John Danz Theatre
601 106th Avenue NE,
Bellevue,
WA
98004
601 106th Avenue NE,
Bellevue,
WA
98004
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Opened with Elvis in “Blue Hawaii” and Mickey Rooney in “Everything’s Ducky” (unknown if extras added). The John Danz closed with “Forrest Gump” according to its closing article and was last operated by Cineplex Odeon since its takeover from the SRO chain in December 1986.
The John Danz is no more. Demolition has begun. Here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht_eRd6I-Yw is a live shot of the demolition.
Opened December 22nd, 1961, and closed August 4th, 1994. 1994 article posted.
Drove by what is now the Doxa Church the other day. One would never know this was a former cinema theatre based on it’s current incarnation. Both the exterior and interior have been stripped on all artifacts which one would equate with a cinema and replaced with…nothing. The sanctuary resembles a cheap music hall with bare black walls.
One of the nicest features about working at the John Danz as an IATSE projectionist was the fact that the building was partially built into a slope. At the rear of the theatre was a door that led directly into the booth with only 3 steps up. Also, a reserved projectionist parking spot next to the door.
I worked at the John Danz Theatre during my senior year at Sammamish Highschool in 1961-62, as well as during part of my first year at the U.W. Years later I realized after reading Bill Gates autobiography that since Bill was about 8 years old in 1962 and living in Bellevue, I likely tore his ticket when he came to the theatre with his parents. Note the spelling: “theatre” not “theater”.
I remember going to see Star Trek II there on opening day. There was even a laser show before the movie! Combining that with playing Zaxxon next door at the Belle Lanes just before the movie start and it was a perfect teenage geek’s day :)
This opened on December 22nd, 1961.
The last Sterling house I worked as an IA operator was the Lynn Twin. I met my wife there. Next month we will celebrate our 42nd anniversary. The Lynn Twin (in Lynnwood) is now a non-profit storage facility last used as the Lynn Four.
Also a theatre like this needs a lot more writing done on the history and theatre stories from employees and patrons.
That is what going to the movies was all about.Great picture Ken Mc.Those were the good old days,but they were numbered.So much so I got out of the theatre business in 1983. I saw all these stinking Huge Multiplexes coming.
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ye2voy5
That ain’t recent!
I’ve seen lots of great exterior shots, but nothing of the auditorium. Bummer.
Wish there were some pictures of the auditorium out there somewhere.
This is now Underhills Furniture Store.
This theater opened in 1961.
Here is a photo from 1969:
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