Seattle-Tacoma area movie theatres and drive-ins

Seattle-Tacoma
area movie
theatres and
drive-ins
By Mike Rivest www.movie-theatre.org
1/18/2012
SEATTLE
KING COUNTY
American
SEATTLE
5608 Rainier
? 1934-1961
300 seats
Admiral
2343 California SW
nd
January 22 , 19421,000 seats in 1950
rd
Two cinemas on May 23 , 1973
Owners:
1942-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
2005- Far Away Entertainment Group.
Alaska
514 2nd Av.
th
May 12 , 1914-1915
University of Washington
Apple Cinema
1971-1977
This was an adult cinema.
Alhambra
AKA: Wilkes
th
5 & Pine
1909-1917
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 1
Arabian
Aurora Cinema I,II & III
Aurora Village 4
7610 Aurora
1925-1954
769 seats
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1955 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
13000 Linden N
th
April 5 , 1975-2002
th
* April 5 , 1975 opened as a twin with
625 and 425 seats
* 1976-1977 the 625-seater was split
with badly proportioned screening
rooms.
* 2000 General Cinemas sells for a
Cinema Grill.
* 2002 closed
* 2005 demolished
N. Aurora & 205 ,
1980-? 1984
This was owned by Tom Moyer Luxury
Theatres.
"Has such thin walls that it's possible to
listen to three sound tracks for the
price of one" Seattle Times
1983 07 03 p 96 (F 7)
Athlete Sultan Cinema
th
Dave Felthous
st
1313 1 Av.
1972-1973
This was an adult cinema. It was in the
Sultan Lavender Cinema building.
Atlas
AKA: Kolusai
412 Maynard
? 1930-? 1955
420 seats
This was the state's only Afro-American
theatre.
North Coast Theatres owned this
theatre 1950-1980.
Auburn Avenue
1968-? 1970
This was owned by Metro Theatres until
1971.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 2
Aurora Motor-In
Ballard
Beacon
13500 Aurora
July 1946-? 1985
500 cars
Owners:
1946-1960 United Drive-Ins (Pacific
Theatres)
2218 NW Market St
2352 Beacon
1931-1959
528 seats
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1954 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1955-1959 Hamrick Theatres & Sterling
Theaters, Inc.
AKA: Bagdad
th
June 25 , 1947-1959
430 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Ballard Roxy
See Roxy
Bay
AKA: Ballard Roxy, Majestic
Bagdad
AKA: Ballard
22nd & Market
1927-1947
800 seats
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre 1935-1945.
2044 NW Market St
th
May 25 , 1950-1963, 1966-1998
857 seats
The owner in 1998 had plans to
renovate this theatre but the plans did
not meet with the fire codes and it had
to be demolished for a new theatre
called Majestic Bay.
Owners:
1955-1963 Hamrick
1979-1980 MCR Theatres
1980-1981 Galaxy Theatres
1981-? 1985 Seven Gables
Beaux Arts
6508 Rainer
1962-1963
This was an adult cinema.
Big Picture
2505 First Avenue
2003-
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 3
Blue Mouse
Broadway
Capitol
1421 5th Av
th
December 25 , 1920-1972
851 seats
Owners:
1925 M. G. Theatres
1935 Hamrick Theatres
1940-1950 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1955-1965 Hamrick Theatres
1965-1972 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
Adult movies 1971-1972.
AKA: Society
AKA: Telenews
212 E. Broadway
1921-1990
440 seats
Owners:
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1968-1969 Metro Theatres
1980-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989-1990 Landmark Theatres
Corporation
1508 3rd Av.
th
November 11 , 1924-1941, 1950-1953
721 seats
Owners:
1925 Jos. Danz
1950-1951 Sterling
Broadway Market 4
AKA: Capitol Hill Cinemas 4
401 Broadway E
? 1995-2002
900 seats
Owners:
1995-1998 Landmark Theatres
Corporation
1998-2002 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
Boeing & Eames IMAX
200 2nd Av. N.
2005-2011
Boeing & PACCAR IMAX
AKA: Boeing & Eames IMAX
nd
200 2 Av. N.
This has two IMAX screens one for
educational uses and the other plays
Hollywood movies.
Boeing IMAX at Pacific
Science Center
200 2nd Av. N.
2000-2005
Movi
Bruen's
? 1935-? 1940
Capitol Hill Cinemas 4
AKA: Broadway Market
401 Broadway E
1987-? 1990
1987-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989-1990 Landmark Theatres
Corporation
Center
? 1940-? 1945
Central 3
1411 21st Av.
2008-
Century
? 1940-? 1945
Movie-theatre.org
Page 4
Cheeran
? 1925
Cherrio
AKA: Queen Anne
1529 Queen Anne
1925-? 1930
1986-1997 Cineplex Odeon
1999-2002 Paul Allen (booked by
General Cinemas)
2002-2010 Paul Allen (booked by AMC)
2010- Booked by Greg Wood of the
Roseway theatre in Portland
City Centre Cinemas 2
1420 5th Ave #375
December 1989-2001
Owners:
1990-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2001 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
Cinerama
AKA: Cinerama 1 (as listed at the AMC website), Martin
Cinerama
2100 4th Av www.cinerama.com
1967th
Opened in January 24 , 1963 as Martin
Cinerama and renamed Cinerama in
1967.
808 seats
WIKIPEDIA:
The Seattle Cinerama opened in 1963 as
Seattle's Martin Cinerama as a showcase for
the eponymous technology, but was
retrofitted a few months later to also show
70 mm films on its huge curved screen. The
movie house soon became specialized in
showing such kitsch spectaculars as The
Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Both
formats shortly fell out of fashion, and
Krakatoa, East of Java from 1969 was the last
non-standard film to be shown at the
Cinerama in the first era of its existence.
The following three decades were lean, as
the proliferation of suburban multiplex
theaters drew movie fans away from the
Cinerama. Lackluster ticket sales quickly led
to a general decline in the theater's upkeep,
until it was relegated to play second-run
movies after being taken over by Cineplex
Odeon on a reduced rent, month-to-month
basis.
The turnaround began in 1997 when
developers revealed plans to turn the
Cinerama into a dinner theater or a rockclimbing club. This sparked a grassroots
effort to save the historic venue, with local
film buffs circulating petitions and issuing an
urgent cry for help, which was answered by
multi-billionaire Paul G. Allen, himself a
movie fan and frequent patron of the
theater during its 1960s heyday.
Allen purchased the theater and initiated a
comprehensive, multi-million dollar
restoration. The grand re-opening occurred
in 1999. Since then, the theater has played
both classical movies and select new
productions. It was upgraded in 2010.
Class A
1911-1916
Circle
? 1935-? 1945
Classic
Circuit
312 E. 72 St.
? 1945-? 1955
1910-1911
AKA: Green Lake
nd
Owners:
1963-1967 Martin Theatres (Now
Carmike Cinemas)
1967-1972 United Theatres
1972-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 5
Clemmer
Columbia
AKA: Columbia
AKA: Clemmer
1414 2nd Av
th
April 10 , 1912-1922
1414 2nd Av
1922-1932
386 seats
Columbia City Cinema
Coliseum
500 Pike
th
January 8 , 1916-? 1990
1,057 seats
This is Seattle's first theatre built for
motion pictures
Owners:
1920-1925 Jensen & Von Herberg
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935 Evergreen State Amusement Corp.
1940-1949 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1949-1973 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
1973-1977 Mann Theatres Corporation
of California
1977-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1990 Act III Theatres
“The Coliseum, a once grand palace but
already on its death bed, managed to get an
exclusive engagement of "Dune" in 70MM
no less. However, leave it to The Coliseum to
have the film break five times in one
screening, which actually caused rioting.
Seattle police had to be called in, and the
event made the late news. “
D. Roben – Cinematreasures.org
4816 S Rainer
http://www.columbiacitycinema.com/
2004-May 2011
204 seats
3 cinemas in 2009.
Colonial
1515 4th Av
th
July 6 , 1913-1972
828 seats
Owners:
1925 Jos. Danz
1945-1972 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
Columbia City Theatre
4916 Rainier
1948-1968
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Coy’s Center
1615 West Roxbury
1947-1956
655 seats
Coy’s Hi-Line
AKA: Hi-Line
1948-1960
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 6
Downtown
Egyptian
1 & Pike
1975-1977
This adult cinema was owned by
Playtime Theatres 1976-1977.
