Anchor ads are not supported on this page.
Print Edition
Classifieds
Stories
Events
Contests
Music
Movies
Theater
Food
Life Events
Cannabis
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
Close
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
April 24, 2024
April 17, 2024
April 10, 2024
April 2, 2024
March 27, 2024
March 20, 2024
March 13, 2024
March 6, 2024
February 28, 2024
February 21, 2024
February 14, 2024
February 7, 2024
Close
Anchor ads are not supported on this page.
Balboa's Last Stand: Balboa Theater circa 70s/80s
One thing I'm curious about... why does it say "before the Gaslamp"? That area was always called the Gaslamp Quarter (or Gaslamp District) for as long as I can remember ... at least since my family moved to SD in 1973. In fact, on the answering machine message with showtimes, we referred to the Bijou as "The jewel of the Gaslamp district"... which was funny considering that place was hardly a jewel.— October 31, 2009 1:53 p.m.
Balboa's Last Stand: Balboa Theater circa 70s/80s
Wow, great story! I worked at both the Casino and Bijoux around '84 or '85. I remember Dan Whitehead and also Angie, the manager at the Balboa. I'd do the recorded answering machine showtimes for all four theaters, and Angie would insist on buying me a sixpack of soda to show her gratitude (since I was underage and she couldn't buy me a drink!). For years I've wondered about those old theaters, downtown SD and Walnut properties... I always thought there was probably an interesting story there. I've lived in Los Angeles for the last 12 years, so I didn't see this when it ran in the Reader. To the person who blamed Walunt properties for the state of downtown... I think that's pretty silly. Every downtown in every city in this country was abandoned and suffered the same way as people moved out to the suburbs in the 50s and 60s. I like to see what downtown has become, but I fondly remember what it used to be like too.— October 30, 2009 11:33 a.m.