Opened with Elvis’s “Spinout” and “Double Trouble” as a special tribute to the King. Its final closing date is exactly one year later on November 23, 1978 with “Nicholas And Alexandria”.
The Alaska Experience Theatre originally first opened its doors at 705 West 6th Street on December 26, 1981 with the 40-minute documentary “Alaska, The Greatland” presented on a 180-degree wraparound screen in 70mm and six-track/eight-channel Dolby Stereo. Its original projection is an Omnivision unit equipped with modified fisheye lens. The movie as mentioned on its original grand opening had a decades-long run at the original location.
The original 6th Street theater closed in March 2007 and was demolished the following month to make way for a parking lot. Meanwhile, at 333 West 4th Avenue, a newer Alaska Experience Theatre was built on the site of a former U.S. Post Office and a Ship Creek Center, with a planetarium-style screen measuring 27x55ft wide and 15ft deep, standing nearly three stories high and wrapping around most of the audience similar to its original 180ft wraparound screen in the original 6th Street location.
After more than $2,000,000 in construction, the newer Alaska Experience Theatre opened its doors in June 2008.
It appears that the Orca Theaters opened its doors on December 30, 1985 with “Sweet Dreams” in Screen 1 and “Sesame Street’s Follow That Bird” in Screen 2, despite there’s no grand opening advertisement.
The Taku Twins Theatre opened its doors on September 1, 1971 with “The Owl & The P*ssycat” and “Take A Girl Like You” in Screen 1 and “The Anderson Tapes” and “The Executioner” in Screen 2.
This twin-screener is very short-lived, closing almost 10 years later on March 26, 1981 with “Seems Like Old Times” and “Wholly Moses” in Screen 1 and “Stir Crazy” and “The Day Time Ended” in Screen 2.
This opened as the Kenai Mall Cinema as a single-screener, most likely around 1970 although I cannot find its opening date. It was later renamed the Kambe Theatre in the mid-1970s while under the Fletcher’s Theatres of Alaska chain. Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres took over the Kambe Theatre in 1985, who would then divide the theater into a twin that same year. A third screen was added the following year in 1986.
The Kambe Theatre was later operated by Act III Theatres, and then Regal who operated the theater as the Regal Kambe Theatre 3 until being sold to Coming Attractions Theatres in May 2017. Following its sale, it was renamed Kenai Cinemas.
The Capitol Theatre closed as a movie theater on September 25, 1971 with a special matinee showing of Robert Mitchum’s “The Last Time I Saw Archie” along with several unnamed cartoons. The last normal attraction was the previous day with Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans”.
The 20th Century Theatre first opened its doors on October 31, 1940 with Alice Faye in “Hollywood Cavalcade” along with Giant Kimball Pipe Organ performances by Guest Artist Larry McCann from Seattle’s KOMO-AM. Otherwise, unknown if extras added.
The Glacier Cinemas first opened its doors as a twin on August 8, 1983 with Walt Disney’s “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” and Disney’s featurette “Once Upon A Mouse” in Screen 1 and “War Games” in Screen 2. It was first operated by Gross-Alaska Theatres owned by Dave Gross.
In April 1988, Gross announced that he proposed a possible expansion to five screens, but unfortunately that idea was scrapped for years. The Glacier Cinemas remained as a twin until 1997 when it did expand to five screens.
Still open in 1981, but was already gone by 1995. As of 2025, the outlines for the main screen are still attached which contains its traces and entrance/exit paths as well as the foundation of the original concession/projection booth.
The Flick Theatre opened its doors in 1973 at the former Lyric Theatre building after the theater was purchased by the husband-and-wife team of Bill and Beverly McCracken, who also owned a nearby Chrysler dealership.
Closed on August 29, 1991 with “Mystery Date” and “City Slickers”.
Opened with “Goodbye Mr. Chips”.
Closed on September 1, 1986 with “Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2” and “Re-Animator”.
Lastly known as the Auto Drive-In, and closed on September 1, 1986 with “Stewardness School” and “A Fine Mess”.
Closed on April 28, 1977 with “Exit The Dragon, Enter The Tiger”.
Once operated by GKC Theatres. During the 1980s, it was once known as State Cinema.
Closed on July 20, 1987 with “Robocop” and “Raw Deal” in Screen 1 and “Predator” and “Beverly Hills Cop II” in Screen 2.
