Neptune Theatre

how about putting the address or telephone number of the theatre in their description? How can we tell where it is otherwise??

The Neptune Theatre opened on No. 16, 1921. The theatre is located at 1303 NE 45th. Street. (206) 633-5545

The Neptune Theatre seated at one time 968 people.

I worked at the Neptune from 1982 - '88 during it's Landmark Theatre Corp. heyday. The theatre featured a different double bill almost every night and of course, Rocky Horror on Fri - Sat midnights. It kept things exciting for the staff. Most of those who worked the Neptune became friends, and several of us still keep in touch to this day. Working right out of high school, I did most of my 'growing up' through the friendships I made there. The Neptune wasn't just a place to work, it's where you hung out when you weren't working!! Our motto was: "It's not just a job, it's a chance to offend people"! Not really, but we did have fun.

The Neptune opened in 1921 as a silent film and vaudville house. There is a small stage behind the screen. Over the years the theatre became very run down and ugly. It was known as "The Purple Pit". In 1981, Landmark Theatres bought it and gave it a full nauticle make-over, complete with a ship that doubles as the concession stand. Plus new screen, projectors, seats, sound system, paint, carpet, the works!

I'm proud to say it is still in operation, after undergoing another updating in the 90's as a first-run house showing the latest hits. I hope it sticks around for a long time, given the survival rate of single screen theatres these days isn't too good.

A photo at:
www.preservationdirectory.com/photodatabase_theaters.html

There is a picture of the Neptune marquee at
http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/imageDetails?invocationType=imageDetails&query=movie+theatre+marquee&img=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pstos.org%2Finstruments%2Fwa%2Fseattle%2Fneptune_marquee-1998.jpg&site=

In the 1970's, Harold Greenland operated this as one of his 3 XXX theaters in the Seattle area (along with the Garden and the Green Parrot). The Neptune had both XXX films and "live sex shows".

This marquee photo shows the neon just starting to lighten up the night:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/csb13/35891817/

This is the website for the Neptune Theater. Old photos are here.

You can't beat Carrot Top and mimes for entertainment, that's for sure.

This site has a photo of the Neptune from 1946. Enter theaters as a search term and browse the photos:

http://content.lib.washington.edu/imls/kcsnapshots/index.html

This is a 2006 photo of the Neptune theater marquee. Whoever put's the words on the marquee has a sense of humor.

The Neptune Theatre was once part of the Fox Theatre chain under one of their subsidiaries known as Evergreen State Amusement Corp..

Here is a more recent photo of the Neptune Theater.

This is another recent 2006 photo of the Neptune Theater.

My image of the NEPTUNE
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/256959488

Architect is H. Ryan of Seattle, who also designed the Whiteside Theater in Corvallis, Oregon for the Whiteside brothers. The Whiteside opened in 1922, was the second grandest movie house in Oregon (second only to the Liberty in Portland, which has been torn down). Act III acquired the Whiteside, Regal acquired Act III, and put portable toilets on the sidewalk out front rather than repair the sewer line! The Whiteside was added to the Corvallis Historic Register in 1989. Regal closed the Whiteside in 2002, and it is now for sale, with Regal prohibiting the showing of first run movies for 20 years. Ideas?

Here is a recent photo of the Neptune Theater.

I watched Cameron Crowe's SINGLES (1992) over the weekend. The Neptune Theatre is shown with a director's cut of BRAZIL on the marquee.

I tried to visit this place during my trip to Seattle, but since I don't see any comments from me, I guess I didn't make it.

A Kimball theater organ size 3/14 was installed in the Neptune Theater in 1921.

My brother and I used to visit the Neptune as pre-adolescents (1959-1961). We'd actually ride our bikes there from Sand Point, and park them out front. They'd still be there when we came out. No locks, chains or anything. We'd often ride up 45th (I think) to Dick's Drive-In after watching Western "serials" at the Neptune. I remember seeing James Garner in "Up Periscope" at the Neptune as a first-run (1959).
I was amazed to see it's still standing and pretty much just as I remember it (after 45 years)! Thanks everyone for the great photos. I've lived in Detroit since 1962. Always regretted leaving Seattle, but when you're only 11, you don't have a lot of say in things. :)

This is a recent night view of the Neptune Theater.

