Century 22
3162 Olsen Drive,
San Jose,
CA
95117
3162 Olsen Drive,
San Jose,
CA
95117
5 people
favorited this theater
Century 22 was opened in March 1966 as a Super 70mm venue. During the 1970’s two smaller dome theaters were added to the front of this larger theater dome, bringing the total number of screens available to three.
Of the two smaller screens, dome ‘B’ was retrofit with a digital projector for the release of “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” in 2002 and as of this writing is still very much in use with a digital version of “The Incredibles” having just been released.
The ‘A’ house is where the BIG screen still resides, though somewhat diminshed by it’s reformating to a flat-screen back in 1992 (along with the Century 21 screen), it still captivates most all who see it. Business for both Century 22 and it’s sister theater 21 remain brisk, giving both venues a bright future.
Contributed by
Jeremy Freeman
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
i don’t see that much time these theaters will be open due to the new theater in santana row
Santana Row shows more art-house films and limited releases than the larger Century dome theaters. This aspect alone limits the Cinearts to a different demographic. The bigger budget releases more often than not are still released on the Century 21 and 22 screens, as well as 22 being (as far as I can tell) the ONLY Digital Cinema in San Jose. Business has been a bit slower, but most theaters in the area have been impacted by the current slump in movie-going. I don’t recall waiting in large lines anytime this year for a film, or being in a completely sold-out showing. But Superman Returns hasn’t been released as of this writing, so only time will tell.
Century theaters is still the only chain around that doesn’t force feed it’s patrons a bunch of television commercials, and besides the Coming Soon trailers, only advertises Fandango, which is a movie related ad anyway. While AMC and Regal cinema’s make movie-goers sit through a minimum of 15 min. of television product ads, then another 10-15 minutes of trailers to boot. That and the cost per ticket, at least in San Jose, is cheaper at Century theaters than any other big theater chain.
A list of new theaters opened in 1965, published in Boxoffice Magazine’s January 17, 1966, issue, included the Century 22, and gave the seating capacity as 950.
Boxoffice Magazine’s issue of May 1, 1967, said that Syufy’s Century 23 Theatre had recently opened adjacent to the Century 21 and 22. The item said that the seating capacity of this new domed house was 832.
The same publication’s list of new theaters opened in 1968, published in its January 20, 1969, issue, lists the Century 24, and has a small photo captioned “Century 21, 22, 23, 24 – San Jose California – Syufy Enterprises” It doesn’t list the seating capacity of the new house.
The magazine’s list of new theaters opened in 1971, published in their issue of May 15, 1972, includes the Century Twin, 1200 seats, located in front of the Century 22.
I notice that the Century 21 has its own Cinema Treasures page, but the Century 22 and Century 23 do not. If somebody has their addresses, go ahead and submit these theaters. Both were designed by Vincent G. Raney, of course.
The digital projector disappeared a few years ago. Which is too bad because this would have been a great venue for Avatar in 3D.
The Century 22 obviously has a page since your comment was posted on that theater’s page! I think you meant pages are needed for Century 23 and Century 24.
Though the sign on the building says Century 22, the name should probably be changed to Winchester 22.
A few 2012 photos of the Winchester Dome Theaters can be seen here, here, here and here.
Wow… this theater reminds me exactly of my beloved, late Orange Cinedome… next time I’m up north I will visit for sure. Good to see.
IS MY FRIEND MR. BILL WILLIAMS STILL MANAGING THIS LOCATION? I have too say this man was the best District Manager in the Theater Business. He knew people and the business so well he could handle anything!
Bill is still there.