burl Theatre. Look on the side of the quonset hut of the former Burl. I talked to a former manager in the 70’s she told me they closed it because the kids kept cutting the seats up. Bad kids on summer vacation! They sold the Drive In for a houses. Never put in Cinemascope at the Drive In as I think it went down mid 50’s? The Burl had a very nice size scope screen up till it closed. The only other theatre still open is a small 6 plex in Scotts Valley Ca. Or you can drive into Santa Cruz and check out the Delmar Theatre downtown. Regal also has a multiplex on the main st in Santa Cruz along with a small twin near the river. The old Encina Drive In is still open under a new name and has been twinned in Santa Cruz. I think the Burl can be brought back someday so the people of Boulder Creek have a movie place to go. Just keep the rough kids out! If they were that bad in the 60’s the new kids are worse now. Show family films and art movies at night. Make the kids come with the parents. It is a very safe town,I think in the 60’s you got the beach kids that liked to cause trouble.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Lark Theater on Sep 2, 2007 at 9:04 am

The Lark Theatre people need to advertise in the SF newspapers and let people know they are open and what is running. All the other th eatres in Marin Co have a small add in the SF Cronicle. Is the place still open? Many of us in San Francisco will drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit a nice single screen theatre. The theatres in Marin Co don’t have many Art Theatres. Many times we take Bart to the front door almost of the Orinda Theatre in Orinda Ca. The neon, real curtains that open and close so much nicer then the multiplex junk. I have not been to the Lark in many years. Do they have curtains on the screen or stereo sound?

terrywade
terrywade commented about Villa Theatre on Sep 2, 2007 at 8:50 am

Thanks Grant for the great photos of The Villa. I got to see this Cinerama/Toddd-AO house many years ago when we had a THS conclave put on by Van Summerill from Odgen Ut. To see the wonderfull curved screen was the hi lite of the tour week. I will be ordering a few of the DVD’S ‘Preserve Me A Seat’ this week. And thanks to Mr Adib who saved the building from the wrecking ball; while not the Roadshow 70mm house it was at least it still stands. Someday maybe the rugs can be sold in a nearby building and big scrren movies can be shown again for the people of Salt Lake. Not first run; that killed it. Bring back as many restored 70mm prints and some old Cinerama films for a new generation to enjoy. Turn it into a Curved Screen Museum and bring in the visiting tourists that come to see the Mormon Temple.

terrywade
terrywade commented about CineArts at the Empire on Aug 28, 2007 at 8:53 am

Thanks Slevin for the up date info on the Empire Theatre San Francisco. I only go to the large Theatre #1 downstairs. The two tiny up stair old balcony theatres did finaly add Stereo. Can you imagine the Syufy’s Century guys ran the place mono up stairs till just 2 years ago. And they mounted the up stairs projectors down so they didn’t move and shake. They no longer book just art films but everything else. Also they no longer close the curtain in the main theatre. The Syufy’s Century people or is it Cinemark now have no use for any showmanship at the theatres they run that still have curtains that work. A year ago a manager candy type person told me that they don’t close the curtain because they don’t wan’t it to get stuck like what happend on a Saturday night once. Please bring in some curtain people and oil it up! At least the Syufy’s didn’t chop up the downstairs in the middle like they have done at some of the Domes in San Jose. Good news the great Mexican restaurant is still open across and up a little; they are closed on Mondays. Have dinner and a drink and check out Theatre #1 at the Empire. They still have day time showing’s as many SF Landmark Art Theatres only open in the late afternoon or early eve on the weekdays now. Tell them to fix the curtain with all the $ they make from popcorn and drink sales. Even Landmark’s Bridge Theatre in SF has a great little curtain that opens very slow and now has digital projection. Time for the SF Empire to go into remodel again. Look up at the ceiling in Theatre #1 and see the old brown paint coming off from the last paint job they tried to cover over some old vents or lights. The seats are new in Theatre #1 and nice with cupholders and plenty of leg room. The leg room upstairs in Theatre #2 and #3 is not so great if your a tall person.

terrywade
terrywade commented about El Capitan Theatre on Aug 26, 2007 at 10:42 am

