(no subject)
I recently discovered this page which chronicles the various early theaters in San Diego that have come and gone, with particular emphasis on pre-1940's theaters. The pictures are all so achingly beautiful, I recommend looking through all of them.
The Aztec - I saw My Girl II with my mother there. It was very run down, there wasn't a door on the theater entrance, but some grimy florid bed-sheet, and the movie posters were featured in large, silvery glass cases on the wall. The only other person in the theater was a homeless man who was asleep. The theater itself was huge, and a number of the aisles were guarded with yellow caution ribbon. The seats were plump and velvet and smelled horribly. I held my mothers' hand the whole time because I was sure there were ghosts.
The California Theater - my mother saw Alice Cooper there. A few years back, several printed-up signs appeared claiming the California had been purchased by a church and would be converted back to its former glory, but nothing has so far come of it and I kind of hope it just decays.
The Carteri - now its a discount fabric store, but its kept all its theaterishness. Right next door to Lestat's. I told Adam I was glad they kept it looking like a theater and he pointed out they probably couldn't afford to change it.
The Egyptian - I live mere blocks from the Egyptian. There is an entire block of Park boulevard that is Egyptian themed because of the theater's presence. Super-expensive high-rise condos have been built around it, but they at least kept the theater's facade, and I'm not sure whatall else. Incidentally, I'm using this in my book.
Fox Theater - Copley Symphony Hall today. They built a Hyatt on top of it, I think. I saw Tori Amos there when I was 17 for the first (and best) time.
Hillcrest Theater - I'm not sure what is there right now, last time I was in Hillcrest, I think it was still derelict. But! It is sandwiched between Flashbacks, Wear It Again Sam, and Bluestocking books, so it deserves at least an honorable mention.
The Ken - The premier indie theater in San Diego. Also, in my estimation, very haunted. Its near Talmadge, a part of town developed by Norma Talmadge that is full of beautiful old houses that fall in either the "very swank" and "very dilapidated" categories but nowhere in between.
The North Park Theater - remodeled this year. Now home to the San Diego Lyric Opera and a Starbucks.
Spreckels Theatre - I love Spreckels. I saw the Smashing Pumpkins there when I was 14, and I've been looking for an excuse to go back ever since.
Vista Theater - This, the Hillcrest and the California are the only two that I know of that are just decaying. I've never been inside, I saw it on the way to Sara's (koreaz) folks' house. Its near a candy shop owned by the family of this girl I knew when I was 12.
The Aztec - I saw My Girl II with my mother there. It was very run down, there wasn't a door on the theater entrance, but some grimy florid bed-sheet, and the movie posters were featured in large, silvery glass cases on the wall. The only other person in the theater was a homeless man who was asleep. The theater itself was huge, and a number of the aisles were guarded with yellow caution ribbon. The seats were plump and velvet and smelled horribly. I held my mothers' hand the whole time because I was sure there were ghosts.
The California Theater - my mother saw Alice Cooper there. A few years back, several printed-up signs appeared claiming the California had been purchased by a church and would be converted back to its former glory, but nothing has so far come of it and I kind of hope it just decays.
The Carteri - now its a discount fabric store, but its kept all its theaterishness. Right next door to Lestat's. I told Adam I was glad they kept it looking like a theater and he pointed out they probably couldn't afford to change it.
The Egyptian - I live mere blocks from the Egyptian. There is an entire block of Park boulevard that is Egyptian themed because of the theater's presence. Super-expensive high-rise condos have been built around it, but they at least kept the theater's facade, and I'm not sure whatall else. Incidentally, I'm using this in my book.
Fox Theater - Copley Symphony Hall today. They built a Hyatt on top of it, I think. I saw Tori Amos there when I was 17 for the first (and best) time.
Hillcrest Theater - I'm not sure what is there right now, last time I was in Hillcrest, I think it was still derelict. But! It is sandwiched between Flashbacks, Wear It Again Sam, and Bluestocking books, so it deserves at least an honorable mention.
The Ken - The premier indie theater in San Diego. Also, in my estimation, very haunted. Its near Talmadge, a part of town developed by Norma Talmadge that is full of beautiful old houses that fall in either the "very swank" and "very dilapidated" categories but nowhere in between.
The North Park Theater - remodeled this year. Now home to the San Diego Lyric Opera and a Starbucks.
Spreckels Theatre - I love Spreckels. I saw the Smashing Pumpkins there when I was 14, and I've been looking for an excuse to go back ever since.
Vista Theater - This, the Hillcrest and the California are the only two that I know of that are just decaying. I've never been inside, I saw it on the way to Sara's (koreaz) folks' house. Its near a candy shop owned by the family of this girl I knew when I was 12.