5.10.05

F I R S TP R E V235NEXTLAST

Mitchell Brothers, O'Farrell Theatre
'The Carnegie Hall of Public Sex in America' it was nicknamed by Hunter S. Thompson, the theater's one-time night manager. The Mitchell Brothers, Artie and Jim started out as film students at San Francisco State University, paying coeds $5 to pose topless. By the 1970s they had built an adult entertainment empire which included producing videos such as the infamous 'Behind the Green Door' starring Marilyn Chambers and their flagship theater on O'Farrell street. The landmark O'Farrell Theatre set the standard for strip clubs, pioneering gimmicks such as windowless peep show booths, even cartoonist, R. Crumb lent his talents to decorating the theater's interior. Money and the fast life eventually took its toll on the owners and in 1991 Jim Mitchell kicked in the door of his brother's home and shot Artie three times, killing him. Jim, claimed he had only intended to talk his brother about quitting the drugs and alcohol but he was convicted and served his time in San Quentin. Today Jim Mitchell continues to be involved with this still-popular showplace.
[ MAP G-13 ]


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