Villa Plaza I-II-III
10501 Davisson Road SW,
Lakewood,
WA
98499
10501 Davisson Road SW,
Lakewood,
WA
98499
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: General Cinema Corp.
Previous Names: Villa Plaza I-II
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News About This Theater
- Jun 18, 2010 — "Jaws"... Happy 35th!
- May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th
Opened 1969 on July 1, 1969. Originally was a two-screen theater but demand forced owners to convert the larger theater into two spaces. Small, shoebox-style theaters. Fell into decline as newer, bigger theaters sprung up in Tacoma and Pierce County. It was closed on May 30, 1988. Theater was demolished when the Villa Plaza shopping center became the Lakewood Mall (which is now Lakewood Towne Center).
Contributed by
Kate DeWeese
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
I remember that a “Laura” trained me as a doorman when I started working there in 1978. I agree with your comment though that mostly they would only door while covering our breaks. In my Chief of Staff days I filled in for vacationing managers at pretty much all of GCC’s theaters from Everett down to Tacoma. Some of them had full time female “doormen”. Oh, and for those that remember her as our District Manager I hear that Linda Danisher (sp?) is a librarian now or at least she was as of a few years ago.
Some notable exclusive engagements late in its life were Return of the Jedi and Romancing the Stone. GCC played a lot of Fox and Universal films in the day.
I started there in 1982 when E.T. was playing to sold out crowds. I closed it in 1988 shortly after I was promoted to manager.
Does anyone know when the photo of the concession stand was taken? I worked there in the mid-80’s (including the ROTJ and Romancing the Stone runs) and it looked exactly the way it does in the photo. So sad it’s gone. Have a lot of very fond memories. It was my first-ever job. After it closed, I moved to Lincoln Plaza GCC for summer jobs when home from school.
I think those photos were taken between 86 & 88. Was sad closing it. We probably know each other. I am Carmen. I Went from Villa Plaza, on to Renton Village to close it before the rebuild then on to Kitsap Mall Cinemas.
I don’t know if the Brady Bunch were there for the opening, but there is a connection. There was a special screening (I think it was “Charlotte’s Web”) and two of the cast members (Pretty sure it was Barry Williams and Christopher Knight) were there and handing out records (45s) after the movie.
Wow that brings back memories. I worked there about 1975/1976ish to about 1977/1978ish. Started as a doorman & eventually chief of staff. Also popped popcorn & filled in for the janitors. Knew Johnny the projectionist (Drove a VW bug ) and spacing on the name of the other projectionist. Manager’s name was O'Neil and another might have been a younger brother to Linda Danisher. Was there for the King Kong remake launch. And no I NEVER ate the popcorn…:–)
Just uploaded some old newspaper ads
The Villa Plaza Cinema I & II was opened by General Cinema on July 1st, 1969. Grand opening ad with pictures posted.
Newspaper listings for this cinema ended on May 30th, 1988.