The Northpoint Theatre

2290 Powell St. | map |

 

Opened: June 28, 1967 with "The Dirty Dozen." Thanks to Jack Tillmany for sharing this pre-opening photo from his collection that was taken by Tom Gray. Seldom do you see the title of an opening film go up on a marquee before the name of the theatre itself. The building is on the southwest corner of Powell and Bay.

 

A June 28, 1967 grand opening ad. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating it. Visit his site: Movie-Theatre.org

Seating: 982

Architect: Henry George Greene

 

Lee Marvin at the August 1967 world premiere of "Point Blank." Thanks to Bob Ristelhueber for posting this Channel 5 shot on the BAHT Facebook page. 

 

An invitation to the May 1, 1977 "Star Wars" preview screening. Thanks to Brian Martin for sharing it.

Jeff Nielson comments: 

"It was the best movie theatre left in Northern California (and by that I mean Bakersfield to Oregon... But it just did not have enough parking. Actually, there was no parking garage within three blocks that I know of. I remember the last times I went there. We probably parked in front of the art college, which was a thing I stumbled upon in the 1980s when going to Fisherman's Wharf (or this theatre). There was always a parking space right by the front door of the Art College. But the nearest parking garage that I know of was at Fisherman's Wharf."

Stu Adamson says:

"It was a big, beautiful room"

Gary Meyer has this to say: 

"I may be in the minority on this but I was not a fan of the Northpoint. It had great sound and I think it was the venue Dolby installed their newest systems in first. The screen may have been the widest image ratio to audience in SF at the time. And many filmmakers loved it for that. It was also convenient for SF and Marin based filmmakers wanting to do a special screening. 

"BUT, like the also much favored Cinema Corte Madera, I found the lack of a substantial rake meant poor sightlines and for most people that meant the bottom part of the mage was cut off by heads in front of them. I was tall enough to see most of it but felt bad for someone sitting behind me. Neither venue had any character. Bland lobby and a big black box (with gold curtains part of the time) auditorium. Comfortable seats for the time. Still it became a favorite place for studio sneak previews (along with the Coronet, Metro and the Dome in San Jose). 

"I met Billy Wilder after he sneaked 'The Front Page' in 1974 (I think--correct me please). The early 1973 sneak of 'American Graffitti' was a smash success with the audience but the studio did not want to believe they might have a hit and reportedly accused Lucas of packing the place with his friends. I was a booker for UA Theaters and called Universal's local branch to say we would play it everywhere. They thought I was nuts (It happened again with 'Star Wars'). 

"The sneak of 'Exorcist II: The Heretic' generated an audience interaction like at a 'Rocky Horror' midnighter. But they were making fun of it and people who had been there started referencing 'Pazuzu' as a kind of insider's code. Actually there was expensive paid parking across the street in the Cost Plus lot but it was best to take the cable car (then cheap). Even if you got a validation coin getting out the lot took forever.

"I was at the 'Apocalypse' rough cut screening--very long though most was restored in the Redux version with the French plantation scenes. There was a 'Star Wars' screening that was a secret studio screening. Staff didn't know what it was--in fact most people had never heard of it. A friend and I were film bookers and we paid two janitors to let us clean up in their uniforms so we could sneak in and see it."

Jason Benlevi adds:

"It really was the sound that did it for me. It was just a cinderblock box. The two in Century City were more plush." 

 

Michael Coate compiled this ownership timeline: 

 

ABC, 1967-1974

Plitt, 1974-1987

Plitt & Cineplex Odeon, 1987-1988

Cineplex Odeon, 1988-1997

Closing: The theatre closed July 20, 1997. See Michael Coate's list of the theatre's bookings at the bottom of the page.

Status: After sitting vacant for years it became a store and offices for Goodwill. 

 

The building was on the market again at the end of 2023 from Davis Nguyen or John Antonini at Compass Commercial, 415-794-9110. 

The Northpoint in the Movies:

 

A marquee shot that appears in David Fincher's film "Zodiac" (Paramount, 2007). When we go inside we're at the National Theatre in Westwood. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Chloë Sevigny, Robert Downey Jr., Brian Cox, John Carroll Lynch and Elias Koteas. See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for shots from the film of the National, the Warner Grand in San Pedro (standing in for S.F.'s Avenue Theatre), and a shot done on L.A.'s Broadway where the Castro Theatre has magically appeared. 