801 E Pine
th
November 14 , 1980650 seats
This was the large auditorium of the
Masonic Temple. It was built in 1916
Owners:
1980-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989- Landmark Theatres Corporation
st
Dream
712 1st Av.
1908-? 1920
Jos. Danz owned this theatre in 1920.
University of Washington
Duwamish Drive-In
11200 Tukwila International Boulevard
(was Pacific Highway S.)
th
May 11 , 1948-1980
600 cars
This was popular with night-shift
Boeing employees, since the night shift
there started after the end of the show.
Owners:
1948-1950 Sterling Theatres
1954-? 1960 United Drive-Ins
1975 Pacific Theatres
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 7
Egyptian
Exhibit
Fifth Avenue
4537 University Way
th
December 25 , 1925-1960
1,263 seats
Owners:
1925 Warner Brothers
1935-1960 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
906 2nd Av.
? 1910-1911
1308 5th Av
th
September 24 , 1926-1978
2,366 seats
Owners:
1926-1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1973 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
1973-1977 Mann Theatres Corporation
of California
1977-1978 Tom Moyer
This is now a live theatre.
University of Washington
Embassy
1409 3rd Av.
1926-1953, 1960-1964, 1968-1978
700 seats
Adult movies from 1970-1978
Playtime owned it 1976-1978.
Empress
1911-? 1925
This was owned by Dean & Gimble
Movi
First Avenue
1413 1st Av
? 1935-? 1950
375 seats
United Theatres owned this theatre in
1950.
Movie-theatre.org
Page 8
Flick
Garden
619 Pike
1971-1977
This was an adult cinema.
1949-? 1980
Owners:
1949-1963 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1976-1978 Playtime Theatres
Adult movies from 1963-1978
Deep Throat played here.
Adult cinemas were banned in 1978.
Gem
Library of Congress
? 1925
Jos. Danz owned this theatre.
Gramercy
E. Madison & Broadway
1961-1965
This was an adult cinema.
Florence
512 2nd Av
? 1925-? 1964
Owners:
1925 Jos. Danz
1945-1964 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
Forty-Fifth Street
AKA: Guild 45th
2115 45th St
1928-1957
490 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Fox
AKA: Music Hall, 7th Avenue
702 Olive Way
th
April 19 , 1929-1931
th
* April 19 , 1929 opened as Fox
* 1931 closed
th
* May 4 , 1934 reopened as Music Hall
th
th
* May 26 , 1967 reopened as 7
Avenue Theatre
* 1977 closed
* 1991-1992 demolished.
Owners:
1929-1935 Hamrick Theatres
1940-1945 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1950-1964 Hamrick Theatres
1966-1969 Sterling Theatres
1969-1977 SRO
th
This opened as Fox on April 19 , 1929.
Movi
Gaiety
1917-1918
Galla
? 1935-? 1945
Movie-theatre.org
Page 9
Granada
Grand Illusion
Green Lake
AKA: Granada Organ Loft
1403 NE 50th Street
http://www.grandillusioncinema.org/
197070 seats
AKA: Classic
5011 California
1927-1973
762 seats
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975 Sterling Recreation Organization
(not in the Sterling column in the
paper)
312 E. 72nd St.
1914-1928
Green Parrot
1419 1st Av
? 1935-1979
385 seats
Adult movies 1971-1975. It accepted
Canadian money at par.
Green Lake
7107 Woodlawn
th
August 5 , 1937-1958
712 seats
University of Washington
Grand
AKA: Greenwood, Northend
140 N 85th St
? 1909-1967
468 seats
This is now a live theatre.
* 1909 opened as Grand
* 1967 closed
* 1968 reopened as Northend
* 1970-1978 adult movies were shown,
it was owned by Playtime Theatres
1977-1978.
* 1978 stopped showing adult due to
the city of Seattle law.
* 1980 renamed Greenwood as it is
taken over by Seven Gables
* 1983 closed as a cinema.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 10
Greenwood
Harvard Exit II
Isis
AKA: Northend
807E Roy St
st
May 21 , 1969This was opened by two engineers from
Boeing, Art Bernstein and Jim O'Steen.
The name came from the fact you must
exit on Harvard. In 1979 it was sold to
Seven Gables, which installed a second
cinema upstairs in 1981 that was called
Top of the Exit until 1983. In 1989 it
became part of Landmark Theatres
Corporation
? 1920-? 1925
1980-1983
* 1909 opened as Grand
* 1967 closed
* 1968 reopened as Northend
* 1970-1978 adult movies were shown,
it was owned by Playtime Theatres
1977-1978.
* 1978 stopped showing adult due to
the city of Seattle law.
* 1980 renamed Greenwood as it is
taken over by Seven Gables
* 1983 closed as a cinema.
Guild 45
AKA: 45th St.
2115 45th St
19572 screens in 1983
Owners:
1977-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989- Landmark Theatres Corporation
Kenyon Hall
7904 35th Sv. SW
http://www.kenyonhall.org
? 2005This is a vaudeville and movie theatre
with a 1929 mighty Wurlitzer organ.
King
2130 6th Ave
http://www.kingcattheater.com
th
October 30 , 1973-1989
1974-1977 owner: Walter Reade
Organization (New Jersey)
1977-1989 General Cinemas
This is now a live theatre call The King
Cat Theater, which opened in 2008.
+
Helig
1923-1925
Hi-Line
AKA: Coy’s Hi-Line
1957-1958
This was owned by Sterling Theatres.
Hollywood
6550 NE Roosevelt Way
1923-1953
560 seats
Ulsh & Gillepsie Theatres owned this
theatre in 1945.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 11
Kokusai
Lewis & Clark
AKA: Atlas
November 20 , 1956-2004
2,200 seats
3 screens in 1975 with the balcony split
into two cinemas leaving the main floor
intact.
4 more cinemas added to the back on
th
December 16 , 1982
Owners:
1956-1969 Sterling Theatres
1969-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2004 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
from "UnknownNews" at Cinema
Treasures
412 Maynard
? 1960-? 1980
420 seats
Japanese movies were shown here.
Lake
? 1940
Lake City
3120 NE 125th St.
1945-? 1990
Owners:
1950-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1990 Cineplex Odeon
th
"Mostly, what made the Lewis & Clark terrific
was the ownership, management, and staff
that kept the place spotless, the seats comfy
and clean, the projection sharp, the service
friendly, and the popcorn hot and yummy,
right up until the day SRO sold it to Cineplex
Odeon (or as we called it, Cineplex Odious).
The broken chairs, unfocused presentation,
and odd odors started within a few months
of that switch, and within a year or so of the
sale I gave up and started driving miles out
of my way to see movies elsewhere."
Matt Lutthans
Laser Fantasy
? 2001-2002
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 12
Liberty
Liberty
AKA: United Artists
January 3 , 1930-1954
1520 1st Av
th
October 27 , 1914-1926
1,600 seats
th
Beceme United Artists on January 14 ,
1927-1928
Lyceum
rd
1910-1912
University of Washington
Little
1917-1921
Little
608 19th Ave E
? 2000-2008
50 seats
Lois
Liberty
? 1909-1911
This may had shown no movies.
st
1 & Pike
1927-1928
This was owned by Fox West Coast
Lyric
1969-1970
Madison
? 1935-? 1945
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 13
Madrona Garden
Market
Melbourne
281 5E. Cherry
1924-1952
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre 1945-1950.
AKA: Pike Place Cinemas
1912-1915
Magnolia
2424 34th Av. W
th
November 24 , 1948-1974
694 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre.
1428 Post Alley
http://www.unexpectedproductions.org
1984 (1979 as Pike Place)-1989
230 seats
This theatre had the old seats from the
Radio City Music Hall in New York. In
1987 it was taken over by Cineplex
Odeon which had no idea how to book
this theatre, people stayed away.
It is now a live theater.
Martin Cinerama
1963-1967
See Cinerama for more details for this
theatre.
Majestic
AKA: Palace
nd
Mayndia
1000 2 Av.
? 1909-1910
? 1955
Majestic
711 Pike
1970-1977
This was an adult cinema.
