Cinema
5100 Wisconsin Avenue,
Washington,
DC
20016
5100 Wisconsin Avenue,
Washington,
DC
20016
4 people
favorited this theater
The Cinema had one of the largest screens in the DC area and was second only to the Uptown in auditorium size.
Seating more than 800 patrons, the theater wasn’t as old as the Avalon, but its mid-20th century charm was evident both inside and out.
Renovated in 1997, the Cinema was last operated by Loews Cineplex Entertainment, which closed it in January 2005. It became a furniture showroom, and has now been converted into a sporting club (gym).
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 39 comments)
The K-B CINEMA was showing “THE EXORCIST” on Wednesday Feb.6 1974. it showed daily at 1:00 3:05 5:15 7:30 and 9;45 with Midnight shows on Friday and Saturday, There was a policy that they cleared the theatre after each show,In those days most moviegoers once they bought a ticket they could watch the movie again and again, The K-B Cinema stopped thar. even with the R rating {management stated persons under 17 are not admitted} So much for a rating system. This film played day and date at the K-B Silver Theatre {couldn’t find it on CT}
Fancy meeting you on this theatre site Mike! This is the theatre where I saw “THE EXORCIST” IN 1974!!! Back then it was called the KB-Cinema. I was living with friends in Alexandria when the film opened. We saw it several times and each time we stood in long long lines in the cold weather. Even the matinee showings sold out continously. And what a powerful film it was too. My friends and I were blown away by it. I remember at least 2 people that had fainted during the showings. I also recall several ladies had left the auditorium and were sitting in the lobby waiting for the film to end. They refused to go back inside.
The film was rated R but the District of Columbia slapped an X rating on the film forbidding admission to anyone under 17. There was a feature article in the Washingon Post about how audiences were reacting to the film. The manager was quoted as saying, “we had a good day today—only one person threw up!” The box office was taking in so much money an armored guard had to stand duty nearby. I remember the auditorium sat below street level. After buying your ticket and entering the small lobby you had to walk down a flight of stairs to the auditorium. It was a very nice theatre as I recall. I remember there were curtains that opened & closed over the large screen. So sorry to see it gone now.
Nick, I never throw any theatre stuff away the above info came from the ad you sent me years ago, Hey, now that you can SCAN you can show the ad and the pictures you took in D.C. I hadn’t started in thebusiness yet,it wasSept 12 1974 when i started; I missed the EXORCIST first run,but saw it plenty of times,but only while working,i never saw the whole movie. “JAWS” was my BIG movie.
Thanks Mike and Nick.
THE EXORCIST ad from the Washington Post dated February 6, 1974. This is around the same date I saw the film for the first time. Memories of standing in long lines in the cold weather and being frightened out of my wits!
View link
Great ad Nick.I missed all the Exorcist first run crowds.Wasn’t in the business then even though Bill swears i was working. First and only big flick i worked was “JAWS” Going to watch Clint now,It is his birthday.
so ‘Close Encounters’ was NOT shown in 70mm – right? I could have sworn that ‘Empire Strikes Back’ was at the Uptown – but according to Jodar’s June 2007 posting it’s theatrical engagement was here at the Cinema
According to Coate’s CLOSE ENCOUNTERS list posted here, the original Washington DC engagement was 35mm.
According to Coate’s EMPIRE STRIKES BACK list posted here, the original Washington DC engagement was indeed at the KB Cinema. The first STAR WARS played at Uptown (list posted here).
The Cinema has been converted into a Crunch Fitness location.
1996 Courage Under Fire photo of theater exterior: http://www.flickr.com/photos/channaher/2853736923/