Save The Cinerama Dome

by Doug Haines

As a member of the Editors Guild, and as a former projectionist and theater manager, I understand how important the Cinerama Dome is as a unique showcase for the work of our members - past, present, and hopefully future. Even today the theater still breaks box office records, and is frequently used as a site for stellar movie premieres. But sadly, the people currently in charge at the Pacific Theaters Corporation only see this landmark building as a waste of retail space.

When it opened in 1963 as the first movie theater designed exclusively for Cinerama films, it was heralded as "The only theater of its kind in the world." Today, Hollywood's famous Cinerama Dome remains the only surviving theater of its type in the world. During those intervening 35 years the exhibition industry has radically changed - from front single-screen movie palaces to shoebox multiplexes - but "the Dome" has always, thankfully, remained reassuringly the same. Until now.

A Huge Redevelopment

Officials of the Pacific Theaters Corporation, owners of the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Boulevard near Vine, have asked the City of Los Angeles to approve zoning for a proposed "Cinerama Done retail/entertainment center." This huge redevelopment would stretch from Vine Street on the east to Ivar on the west, encasing the landmark structure within a 15-screen multiplex and retail mall. According to Pacific's redevelopment proposal, only the very top of the striking geodesic dome would remain visible, while the lobby, forecourt, and the famous "Cinerama" marquee would all be torn down to make way for a bistro, brewery, and fitness center. An adjacent parking garage, nearly seven stories tall, would front Vine Street, creating a monolithic structure that would further blight this struggling area.

But worst of all is what Pacific Theaters intends to do to the Cinerama Dome's unique interior. In meetings with two preservation groups - the L.A. Conservancy and Hollywood Heritage - executives from Pacific Theaters have clearly outlined their intentions for the redevelopment, calling for:

• Removal of a portion of the rear of the building for a new entrance and escalator.
  
  
• Covering the currently-visible interior geodesic structure with a dropped ceiling.
  
  
• Gutting the interior to alter the slope of the upper and lower levels and install different seating.
  
  
• Replacing the famous "wrap around" Cinerama screen - the largest in the world when the theater opened, and second now only to Radio City Music Hall - with a smaller, flat screen.
  
  

This smaller screen would be positioned further into the auditorium, changing the interior configuration from semi-circular to square, and what's left of the Cinerama Dome will be just another box.

There are two people who can stop this ill-conceived project. Los Angeles city councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, and you. The Cinerama Dome lies within Ms. Goldberg's district, and while she may not be swayed by complaints from the same Hollywood preservationist groups that she's heard from so many times before, she will listen to you.

Help preserve this important part of our motion picture history. Help save the Cinerama Dome.

Phone or write:
Councilmember Jackie Goldberg
200 N. Spring Street, Room 240
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-3353