Avalon Theatre

The Avalon was originally built as the Chevy Chase Theatre. It was twinned in the early '70s not in 1985 under RKO Stanley-Warner's ownership. The second auditorium was added where a dance studio originally was located. The main auditorium never had a balcony. The story goes that a balcony was planned for but the builders ran short of money and had to eliminate it. The projection booth was high enough above the floor that you could see there was plenty of room for a balcony if they had desired one!

I want to inform anyone who is interested that a non-profit organization, Avalon Theater Project, has been created to preserve and reopen the Avalon. If anyone is interested in participating, volunteering or supporting our efforts please let us know. We can be reached by e-mail at info@theavalon.org. We are currently looking for signatures for a petition. Please let us hear from you.

I was interested to see that you are taking on the Avalon. My partner and I are about to reopen a 71 yr old twin(the Tally Ho) in Leesburg, Va. - as a twin movie theatre, plus live performances(stage, music, comedy, auctions, closed circuit sports, etc. If there is anything we can do to help you, pld feel free to ask. At the very least, we share a common destiny and should communicate from time to time. Best of luck. Pat Hoke.

The Avalon is reopening in April. There will be a number of public events, as well as a fundraising Gala on June 1. The DC Filmfest is scheduled to show films there next month too. If you're in the neighborhood this spring, stop by and see the restored theater. And check the website, www.theavalon.org for updated info.

I live in DC and helped with promoting the opening of The Avalon. It's a great testiment to the will of the people in that neighborhood who made this place open and look so original. It's a site to behold, the entire city of DC owes these people a huge thank you.

I have fond memories of this theater as Theater #2, the small one upstairs, was where I saw my first Rated R film, Altered States back in 1980! So, the statement that it was twinned in 1985 isn't correct. After the 1985 remodel, the theater, at that time, boasted one of the first digital sound systems in the country. That same year I saw "The Goonies" (70mm?), with my little cousins, and the re-release of "Fantasia" (which put me to sleep). The print had excellent sound, or updated Fantasound <G>, but wasn't enough to sustain my interests.

The theater, at that time, boasted one of the first digital sound systems in the region, if not the country. I don't think this film booked any other 70mm films, as the larger moviehouses usually got those special prints, but I also remember seeing Steven Spielberg's "Always" (non-70mm) and a few other films. The screen, if I remember correctly, had a slight curvature to it.

The architects for the Avalon Theatre were Frank Upmon and Percy Adams.

I now remember the name of the sound system. It was HPS-4000!

As an usher at the old single screen Avalon in late 1964-early 1965 I was stunned to find a former place of employment "an historic restoration project" when I visited DC briefly in Sept. 2003. I peered in the front and was surprised to see the concession stand at the side of the lobby rather than through the doors to the seating area. In 1964 the manager was about 85 years old (his name I have forgotten) but had been there a long time. His office was along the left side of the seating area about half way up. The assistant manager was a part-timer (like me) who was a member of the Navy Band as a day job. I saw "A Shot in the Dark" 42 times while working and used to know the dialogue by heart.
At that time the ushers had been exempted by Congress from Federal minimum wage and I was paid $.85/hr.
Also the marquee letters at that time, as I recall, were placed on the projecting marquee from a ladder with a pole, and not over the front doors. Must have been lots of changes when the 1970s remake was done.
Dave Martin

When the AVALON and the UPTOWN were neighbors under Warner ownership and functioning as neighborhood theaters, the AVALON got pictures about one week later and charged about 10% less. This was in the 1950's. Both would become first run theatres and I saw many pictures here. The AVALON I and AVALON II are not similar. The AVALON I is a superior one-screen theatre with about 600 seats. The AVALON II was created decades later utilizing unused office space (not the balcony as there never was a balcony). With 200 seats, a flat floor, and small screen, it's a broom closet; not a great place like the full auditorium downstairs.