Once operated by Sony Theatres, later by Loews Cineplex.
Closed on April 1, 1984 with “Ice Pirates”.
Opened on November 26, 1997.
Opened with Elvis’s “Spinout” and “Double Trouble” as a special tribute to the King. Its final closing date is exactly one year later on November 23, 1978 with “Nicholas And Alexandria”.
The Alaska Experience Theatre originally first opened its doors at 705 West 6th Street on December 26, 1981 with the 40-minute documentary “Alaska, The Greatland” presented on a 180-degree wraparound screen in 70mm and six-track/eight-channel Dolby Stereo. Its original projection is an Omnivision unit equipped with modified fisheye lens. The movie as mentioned on its original grand opening had a decades-long run at the original location.
The original 6th Street theater closed in March 2007 and was demolished the following month to make way for a parking lot. Meanwhile, at 333 West 4th Avenue, a newer Alaska Experience Theatre was built on the site of a former U.S. Post Office and a Ship Creek Center, with a planetarium-style screen measuring 27x55ft wide and 15ft deep, standing nearly three stories high and wrapping around most of the audience similar to its original 180ft wraparound screen in the original 6th Street location.
After more than $2,000,000 in construction, the newer Alaska Experience Theatre opened its doors in June 2008.
It appears that the Orca Theaters opened its doors on December 30, 1985 with “Sweet Dreams” in Screen 1 and “Sesame Street’s Follow That Bird” in Screen 2, despite there’s no grand opening advertisement.
The Taku Twins Theatre opened its doors on September 1, 1971 with “The Owl & The P*ssycat” and “Take A Girl Like You” in Screen 1 and “The Anderson Tapes” and “The Executioner” in Screen 2.
This twin-screener is very short-lived, closing almost 10 years later on March 26, 1981 with “Seems Like Old Times” and “Wholly Moses” in Screen 1 and “Stir Crazy” and “The Day Time Ended” in Screen 2.
This opened as the Kenai Mall Cinema as a single-screener, most likely around 1970 although I cannot find its opening date. It was later renamed the Kambe Theatre in the mid-1970s while under the Fletcher’s Theatres of Alaska chain. Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres took over the Kambe Theatre in 1985, who would then divide the theater into a twin that same year. A third screen was added the following year in 1986.
The Kambe Theatre was later operated by Act III Theatres, and then Regal who operated the theater as the Regal Kambe Theatre 3 until being sold to Coming Attractions Theatres in May 2017. Following its sale, it was renamed Kenai Cinemas.
The Capitol Theatre closed as a movie theater on September 25, 1971 with a special matinee showing of Robert Mitchum’s “The Last Time I Saw Archie” along with several unnamed cartoons. The last normal attraction was the previous day with Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans”.
The 20th Century Theatre first opened its doors on October 31, 1940 with Alice Faye in “Hollywood Cavalcade” along with Giant Kimball Pipe Organ performances by Guest Artist Larry McCann from Seattle’s KOMO-AM. Otherwise, unknown if extras added.
The Glacier Cinemas first opened its doors as a twin on August 8, 1983 with Walt Disney’s “Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs” and Disney’s featurette “Once Upon A Mouse” in Screen 1 and “War Games” in Screen 2. It was first operated by Gross-Alaska Theatres owned by Dave Gross.
In April 1988, Gross announced that he proposed a possible expansion to five screens, but unfortunately that idea was scrapped for years. The Glacier Cinemas remained as a twin until 1997 when it did expand to five screens.
Still open in 1981, but was already gone by 1995. As of 2025, the outlines for the main screen are still attached which contains its traces and entrance/exit paths as well as the foundation of the original concession/projection booth.
Opened with Rod Cameron in “Stampede” along with an unnamed cartoon.
The Flick Theatre opened its doors in 1973 at the former Lyric Theatre building after the theater was purchased by the husband-and-wife team of Bill and Beverly McCracken, who also owned a nearby Chrysler dealership.
Opened in December 1993 by Kerasotes.
Opened on December 10, 1931, and was still open in 1963. At the time, it was operated by the Gerardi Brothers chain.
Opened with Vincent Edwards in “Hiawatha” and Mickey Rooney in “All Ashore” (unknown if extras added).
Closed as a movie theater on September 29, 1985 with “Godzilla 1985”.