AKA: Bay, Roxy
2044 NW Market St
1915-? 1930
1,000 seats
Dean & Gimble owned this theatre in
1925. No ads in the newspaper
Meriden 16
1501 7th Ave
th
November 16 , 1996Owners:
1996-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-January 2006 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
January 2006-September 14th, 2006
AMC
September 25th, 2006- Regal Cinemas
Metro Cinemas 10
4500 9th Av. NE
1989Owners:
1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989- Landmark Theatres Corporation
Mecca
Majestic Bay 3
2044 NW Market St
2000-
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 14
Metropolitan
Mission
Moore
415 University
nd
October 2 , 1911-1950
1,650 seats
This closed as a live theatre on
December 4th, 1954.
4 Avenue
th
April 29 , 1914-1949, 1951-1952
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1950 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
AKA: Moore Egyptian
th
1932 2nd Av
th
December 28 , 1907-1931, 1972-1975,
1982-1983
2,212 in 1907 and 1,419 seats in 2010
This theatre was racially segregated
with the second balcony (which was
accessed by a separate entrance) not
used since the 1940's. Newspaper ads
appeared 1907-1931 and 1982-1983. It
was owned by Seven Gables 19821983.
Midtown
st
1825 1 Av.
1971-1978
This adult cinema was owned by the Art
Theatre Guild.
Adult cinemas were banned in Seattle
in 1978.
Moore Egyptian
nd
Montlake
2 & Virginia
1975-1980
2410 E. Lynn
1934-? 1940
Mount Baker
2425 Jackson
? 1930-1944
398 seats
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 15
Movie House
th
1403 NE 50 at University Way
1970-1978
Seven Gables owned it 1977-1978.
Music Box
1414 5th Av
nd
August 2 , 1928-1987
846 seats
Owners:
1935 Hamrick Theatres
1940-1945 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1950-1965 Hamrick Theatres
1965-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1987 Cineplex Odeon
Movi
Music Hall
AKA: Fox, 7th Avenue
Olive/7th Av
th
May 4 , 1934-1967
2,282 seats
th
* April 19 , 1929 opened as Fox
* 1931 closed
th
* May 4 , 1934 reopened as Music
Hall
th
th
* May 26 , 1967 reopened as 7
Avenue Theatre
* 1977 closed
* 1991-1992 demolished.
Owners:
1929-1935 Hamrick Theatres
1940-1945 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1950-1964 Hamrick Theatres
1966-1967 Sterling Theatres
.
Movie-theatre.org
Page 16
Neptune
Newmark Square 5
Northgate
1303 NE 45th St
th
November 16 , 1921-2010 (as cinema)
968 seats
Owners:
1929 Jensen & Von Herberg
1935-1961 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
1964-1971 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1971-1974 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1980-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989-2010 Landmark Theatres
Corporation
This is to become an live theatre.
1401 2nd Ave
December 1991-June1997
This was in a high-crime area that had
high parking prices. It was owned by
Cineplex Odeon. The shopping center is
now office space.
10 Northgate Plaza
th
September 28 , 1951-2002
1,390 seats
Sterling in the 1980's wanted to split up
the theatre, but the mall's landlord
disagreed and Sterling opened the
Oaktree cinemas nearby in 1986.
Owners:
1951-1986 Sterling
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2002 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
Northend Cinema
AKA: Grand, Greenwood
th
N. 85 & Greenwood
1968-1980
* 1909 opened as Grand
* 1967 closed
* 1968 reopened as Northend
* 1970-1978 adult movies were
shown, it was owned by Playtime
Theatres 1977-1978.
* 1978 stopped showing adult due to
the city of Seattle law.
* 1980 renamed Greenwood as it is
taken over by Seven Gables
* 1983 closed as a cinema.
Movi
D. Felthouse
Movie-theatre.org
Page 17
Northwest Film Forum
Orpheum
Pacific Science Center IMAX
1512 12 av
2005-
1900 5th Av.
th
August 28 , 1927-1967
2,599 seats
Owners:
1927-1930 Radio Keith Orpheum
1935-1965 Hamrick Theatres
1940 Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres
1965-1967 Sterling
AKA: Boeing IMAX
200 2nd Ave N
1979-? 1998
Palace
2nd & Spring
? 1925
Palace-Hippodrome
2nd & Spring
1916-1929
This was owned by Loew’s.
Oak
? 1909-1921
Some movies were shown here.
Palm
Oaktree Cinemas 6
? 1935
10006 Aurora Ave N
1986Owners:
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
Pacific Place 11
600 Pine
1998Owners:
1998-2002 General Cinemas
2002- American Multi-Cinemas
Olympic
AKA: Woodland
610 W 65th
1925-? 1929
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 18
Palomar
Pantages
AKA: Pantages, Rex
AKA: Palomar, Rex
1300 3rd Avenue
th
June 25 , 1936-1953, 1958-1959
1,400 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre.
1300 3rd Avenue
1915-1932
Paramount
2115 45th St
1919-1928
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 19
Paramount
Pike Place
AKA: Seattle
AKA: Market Theatre
911 Pine
1930-1971
3,040 seats in 1950.
* March 1st, 1928 opened as Seattle
* 1930 renamed Paramount
* July 1931-October 1932 closed
* 1935 The Marx Brothers appeared on
stage.
* Late 1940's stopped vaudeville. It is
owned by Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
* 1956-1958 Cinerama is shown here.
* 1960 Burce Lee worked here as a
usher
* 1967 only 13 showed up one Friday
night to see Gone with the Wind.
* 1971 closed as a cinema.
* 1993 former Microsoft executive Ida
Cole buys it and restored it and
enlarged the stage house, which
reopened March 16th, 1995.
1108 Pike
1979-1984
Pix
? 1940-? 1945
The Place Upstairs
1973-1976
This was an adult cinema.
Portola
AKA: Admiral
2343 California SW
1919-1941
Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
owned this theatre in 1935.
Paris
1965-1977
This was an adult cinema. It was owned
by Playtime Theatres 1976-1977.
President
rd
3 & Madison
th
November 9 , 1925-1930
Princess
1922-1923
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 20
Queen Anne
Rivoli
AKA: Cherrio
AKA: Tivoli
1529 Queen Anne
1930-1949
702 seats
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1950 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1st Av. & Madison
1939-1947, 1951-1954, 1968-1970
900 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre until 1947.
Adult movies 1968-?
Roosevelt
AKA: Town
University of Washington
Rainier
AKA: Columbia City Theater
4916 Rainier
? 1930, 1970-1973
515 Pike
nd
September 2 , 1933-1964
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre.
Rex
AKA: Palomar, Pantages
1300 3rd Avenue
1916-1936
Rex
? 1920
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Rialto
? 1925-? 1945
Jos. Danz owned this theatre in 1925.
Rosebud
202 3rd Av. S.
1975-1981
80 seats
This theatre had plywood and two-byfours with chairs rummaged from an
older theatre and a few folding chairs
and benches. It had shown movies from
the 1930-1940's.
Ridgemont
7720 Greenwood
1923-1989
456 seats
Adult movies 1976-1978
Owners:
1968-1970 Metro Theatres
1971-1976 United Theatres (Pacific
Theatres)
1976-1978 Playtime Theatres
1978-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 21
Roxy
AKA: Majestic, Bay
2044 NW Market St
1929-1949
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre 1940-1945.
th
Renovated on April 14 , 1933.
Why Pay Downtown Prices?
Wait and See it at the Roycroft
Roycraft
708 E 19th St (at Roy)
1925-1957
500 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre 1945-1952.
Seattle
AKA: Paramount
911 Pine
st
March 1 , 1928-1930
This was owned by Publix Theatres
Corp.
Seattle
700 3rd Av.
1892-1915
University of Seattle
Royal
? 1930-? 1945
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 22
Seattle 7th. Ave.
Seven Gables
Star
AKA: Music Hall, Fox
th
911 NE 50th St
th
December 10 , 1976This opened as a American Foreign
Legion dance hall in 1925 and
converted into a cinema in 1976 by the
founder of 7 Gables, R. Finley. It was
taken over by Landmark Theatres
Corporation in 1989.
? 1910-? 1940
Jos. Danz owned this theatre in 1925.
May 26 , 1967-1977
th
* April 19 , 1929 opened as Fox
* 1931 closed
th
* May 4 , 1934 reopened as Music Hall
th
th
* May 26 , 1967 reopened as 7
Avenue Theatre
* 1977 closed
* 1991-1992 demolished.
Owners:
1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975 Sterling Recreation Organization
State
1926-1938
Strand
th
December 25 , 1915-1928
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Sultan's Lavender Cinema
1313 1st Avenue
1971-1976
150 seats
This was Seattle's only gay adult
cinema.