An October 2005 photograph of the marquee and entrance to the Avalon Theatre here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katmere/55099417/in/pool-abandoned/

I just saw "The Davinci Code" here having not been to the Avalon in probably over 14 years or so. The presentation of the film, itself, was quite good, the sound separation and clarity is very good. The only detraction to the complete enjoyment of the sound was the loudness of the air conditioning system, which seemed to be coming from above the screen and sounded like a constant hiss, which I thought was the movie's sound. Probably for this reason, this place could never be THX certified.

The purple carpet and theme of the previous Cineplex company is gone as are the seats. The current seats are very comfortable and firm, though there are less of them to make accomodations for patrons with special needs. The surround speakers are visible, whereas, if memory serves me correctly, they were blended in the walls of the theater. The screen doesn't use the curtain anymore, which is a shame but the old, slightly curved screen has been restored though there is a slight tear at the bottom of it. The mens room is need of repair as the waste water pipe, underneath the sink, is missing, with only a bucket to capture waste water. Lastly, there was no individual to introduce the film or encourage people to become members to support the theater. At least they could've filmed an announcement to show prior to the movie. AFI and The Senator do, perhaps they should take some cues from those two about growing awareness about the Avalon and independently owned theaters.

I have written twice to the individual responsible for programming, with the suggestion of having a classic film festival, ala the Ziegfeld, and showcase films in 70mm. No response has been received. I guess they don't care much for your suggestions if you're not a member of their non-profit group.
To my recollection, they have yet to screen any film in 70mm since they have reopened.

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing "Hollywoodland" at this theater. And I'm pleased to report that someone either read my Email or posting here about in-house advertising the theater to bolster its support and continued patronage. The presentation was excellent as was the sound. As noted in my previous visit, the AC system does interfere with the sound somewhat but you learn to ignore it as the movie progresses. I doubt there's anything they can do short of spending a lot of money redoing the heating and cooling system, which would strain their finances.

As for 70mm presentations, I'm still waiting..............as well as other patrons for some classics in the wide screen format someday....

Evening photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamacdonald/107637495/

No food or drinks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billadler/290529849/

View up the block:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katmere/55099418/

I saw a movie here 100 years ago (OK maybe it was more like 1988). Cineplex house at the time. Show was in the main theatre. Nice and roomy. Interesting mural painted inside the dome, which I have heard was a modern-day creation. Rest of the theatre painted black.

The theater's website has photos and history of the auditorium ceiling dome mural, which was painted in 1985. The site also discusses the restoration of the theater.

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1996

Chevy Chase Theater ** (added 1996 - Building - #96000734)
Also known as Avalon Theater
5612 Connecticut Ave., Washington
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Adams, Percy, Upman, Frank
Architectural Style: Classical Revival
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Specialty Store, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Specialty Store, Theater

Here are some 2007 photos of the Avalon Theater. Click each photo to expand it.

I think the point should be made loud and clear that the AVALON is a fully functioning 7 day a week movie theatre, usually showing first run pictures. That's what most users of this site want to read.

The most recent movie I saw here was THE QUEEN -- which was popular enough to run several weeks.

If you want to see a good movie in a real historic theatre, come to the AVALON and/or the UPTOWN which is two miles away, just down Connecticut Avenue. Prices, by the way, are similar to multiplexes.

Regarding 70MM films: The AVALON played Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in THE COLOR OF MONEY in 70 MM for several weeks when it was first run. The fact is that in 2007 Hollywood has lost interest in 70 MM, as there hasn't been a new 70 MM in years. Too bad.

Is the AVALON even still equipped for 70mm? I had understood that when Loew's Cineplex closed it, they ripped out everything, including the projectors. The last 70mm presentation there that I recall was the 1996 Kenneth Branaugh version of HAMLET. This film was also the last film to be entirely shot on 65mm negative (parts of THE NEW WORLD were shot this way). Most films shown in 70mm in the 70's through the 90's were blow ups from 35mm sources. Overall I think the Avalon theatre project has done a great job.

One of the best film experiences of my life was seeing the restored, El Cid, shown in 70mm in 1993 at the Avalon.

How on earth did I miss that? AFI had a 70mm of that recently, unfortunately, they did not run it long enough for me to catch it. I truly wish this venue and AFI would show more 70mm other than Lawrence and 2001. I cannot believe they are currently doing a 80s retrospective with such great titles such as Friday the 13th.

