By Megan Robertson 

San Francisco movie-goers lined Clement Street on July 14, waiting their turn to file into the 4 Star Theater. While CinemaSF’s newest theater often has movie festivals, the tone of this one felt a bit different. 

All day, patrons swarmed the cinema for “Shelley Duvall Day.” 

Shelley Duvall, “one of the greatest actresses of all time,” according to the 4 Star’s website, passed away on July 11. The Texas native was best known for her portrayal of the resilient and abused Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” and that of the whimsical Olive Oyl in the 1981 movie “Popeye.” 

In her memory, the theater screened four films: “Time Bandits” (1981), “Brewster McCloud” (1970), “3 Women” (1977) and “The Shining” (1980). 

“I think for a lot of people, part of the shock is that a person who has such an immense and rich legacy like that feels immortal,” said Sydney Peterson, one of the programmers at the 4 Star. 

Upon stepping inside the cinema, this immortalization was palpable. Patrons were greeted by Duvall’s name on the marquee, her photos posted around the box office and “We love you Shelley Duvall” written seemingly everywhere. Movie-goers flocked to the theater to show their support, flowing out onto the street and into Tunnel Record’s shop adjoining the theater. 

Quite solemnly, several attendees shared the impact Duvall’s work has had on them. 

“I always was enamored with her,” Isabella Logan-Wright said before the screening of “The Shining.” “It’s a hard loss. It’s so great to come and celebrate her here in this way.” 

The festival was never intended to be a memorial celebration for Duvall. Originally, Peterson pitched it as a celebration for Duvall’s 75th birthday. After her passing, the festival quickly became a celebration of Duvall’s life’s work. 

Ryan McCandless, one of the cinema’s programmers, described the important “naturalism” of Duvall’s work. 

“There’s a real alien, vulnerable and magnetic quality to her that’s naturally captivating,” McCandless said. 

McCandless selected a few of Duvall’s guest-episode appearances and programs – such as in 1992 on “The Ray Bradbury Theater” and from 1995-97 on the “Wishbone” series – to offer fans between movie screenings. Some were familiar with them, while others were introduced to these roles for the first time.  

Duvall’s entire repertoire was new to many attendees, who had been invited by friends or family. “The Shining” is one of patron Jason Szydlik’s favorite films. 

“We’re so excited to bring the family,” he said. Szydlik’s daughter had read up on Duvall and was looking forward to her first screening of the movie. “She’s an absolute icon,” she chimed in.

Duvall’s work has exploded in popularity on TikTok during the past couple years, where she has further solidified her status as not only a great actress, but a pop-culture icon. Audio of her introducing herself on her series, “Faerie Tale Theatre,” has become an internet trend in recent years. Since her passing, millennial and Gen-Z users have posted short videos honoring her life. 

“I’ve never seen acting better than hers,” one user posted. “You were too good for this world,” another wrote.

In the lobby of the cinema, Stella Puetz represented this sect of Duvall’s fanbase. With the phrase “I love Shelley” written proudly on her cheek and hand, Puetz solemnly reflected on Duvall’s legacy. 

“She’s such an icon, such a style icon,” she said. “She’s quite spectacular, and just so cool, so authentic. You don’t see someone like that often.”

Attendee Robert Rogers agreed. 

“I love that a starlet of her kind, who has so much charisma, was able to capture so many hearts and minds, not just in her generation, but in ours as well,” he said.  

The movie house has utilized this online pull to connect with Duvall’s fans nationwide. Sarah Lukowski, head of the Shelley Duvall Archives, has shown support for the festival on social media. 

“Throughout the process she’s just been super sweet and super supportive,” Peterson said of Lukowski. “It’s kind of forming national friendships around Shelley Duvall, which is really sweet too.”

This communal love of Duvall felt very present as Kubrick’s film started. As the first chilling notes played, there was a collective excitement and yearning within the audience, both from those who knew every word of “The Shining” and those who were ready to be immersed in a new world. 

The excitement quickly turned to laughter and confusion as an employee in the booth shuttered the film a couple minutes in, waiting for many people in the lobby to find their seats. 

“That’s a first,” one attendee said with a laugh. 

Peterson confirmed that it was one of the first times the theater had to do something like that, due to the number of people waiting to get into the space. 

“It was really amazing to see how many folks came out,” Peterson said. 

After the delay, the entire audience filed into the theater, and the movie began again. As Duvall’s name appeared in that iconic, neon blue text over the aerial shots of vast and secluded mountains, the packed house erupted in applause and reverence – a sentiment which continued until the final credit rolled. 

The 4 Star Theater will screen Shelley Duvall’s “Faerie Tale Theatre” episodes on Aug. 11. Learn more at 4-star-movies.com.