Former Cinedome Reopens With New Film Format And Price

DOWNTOWN

The United Artists Discount Cinema 150, formerly known as the Cinedome, opened Friday, showing recently released movies for $1.50 a seat.

The movie house, at Sixth Avenue and Blanchard Street, closed Sept. 24 when then-sublessee Cinedome Inc. said it could not compete with other cinemas for first-run films. The complex is owned by United Artists, which took back control of the theater after Cinedome bowed out.

For its first weekend back, attendance was surprising, said Senior Vice President Bob Vallone. More than 1100 people attended shows over the weekend, compared to 1500 audience members during a regular weekend when the theater was showing first-run films.

Shows currently playing are Toys, The Mighty Ducks, Bram Stoker's Dracula and Hoffa. UA Discount Cinema 150 will replace Toys and The Mighty Ducks with Chaplin and Enchanted April on Friday.

Built in 1969, and opened the following year, the movie house has two auditoriums, both of which can show 70 millimeter format films. The screen in the domed area is reputed to be one of the largest screens in Seattle.

The $1.50 admission ticket may prove to be a major attraction to those willing to wait a few weeks to see a movie. At other first-run movie theaters, tickets cost $6.50 for an evening showing.

The company can still turn a profit from low ticket prices, provided they can generate large enough audiences, Vallone said.

"This format is very popular across the country," Vallone said. "We feel the $1.50 is the right admission and we have no intention of altering that."

Popcorn, candy and drinks will sell for typical cinema prices, however.

The movie house may also run older films.

United Artists closed the theater in 1991, when first-run movies did not attract large enough audiences.