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Seen more than my share of Hollywood cr@p here.
Posted on 03/28/2014 3:29:19 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Unless an unforeseen change occurs, this is the last weekend to see a film at San Jose's iconic Winchester Century Dome theaters.
The final screening at the Century 21, 22 and 23 theaters will be on Sunday at 7 p.m.: A goodbye showing of "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Perhaps the people who want to save these nearly-half-century-old structures (the oldest of the domes tuns 50 in November) from the wrecking ball can find inspiration in Indiana Jones.
The character is, after all, very adept at outrunning extremely large round boulders and has a knack for saving and preserving historical artifacts against all odds. He persevered and claimed victory in all his adventures.
But can local preservationists do the same? They are certainly trying.
One woman who used to work the snack bar at these theaters has posted a video to YouTube, pleading with people to sign a petition on change.org to save the domes, which are located next to the Winchester Mystery House across the street from Santana Row.
More than 6,000 people have signed their names to the website, asking Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose to preserve the domes and have them designated as historical structures. There's a Save the Domes Facebook page, too. Turns out the city is already working on this.
Next month the state will consider historical designation for these theaters, and the federal government is expected to consider that as well.
Still, the families who own this property want to tear down the theaters and redevelop these large parcels of land to put into something that will make much more money than theses theaters are bringing.
Especially since the dome theaters built in the 1960s don't bring in the crowds like they used to as they compete with the big multiplexes and on-demand movies at home. The owners of Santana row have already entered into a long-term lease to develop the property.
Ping
We’ve got a defunct Century. Was the biggest theater in town when it opened. But it’s too far away from anything else entertaining, closed years ago. Still a nice looking building but completely useless, should be torn down.
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Seen more than my share of Hollywood cr@p here.
The past has to be torn asunder to make people accept the new future that is push upon them.
All of the old ballparks had to be torn down by order of MLB.
The old civic auditoriums had to be torn down too.
The mascots have to change.
Burgers are now verbotten as are gas burning cars and organized religion.
All praise the new globalist society. Light up if you got ‘em.
Lady Obama SAID your traditions and history would have to change.
I saw this film at a Century dome way back when it came out when I was a kid. Not this San Jose one.
I think the Century 21 I used to go to has been torn down.
Makes me kind of wistful to think about it, but it’s not a horrible loss.
Saw the Exorcist at Century 21.... Line was a block long
They were fun.
The one i went to was in Pleasant Hill.
I haven’t been to these theaters in a long time, last time I think was watching Batman and Robin. Terrible movie. Still, having lived in this neighborhood, they became a kind of defacto mainstay of the area.
Now they are at risk of becoming Santana Row II. Not that I have anything against Santana Row since I enjoy that place but still. It’s not exactly unique like the domes are.
That looks exactly like the Century Dome Theater that was in Anaheim. They tore it down years ago. It was a great place to see a movie.
I remember these theaters when I lived in San Jose in 1966/1967. Saw the following movies there: The Bible, Grand Prix, 2001 A Space Odyssey and The Graduate. The first three were in “Cinerama” and there was just one screen per building.
There as a constant 15mph wind in the theater from the air conditioning.
They are just completing the Dicks Sporting Goods store on the grave of the Dome Theater in Pleasant Hill, CA.
Wouldn’t “The Last Picture Show” be a better choice for the last movie before a cinema closes?
Hot damn, you must be close to me, I’m over in Lafayette...
I saw Star Wars at this very theater in 1977.
I’d hate to be a roofer on that job.
Also saw 2001 A Space Odyssey with me cub scout pack. I thought it sucked.
buh bye century domes, its been fun. .
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