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;
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)
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)
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
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;
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);
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);
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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
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);
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);
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. 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. 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--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. 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
Guests at Southcenter Theatre. These three men may have been guests at the special V.I.P. night held just before the 1970 grand opening of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila. The actual grand opening was on April 1, 1970, with a guest appearance by actor John Forsythe, in town to promote his new film, "Topaz," which had the honor of being the first film shown in the new theater. Two of the men are unidentified; the third (extreme right) is Michael R. Forman. Mr. Forman is associated with Forman United Theaters, owners of the new theater, and also owners of the Tacoma Mall Theater. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Forman, Michael R.;
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.
Southcenter Theatre. Performing at Southcenter Theatre's V.I.P night were the Taylor Sheppard band. Pictured in the spacious lobby of the new theater was the five-piece band. The Southcenter Theatre would celebrate its grand opening on April 1st; the evening before was set aside for a special V.I.P. night by invitation only. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
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 shakes hands with a young woman during grand opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forsythe was present to greet his fans and address the audience from the stage. His film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the new theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the Leon Uris spy novel. 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 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 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.
