Awards show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. The Washington State Sports Hall of Fame gathering took place on April 20, 1970, at the Tacoma Mall Theatre, and featured as special guests, celebrity golfer Arnold Palmer and singer Pat Boone. Four men were honored with induction into the Hall of Fame: Back, left to right: Arnie Weinmeister, Harry Givan, Dr. Hany Deegan, Jim Phelan. In the front row next to Arnold Palmer is Tacoma native Ken Still, a seven-year professional golfer and 1969 Ryder Cup team member. Mr. Still was named State Athlete of the Year. Mr. Palmer, named Golfer and Athlete of the Decade (1960s) by Associated Press, was on hand to receive his honorary membership into the Hall. He was the first to win a million dolars in golf tournaments and was credited for raising golf purses for his fellow golfers. This same grouping can be seen in color in D158251-27C with the exception of Mr. Still, who was cropped out of that particular print. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-19-70, D-1, 4-21-70, p. 1, 14, 16)

Palmer, Arnold, 1929-; Still, Ken; Boone, Pat, 1934-; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Singers; Weinmeister, Arnie; Givan, Harry; Deegan, Harry; Phelan, Jim; Awards;

Color photograph of Pat Boone (front row, left) and golfer Arnold Palmer at the Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show on April 20, 1970, along with local inductees to the Hall. From left to right, back row, are Arnie Weinmeister, Harry Givan, Dr. Harry Deegan and Jim Phelan. Three of the four inductees are shown holding specially created trophies. Mr. Weinmeister was a former UW football player and all-pro tackle with the N.Y. Giants; Mr. Givan, a well-known amateur golfer and member of the 1936 Walker Cup team; Dr. Harry Deegan, horse owner and breeder; and Jim Phelan, former UW football coach. Pat Boone and Arnold Palmer were featured guests of the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored event held in the Tacoma Mall Theatre; Mr. Palmer was made an honorary member of the Sports Hall of Fame. Ken Still, a seven-year professional golfer, 1969 member of the Ryder Cup team and originally from Tacoma, was named State Athlete of the Year that evening. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-19-70, D-1, 4-21-70, p. 1, 14, 16)

Palmer, Arnold, 1929-; Boone, Pat, 1934-; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Singers; Weinmeister, Arnie; Givan, Harry; Deegan, Harry; Phelan, Jim; Awards;

Washington State Sports Hall of Fame show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on April 20, 1970. Color photograph of golfer Arnold Palmer, center, singer Pat Boone, second from right, Tacoma based golfer Ken Still, right. Arnold Palmer, named Golfer and Athlete of the Decade by Associated Press, and Pat Boone, well-known entertainer and former part owner of the ABA's Oakland Oaks, were the featured guests. Ken Still was honored as the State Athlete of the Year. Approximately 1200 people jammed the Tacoma Mall Theatre to witness the induction of members to the State Hall of Fame, hear the featured guests speak, and see in person noted sports figures Still, SuperSonics coach Lenny Wilkens, Husky coaches Jim Owens and Tex Winter and Tacoma Cubs manager Whitey Lockman. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-19-70, D-1, 4-21-70, p. 1, 14,16)

Palmer, Arnold, 1929-; Still, Ken; Boone, Pat, 1934-; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Singers;

Light fixtures, delivered by Mayflower vans, are being put into place at the new Tacoma Mall Theater on April 17, 1968. The theater would celebrate its formal opening on May 16, 1968. Built at a cost of $1,000,000, it was the first major theater development in Tacoma in 40 years, and was the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Besides modern light fixtures, four imported $6000 crystal chandeliers would be on display. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Theater. (TNT 4-18-68, B-15)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Light fixtures;

Celebrities arriving for the May 16, 1968, grand opening of the $1 million dollar Tacoma Mall Theater. Actresses Tippi Hedren, left, and Diane McBain, are escorted past waiting throngs lined up before the theater. Both are prepared for an enjoyable evening viewing "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," as they stroll down the red carpet, carrying in their refreshments. The women had spent the afternoon on a goodwill tour of Madigan Army Hospital, where many of the patients were Vietnam veterans. Miss McBain, along with actor Arthur O'Connell, had recently entertained troops in Vietnam. TPL-6524

Actresses; Hedren, Tippi; McBain, Diane; Premieres--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma);

Unidentified well-dressed trio awaiting grand opening of Tacoma Mall Theater. The younger woman has a tiara in her upswept hairdo and is wearing an evening gown with long gloves. She is holding a pair of sunglasses in one hand. The other woman, perhaps related to her, has on a short sleeveless gown with elbow-length gloves. The 1200-seat theater was sold out for the 8 o'clock showing of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner;" a bevy of Hollywood stars would be appearing in person at that viewing only. (TNT 5-16-68, C-6) ALBUM 5.

Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Premieres--Tacoma;

May 16, 1968, grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater. Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, is helped down from the stage set up in the parking lot. The current titleholder is the daughter of Mrs. Cleta Jean Johnson and graduated from Mount Tahoma High School. She and several Hollywood stars, including Arthur O'Connell, Tippi Hedren, Diane McBain, Troy Donahue and Jody McCrea, were introduced from the speaker's platform to the waiting crowd. Once inside the 1200-seat theater, there would be a live one-half hour telecast direct from the theater stage, featuring the Hollywood actors. The 8 o'clock viewing of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was sold out; this would be the only time the Hollywood actors would be present, although a second late-night show was added. (TNT 5-16-68, C-6, TNT 5-17-68, p. 1) TPL-6525

Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Premieres--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma);

Celebrities arriving for the May 16, 1968, grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater. The young lady in a minidress is Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson. The Bon Marche department store can be seen in the background. Miss Johnson, along with a sizeable Hollywood contingent, would be introduced to the crowd from the speaker's wooden platform set up directly in front of the theater. TPL-6523

Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Premieres--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Bon Marche (Tacoma);

Celebrities arriving for the May 16, 1968, grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater. Throngs gather behind ropes awaiting entrance into the new 1200-seat theater. Pictured on the red carpet is actor Jody McCrea, center. The 6'3" actor was the son of Western star Joel McCrea and actress Frances Dee. He appeared mostly in Westerns in the 1950's and then became known for his comedic and romantic roles in six American International "Beach" movies with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon during the 1960's. Mr. McCrea and other celebrities would be introduced to the crowd on the speaker's platform located directly in front of the theater. Later, the actors would participate in a half-hour live telecast directly from the theater stage. TPL-6522 (TNT 5-16-68, C-6)

McCrea, Jody; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Celebrity touring; Premieres--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma);

Night exposure of new Tacoma Mall Theater; large back-lit signs on brick and glass exterior. All is ready for the grand opening of the $1 million dollar Tacoma Mall Theater in May, 1968. The theater would open for business in one week with Hollywood stars in attendance. "First Night" tickets were still available at the time of this May 9th photograph; however, they were sold out by the 11th. Management added an extra late-evening viewing of "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," but no stars would be present for the 11:30 p.m. show. The Tacoma Mall Theater was the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. It offered ample free parking, luxurious lobby and a giant Cinerama screen. (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert) TPL-6520

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Miss Tacoma. Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, gets a early first-hand look at the new Tacoma Mall Theater prior to its grand opening on May 16, 1968. Miss Johnson would be among the luminaries present on the "First Night" of its movie existence. She is shown examining the comfortable body-conformed armchairs which were spaced 40 inches back-to-back. This allowed for plenty of leg room and easy maneuvering through the rows. The theater was originally built for a 1200-seat capacity. (TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. L.H. Sutton, managing director of the Tacoma Mall Theater, poses with an unidentified woman on May 14, 1968, V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Mr. Sutton had recently been appointed to his position. His guest is wearing a fur wrap over a sequinned dress. On one wrist is an orchid corsage. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sutton, L.H.; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Interior - Tacoma Mall Theater. This is the view one would get looking from the giant screen to the back of the theater. The seats are empty because it is three days before the Tacoma Mall Theater's grand opening. The 1200 seats were deep and upholstered with extra space between the rows. They were staggered so that all would have a good view of the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling screen. Armrests were made of upholstered foam rubber. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Theater. TPL-6521 (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Theater executives take a behind-the-scenes look at the new Tacoma Mall Theater on V.I.P. night, two nights before the grand opening of the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Michael R. Forman, second to the right, and William R. Forman, extreme right, are associated with Forman United Theaters, owners of the new theater. William Forman had Northwest connections: he attended the University of Washington and married a Seattle woman. He had been named the pioneer of the year by the motion picture industry. (TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Forman, Michael R.; Forman, William R.;

Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, listens intently as she is shown the workings of the projection room on a May 9, 1968, visit to the Tacoma Mall Theater, the latest addition to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Projectionist Frank Carlson shows Miss Johnson the new projection machines. The theater used a Simplex 35-70 set to run 35 and 70 millimeter film. The Tacoma Mall Theater would officially open on May 16th with gala entertainment planned for the evening. (TNT 5-14-68, insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson, Cleta Jo; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Carlson, Frank; Motion picture devices;

Interior - Tacoma Mall Theater; view of 2000 yards of red draw curtains, stage and rows of empty upholstered seats. The Tacoma Mall, first indoor theater in the Forman-United Theater circuit of drive-ins in the Tacoma area, was just days away from its grand opening on May 16, 1968. Architect George T. Nowak utilized updated motion theater design in planning the new theater. The $1 million dollar theater was advertised as "Elegance in Entertainment" with staggered seating, body-contoured armchairs, custom made chandeliers, bronze-smoke Belgian glass mirrored walls and a giant screen extending wall-to-wall and floor to ceiling. It had a seating capacity of 1200. The building was divided into two sections in 1974 and renamed the Tacoma Mall Twins. Ultimately, it would close in July of 2002; the building was razed and a Krispy Kreme store opened on the site. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Theater. (TNT 4-18-68, B-15, TNT 5-8-68, D-13)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theater curtains;

On May 14, 1968 the new Tacoma Mall Theater held a special V.I.P. night two days before its official grand opening on the 16th. Selected officials and guests were invited to see the spacious new movie theater, which cost over $1 million to build and could seat 1,200, before it opened to the general public. The four crystal chandeliers in the lobby were imported from Belgium, and its giant screen was capable of accommodating "Cinerama" films. The Mall Theater closed in July of 2002 and it was demolished before the end of the year. (Publicity photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall to be mailed to Pacific Theaters in Los Angeles.)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Lobby in Tacoma Mall Theater. A beautiful display of elegance greeted patrons of the new Tacoma Mall Theater in May, 1968. Four $6000 imported, custom-made crystal chandeliers hang from the lobby's lofty ceiling. Each chandelier contains 3,250 clear crystal pendants. Small recessed ceiling and wall lights present an illusion of stars. The plush red carpet and corresponding red curved snack bar wall provide a colorful contrast to the dark walnut vinyl paneling. The snack bar, at 72 feet, was the West Coast's longest. The Tacoma Mall Theater was the first major theater development in 40 years in this area. 34 years later, in July of 2002, it would shut its doors for good. (TNT 5-8-68, D-13, TNT 5-14-68 insert)

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Snack bars--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater. Zack S. Beiser of United Theatres in conversation with a woman tenatively identified as Miss Tacoma, Cleta Jo Johnson, at V.I.P. night at the Tacoma Mall Theater on May 14, 1968. Those attending the private party were able to view the theater before its grand opening on May 16th. Forman-United Theatres were the builders of the $1 million dollar theater, the first major theater development in the area in 40 years. Publicity photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater for Pacific Theaters, Los Angeles.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beiser, Zack S.;

Women's restroom in Tacoma Mall Theater. Even the restrooms at the new Tacoma Mall Theater carried on the theme of elegance with chandeliers, patterned wallpaper and fine floor coverings. Bright lighting and good ventilation were integral parts of the large, sparkling ladies room. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Mall Theater.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rest rooms;

Daylight view of the Tacoma Mall Theatre. Customers at the Tacoma Mall Theatre had the pleasure of a fine double bill with "Rachel, Rachel" and "Wait Until Dark," starting at the end of October, 1968, and running for four weeks. Joanne Woodward starred in "Rachel, Rachel" while Audrey Hepburn portrayed a recently blinded woman menaced by thugs in "Wait Until Dark." Woodward's film was directed by her husband, Paul Newman, and was nominated for an Academy Award. At the time of this October, 1968, photograph, the theater had been open only five months. Photograph ordered by the Pacific Drive-In Theatre, Los Angeles.

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Night view of Tacoma Mall Theatre. Conveniently located in the heavily trafficked Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and blessed with large free parking lots, the Tacoma Mall Theatre was able to show many first-run films such as "Rachel, Rachel" advertised above in late October of 1968. In addition, movie goers were able to watch the suspenseful "Wait Until Dark" starring Audrey Hepburn. The Tacoma Mall Theatre, with its elegant lobby featuring four expensive custom-made crystal chandeliers and 72-foot snack bar, had opened in May of that year. It would remain open, after modification to a twin-theater, until 2002 when it was demolished. Photograph ordered by Pacific Drive-In Theatre, Los Angeles. TPL-6526

Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);