 

 

More exterior views: 

 

The marquee for the August 1967 world premiere of "Point Blank." Thanks to Bob Ristelhueber for posting this Channel 5 shot on the BAHT Facebook page. 

 

 

This May 1968 photo by Tom Gray from the Jack Tillmany collection appears on the Open SF History Project website.  

 

 

"The Exorcist" opened December 26, 1973. The origin of this image is unknown but it appears on the site Zodiac Ciphers. Also see a shot from some footage that's linked on the site Dreams Are What Le Cinema Is For.

 

 

An October 1975 photo from the Jack Tillmany collection. 

 

 

"A Star is Born" opened Christmas Day 1976. Thanks to Michael Coate for sharing this photo in "'A Star is Born': The North American 70mm Engagements," an article on the site In70mm.com. It was also featured on a post on the page for the Facebook group Friends of 70mm. The film was available in six different sound formats.

 

 

Thanks to Michael Coate for sharing this 1977 shot by an unknown photographer on the Facebook page Friends of 70mm. "Slap Shot" was a February release. He notes that the photo was taken May 1, the day "Star Wars" had a test screening at the Northpoint. 

 

Posing in the center of the image is the film's sound designer Ben Burtt. In a post of the photo on the BAHT Facebook page Michael noted the photo makes an appearance in the book "The Making of Star Wars" by JW Rinzler. 

 

Regarding that film "Alaska" that's on the marquee, TJ Fisher comments:

 

"It was a promotional travelogue, apparently by an SF-based filmmaker. Other sources incorrectly report, based on this photo, that 'Alaska' was a false name for 'Star Wars.' 'Alaska' was shown for about ten days of the 'Slap Shot' engagement. The invitation-only 'Star Wars' preview was at 10am before public shows started at 12:30."

 

 

Ray Dolby outside the theatre in late 1978 or early 1979. Thanks to Michael Coate for sharing this photo from his collection on the BAHT Facebook page. He comments: 

 

"The Northpoint was a fine showcase for his company’s tech as evidenced by scrolling through the venue’s playdate history. Photographer: Al Satterwhite."  

 

George Guiver commented:

"I did contract work for Ampex in 1990 and worked with some retired guys from there. They told the story of Dolby coming to the higher ups with his new noise reduction system. Like the guy who turned down the Beatles, they passed." 

 

 

A photo that appeared in the February 26, 1979 issue of Boxoffice. Thanks to Moviejs1944 for locating it for a post on Cinema Treasures. 

 

 

Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" opened September 21, 1979. This October photo was taken by Tom Gray. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for sharing this image from his collection. 

 

David Spalding commented: "I went early to see it as I'd seen an early work print ... a year, or ... two? ... earlier, courtesy of an American Zoetrope employee who had friends at my high school. (Work print was also screened at the Northpoint one foggy weekday morning ... I recall seeing G. Lucas and S. Speilberg standing outside with Coppola.) I thought the work print was amazing ('Apocalypse Now Redux' seems to restore it a bit), but the finished product was mindblowing at the Northpoint. Incredible sound. Walter Murch's 'ghost helo' at the beginning was like the opening of 'Star Wars,' you KNEW you were in for an amazing ride. Still have my program sheet from this screening."

 

 

"The Empire Strikes Back" opened May 21, 1980. Thanks to Michael Coate for sharing the photo on Friends of 70mm. He notes that the film opened in the U.S. with 116 70mm prints and 3 35mm. In Canada it was 8 70mm prints and the United Kingdom got 1 70mm print. 

 

See the comments to a post of an "Apocalypse Now" shot on the BAHT Facebook page for photos added by Eric Anderson as comments that show people in line for opening day of "Empire Strikes Back."

 

 

The 1980 photo is one that showed up in a Dolby trade magazine ad. Thanks to David Zornig for locating it for a post on Cinema Treasures. 

   

 

"Blue Thunder" was a May 1983 release. Thanks to Sean Ault for sharing this photo from his collection.  

 

 

"The Last Temptation of Christ" opened August 12, 1988 for a ten week run. The photo is one taken by a gentleman going by the handle of Roger on Cinema Treasures. Also see a second "Last Temptation" photo he took.

 

Jed Leland commented: "Was there for 'Last Temptation of Christ' with 'Christian' protesters screaming at us as we stood in line. Not one of them had actually seen the movie they were so rabidly against - I asked."