Thanks for some history on the CineMiracle system. I am so glad I got to see all the 3 proj Cinerama films in San Francisco at the Orpheum Theatre and some at the Warner Hollywood. At least like the El Captian these theatres are still around. Now lets get someone with a lot of $$$ and buy the Warner Hollywood from the Formans at Pacific Theatres and put back in Cinerama/ Todd AO and show all the 70mm roadshows with new prints for the out of town tourists that go by the chained up Warner. What a place for Cinema history. The tourists have money to spend in Hollywood and are tired of what is out on the streets of Hollywood in 2007. Bring back the 50’s experience for a new generation that is getting bored staying at home watching DVD’S. Bring on the Cinerama Pink curtains and put in the largest curved screen in the world in Hollywood. The out of town tourist crowd walks past the Warner Hollywood most don’t even go down to the Cinerama Dome complex or even know about the Dome Theatre on Sunset Blvd.

terrywade
terrywade commented about El Capitan Theatre on Aug 25, 2007 at 6:21 pm

Veyoung. I heard the Cinerama people when they bought out the CineMiracle system destroyed most of the photos of the 3 or 4 USA installations. You never see any photos of the CineMiracle curtains or screen anywhere around. You can see some photos of the CM booth setup in old Boxoffice mags. Can you imagine the El Capitan/ Paramount Hollywood from it’s 70mm Roadshow days with a big wrap around curved screen. The El Cap doesn’t seem as wide or deep as the guys across the street at the Graumens Chinese Hollywood. The only way they can do it is start the big curve more on the stage then bring out a little to the sides. I hear from a friend Ted from THS he saw the CineMiracle set up at the Chinese in 1958 and it was so big and curved he said that it took along time just for the curtains to open. Must have looked nice. Someone has photos; one of these days they will turn up. Cinerama Stanley Warner was so upset that someone came along ‘National General’ and made a better Cinerama type system. To bad they ran out of money and had to sell out fast with only one film.‘Windjammer'ended up at most Cinerama Theatres after the CineMiracle limited run. In off Disney times the El Capitan needs to run a 70mm week of films and curve the screen a little. Bring back the Roadshow days for a new generation to see. Gone are the days of 6 Track Mag Sound, Intermissions, Programs, and Pre show music on the film track with Exit music. I can’t believe the people at Sony just released a DVD of Columbia’s 'Funny Girl’ taken from the Roadshow print I guess; and they go and put 3 or 4 minutes of BLACK screen over the new Dolby Digital 5.1 mix open Overture. Why didn’t they put in some curtains at the start of the video and open them like they did when the movie played at the theatres. I know a lot of people bought the new DVD and didn’t know about the pre show music open and tried to return the DVD saying it was bad. No picture but had sound at the top. Wake up Sony! Go out and film some Theatre curtains (If you can still find some) and re do the opening on some of your roadshow Columbia prints to video. At least the new younger crowd that buys a DVD can see what went on in the 50’s and 60’s In the Roadshow Theatres like the El Capitan. I will never forget the time I saw ‘Funny Girl’ on the new big curved D-150 screen down the street at the Egyptian. I think It was a 70mm scope blowup and looked and sounded great.

terrywade
terrywade commented about El Capitan Theatre on Aug 25, 2007 at 8:29 am

William can you tell me why when I saw the Pirate movie at the El Capitan the surrounds didn’t have any volume to them. I sat downstairs in the mid section? But up in the Bay Area I saw the same movie in two mega multiplex theatres and the surround was up and clear with great split surround effects. I don’t think the projection people turned up the surrounds at these theatres but the balance was better then at the Hollywood El Capitan; they seem to have all the sound from the stage speakers and not from the effect surrounds. The balcony surrounds are even lower. The Chinese still can have some pre show entertainment even if it doesn’t have a stage. They can put something up on the right and left sides or put something in front of the screen that goes up and down. Iam sure Warner Bros or Paramount (The Mann People) can go to Las Vegas and see what they do with moving stages. I don’t think they want to spend any money to make money. They are only interested in the candy counter $ that’s why they wrecked the whole back of the downstairs to make the refreshment stand and lobby bigger. You can see the great lights that used to be in the back of the Chinese now above the popcorn machine. At least they have some color lights in them as the same lights in the main theatre when the movie is dark. Are they trying to save money by not having any color lights on low during the film showing? A few little blue/green or red lights on the ceiling or sides would look great. Does anyone have any photos of the Cinemiracle curved screen at the Chinese from 1958? I saw many 70mm prints shown at the El Capitan but the screen seemed flat or may have had a slight curve to it. The old projection booth at the El Capitan was way up above the balcony at that time of roadshow 70mm films with a long way down to the Cinemascope screen. They still run video at times from the original booth; but most films or video are projected downstairs with no keystone.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Vine Theatre on Aug 24, 2007 at 7:31 pm

