ca. 1926. Many children, boys on left, girls on right, on sidewalk in front of the Blue Mouse Theater, circa 1926. In 1922, the old Apollo theater became part of the Hamrick chain and reopened as the Blue Mouse, named after a theater in Paris. (filed with Argentum)

Blue Mouse Movie Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Marquees--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma was treated to an afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. Men in the traditional plumed hats with a large group of flag bearers behind them. The Roxy Theatre is in the background. The Roxy later became the Pantages. (T. Times 5/9/1938)

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Knights Templar (Tacoma);

The Knights Templar band in their traditional plumed hats marched past the Roxy Theatre (later known again as the Pantages) on May 9, 1938. Tacoma was treated to a colorful afternoon parade when Knights Templar from all over the state gathered here for the 51st Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington. This parade of bands followed the marching companies. (T. Times 5/9/1938, pg. 1-article; TNT 5-9-38, p. 1-article on conclave)

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Knights Templar (Tacoma); Marching bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Birds eye view of downtown Tacoma, taken in May of 1939. In the lower left corner is the intersection of 9th and Broadway. The Roxy Theatre, at 901 Broadway (now known as the Pantages), is at the lower left and across Broadway is the distinctive turret of John Hamrick's Music Box Theatre.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cityscapes--1930-1940; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

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

Wilkinson, Kenneth E.; Motion pictures; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma;

Telenews marque and front of theatre. Uraniferous chalcedony ore or Rhyolite on display in case "Birth of the Atomic Age".

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telenews Theatre (Tacoma); Ore industry;

Telenews marque and front of theatre. The interior of the theatre which used to be the "Beverly Theater". 400 patrons filled the Telenews Theatre at the grand opening. People will be able to see "history in the making" and catch up on what happened during the week. The story of the atomic bomb was revealed opening night as well as other late news pictures. (T.Times, 9/15/1945, p.4) TPL-9262

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telenews Theatre (Tacoma);

Telenews marque and front of theatre. Teletype machine in the front lobby - Associated Press direct wire news.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telenews Theatre (Tacoma); Teletypewriters--1940-1950;

In 1945 the new owners of the theater at 916 Broadway remodeled the building, gave it a new neon marque, and changed its name to the Telenews Theater. The Telenews lasted for about five years showing only newsreels, travel logs, and documentaries. In the late 1960s, the second floor of this building was taken over by the Court C Coffeehouse and Artists' Mall. The building was demolished in 1988.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telenews Theatre (Tacoma);

Roxy Theater. A tall young man wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and black cape stands outside the theater on November 19, 1946 announcing the movie now showing, "Cloak and Dagger" starring Gary Cooper.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures;

Roxy Theater. A young man dares everyone to "See Me in "Cloak and Dagger" Roxy Theater". Theater posters show scenes from the movie and advertise Gary Cooper is starring.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture posters; Motion pictures;

Lassieis here to advertise that the motion picture "The Courage of Lassie" will open at the Music Box Theater in this December of 1946 photograph. One of the usherettes from the theater holds "Lassie's" leash while "Lassie" stands next to her dog house in the outside lobby of John Hamrick's Music Box Theatre. "Lassie" wears a sign, "Courage of Lassie, Music Box Now." Two unidentified businessmen stand on the other side of the dog house.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Collies--Tacoma; Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ushers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Publicity;

An unidentified couple won the dog shown in this photograph in a special drawing held at the Roxy Theater on August 1, 1947. The dog was borrowed from the Tacoma pound for a publicity stunt. It was used to help advertise the film "The Sea Hawk" starring Errol Flynn. When the publicity was finished the dog was to be returned to the pound. Rather then return the dog to the pound, where it would probably be "put to sleep", the theater management called on the citizens of Tacoma to give the dog a home. (T.Times, 7/30/1947) Dog being awarded to winner at Roxy Theater, O'Connell Ragan Company, Beverly Balster.

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Publicity;

The students of Arlington Elementary School were invited to the Music Box Theatre to watch Walt Disney's "So Dear to My Heart" in technicolor on March 2, 1949. The movie poster reads "A Dilly-Dilly Delight;" Burl Ives, Beulah Bondi, Harry Carey, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten star in the movie. Exterior view of the Music Box Theatre, Arlington's 2nd and 3rd grade students are standing with their teacher, holding a sign that lists their names.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures; Motion picture posters; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma; Arlington School (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Temple Theatre advertised they had the "widest proscenium arch of any theater or hall on Pacific Coast". Throughout the years the Temple Theatre had a number of movie stars making special appearances, including Tallulah Bankhead and Lucille Ball. The Temple Theatre was later renamed the Saint Helens Convention Center in 1992 and the Landmark Convention Center in 1995. View of two unidentified men working with equipment and machinery at the Temple Theatre; possibly movie projectors.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; People associated with entertainment & sports; Motion picture devices; Projectors; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

This is the proud contest winner at the Music Box Theater happily posing with a new Westinghouse Rancho range. The electric stove has four burners, all on one side, an oven with a storage drawer underneath and an open area under the burners that has been labeld as "Tuck-Away" room. Ordered by Ross Schmidt.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; Music Box Theatre (Tacoma); Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In September of 1950, an unidentified young officer questions a small boy in front of the Roxy Theater. The boy, who seems to have made a lunch of chocolate at a matinee and retains most of it on his face and hands, may be looking for his mother. Ordered by the Tribune city desk. TPL-7116

Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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. 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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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.;

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;

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.;

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);