My last blog, in which I wrote about our local theater here in the little town of Delaware, Ohio, got me reminiscing about my favorite theater back home in San Jose, California: The Century Theaters (with their unique dome shape) on Winchester Avenue. Specifically, it’s Century 22 that holds a special place in my heart.
This was the main theater in town when I was growing up. My parents took me to my first movie ever, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, at these theaters. In fact, so strongly did I associate the theater with the film as a wee lad I used to call them "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" whenever we drove by them on Highway 280.
Century 22 opened in 1966, the year after I was born (Century 21 next door had opened two years earlier). The center theater sat about a 1,000 viewers, and the screen was magnificently large! Many screens that are dubbed IMAX today are considerably smaller.
I saw so many big movies here. My dad took me to see Star Wars at Century 22, during which I lost my last baby tooth on a Milk Dud). Star Wars ran at this theater for over a year straight upon it’s first release. I can remember the ad in the paper on May 25, 1978 with a birthday cake surrounded by Kenner action figures.
In 1979, sick as a dog, I sat in line for Star Trek the Motion Picture.
I saw all the big movies here growing up. Star Trek sequels, Empire Strikes Back, E.T., Batman, the Rocketeer, Dick Tracy. Heck, I remember seeing movies such as When Harry Met Sally and What About Bob? here. It was more than going to the movies, it was an experience, an event.
For the typical summer blockbuster you could expect to wait in line for 4 or 5 hours or more on opening day. In 1995 my best friend and I waited in line for 8 hours for the Star Wars Special Edition. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the multiple rows of people waiting to get into various showtimes for some of these movies. Waiting in line for that long sounds awful, I know, but it was a party like atmosphere. You were there with all your friends. Everyone was amped up for whatever big screen adventure awaited us. Some of the early birds who wanted to be first in line (something of a badge of honor) had chairs, and TVs powered by gas generators. People brought games to play. There were plenty of restaurants around, so someone was always making a food run. And, if you wanted to be a part of it you had to purchase tickets in advance.
It was fantastic.
But, as always, times change. What was once a hotspot in a city eventually cools off. Audiences go elsewhere. The big multiplexes moved in (some even owned by Century Theaters, which now is owned by Cinemark) and became the go-to destination for movie-goers. But, they offered so many screens, and so many showtimes, that movies ceased being an event. You could now show up 5 minutes before the hottest new movie was starting, buy your ticket and walk right in. It’s just not the same.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love going to the movies. But, it’s just not the same experience it once was.
Sadly, I hear rumors that these San Jose landmarks might not be long for this world. The land they sit on is worth considerably more than the revenue they generate nowadays. Upon my last visit to San Jose I got to visit the theater for what might be the last time. It was dusk, and there was nothing playing that my friend and I wanted to see…but I snapped this last picture with my iPhone. Thanks for the memories, Century Theaters.
Had this in my town too with the similar dome shape roof. I think it closed down some 20 years ago.
I remember movies being so much different when I was a child as well.
The long lines, the crowds of people chatting, sharing, playing, and waiting to have a good time TOGETHER.
Most of my BIG MOVIES were at the Drive-in though. There were always huge playground areas just beneath the screen, tailgaters, and blankets on every hood of every car in the lot. I even remember the “honor” of getting to hold that little tethered speakbox one night during the Muppet Movie because it was too warm to put the window up to hang it on.
Sadly, like all things, the Drive-ins are now gone. There is one about an hour or so drive from my house, and every once in a while I get the urge to go, but the pairings they put up just don’t hold enough interest for me and my son to be able to sit through it all. Which is a shame.
Thanks for reminiscing for us Jeff.
(and I fondly remember Century 21 for those obnoxious mustard-colored jackets my grandmother used to have to wear
)
Sorry, but the long lines are nothing I happily wax nostalgically about.
My best memory of waiting in line was to see Terminator 2 in ’91 with my parents. Trust me…it was even more boring of an experience than it sounds like, and I really remember it vividly.
The movie was awesome, though.
Jeff, We watched Star Wars numerous times at the Century theaters, and some of waited in line for 6 hours to see the opening of The Empire Strikes Back. Had some really good memories brought back by that. Thank you for bringing that memory back. Also you got to drive by the Winchester Mystery House, one of the best atractions in the whole bay area in my book.
Hey Jeff, you must have been right ahead of me in line for the Star Wars Special Edition. That line was fantastic – I’ve never seen so many lightsabers waving around in one theater. The first time I went to the “Winchester Domes” (as we called them) I saw “The Abyss” but we got there late I sat in the lower left hand front row. I don’t think I’ve ever been so sick watching a film. When I moved up to San Jose, I learned my lesson and the Domes were my cinema of choice for blockbusters – Independance Day in particular stands out in my memory as a movie that was enhanced by that gigantic curving screen. Another amazing thing about the theatre was the “pre-movie chant” that accompanied the “please be quiet” message. I have never heard anything so polorizing in a theatre before or since! Alas, the theatre wasn’t the same after they “split the screens” in two – doubling the capacity, but reducing the mammoth screens. I spent many a great time in that movie theatre. Thanks for the memories!!
I was living in the Bay Area at the time Star Wars was released and I remember seeing it there. It was a large screen.