Never a big fan of early 80’s AMC but visited it quite a bit in its busy early years as a teen. Lots of memories! 1983 was quite the screen expansion in Tacoma: SRO’s Tacoma West added 2 screens to its 3, SRO’s Tacoma South 5 opened, and AMC opened the Narrows Plaza 8. Nearby that year AMC also opened the Center Plaza 6 (renamed SeaTac 12 North) and Luxury Theatres opened the crap-tastic Puyallup 6.
Prior to 1983 the Tacoma area had only a handful of multiplexes: The SRO Tacoma Mall Twin and Tacoma West 3, the South Tacoma Village which had just expanded to 4 tiny screens and in Lakewood the GCC Villa Plaza I-II-III. Single Screeners were very common. In Tacoma: The Temple, Rialto, Roxy (Pantages), Narrows (not the AMC), Bijou (Blue Mouse). Also nearby single screeners: The Lakewood, The Parkland and Puyallup’s Liberty. Also – 3 drive-ins.
Now closed! Never a big fan of early 80’s AMC but visited it quite a bit in its busy early years as a teen. Lots of memories! 1983 was quite the screen expansion in Tacoma: SRO’s Tacoma West added 2 screens to its 3, SRO’s Tacoma South 5 opened, and AMC opened the Narrows Plaza 8. Nearby that year AMC also opened the Center Plaza 6 (renamed SeaTac 12 North) and Luxury Theatres opened the crap-tastic Puyallup 6.
Prior to 1983 the Tacoma area had only a handful of multiplexes: The SRO Tacoma Mall Twin and Tacoma West 3, the South Tacoma Village which had just expanded to 4 tiny screens and in Lakewood the GCC Villa Plaza I-II-III. Single Screeners were very common. In Tacoma: The Temple, Rialto, Roxy (Pantages), Narrows (not the AMC), Bijou (Blue Mouse). Also nearby single screeners: The Lakewood, The Parkland and Puyallup’s Liberty. Also – 3 drive-ins.
I grew up in this neighborhood and saw many films at the Blue Mouse (was then called The Bijou). Back then it was operated by the Galaxy Theater chain (no relation to the current chain of the same name) and then independently. Hope it survives.
I peek at their website now and then and what frustrates me is that aside from Rocky Horror, they only show 1 film a week with one evening showtime at 7PM and an additional weekend matinee at 4:30PM. If I ran the place I would get more aggressive and show at least 2 (very different) films with separate admissions – 1 at 7PM the 2nd at 9:30PM with weekend matinees at 2PM and 4:30PM respectively. Might throw in a kids matinee or classic series on weekends at noon. If you want people to come to your theatre, shouldn’t you have a full schedule?
I always assumed it started life as a 5-plex, but a recent posting on Cinematour lists “Raiders of the Lost Ark” opening at the Factoria 3. My best guess is the 3 northeast auditoriums came first, making the original place similar, if not identical, to the Totem Lake Cinemas and the Sehome Cinemas. Then the 2 larger auditoriums (one 70mm capable) were added to the west. Judging by the interior and comparable SRO builds they were pre-1983. The 3 southeast auditoriums were added in 1985 I believe. Their interior is post-1983 SRO. For anyone who was a fan of SRO Theatres (arguably the best chain in the Northwest in the late ‘70s and early '80s) this is a well preserved example of 2, if not 3 styles of their theatres. Unfortunately Cineplex Odeon took over the SRO chain in 1986. I don’t think this place will be around much longer. AMC has not converted it to digital, which it has done to everything else in the area, including (surprisingly) the Oak Tree 6 in Seattle (SRO’s last build in 1986).
I just wish somebody could take the “Bigfoot” name off the Crest.
I am sure Mission Impossible will give the Regent the biggest crowds it has had in a while. Decent theatre. Should get better bookings now that it is only one of 3 screens remaining in Westwood.
The Arclight and Grove really killed the Sunset 5 by stealing high profile independent films. The Sunset is unfortunately located right between those 2 so cannot play films showing at either one.
For Puget Sound drive in buffs there is still the Skyline Drive In in Shelton, WA…its just on the other side of Puget Sound.
http://www.skylinedrive-in.com/
I would think the Avco would be their only option is Westwood if they are not building from the ground up. I wonder if they are negotiating to take over the Mann in Westlake Village.
Is there a list out there of what 70mm prints survive?
Are those exit doors in the middle of the screen?
The Oak Tree opened with Top Gun in 70mm THX and Rocky IV in 70mm and 4 other films in 35mm. At least 2 of the 3 larger houses were 70mm capable.
Never a big fan of early 80’s AMC but visited it quite a bit in its busy early years as a teen. Lots of memories! 1983 was quite the screen expansion in Tacoma: SRO’s Tacoma West added 2 screens to its 3, SRO’s Tacoma South 5 opened, and AMC opened the Narrows Plaza 8. Nearby that year AMC also opened the Center Plaza 6 (renamed SeaTac 12 North) and Luxury Theatres opened the crap-tastic Puyallup 6.
