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Coliseum Theater (Seattle, Washington)
Encyclopedia
The Coliseum Theater, a former cinema in Seattle, Washington, opened January 8, 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1975, and is also an official Seattle city landmark. Designed by B. Marcus Priteca
, it was Seattle's first theater built specifically for showing movies, and was one of the first cinema
s anywhere to strive for architectural grandeur. When it opened, it was advertised as "the world’s largest and finest photoplay palace." In 1931, the Journal of the Royal Institute of Architects
called it "the first of the world's movie palaces."
The exterior features elaborate terra cotta
work, and the original interior was comparably ornate. When it opened in the silent film
era, it boasted a 7-piece orchestra plus an organist; the giant organ was made by Moller
, and the musicians—all Russians—were reputed to be the highest-paid movie theater musicians in the country. Anita King
attended the opening night to give a speech dedicating the theater.
The Coliseum continued as a first-run theater into the late 1970s, and continued to show films until 1990. In 1995, the building was rehabilitated as a Banana Republic clothing store.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1975, and is also an official Seattle city landmark. Designed by B. Marcus Priteca
B. Marcus Priteca
Benjamin Marcus Priteca was born in Glasgow, Scotland. A theater architect, he is best-known for his work for Alexander Pantages. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1907 and later attended the Royal College of Art...
, it was Seattle's first theater built specifically for showing movies, and was one of the first cinema
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
s anywhere to strive for architectural grandeur. When it opened, it was advertised as "the world’s largest and finest photoplay palace." In 1931, the Journal of the Royal Institute of Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
called it "the first of the world's movie palaces."
The exterior features elaborate terra cotta
Terra cotta
Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic, although the term can also be applied to glazed ceramics where the fired body is porous and red in color...
work, and the original interior was comparably ornate. When it opened in the silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era, it boasted a 7-piece orchestra plus an organist; the giant organ was made by Moller
M. P. Moller
Mathias Peter Møller was a prolific Danish organ builder. He was a native of the Danish island of Bornholm. He founded the M.P. Moller Pipe Organ Company in Greencastle, Pennsylvania in 1875...
, and the musicians—all Russians—were reputed to be the highest-paid movie theater musicians in the country. Anita King
Anita King
Anita King was an American stunt driver, actress, and thoroughbred racehorse owner.-Early life:Born Anna Keppen to German immigrants in Michigan City, Indiana, her father committed suicide in 1896 when she was twelve years old and two years later her mother died of pulmonary tuberculosis...
attended the opening night to give a speech dedicating the theater.
The Coliseum continued as a first-run theater into the late 1970s, and continued to show films until 1990. In 1995, the building was rehabilitated as a Banana Republic clothing store.