My Defunct Theatres

A personal before and after pictorial essay by Dale Sophiea

Of the dozen movie theatres at which I’ve managed & projected, and curated film series, only two are still in operation (the United Artist 7 in Berkeley and the Grand Lake in Oakland).

Here are before and after pictures of the other ten (six in Berkeley):

 

Von Lee, Bloomington, Indiana

 

Now a noodle joint

Towne Cinema, Bloomington, Indiana 

 

Allegedly torched by owner for a big insurance pay out, which was subsequently denied. Now apartments.

 

Fine Arts, Berkeley, California

Ah, the old bait and switch -

Now apartments & storefronts after not one, but two theatres were promised before permits were granted.

 

Northside, Berkeley, California

Now a Travel Agency and expanded pizza parlor

 

Rialto 4, Berkeley, California

                                         Now a Royal Robbins outlet and ski shop

 

Act 1 & 2, Berkeley, California

Now a Ben & Jerrys and noodle shop

Oaks, Berkeley, California

 

 

 

Soon to be a climbing gym

 

 

Embarcadero, San Francisco, California

???

 

Castro, San Francisco, California

 

Taken over by Another Planet for predominantly live performances and ... film festivals?

 

California, Berkeley, California

T&D 1914

1929 Construction

 

Lines around the block for Eyes Wide Shut 1999

Capitalism 2009

To be determined …