I was finishing high school during the time Colin was working there.

Anyone know a place to put eyes and/or hands on one of their schedules from that era?

I am recently racking my memory to figure what movies played with "Quadrophenia" and "Singin' in the Rain," as I know I didn't go out to see either of those purposefully, but did see each at the Neptune as part of their regular double-feature fare.

Thanks for any pointers.

Hey Josh! I saved all the "film calendars" from the era I worked there. Let me know, I can probably look those up. But I can tell you "Quadrophenia" definitely played the "The Kids are Alright" though! colin@thenantucket.com

Colin,

Great that you saved those calendars!

Many thanks for letting me know about "Quadrophenia." I'm thoroughly puzzled as why I'd have gone to see "The Kids are Alright," as I wasn't much of a 'Who' fan, but I trust your recollection. Maybe it played with "The Wanderer," once upon a time, as I can imagine going out to see that ...

Any idea what played with "Singin' in the Rain"? -Josh

Hey Josh! My Neptune film calendars are in storage, and I will grab them this weekend and let you know exactly what played with "SITR". From memory, we definitely had "musical" double-bills, I think they were on Sundays or Wednesdays. Stay tuned..

Wow! Thanks, Colin!

Again, fully mystifying, as the only "musical" I can recall attending purposefully was 'Wizard of Oz,' which played (at least semi-regularly) with 'The Wiz.'

Thanks for helping me out.

Colin,

Anyway you scan those schedules in and post a link here?

Old rep calendars are so much fun.

I will try, Josh, maybe a couple..we are talking a lot of calendars! I've actually excited to look at them again myself, it's been a few years!

Josh, Ok "Singin' in the Rain" played the Neptune on the following dates with:

Jan 13th '82 (with "An American in Paris")
Oct 10th '82 (with "Wizard of Oz")
Sept 18th '83 (with "Top Hat")
June 30th '85 (with "An American in Paris")
Dec 21st '87 (with "The Band Wagon")
Nov 6th '88 (with "Wizard of Oz")
July 16th '89 (with "An American in Paris")

Do any of those ring a bell? Obviously our programmers liked "American in Paris" as the co-feature! Is was fun to look through those calendars again. As far as posting a link to them, I really don't have the time/ability to do that. But, if you like contact me and I'd be glad to scan you a pdf. of some. -Colin.

Yup. It was without a doubt that I saw it with 'Wizard of Oz'

I vaguely recall seeing 'Last Tango in Paris' at the Harvard Exit, but never saw any of the others.

I appreciate the offer to scan a program, but ... Much as I'd like to look at one again, I'm just happy to have my question answered. For which, I'm fully beholden ... Indeed, next time we're at Dick's it's on me, okay?

Wasn't me (actually) who suggested scanning and posting. On the other hand, if you do scan them I could post a link here as I've some badly under-used Web space lying around out there ... Don't know how to safely transmit an e-mail address on these things ... but here's my best try: mcintyre DOT josh AT gmail DOT com

Good Josh, I spaced out above and thought that "neeb" requesting a link to the calendars was you also (didn't look at the name). What the heck, I'll scan a few and send them your way soon, and you can do with them what you please. Take care! "neeb"? - U 2 if you post an e-mail address!

Thanks, Colin!

Here is a recent marquee shot. It looks like Jenna Jameson has gone "mainstream".

This is an undated photo that claims to show the Neptune Theater.

"Zombie Strippers" is a recent addition to the oeuvre of Miss Jameson, a distinguished thespian and ecdysiast. I believe that she will next undertake a reading of "Wuthering Heights".

I'm not sure if she could pull that off. LOL

Here is a 1946 photo of the Neptune Theater.

Iron Man at the Neptune Theater.

Iron Man is still at the Neptune Theater.

This was the Neptune Theater in 2002.

I went to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" the day before new year's eve. The staff there is so nice! They gave me a full "backstage" tour, up into the old pipe chambers and everything. First rate!

A close-up view is here.

The Neptune during a snow starm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eucritta/3371187765/sizes/o/

Here are two 1982 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Thanks for posting those! That very well could be me in the box office in photo 1!

Architect H. Ryan's first name was Henderson. He also designed Seattle's Liberty Theatre.