The Roxie, historic theater in San Francisco, continues to showcase films despite hurdles

By Lauren Jones

Near the corner of 16th and Valencia the huge red neon sign that buzzes above the street screams Roxie. Built in 1909, The Roxie is the oldest continually open theater in San Francisco. Despite fiscal challenges, several name changes, ownership transfers and even more format changes, the Roxie Theater is still here and screening some of the most avant-garde films from Indiewood.

“We like to show the best films we can get our hands on,” said long-time former owner and artistic director Bill Banning, who has been at the Roxie since 1984.

Known for screening obscure films with liberal views, the theater is currently showing films that have gay or lesbian subject matter: “I Can’t Think Straight,” “Noah’s Ark: Jumping the Broom,” and “The Times of Harvey Milk.” These film choices are no coincidence. The theater wishes to express its compassion towards those affected by the recent approval of Proposition 8, which outlaws same-sex marriages.

“Were just as pissed off as anybody,” said Banning “but also these are really good films.”

Reeling from financial failure, the theater for a short time featured pornographic shows in the early 1970’s. This didn’t last long; in 1979 the theater was transformed into a repertory theater art house. On its first opening night as such the theater screened Luis Buñel’s “The Golden Age” (L’Age d’or; 1930). Written by Salvador Dali, this film had been banned in the United States for nearly 50 years due to its explicit visual content that suggests that sexual repression breeds violence.

The Roxie has a hard time earning profit since the number of people who watch Independent films pales in comparison to those who watch mainstream or Hollywood productions. But Banning says the Roxie appeals to a special audience, one that wants something different than what would play at a downtown Cineplex.
Independent films are “innovative, different, and offer something that Hollywood does not; they’re more thought provoking,” he said.

The Roxie has earned support from some very high profile figures including Mayor Gavin Newsom, Robin Wright Penn, Tom Ammiano, Danny Glover, Sophie Maxwell and Matt Gonzales.

After being bought by New College, a small liberal arts college, in 2005, the theater was being used an educational facility for the film students of New College. Now that the college has closed down the Roxie has Alan Holt, a New College graduate, to thank for keeping its doors open. The theater is currently in the process of filing for non-profit status so it can continue to show the offbeat films for which it is famous.

The Roxie Theater is located at 3117 16th Street, San Francisco, CA (415) 863-1087