![]() Still, that wasn’t enough to sustain the theater and in the mid-1980s, the Grandview Theater finally closed its doors.Įventually, the theater was sold and works produced by Jue were thrown out of the attic where they were stored, erasing the historic record of 20th century San Francisco, the Chronicle’s G. “Second-generation Chinese-Americans generally stayed away from Chinese movie theaters, going only on occasion and in the company of an older relative,” SF Weekly wrote. In the 1960s popularity for Chinese movie theaters started to fade as some in the community started to prefer American movies. According to the Chronicle, Jue’s films were a hit in several countries including Cuba, Mexico, Panama, South America, Hawaii, the Philippines, Australia, and Madagascar. In fact, Jue’s films were popular with viewers outside of San Francisco. ![]() First generation Chinese-Americans spoke little English and Chinese movies were among the few diversions available, SF Weekly wrote. Perhaps what made the Grandview Theater successful was that it had a strong hold in the Asian community. In the same article, the Chronicle said the latest film Jue produced was called, “They Get What They Wanted.” Jue believed the film was “somewhere better than a quickie” but by no means a “super.” ‘Quickies’ cost $15,000 to $20,000 and are rushed out in three weeks,” The Chronicle wrote in 1940. “’Supers’ are budgeted at between $40,000 and $60,000 and take from three to six months to produce. In 1940, Jue produced about 18 films a year and categorized features as “supers” or “quickies.” The budget and timeframe for these projects depended on the category. His films covered various genres including detective stories, zany comedies and historic dramas, the Chronicle noted. When he wasn’t busy directing films, he was an usher at the Grandview Theater, the Chronicle wrote on Nov. Joseph Jue is the only organizer and president of America’s only company that produces Chinese films, and that company is right here.” Allen Johnson wrote.Ī former nightclub located in an alley off Grant Avenue was converted into a movie studio called the “Grandview Motion Picture Company,” where Jue created his films, the Chronicle wrote on Sept. He presented films shot in Hong Kong but also Cantonese-language films that Jue produced in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle’s G. The Grandview Theater opened in 1940, when filmmaker Joseph Sunn Jue envisioned a movie theater that catered to Chinese audiences. The structure’s interior was remodeled, but it once held 400 seats and carpeted floors. Today, the only signs of its former heyday are the marquee and a neon-lit sign. But back in 1940, the Grandview Theater occupied the location and was considered Chinatown’s first modern theater, according to an article by SF Weekly. The business, located on 756 Jackson St., operates as a paper goods shop. A sea-foam green marquee rests atop the store’s entrance with an image of Buddah adorned by rosy lotus buds. Upon first glance, the Buddha Exquisite in Chinatown blends in with the neighboring businesses, which are tightly packed in the bustling corridor. I’ve also posted a couple of the photos accompanying the article. ![]() ![]() This story about the Grandview was published in today’s (7-21-17) SF Chronicle. ![]()
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