The Sunset Theatorium

1660 Haight St. | map |

Opened: 1907 as the Theatorium. The building was on the north side of the street between Cole and Clayton. Jack Tillmany's research indicates it was running at least by December 1907.

Seating: 300

It's listed as the Theatorium with a 1656 address as in Henry's 1907-08 Official Western Theatrical Guide. The publication is on Google Books. They note Bauer and Gleason were the managers at the time and they were running continuous shows. It was also known as the Sunset Theatorium. 

 

An ad in the May 1, 1909 S.F. Bulletin three-page salute to "San Francisco's High-Class Moving-Picture Theatres," part of their Pacific Progress Issue. The Sunset Theatorium was one of 30 theatres advertising in the section, which also included the long-winded articles "Education on Wheels - The Nickelodeon a Factor in Modern Civilization," "The Nickelodeon a Permanent Factor in Public Amusement" and "The 5-Cent Theater Opens Wide the Door of Pleasure to the Scanty Purse."  Thanks to Art Siegel for locating the section.

It's in the 1910 city directory with the Sunset Theatorium name and a 1660 Haight address.

 

Sunset Theatorium manager manager Robert E. Gleason says his motto is "Quality, Quantity" in this ad for Haight St. merchants. Thanks to Chris Ellinger for locating it. He added it as comment to a post on the BAHT Facebook page about the Sunset Theatre at 830 Irving.  Jack Tillmany notes that the ad appeared numerous times in March, April and May 1908 issues of the S.F. Call. 

 

Closing: Presumably early in 1911, to be replaced by the Sunset Theatre, later known as the Superba.  

 

The replacement theatre building, now used as retail space. Photo: Bill Counter - 2015

More information: Well, there isn't any. Yet. 

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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