Jenifer I & II
5252 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC
20015
5252 Wisconsin Avenue NW,
Washington,
DC
20015
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, General Cinema Corp.
Functions: Retail
Previous Names: GCC Jenifer Cinema I & II
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jun 18, 2010 — "Jaws"... Happy 35th!
- May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th
Opened March 12, 1975. This twin had a large auditorium that had 70mm and Dolby Stereo capability and a smaller, but still decently sized auditorium, that I believe had no stereo. To access the theater, you’d pay the cashier, on the street level, and proceed downstairs to either #2, the smaller auditorium on the left, or #1, the larger one to the right. Just off to the right, before you saw your movie was a row of arcade games for your pre-entertainment pleasure.
Having been opened by General Cinemas, this later was run by Circle Cinemas, and Cineplex Odeon, until it was closed in 1994 and became retail space.
Contributed by
Jo
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Here is a 2008 photo of the former Jenifer.
Oh boy. It seems the CT gremlin has eliminated the comments that were on this page. Let me repost my memories of this place.
I remember this was one of the few venues that opened Star Trek: The Motion Picture on both screens in 1979. The other DC venue was, of course, the KB MacArthur where the movie had its official world premiere. The Post’s Weekend had showtimes of this movie that were around the clock starting at 8am or so if I recall correctly. As a very young teen, I took the bus here to see Star Trek several months after its first run. They were still showing it here. I felt overwhelmed at the screen size and presentation, as it seemed the screen was about as tall as it was wide in the larger, Dolby-equipped auditorium. The other auditorium was non-stereo. The opening scene with the flyover of the Klingon battle cruisers gave the impressioin of really being in space ‘flying over’ these massive ships. Very cool. Presentation was flawless as was my enjoyment of watching this movie on the big screen for the umpteenth time.
As you descended the stairs to the screens, I do recall there was a video game room to the right as well.
In December 1984, this venue had one of the few bookings of 2010 in 70mm. In contrast to the viewing at the GCC Springfield Mall 1 (Springfield, VA), in the then new THX certified theater, this venue seemed to play it LOUDER. My mind goes back to the scene where the late Roy Sheider’s character, Dr. Floyd is conversing with his wife about going back into space. She’s pissed and hurls a glass into the sink. The resulting CRASH was sudden and audibly crisp as it broke into what seemed like many, many pieces. It made my friends and I jump/shift positions in our seats!
I’d like to think I visited this place again after that but can’t recall at this time. If you were to go there now, you’d never know there was a movie theater here at all. Next door is a little sandwich shop called Booeymongers, which was a great after movie destination spot for a light meal and conversation.
“Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” played here in 70mm…fantastic!!
question: I remember seeing ‘Return of the Jedi’ at the Jenifer, though I don’t remember it being in 70mm – was it?
Yes, according to Coate’s 25th anniversary article that identifies all of RETURN OF THE JEDI’s 70mm locations.
This was opened by General Cinemas on March 12th, 1975 with Funny Lady in both screens. Its grand opening ad in photo section.