 

 

A c.1998 post-closing view. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for sharing this one on the BAHT Facebook page. 

 

 

The exciting new look for the building as a Goodwill store. Photo: Google Maps - 2022

 

An image from a Compass Commercial flyer offering the building for sale. Thanks to Morgan Montague for sharing it in a December 2023 post on the private Facebook group Friends of 70mm.

 

Bookings 1967 - 1997. A list compiled by Michael Coate:

The duration of each engagement, measured in weeks, has been included in parenthesis following each title. And with a few exceptions, this filmography excludes un-promoted and one-off events (i.e. trade screenings, test screenings, sneak previews, private screenings).

1967-06-28 … THE DIRTY DOZEN (9 weeks) (70mm from Week #3)
1967-08-30 … POINT BLANK (6)
1967-10-11 … REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE (9)
1967-12-15 … THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE (3)

1968-01-03 … THE BIGGEST BUNDLE OF THEM ALL (2)
1968-01-17 … WAIT UNTIL DARK (7)
1968-03-06 … THE POWER / THE VISIT (2)
1968-03-20 … A MATTER OF INNOCENCE (2)
1968-04-03 … SWEET NOVEMBER (3)
1968-04-24 … DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELING SALESLADY? (1)
1968-05-01 … UP THE JUNCTION (2)
1968-05-15 … TREASURE OF SAN GENNARO (2)
1968-05-29 … A DANDY IN ASPIC (4)
1968-06-27 … PETULIA (
1968-08-21 … WITH SIX YOU GET EGGROLL (3)
1968-09-11 … RACHEL, RACHEL (10)
1968-11-20 … GONE WITH THE WIND (5) (70mm)
1968-12-25 … THE STALKING MOON (4)

1969-01-22 … BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL (2)
1969-02-07 … JOANNA (4)
1969-03-05 … HELL IN THE PACIFIC (5)
1969-04-09 … HANNIBAL BROOKS (2)
1969-04-23 … BLOW-UP / THE LOVED ONE (2)
1969-05-07 … WHERE IT’S AT (2)
1969-05-21 … A FINE PAIR (2)
1969-06-04 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1) (70mm)
1969-06-11 … THE MAD ROOM (1)
1969-06-18 … THE GREAT ESCAPE / THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (1)
1969-06-25 … THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY (3)
1969-07-16 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY (22)
1969-12-17 … JOHN AND MARY (9)

1970-02-18 … GAILY, GAILY (2)
1970-03-04 … THE APRIL FOOLS / ME, NATALIE (1)
1970-03-11 … A NICE GIRL LIKE ME / PRETTY POISON (1)
1970-03-19 … THE BOYS IN THE BAND (9)
1970-05-20 … SUPPOSE THEY GAVE A WAR AND NOBODY CAME (5)
1970-06-24 … THE HAWAIIANS (3)
1970-07-15 … PATTON (6) (70mm)
1970-08-26 … HELLO-GOODBYE (1)
1970-09-02 … MOVE (6)
1970-10-16 … DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE (10)
1970-12-25 … I LOVE MY…WIFE (2)

1971-01-06 … I LOVE MY…WIFE / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (5)
1971-02-10 … LITTLE BIG MAN (15)
1971-05-28 … RED SKY AT MORNING (3)
1971-06-18 … WOODSTOCK (2) (stereo)
1971-06-30 … KLUTE (6)
1971-08-13 … THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK (4)
1971-09-10 … BANANAS / YELLOW SUBMARINE (1)
1971-09-17 … PATTON / MAS*H (1)
1971-09-24 … THE GREAT WHITE HOPE / JOHN AND MARY (1)
1971-09-29 … THE TOUCH (1)
1971-10-06 … THE TOUCH / THE STATUE (3)
1971-10-27 … T.R.BASKIN (1)
1971-11-03 … T.R.BASKIN / A NEW LEAF (3)
1971-11-24 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1) (70mm)
1971-12-01 … GONE WITH THE WIND (1) (70mm)
1971-12-08 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1) (70mm)
1971-12-15 … RYAN’S DAUGHTER (1) (70mm)
1971-12-22 … STRAW DOGS (

