Lynn 4 Theatre
19802 Highway 99,
Lynnwood,
WA
98036
19802 Highway 99,
Lynnwood,
WA
98036
2 people
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In the 1980’s, I was a Union projectionist and had a full time job with another theater that belonged to General Cinema Corporation, a competing company. My good friend, Anthony (Tony) Holmes was the full time union projectionist at the Lynn. In his later years, Tony became very religious and no longer wanted to work his 12+ hour Sunday shift. I was the only projectionist in IATSE Local 154 at the time that had Sundays free and was willing to work on them. Nice bit of extra money for a couple of years. All 4 booths were identical, Century projectors with lens turrets, Xetron lamps, Cinemeccanica Towers for film transport rather than platters, all mono sound. We were a second run double feature house at the time. While I was there but not on a night I was working, the manager David Clements was shot and killed in a failed hold up attempt late one night.
4 smaller screens on December 16th, 1977.
I used to go to this theatre from when it opened to maybe around 1970’s. Lots of first run horror and science fiction movies played here. Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street etc. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte was another one I saw here. Very plain inside but I think they used a curtain in the beginning and opened and closed it. Before it was a twin. Had a seating slope also. A good presentation style if I remember. Bigger wide screen and good stereo sound. I miss the place.
I am very sad to report that the Lynn 4 Theater building has now been completely demolished.I have so many fond memories of that theater, even working there one summer and fall. RIP
Grand opening ad from May 22nd, 1963 as well as the ad as a twin on November 2nd, 1966. Both posted here.
I just drove by there today (11/11/11) and it’s just sitting empty. There’s a plastic sign wrapped around the old theater sign, for Kiss-FM’s haunted house, so I guess Kiss-FM’s been using it in the fall, but other than that, it doesn’t appear to be used by anyone at this point. Some semi trailers are parked outside (near signs that say “No semi trailer parking” lol).
I have very fond memories of being four years old (in 1967), and going to the Lynn Twin for the early Saturday matinee with my big brothers and sisters, and then walking over to the Lynnwood Roll-A-Way for some roller skating. We seemed to do that almost every weekend. It was a very memorable time for me. I remember crying my eyes out when Bambi’s mom got shot, and I remember winning a prize during the intermission of one of the movies.
The theater opened in 1964, not 1965
Bad news. Apparently this wonderful old buildings days are numbered. It looks like Sterling Realty is in talks with big box retailer Home Depot to build on this site. I’ve noticed moving vans backed up to the building on several occasion recently, perhaps emptying out the building in preparation for demolition. It is very sad indeed. I had truly hoped that someone would restore this great old theatre and put it back into operation. It would have been terrific. Another one bites the dust.
Those of you in this area with fond memories of the Lynn / Lynn Twin / Lynn Four theater should go take your final last looks and say your good-byes. I will try to get some good photos of the place to one day post here on this site.
I used to work at this theatre in the seventies. The building is still there but it is currently vacant. I understand that Sterling Realty owns the property. I wish Landmark would purchase the theatre and restore it to its glory. They could feature bargain second run movies on two of the screens and first run films on the other two. I have current photos of the building if anyone is interested. I would post them here on the site but they are not accepting new photos at the moment. If you would like to see them, feel free to e-mail me and I would be happy to send them to you.
I would love to see vintage photos of the Lynn Twin / Lynn Four if anyone has them.
Thanks
my e-mail:
The original Lynn Theater was 800 seats, but was never twinned. Instead, an identical theater was built shortly after it opened and was known as the Lynn Twin. In 1978, each of the theaters was split down the middle, creating four long and narrow theaters. Sterling actually closed the theater before Cineplex bought them out after three additional screens were added to their Grand Alderwood Cinemas.