“Sacred Houses Series”
We plan to pay tribute to revered cinema houses worldwide – from renowned theaters to arthouses and community theaters – that all share the goal of showcasing the art of film to audiences. We begin this month with the famed “Cinerama Dome” in Hollywood, California.
The Cinerama Dome is an iconic landmark and historic movie theater in Hollywood, California. Designed by the renowned architect Buckminster Fuller and constructed in 1963, the Dome is one of the city’s most recognizable and unique structures.
Originally built to showcase Cinerama, a widescreen format developed in the 1950s, the Cinerama Dome was the first-ever purpose-built structure for showcasing this revolutionary cinematic experience. Cinerama utilized three synchronized projectors and a curved screen to immerse viewers in a panoramic and immersive visual spectacle.
The Dome’s distinctive geodesic shape, made up of triangular panels, was a technological marvel of its time. The unconventional design provided optimal acoustics and an unobstructed view for all audience members, ensuring an unparalleled movie-watching experience.
In 2002, the ArcLight Cinemas chain acquired the Cinerama Dome, renovating and modernizing the theater while preserving its iconic exterior.
On April 12, 2021, it was announced that The Decurion Corporation, the parent company of Pacific Theatres and Arclight Cinemas, will not reopen any theater locations. These locations have been closed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis.
As of 2023, the theater remains closed. However, recent news indicates that it may reopen by the end of the year. We eagerly await the revival of this iconic cinematic venue.
If you know of a theater that deserves recognition in our “Sacred Houses” series, please contact us and provide details about its location, name, and significance to you or your community. We are passionate about supporting local theaters and believe they should be celebrated alongside the more well-known historic venues.
The Other Cinema 