Comments on: Movie Theater of the Century

By: Charles

Charles — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:17:14 +0000

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.

By: Scott Rogers

Scott Rogers — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 05:15:12 +0000

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!!

By: Russ

Russ — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:23:52 +0000

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.

By: R Lake

R Lake — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:35:34 +0000

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.

By: bnjmnrlyr

bnjmnrlyr — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:08:24 +0000

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 )

By: Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 02:02:06 +0000

Had this in my town too with the similar dome shape roof. I think it closed down some 20 years ago.