Cinedome shuts its doors in Riverdale
Building's owners seek to avoid Loews bankruptcy action
By Lynn Arave, Deseret News staff writer
Deseret News, 13 February 2001, page B7
Deseret News, 13 February 2001, page B7
Article Summary:
The Tullis and Hansen families opened the Cinedome 70 on 15 May 1970. The twin theaters had 795 seats each. An organ provided live music in the lobby.
Nancy Tullis said, "It was fashioned after the Century-theater style. These were the first theaters in Utah to have a form of stadium seating."
Darrell and Ray Hansen died in a 1975 airplane crash. The families continued to operate the theater until 1985, when the theater was leased to Plitt Theaters.
Cinedome 70 closed on 5 February 2001 when the Tullis and Hansen families terminated their contract with the theater's operator, the financially troubled Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp. Even though the lease wasn't due to expire for another four years, they figured it was only a matter of time before Loews entered bankruptcy and started closing theaters.
Nancy Tullis said, "We're currently negotiating with some folks who would like to take over the theaters... Movie theaters are a troubled industry these days, and the Cinedome is so unique it may be impossible to operate it successfully... It would be very sad for me if we had to close."
The Tullis and Hansen families sold the Riverdale Drive-in in 1985 to be used for an apartment development.
The Tinseltown USA in Ogden has 3,200 total seats, with 290 in the largest auditorium.
The seven-screen Tinseltown USA in Layton has 425 seats in its largest auditorium.
The Wilshire Theater opened in 1969 and was torn down late in 2000.
Nancy Tullis said, "It was fashioned after the Century-theater style. These were the first theaters in Utah to have a form of stadium seating."
Darrell and Ray Hansen died in a 1975 airplane crash. The families continued to operate the theater until 1985, when the theater was leased to Plitt Theaters.
Cinedome 70 closed on 5 February 2001 when the Tullis and Hansen families terminated their contract with the theater's operator, the financially troubled Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp. Even though the lease wasn't due to expire for another four years, they figured it was only a matter of time before Loews entered bankruptcy and started closing theaters.
Nancy Tullis said, "We're currently negotiating with some folks who would like to take over the theaters... Movie theaters are a troubled industry these days, and the Cinedome is so unique it may be impossible to operate it successfully... It would be very sad for me if we had to close."
Riverdale Drive-In
The Tullis and Hansen families sold the Riverdale Drive-in in 1985 to be used for an apartment development.
Tinseltown USA (Ogden)
The Tinseltown USA in Ogden has 3,200 total seats, with 290 in the largest auditorium.
Tinseltown USA (Layton)
The seven-screen Tinseltown USA in Layton has 425 seats in its largest auditorium.
Wilshire
The Wilshire Theater opened in 1969 and was torn down late in 2000.