Prior to 1983 the Tacoma area had only a handful of multiplexes: The SRO Tacoma Mall Twin and Tacoma West 3, the South Tacoma Village which had just expanded to 4 tiny screens and in Lakewood the GCC Villa Plaza I-II-III. Single Screeners were very common. In Tacoma: The Temple, Rialto, Roxy (Pantages), Narrows (not the AMC), Bijou (Blue Mouse). Also nearby single screeners: The Lakewood, The Parkland and Puyallup’s Liberty. Also – 3 drive-ins.
Now closed! Never a big fan of early 80’s AMC but visited it quite a bit in its busy early years as a teen. Lots of memories! 1983 was quite the screen expansion in Tacoma: SRO’s Tacoma West added 2 screens to its 3, SRO’s Tacoma South 5 opened, and AMC opened the Narrows Plaza 8. Nearby that year AMC also opened the Center Plaza 6 (renamed SeaTac 12 North) and Luxury Theatres opened the crap-tastic Puyallup 6.
Prior to 1983 the Tacoma area had only a handful of multiplexes: The SRO Tacoma Mall Twin and Tacoma West 3, the South Tacoma Village which had just expanded to 4 tiny screens and in Lakewood the GCC Villa Plaza I-II-III. Single Screeners were very common. In Tacoma: The Temple, Rialto, Roxy (Pantages), Narrows (not the AMC), Bijou (Blue Mouse). Also nearby single screeners: The Lakewood, The Parkland and Puyallup’s Liberty. Also – 3 drive-ins.
Times have changed.
Here is the link for their fund-raiser:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1355844229/help-save-the-blue-mouse-theatre
I grew up in this neighborhood and saw many films at the Blue Mouse (was then called The Bijou). Back then it was operated by the Galaxy Theater chain (no relation to the current chain of the same name) and then independently. Hope it survives.
I peek at their website now and then and what frustrates me is that aside from Rocky Horror, they only show 1 film a week with one evening showtime at 7PM and an additional weekend matinee at 4:30PM. If I ran the place I would get more aggressive and show at least 2 (very different) films with separate admissions – 1 at 7PM the 2nd at 9:30PM with weekend matinees at 2PM and 4:30PM respectively. Might throw in a kids matinee or classic series on weekends at noon. If you want people to come to your theatre, shouldn’t you have a full schedule?
Operator will be iPic: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-ipic20120731,0,2155931.story
I am curious about the fate of the Crest with the impending demise of 35mm prints.
I am wondering about the fate of this theatre with the demise of 35mm projection.
Since AMC has not converted this cinema to digital, something tells me it is not long for this world.
Does the main auditorium have a shadow box screen?
No word leaked yet on new operator?
Just goes to show how watered-down the IMAX brand has become: they are installing “IMAX” in an auditorium that could only handle a 38'x16' screen.
I am curious how they plan to break up the auditoriums and where they plan to put the kitchen.
I always assumed it started life as a 5-plex, but a recent posting on Cinematour lists “Raiders of the Lost Ark” opening at the Factoria 3. My best guess is the 3 northeast auditoriums came first, making the original place similar, if not identical, to the Totem Lake Cinemas and the Sehome Cinemas. Then the 2 larger auditoriums (one 70mm capable) were added to the west. Judging by the interior and comparable SRO builds they were pre-1983. The 3 southeast auditoriums were added in 1985 I believe. Their interior is post-1983 SRO. For anyone who was a fan of SRO Theatres (arguably the best chain in the Northwest in the late ‘70s and early '80s) this is a well preserved example of 2, if not 3 styles of their theatres. Unfortunately Cineplex Odeon took over the SRO chain in 1986. I don’t think this place will be around much longer. AMC has not converted it to digital, which it has done to everything else in the area, including (surprisingly) the Oak Tree 6 in Seattle (SRO’s last build in 1986).
I just wish somebody could take the “Bigfoot” name off the Crest. I am sure Mission Impossible will give the Regent the biggest crowds it has had in a while. Decent theatre. Should get better bookings now that it is only one of 3 screens remaining in Westwood.
Long Live GCC!
I always thought they could have fit 3 more screens in the Lobby of the 6-plex.
Is the “Ballroom” the lobby?
“The owners are probably trying to sell it to someone to use as retail or a resturant.”
That worked so well for the NuWilshire.
Their website lists showtimes beyond the 27th.
Is the Culver Plaza closing?
The Arclight and Grove really killed the Sunset 5 by stealing high profile independent films. The Sunset is unfortunately located right between those 2 so cannot play films showing at either one.
For Puget Sound drive in buffs there is still the Skyline Drive In in Shelton, WA…its just on the other side of Puget Sound. http://www.skylinedrive-in.com/
I would think the Avco would be their only option is Westwood if they are not building from the ground up. I wonder if they are negotiating to take over the Mann in Westlake Village.