Note: The Bishop Playhouse was later known as the Franklin.
1919? 2*
The Franklin Theater at 1438 Franklin Street was designed in 1914 by architect Chester H. Miller. It was built for silent films and had a Kimball organ flanking the screen, and an orchestra pit. Edgar Bayliss directed a 10- or 12-piece orchestra.
It was owned and operated by C.W. and Rex Midgley, and M.A. Krueger. 3
According to Theatres of Oakland, this theater was demolished in 1928 when 15th Street was extended past Franklin Street.
August 27, 1914
1914
1915 1
1915 1
2* Note that the OHC entry online labels this as 1929, but that doesn't fit with building having been demolished in 1928 nor with the era of the cars in the photo. It is probably closer to 1919, when "A Man's Man" starring J. Warren Kerrigan (seen on the marquee) came out. Another movie called "A Man's' Man" came out in 1929, likely the source of the confusion.
Links and References
- Development of the Moving-Picture Theatre Architect and Engineer February 1915
- ohrphoto.oaktheaters.022 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
- Franklin Theater, Oakland, Cal. The Moving Picture World March 4, 1916
- Oakland's Telenews Theater Scheduled To Open Tonight Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
- New Franklin Theater Opens Doors Today Oakland Tribune November 28, 1935
- Franklin Theater on Cinema Treasures
