1 Taylor St. | map |
The ticket lobby:
A March 1922 ticket lobby view with a bit of the boxoffice on the far right. The current ticket windows are over on the far wall where display cases originally were. The whole area is now enclosed with doors out at the sidewalk line. The photo is from the Jack Tillmany collection. A smaller version can be seen on the San Francisco Public Library website.
The top of the stairs going to the balcony. It's a 1922 News Call-Bulletin photo in the San Francisco Public Library collection.
A nice 1922 look across the ceiling of the ticket lobby giving us a peek at the original chandeliers. It's a photo in the San Francisco Public Library collection.
Looking toward the street sometime around November 1941. It's a photo from the Jack Tillmany collection. Also see a view looking in taken at the same time.
Gary Parks comments: "I attended a slideshow many years ago, in which the late Steve Levin, whose family's theatre chain had offices in the Golden Gate Building when he was a kid, showed images he had taken above the then-extant dropped ceiling of the original 1920s vaulted ceiling. It was done in dark colors, as you see in the above photo. It had received the new decorative scheme in the late Twenties or so. I remember his slides showed colors like ochre, olive, brown, and antique gold. There were stenciled accents here and there, and those little heraldic shields had lots of different colors, though mutedly antiqued. Numerous small holes had been punched through the plaster of the vaults, for suspension wires to be passed through, for hanging the later dropped ceiling."
Young ladies waiting on the ticket lobby stairs for the boxoffice to open so they can get tickets to Frank Sinatra's appearance at the theatre in 1946. The photo, on the Open San Francisco History Project website, appears courtesy of a private collector.
A November 3, 1966 Chronicle photo showing the excalator installation as part of the twinning project. Initially the balcony theatre was called the Penthouse. The photo appears with Sam Whiting's September 2018 story "Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco nears 100 with makeover."
A 60s look at the snackbar. The trade magazine photo appears on Roland Lataille's In Cinerama page about the Golden Gate.
A February 1979 photo by Stan Creighton in the San Francisco Public Library collection. Written on the back: "Interior of main lobby prior to restoration. Drop ceiling, false walls and escalator will be removed."
The ticket lobby under restoration in September 1979. The holes in the ceiling and the wires hanging down were from the dropped ceiling once in this area. It's a photo in the San Francisco Public Library collection. On the back: "Interior of main lobby during restoration. Escalator (located to left of main stairway), drop ceiling and false walls have been removed. The vast damage found on the fan vaults and central column will require extensive casting to restore. Box Office windows will be located in the brick wall shown on the right."
Gary Parks comments: "You can see some of the stenciling on that beam under the little balcony rail, and note the surviving upper half of an original chandelier near the upper right corner."
A 2017 view of the ceiling by Dave Pursley. He added it as a comment to a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
Looking up from the stairs to one of the balcony level overlooks. It's a photo taken at the Theatre Historical Society's 2008 San Francisco Conclave. It's one of 245 photos in an album on Flickr.
Looking up from the stairs to one of the balcony level overlooks. It's a photo taken at the Theatre Historical Society's 2008 San Francisco Conclave. It's one of 245 photos in an album on Flickr.
A chandelier detail. Thanks to Dave Pursley for his 2017 photo, a comment added on the BAHT Facebook page.
A look across to the boxoffice windows. The photo, credited to SHN, appeared on a now-dead website called Soul of America.
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this panoramic view. It appeared on the BAHT Facebook page as part of a September 2015 post. At the time, Mr. Kidd was the theatre's head electrician.
A look across to the boxoffice windows. The photo, credited to SHN, appeared on a now-dead website called Soul of America.
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this panoramic view. It appeared on the BAHT Facebook page as part of a September 2015 post. At the time, Mr. Kidd was the theatre's head electrician.
A view to the street by BW Chicago. The 2008 photo is on Flickr.
A ticket lobby chandelier shot. Photo: Bill Counter - 2015
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this look up the stairs. It was a 2015 post on the BAHT Facebook page.
The stairs to the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2015
A pre-renovation view from the other side. It's a 2010 photo from Kelsey on Yelp.
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this look up the stairs. It was a 2015 post on the BAHT Facebook page.