I agree about AFI Silver and 70mm showings. There are some great newly struck 70mm prints out there of classic titles.... like SOUTH PACIFIC and CLEOPATRA... that are being shown elsewhere to great acclaim. I realize these prints are expensive to ship and require special handing as they are increasingly rare, but that is the kind of thing one would expect AFI to do. An 80's retrospective???? NOT my idea of film classics, but I guess the idea is to get younger audiences in the door....even if the films are junk. Of course, the dream 70mm festival would be at the Uptown on that giant screen, but sadly the way that theatre is currently run, with new prints regularly damaged, I doubt they would be allowed access to the 70mm prints.

Perhaps Uptown could hire a union projectionist for the 70 mm screenings?
And, comments on that page indicate AMC may not renew lease so next year, if someone else operates it...

I'm not sure if Avalon has 70mm. I don't think they've shown anything in 70 mm since reopening. I also wish they'd return to using curtain for each movie.

It's not just hire a union projectionist to get to book these new 70MM prints. But it's also the theatres track record on damaged prints in the past that the studio would have a problem with.

So why then can't/shouldn't AFI book other 70mm than 2001 and Lawrence? Is it just management choice? They must be desparate to have a "Totally Awesome: Films of the 1980s" retrospective. Avalon should have taken the 70mm projector out of the now closed Cinema, since they were just a street over, instead of giving it to ...what was it..the Jersey?

Photos from 2004 premiere:
Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outfoxed/158351/

Auditorium 2004 premiere:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outfoxed/158332/

Facing the movie screen, 2004, a wonderful photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/outfoxed/158339/

The Avalon DOES have a 70mm projector but that is about it. It is a Century JJ. I'm not sure the 70mm kit is there (Gate/Trap) and their primary processor, Panastereo CSP1200 CAN play 70mm with the CSP4600 Accessory unit but that is currently absent.

The Avalon only installed one projector on each screen so it would have a difficult time booking archival films (which all 70mms are being treated as since they are not for mass distribution). No one want's their few prints cut up.

As to the AFI running '80s films...Why Not? The AFI should run films from ALL eras. I hear that Friday the 13th actually did REALLY well....as did Fast Times. I personally went to see Scarface and it seemed to be doing well too.

I completely agree though that it should be running MUCH more 70mm than it does and dipping into the same well (Lawrence) all the time will dilute its appeal.

SG

Tonight, I had the privilege of attending a sneak peak of a new indie film called "I Do & I Don't" which is basically a romantic comedy about a couple who seek mandatory 'counselling' from a married couple while all kinds of strange events unfold. The film was okay, not a roll-in-the-aisle mainstream kind of comedy, that will probably have a very short theatrical run, if anyone is interested in it.

Theater 1 has a nice pre-show bit probably done in PowerPoint about current and future bookings, that was probably cheaply made but very effective and well done and informative as to the programming diversity at this wonderful independent theater. There's something for the kids, families and adult moviegoers here.

The theater seems to have gone through more refurbishing as the lobby has reportedly been restored to its "original" appearance, which is a luxurious, deep reddish in paint carpet and reinstated mouldings...a far cry from the purple and gray colors of my memories of the old Cineplex Odeon, KB days. And lastly, the mens room has been fixed with the sink pipe having been installed! Hooray!

Note, the Avalon was never a K-B Theatre...it was a Circle Theatre...which provided rather unappealing color schemes you mentioned

SG

A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Chevy Chase Theater in 1922.

This is a wonderful 2007 photo of the main auditorium ceiling mural:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alykat/875443323/

Great 2007 photo of facade: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/410336464/
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/42116425@N00/2051221574/
upper portion of facade: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/410335106/

VERTICAL neon sign: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/410331555/
and http://www.flickr.com/photos/avatar1/410330618/

Here and here are photos from January 2008 of the Avalon. Great theatre, great staff, and great patrons. Help keep these neighborhood picture palaces alive and well by patronizing them often.

Right now, this minute, STOP! Don't enter anymore comments until you get over to the AVALON, buy a ticket, and see a movie there.

