MacArthur Theater

4859 MacArthur Boulevard NW,
Washington, DC 20007

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: K-B Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.

Architects: John J. Zink

Firms: Goenner, Woodhouse & Associates

Functions: Drugstore

Styles: Streamline Moderne

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News About This Theater

MacArthur Theater

Opened as a 1,000-seat single screen movie theater on December 25, 1946 with Errol Flynn & Eleanor Parker in “Never Say Goodbye”. It was operated jointly by K-B Theatres and Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. On December 6, 1979, the MacArthur Theater held the world premiere of “Star Trek:The Motion Picture”. It was triplexed on December 17, 1982 (architects Goenner & Woodhouse), and closed in 1997.

Drugstore chain CVS took over the lease of the building that the same year and the once proud interior of the MacArthur Theater became a place to buy discount band-aids. Sadly, many of DC’s classic movie theaters have also been acquired by CVS.

Contributed by Ross Melnick

Recent comments (view all 103 comments)

Local619
Local619 on July 13, 2016 at 4:10 pm

Washington Post display ads of 12-5-1979 and 12-8-1979 only state Dolby Sound.. no mention of 70MM at any of the five DC area theatres.. MacArthur, Langley, Jennifer and Carrollton 6 all on Dolby and Marlow (no Dolby)..

JodarMovieFan
JodarMovieFan on October 3, 2017 at 6:43 pm

I can’t believe its been over 20 years since this place closed. 27 years since I’ve seen a movie inside. And its been 14 years since I’ve driven by the place and actually went in. I’m sure the CVS is the same inside as it was when I was there in 2004.

In reviewing my posts, I can’t believe I forgot to mention I saw Amadeus here in 1984 in 70mm. At that age, I had virtually no interest in Merchant Ivory-type period movies up to then, but I recall the commercials/trailer seemed to convey it to be almost unconventional. In fact, I believe MTV had commercials with the minimal frame cuts to appeal to that audience.

Upon viewing, one can say the movie isn’t Merchant Ivory-esque but a thoroughly enjoyable film and cast. In particular, was Tom Hulce cast as Amadeus and that cackle he was able to pull off that the real Amadeus supposedly had and a dirty sense of humor. This played quite well opposite F. Murray Abraham’s Salieri. I believe I saw it 2x before it went. The musical scenes were rapid cut but still audibly engaging given the sound format and McA’s auditorium acoustics. As its eventual Academy Award wins prove, I’m not the only one who thinks this way. :)

If memory serves me correctly, there was an extended or director’s cut that was longer than the original. It released only in 35mm so I avoided it.

Coate
Coate on October 3, 2017 at 9:43 pm

The MacArthur run of “Amadeus,” just for the sake of clarity, was later on in that film’s (long) release. DC first run was at K-B Cinema. See “Amadeus”: The 70mm Engagements article.

Coate
Coate on October 3, 2017 at 9:46 pm

This article on “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” should put to rest any questions about whether or not the movie was shown here in 70mm.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on October 3, 2017 at 11:30 pm

Was it named after General Macarthur?

MSC77
MSC77 on April 4, 2018 at 8:05 am

Here’s the link to a new article on roadshow and large format presentations in Washington, DC, which includes numerous mentions of the MacArthur.

Showcase Presentations in Washington, DC

The piece is a work in progress, so please don’t hesitate to offer up any useful feedback.

JodarMovieFan
JodarMovieFan on April 1, 2020 at 8:52 pm

A job routed me past this venue a few times. The exterior looks the same although I’m reading this CVS has consulting rooms. Not having gone inside but recalling how the store takes up the venue’s previous lobby area, I’m thinking they probably expanded the place to create the consultation rooms. They could easily have carved up #3, which was probably the smaller of the triplexed screens and is closer to the road.

Also, the next door Safeway has been closed, which is not surprising. It would have been closed after my last post.

Giles
Giles on May 22, 2025 at 2:44 pm

I was rereading these comments and the one question I have is: in it’s original one auditorium configuration what was the size of the screen? Also rereading that the Landmark E Street theater doomed the Dupont 5 theater, and now with E Street gone - ugh, what a depressing read

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on May 22, 2025 at 3:15 pm

The small auditoriums on the sides didn’t impact the original screen in the middle, which from seeing a film there, I estimated at about 40 feet wide.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 26, 2025 at 3:37 pm

3-plexing on December 17th, 1982. Ad posted.

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