Seattle Cinerama
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
2100 4th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98121
35 people
favorited this theater
Seattle’s Martin Cinerama opened in 1963 using the original Cinerama 3-strip projection technique. But with a shift underway towards 70mm projection, the theater was altered just a few months later, although the enormous curved screen was kept.
The 70mm Cinerama screenings lasted until 1969, when the theater switched to more conventional 35mm projectors. Eventually Cineplex Odeon took over operations. By 1997, the theater was struggling and developers swooped in with plans to repurpose the theater.
Very quickly, Seattle Cinerama lovers began a grassroots effort to save the theater. A year later, Paul Allen (of Microsoft fame), bought the theater for $3 million. Soon after, he orchestrated an immense restoration project that enhanced the theater’s appearance and returned it to its roots—showing films in the Cinerama format.
Re-opened in 1999, the Seattle Cinerama Theater is now one of only three operating Cinerama theaters in the world. This beautifully restored shrine to Cinerama is now one of the most technologically advanced movie theaters ever erected.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 181 comments)
And, not only is this theater getting this new print pf “2001” for this sci-fi festival (which is planned now to be an annual event), but Warner’s is providing it to the Seattle Cinerama on a permanent loan basis according to this article.
Nothing mentions the soundtrack. Traditional married magnetic tracks? Synchronized digital? Anybody know?
wouldn’t the 70mm have the superior soundtrack five across sound (+ mono surrounds), does the ‘digital’ version retain this? (I doubt it)
I asked about the sound via email to the staff at the Seattle Cinerama; their reply indicated that sound is six channel Digital Theater Sound (DTS).
CSWalczak – thanks, that’s what I thought it would be. And it sounded great btw. However, and this is possible memory idealizing, the old oxide/magnetic stripes seemed to have more depth, more umph.
You are not the only one who thinks so!
did anyone see ‘Ghostbusters’?? I really want to know if the 70mm print looked any better than the craptastic bluray edition.
I saw 2001 here in the 60’s. Great experience. Also Bladerunner in a Cinerama style presentation with a special lense on the projector and it looked like authentic Cinerama. That was the best experience. Years ago too.
The Datasat (formerly known as DTS, DTS sold their movie division to Datasat in 2008) soundtrack for 2001: A Space Odyssey is a straight digital transfer off the original 6 channel mag. The mag soundtrack was cleaned up to remove any analog artifacts, but the mix was not altered.
The Cinerama is still running THE MASTER in 70mm (looks and sounds great!). Next three regular attractions will be CLOUD ATLAS, SKYFALL, and THE HOBBIT (hopefully in 48fps).