Doing so is a great experience, because it's a wonderful theatre with much comfort and the 2nd largest screen in Washington, DC. Prices are normal and street parking is easy (day or night).

OK, the last time we saw 2007's worst movie, "No Country for Old Men," undeniably stupid; but that's not the Avalon's fault. They normally play better films than most.

just a reminder to all that the Avalon is doing a campaign called the Avalon Legacy Campaign

http://www.theavalon.org/news.cfm?id=85

"The campaign is a community effort to raise $2 million for the historic theater. This campaign will fund renovations and help secure the future of the independently owned and operated theater. We will also be celebrating the theater's 85th year in operation, and the 5th anniversary of the reopening of the theater as a nonprofit community film center."

money raised would be allocated to the following proposals/plans:

- the installation of an Elevator for access to Avalon auditorium 2
- Renovation of Avalon 2's lobby
- New energy efficient heating and air-conditioning and full electrical upgrade

Question: was it the release of SCHINDLER'S LIST that the Avalon's sound system got converted to DTS? As I recall I remember seeing it opening weekend and the studio got the theatre not to sell concessions, due to the thematic and serious nature of the film.

The Avalon also saw the brief and only installation of Sony Dynamic Digital Sound for the release of the director's cut of DAS BOOT in 1997.

How many of you posting here have bothered to actually ATTEND a movie at the AVALON lately? You ought to. This is Washington's finest theatre (now better than the UPTOWN) and they've booked some good movies for the summer. SIGN OFF and GO!

It was great to see a nearly sold out audience at 'Mamma Mia!' (I wanted to stand up and personally thank the entire crowd from not seeing this over at Mazza - support the independent theatre NOT AMC, that's my motto). Except for one print flaw, it was a great presentation, scope (2.35) films always look fantastic on the Avalon's wide screen and the Dolby Digtial soundmix (while not as aggressive as I expected, not the Avalon's fault more so on the film's soundmixers creative decision)

The Avalon can be seen in this 2008 photo.

The Avalon began its first-run policy on 4/3/68 with "The Party which played for 10 weeks. In 1968 "Yellow Submarine" tied that record. In 1971 "Carnal Knowlege" (6/71) hung in there for 18 weeks.

The Avalon 2 opened on 1/26/71 with "A Drama of Jealousy..." starring Marcello Mastroianni and Monica Vitti. It ran for 10 weeks.
"Carnal Knowlege" moved into this theater on the day that after it closed at the Avalon 1. It stayed there for another 7 weeks.

Washington Post of January 10, 1971
A display ad announces
"The most unique, intimate theatre in all of Washington comes to Chevy Chase Wednesday January 20th, Avalon2"

Inaugural Attraction, "A Drama of Jealousy" with Marcello Mastroianni

The renowned and renewed RKO-Stanley Warner AvalonI theatre is giving birth to a beautiful offspring, the Avalon2 Theatre

The Washington Post of January 20, 1971 announced that the inaugural feature of the new Avalon2 was to be the English language "A Drama of Jealousy" with Marcello Mastroianni but a sub-title print was received of the same movie but titled "The Pizza Triangle"

The Avalon 2 was equipped with Super Simplex projectors and Peerless Magnarc lamps

Another photo of the Avalon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevystew/2446098103/sizes/l/

I was at the Avalon last Saturday night for a film at the annual FilmFest DC International Film Festival and it was great to see the side store (formerly a Ben & Jerry's) now the concession stand and another bathroom, but... they didn't make it handicap accessible, which I thought was very odd, since I know they want to add an elevator to screen 2 for that reason. Secondly, the ceiling paint job is getting worse, when the side beam lights illuminate it, it's highly embarrassing, more paint is chipping at an alarming rate and there appears to be a hole in the border rim. This might be to entice people to donate to the Avalon Legacy Campaign which I hope address' the ceiling/roof problem, but at the moment it's painful to see the ceiling becoming worse than better

as I found out from the Executive Director the peeling paint issue is from improper priming of the ceiling surface, thankfully not from roof issues, but it's estimated that it's a $30,000 repair job.