Elster, Arlene.

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Arlene Elster owned and operated the Sutter Cinema in San Francisco between 1970 and 1975. She was the first, and possibly only, woman to operate an adult theater. Elster was trained as a medical technologist and holds a degree in Biological Science from the University of Texas. She grew up in Port Arthur, Tex., eventually making her way to San Francisco where she worked in the research department of the Irwin Memorial Blood Bank. She met Lowell Pickett while doing volunteer lab work at the Haight Ashbury Clinic where Pickett was an administrator. During this time she began exploring creative endeavors, including photography, and eventually partnered with Pickett in the adult film business.

From the description of Arlene Elster papers, 1970-1976 (bulk, 1970-1972). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 767530551

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Elster, Arlene. Arlene Elster papers, 1970-1976 (bulk, 1970-1972). Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern California
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adult Film Association of America. corporateBody
associatedWith Chambers, Marilyn, 1952-2009 person
associatedWith Coyote (Organization) corporateBody
associatedWith Feinstein, Dianne, 1933- person
associatedWith Girodias, Maurice. person
associatedWith International Erotic Film Festival (1st) corporateBody
associatedWith Lyon, Phyllis. person
associatedWith Olympia Press (Paris, France) corporateBody
associatedWith Rexroth, Mary. person
associatedWith St. James, Margo. person
associatedWith Sutter Cinema. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
San Francisco (Calif.)
Subject
Adult films (Pornographic films)
Adult movie theaters
Motion picture producers and directors
Obscenity (Law)
Occupation
Activity

Person

Active 1970

Active 1976

Related Descriptions
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Ark ID: w63z2qwh

SNAC ID: 7154736