Renton Civic Theatre

This is now knows as the Renton Civic Theatre AKA Renton Renton Theatre.

A photo of the Renton Theatre.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Washington%20Theatres/RentonTheatreRentonWa.jpg

This theater was originally the Rainier Theater. It sat across the street from the Roxy. My Internet research tells me that the Roxy was the more elegant theater. However, the Rainier featured large screens set on large stages, and the walls of the auditorium were lavishly sculpted with ornate woodwork and heavy tapestries (www.burgesslegacy.org/rtn.htm).

Here is a fabulous old photo: www.burgesslegacy.org/rtngfx/637.jpg

The Rainier was a block up, on the same side of 3rd as the Renton. It was demolished in the 60s after taking earthquake damage. The Renton had an Art Moderne style with hints at Chinese in the auditorium which, while not in great shape, still retains Chinese-style side wall decoration, interesting light fixtures that curve around wall and ceiling, and the original ceiling stencilling. The lobby also retains some nice streamline curves and a nice staircase, and the entrance doors' 1930s paint job has been restored. The marquee got a recent neon job.

The Roxy was renovated into a church, but could easily be restored as a theatre. The Renton Historical Museum retains the peacock's tail neon from atop the sign, which has been restored and is on display along with a replica of the sign itself. A Roxy display is planned which will include replicas of marquee and ticket booth, the ticket machine, lighting fixtures (including the auditorium "Starlites") exit signs, and the telephone from the projection booth, as well as the twelve-cam mechanical flasher that once animated the peacock's tail.

1982 Photo