1972-01-15 … CABARET (sneak preview screening)
1972-02-16 … CABARET (19)
1972-06-28 … PORTNOY’S COMPLAINT (6)
1972-08-09 … THE NEW CENTURIONS (10)
1972-10-20 … BAD COMPANY (1)
1972-10-27 … BAD COMPANY / FRIENDS (1)
1972-11-03 … YOU’LL LIKE MY MOTHER (2)
1972-11-17 … LIMBO (1)
1972-11-22 … CABARET / THE BOY FRIEND (1)
1972-11-29 … CABARET / THE STERILE CUCKOO (1)
1972-12-06 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ (1)
1972-12-13 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ / THE OTHER (1)
1972-12-21 … 1776 (4)

1973-01-17 … LADY SINGS THE BLUES / PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (1)
1973-01-26 … THEIR GENTLE SEX (2)
1973-01-28 … AMERICAN GRAFFITI (sneak preview screening)
1973-02-07 … DELIVERANCE (4)
1973-03-09 … LOST HORIZON (14)
1973-06-13 … LOST HORIZON / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (1)
1973-06-20 … LOST HORIZON / LOVE STORY (3)
1973-07-06 … THE WAY WE WERE (sneak preview screening)
1973-07-11 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH (3)
1973-08-01 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH / THE HOT ROCK (3)
1973-08-22 … LADY ICE (1)
1973-08-29 … NIGHT WATCH (1)
1973-09-07 … NIGHT WATCH / Z (1)
1973-09-12 … LITTLE BIG MAN / A MAN CALLED HORSE (1)
1973-09-21 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (2) (stereo)
1973-10-05 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR / PETE ’N’ TILLIE (2)
1973-10-19 … HAROLD AND MAUDE / FRIENDS (1)
1973-10-24 … THE WAY WE WERE (9)
1973-12-26 … THE EXORCIST (26)

1974-06-26 … THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! (14) (70mm)
1974-10-02 … LADIES & GENTLEMEN, THE ROLLING STONES (4) (Quadraphonic)
1974-11-01 … THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE (2)
1974-11-15 … EARTHQUAKE (23) (Sensurround)

1975-04-25 … TOMMY (10) (Quintaphonic)
1975-07-02 … NASHVILLE (14) (stereo)
1975-10-08 … 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR (11)
1975-12-25 … BARRY LYNDON (15)

1976-04-09 … ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (10)
1976-06-18 … MIDWAY (11) (Sensurround)
1976-09-03 … GONE WITH THE WIND (1) (70mm)
1976-09-10 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (3) (70mm)
1976-10-01 … CAMELOT (2) (70mm)
1976-10-13 … MARATHON MAN (10)
1976-12-25 … A STAR IS BORN (13) (70mm-Dolby)

1977-03-25 … SLAP SHOT (9)
1977-05-01 … STAR WARS (sneak preview screening)
1977-05-27 … FANTASTIC ANIMATION FESTIVAL (3)
1977-06-17 … EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (5)
1977-07-20 … THE GRATEFUL DEAD (2) (stereo)
1977-08-05 … MACARTHUR (11)
1977-10-21 … DAMNATION ALLEY (9) (Sound 360)
1977-12-21 … THE GOODBYE GIRL (16)

1978-04-12 … AN UNMARRIED WOMAN (7)
1978-06-02 … CAPRICORN ONE (7) (70mm)
1978-07-21 … SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND (11) (70mm-Dolby)
1978-10-06 … BLOODBROTHERS (2)
1978-10-18 … CAMELOT (1) (70mm)
1978-10-26 … DERSU UZALA (1) (70mm)
1978-11-03 … THE WIZ (6) (Dolby)
1978-12-15 … SUPERMAN (23) (70mm-Dolby from Week #2)

1979-05-25 … ALIEN (17) (70mm-Dolby)
1979-09-21 … APOCALYPSE NOW (12) (70mm-Dolby)
1979-12-14 … 1941 (9) (70mm)

1980-02-13 … THE BLACK STALLION (14) (Dolby)
1980-04-19 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (sneak preview screening)
1980-05-21 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (28) (70mm-Dolby)
1980-12-05 … FLASH GORDON (10) (Dolby)

1981-02-13 … THE COMPETITION (5) (Dolby)
1981-03-20 … DIVINE MADNESS (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1981-03-27 … SLEEPING BEAUTY (3) (70mm)
1981-04-17 … LION OF THE DESERT (5) (Dolby)
1981-05-09 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (sneak preview screening)
1981-05-22 … THE FOUR SEASONS (5)
1981-06-26 … THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (4) (Dolby)
1981-07-24 … EYE OF THE NEEDLE (5)
1981-08-28 … COMIN’ AT YA! (5) (Dolby, 3-D)
1981-10-02 … THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN (11)
1981-12-18 … PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (5)

