Cinedome 70

Documentry short:

This venue’s 70mm presentations history is included in the recently-published article “70mm Presentations in Ogden: A Chronology of 70mm Large Format Exhibition, 1970-Present”.

When I was stationed at Hill AFB, we would frequent this theater on weekend nights because they would show favorites from the 80’s at midnight. I remember watching the first Raiders of the Lost Ark and Goonies to a packed audience. We also saw Independence Day in 1996 at this theater.

looked beautiful and amazing!

This article has photos and video of the demolition: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12873062

A Facebook group has formed – with over 2,400 persons signed on so far – with the intent of helping preserve this theater: View link

Thanks MarkG for the condition update. The building was recently sold and I hear they have plans to raze it for a car lot. (Yes – Riverdale needs more of those!) The county assessor puts the value of the property at only $678,921.00.

I’d still like to see “The Domes” saved. It is a very unique and rare style of theater. I believe there is enough interest that money could be raised (over time) to restore it. There is a Facebook group for sharing memories with over 350 members; I think there are hundreds (thousands?) more in the general public who would contribute to saving it. The first step would be just securing it from being torn down.

A restored theater wouldn’t have to compete with first-run theaters. It could be operated as a non-profit specialty theater hosting Indie movies, film festivals, movie premiers, concerts, etc., as well as first-runs. There are other theaters that are thriving on this model (ie: Egyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho). I’m willing to jump in and get this started. I just need to hear from ONE other person who thinks we should do it! Sadly, I think the public has rolled over on this one – even the original owner’s family hasn’t tried to save it (recently).

I am a Utah based filmmaker and I have always wanted to not only restore this beautiful building as a theater, but also convert part of it into a production studio for use by local filmmakers, schools, and others. Maybe Spy Hop or some other such group would have interest. I’m just exploring the idea in more detail, but I do know that I’d like a real community-oriented, localized take on it. If anyone has comments, ideas, or interest in this concept, please contact me at

I’m to young to rememeber ever going to this theatre in my life, if I ever did, but my mom saw Star Wars there and I’ve gone by it everyday for as long as I can remember. I hope that someone can finally salvage it and restore it so that us Utah kids that find its solitude so incredibally “romantical” can see it as it was in its glory days. I hope you can get the money together Mr. Porter.

Here’s the guy’s site that puts up the movie quotes:
http://www.igfilms.com/Home_cinedome.html

..I remember being in the Cinedome back in 1971 to watch John Wayne’s “Big Jake” on that HUGE curved screen – about as big as the Villas in SLC. On the other side was MGM’s “Ryan’s Daughter” in 70mm. NOW, that was an experience to witness-beautiful presentation and excellent 7 channel stereo magnetic sound!! Went up in the booth later on (being a projectionist myself) to witness the massive operation of that massive twin.

What was so intriging was the lobby layout: Center concession stand, organ in the middle of the floor entertaining customers with actual lobby music, massive crystal chandliers hanging in their respective places…just a massive beautiful layout that one can imagine…

So, has the building really been sold? I was actually starting to look into grants for purchasing the building for a gentleman’s club/concert venue. I would love to see it as a theater again, but I think there’s too much competition in the area now for it to succeed.