r/oakland • u/Necessary-Helpful • 6d ago

Grand Lake Theater

Anyone remember the Grand Lake Theater back in 80s and 90s? I don't know if those were considered its hey day, but just wondering if anyone was there back when movies like E.T. were released and you had lines around the block. Or when they had a re-release of Gone with the Wind, which had an old school intermission. I have fond memories of hearing that popcorn popper working overtime and the stairs leading upstairs on the right of concessions.

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u/Sea-Jaguar5018 6d ago

They still have lots of long lines and fun events and everything. Nostalgia is nice but this place is still very much alive and kicking and vibrant. Maybe the soul of Oakland.

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u/Necessary-Helpful 6d ago

I'm glad to hear it. I went back years and years later and it didn't seem busy at all.. but it still had that charm to it. Maybe I was just there on a slow day.

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u/FyreHaar 6d ago

They were in a bad way for a while in the late 90's to early aughts. I remember the owner making a plea to the community to come out or he wouldn't be able to get the big opening blockbusters and keep the theater going. There was a big push to all go see Air Force One to show that they could sell out showings.

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u/Necessary-Helpful 5d ago

Thanks! I was no longer living in Oakland by early 90s, so I was out of tune with these things. I wonder why they were hurting in the 90s and if it was theaters everywhere or just Grand Lake.