1982-01-22 … WINDWALKER (2)
1982-02-05 … APOCALYPSE NOW (2) (70mm-Dolby)
1982-02-19 … SHOOT THE MOON (7)
1982-04-09 … FANTASIA ( (stereo)
1982-06-04 … POLTERGEIST (7) (70mm-Dolby)
1982-07-23 … THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (9) (stereo)
1982-09-24 … YES, GEORGIO (3) (Dolby)
1982-10-15 … TRON (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1982-10-22 … JINXED (4)
1982-11-17 … APOCALYPSE NOW (3) (70mm-Dolby)
1982-12-10 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (1) (Dolby)
1982-12-17 … STILL OF THE NIGHT (2)
1982-12-29 … GANDHI (19) (70mm-Dolby)

1983-04-09 … RETURN OF THE JEDI (sneak preview screening)
1983-05-13 … BLUE THUNDER (6) (70mm-Dolby)
1983-06-24 … YELLOWBEARD (2)
1983-07-08 … GANDHI (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1983-07-15 … TENDER MERCIES (1)
1983-07-22 … CLASS (3)
1983-08-12 … FLASHDANCE (2) (Dolby)
1983-08-26 … A STAR IS BORN (4) (Dolby)
1983-09-23 … FLASHDANCE (4) (Dolby)
1983-10-21 … THE RIGHT STUFF (7) (70mm-Dolby)
1983-12-09 … CHRISTINE (3) (Dolby)
1983-12-28 … THE RIGHT STUFF (9) (70mm-Dolby)

1984-03-02 … AGAINST ALL ODDS (5) (Dolby)
1984-04-06 … MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON (9) (Dolby)
1984-06-08 … GHOSTBUSTERS (19) (70mm-Dolby)
1984-10-19 … THE RAZOR’S EDGE (4) (Dolby)
1984-11-16 … STOP MAKING SENSE (4) (Dolby)
1984-12-14 … STARMAN ( (70mm-Dolby)

1985-02-08 … FANTASIA (3) (Dolby)
1985-03-01 … THE SURE THING (4)
1985-03-29 … THE SLUGGER’S WIFE (2) (Dolby)
1985-04-12 … THE KILLING FIELDS (2) (Dolby)
1985-04-26 … JUST ONE OF THE GUYS (3)
1985-05-17 … THE COTTON CLUB (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1985-05-24 … RETURN OF THE JEDI (2) (70mm-Dolby)
1985-06-07 … PERFECT (5) (Dolby)
1985-07-10 … SILVERADO (5) (70mm-Dolby)
1985-08-16 … YEAR OF THE DRAGON (6) (70mm-Dolby)
1985-09-27 … EAST OF EDEN / REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1)
1985-10-04 … JAGGED EDGE (9) (Dolby)
1985-12-06 … WHITE NIGHTS ( (70mm-Dolby)

1986-01-31 … YOUNGBLOOD (2)
1986-02-14 … QUICKSILVER (4) (Dolby)
1986-03-14 … CROSSROADS (4) (Dolby)
1986-04-11 … CROSSROADS / CARE BEARS MOVIE II (1) (Dolby)
1986-04-18 … BACK TO THE FUTURE (2) (70mm-Dolby)
1986-05-02 … JO JO DANCER, YOUR LIFE IS CALLING (3) (Dolby)
1986-05-23 … POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE (4) (Dolby)
1986-06-20 … THE KARATE KID PART II ( (Dolby)
1986-08-15 … ARMED AND DANGEROUS (3) (Dolby)
1986-09-05 … FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR / LEGAL EAGLES (1) (Dolby)
1986-09-12 … HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (1)
1986-09-19 … WHERE THE RIVER RUNS BLACK (3)
1986-10-10 … THAT’S LIFE! (3)
1986-10-31 … RUNNING SCARED (1) (Dolby)
1986-11-07 … TOUGH GUYS (2) (Dolby)
1986-11-21 … 52 PICK-UP (1)
1986-11-26 … NUTCRACKER (3) (Dolby)
1986-12-05 … TOP GUN (2) (70mm-Dolby)
1986-12-19 … MARLENE (2)
1986-12-30 … PLATOON (19) (Dolby)

