Thought I’d cross post the comment I made on part of the Newsreel post for today about this theatre.

This complex was built as the Century 21 Pleasant Hill and opened with Doctor Zhivago. In 1974 four screens were added behind the building and it began it’s run as Century 21-25 and then the Century Complex. Century rebranded this theatre as one of its CineArts Theatres, which Cinemark still operates the theatre as under their control. To this day, the employees still refer to the auditoriums as #21-#25. Photos can be seen at http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2718 included a once proposed addition of two domes into the parking lot (assumedly before the 4-plex was added behind the dome).

21 (The Dome), #23 & #25 are equipped with Century JJ’s capable of 70mm. I believe there are 70mm rollers in cabinets back there that could allow them to switch to 70mm if needed. (Many older Century Theatres are still equipped for 70mm). As for them carrying the reels through, when I was familiar with the location, most of the film build-up and break-down was done in the back booth and films for the dome were transported either with clamps, or on 6000 foot reels to be built up on the Dome’s Christie AW-3. (Builds up slower than the Potts platters in back.)

This was a Dimension-150 Theatre installation, not a Cinerama. They look very close.

I have lived in Danville for thirty years and still continue at least three times a month to drive to the Monument Theatre to see their movies. The best thing about the theatre is it has movies you never find in my neck of the woods. Most of the new movies made today in the “regular theaters” in my view, are garbage, trash and a waste of time and money. They should nver “close” this theatre. Another great beauty of this location is that there is PLENTY OF PARKING!. As for the newer theatre build downtown, they can have it! It is a pain in the a—– to park and they show the regular junk there as well…..You can never replace the beauty of grandeur of the large dome theatre. It is the best……

I say, leave this theatre alone and Pleasant Hill City Council, “get your act together and keep this theatre alive”!

Nadina Riggsbee
Danville Resident

Why would they have such little regard for this theatre by building a new one so close to it? They have been doing this in several locations recently and tearing down the old ones. Most of their new theatres only have common-width screens! The domes used to be their trademarks, they need to preserve the ones that are left, I don’t know how their current theatres will be regarded 30 years from now! If I lived closer to Pleasant Hill I would go to this theatre regularly regardless of what was showing. I pray that this theatre remains for decades to come. In the meantime they have TWO of these domes in Sacramento but both were split in half more than 25 years ago, they need to restore those back to the way they were. If they did I would go there regularly.

STOP THE DEMO!

Hi! We went to the CineArts pleasant Hill theatre today Saturday April 3rd, 2004. We saw “Goodbye Lenin” at the 1:50pm matinee, not in the Dome but in the little theatres on the side of the Dome. My husband lost his “prescription glasses” in the theatre. They have black frames and are in a grayish padded case. If you find them, please give us a call here at home in Pittsburg,Califonia.
Our phone number is: (925) 473-0792. Thanks! Sincerely,
Brian Granville

New Multiplex has opened 2 blocks away, and the shopping center that this theatre sits in has lost its anchor store, Montgomery Wards. This theatre is rumored to be closing in 2002. Check it out while you can!