Cinema architecture of the 1970s is as memorable as the hairstyles of the same era; to glance upon them provokes the action to turn ones head in hope that the image will go away. But as with any epoch, no matter how desolate, there are some remnants which merit praise for their uniqueness in both style and form. The architecture of the Cinema North fits this criterion. Its design is something akin to a honeycomb and/or a strand of DNA. The hexagon shaped auditoria with their large curved screens, spacious, sun-drenched lobbies, catacomb like hall ways make going to the cinema a sensual experience. Fortunately the good souls who comprise the congregation of the Living To Go Life Centre have retained many of these distinguishing architectural features in transforming this cinema into a house of worship.
Ultra-Modern? The Miracle was nice, but even for its time I would not have tagged it “Ultra Modern”; Mod, yes. Cobb Centre fit closer to the Ultra-mod criteria in my book and the Georgia Cinerama set the standard. Still the Miracle and its twin sibling, the Toco Hills, were theatres of distinction and are greatly missed.
When they made the modifications to the first auditorium it seemed like it only took a day or two. The screen in cinema one was moved forward a couple of yards and about ten or twelve rows were moved into this back stage cinema. I would love to see a photo of the original Tara auditorium when it was a single screen operation.
The Seco/Silver Spring West is still standing although it has been extensively remodeled both internally and externally (here is a photo of it from February 2008). The theatre is currently home to the Bethel World Outreach Ministries and you can see interior photos by going to their website then clicking on Events, then Events Photo Gallery.
The original theatre was located in the general vicinity of where Target is now (11160 Viers Mill Rd). This Bernheimer theatre opened in 1962 as a single screen venue, designed by Edmund Dreyfuss, with a seating capacity of 590. Two additional screens were added on or around 1973 bringing the total seating capacity to 1,513. The theatre was demolished in 1986 and a new P & G seven screen cinema, designed by the Collins & Kronstadt-Leahy, and Hogan architectural group opened just south of the original theatre at 2300 Shorefield Road. The theatre was expanded to eleven screens in 1990.
Here, here, and here are photos from February 2008 of the former Kennedy. Although the façade is in immaculate condition, the interior has been completely gutted and converted into some sort of community/residential centre.
The Flickr photo is from the Debra Jane Seltzer collection. The theatre appears to be in operation at the time this photo was made and I do not know its current status.
I was in this area last week and could not locate any building with a 4935 Georgia Avenue NW address. There are a couple of structures in the 4900 block which kinda look like former theatres, but not with this street number.
Here, here and here are January 2008 photos of the former Academy Theatre. Most of the original façade has been altered and there is nothing really distinctive about the auditorium/sanctuary.
Here is a January 2008 photo of what remains of the theatre. The windows are covered with paper making it impossible to get a view of the interior. The marquee is still in place with the Cineplex Odeon logo covered over. The property is currently for lease.
Cinema architecture of the 1970s is as memorable as the hairstyles of the same era; to glance upon them provokes the action to turn ones head in hope that the image will go away. But as with any epoch, no matter how desolate, there are some remnants which merit praise for their uniqueness in both style and form. The architecture of the Cinema North fits this criterion. Its design is something akin to a honeycomb and/or a strand of DNA. The hexagon shaped auditoria with their large curved screens, spacious, sun-drenched lobbies, catacomb like hall ways make going to the cinema a sensual experience. Fortunately the good souls who comprise the congregation of the Living To Go Life Centre have retained many of these distinguishing architectural features in transforming this cinema into a house of worship.
Here and here are February 2008 photos of the Atlas.
Here and here are recent photos of what remains of the Capitol Theatre.
Here, here,and here are photos from February 2008 of the former Langley Theatre.
Here and here are February 2008 photos of the White Flint Cinema.
Ultra-Modern? The Miracle was nice, but even for its time I would not have tagged it “Ultra Modern”; Mod, yes. Cobb Centre fit closer to the Ultra-mod criteria in my book and the Georgia Cinerama set the standard. Still the Miracle and its twin sibling, the Toco Hills, were theatres of distinction and are greatly missed.
Here is a photo from June 2007 of the The Theatre.
Here is a photo from January 2008 of the Strand.
When they made the modifications to the first auditorium it seemed like it only took a day or two. The screen in cinema one was moved forward a couple of yards and about ten or twelve rows were moved into this back stage cinema. I would love to see a photo of the original Tara auditorium when it was a single screen operation.
Here are photos from February 2008 of the former Allen Theatre: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The Seco/Silver Spring West is still standing although it has been extensively remodeled both internally and externally (here is a photo of it from February 2008). The theatre is currently home to the Bethel World Outreach Ministries and you can see interior photos by going to their website then clicking on Events, then Events Photo Gallery.
Here and here are photos from January 2008 of the former Carver Theatre which will soon to be the home for the Good Samaritan Foundation.
Here and here are January 2008 photos of the former Penn Theatre.
Here is a February 2008 (not very flattering) evening photo of this magnificent structure.
The original theatre was located in the general vicinity of where Target is now (11160 Viers Mill Rd). This Bernheimer theatre opened in 1962 as a single screen venue, designed by Edmund Dreyfuss, with a seating capacity of 590. Two additional screens were added on or around 1973 bringing the total seating capacity to 1,513. The theatre was demolished in 1986 and a new P & G seven screen cinema, designed by the Collins & Kronstadt-Leahy, and Hogan architectural group opened just south of the original theatre at 2300 Shorefield Road. The theatre was expanded to eleven screens in 1990.
Here, here, and here are photos from February 2008 of the former Kennedy. Although the façade is in immaculate condition, the interior has been completely gutted and converted into some sort of community/residential centre.
The Flickr photo is from the Debra Jane Seltzer collection. The theatre appears to be in operation at the time this photo was made and I do not know its current status.
Here and here are photos from January 2008 of the former Congress Theatre.
I was in this area last week and could not locate any building with a 4935 Georgia Avenue NW address. There are a couple of structures in the 4900 block which kinda look like former theatres, but not with this street number.
Here, here and here are January 2008 photos of the former Academy Theatre. Most of the original façade has been altered and there is nothing really distinctive about the auditorium/sanctuary.
Here and here are photos from January 2008 of what remains (façade only) of the Senator.
Here is a January 2008 photo of what remains of the theatre. The windows are covered with paper making it impossible to get a view of the interior. The marquee is still in place with the Cineplex Odeon logo covered over. The property is currently for lease.
Here is a night shot from January 2008 of the former Biograph.
From January 2008: 1, 2, 3
Here is a January 2008 photo of the former Park Theatre.