On May 4th, 1916, Mary Pickford's POOR LITTLE PEPPINA was the very first movie to screen at the largest movie theater in the west.
110 years later, the New Mission continues... -----------------------
From the San Francisco Examiner's May 4th, 1916 issue
NEW PLAYHOUSE OPENS TONIGHT
Mission Theatre to Seat 1,800; Mayor Rolph to Be Present at the Opening,
The Mission district will step into the big league of San Francisco theatredom tonight with the opening of the New Mission Theatre, in Mission street between Twenty-first and Twenty-second. It expected that every one of the 1,800 seats will be filled.
Prominent business men of the district will be there to lend their sanction of the $200,000 enterprise, and the management announces that Mayor Rolph himself will be among those present, as a citizen of the Mission. Mary Pickford in "Poor Little Peppina" is booked as the opening bill, with a number of comedies and other features to fill the programme.
LARGEST IN THE WEST
The New Mission Theatre is the largest playhouse in the west built especially for motion pictures. The main structure extends through the block to Bartlett street and is 125 by 100 feet.
There is a loge-box balcony that will accommodate 250 persons. It is reached by an easy incline from the lobby. A new system of ventilation has been installed that will insure fresh air no matter how large the crowd. The film operating room is said to be the most thoroughly equipped of any theatre in the west.
A huge pipe organ, costing $25,000, has been installed by the Photo-player Company of Berkeley. This will be augmented by a large orchestra for musical accompaniments to the pictures.
NURSE FOR CHILDREN
Adjoining the theatre is an enclosed court 200 by 50 feet, which is to be made into a garden-playground for children of patrons during the matinee performances. Nurses will be in charge. The playhouse is owned by Leon L. Kahn and Louis R. Greenfleld. Robert F. Abraham is manager.
“I am a wound and a sword, a victim, and an executioner.”
Strange and singular, FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES is Toshio Matsumoto's 1969 transposition of Greek tragedy to underground queer Tokyo. Catch it this month at Alamo, as part of Queer Film Theory 101.
The rom-com renaissance is here and Jennifer Lopez is leading the charge.
In OFFICE ROMANCE, J.Lo returns to the rom-com, starring with Brett Goldstein in a raunchy romantic comedy about a secret office romance and the trouble two workaholics get in when they start thinking with their hearts.
Catch it on the big screen in a free Victory screening 6/1–6/3, before it arrives on Netflix 6/5. Reserve a spot with the purchase of a refundable $5 food and beverage voucher and enjoy a themed menu with a free entree and drink, plus giveaways and other surprises.
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Tickets on sale now. Cheep cheep cheep cheeep!
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Score your very own One Wish Willow at our Drafthouse Recommends: OBSESSION One Wish Movie Party! Opening this weekend, grab tickets to your next OBSESSION at drafthouse.com.
Turn our latest Drafthouse Recommends: OBSESSION into a full-contact experience at our exclusive One Wish Movie Party — featuring a live host, themed menu, and interactive keepsakes like a One Wish Willow, Cat Plushie, Sandwich Container, and more! Tickets are on sale now at drafthouse.com.
Be among the first to experience “Spider-Noir” with a Free Victory Screening of the first two episodes of the Prime Video series, starring Nicolas Cage as a hardboiled PI with a secret.
Set in 1930s New York, the series blends noir grit with superhero stakes. Enjoy a limited-edition themed menu at the sneak peek, then catch the full series May 27 on Prime.
Reserve your spot with a refundable food and beverage voucher, redeemable during the show and available now at the link in bio.
The power returns. Director Travis Knight brings MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE back to the big screen on June 5. Raise your sword for an epic return to Eternia with an exclusive MOTU menu, Cereal Parties, and more!
Tickets to MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE are on sale now at drafthouse.com.
Better than breakfast in bed, make sure to grab your mama something from our Exclusive Mother's Day Cocktail menu, available 5/8 - 5/10.
Try the fruity Pomma Mia, the citrusy Overboard Mom-osa, the delectable Stiffler or the refreshingly non-alcoholic Griswold Summer Sipper. For dessert, treat Mom (and yourself) to the Chocolat Shake.
Showtimes for this Mother's Day weekend are available now at drafthouse.com.