Seattle IMAX Dome
*Pier 59 Waterfront Park
1979-2007
Sidewalk Cinema
4400 California
http://www.sidewalkcinema.com/
? 2000-
Siff
321 Mercer St
2007-
Society
AKA: Broadway
212 E. Broadway
1909-? 1930
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 23
Telenews
Thornton Place & IMAX 14
Town
AKA: Capitol
301 NE 103rd St.
2009Regal Cinemas owns this multi-level
cinema.
AKA: Roosevelt
1508 3rd Av.
1941-1950
721 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
newsreel theatre.
515 Pike
th
December 25 , 1964-1984
750 seats
Sterling Recreation Organization owned
this theatre.
Tilikum
319 Pike
th
August 26 , 1913-1916
Tivoli
AKA: Rivoli
Toyo
1st Av. & Madison
1913-? 1940
Top of the Exit
807E Roy St
1981-1983
This was the name of the second
cinema at the Harvard Exit.
Movi
5801 Rainer
? 1965-1983
This had shown Japanese movies and
the only place in the USA to show the
Tora-sun movies.
Movie-theatre.org
Page 24
UA Cinema 70 & 150
United Artists
University
2131 6th Ave
rd
October 3 , 1969-1998
United Artists owned this twin cinema.
AKA: Liberty
5510 University Way NE
1972-? 1985
2 cinemas in 1978
Movi
th
January 14 , 1927-1928
This was owned by West Coast theatres
and United Artists
Movie-theatre.org
Page 25
Uptown
Varsity
Wilkes
511 Queen Anne
th
1926-November 28 , 2010, October
th
20 , 2011811 seats
3 cinemas in 1985 added two additional
screens are added.
Owners:
1945-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005-2010 American Multi-Cinemas
2011- SIFF
4329 University Way
1940471 seats
The two additional screens were built in
1985 over the original cinema.
Owners:
1950-1969 Shearer, B. F., Theatre Circuit
1971-1982 United Theatres (Pacific
Theatres)
1982-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989- Landmark Theatres Corporation
5th & Pine (Nordstrom store)
1917-1922
Winter Garden
AKA: Garden
1515 3rd Av
rd
December 3 , 1920-1949
745 seats
Sterling Theaters, Inc. owned this
theatre in 1950.
Venetian
1427 E Pine
th
November 16 , 1926-1959
830 seats
Owners:
1935-1945 Jensen & Von Herberg
1950-1959 Hamrick Theatres
Woodland
AKA: Olympic
Victory
1319 Rainier
1947-1952
480 seats
610 W 65th
? 1930-1953
610 seats
Owners:
1935 Farwest Theatres (Sterling Chain)
1945-1955 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
149 theatres in the city of Seattle.
Washington
? 1910-1911
White Center
AKA: Coy’s Center
? 1935
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 26
KING COUNTY
Valley 6-Plex Drive-In
AUBURN
401 49th st. NE
http://www.valleydriveins.com/
th
February 16 , 19663,000 cars
One screen closed in the 2000’s due to
a storm. 6 screens in 1980
Cineplex Odeon owned it in 1990.
Auburn
810 Auburn
? 1945-? 1955
500 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Auburn 17
1101 Super Mall Way
th
December 4 , 1996Owners:
1996-1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Avon
? 1950
300 seats
Dean & Gimble owned this theatre.
Granada
131E Main
? 1930-? 1955
500 seats
Dean & Gimble owned this theatre in
1950.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 27
BELLEVUE
Bel Kirk Twin Drive-In
AKA: Evergreen Drive-In
11000 33rd Pl NE
1969-1985
Sterling Recreation Organization owned
it 1977-1985.
2 screens in 1979.
Bellevue (Portable)
? 1940
Bel-vue
Next to the Bellevue Square Mall
th
March 20 , 1946-1981
548 seats
Owners:
1946-1950 Higgins
1950-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1980 Sterling Recreation
Organization
Cinema Cross Roads
1200 156th Ave NE
th
January 19 , 1968-? 1975
nd
2 screens on July 2 , 1971 and four in
1979
Owners:
1967-1973 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
1973-1977 Mann Theatres Corporation
of California
1977-? 1980 Tom Moyer
Crossroads 8
1200 156th Ave NE
? 1985Owners:
1985-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Stadium seating installed in 2007.
Mall Hall of Fame
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 28
Evergreen Point Drive-In
Factoria 8
Galleria 11
AKA: Bel Kirk Drive-In
th
3505 128th Ave SE
nd
August 22 , 19801980 3 cinemas
th
December 16 , 1982 5 cinemas
Late 1980’s 8 cinemas
Owners:
1985-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
550 106th Ave NE
April 1999-2008
* 1999 opened by Regal Cinemas
* 2005 sold to Hallet Cinemas
* April 3rd, 2008 closed when everyone
went to the Lincoln Square cinemas
instead.
October 27 , 1967-1969
John Danz
601 106th Av. NE
nd
December 22 , 1961-1994
“The theater is named for John Danz,
an early Seattle film exhibitor. His son,
Fredric, turned his dad's moviehouse
business into SRO”
Owners:
1961-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1994 Cineplex Odeon
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 29
Lincoln Square Cinemas &
IMAX 16
700 Bellevue Way NE
http://www.lincolnsquarecinemas.com/
2006IMAX screen added in 2009.
Sunset Drive-In
3505 128th Ave SE
st
September 1 , 1950-1979
Owners:
1964-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1980 Sterling Recreation
Organization
The Factoria Cinema was built on the
site.
BOTHELL
Bothell
? 1955
Johnson's Portable Circuit owned this
theatre 1935-1940.
Kenmore Drive-In
1952-1979
Owners:
1954-1960 United Drive-Ins
1969 Pacific Theatres’ United Theatres.
Overlake Mall Cinemas
th
NE 20th St. at 148 Av.
th
February 13 , 1973-? 1992
3 cinemas in 1978. It was owned by
General Cinemas
The larger auditorium was split by
putting a plain blue wall down the
middle, the seats were not realigned to
face the new screen.
BURIEN
Burien
BLACK DIAMOND
Black Diamond
? 1940-? 1955
210 seats
Burnett
? 1925
Community
? 1945
15320 Ambaum
? 1949-1975
440 seats
Owners:
1950 Higgins
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1969-1975 Sterling Recreational Org.
Den
? 1955
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre.
Tin Theater
nd
923 SW 152 St.
http://www.tintheater.com/
2011-
Diamond
? 1925
Glenn
? 1925
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 30
CARNATION
Carnation
Northwest Motor-In
Big E Drive-In
April 29 , 1942-1949
Hwy 410
1969-? 1970
th
? 1925
Ince
? 1930
Brown, Leon C. owned this theatre.
Chalet
DES MOINES
AKA: Roxy
1721 Wells
2001-2006
Des Moines
22333 Marine View Dr
1947-2011
300 seats
Adult movies 1973-1980's*
Reopened in 1990. It was owned by
Saffle’s Theater Service in 1955.
* The Seattle Times placed a ban on
adult cinema ads in 1978.
Enumclaw Cinema
AKA: Jerry Lewis
258 Roosevelt
1973-2006
Midway Drive-In
AKA: Northwest Motor-In
24050 Pacific Highway South
1950-1987
This closed as a flea market in 2005.
United Drive-Ins owned it 1954-? 1960
DUVALL
Jerry Lewis
Duvall
AKA: Enumclaw Cinema
? 1930
ENUMCLAW
Alpine Drive-In
258 Roosevelt
1971-1973
Liberty
Wells & Mystic
? 1920-? 1955
430 seats
1967-? 1975
Roxy
Avalon
Cole/Myrtle
? 1935-? 1955
495 seats
Hamrick Theatres owned this theatre in
1955.
Movi
1721 Wells
? 1940-? 1969
800 seats
Owners:
1955 Hamrick Theatres
Movie-theatre.org
Page 31
FEDERAL WAY
Jerry Lewis
Center Plaza 6
308th St. & Pacific Hwy S.
1971-1972
AKA: Sea-Tac 7-12, Sea Tac North
ISSAQUAH
AKA: Federal Way Twin Cinemas
2016 S 320th Street
th
May 25 , 1983-1984
American Multi-Cinemas owned this
theatre.