The stairs to the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2015
A pre-renovation view from the other side. It's a 2010 photo from Kelsey on Yelp.
A post-renovation view. It's a Kyle Jeffers photo appearing with the September 2018 SHN Magazine story "Newly Remodeled SHN Golden Gate Theatre Officially Reopens..." Thanks to J.T. Welsh for spotting the article.
The crowd for the reopening. Thanks to Dan Craver for his photos, a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A plaster detail near the stairs. Thanks to Andra Young for this 2019 shot and others appearing here. The photos appeared as a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
The crowd for the reopening. Thanks to Dan Craver for his photos, a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A plaster detail near the stairs. Thanks to Andra Young for this 2019 shot and others appearing here. The photos appeared as a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A ceiling view. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - SHN Magazine - September 2018
A detail of the ceiling. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
The windows facing out toward Taylor St. and Golden Gate Ave. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
A detail of the ceiling. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
Another look at the ceiling and the top of the stairs to the balcony. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
The windows facing out toward Taylor St. and Golden Gate Ave. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
Looking out from the balcony lobby level. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
Main floor inner lobby:
A 2016 pre-renovation view. Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this shot looking toward house right. It was a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
An inner lobby chandelier. Thanks to Jinx Kidd for his 2016 photo. It appeared as a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
Uncovering original paint colors and stenciled detail in the main floor
inner lobby. Thanks to Jinx Kidd for the May 2017 photo on the BAHT Facebook page. Beate Brühl says: "Yep, that's my handiwork."
The bottom of the house left stairs to the balcony. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
The balcony lobby:
A pre-renovation view. The perhaps c.2012 photo, credited to SHN, appeared on the now-vanished website Soul of America.
A June 2016 view from Jinx Kidd. On the left through the brightly lit opening are the stairs down to the ticket lobby. The auditorium is off to the right. The photo is one of 4 in a set Jinx posted on the BAHT Facebook page. If you want to wander around, you might want to check out his 360 degree panorama shot.
The auditorium:
The Lansburgh office's drawing of the auditorium that appeared in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer with an article titled "Recent Theatres Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, Architect." It also included additional views of the Golden Gate plus photos of the Warfield, the Hillstreet (the Golden Gate's near twin in Los Angeles) and others. It's on Internet Archive.
A view from house left. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
The bottom of the house left stairs to the balcony. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018
One of the basement's renovated restrooms. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - SHN Magazine - September 2018
The balcony lobby:
Looking out toward the stairs in 2008. It's a photo from a Theatre Historical Society album on Flickr.
A look down the bar. It's a 2008 photo from the Theatre Historical Society album on Flickr.
A pre-renovation view. The perhaps c.2012 photo, credited to SHN, appeared on the now-vanished website Soul of America.
A June 2016 view from Jinx Kidd. On the left through the brightly lit opening are the stairs down to the ticket lobby. The auditorium is off to the right. The photo is one of 4 in a set Jinx posted on the BAHT Facebook page. If you want to wander around, you might want to check out his 360 degree panorama shot.
Lobby ceiling ornament. Photo: Jinx Kidd - BAHT Facebook page - 2016
Another ceiling detail. Photo: Jinx Kidd - BAHT Facebook page - 2016
A look down to the ticket lobby. Photo: Jinx Kidd - BAHT Facebook page - 2016. Thanks, Jinx!
The multi-leveled outdoor lobby with patrons enjoying the greenery and afternoon air on the house right fire escape during an intermission of "Cabaret." Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
The balcony bar after the renovation. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - SHN Magazine - September 2018
A railing detail. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
A railing detail. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
The auditorium:
The Lansburgh office's drawing of the auditorium that appeared in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer with an article titled "Recent Theatres Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, Architect." It also included additional views of the Golden Gate plus photos of the Warfield, the Hillstreet (the Golden Gate's near twin in Los Angeles) and others. It's on Internet Archive.
A 1922 pre-opening view across the house with construction work still
underway in the organ grille area. It's a Jack Tillmany collection photo. There's a smaller version appearing on the San Francisco Public Library website.
