Sennichimae International Theatre

The Sennichimae International Cinema is one of a few Osaka movie theaters that opened right after World War II, opening as a single-screener in 1946 as a Shintoho premiere theater. It was later merged with the neighboring Nanchi Theater, and on December 31, 1956, two more theaters were added called the Sennichimae International Nikkatsu Theater and the International Chika Theater. The Sennichimae International Nikkatsu Theater was later renamed the Sennichimae International Cinema and became a Toei premiere theater.

In 1971 right after Nikkatsu dropped its fare for pornographic content, the Sennichimae International Theater became a Shochiku foreign theater showing both American and foreign features. The International Chika Theater in the basement was renamed the International Underground Theatre, and that theater operated as a adult theater.

The International Theatre auditorium housed 762 seats, and was an affiliate of the Marunouchi Piccadilly 1 series, featuring both 70mm projection and balcony seating. Along with the nearby Umeda Piccadilly that was also affiliated with Shochiku, it was known as the chain master of Shochiku foreign film cinemas in Osaka. During its heyday, live piano performances were sometimes held during breaks.

The International Cinema auditorium housed 564 seats, and was a Toei affiliate, featuring U-shaped balcony seating as well, and the International Underground Theater housed 252 seats. The Underground started life as an art house, but became showing adult movies at the same time as the International Theater becoming the Shochiku foreign affiliate.

On March 31, 2008, all three theaters closed for the final time because of major competition, and was beaten out by the nearby Namba Parks Cinema, a multiplex jointly operated by both Shochiku and T-Joy (Toei). However, during its final year of operation, they managed to screen festivals, including a Charles Chaplin festival, but failed because of declining patrons. It was demolished right after closure.

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