429 Castro St. | map |
More Castro Theatre pages: 2024-2025 interior restoration | history + exterior views |
The main lobby:
No,
it's not a funeral -- this is the lobby decorated for the 1922 grand
opening. Note the windows at right (where the snack bar later was) for a
view into the auditorium. The photo appears on the Film-Tech page about
the theatre, credited to the James R. Marshall collection. It can also be seen on the Open SF History Project website as a contribution from Jack Tillmany.
A
look along the entrance doors. Thanks to Andra Young for sharing her photo, one she took at the December 2016 Rick Prelinger
presentation "Lost Landscapes of San Francisco."
A 2019 photo from the Nasser family collection. It's one that was included with the March 2022 presentation of preliminary renovation plans prepared by the architectural firm Page & Turnbull.
A lobby chandelier. Thanks to Andra young for her photo, one of 25 views taken at the May 2022 San Francisco Silent Film Festival that appear in an album on Facebook.
A look down from the house right stairs. Thanks to Mike Hume for this 2022 photo and the many others appearing on this page. Head to his Historic Theatre Photography site for terrific coverage of San Francisco and Los Angeles theatres as well as many others he's explored.
The view from the house left stairs. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
The balcony level lobby:
The balcony lobby in 1922. It's a photo from the Jack Tillmany collection appearing on the Open SF History Project website.
A
2019 photo from the Nasser family collection. It's another that was
included with the 2022 plan presentation by Page & Turnbull.
A peek down the house right stairs. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
A look across from house left. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
Vintage auditorium views:
A 1922 view from the Jack Tillmany collection appearing on the Open SF History Project website. With the ladders in place it appears they're finishing lacing up the screen. Matias Antonio Bombal comments:
"In this photo, lights are on in the pipe chambers behind the grille to the right of the stage, as the Robert Morton company is putting finishing touches on the theatre's first of two pipe organs, a 2 manual 11 rank instrument (sold and removed in 1961). The Robert Morton organ console may be seen in the orchestra pit, and the original screen was on the back wall of the stage. A thrust stage was later built over the orchestra pit, with a cut-out for the organ console lift. This is where the white Wurlitzer organ console used to go up and down from 1982 until it was removed in 2015."
After a small auditorium fire the chandelier we see here was rebuilt in 1937 under the supervision of Mr. Pflueger in a more deco configuration. Gary Parks notes:
"The metal framework of the chandelier is original, but it was retrofitted with a lot of ornamental sheet metal in the 30s."
A
1922 look at the theatre. Note the original proscenium, later covered by
the Cinemascope screen brought out to the outer columns. Check out the
elaborate multicolored treatment of the wall and column surfaces, now
greatly simplified after several paint jobs. And check
out that checkerboard stage floor! It's from the Jack Tillmany
collection on the Open SF History Project website. A smaller version of the photo is on the San Francisco Public Library website. Gary Parks comments:
"That checkerboard floor is still back there...I've walked on it. The tiny original proscenium is likewise still intact."
The photo made an appearance with "Departure to Roman Design Followed in San Francisco House," an article in the November 4, 1922 issue of Motion Picture News. It's on Internet Archive. The caption:
"This view reveals to good advantage the special canopied ceiling of the Castro theatre, San Francisco. Suspended from the center of this canopy is the Spanish lantern fixture. The twin Scrafitto panels, an interesting use of a famous Italian art, are shown on the side walls."
Two additional illustrations appearing with the November 1922 Motion Picture News
article. The caption: "San Francisco's new Castro theatre, owned by
Nasser Brothers. Left - A side view showing one of the Scraffito
panels, organ loft and part of the canopied roof. Right - view of the
theatre showing elaborate decorations." Thanks to William L. Coale for locating the article for a post on the California Theatre Organs Facebook page.
Here's a bigger version of the house left shot that appeared in the 1922 Motion Picture News article. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for sharing it from his collection. It's on the Open SF History Project website.
A c.1922 look to the rear of the house. Note the curtained standee area at the back of the main floor. The photo, presumably from the Nasser family collection, was
included with the 2022 plan presentation by Page & Turnbull.
An
undated view (presumably from the 40s) that already shows changes from
the theatre's more exotic 1922 appearance. Many areas that were
originally painted with interesting textures have been redone in a
rather flat style. It's a photo from the Jack Tillmany collection that appears on the
San Francisco Public Library website.
A photo by Preston J. Kaufmann that appeared on the cover of the November 1981 issue of his magazine Console. Thanks to Ron Mahan for scanning a copy in his collection.
A
1984 look down from the balcony taken by Steve Ringman for the
Chronicle. It appeared with a Peter Hartlaub 2015 SF Gate piece "The city's movie palaces make an unexpected comeback." It also popped up in the March 2016 SF Gate article by Bob Bragman "A 100 year look at San Francisco marquees and theaters."
Recent main floor views:
A 2014 look toward the screen by the French photographer Franck Bohbot. It's included in his Cinema Series.
