Arts & Entertainment

Historic 'Rafael Theatre' to Celebrate 75th with 75 Cent Glasses of Wine

The Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center is celebrating a major milestone this weekend with special glasses of wine and reduced membership fees.


The Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, originally the Rafael Theatre, opened to the public 75 years ago on May 25, 1938.

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of its opening, movie patrons 21 and older can purchase wine at the Rafael Film Center for a special anniversary price of $0.75 a glass on Friday and Saturday nights, May 24 and 25, only.

The opening attractions at the Rafael Theatre on Wednesday, May 25, 1938 were Boy of the Streets and Bulldog Drummond Escapes, which played for two days, followed on Friday and Saturday by Waikiki Wedding and Satan Met a Lady.

The Rafael's predecessor at the same location was the Orpheus, the first of the Blumenfeld circuit's several Marin movie theaters, which opened in January 1920. When a fire destroyed the Orpheus in November 1937, the Blumenfelds quickly decided to build an entirely new theater in its place.

Also, from now until June 30, 2013 new CFI members can purchase a premium Film Fan level membership for only $75 (a regular $125 value). The special 75th anniversary membership offer is available online at moviesallyearlong.eventbrite.com or by calling 415-526-5834 and includes a host of year-round benefits ranging from pre-release members-only screenings to regular general admission ticket discounts at the Rafael and more.

Currently owned and operated by the California Film Institute (CFI), the non-profit organization that also produces the annual Mill Valley Film Festival, the Smith Rafael Film Center is a restored Art Deco theater with three screens and state-of-the-art presentation that has been a recognizable landmark in downtown San Rafael since the early 20th century.   

Key dates in the history of the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center:

1920 - The Orpheus theater opens, priding itself on "showing pictures of merit and musical selections."

1937 - Fire in the theater. Orpheus closes for renovations.

1938 - Theater re-opens. An Art Deco palace with grand staircase, newand improved projectors, Henry Martins murals and a new name: "The Rafael."

1989 - Loma Prieta Earthquake! Theater closes.

1993 - San Rafael Redevelopment Agency and Film Institute of Northern California (now the California Film Institute) join forces to revive theater.

1995 - San Rafael Planning commission votes unanimously to approve the Rafael Film Center Project.

1996 - Film Institute announces capital campaign.

1997 - Construction on Rafael begins under the direction of nationally renowned architect Mark Cavagnero.

1999 - Rafael Film Center Opens to the public April 16.

2003 - April, name changed to Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here