Actor John Forsythe in conversation with an unidentified man during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forsythe's film, "Topaz," was being shown that evening and he was present to greet his fans. Mr. Forsythe has had a long career on Broadway, in motion pictures and on television. He has starred in television's "Bachelor Father," "World of Survival," and "Dynasty." ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe escorts a young woman during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. The young lady and the young man accompanying her are dressed in prom fashion; she has a large corsage, elbow-length gloves and evening gown. Mr. Forsythe was in town to greet his fans at the showing of "Topaz," where he appeared as a CIA agent. TPL-6527 ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe on stage during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Hands in pocket, Mr. Forsythe addresses the crowd attending "Topaz," an Alfred Hitchcock-directed spy film which also starred Philippe Noiret and Michel Piccoli. He eventually became best known for his work in television on "Bachelor Father" and the unseen, uncredited Charlie on "Charlie's Angels." ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe signs an autograph during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Moviegoers are dressed in their best for the theater premiere. Mr. Forsythe's film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the new theater located in Tukwila. ALBUM 7.
Actor John Forsythe with two men during opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forysthe, on the far right, grasps the arm of an unidentified man as he stolls down the aisle of the new Southcenter Theatre. His film, "Topaz," would be the first movie shown in the new theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and was one of his two "cold-war" themed motion pictures. 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.
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.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. The single screen auditorium had 1,228 seats. Due to the giant 88 x 32-foot high curved screen, patrons would have had good views from any seat in the house. The screen was flanked by floor length curtains. The Southcenter Theatre opened in April of 1970 and went dark in August of 2001. The first film shown was Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz," and the last, "Moulin Rouge." Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (ww.cinematour.com)
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre--lobby. The circular snack bar stands empty of customers in this 1970 color photograph of the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila. Its burnished wood tones and colored display screen of fiery gold and muted blues complement the gold-and-brown mixed pattern carpet. There was an abundance of soft recessed lighting. The theater celebrated its opening night on April 1, 1970, with Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz" as the feature presentation. Color photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. "Ben Hur" was the feature presentation at the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila during part of the summer of 1970. The theater had just opened in April of that year with a special guest appearance by actor John Forsythe promoting his film, "Topaz." Patrons enjoyed the free parking supplied by the theater as well as the building's modern facilities. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen movie house and run by United Theaters.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. Elevated view from the screen's prospective of auditorium in the new Southcenter Theatre in 1970. Most of the 1,228 red plush seats are visible above. The rows of chairs were marked and spaced widely enough for patrons to pass through without inconveniencing those already seated. Elegant floor-length curtains are visible on all sides of the auditorium. Color photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. The newly opened Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila invited the public to view "Ben Hur" in its ultra-modern facilities in 1970. The film had been released in 1959 and won a (then) record-setting 11 Academy Awards. Because Southcenter Theatre was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America, moviegoers could watch the thrilling chariot race on the 88 x 32-foot curved screen without missing the panoramic shots or outstanding audio. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre. (www.cinematour.com; en.wikipedia.org) TPL-6197
July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )
Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
July 12, 1974 was the grand reopening of the Roxy Theatre located at 901 Broadway. A family film, Disney's "Herbie Rides Again," was the first-run feature in the newly remodeled and refurbished motion picture theater. The Roxy had been closed since May of 1973. It was one of the five theaters owned by Will Conner recently sold to the Mullendore family of Auburn. In 1975 the Tacoma Community Development Department began to explore the idea of taking over the building to create a showcase for the performing arts. The City purchased the building in 1979 and it, once again known as the Pantages, opened as a performing arts center in February of 1983. Also in this photograph is the Winthrop Hotel, across the street from the Roxy. The Deli, a new restaurant located on the site's ground floor, was scheduled to open in July of 1974. Color photograph ordered by the North Pacific Trade Center, Inc. BU -11178 (TNT 7-9-74, A-5 article on reopening; Kipp: Tacoma Rediviva, p. 74-article )
Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
