SIFF Cinema Downtown
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
48 people
favorited this theater
Showing 226 - 250 of 273 comments
Regerding previous commments about the deep Cinerama screen being totally complete behind the existing screen: It’s not just a matter of revealing the deep screen, there is most definitely “some assembly required.”
I have seen numerous pictures of the long arduous process of dismantling the front screen and assembling the pieces of the deep screen that are stored behind it. This includes unfurling sections that are rolled up, and replacing the center of the curtain track so that it follows the curve of the deep screen.
As for this being the only “true” Cinerama theatre in the US… well Pacific did decide against installing the louvered screen at the Dome because they saw the unahchored louvres fluttering in the AC breeze when the Seattle first ran HTWWW. Certainly a mistake in my mind. And it’s true that Seattle has a deeper curve, which is probably better.
However the specs for Cinerama were not set in stone, and the 126 degree (like the Dome) curve was used in some Cinerama theatres, others had a 146 degree curve like the Seattle). Some of the screens had flat sides like a bowtie, some were cylindrical. Some were even a flat sheet in the center and louvred only onthe sides. So you can’t claim the Dome isn’t “true” Cinerama just because of the degree of the curve.
The Seattle Cinerama people decided not to permanently install the deep curved screen because of some talk about picture distortion, (which could have been minimized). The Cinerama Dome people chose not to install a proper louvered screen, instead opting for a low-gain screen, which provides a less effective picture.
The Cinerama experince in Seattle may well be more impressive, but it requires a massive and expensive conversion process to assemble then dismantle the deep screen every time they want to use it, making even some 70mm films worthy of the deep screen more likely to be shown on the smaller one in front. (as is the case with 2001 and others in their current 70mm series). The Dome, however, shows everything on the curved screen, and when they want to run Cinerama, all they have to do is bring in the print and three very good projectionists.
Bottom line, The Seattle CInerama and the Dome each have attributes the other doesn’t and some of their biggest differences were influenced in some way by each other. Seattle: nicer deepscreen experience, but that is very rare because it is not set up for regular use of the bigger screen. Dome: screen and picture could cartainly be better but it is there all the time. Advantage regarding Cinerama: Neither. Advantage regarding decor and atmosphere: Seattle.
having said all that, I’d love to visit the Seattle Cinerama, because it
Any reports on how the “Blade Runner” engagement is faring in Seattle? The NYC engagement has been extended into its 5th week and expanded to an additional house as of this past Friday.
Seattle does it right: “Blade Runner” opens Oct 26. Should be a cool show at the Cinerama!
JSA
Seattle is a great town – best seafood I’ve ever had! I’ve been there several times (mostly for business) and always enjoyed its hospitality and restaurants. Unfortunately, all my visits occurred before I knew (thanks to this site) that there was a working and lovingly restored Cinerama theatre in town! Even more unfortunately, here in NYC (where the format premiered) all of the original Cinerama venues have been demolished. Well, actually, the theatre where Cinerama was actually first unveiled to the public (the Broadway Theatre) is still standing and in fine shape, but has been converted to legitimate live theatre. I would definitely make the trip out west to experience a true Cinerama presentation (and I’d much prefer to do so in Seattle rather than Los Angeles), so please do keep us informed if you hear anything, D Roben! Thanks.
John Harvey did bring his personal “cobbled together” print of HTWWW for the premiere of Cinerama in Seattle under the Paul Allen era, but subsequent showings have utilized the newly-struck print, and it looks fantastic on the Seattle Cinerama screen.
I have not experienced Three Strip Cinerama at the Dome, but I can say that the Seattle Cinerama is the only TRUE Cinerama theater left in the country. While Pacific Theaters should be commended by bringing back Three Strip to Southern California, that screen (as noted above) uses a single sheet, which has a curvature of 120 degrees, while the Seattle Cinerama uses a proper louvered screen with the original deeper 148 degree curvature.
It’s been about three years since Three Strip Cinerama has last been shown in Seattle, so I’m hoping that it’ll be brought back soon. I’ll post here as soon as I hear anything as I am an acquaintance of one of the Cinerama projectonists (he works the Abel booth). If he hears of anything, he’ll let me know.
