We don't usually dip our toes into Upper Haightian news, but as film buffs (and fans of independent businesses), this one makes us sad.
Yesterday, KQED News reported that the Red Vic Movie House at 1727 Haight Street will likely close in July, absent a last-minute financial windfall.
The Red Vic opened in 1980, originally at Haight and Belvedere, and moved to its current location in 1991. Known for its comfy couches, organic treats, and eclectic line-up of both indie flicks and blockbusters, the theater is one of the few remaining independent movie houses in San Francisco. Sadly, in a world where many folks would rather stream a movie via Netflix or iTunes than spend an evening at the local theater, the Red Vic has struggled to stay afloat. KQED quotes one of the Red Vic's owner's, Claudia Lehan, as saying, "We're financially strapped. We're hoping for a miracle. But it's not looking good." Lehan says the theater has had fundraisers, and has received lots of good will from the community, but still finds itself coming up short. "We need George Lucas or Pixar or somebody really big to step in and we haven’t found them yet. Or they haven’t found us," she tells KQED. The Red Vic's last scheduled screening, the 1971 dark comedy Harold and Maude, is slated for July 25th. We'll keep you posted if any decisions are made regarding the theater's fate. In the meantime, if anybody knows George Lucas or Steve Jobs, now would be a good time to get in touch...
The Red Vic opened in 1980, originally at Haight and Belvedere, and moved to its current location in 1991. Known for its comfy couches, organic treats, and eclectic line-up of both indie flicks and blockbusters, the theater is one of the few remaining independent movie houses in San Francisco. Sadly, in a world where many folks would rather stream a movie via Netflix or iTunes than spend an evening at the local theater, the Red Vic has struggled to stay afloat. KQED quotes one of the Red Vic's owner's, Claudia Lehan, as saying, "We're financially strapped. We're hoping for a miracle. But it's not looking good." Lehan says the theater has had fundraisers, and has received lots of good will from the community, but still finds itself coming up short. "We need George Lucas or Pixar or somebody really big to step in and we haven’t found them yet. Or they haven’t found us," she tells KQED. The Red Vic's last scheduled screening, the 1971 dark comedy Harold and Maude, is slated for July 25th. We'll keep you posted if any decisions are made regarding the theater's fate. In the meantime, if anybody knows George Lucas or Steve Jobs, now would be a good time to get in touch...
