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Longtime SF Haight Movie House Shutting Its Doors

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Before the credits roll on San Francisco's iconic Red Vic Movie House, the theater planned to host two final sold-out shows Monday evening.

On its 31st and last birthday, the Haight Street independent cinema has chosen to mark its closing with an apropos 1970s black comedy that toys with death.

KCBS' Susan Leigh Taylor Reports:

"Harold and Maude" is one of the theater's most popular films, according to the movie house. Morbid teenager Harold, who drives a Jaguar converted into a hearse, stages suicides and hangs around cemeteries, will learn to appreciate life from the high-spirited 79-year-old Maude.

The Red Vic Movie House first opened its doors on Jan. 25, 1980 at its original location at Haight and Belvedere streets as California's only worker-owner and operated cinema, according to the theater. About 10 years ago, it moved to its present location on Haight Street between Cole and Shraeder streets.

Monday's sold-out shows were set to begin at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and give patrons one last opportunity to sink into a classic in the movie house's legendary couches.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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