Issaquah
120 Front St. N.
1913-? 1970
300 seats
Sea Tac 6
AKA: Sea Tac South 6
Century 16
2000 S Seatac Mall
th
November 19 , 1975-1983
American Multi-Cinemas’s first cinema
in the state
Issaquah 9
2001 S. Commons
2007Cinemark owns this cinema.
1490 11th Ave NW
April 1995Owners:
1995-1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Federal Way Twin Cinemas
AKA: Jerry Lewis
308th St. & Pacific Hwy S.
1972-1978
2 cinemas in 1974
Gateway Center 8
2501S Gateway Center Pl
1989Owners:
1989-2001 General Cinemas
2001-2005 Galaxy
2005- Starplex Cinemas
Sea Tac North 6
AKA: Center Plaza 6
31600 20th Ave S
1983-2002
American Multi-Cinemas owned this
theatre.
KENMORE
Kenmore Drive-In
NE 185th St. & 68th Av. NE
? 1955-? 1980
Sea Tac South 6
AKA: Sea Tac 6
2000S Seatac Mall
1983-2001
American Multi-Cinemas owned this
theatre.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 32
KENT
El Rancho Drive-In
19852 84th St. S.
1954-1979
Kent Station 14
Gateway
426 Ramsey Way
th
December 14 , 2005American Multi-Cinemas owns this
cinema, which had a IMAX screen
installed in 2009.
AKA: Ring’s
110 Central Way
1919-1958
589 seats
* October 17th, 1918 opened as Ring's
Theatre
* 1919 renamed Gateway
* 1926 rebuilt and reopened on
November 23rd, 1926
* 1930 a fire damaged the theatre and
is rebuilt
* 1936 the façade is redone in a
streamlined fashion
* 1950 owner: Higgins
* 1954-1957 owner: Sterling Theaters,
Inc.
* 1957 shows its last movie
* 1963-1968 reopened as a live theatre
called Theatre East.
Kirkland Parkplace 6
Kent
316W Meeker
1928-? 1950
350 seats
Kent Sixplex Cinema
10116 SE 256th ST.
1981-2002
""Luxury" is really not how these
theatres should be described. In fact all
they were quite bad and built on the
ultra-cheap. " - Mark Campbell at
cinematreasures.org
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/188
70/ has more about the "luxury
theatres" chain.
No grand opening ad was bought by
Moyer.
Owners:
1985-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2002 Regal Cinemas
Vale
510W Meeker
? 1955
650 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre.
404 Parkplace Center
th
January 28 , 1983Owners:
1982-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2001 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
KIRKLAND
Eastside Drive-In
10600 NE 38
1968-1972
Sterling owned this drive-in.
matt lutthans
Ring's
AKA: Gateway
110 Central Way
1918-1919
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 33
Totem Lake Cinemas 3
12232 NE Totem Lake Way
th
December 12 , 1980-2001, 2004Owners:
1985-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2001 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
Bollywood movies from 2004-
REDMOND
Gold Class 6
Bella Bottega 11
16451 NE 74th St.
2008-2011
This high-end cinema is owned by
Village Roadshow of Australia, which
sold it in 2010.
AKA: Redmond Town Center 8, iPic
8890 NE 161st Ave
? 1998Owners:
1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
iPic 6
AKA: Gold Class 6, Redmond Town Center 8
th
16451 NE 74 St.
2011-
Marymoor Park Outdoor
6046 W Lake Sammamish Pky NE
? 2001-
Mond
Big Picture
? 1950-? 1955
7411 166th Av
2005-
Redmond
Cine Mond
NORTH BEND
North Bend
125 Bendigo Boulevard N.
http://www.northbendtheatre.com/
1941-? 1955, 2003400 seats
16641 Redmond Way
1971-1981
Owners:
1978-1980 MCR Theatres
1980-1981 Galaxy Theatres
? 1925-? 1940
Brown, Leon C. owned this theatre in
1930.
Redmond Town Center 8
AKA: Gold Class 6, iPic
16451 NE 74th St.
? 1998-2008
Owners:
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005-2008 American Multi-Cinemas
This is the last cinema to be built as a
Cineplex Odeon.
Pictureland
? 1925
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 34
RENTON
East Valley 13
3751E Valley Hwy
? 1998Owners:
1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Renton
Renton Village 8
5073rd St.
? 1930-1981
520 seats
Owners:
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1978-1980 MCR Theatres
1980-1981 Galaxy Theatres
25S Grady Way
th
November 17 , 1989-2009
2,316 seats
Owners:
1989-2002 General Cinemas
2002-2009 American Multi-Cinemas
Renton Village
Grand
Wells Av Bet. 2nd 7 3rd
1916-? 1945
25 S. Grady Way
th
November 6 , 1968-1997
2 screens in 1969 and three in 1977
This is the first cinema to be built in the
state by General Cinemas.
Roxy
5043rd Av
1936-2000
780 seats
Owners:
1950 Saffle’s Theater Service
1968-1969 Metro Theatres
1978-1980 MCR Theatres
1980-1981 Galaxy Theatres
University of Washington
Rainer
609 S. 3rd St.
? 1938-1964
493 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 35
The Landing Stadium 14
900 North 10th Place
th
October 17 , 2008Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
SKYKOMISH
Skykomish
? 1935-? 1969
220 seats
Owners:
1935-1940 Johnson’s Portable Circuit
1950-1969 North Coast Theatres
SNOQUALMIE
Brook
Meadowbrook Avenue SE
? 1935-? 1955
200 seats
Southcenter
15700 Southcenter Pky
st
April 1 , 1970-2001
1,228 seats
This was the last Cinerama theatre to
be built in North America. The
projection booth also had small
curtains. AMC opened a new cinema in
the mall in 2008.
Owners:
1970-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2001 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
Falls
? 1940
SUNNYDALE
Hilland High School
? 1940-? 1945
TUKWILA
Parkway Plaza 12
SHORELINE
Crest
5910S 180th St
? 2000Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
16505 5th Ave NE
19492 screens in 1979
3 screens in 1980
4 screens in 1982
Owners:
1952-1970 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1970-1976 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1978-1989 Seven Gables Theatres
1989- Landmark Theatres Corporation
Parkway Plaza Fiveplex
1983-? 1998
Owners:
1985-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998 Regal Cinemas
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 36
Southcenter & IMAX 16
th
July 18 , 2008American Multi-Cinemas owns this
cinema. An IMAX screen was installed
in 2009.
VASHON
Vashon
17723 Vashon Highway SW
? 1930266 seats
WOODINVILLE
Woodinville 12
17640 Graden Way
May 1998Owners:
1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
86 in King County outside of Seattle
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 37
ISLAND COUNTY
Plaza 3
COUPEVILLE
1321 SW Barlow St.
? 1995This is owned by Far Away
Entertainment Group.
Circuit
? 1940-? 1945
LANGLEY
Clyde
217 1st St.
th
September 16 , 1937256 seats
6 in Island county
OAK HARBOR
Blue Fox Drive-In
1403 Monroe Landing Road
http://www.bluefoxdrivein.com/
1959280 cars
Oak Harbor
AKA: Old Town Cinema
1080 SE Pioneer way
? 1935-? 1955
280 seats
Old Town Cinema
AKA: Oak Harbor
1080 SE Pioneer way
? 1985-? 1985
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 38
Charleston
AKA: Grand
Admiral
Bainbridge Cinemas at the
Pavilion 5
403N Madision
? 2000Far Away Entertainment owns this
cinema.
515 Pacific
http://www.admiraltheatre.org/
1942-1988
802 seats
3 cinemas in the early 1980’s.
Owners:
1942-1973 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
1973-1975 Mann Theatres Corporation
of California
1975-1988 Tom Moyer Theatres
This is now a live theatre.
333 N Callow
? 2000-? 2005
* Early 1980's opened as Playtime
Grand
* 1986 The Moyer chain got into a
dispute with Paramount and this
theatre took over showing that studio's
films.
* 1987 back to sub-run movies
* 2005 shows its last movie
Colonial
Lynwood
? 1935
4569Lynwood Center Rd NE
1936Far Away Entertainment owns this
cinema since around 2005.
Dream
? 1920
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Grand
Bay
243 Manette
? 1950
815 seats
Bremerton 10
Downtown
2012There are plans to build this cinema.
Bluebird
? 1925
Oaran Amusement Company owned
this theatre.
Bremerton
317 N. Callow
? 2000This is an adult cinema.