A balcony view from the Jack Tillmany collection. It makes an appearance in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer. There's also a smaller version of the photo in the San Francisco Public Library collection. Jack comments:
"It's 1922, and in the back of my head, I seem recall being told it's pre-opening, when they were testing the projection equipment. Of course, the first thing everyone will probably comment on is the size of the screen! Getting enough light onto screens so distant from the projection booth was a major concern, and, at that time, really limited them as to the size of the screen that they could light bright enough for such a large auditorium, from such a great distance."
He adds: "Has anybody noticed yet that FOUR of SF's MAJOR surviving theatrical venues were ALL built in 1922? The Golden Gate, the Warfield, the Curran, and the Castro. They should celebrate a joint centenary!"
Gary Parks comments: " I have seen a color slide in the Theatre Historical Society's collection, taken by the late Michael Miller, of the Golden Gate auditorium during its latter movie days. The walls were swathed in pastel tones (lavender?) and not only were the boxes gone, but the whole arches around the organ fronts and former box locations were hung from the top of the arch to the floor with straight-hanging curtains. It really made the arches look absurdly tall."
An early look across the house. Thanks to Lee Moffatt for finding the photo for a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A 1922 proscenium view. It's another photo Lee Moffatt found for his post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A lovely look to house right appearing in a 1930 ad for Acousti-Celoitex sound absorbant wall treatment. "Here Acousti-Celotex applied to walls and ceilings prevents distorting echoes. The true tones travel clear and distinct to the limits of the auditorium." The ad was in an issue of Exhibitors Herald-World. It's on Internet Archive. Thanks to Charmaine Zoe for finding the ad. She has the photo in her Vintage Cinemas: California album on Flickr.
A 1922 look to the rear of the house from the Jack Tillmany collection.
Another view from onstage. It's a photo from the Jack Tillmany collection.
A balcony view from the Jack Tillmany collection. It makes an appearance in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer. There's also a smaller version of the photo in the San Francisco Public Library collection. Jack comments:
"It's 1922, and in the back of my head, I seem recall being told it's pre-opening, when they were testing the projection equipment. Of course, the first thing everyone will probably comment on is the size of the screen! Getting enough light onto screens so distant from the projection booth was a major concern, and, at that time, really limited them as to the size of the screen that they could light bright enough for such a large auditorium, from such a great distance."
He adds: "Has anybody noticed yet that FOUR of SF's MAJOR surviving theatrical venues were ALL built in 1922? The Golden Gate, the Warfield, the Curran, and the Castro. They should celebrate a joint centenary!"
Gary Parks comments: " I have seen a color slide in the Theatre Historical Society's collection, taken by the late Michael Miller, of the Golden Gate auditorium during its latter movie days. The walls were swathed in pastel tones (lavender?) and not only were the boxes gone, but the whole arches around the organ fronts and former box locations were hung from the top of the arch to the floor with straight-hanging curtains. It really made the arches look absurdly tall."
An early look across the house. Thanks to Lee Moffatt for finding the photo for a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A 1922 proscenium view. It's another photo Lee Moffatt found for his post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A lovely look to house right appearing in a 1930 ad for Acousti-Celoitex sound absorbant wall treatment. "Here Acousti-Celotex applied to walls and ceilings prevents distorting echoes. The true tones travel clear and distinct to the limits of the auditorium." The ad was in an issue of Exhibitors Herald-World. It's on Internet Archive. Thanks to Charmaine Zoe for finding the ad. She has the photo in her Vintage Cinemas: California album on Flickr.
A 1922 Chronicle photo showing the dome's original decorative scheme.
They commented: ". . . a broad gently arched dome that is filled in with
blue, the light
streaming through in soft tones. It is like sitting under a bit of
blue sky, so effective is the color suggestion." Thanks to Jinx Kidd for
posting the photo on the BAHT Facebook page.
Gary Parks commented: "This is the first photo I've ever seen of the Golden Gate dome in its original condition. Sure beats the interlocking brick pattern of acoustical tiles that's there now!"
Gary Parks commented: "This is the first photo I've ever seen of the Golden Gate dome in its original condition. Sure beats the interlocking brick pattern of acoustical tiles that's there now!"
c.1940 - The look of the auditorium after removal of the side boxes and the faux-organ pipes in front of the chambers. The photo is a contribution of Comfortably Cool to the Cinema Treasures page about the theatre. Thanks to Mike Thomas for spotting the photo on the site.