Yes I was down in Hollywood just a few weeks ago on a HOT Sat afternoon for my bad/good time at the Hollywood Vine Theatre. I suggest going with some fun friends and going by the Frolic Room for some tropical drinks then hit the Vine for some fun. Check this Grindhouse out. It is so bad you will have fun. Don’t anger the candy/manager he will ask you to leave. Wait till you hear the projector grinding away from the booth with no glass hole. The bad hum and pop sounds on the Dolby system they have is worth the $7 to get in! The place even has surround sound. Watch out for dark filmed scenes in the movie you go to see; you won’t see much on the dirty screen at 30% light level. Check it out Shatter and let me know what you think. Watch your wallet! Don’t go on a hot day. Good place to hit on a rainy weekend. If it ever rains in Hollywood go visit the Vine. One of the only Theatres still showing second run double bills. Next time I am bringing 6 friends from Northern CA around Xmass time; they can’t believe the stories I tell them about this place. It may be bad but for some reason It has a dumpy charm. Enjoy It why you can; the night club people will be moving in soon! Then only three movie theatres will be left on Hollywood Blvd.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Landmark Theatres on Aug 24, 2007 at 11:09 am

Do they have curtains on the screens? Curved screens? Big Candy counter? Easy Bathroom Crowd Control? NO NO NO NO!

terrywade
terrywade commented about Stonestown Twin on Aug 23, 2007 at 9:45 pm

Eric******Thanks for the info on the Vogue. Iam glad it is still open. The UA/Regal Stonestown will take to much $$ to fix up, Regal won’t spend the money. They are almost out of San Francisco.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Starlite Drive-In on Aug 22, 2007 at 9:27 pm

Santa Cruz had a drive in and still does. It was a small distance from the Starlite in Watsonville. It was called the Encina DI in the 50’s and 60’s. The new name is the Starview I think now and is still open. Do you know If the Encina was run by the same people that ran the long gone Starlite in Watsonville? They also has a DI in Boulder Creek CA in the 50’s had a name like the Starview I think? This was run by the same people that ran the Burl Theatre in Boulder Creek CA. At least Santa Cruz still has a Drive In with two screens and a flea mrkt on the weekends. Why is it not listed on Cinema Treasures? Can you do some checking and get the Encina or it’s new name up in the Santa Cruz listing. Looking forward to the big THS conclave in 2008 in this area. Wait till the people on the tour see the Delmar in Santa Cruz and the State Theatre in Monterey.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Del Mar Theatre on Aug 22, 2007 at 9:02 pm

Thanks to Jim who runs this great theatre in Surf City Santa Cruz. The best thing ever to happen to downtown Santa Cruz after the 89 earthquake was UA getting out of the theatre business in Santa Cruz. Now they are back up the street with the Regal/UA 9. When they put a wall down the middle of the Delmar to make more money the Delmar lost most of it’s charm. But now the wall is gone with the downstairs theatre almost just as it was with waterfall curtains with purple/red lights on them with deco lights on the side walls. New seats and Dolby Digital. The neon marquee has been fixed up. I heard a rumor that when UA ran the theatre they cut the wires to the marquee rather then fix it. If your in Califoria check out the Delmar. About 90 min down the coast from San Francisco. All the best art films play now on the big screen downstairs, up stairs has two small cinemas in the old balcony. The Delmar is were I saw The High & The Mighty on the big Cinemascope screen with 4 track mag stereo in the 50’s. I was very young but I will always remember the surround stereo sound coming from the sides and back when the plane in the film had trouble. My parents sat in the balcony as the downstairs was sold out. The Delmar is back! Check it out.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Marina Theatre on Aug 22, 2007 at 8:36 pm

I went past the New Marina Theatre last week. The new marquee is on the right side. A very lame looking thing in the same style as the drug store sign that San Francisco has so many of the same name. No neon or title banner. Bring back the big old Marina Theatre neon marquee, long gone I guess.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Grand Lake Theatre on Aug 22, 2007 at 8:46 am

With the new Alameda Theaters do to open sometime soon with it’s main huge theatre the Grand Lake is going to loose many customers. You watch as soon as the Alameda opens watch Allen re open up to the movie public his semi private auction art deco auction theatre in Alameda. The Grand Lake will have some competion for the first time since the Jack London Sq Theatre opened that Regal just remodled.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Alexandria Theatre on Aug 19, 2007 at 10:58 am

