Retro Dome

1694 Saratoga Avenue,
San Jose, CA 95129

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Century Theatres

Architects: Vincent G. Raney

Previous Names: Century 25

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 408.984.5610

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News About This Theater

Retro Dome

This dome theater was opened by Century Theatres on May 27, 1969, as a single-screen theater. It was twinned in November 1974.

Century 25 was part of the Westgate Mall complex, operated by Cinplex. It showed mostly independent/art-house fare.

In late-August 2009, it became the Retro Dome, presenting a mix of Classic movies and live performances. It was demolished on January 6, 2013.

Contributed by Kate

Recent comments (view all 29 comments)

Dramatrauma
Dramatrauma on May 21, 2010 at 11:49 am

From the RetroDome newsletter: news for the projection buffs.

You Won’t Believe Your Eyes and Ears!
Thanks to the extremely generous offer of Brian Bakhshandeh (a fan of The Retro Dome and an uber-knowledgeable projection and sound designer) we recently upgraded our projection and sound system from HD DVD and the sound design originally created for the theatre. As of May 2010, we have installed a state of the art Blu-Ray player that is equipped with Anchor Bay VRS Video Processor and the ability to playback Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio. This is one of the most advanced processors in the market today.

All movies are now shown in 720P DLP Digital Format. If the movie is presented in DVD, you will experience Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1, whereas before, this was not offered and the presentation was not even in Stereo Sound, making it a huge improvement. Also, the picture is much improved thanks to the Anchor Bay Video Processor and Digital DLP.

If the movie is presented in Blu Ray, you are in for a real treat. You can now experience Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio. These are Uncompressed Raw Studio Quality Sound formats! No theater is currently offering this, as this sound quality can NOT be offered with 35 or 70mm film.

Since most movies that are shown are older, they really benefit from Blu Ray as the picture and sound is light years ahead of 35mm presentation. Unlike film, there are no pops, buzzing, film reel artifacts or sound issues. Even Mr. Lucas and Mr. Spielberg agree that Digital is far superior to film and these guys ARE purists! When you see a film, you want to see and hear what the director intended. The Retro Dome now let’s you do that.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on July 1, 2010 at 11:58 am

Good Luck,from the photos I see how this theatre got its name.

AlanSmithee
AlanSmithee on September 20, 2010 at 2:05 am

Well, they REALLY blew it by not converting this back to the original large dome! And why would I go out to watch a DVD anyways?

antoniomontana
antoniomontana on May 18, 2013 at 10:15 pm

Now closed after a successful run. Awaiting the bulldozer.

antoniomontana
antoniomontana on November 16, 2013 at 1:02 pm

Retrodome/Guggenheim is now in Century 21 complex

tahamaki
tahamaki on January 7, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Demolished as of Jan 6, 2014.

Paul Fortini
Paul Fortini on July 18, 2014 at 8:27 am

I saw some of the photos of this place.

It reminds me a little of the now-demolished Civic Arena in Pittsburgh.

LC
LC on August 15, 2015 at 4:40 pm

The overview says Century 25 mostly screened independent or art house fare. I remember in the mid to late 70s they were showing major movie releases there; and in the early 80s, we used to go there and watch Tom Cruise films; I also remember watching Star Trek II there, for example. This was a great movie theater.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 15, 2015 at 5:54 pm

It might have switched to independent and art films in its later years, but when it opened, the Century 25 would have been a first-run house, just like the other domed suburban theaters being built by the Syufy/Century chain during that period.

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