1987-05-15 … ISHTAR (7)
1987-07-01 … STRAIGHT TO HELL (3)
1987-07-24 … LA BAMBA (5) (Dolby)
1987-08-28 … THE BIG EASY (6)
1987-10-09 … SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (6) (Dolby)
1987-11-20 … SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES (3) (Dolby)
1987-12-09 … THE LAST EMPEROR (16) (70mm-Dolby)

1988-04-01 … BILOXI BLUES (3) (Dolby)
1988-04-22 … A TIME OF DESTINY (2) (Dolby)
1988-05-06 … SHAKEDOWN (3) (Dolby)
1988-05-27 … CALL ME (1) (Dolby)
1988-06-03 … THE LAST EMPEROR (2) (70mm-Dolby)
1988-06-17 … THE GREAT OUTDOORS (3) (Dolby)
1988-07-08 … PHANTASM II (2) (Dolby)
1988-07-20 … MIDNIGHT RUN (3) (Dolby)
1988-08-12 … THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (10) (Dolby)
1988-10-21 … GORILLAS IN THE MIST (2) (Dolby)
1988-11-04 … THEY LIVE (2) (Dolby)
1988-11-18 … THE LAND BEFORE TIME (3) (Dolby)
1988-12-09 … TWINS (7) (Dolby)

1989-01-27 … PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (2) (Dolby)
1989-02-10 … DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (1) (Dolby)
1989-02-17 … TRUE BELIEVER (4) (Dolby)
1989-03-17 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (17) (70mm-Dolby SR)
1989-07-12 … WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… (9) (Dolby)
1989-09-15 … SEA OF LOVE (10) (Dolby)
1989-11-22 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (6) (Dolby)

1990-01-05 … BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (9) (Dolby)
1990-03-09 … BAD INFLUENCE (3) (Dolby)
1990-03-30 … OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (2) (Dolby)
1990-04-11 … TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2) (Dolby)
1990-04-27 … THE GUARDIAN (3) (Dolby)
1990-05-18 … BIRD ON A WIRE (6) (Dolby)
1990-06-29 … GHOST DAD (2) (Dolby)
1990-07-13 … GHOST DAD / JETSONS: THE MOVIE (1) (Dolby)
1990-07-20 … PRETTY WOMAN (1) (Dolby)
1990-07-27 … PROBLEM CHILD (4) (Dolby)
1990-08-24 … DARKMAN (3) (Dolby)
1990-09-14 … POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (6) (Dolby)
1990-10-26 … SIBLING RIVALRY (4) (Dolby)
1990-11-23 … WHITE PALACE (1) (Dolby)
1990-11-30 … MARKED FOR DEATH (1) (Dolby)
1990-12-07 … MEMPHIS BELLE (2) (Dolby)
1990-12-20 … AWAKENINGS (7) (Dolby)

1991-02-08 … SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (11) (Dolby)
1991-04-26 … A KISS BEFORE DYING (3) (Dolby)
1991-05-17 … MANNEQUIN TWO: ON THE MOVE (2) (Dolby)
1991-05-31 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1) (70mm)
1991-06-07 … CITY SLICKERS ( (Dolby)
1991-08-02 … RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON (2) (Dolby)
1991-08-16 … CITY SLICKERS (5) (Dolby)
1991-09-20 … ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (3) (Dolby)
1991-10-11 … THE TAKING OF BEVERLY HILLS (2) (Dolby)
1991-10-25 … BARTON FINK (1) (Dolby)
1991-11-01 … YEAR OF THE GUN (2) (Dolby)
1991-11-15 … SHATTERED (1) (Dolby)
1991-11-22 … FRANKIE & JOHNNY (5) (Dolby)
1991-12-25 … THE PRINCE OF TIDES (17) (Dolby)

1992-04-24 … YEAR OF THE COMET (2) (Dolby)
1992-05-08 … CASABLANCA (2)
1992-05-22 … FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (3) (Dolby)
1992-06-12 … HOUSESITTER (3) (Dolby)
1992-07-01 … A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN ( (Dolby)
1992-08-28 … HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (4) (Dolby)
1992-09-23 … MR. SATURDAY NIGHT (4) (Dolby)
1992-10-23 … SNEAKERS (3) (Dolby)
1992-11-13 … BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (9) (Dolby)