The United Artists in downtown SF never had a curved scrren for it’s roadshow 70mm movies. I saw The Bible a D150 film at the UA on a flat large 70mm screen. Same at the Alexandria it had a 70mm screen that had a small curve to it, not the Todd-Ao full wrap around curve. To bad the Alexandria showed most of the Todd-Ao prints on a almost flat screen.Can you imagine seeing the movie Cleopatra on a big curved screen inside the Alexandria. I had to see it run flat when it played at this great SF roadshow house. Right theatre to show this film in, you felt like you were on the Nile.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Stonestown Twin on Aug 18, 2007 at 11:21 pm

John***Check out the SF Cron today they have the Vogue listed under new management. Opening Aug 24 2007. No UA/REGAL logo. Do you know what is going on?

terrywade
terrywade commented about Stonestown Twin on Aug 18, 2007 at 10:17 am

Thank God they have left most of San Francisco. The UA circuit in the last few years in SF ran their theatres in not the best ways. You can go to the same art movie in San Jose and hear the surrounds from time to time. The UA Stonestown is a chop up house. It’s days are numbered. I think when the lease runs out with the Stonestown people they are out of San Francisco. Once a great circuit in the 50’s they got money hungrey in the 60’s and 70’s and did the big cut job on their big houses. I am surprised they did’t go for a 4 plex at the UA Stonestown. The manager told me many years ago they keep the surrounds low because you can hear them in the next theatre. Many people just stay home and they can turn up or down their Dolby Digital sound system the way they want as the UA Stonestown sits empty. Good place to go for Halloween look for the dust on top of the surround speakers and cobwebs up high. They are real! The UA/Regal Stonestown now books any thing that they can get not just art films.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Paramount Theatre on Aug 18, 2007 at 8:38 am

the Paramount only has a few more months before they see the big Fox Oakland down the street take over what they are not doing. They don’t show movies and run the place very stuffy. The Paramount needs to put in a bar on the main level and let people drink inside the theatre. Book the place for all the Bay Area. Don’t forget the seniors. If the New Fox Oakland is going rock music shows be smart and book classic shows that they will not book. Both theatres will bring new people into the downtown Oakland area. Just take Bart to the door. See what other big former theatres are doing like the Fox Atlanta. Fox Saint Louis and the Fox Detroit. Bring in the Radio City Rockettes for a Oakland Paramount Xmass show like the Fox Detroit does, it sells out 4,000 seats! If you can’t manage the place and bring in money look to getting a booking company that can and stop crying about the Fox Oakland coming into town!

terrywade
terrywade commented about Coronet Theatre on Aug 18, 2007 at 8:13 am

If you had seen the big large curved Todd-Ao screen this theatre had in the mid 50’s with 6 track mag sound I will never forget the day my parents took me to see Around The World In 80 Days. The flashback is so vivid I can remember our seats on the right side of the theatre. The UA Coronet is now just a pile of dirt but the memories will be with me. UA/Regal must be proud of all the theatres they have sold for the land money and destroyed. They are even selling off many of their cheap tiny multiplex cinemas to get the most money they can. They are not in the movie business but quick money land people.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Marina Theatre on Aug 18, 2007 at 7:54 am

Soon the Cinema 21 opens up with it’s real name The Marina Theatre. With a tiny twin up in the old balcony. How small will it be? I hope Mr Lee has kept the old San Francisco black light walls upstairs. Gone will be the giant curved screen that was downstairs and curtains. Will the Lee’s put curtains up in the new Marina? The big grand opening is coming soon.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Cine 7 Theatre on Aug 17, 2007 at 8:16 am

Someone needs to bring back the Laurel Theatre. The area doesn’t have any movie theatres. Bring in the guys that run the El Cerrito and have food,drinks and movies. Across the streets sits the old Hopkins, another old Oakland neighborhood house that has been many things since it’s movie days. Bring back Mrs A to manage the New Laurel. Is she still around. A real class manager for the UA circuit. Always had a flower in her hair, says my friend Ed Jacklich who worked for her in the late 60’s.

terrywade
terrywade commented about Vogue Theatre on Aug 17, 2007 at 8:00 am

In todays SF Chronicle looks like the Vogue has new owners. Did UA/REAGAL sell off the lease. Shows A SFNTF THEATRE wwwvoguesf.com Opening under new management Aug 24 2007. This is good news. UA sells all they can to make money on the land that theatres sit on. But for the San francisco UA/REGAL VOGUE lools like It has a few years left?