New and restored prints of “"This Is Cinerama” and “HTWWW” were struck a couple of years ago at the Crest National Labs; information about them can be found at the “Cinerama Adventure” website at http://www.cineramaadventure.com/crest3.htm
I have seen the new print of “HTWWW” at the Cinerama Dome a few years ago soon after it was struck; it looked good, but probably would have looked even better if a proper strip screen had beeen installed.
If I am not mistaken, the last time “HTWWW” was shown at the Seattle Cinerama, the print was the lovingly cobbled together one that John Harvey put together that was shown at the New Neon Theater in Dayton, Ohio during the Cinerama revival that blossomed there in the late 1990s. I think this was shown soon after Paul Allen’s restoration of the Seattle Cinerama.
Ed, I asked the same question on the Cinerama Dome’s page. Here’s HowardBHaas response:
“My guess is that it is still very enjoyable,and even more interesting because it is an ORIGINAL print. Perhaps there’s a little color fading in a few places or the sound isn’t perfect. Remember that B means good or very good, by definition. I sure wouldn’t want to see a print in a D condition, but that’s not this one.”
I am not 100 % clear on what “original” means. My guess is that it would be a print struck before the re-issue from 6 years ago.
As far as HTWWW, the print screened a few years ago at the Cinerama Dome was in great shape, with a terrific soundtrack. I don’t know the condition of “This is Cinerama”. As of this time, I am not aware of any plans to show 3-strip Cinerama in the near future.
I’m thinking seriuosly to make the trip for “2001”: it will be the 40th anniversary of the film.
JSA
I was mulling over a trip to Seattle, including a visit to the Martin – but I’d really love to experience a true three-strip Cinerama presentation at some point in my lifetime. Are such occurences at this theatre far and few between? I imagine that three-strip prints are in short supply – especially for “How the West Was Won” – but I don’t really have much knowledge in that area. Is there an archival print (or set of prints as it were) of HTWWW and maybe “This is Cinerama” in good condition that are still allowed to be screened here or in L.A.?
As a side note, I’m curious about the website advertisement for the upcoming 70MM film festival noting that “2001: A Space Odyssey” is an “original B print.” Do I understand that correctly to mean the print is not in “A” condition – or is there some other meaning that escapes me?
Thanks for the info, JSA. I shall definitely be seeing it then.
D Roben: Tron was shot in Super Panavision 70.
I recommend that you see ANY movie at this unique theater, no matter what is playing. You won’t be sorry.
Some corrections and comments are in order to some of the posts starting in September, 2007.
First, the theater no longer has a digital projection system. It was taken out a few years ago. I don’t know what the system was, and I have no idea if they plan to install a new one. Though AMC has announced that all their theaters will be going digital, I’m not sure if the Cinerama will be one of them since AMC only manages it for owner Paul Allen.
Second, the Cinerama screen is not “folded up.” It is permanently installed behind the second screen used for everyday showings. The second screen is dismantled (a job that takes 10 to 12 hours) so that Cinerama films can be projected on the proper screen.
Third, the rumor involving the improper installation of the screen is totally false. I was able to inspect the screen close up and the slats were always aligned correctly. There was an initial problem in that the slats were not anchored correctly so that the breezes from the air conditioning system did cause a somewhat minor rippling effect, but this has been corrected.
Fourth, neeb’s posting contains several factual errors in the first and second paragraphs. I know it is not his or her fault since the erroneous information came from the theater’s website. Contrary to what the website states, Top Gun, Ghostbusters and Titanic are simply 70mm blowups from 35mm stock. 2001 and Lawrence of Arabia were shot on 65mm stock (not sure about Tron) and the difference between those two and 70mm blowups is like night and day. And, as all of you should know, these films can be shown in any theater equipped with 70mm capabilities.
