Bay Area Movie Houses

This morning's article on SF Gate on Bay Area Movie houses got me thinking about the other ones they didn't include. They listed:

• Rio Theater, Monte Rio
• Cameo Cinema, St. Helen
• Los Gatos Theater, Los Gatos
• Del Mar Theatre, Santa Cruz
• Sebastiani Theatre, Sonoma

This list is easily expanded, since they didn't include any of the great East Bay movie houses. The charming thing about these places are that they are usually single screen, or perhaps they are split level (like the old Parkway Theater). And, they sometimes have some very charming old blade signs (like the Orinda Theater).

Often nestled in smaller neighborhoods, these movie houses really become one of the key activating features of the street. They are a night time attraction that also invigorates the restaurants, ice cream shops, cafes, and bars around it.

Landmark Theaters is a great example of how the single theaters can be made more profitable, by partnering under one owner and offering the variety that a megaplex would across the city.

Off the top of my head, I can think of:

• California Theater, Berkeley
• Piedmont Theater, Oakland
• Parkway Theater, Oakland (not around anymore, such a loss!)
• The Cerrito Theater, El Cerrito
• The Elmwood Theater, Berkeley
• The Orinda Theater, Orinda

But enough about smaller movie houses, the real rarity is the small stage live performance venue like the Ashby Stage in Berkeley. Entertainment is never more personal than at those gems of the city!