1993-01-15 … BODY OF EVIDENCE (3) (Dolby)
1993-02-05 … LORENZO’S OIL (1) (Dolby)
1993-02-12 … GROUNDHOG DAY (9) (Dolby)
1993-04-16 … THE CRYING GAME (3) (Dolby)
1993-05-07 … DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY (6) (Dolby)
1993-06-18 … LAST ACTION HERO (3) (70mm-Dolby)
1993-07-09 … IN THE LINE OF FIRE (11) (70mm-Dolby)
1993-09-24 … THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (9) (Dolby)
1993-11-24 … JOSH AND S.A.M. (1) (Dolby)
1993-12-03 … JOSH AND S.A.M. / MALICE (1) (Dolby)
1993-12-10 … GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND (5) (70mm-Dolby)

1994-01-14 … IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (10) (DTS)
1994-03-25 … SCHINDLER’S LIST (5) (DTS)
1994-04-29 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (7) (Dolby)
1994-06-17 … WOLF (9) (Dolby)
1994-08-19 … BLANKMAN (2) (Dolby)
1994-09-02 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1) (Dolby)
1994-09-09 … A GOOD MAN IN AFRICA (2) (Dolby)
1994-09-23 … THE CLIENT (1) (Dolby)
1994-09-30 … CORRINA, CORRINA (1) (Dolby)
1994-10-07 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (4) (Dolby)
1994-11-04 … THE WAR (6) (DTS)
1994-12-16 … STARGATE (1) (DTS)
1994-12-25 … READY TO WEAR (6) (Dolby)

1995-02-03 … BEFORE SUNRISE (3) (Dolby)
1995-02-24 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (3) (Dolby)
1995-03-17 … MURIEL’S WEDDING (10) (Dolby)
1995-05-26 … DON JUAN DE MARCO (1) (Dolby)
1995-06-02 … THE GLASS SHIELD (2) (Dolby)
1995-06-16 … MY FAMILY, MI FAMILIA (2) (Dolby)
1995-06-30 … APOLLO 13 ( (DTS)
1995-08-25 … WATERWORLD (2) (DTS)
1995-09-08 … TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (4) (DTS)
1995-10-06 … HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT (6) (DTS)
1995-11-17 … THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (12) (Dolby)

1996-02-09 … BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (7) (Dolby)
1996-03-29 … FARGO (11) (Dolby)
1996-06-14 … THE CABLE GUY (5) (Dolby)
1996-07-19 … THE FRIGHTENERS (4) (DTS)
1996-08-16 … ERASER (1) (Dolby)
1996-08-23 … SOLO (2) (Dolby)
1996-09-06 … THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (1) (Dolby)
1996-09-13 … THE TRIGGER EFFECT (2) (Dolby)
1996-09-27 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1) (70mm-Dolby SR)
1996-10.04 … TOMMY / THE DOORS (1) (70mm / 70mm-Dolby)
1996-10-11 … APOCALYPSE NOW (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1996-10-18 … THE WILD BUNCH (1) (70mm)
1996-10-25 … MY FAIR LADY (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1996-11-01 … THE LAST EMPEROR (1) (70mm-Dolby)
1996-11-08 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1) (70mm-Dolby SR)
1996-11-15 … BOUND (1) (Dolby)
1996-11-22 … THE ENGLISH PATIENT (7) (Dolby)

1997-01-10 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (5) (Dolby)
1997-02-14 … TOUCH (2) (Dolby)
1997-02-28 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (3) (Dolby)
1997-03-21 … LIAR LIAR (9) (DTS)
1997-05-23 … THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (9) (DTS)
1997-07-21 … theater closed

The information contained in this list was referenced from various issues of Boxoffice, Variety and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Thanks, Michael!

 

More information: You'll find 10 more photos of the Northpoint in the North Beach and Chinatown album on the BAHT Facebook page.

Biz Journals had a story about the sale to Goodwill in 2015.

See the Cinema Treasures page about the Northpoint. See Michael Coate's 2016 comment listing all the films to have played the theatre. Gary Meyer notes: "Some long runs and some embarrassing bookings."

There's also a page on Cinema Tour with 16 photos. There's also a Plitt Theatres group on Facebook with a San Francisco focus.

Jack Tillmany's Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres of San Francisco" can be previewed on Google Books. It's available from Amazon or your local bookseller. 

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