Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. His film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and also starred Philippe Noiret and Michel Piccoli. Based on the complex Leon Uris spy novel, Mr. Forsythe played a CIA agent who uncovers Soviet plans to place missiles in Cuba. Mr. Forsythe was perhaps better known in later years as a television star, appearing in "Bachelor Father," the unseen Charlie in "Charlie's Angels," and as oil tycoon Blake Carrington in "Dynasty." ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre April 1, 1970. His name was prominently displayed on the theater's marquee as the star of the Alfred Hitchcock film, "Topaz." Motion picture stars at that time still made personal appearances, when requested, at theater openings. Tippi Hedren and Troy Donahue were among many stars who were invited to the grand opening of the Tacoma Mall Theater in 1968. ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. The theater, with one of the nation's last mammoth screens, has since been demolished. Mr. Forsythe had made a special appearance at the Tukwila theater to promote his new film, "Topaz." ALBUM 7.
Opening night for the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Building lit up with personal appearance by actor John Forsythe highlighted on marquee. Cars fill the parking lot as moviegoers are attracted both to the appearance of Mr. Forsythe and his film, the Alfred Hitchcock production, "Topaz." The exterior of the building, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, resembles that of the Tacoma Mall Theater, which had opened just two years before. TPL-6196
Projectors - Southcenter Theatre. The Southcenter Theatre, opened in April of 1970, was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America. Patrons could sit in comfort in one of the 1,228 plush seats and watch movies on a giant 88 x 32 feet curved screen. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen theater and never part of the multi-plex trend which later developed across the country. It would close in 2001 with its last performance of "Moulin Rouge." Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com- article)
Southcenter Theatre under construction. This is believed to be the auditorium of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila a few weeks before its grand opening on April 1, 1970. The theater would only have one screen but it would be an immense one - 88 feet wide and 32 feet high. The extremely curved screen would insure that all customers would have a good view when seated. Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
Southcenter Theatre. Workers are busy doing finishing touches to the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila prior to the theater's opening night of April 1, 1970. With two weeks to spare, they are working in the spacious lobby. The theater was the last 70-mm Cinerama model built in North America. It would eventually close and be demolished in 2002. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Southcenter Theatre. Rows of plush seats with armrests face the screen in the ultra-modern Southcenter Theatre prior to its April 1, 1970, opening night. The giant screen is curved (88 feet wide and 32 feet high) and floor-to-ceiling for the maximum benefit of its patrons. A man's jacket, possibly belonging to the Richards' photographer, is draped over an end seat. Southcenter Theatre had a single screen auditorium with seating capacity of 1,228. Publicity pictures ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Publicity pictures - Southcenter Theatre. Although the theater's marquee is bare, April 1, 1970, would be the opening night to showcase the new theater. "Topaz" would be the first film shown in the facility and actor John Forsythe would make a special appearance that evening. The ultra-modern building had walls of sheer glass and an overhanging roofline. Its design resembled the Tacoma Mall theater which had been built two years before. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila.
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
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.
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.;
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.
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.
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.)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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
In May of 1941, Pfc. Kenneth E. Wilkinson counted his cash in his wallet, hoping to take in a matinee performance at the Roxy of Charlie Chaplin in "The Great Dictator." Stationed with Company E, 186th Infantry at Fort Lewis, Pfc. Wilkinson was the Army's most devoted movie fan. He had seen 245 full length feature pictures since he enlisted on October 4, 1940 at a cost he estimated to be about $65. The "Great Dictator" was making a second run around the country in general release at regular prices, 30 cents til 5p.m. and 45 cents at night. The national UP wire picked up the story on Wilkinson and Hollywood fell in love with the shy star struck private. The motion picture industry flew him to Hollywood for a week to meet and be entertained by noted producers, directors and actors. (T. Times 4/29/194, pg. 5; 7/24/41, pg. 1) TPL-1989
In May of 1941, Pfc. Kenneth E. Wilkinson counts the cash in his wallet, planning to take in the double feature at the Blue Mouse. The marquee boldly states that "Men of Boy's Town" and "Let's Make Music" are playing. Pfc. Wilkinson is the Army's biggest movie fan, having once enjoyed 13 feature films in one weekend. The soldier from LaGrande, Ore., goes to the movies 4-5 nights a week to forget his troubles and estimates that he has seen 245 full length feature films since he enlisted in October of 1940. The UP wire picked up the Tacoma Times story and Hollywood also discovered Wilkinson. The motion picture industry flew the star struck redhead to Hollywood for a week of wining, dining and meeting the stars. His favorite was Mickey Rooney. (T. Times 4/29/1941, pg. 5; 7/24/41, pg.1)
Wilkinson, Kenneth E.; Blue Mouse Movie Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Marquees;
ca. 1932. View of the Roxy Theatre, ca. 1932. "The Thirteenth Guest " was the feature film showing at the Roxy at the time of this photograph. The film was released in 1932 and starred Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot. Movie marquee advertised that there was "Always a better show at your Roxy." Apparently cost of a ticket was 20 cents after 5 p.m. The former RKO Orpheum theater reopened as the Roxy in 1932; it is now known as the Pantages.
