Defunct Movie Theatres in Burlingame

Gone, not forgotten Many local cinemas gone, not forgotten Column by John Horgan (San Mateo Times)

LEAVE IT TO Burlingame's John Ward to put certain local matters in proper Peninsula perspective. Some weeks ago, he noticed an item in this little corner of journalistic meanderings that piqued his interest. It involved a shuttered San Mateo County movie theater. The Burlingame Drive-in has been closed for years. Its former 16 acres remain fallow next to the Bay near the San Mateo border. The future of that vacant land is iffy at this point, according to Burlingame officials. Ward has been mulling that property and the demise of so many celluloid palaces in these parts. In an e-mail, Ward pointed out that cinematic venues (most of them single-screen) along the Peninsula have tended to disappear with some regularity over time. From his childhood days in San Carlos, he recalled a number of them with some real fondness. Here is his partial list from a bygone era that did not include cell phones, DVDs, cable TV or the Internet: The Park in Menlo Park; the Redwood Drive-in and Sequoia (Fox) in Redwood City; the Carlos, Laurel (family and, later, porn) and Tivoli in San Carlos; the Belmont and Starlite Drive-in in Belmont; Fashion Island, Hillsdale, Manor, Palm (whether legit or porn), San Mateo, Baywood, all in San Mateo; the Encore, Hyatt, Fox and, of course, the aforementioned drive-in, all in Burlingame; the Seavue in Pacifica; the Millbrae; the El Camino in San Bruno; the State and El Rancho and Spruce drive-ins, all in South San Francisco; the Serra and Geneva Drive-in, both in Daly City. There are probably more. Give us a holler if you have something to add. We're always open.

### We had the Garden Theatre on Burlingame Avenue (1918 -1925) which had "a crackling fireplace" (source: Burlingame City of Trees by Svanevik/Burgett includes two great photos of the Garden Theatre). We also had Roy's Photoplay Theatre (1913-1918) which featured five nickelodeon films. After the theatre was closed, the building was moved down California Drive to its current location at 261 California Drive and converted into a pool hall. (source: Burlingame Downtown Specific Plan by Carey & Co, Inc., February 19, 2008). A Burlingame Advance newspaper article dated 3/14/1913 states "A fireproof building is finished in a most attractive way and the four hundred and sixty opera chairs are fit for a theatre of any pretentions." The California Drive building (recently Blush) is available (click here) and perfect for a black box "theatre of any pretentions"!

- Written by Fiona

Comments

[genevieve winslow]

Wow - good timing. Thanks for mention Svanavicks wonderful book.

I just purchased the new, beautiful Burlingame Centennial book put out by the Historical Society!! What a great addtion and follow -up to City of Trees.

I was so excited to purchase my copy from the Library that I stopped at their computers to type this. Because of theis thread, the first thing I checked was the theatres, and another wow. The Garden, the Fox, Peninsula, and all with fantastic photos. Just go to the index and you'll find so much about this subject. This new book has this neat blueprint and a photo of one of the water fountain gargoyles I grew up with (aging my self here)

I feel so lucky to have both beautiful books. I understand City of Trees is out of print, and this new book is selling fast.

[joe]

Your enthusiasm is well-placed, Genevieve. The new book might be the most significant accomplishment in the city since the train station was "saved" in the '70s. The beauty of the story is that the book's proceeds will go towards taking the train station to the next level as a historical museum. What more could a B'gamer ask for????

[steve]

looks like a great spot for the teen center