Movi
333 N Callow
? 1940-? 1990
440 seats
Owners:
1940 Johnson’s Portable Circuit
1950-1980 North Coast Theatres
Holiday Inn Twin
? 1985-? 1990
Owners:
1985-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1990 Act III Theatres
Kitsap Lake Drive-In
2412 Woodland Drive
1953-1982
2 screens in 1970.
Owners:
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1969 Pacific Theatres
Movie-theatre.org
Page 39
Olympic 4
Roxy
AKA: Redwood Cinema 1-2-3-4
274 4th St
1941-? 1990
749 seats
Owners:
1977-1982 United Theatres
1982-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1990 Act III Theatres
This is now a church.
1520 NE Riddell Road
2006Far Away Entertainment owns this
cinema.
Orchard Heights
? 1945-? 1955
Community
AKA: D & R, New Community, The Orchard, Plaza Twin
822 Bay
1924-? 1940
Redwood Cinema 1-2-3-4
AKA: Olympic
1520 NE Riddell Road
? 1985-2004
Owners:
1980-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2004 Regal Cinemas
D&R
AKA: Community, New Community, The Orchard, Plaza
Twin
822 Bay
? 1945-1962
408 seats
Seattle
New Community
? 1925
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
822 Bay
? 1930-? 1930
The Orchard 2
Tower
Rex
248 2nd St
? 1920-? 1955
331 seats
Owners:
1920 Jensen & Von Herberg
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1955 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
Rialto
245 2nd St
? 1920-? 1950
777 seats
Owners:
1920 Jensen & Von Herberg
1925 Oaran Amusement Company
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1955 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
AKA: Community, D & R, The Orchard, Plaza Twin
522 4th St
? 1935-? 1955
497 seats
Shearer, B. F., Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre in 1950.
Town
? 1940-? 1945
Firehouse 2
AKA: Community, D & R, New Community, Plaza Twin
822 Bay
2007-2010
* 1924 opened as Community by the
Knight of Pythias, who met upstairs and
rented the theatre downstairs.
* Early 1940's renamed D & R Theatre
* 1955 owner: Saffle’s Theater Service
* 1962 closed
* 1980 reopened as the Plaza Twin
* April 28th, 2005 closed
* 2007 opened by Far Away,s Jeff Brein
th
* December 30 , 2010 closed.
11171 NE State Hwy 104
http://www.firehouse-theater.com/
2009-
Plaza Twin
AKA: Community, D & R, New Community, The Orchard
822 Bay
1980-2007
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 40
Rodeo Drive-In
Big Bear Drive-In
Silverdale 4
Hwy 3 south of town near the National
Airport.
1949600 cars, 850 cars over three screens
3 screens by 1980. It was completely
rebuilt in 2005. Owned by Pacific
Theatres in 1969.
Trotten Rd NE
1952-1994
175 cars
Adult movies 1981-1994
9923 Poplars Ave NW (Behind the
Kitsap Mall cinemas)
? 1990Owners:
1990-1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Poulsbo Cinemas 10
750 NW Edvard St.
? 2000Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
Silverdale 4 on the left and Kitsap Mall 6 on the right
34 in Kitsap
South Sound 10
1435 Olney Ave SE
? 1998Regal Cinemas owns this cinema. It was
opened by Act III Theatres
Kitsap Mall 6
Almo
18940 Front St.
? 1935-? 1980
300 seats
Movi
10055 Kitsap Mall Blvd NW
? 1990Owners:
1990-2002 General Cinemas
2002- American Multi-Cinemas
Movie-theatre.org
Page 41
MASON COUNTY
Skyline Drive-In
POTLATCH
182 SE Brewer Road
? 1975-
Potlatch
? 1940
Johnson’s Portable Circuit owned this
theatre.
SHELTON
Blue Ox
AKA: Graham
600 Franklin St.
? 1960-1962
Franklin Plaza
? 1990
Graham
7 in Mason county
AKA: Blue Ox
600 Franklin St.
1925-? 1955
600 seats
Paramount
2nd St & Schafer St.
? 1935-? 1955
361 seats
Shelton 2
517 franklin st
? 2005-
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 42
PIERCE COUNTY
BONNEY LAKE
Tall Figs 10
20751 State Route 410 E
? 1998Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
Roxy
FIFE
Fife Drive-In
1901 Goldau Road
1950-? 1985
Barovic, Mike, Theatres owned this
theatre in 1955. United (Pacific
theatres) owned it in 1981.
? 1940-? 1961
350 seats
Owners:
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1961 Pend Oreille Theatres
Uptown 10
4649 Point Fosdick Drive NW
2008Galaxy owns this cinema.
FORT LEWIS
War Department
? 1940
GIG HARBOR
BUCKLEY
Cosmo
Main St.
? 1920-? 1955
Hamrick Theatres owned this theatre in
1955.
CARBONDALE
Blue Eagle
LAKEWOOD
AKA: Empriess
3126 Harborview
? 1935
Lakewood
5120 Motor Avenue
1937-? 1955
650 seats
Owners:
1950 Dean & Gimble
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
Empress
AKA: Blue Eagle
3126 Harborview
1925-? 1930
450 seats
Club
? 1935
EATONVILLE
Eatonville (Port.)
? 1940
Roxy
115 Marshall
1942400 seats
Movi
Gig Harbor 3
5401 Olympic Dr NW
1982-2008
This is now a church.
It was owned by Regal Cinemas 19982008.
Movie-theatre.org
Page 43
Lakewood & RPX 15
Star-Lite Drive-In
Liberty
2310 84th St S
? 1998Regal Cinemas owns this cinema. It was
built by Act III Theatres. An RPX screen
was added in 2011.
8301 S. Tacoma Way
th
May 26 , 1948-1996
This is now a swap meet.
114 W Main
1924-? 1995
750 seats
Owners:
1930-1935 Constanti Circuit of
Washington
1940-1955 Barovic, Mike, Theatres
Villa Plaza Cinema I & II
10501 Davisson Road SW
1969-1998
General Cinemas split up the larger
cinema in the late 1970’s to create
three cinemas.
Longston Place 14
13317Meridian E
? 2000Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
ORTING
Lakewood Mall Cinemas 12
10509 Gravelly Lake Dr SW #6
1995This opened with six cinemas and
expanded to 12 screens by 2000.
Owners:
1995-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
Orting
? 1950
300 seats
Gillespie, L. A. & North Coast Theatres
owned this theatre.
PARKLAND
Parkland
121 St. S. & Pacific
? 1961-? 1969
PUYALLUP
Hilltop Cinema
? 1998
Act III Theatres owned this theatre.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 44
Puyallup Cinemas 6
South Hill Mall 6
Auto View Drive-In
1200 4th St. NW
1983-2004
Owners:
1983-1989 Tom Moyer Luxury Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2004 Regal Cinemas
3500 S Meridian
? 2000Regal Cinemas owned this theatre.
1202 N. Pearl
1950-? 1985
725 cars
Pacific Theatres owned it in 1975.
"To illustrate how cheap he was, we were
required to return burned out light bulbs
(yes, even cheap 100 watt bulbs) to Portland
BEFORE they would send a replacement to
us. Managers ended up buying their own
bulbs just to avoid this stupidity." - Dan
Buckley at cinematreasures.org.
The back half of the auditorium had
high back seats and the front half had
cheap seats. This was built by Tom
Moyer on the cheap to keep SRO out of
Puyallup.
SOUTH TACOMA
Idle Hour
? 1990-? 1995
Blue Mouse
Liberty
2nd/Meridian
? 1935-? 1955
380 seats
Owners:
1935 Constanti Circuit of Washington
1940-1955 Barovic, Mike, Theatres
916 Broadway
1934-1945
Bijou
? 1920
SUMNER
Roxy
Beverly
AKA: Proctor
? 1930-? 1935
Constanti Circuit of Washington owned
this theatre.
Riviera
2611 N Proctor St
http://www.bluemousetheatre.com
1923, ? 1960This is named after a lounge in Paris,
France.
Main St.
? 1940-? 1969
520 seats
Owners:
1940-1955 Barovic, Mike, Theatres
TACOMA
112th Street Drive-In
? 1975-? 1985
Apollo
AKA: Blue Mouse (Broadway), Apollo
1131 Broadway
1914-1922
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 45
Blue Mouse (Broadway)
Everbody's
Lincoln Plaza Cinema 8
1131 Broadway
1922-1960
647 seats
AKA: Capitol, Washington
31 Montana
1985-2000
General Cinemas owned this theatre.
