Anchorage Movie Theatre Memories

Let's go to the movies.

During the long, cold dark of winter, Anchorage movie theaters offered us a relief from the grip of Cabin Fever.

For two hours or more, you could enjoy a movie or two if it was a double feature.

In the 1940s, 1950s, and into the early 1960s, you might also see a cartoon, a serial, or a newsreel just before your movie.

Movies (and television) were our window on the world outside of Alaska.

The Empress Theater

Austin Eugene “Cap” Lathrop (October 1865–July 26, 1950) is considered to be “Alaska’s first home-grown millionaire”.

The Lathrop movie theater group began back in 1916 when Cap Lathrop built the Empress Theater (seen above) located on 4th Avenue near G Street. It was the very first movie theater in Anchorage.

Lathrop also built Empress theatres in other towns in Alaska, including Cordova.

At the time, movies were still silent.

In 1917, a 2/11 Kimball Organ was installed. Jim Orcutt was the organist.

Mike, of Anchorage Memories, recalls going to see movies at the Empress back in the early 1950s. The last movie Mike saw there, was in about 1953. It was the classic science fiction movie, Invaders from Mars.

The Empress closed in the 1950s.

BONUS

Some years later, KTVA, channel 11 Chief Engineer Franklin Butte used parts of the Empress theater’s Kimball organ in Uncle’s Pizza restaurant, managed by Chuck Martin. It’s our understanding that the restaurant closed in the 1970s.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

Let’s go out to the lobby to get ourselves a treat!

And while you’re at it, give your friends and family a treat by sharing this edition of the Anchorage Memories Club. And when you do, they will be so happy that they will give you a year-long pass to your favorite movie theatre… Well, it could happen.

The 4th Avenue Theater

The crown jewel.

While the Empress was a grand theater, the dream of Anchorage’s first movie palace started with construction of the 4th Avenue Theater in 1941.

But the world had other ideas, and World War II caused completion of the theater to be delayed until 1947.

Cap Lathrop really went all out for the 4th Avenue theater.

It was an Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Art Moderne style building. The theater had a combined seating capacity of 1,100 (including the balcony). And you might not know this, but Cap Lathrop was not convinced that a concession stand was appropriate. Years later, we are all happy that one was added.

The 4th Avenue theater was a wonderful experience for Alaskans, and its memory means something special to each of us.

Mary of Anchorage Memories recalls heading right to the concession stand in the 4th Avenue theatre, after getting her ticket at the box office. Her favorite treats included a box of popcorn, a Pepsi, and Flicks candy. Then it was time to head into the auditorium for a fun afternoon of movies.

BONUS

About the 4th Avenue Theatre.

“It was the perfect place in Anchorage to see a movie.

Imagine the first time you went to see a movie at Anchorage's famed 4th Avenue Theater.

Just standing there on the sidewalk in front of the theatre, looking at the colorful posters showing you what was playing and what would be playing in the weeks and months to come, was fun.

And as you approached the box office to get your movie tickets, you knew you were about to enter a special place.”

Now we have a treat for you

You can download this FREE, 4th Avenue Memories e-book. It’s an instant download just for you. and it’s full of wonderful memories.

Just click on the following link:

Take a look at the 4th Avenue Memories e-book, and enjoy.

The Denali Theater

Photo by Starr Judkins Lane

For those who came to Anchorage sometime after the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake, some folks don’t realize that the Denali Theater wasn’t always located in Spenard.

Its original location was next to a bar on 4th Avenue. But as you can see by the picture above, the Denali sank to its theater marque during the 1964 earthquake. Following that event, it was relocated to Spenard.

The very first movie, Mike of Anchorage Memories recalls seeing at the Denali on 4th Avenue, ended up being a big mistake.

Mike was just a boy at the time. Here’s Mike’s story.

“Me, my sister Anna and my brother Tom were walking downtown with our mom, Louise Dougherty. As we came closer to the Denali Theater, mom said, “hey, do you kids want to see a movie?” of course, we all got very excited and shouted “yes”. Then mom said, OK Mike, you’re the oldest, you get to choose the movie.”

When we found ourselves in front of the Denali, they had a sandwich board on the sidewalk with a display about the current movie they were showing.

I looked it over and said, “this one, Let’s see this one.”

In her wisdom, mom knew it was a mistake, and she said, “are you sure?”

Well, we ended up in the Denali where we saw the 1962 low – budget, black and white movie “The Brain that Wouldn’t Die”.

The movie was tame by today’s standards, but back then it scared me half to death. I think my brother Tom spent most of the time with his hands over his eyes.”

The Fireweed Movie Theater

When it first opened in 1965, the Fireweed Theater was the largest movie theater in Alaska.

Among the many movies we remember seeing at the fireweed were “2001 a Space Odyssey”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Herbie the Love Bug”. For the Love Bug”, they displayed a Volkswagen in the lobby, looking like it was the star of the movie.

And it seems to us that KBYR radio hosted a screening of the movie “Woodstock” in the Fireweed.

Drive-In Theaters in Anchorage

In the photo above is the Sundowner Drive-In

As we recall, the first drive-in movie theater in Anchorage was the Billiken out in Muldoon. That was followed by the Sundowner Drive-In, located behind the Fireweed movie theatre.

Going to an evening movie at a drive-in theater in Anchorage had its challenges. In the summer, it was difficult to see the movie on the screen because of the amount of sunlight.

In the winter, you could see the screen, but you either had to use the little “heater” that was hanging from the speaker post, or you had to start your car and turn on your car heater for a while.

But Alaskan’s are a hearty breed.

BONUS

Read more about the Anchorage Drive-In Experience and enjoy.

DOUBLE BONUS

The Sundowner Drive-In also hosted rock acts in the 1970s, including Kiss, Rare Earth and Savoy Brown.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our look at the Pioneering History of Anchorage.

Irene had this memory:

“We lived in Anchorage from 1946 to 1963. My Dad took us to the "Garden of Eatin” for special occasions. We especially liked the roast beef served on a wooden plank, with mashed potatoes all around the whole thing. "Uptown"!”

Avril recalled:

“I love and really appreciate reading the history of Alaska. I worked in Prudhoe Bay in the 70s in security. Before that, I worked in reception for Mechanics Research (MRI) downtown. I remember having to take the blueprints to each camp by helicopter. I became a flight attendant for BP, British Petrolium, and the plane was leased from Alaska Airlines, it was a 727. And it was a wonderful experience.”

Rmm sent us this:

“Thanks for your site, I really enjoy your stories.”

Anchorage Memories.com

You can enjoy a treasure chest, filled with memories of the Anchorage you love.

Take a look at Anchorage Memories.com and enjoy.

Connect with Mike and Mary

Well, our movie is over and all the popcorn is gone.

We love hearing from our readers.

Do you have a comment, or just want to say “I loved the 4th Avenue Theatre”.

You can contact us by replying to this email or by Contacting Us right now.

Until next time

Mike and Mary

Anchorage Memories Club