In a city filled with crazy architecture, a simple dome-shaped theater managed to stand out. The Cinerama Dome was built in 1963 and opened on November 2 with the star-studded “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” I don’t know how long it ran there, so I’m guessing this picture of the sun setting behind the dome was taken in late 1963.
The Dome is still there, but currently shuttered. Apparently there plans are underway to reopen it under the name “Cinerama Hollywood.” This image is from May 2022.
I as there for a Friday night showing, also afew years ago when they reran it at the Dome.
Lucky you.
The opening attraction, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World played at the Dome for a record 66 weeks. This was followed by other long-run engagements like The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), 43 weeks, Grand Prix (1966), 44 weeks, Camelot (1967), 51 weeks, Battle of the Bulge (1965), Ice Station Zebra (1968) and Paint Your Wagon (1969), all shown in 70mm and six-track stereophonic sound. For the first 19 years of operation, the Cinerama Dome played films on a Los Angeles County exclusive basis, meaning that if a film was playing in The Dome, no other Los Angeles theatre could play it. The Cinerama Dome also played films on a “roadshow” or reserved seat basis, I saw Battle of the Bulge there as a kid. They had tanks and other military props set up on the right side of the dome in a snow setting using cotton and fake barbed wire. Also saw The Greatest Story Ever Told” at the dome. Around 2007 or so I ran my carbon arc searchlight there for the premier of a movie.
Thanks for all that marvelous information, Bob. I did a bit of digging but couldn’t find it. Much appreciated!