Hopkins Theatre

3529 MacArthur Boulevard,
Oakland, CA 94619

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Golden State Theater & Realty Corp.

Architects: Simeon Charles Lee

Functions: Retail

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Nearby Theaters

Hopkins Theatre

Located in Laurel district of East Oakland. The Hopkins Theatre was opened on July 19, 1939, with Errol Flynn in “Dodge City” & Constance Bennett in “Topper Takes a Trip”. Seating was provided for 914 on a stadium plan, with a raised stepped section at the rear. It was closed in 1950.

In 2020 it is operating as a Goodwill & AutoZone auto parts store.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

GaryParks
GaryParks on October 28, 2003 at 1:37 pm

The architect was S. Charles Lee of Los Angeles. The interior was very simple and streamlined. The vertical sign tower remained all through the supermarket years, and has been nicely retained in the conversion by Hollywood Video. I can’t however, understand the application of cast foam Neoclassical cornice moldings to what otherwise was an almost totally intact Moderne facade! Fortunately, they are not all that noticeable.

gsmurph
gsmurph on April 25, 2004 at 9:46 am

The Hopkins opened its doors on July 7, 1939 and was christened by Alan Hale Sr (father and namesake of “Gilligan’s Island’s” Skipper). and Sally Rand. It closed in 1950.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 24, 2005 at 4:41 pm

From the UCLA Digital Collection:

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kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 19, 2010 at 12:40 pm

I think all the Hollywood Video stores are closing. What’s next for this building?

celaniasdawn
celaniasdawn on February 17, 2011 at 11:07 pm

Went there with my parents as a kid a few times, the last movie we saw was Caged with Eleanor Parker. It was a nice theater but towards the end, they just let it go. It closed just a few weeks later. Every time we went, I would look down McArthur Blvd, and see the Laurel with all its flashing neon.

Bobbt37
Bobbt37 on August 24, 2013 at 3:46 am

If I recall correctly, didn’t they have rocking or reclining seats in some sections? I also thought it was still operating into the middle 50’s. I do remember in the 60’s it was converted into a grocery store as mentioned in another post.

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