If any of you are planning a visit to Seattle, I would recommend that you plan on seeing either 200l or Lawrence of Arabia. Tron certainly has my interest for its rarity, though I wasn’t a big fan when it first came out. When I saw Ghostbusters in 70mm a couple of years ago at the Cinerama, the print was very grainy. Top Gun is already gone and you couldn’t pay me enough money to see Titanic again.
http://www.cinerama.com/special_events.asp
The Cinerama
70MM FILM SERIES
Screening now through March, 2008, you’ll have the opportunity to view six classic films there, shown in super crisp 70MM. Shot on film twice the size of a typical 35MM motion picture, these super high-resolution films are known for their amazing clarity and detail on the big screen.
There were a limited number of these high-resolution films made, and Cinerama is one of only a few theaters able to screen them.
Cinerama will show the following spectacular 70MM films through March 2008: (Sunday screenings at noon; Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.)
-2007-
Top Gun: October 7 and 9
Ghostbusters: November 4, 6, 11 and 13
Titanic*: November 25 and 27, December 2 and 4
-2008-
2001: A Space Odyssey**: January 27 and 29, February 3 and 5
Tron: February 24 and 26, March 2 and 4
Lawrence of Arabia: March 16, 18, 23, and 25
there is a rumor on the internet that the louvered screen was incorrectly installed, ie, the edges were lined up end to end instead of overlapped and pointed toward the back of the auditorium. Can anyone verify/refute this rumor?
Thanks
I thought some features were still film.
We’re lucky the Cinerama screen is still on site, although presently folded up.
so all the features there now are DLP digial projection – right?
Was in Seattle recently and made it a point to visit the Cinerama to see THE SIMPSONS MOVIE. What a wonderful trip back to the Sixties. Comfortable auditorium, huge screen, and absolute pleasure seeing a movie there. I hope someday to see a genuine Cinerama film there as well.
I have seen a number of movies at the Seattle Cinerama on my 2 or 3 visits there every year. They include Gladiator and recently Dreamgirls. Watching a movie in a theatre that presents its self in such a proffessioal way takes your mind back to the hey days of movie going. Everything about the building is fantastic. The screen is amazing and has an equally amazing sound system. Go! Go! Go! A great evening.
Dose anyone know this history? movie house called Kellie’s in Seattle Washington
Family History says that Minnie (Miller) Haas opened the first movie house in Tucson AZ. The first in Tucson was The Lyric “it was the first grind house in Arizona†it was called a grind house because they showed movies over and over again on a daily basis.
The reason I think Minnie was the owner of the Old Pima was because it operated between 1916 and 1920. Minnie and her brother came into some money around that time. Her brother Louis Clair Miller opened a movie house called Kellie’s in Seattle Washington. The AZ chain was operated under the Diamos umbrella or the Diamos Brothers’ Lyric Amusement chain of theatres throughout Southern Arizona, the Fox West Coast theatre chain this some how all ties together.
The 68 foot “placeholder” screen is curved also. I’ve heard lots of folks complain that films projected on genuine 90 foot Cinerama screens (like the one at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood) look very distorted and out of focus in parts. I can’t tell, though.
I am curious as to why this venue couldn’t show regular films on the curved screen. We have a curved 70' screen at DC’s Uptown where they show regular films all the time. They don’t look distorted or unviewable at all.
WOW!!! Now that is one amazing theatre! Kudos to Paul Allen for resurrecting a true cinema treasure!
Going to Seattle for the first time tomorrow…and watching “Narnia” here on Saturday. I can’t wait!!!
While in Seattle, it is definately worth a special trip to the Cinerama, regardless what is playing.
The single screen, THX certified auditorium sports the best sound I’ve ever heard in any theater ever, including Chicago’s McClurg Court, LAs Village, and San Franciscos Metreon.
The theater primarily uses its massive flat screen, however for annual festivals they take that screen down, and assemble the (even more) massive curved cinerama screen, and show cinerama 3 projector format films, and 70MM films on the curved screen. I was fortunate enough to see Lawrence of Arabia in that format, it was spectacular.
The Cinerama was an early adopter of DLP technology, however they no longer project movies in DLP (as of Spring 05). Rumor has it that they recieved their DLP projector on loan from Boeing (I can confirm Boeing manufactured the Cineramas DLP projector), but that it was unreliable, and the resolution was pixelated on Cineramas massive screen.