Hillsdale Cinema, revisited
Across from Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo, California was the Hillsdale Cinema. These are snapshots I took in 1997, before the building became something else.
Saw Superman: The Movie and The Wrath of Khan there on opening days. And for awhile, it was dang easy to sneak in; buy one ticket, watch for ushers, then let friends in thru the side door. The Hillsdale was part of the General Cinema chain.
Great article on GC’s history here.
Below, 1964 concept drawings of General Cinema’s modernist theatres. Direct or not, there is a Herbert Matter influence in the type picks.
And I can’t forget General’s famous snap-yer-fingers bumpers.
Drawings found via Pleasant Valley Shopping