This is now a gym.
2606 6th Av.
1920-1926
Grand Cinema 3
606 S Fawcett Ave
http://www.grandcinema.com/
1995315 seats
This opened with three cinemas and a
forth screen added in 2009.
Broadway
AKA: Apollo, Paramount
916 Broadway
1949-? 1950
400 seats
Owners:
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1960 Hamrick Theatres
Broadway
AKA: Music Box, Tacoma
902 Broadway
1927-1933
Cameo
AKA: Palace
1126 Pacific
1940-1957, 1977
340 seats
1976-1977 owner: Playtime Theatres
(adult)
755 Broadway
1974-2006
This was an adult cinema.
Heiling
AKA: Temple
49 St. Helens
1927-1931
This reopened as a conference center in
1992.
Kay Street
1117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
? 1925-? 1955
525 seats
AKA: Beverly, Broadway
916 Broadway
1914-1934
http://i.feedtacoma.com/Erik/rare-photos-inside-meccatheater/
Music Box
AKA: Tacoma, Broadway
902 Broadway
1933-1963
1,563 seats
* January 13th, 1890 opened as Tacoma
* February 4th, 1927 renovated for
movies and renamed Broadway
* 1933 renamed Music Box. It was
owned by Hamrick Theatres
* May 1st, 1963 burned down
AKA: Everybody’s, Washington
Colonial
? 1925
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Mecca
Capitol
2606 6th Av.
1926-? 1955
502 seats
* 1913 opened as Washington
* 1920 renamed Everbody's
* 1926 renamed Capitol
* 1930 owner: Constanti Circuit of
Washington
Majestic
Liberty
? 1990-? 1995
Liberty
? 1920-? 1925
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre in 1925.
Lincoln
? 1925-? 1945
Community
56th / M
? 1925-? 1955
450 seats
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 46
Narrows
Palace
Rex
7116 6th Av. http://www.tmp.org/
1949-? 1982
This is now a live theatre.
AKA: Cameo
3809 Yakima
1919-1958
530 seats
Owners:
1925 Jensen & Von Herberg
1950 Dean & Gimble
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1126 Pacific
? 1920
Pantages
AKA: Orpheum, Roxy
901 Broadway
1918-1930
Paramount
Narrows Drive-In
3816 N. 26th St.
1923-? 1941
327 seats
? 1985
Rialto
Narrows Plaza 8
2208 Mildred St W
? 1985Owners:
1985-2009 American Multi-Cinemas
2009- Galaxy
Park
3508 E. McKinley
1923-? 1961
536 seats
310 9th St
th
September 7 , 1918-? 1985
1,300 seats
This is now a live theatre
Owners:
1920-1925 Jensen & Von Herberg
1930 Wesco Corporation
1950-1964 Hamrick Theatres
Orpheum
? 1925
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Orpheum
AKA: Pantages, Roxy
901 Broadway
http://www.broadwaycenter.org/
1930-1932
RKO owned this theatre. It is now a
concert hall.
Movi
Proctor
AKA: Blue Mouse
2611 Proctor
? 1925-? 1955
400 seats
Realart
5415 Tacoma
1920-? 1961
488 seats
Riviera
906 Pacific
? 1930-? 1964
606 seats
Owners:
1930-1935 Constanti Circuit of
Washington
1945-1955 Barovic, Mike, Theatres
Rose
514 11th St.
th
December 28 , 1920-? 1945
MK Theatres owned this theatre in
1925.
Movie-theatre.org
Page 47
Roxy
Tacoma Autoview Drive-In
Tacoma South 5
AKA: Orpheum, Pantages
1961-? 1980
7601 S Hosmer St
1983-2002
Owners:
1983-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2002 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
901 Broadway
1932-? 1969
Owners:
1935 Jensen & Von Herberg
1950-1964 Hamrick Theatres
Tacoma Central 6
3102 S 23rd St
1990Owners:
1990-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2002 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
2002- Galaxy
Shell
Tacoma Drive-In
1320 Pacific
? 1935-? 1955
319 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
? 1945
Strand
? 1920
Jensen & Von Herberg owned this
theatre.
Sunset
2502 6th Av
1919-? 1955
481 seats
This may had opened as Perunke.
Owners:
1919-1925 Jensen & Von Herberg
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
Tacoma West 5
Tacoma Mall
4302 Tacoma Mall Blvd
1968-2002
1,100 seats
2 screens in 1974.
70mm Cinerama played here. It has the
same design as the Pacific Lakewood
cinemas in Lakewood, CA.
Owners:
1968-1969 Sterling Theaters, Inc.
1975-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2002 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
1802 S Mildred St
? 1980-? 1998
Owners:
1980-1986 Sterling Recreation
Organization
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998 Loews Cineplex Entertainment
This opened with three cinemas and
expanded to five screens by 1990.
Telenews
AKA: Beverly, Broadway, Colonial
916 Broadway
1945-1949
400 seats
Temple
49 St. Helens
1931-? 1980
1,629 seats
Hamrick Theatres owned this theatre.
Tacoma
AKA: Broadway, Music Box
902 Broadway
1889-1927
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 48
Vandette
? 1925
Victory
? 1935
Victory
4801 S. Yakima
? 1924
Washington
2606 6th Av.
1913-1920
* 1913 opened as Washington
* 1920 renamed Everbody's
* 1926 Capitol
84 in Pierce county
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 49
SNOHOMISH COUNTY
Edmonds
Everett
ARLINGTON
AKA: Edgemont, Princess
2911 Colby
1924-1979
1,106 seats
* 1901 opened as Everett Opera House
* 1923 a fire destroyed the theatre
* 1924 rebuilt with 1,200 seats
* 1929 taken over by Wesco
Corporation
* 1935-1973 owner: Evergreen State
Amusement Corp.
* 1973-1975 owner: Mann Theatres
Corporation of California
* 1975 taken over by Tom Moyer
Theatres
* 1979 the balcony is closed off to
create two more cinemas.
* By 1989 closed
* 2000-2004 the theatre is restored and
reopened, showing old movies and
stage productions.
American
? 1935
415 Main
1979252 seats
Olympic
107 N Olympic
http://olympictheatre.net/
? 1940363 seats
Princess
AKA: Edgemont, Edmonds
DARRINGTON
Darrington
? 1950
185 seats
EDMONDS
Edgemont
AKA: Edmonds, Princess
415 Main
1965-1970
Metro Theatres owned it in 1969-1970.
415 Main
1923-1965
EVERETT
Apollo
? 1925-? 1930
SA Theatres owned this theatre.
Balboa
2814 Wetmore
? 1930-? 1950
698 seats
Owners:
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1950 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
Everett Opera House
2911 Colby
1901-1923
Everett 9
830 SE Everett Mall Way
1993-2006
Owners:
1993-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2006 Regal Cinemas
Cosmopolitan
1908 hewitt
? 2000-2002
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 50
Everett Mall Cinemas
Everett Motor-In
February 15 , 1974-2006
th
* February 15 , 1974 opened with three
cinemas by General Cinemas
* 1982 7 more cinemas added
elsewhere in the mall
* 2002 General Cinemas goes bankrupt,
taken over by AMC
* 2003 Regal takes over the three older
cinemas to keep out competitors
* 2006 closed for the new cinemas.
Evergreen Way & 75th St SE
? 1955-1979
Shearer, B. F., Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre 1955-1969. It also owned
by Pacific’s United Theatres.
th
Granada
2926 Wetmore
? 1930-? 1955
988 seats
Owners:
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1955 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
Liberty
? 1930
Wesco Corporation owned this theatre.
Orpheum
? 1920-? 1930
Owners:
1925 SA Theatres
1930 Wesco Corporation
Everett Mall Stadium 16
1402 SE Everett Mall Way
2006Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 51
Puget Park Drive-In
13020 Meridian Ave S
th
February 15 , 1968-2009
This drive-in , which was renovated in
the early 2000's was not part of the
1986 takeover of Sterling Recreation
Organization's theatre properties.
Sterling sold the land for medical uses
in 2009.
Alderwood, Northgate, Uptown Seattle and
many others.