A house right view taken in March 2022 by TJ Fisher when he was at the theatre for "Berlin and Beyond." See his post about the event on the BAHT Facebook page. He commented:
"New lighting rigs have been added on the small balconies in front of the organ grilles, in a location some may find obtrusive despite a bit of camouflage, but I suppose there will be some compromises. It's possible these lights are not yet in their final location." Mike Hume added: "Without knowing if the lighting trees are permanent or not I am impressed that they took the trouble to dress them, excepting for the fixtures. That doesn't happen in most theatres!"
The plasterwork above the curtain. Photo: TJ Fisher - 2022
A look to the stage with the organ in use before "Berlin and Beyond." Photo: TJ Fisher - March 2022
Another proscenium view: Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022
Part of the somewhat hostile audience that assembled for the August 11, 2022 public meeting when Another Planet Entertainment presented their renovation plans. Thanks to Mike Hume for sharing this photo and others he took that night.
The
original proscenium and a vintage curtain on view after the screen and
speakers were removed. It's an Andrew Rosas photo taken for APE that
appears with Woody LaBounty's April 2022 SF Heritage article "Preserving the Castro Theatre." Thanks to Marco Place for spotting the story.
A detail from the Andrew Rosas photo.
Another look at the original proscenium with a better view of the area adjacent to the arch. This is a shot from the video that APE presented at their August 11, 2022 meeting. Thanks to Mike Hume for tracking it down. Although the plans are to restore the original proscenium, the screen went back up after these photos were taken.
A detail of the original proscenium. Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022
Main ceiling details:
A
2014 shot of the chandelier by Franck
Bohbot, who now lives in New York City. Mr. Bohbot's website: www.franckbohbot.com. Gary Parks comments:
"Up until 1989, the ceiling--while dark and nicotine-patinated--was
clearer, as far as patterns. After plaster damage during Loma Prieta, an
amber wash was put over most everything, while at the same time,
patching some minor water damage here and there. Look at the very center
of the ceiling, the little domed part that is just above the
chandelier: It was not gone-over at that time. You will get an idea of
what the whole ceiling looked like prior to 1989."
The center of the ceiling. Photo: TJ Fisher - March 2022
Another chandelier view. Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022
Part of the perimeter of the ceiling. It's a March 2022 photo by TJ Fisher. He commented at the time:
"The
way the auditorium is lit has changed a bit. I don't think any work has
been done to the ceiling yet, but the center section was purposefully
lit like I've never seen. The colors and textures of this area, in
better condition than the rest of the ceiling, were a delight. I could
barely take my eyes off them! Other areas also seemed more brightly lit
than before: I could make out fine details, like the bends sinister on
the shields that are part of the trim surrounding the room, that I
couldn't before. My impression is that APE will take definite pride in
the architecture and design of this place. I am excited by the prospect
of seeing physical shortcomings many devotees have been decorously
ignoring for years corrected."
A ceiling detail.
Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022. Todd Booth notes:
"From backstage, behind the curtain, if you look
straight up with a very bright flashlight, you can see what the original
ceiling looked like. It's stunning. Oranges and greens and reds -
amazing colors, all bright and untouched by time."
Another angle on the ceiling view and chandelier. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
Up in the balcony:
A c.2015 holiday view. Thanks to Graeme McBain for sharing this one as a post on the Theatre Architecture Facebook page.
A shot by an unknown photographer taken at the 2021 San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
A look down during the time in early 2022 that the screen and speakers had been temporarily removed. Thanks to Graeme McBain for sharing this view by an unknown photographer on the Theatre Architecture private Facebook group.
A fine view from house left. APE's renovation plans are on the screen at the community meeting. Photo: Mike Hume - August 2022
Looking down from center. Photo: Mike Hume - August 2022
A bit of house right wall ornament. Photo: Mike Hume - August 2022
Across from house right. Photo: Mike Hume - August 2022
Along the crossaisle. Photo: Mike Hume - August 2022
The original seats still in place in the section above the cross aisle. Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022
A view to the booth. Note the fire hose on the house left wall. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
A closer look at one of the hose racks. Photo: Jessica Chastain - SF Chronicle - August 7, 2022. Thanks, Jessica!
The ceiling above the rear of the balcony. Photo: Mike Hume - 2022
In the booth:
A shot from a video of one of the Castro's projectionists threading a 70mm reel of "2001." It's included in "Classic Film Buffs..," a January 2022 CBS Local story. Thanks to Gary Meyer for spotting it.
See many 2016 projection booth photos in a 32 photo album Matias Antonio Bombal shared on the BAHT Facebook page. And don't miss Lincoln Spector's 2019 article "2001: A Projection Odyssey..." on the site Eat Drink Films.
More photos: See the Castro Theatre album on the BAHT Facebook page for over 140 photos of the theatre.
The Castro Theatre pages: back to top - earlier interior views | 2024-2025 interior restoration | history + exterior views |
| San Francisco Theatres: by address and neighborhood | alphabetical list | list by architect | pre-1906 theatre list | home |
No comments:
Post a Comment