Comments about Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila, WA

Seattleprojectionist on March 10, 2016 at 12:30 pm

As a Union projectionist, young and new to Seattle, I got very lucky and wound up running Raiders matinees in 70mm all Summer long in 1981. The booth had been automated by the time I came to the Southcenter. It had a single Century JJ II projector (it’s mate went to the John Danz Theatre in Bellevue), a Christie Autowind 3 platter, Xetron 4,000 watt Xenon lamphouse. Audio was a Dolby CP100 with BGW amps. Original “Voice of the Theater” speakers were still in place. Automation was an SRO Theaters custom made “Commander”. They installed this automation unit into all of their theaters.

rivest266 on January 21, 2012 at 2:24 pm

This opened on April 1st, 1970. Grand opening with picture posted here.

Parillamilt on August 11, 2011 at 10:34 pm

Saw a lot of 007 movies there. Inside, the oval-ish ceiling made it look like a giant shoe was about to step on you.

justjake on January 24, 2010 at 2:19 pm

Ben-Hur was reissued in 1970 & played several theaters in the Seattle area. I drove the vehicle that shuttled the 70mm Ben-Hur reels from the Cinerama, to Southcenter, then to Tacoma Mall. Only one 70mm print was being used and all the others were 35mm. The 70mm originally went to the Duwamish Drive-In?!?!?! (part of the United/Sterling/Danz chain) but was quickly swapped for the Cinerama’s 35mm print. Southcenter/Tacoma Mall never marketed “Cinerama” but Southcenter did show the same print of 2001 as the Cinerama showed; I’m the guy who went & picked it up & drove it to Southcenter. The word “Cinerama” was replaced with “70mm” at Southcenter./

jmsazboy on July 6, 2009 at 3:05 am

I ran that theatre with a man named Jeff Parsons for a few years, was a great place to work and a great job.

I drove by and saw the Restaurant there, great memories.

ColinMarcoe on July 1, 2009 at 6:38 pm

Another thing I remember about this auditorium was the small curtains that covered the projection booth window during intermissions. You can see them in the color photo Lost Memory posted. You always knew the film was about to start when the booth curtian opened first! I’ve never seen that in any other theater. Was Very classy!

kencmcintyre on February 7, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I think it was a revival.

kencmcintyre on February 7, 2008 at 6:02 pm

Here is an exterior view, circa 1970:
http://tinyurl.com/2jpxvu

markinthedark on May 5, 2005 at 12:26 pm

Great pictures at: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2592

markinthedark on May 5, 2005 at 12:15 pm

I saw “Raiders of the Lost Ark” here in 70MM in 1981. Those were the days…

Southcenter Theatre

15700 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA 98198

15700 Southcenter Parkway,
Tukwila, WA 98198