Egyptian Theatre

Seating capacity for the Eqyptian Theatres is 650.

For those who love the Egyptian style, there are a number of theatres that have had that theme, and an entire special issue of "Marquee" magazine was devoted to them in their issue of: Vol. 29, #3; Third Qtr. 1997, and the issue features wonderful color covers of the EGYPTIANS in Milwaukee (in the form of a wonderful color painting by artist Mark Hylton of Columbus, OH) and Ogden Ut. The table of such themed theatres includes 45 examples of those now, or at one time, with us. An introduction and Prologue carry one to those ancient days, and individual articles on the Ogden and Hollywood help detail the existing examples. Many other photos are included.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either "Marquee" or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on their first page the link "PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List" and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The "Marquee" magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall ('portrait') format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long ('landscape') format, and are anywhere from 26 to 40 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to loan it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at: execdir@historictheatres.org
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM--4PM, CT)

The Egyptian Theatre opened on 14th November 1980.

This was originally known as the Moore Theatre, listed in the Film Daily Yearbook,1941 with a seating capacity of 1,200. In the 1943 edition of F.D.Y. it is listed as closed. It became a legitimate playhouse for many years until 1976 when work began to re-model it into an art house cinema with an Egyptian theme.

Actually, Ken, you are referring to a different theater. In 1975, two entrepreneurs took over the lease of the Moore Theater (located at 2nd Ave and Virginia Street) and did a cosmetic remodel to turn it into an art house. They named it the Moore-Egyption. In 1979, they were forced to vacate (either by losing their lease, or finding that it was difficult to fill 1500 seats with foreign films) and took over the old Masonic Hall in Seattle's Captital Hill district, now known as the Egyption. I'm hazy on the date, but a few years later, Landmark took it over and kept the same booking policy, who still run it today.

Thanks D. Roben;
Sorry to cause confusion here, I have added the Moore-Egyptian Theatre as a new entry to the site.

Does anyone have pictures of the interior of this theatre?

Took a quick peek inside this house today, and while it does have an Egyptian theme, it is done in a very subtle and low-key way, with a touch of funkiness. There are a few Egyptian-style flourishes here and there, and a lovely proscenium, short and wide rather than tall and grand, also with a few appropriate touches. I was glad to see a curtain in front of the screen, instead of a blank screen or pre-show advertising. There's a small raised loge or mezzanine, behind the orchestra seats rather than over them. This place reminded me of 1920's non-palace movie theatre, functional rather than elaborate, like something out of "Paper Moon." I wouldn't have been surprised if the wooden seats weren't cushioned. (They were.) That said, I know the locals love this place and I would recommend a visit if you're in the area.

The Egyptian-style decor in this theatre is not authentic, but was created during the early '80's remodel, and, I believe, was intended to be evocative of the "Egyptian" identity of the presenters' Moore-Egyptian. It is actually very tasteful and works well for the purpose, but I do not think it has anything to do with the original decor of the old Masonic Temple.

It's a good place to see films, however.

Saw a revival of Yellow Submarine here in 1999 and loved it, although the lady behind me interfered with my enjoyment of hearing the Beatles in first-ever surround sound by rustling her candy wrappers the entire time...

I too love the Egyptian from my Seattle days. Have they cushioned the old wood seats in the loge? I wonder when they sell out the theatre if they sell tickets for all those seats as well. As I recall, some were behind posts or faced the center of auditorium, perpendicular to the screen (no doubt because the auditorium was not originally conceived as a theatre).

Mark, the old wood seats are still there, but only the ones in the back below the projection booth. About three years ago, the theater was altered to improve the sound by walling off the side balconies, so there are no longer any posts to obscure viewing.

And, yes, during the Seattle International Film Festival, the balcony is frequently opened up. I "tested" one of those old seats once and the word "painful" comes to mind. By the way, the altering has lowered the seating capacity to about 450 seats.

I love this theater. During the festival, it becomes my home away from home. Many people still complain about the sound, but I've never had any issues. New seats on the main floor, no stadiaum seating, a big screen and a curtain...what's not to love?

This is a 2009 photo.