1954 - A fine look at the orchestra pit. One organ console and a shiny array of new gas stoves. It was a rental to show off the latest in appliances. Thanks to Dallas Movie Theaters for locating the trade magazine photo for a post on Cinema Treasures.
c.1960 - The full drapery treatment, but with the screen still located on stage. Thanks to Comfortably Cool for locating this one for a post on Cinema Treasures. And thanks to Mike Thomas for spotting it in the site's collection.
1966 - The balcony during the remodel to become the Penthouse Theatre. They had 70mm both upstairs and down. Downstairs it was a big louvered Cinerama screen. Upstairs at one point they advertised it as "Super 70mm," whatever that was supposed to mean. It's a shot by Chronicle photographer Bob Campbell dated November 14 from a portfolio of about 75 photos with "The big screen, no not your TV: over 100 years of San Francisco Theaters," a March 2016 SF Gate article.
1979 - Undoing the twinning. The November photo is in the San Francisco Public Library collection. Written on the back: "Stage during restoration... Damaged ornamentation surrounding proscenium arch has been recast, loge partially painted, seats have been removed for upholstering."
1966 - The balcony during the remodel to become the Penthouse Theatre. They had 70mm both upstairs and down. Downstairs it was a big louvered Cinerama screen. Upstairs at one point they advertised it as "Super 70mm," whatever that was supposed to mean. It's a shot by Chronicle photographer Bob Campbell dated November 14 from a portfolio of about 75 photos with "The big screen, no not your TV: over 100 years of San Francisco Theaters," a March 2016 SF Gate article.
1979 - Undoing the twinning. The November photo is in the San Francisco Public Library collection. Written on the back: "Stage during restoration... Damaged ornamentation surrounding proscenium arch has been recast, loge partially painted, seats have been removed for upholstering."
The house left box boom area. Thanks to Rick Bellamy for the 2017 photo, added as a comment to a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
Inside the house right box area. It's a 2017 Rick Bellamy photo added as a comment to a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
One of the stairways to nowhere -- heading toward a removed proscenium box. Photo: Rick Bellamy - 2017. Thanks, Rick!
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this 2016 look up at the proscenium. It was a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A look into the house left side of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
The theatre lit by ghost light. It's a 2017 photo by Jinx Kidd from the BAHT Facebook page.
Tourists wandering the balcony. It's a 2008 photo from the Theatre Historical Society on Flickr.
A look up to the booth. It's a 2008 photo from the Theatre Historical Society on Flickr.
Tourists wandering the balcony. It's a 2008 photo from the Theatre Historical Society on Flickr.
A look up to the booth. It's a 2008 photo from the Theatre Historical Society on Flickr.
A look across the balcony with a bonus glimpse backstage. It's a 2008 photo by BW Chicago on Flickr.
A pre-renovation look down from the top. It's a photo appearing with the 2014 Broadway in SF magazine article "The Golden Age of the Golden Gate Theatre."
For a time-lapse video of Jinx Kidd's relamping the house in 2016 head to his post on the BAHT Facebook page.
For a time-lapse video of Jinx Kidd's relamping the house in 2016 head to his post on the BAHT Facebook page.
Looking toward the stage during renovations. The photo appeared with "A New Era for the SHN Golden Gate Theatre," an August 2018 article on the Broadway SF Magazine site. Thanks to Matt Weimer for spotting the article.
The view across the house after restoration work. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - Broadway SF Magazine - September 2018. The article noted: "Perhaps most noticeably, the color scheme throughout the theater will be lighter and brighter, refreshing and animating the space. 'The goal is to make it fresh, while providing theatergoers with an experience of elegance and timelessness,' [lead architect Diana] Hayton says."