The RKO Orpheum Theater, 901 Broadway, was decorated with bunting and banners on August 3, 1931, when Frank Capra's newest movie "Dirigible" starring Jack Holt and Fay Wray opened in Tacoma. But the decorations were not for the movie. They were to welcome the U.S. Navy. July 31 to August 7,1931, was "Fleet Week" in Tacoma. Four battleships, two destroyers, and a hospital ship were at anchor in Commencement Bay. (TDL July 31, 1931 p.1) Bowen # 310-274
In July of 1931, the marquee at the RKO Orpheum Theater (now the Pantages) shown brightly in the night advertising Larry Rich & his Oompahs. The Orpheum offered the discriminating viewer both a movie, Richard Dix in the "Public Defender," and a vaudeville style stage show. Band Leader Larry Rich toured the RKO circuit with his own show; he served as master of ceremonies and his band, the Oompahs, backed up the other performers. One of the featured singers was Marion Sunshine. She impersonated popular singers of the day and then sang her own songs, including "The Peanut Vendor," for which she wrote the English lyrics. In addition to creating as a composer and lyricist, Marion Sunshine acted in movies and performed as half of the sister act "Tempest and Sunshine" during her theatrical career. Bowen # 310-26?
In July of 1931, the Veterans of Foreign Wars drum & bugle corps posed in front of the RKO Orpheum Theater (now the Pantages,) 901 Broadway. Behind the group was a sign stating "March with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to the RKO Orpheum to see RKO Vaudeville Larry Rich and Marion Sunshine." A ticket at the Orpheum got you into to see a movie, Richard Dix in the "Public Defender," and a vaudeville show, with headliner Larry Rich and his Oompahs. Larry Rich was a comic bandleader who toured the vaudeville circuit with his own show, featuring his band the 14 Oompahs and singer Marion Sunshine. Ms. Sunshine would impersonate Maurice Chevalier and Ruth Etting and then sing her own songs, including the one for which she penned the English lyrics, "The Peanut Vendor." Larry Rich was the father of jazz drummer and bandleader Buddy Rich. A crowd had gathered between the VFW and the theater. Bowen #310-26 ?
This photograph of the front entrance of the Rialto Theatre, showing the marquee and a North Coast Limited sign, was taken for the Northern Pacific Railroad in April of 1931. There was a special double bill playing at the Rialto beginning on April 12th. Along with the feature "Dishonored," starring Marlene Dietrich and Victor McLaglen, they were showing a special feature titled "No.1." The first transcontinental trip to be filmed in sound, "No.1" took viewers from Chicago to Tacoma, with scenes of the Rockies and Cascades. Produced by the Northern Pacific, the film contained some splendid advertising for Tacoma. According to the NP ticket agent, it was scheduled to play in every major city in the United States. Bowen # 310-163
ca. 1931. RKO Orpheum Theater, 901 Broadway. Six ushers posed in front of the movie palace dressed as jockeys. Banners on their chests say "Starting Monday, Sweepstakes." "Sweepstakes" was a 1931 RKO Pathe racetrack movie about a jockey and his horse, starring Eddie Quillan, James Gleason, Marion Nixon and Lew Cody. The playbill advertisement in the background refers to the Burns & Allen comedy act "Dizzy."