The 1980's and early 1990's brought change
as SRO began to divest itself of most of its
operating divisions. In 1986, SRO sold its
theatre operations, while retaining most of
the underlying real estate, to Toronto based
Cineplex Odeon. This sale was followed in
1989 by the sale of a majority of the radio
station holdings and subsequently in 1992,
the sale of its bowling center division and
video store division.
As the divestiture proceeded, SRO used its
development experience obtained during
years of building theatres to expand into
other commercial real estate activities.
Projects SRO has built since the sale of its
operating units include Sterling Plaza I & II
in Bellevue, Washington, Tacoma South
Shopping Center in Tacoma, Washington,
Johnson Creek Crossing Shopping Center in
Portland, Oregon and ShuttlePark2, a 1050
stall airport parking facility in Tukwila,
Washington.
GRANITE FALLS
Granite Falls
? 1930-? 1935
Owners:
1930 Brown, Leon C.
1935 Johnson’s Portable Circuit
LYNNWOOD
Alderwood 7
3501 184th St SW
1986Owners:
1986-1989 Unknown
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998- Regal Cinemas
Stadium seating installed in 2005.
Today, SRO remains majority owned by the
Danz family. SRO has an extensive real
estate portfolio and manages in excess of 1
million square feet of leaseable space. We
continue to pursue opportunities for the
acquisition of real estate and the
development of our existing holdings.
http://www.sterlingrealty.com/
Rialto
Sterling Realty Organization (SRO) formerly
Sterling Recreation Organization is a
privately owned company founded in 1912
by John Danz, a pioneer motion picture
exhibitor.
From its early nickelodeon days, SRO grew
into one of the largest amusement,
recreation and entertainment operations on
the Pacific Coast. By 1986, SRO had a
diversified corporate portfolio including over
130 motion picture screens, 7 bowling
centers, 9 radio stations, as well as swap
meets, video stores, concessions and
property management activities.
Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington
above the John Danz theatre, SRO employed
more than 1,800 people in Washington,
California, Oregon, Wisconsin and Nevada.
? 1925
SA Theatres owned this theatre in 1925.
Roxy
2920 Colby
? 1940-? 1969
700 seats
Shearer, B. F., Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre.
Sky-Vue Drive-In
34th St
? 1955
Star
? 1920-? 1925
SA Theatres owned this theatre in 1925.
Some of the theatres SRO built in the Puget
Sound region include the John Danz, Lewis
and Clark, Factoria, Grand Cinemas
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 52
Alderwood Mall & IMAX 16
Grand Cinemas Alderwood 8
Lynn
18733 33rd Av
st
April 1 , 2005Owners:
2005 Loews Cineplex Entertainment
2005- American Multi-Cinemas
IMAX installed in 2009
18421 Alderwood Mall Blvd
th
June 19 , 1981-2005
This opened with five cinemas and
three more added in 1986.
Owners:
1981-1986 Sterling
1986-1998 Cineplex Odeon
1998-2005 Loews Cineplex
Entertainment
19802 Highway 99
nd
May 22 , 1963-1986
nd
* May 22 , 1963 opened by Sterling
Recreation Organization as a singlescreen cinema with 800 seats
nd
* November 2 , 1966 The Lynn Twin
opened, which is an identical theatre to
the Lynn.
* 1977 each building was split into two
bowling alley cinemas. (SRO also had
bowling alleys at the time. Some SRO
ads announced free bowling coupons.)
* 1986 closed as Sterling adds three
more cinemas at the Alderwood Grand
Cinema.
Alderwood Village 12
3815 196th St SW
1987-2001
This was a discount cinema.
Owners:
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2001 Regal Cinemas
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 53
Sno-King Drive-In
Marysville 14
Galaxy 12
176th St SW & Highway 99
1946-1986
Owners:
1960-? United Drive-Ins and Pacific
Theatres.
630 cars
9811 State
? 2000Regal Cinemas owns this cinema.
1 Galaxy Way
? 2000Galaxy owns this cinema.
Twin
1966-1975
See Lynn for more details.
MARYSVILLE
Marysville
State Av.
? 1935-? 1980
320 seats.
North Coast Theatres owned this
theatre 1950-1980.
Monroe
Thunderbird Drive-In
33rd Ave NE & 66th Ave NE
? 1961-? 1985
North Coast Theatres and Metro
Theatres owned it in 1969.
? 1920-? 1925
MOUNT LAKE
TERRACE
Cinebarre 8
AKA: Mountlake 9
6009 244th St SW
2009Regal Cinemas owns this dining
cinema.
Marysville Twin Cinema
4159 76th St. NE
1982-? 1998
Twin
See Lynn entry
Mountlake 9
MONROE
Avalon
Main
? 1935-? 1955
426 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
Movi
6009 244th St SW
1994-2009
Owners:
1994-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2009 Regal Cinemas
Movie-theatre.org
Page 54
SILVER LAKE
Silver Lake
? 1940
SNOHOMISH
Stanwood Cinemas at the
Pavilion 5
6996 265 th St. NW
? 2005Far Away Entertainment owns this
cinema.
Brown
AKA: Snohomish
1003 1st St.
1924-? 1955
493 seats
This was opened by Lon Brown.
Orpheum
? 1920-? 1925
Snohomish
1003 1st St.
? 1990-1999
2 screens by 1998
1998-2000 owner: Coming Attractions.
SULTAN
Primrose
? 1920
Rex
STANWOOD
Colonial
? 1940-? 1955
48 in this county
? 1950-? 1969
350 seats
North Coast Theatres owned this
theatre.
Ideal
? 1930-? 1945
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 55
THURSTON COUNTY
Martin Village & IMAX 16
Capitol
BUCODA
5400 Martin Way E.
2005Regal Cinemas owns this cinema. IMAX
in 2011.
206 E. 5th Av. http://www.olyfilm.org/
1924890 seats
Owners:
1930 Wesco Corporation
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
Liberty
? 1930
Bowen & Charles Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre.
LACEY
Lacey 8
4431 Martin Way E.
1979-2005
Owners:
1979-1989 Tom Moyer Theatres
1989-1998 Act III Theatres
1998-2005 Regal Cinemas
Capitol Mall Cinemas 4
OLYMPIA
7th St.
Lacey Drive-In
700 Sleater-Kinney Rd.
1953-1981
500 cars
Owners:
1955 Saffle’s Theater Service
1985 Tom Moyer Theatres
? 1955
625 Black Lake Blvd SW
1978-2005
Owners:
1980-1998 Moyer
1998-2005 Regal Cinemas
Avalon
308 E. 4th Av.
1928-1952
600 seats
Century 14- Capitol Mall
625 Black Lake Blvd SW
2007Cinemark owns this cinema.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 56
Liberty
State
AKA: Olympic
204 E. 4th Av
1949-? 1955
* 1949 opened by Evergreen State
Amusement Corp.
* 1964 owner: Favorite Theatres
* 1969-1973 owner: Evergreen State
Amusement Corp.
* 1973-1975 owner: Mann Theatres
Corporation of California
* 1975-1983 owner: Tom Moyer
Theatres
* 1977 this is split into three cinemas.
* 1983 became a discount cinema
* 1989 owner: Act III Theatres
* 1990's closed
* 1998 bought to be restored a
playhouse.
512 Washington St. SE
1924-1948
Owners:
1930 Wesco Corporation
1935-1945 Evergreen State Amusement
Corp.
Olympic
AKA: Liberty
512 Washington St. SE
1949-? 1975
984 seats
Saffle’s Theater Service owned this
theatre in 1955.
TONO
Liberty
? 1930
Bowen & Charles Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre.
TUMWATER
Sunset Drive-In
? 1950-? 1975
YELM
Yelm
202 Yelm Av. E.
? 1950-1965
300 seats
Ray
116 SE 5th Av.
1914-? 1920
Rex
? 1920-? 1925
Roy
? 1920-? 1925
Skyline Drive-In
? 1980
TENINO
Yelm Cinemas @ Prairie
Park 8
Liberty
? 1930-? 1950
Bowen & Charles Theatre Circuit owned
this theatre in 1930.
201 Prairie Park Lane
http://www.yelmcinemas.com/
2000-
Rovill
? 1940
Johnson’s Portable Circuit owned this
theatre.
Tenino
297 Sussex Av. W.
1915-? 1955
250 seats
Owners:
1935-1940 Johnson’s Portable Circuit
1950-1955 North Coast Theatres
23 in this county
437 listings in the Greater Seattle area.
Movi
Movie-theatre.org
Page 57