A proscenium photo by Sam Whiting appearing with his September 2018 Chronicle story "Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco nears 100 with makeover." Sam discusses the renovation:
"Inside, the red velvet curtain is back to complement the painting, carpet and fixtures. For that, ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley relied on The Chronicle archive, specifically the description by Marjorie C. Driscoll. 'It suggests the outdoors, with none of the roofed-over feel that characterizes the average theater,' it read. 'It is like sitting under a bit of blue sky, so effective is the color suggestion.' Because there was no glass in the ceiling, the design team construed Driscoll’s report to mean the ceiling was painted sky blue.
"Ultimately, they settled on a mixture of their own making, which they call 'California Blue.' Driscoll went on to describe the curtain as a 'rich crimson velvet,' and that is what replaced the brown curtain. The flooring was a 'dull gray-green carpet of luxurious softness.' The designers stopped short of dull gray. The carpeting throughout is a custom pattern of floral gold medallions against burgundy, with a tiny detail of blue to bring up the central theme.
"'California Blue, says [SHN CEO Greg] Holland, 'is now the color of the Golden Gate.' The seats in the auditorium were replaced eight years ago, and with some removed for access by people with disabilities, it now holds 2,297, still the largest commercial theater in the city, and only slightly larger than its sister, the Orpheum on Market Street, two blocks away." Thanks, Sam!
A proscenium detail. Photo: Andra Young - 2019
A 2019 shot from Michael D. Jackson, included in a post on the Facebook page Theatre Architecture.
The rear of the main floor. Photo: Michael D. Jackson - Theatre Architecture Facebook page - 2019
The side wall up in the balcony house right. Photo: Andra Young - 2019. Thanks, Andra!
The view to the top of the balcony. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - Broadway SF Magazine - September 2018
Another balcony and ceiling view. Photo: Michael D. Jackson - Theatre Architecture Facebook page - 2019. Thanks, Michael!
A dome detail. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - Broadway SF Magazine - September 2018
The ceiling from house left. Photo: Dan Craver - BAHT Facebook page - September 2018. Thanks, Dan!
A November 2021 shot as the theatre was getting ready for tech rehearsals for "A Christmas Carol." The photo was a post on the Broadway SF Facebook page.
In the spot booth:
A October 2021 photo by Rick Bellamy, taken during the load-in for "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The view down from the booth. It's an October 2021 Rick Bellamy photo. Thanks to Rick for sharing these as comments to a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
On the stage:
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for a 2015 shot of the empty stage between shows. It was a post on the BAHT Facebook page. At the time, Mr. Kidd was head electrician at the Golden Gate.
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this April 2016 "after the loadout" photo. It was a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
Thanks to Jinx Kidd for this look up to the grid from the stage right flyfloor. Or, as he says "Looking up to the Grid from the SR LX Jump." The 2016 photo appeared on the BAHT Facebook page.
A bit of ghost light art from Jinx Kidd in December 2016. It was a post on the BAHT Facebook page. Thanks, Jinx!
The fisheye version. It's a 2016 photo from Jinx Kidd that appeared on the BAHT Facebook page.
Taking a break on the electric jump stage right. Thanks
to Jesse Sutten, an electrician with the "Curious Dog" tour, for his July 2017
photo. This view and the one below were added as a comment to a post about the theatre on the BAHT Facebook page.
A look across to stage left. Thanks to Jesse Sutten for the March 2017 photo. He notes that "Curious Dog" was the last show in the house prior to the renovation work.
A view into the scaffolded auditorium. It appeared with "A New Era for the SHN Golden Gate Theatre," an August 2018 article on the Broadway SF Magazine site.
A post-renovation look into the house. Photo: Kyle Jeffers - Broadway SF Magazine - September 2018
A "Hello Dolly" view on the jump stage right. Thanks to Jesse Sutten, an electrician with the tour, for his March 2019 photo. It was added as a comment to a post about the theatre on the BAHT Facebook page.
A look into the house during the November 2021 load-in for "A Christmas Carol." Thanks to Isabel Poling for sharing her photo as a comment to a post on the BAHT Facebook page. She was working as a dresser on the production.
Up in the dome:
A 2014 shot inside the corner dome atop the building. The photo appeared on a now-vanished website for an events company called Fine and Rare.
Another 2014 dome shot from Fine and Rare. This one is still up on the Fine and Rare Facebook page.
Also see: Golden Gate Theatre - history and exterior views
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