Clay Theatre

My friend suggested we come here to watch Spirited Away on a Friday and honestly, I've never seen that movie on the big screen and the fact that a theater in SF was actually showing it was pretty interesting enough so obviously had to go.

I've read the reviews beforehand, both bad and good, and it's probably because the movie showing wasn't until midnight that we were able to find parking about a block away quite fast. Buy your tickets at the ticket counter or online before you start lining up to be let inside. We did have to wait a while outside before we could go in but once we were in, we basically saw everything they had to offer. The lobby of the theater was small but that was to be expected. Prices are decent and almost comparable to big cinema prices and bathrooms are quite obvious, too.

Service was really friendly. My friend had bought the tickets online so he had a QR code for the clerk to scan and she was having trouble scanning it, but she still made small talk with us while trying to solve the problem so kudos to her. Guy working the food stand was also really nice and easy to talk to so thumbs up to service.

The inside of the theater is definitely smaller than your normal theater, but I still thought it was a pretty good size for what they're working with. Sound and picture actually was fine and I did read a review of the seats being old.. besides a minor squeak here and there, I didn't have any other issues. The cup holders are also in the seats in front of you so look out for that.

Overall, a pretty dang good movie experience honestly. We didn't realize Spirited Away was gonna be shown in Japanese so that made things a little funnier as we attempted to read the subtitles with tall people sitting in front of us.

I keep promising to go in the day time someday but continuously drawn to each and every Rocky Horror and The Room midnight shows instead. *gasp* I love this theater. The staff gets a solid five stars. That one dude with the awesome long hair gets super props. I'm sorry for taking the last small tank top and making you pull out the mediums. It had to be done. The theater itself is tiny. But it can pack in an ungodly amount of people. Rocky Horror is always spectacular and well set up. Same with the Tommy Wiseau meet and greet. Everyone was given an opportunity to meet, hug, and get a photo. (SHOUTOUT TO THE PHOTO TAKER!! WE LOVE YOU). I met Tommy in Santa Cruz and I just didn't enjoy the vibe as much. I don't even think he did to be honest.
Also the popcorn is delish.
Keep doing you, Clay. See you on the 26th!

It's hard to separate the movie from the theater. But I think it's safe to say that any theater that consistently plays "The Room" at midnight for a bunch of drunkards is alright by me. I had no idea what I was in for when a friend invited me to go see this movie. The theater was alive with anticipation. People were dancing and singing with the music and psychedelic light show on the screen and this was just before the show.

The staff certainly seem to enjoy their jobs. At least it appeared that way as they announced the movie and apologized for the movie at the same time. I can only imagine the horrendous aftermath that they have to clean up after the show.

Thank you Clay Theatre for taking on this massive burden so we can all watch a terrible movie in all it's splendor! I can't wait to come back and bring friends!

You may have wondered how does your honey go from the hive to the jar.
Now I know.
Last night I saw "The Wonders", an Italian/Swiss/French film at the Clay. This was part of the SF International Film Festival.
What was cool was the house was packed. There were 10 seats open in the front; otherwise all the other seats were taken.
This film won the Grand Prix Prize @ Cannes last year and I could see why.
It depicts a way of life that is being lost. Farmers and local artisans trying to support themselves & their families.
It was heartwarming, troubling, definitely thought provoking.
If you can, see it. And see it in a small independent theater like the Landmark Clay. It's a dying breed of film house in our neighborhoods so let's support them and keep the lights on.

I love the Clay theater...it's a classic, Art Deco style, single screen theater in the heart of Pacific Heights. Not only have I been going there for the past 18 years, since I've lived in SF, my grandmother - who grew up a few blocks north on Fillmore and Pacific - went to movies here.

Tonight, for the very first time that I'm aware of, there were tiny mice darting in and out of the aisles and making a ruckus behind us patrons. We were watching "Capernaum" - which is a fantastically beautiful movie, albeit tragic and sad. We left the movie two thirds of the way through - because we feared the scampering mice - running all over the floor - could have run up the seats and jumped on our heads!

As we waited for our shared rides, we talked (again) to the lobby attendants about the infestation. They noted that they've had a "problem" of late and they're working on it. During our chat in the lobby, several small rodents scurried from behind the candy counter to the recycle bins across the lobby.

I seriously LOVE The Clay and I want them to stick around, but I cannot go back until I know the mice (maybe s ) are eradicated. Please join me in helping this icon of a theater. If it's money they need, let's donate. The last thing we need is a Gap Body, Pottery Barn or IKEA stealing the sacred single screen movie space.

Dammit!

I came here to see Rocky Horror Picture Show at midnight for the first time. Yes I was a virgin!! What an experience, and bless the souls of all the staff members who have to clean up after that show. So much fun.

The movie video and sound quality was good, but I was disappointed by the poor microphone issues throughout the introduction part. The worst part, and the main reason I'm giving this theater one star, is because I put my hand on my seat to adjust my posture and there was a sharp piece of metal that pierced my hand. WTF?!?! That's so dangerous.

Maybe it's because this is an old and dilapidated theater. Even so, that was not okay. My overall experience at Clay Theater was mediocre regardless, but that really hit the nail on the head with this review... And into my hand. GRR!!

Okay, it's a small theater that shows indy films and modern classics. Every month they show cult classing audience participation movies "The Room" and "Rocky Horror Picture Show." (If you're not familiar with The Room, it is, quite possibly the WORST movie ever made. It's set in San Francisco so it's a hometown classic! It is actually soooo bad that Franco and Rogan made another movie called "The Disaster Artist" about the fiasco of the making of The Room. I recommend you watch The Disaster Artist, THEN see The Room.) Also, they show modern classics other weeks. I have seen such hits as Princess Bride, Gremlins, Lost Boys and Big Lebowski again on the big screen! That experience is so much better than watching on a home theater.

First time at the Clay theatre and I was very impressed with the size of the theatre. There is only one (1) actual theatre that seats almost 400 and its fairly comfortable. The reason the Clay Theatre received 5 stars from me is because it screened for one night only, Hidden Colors 4. The Clay is apart of the Landmark Theatre company and is not apart of the major chain movie providers. Its community based and has various movie showings!

The Clay Theater is 100% a landmark of San Francisco cinema. Between it's midnight showings of movies like Rocky Horror and The Room, to Independent movies, to it's rich history dating back over 100 years ago! Even my father has rich memories of walking to this theater to see old western movies as a kid. They've done a great job of keeping it as modern as possible, but keeping that "old theater feel" to it.

Don't let family institutions like this die. If you have a choice between the big places and the Clay, it's so worth it!

This place will forever be the first theater I saw a midnight movie in, which incidentally coincides with the first time I was witness to a real, live marriage proposal!

Seeing the March of the Penguins here comes a close second on my list of happy memories made at the Clay Theatre.