John Danz Theatre

601 106th Avenue NE,
Bellevue, WA 98004

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rivest266
rivest266 on April 13, 2024 at 1:39 am

Opened December 22nd, 1961, and closed August 4th, 1994. 1994 article posted.

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on July 19, 2016 at 11:19 pm

Drove by what is now the Doxa Church the other day. One would never know this was a former cinema theatre based on it’s current incarnation. Both the exterior and interior have been stripped on all artifacts which one would equate with a cinema and replaced with…nothing. The sanctuary resembles a cheap music hall with bare black walls.

Seattleprojectionist
Seattleprojectionist on June 18, 2016 at 10:47 pm

One of the nicest features about working at the John Danz as an IATSE projectionist was the fact that the building was partially built into a slope. At the rear of the theatre was a door that led directly into the booth with only 3 steps up. Also, a reserved projectionist parking spot next to the door.

prwhitmey
prwhitmey on September 15, 2012 at 1:41 pm

I worked at the John Danz Theatre during my senior year at Sammamish Highschool in 1961-62, as well as during part of my first year at the U.W. Years later I realized after reading Bill Gates autobiography that since Bill was about 8 years old in 1962 and living in Bellevue, I likely tore his ticket when he came to the theatre with his parents. Note the spelling: “theatre” not “theater”.

kurtisaurus
kurtisaurus on May 27, 2012 at 8:52 pm

I remember going to see Star Trek II there on opening day. There was even a laser show before the movie! Combining that with playing Zaxxon next door at the Belle Lanes just before the movie start and it was a perfect teenage geek’s day :)

rivest266
rivest266 on January 21, 2012 at 3:53 pm

This opened on December 22nd, 1961.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen on December 2, 2011 at 1:30 pm

The last Sterling house I worked as an IA operator was the Lynn Twin. I met my wife there. Next month we will celebrate our 42nd anniversary. The Lynn Twin (in Lynnwood) is now a non-profit storage facility last used as the Lynn Four.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 18, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Also a theatre like this needs a lot more writing done on the history and theatre stories from employees and patrons.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on September 18, 2010 at 6:34 pm

That is what going to the movies was all about.Great picture Ken Mc.Those were the good old days,but they were numbered.So much so I got out of the theatre business in 1983. I saw all these stinking Huge Multiplexes coming.

markinthedark
markinthedark on April 21, 2008 at 12:10 am

That ain’t recent!

kateymac01
kateymac01 on August 21, 2007 at 12:28 pm

I’ve seen lots of great exterior shots, but nothing of the auditorium. Bummer.

markinthedark
markinthedark on August 21, 2007 at 12:15 pm

Wish there were some pictures of the auditorium out there somewhere.

kateymac01
kateymac01 on July 1, 2007 at 2:15 am

This is now Underhills Furniture Store.

kateymac01
kateymac01 on December 23, 2005 at 11:48 am

This theater opened in 1961.

kateymac01
kateymac01 on October 31, 2005 at 10:10 am

Here is a photo from 1969:

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