I loved that theater and will always have found memories of the place. I was so sad when it was gutted. I still remember the way the lobby looked and concession stand. Sitting in the balcony was so much fun! I wish it could be restored like the San Rafael Theater was.
Anyone remember the theaters at Northgate next to the old Hungry House? Or the one that was at Montecito Shopping Center? Good times.....
Going to the Tamalpais Theatre was a highlight of my childhood. Not only did I spend all day Saturday (or Sunday) there, I also was entertained with a full day of movie viewing. I was dropped off (by my parents) around Noon and for the next several hours; I had the time of my life all by myself, drifting off into this land of make-believe.
My day consisted of usually two serials; a few cartoons; a bike give-a-way during intermission; and, then a full length feature (usually a western).
Two distinct memories stand out: when The Robe was premiering and the Tam had the first Marin Cinemascope presentation (there were lines around the block to get in to see this one); and, the when I saw Theres No Business, Like Show Business three times in one day.
I remember birthday parties at the Tamalpais. Sometimes there would be several birthday groups there. During the break between movies, there would be an M.C. on stage, and each party group would come up. The M. C. would ask the kids some silly question. Each one in the party group would get some kind of cheap prize. I never knew if the parents had to pay for this. Sometimes we would go to the party kid's house after the show for ice cream and cake, or sometimes it was before the matinee.
The Tamalpais was the only place I was ever at that got streaked. It was during a showing of Blazing Saddles, which would make it 1974. A handful (!) of stark-naked high school kids suddenly ran down the aisles and out the side exit.
the tamalpais theatre had the best lounge seats you could totally recline and rock in these huge oversized chairs....and the matinees at the rafael you would keep your ticket because at the intermission they would have a drawing for prizes occasionally they would even give away a bicycle there
Matinees at the Tamalpais Theatre were great fun! You could throw ice cream bon-bons at the screen, or blow on your empty Milk Dud's box making a great Bronx Cheer sound.
In the 1950s there were serials and westerns with cartoons between. Later-on there were Sci-Fi and really bad "B" films that cost less than a dollar on Saturday afternoon. If you wanted to see the big first-run movies, you had to go to the Rafael in San Rafael or better yet to San Francisco.
In the Tamalpais lobby there was a huge couch framed in heavy wood carved to match the art deco decor and upholstered with scratchy material. Etched-glass chandeliers and matching wall sconces were lit with colored lights.
When driving home from a trip north and painfully tired, you knew you were only minutes from crawling into bed when you saw the marquee go by, lit in colorful neon.
