Blue Mouse Theatre
1421 5th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98101
1421 5th Avenue,
Seattle,
WA
98101
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Evergreen State Amusement Corp., John Hamrick Circuit, SRO Theaters
Architects: Henderson Ryan
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 17, 2013 — “South Pacific” 55th Anniversary – The Roadshow Engagements
- Oct 13, 2010 — Happy 55th, Todd-AO & "Oklahoma!"
- Nov 18, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Ben-Hur"
- Oct 30, 2009 — Happy 50th, "Sleeping Beauty"
The Blue Mouse Theatre was opened by John Hamrick on on December 25, 1920 with Milton Sills in “The Furnace”. Organist Frank Leon opened the Hope-Jones Wurlitzer organ. It was closed by Sterling Recreation (SRO Theatres) on January 30, 1972. It was demolished later in 1972.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
I believe that “Mutiny On The Bounty” played it’s reserved seat engagement at the 5th Ave theatre in 1962. The replica of the Bounty came into the sound. I was on the ferry back to Bremerton when it passed us. What a beauty
My research shows “Mutiny on the Bounty” opening at the Blue Mouse the week of December 19-25,1962 and “Barabbas” opening the same week at the 5th Avenue.
The Blue Mouse was the first Seattle theatre to install 70mm projection. Mutiny On The Bounty was filmed in 70mm Ultra Panavision. The 5th Avenue is a much larger theatre and did not have 70mm capability. They are on the same street, as was the Music Box, also a small venue like the Blue Mouse.
The 5th Ave did have 70mm and it was also a roadshow house. I saw Dr Dolittle(what a piece of junk)_and also the 70mm version of Gone With The Wind which was poorly transferred with side and top cut out.
John Hamrick owned and designed his $350,000 showplace launching on Christmas Day 1920 with “The Furnace.” The glassed-in projection room with Simplex projectors was fashioned after the famous Capitol Theatre in NYC.
I remember this theatre from the 1960’s. I went to West Queen Anne Elementary, and I have a memory of being let loose here one Saturday afternoon with a ton of other kids to see some old western, I believe (but could be wrong) that it was intended as a “thank you” of sorts for being a safety patrol in the Seattle Public School system. I remember it as an old theatre, huge, with lots of high up balconies. I remember not giving a hoot about the movie, but running around that big, old theatre was such a gas. A very sweet childhood memory.
I saw the Mutiny on the Bounty at the Blue Mouse. 7Omm. Best screen and sound ever. Music Box had this also I think. I Saw West Side Story there and many other big reserved seat first runners. These two theatres were the choice ones for the big movies. 5th Avenue got lots of them too. Orpheum and Music Hall a few also. Did not seem like the Paramount got many. Coliseum got a few. It was always a first run house. Sound of Music, Rosemary’s Baby, El Cid, played the 5th Avenue. The Blue Mouse did not seem that big but it made up for it by the huge wide screen. Loved the place. Oh and The Music Man played there a long time too. I think Molly Brown may have played the Music Box. I am not sure about that though.
Hi, I am writing a book on John Hamrick and his PNW theaters. I’m looking for any additional photos of the Blue Mouse and his other theaters and any additional records from his companies, including Evergreen. Thanks! Mike Aronson, University of Oregon
Last operated by Sterling Recreation/SRO Theatres, closed on January 30, 1972.
I am a retired IATSE Local 154 projectionist from Seattle. The Blue Mouse closed just a few years before I began my career in projection booths. A story, told to me by an old timer that I trust, tells of the time in the late 1960’s or very early 70’s, that the projectionist started the first show of the day as normal. As soon as he opened the douser, he glanced at the screen. He was expecting to see “Preview of Coming Attractions” on the curtain as it was being raised. Instead, his view was of the upstage wall of the theater and 3 “Voice of the Theater” speakers. The Blue Mouse was a “Hemp House” with rigging of ropes instead of steel cables. During the night, rats had chewed through a rope, the screen counter weights had caused the screen to rise into the flyhouse. The curtain had remained untouched and who opens the curtain before a show to check if the screen is still there!