Cinerama Dome: A Hollywood Icon’s Return
The Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles, once a hallmark of cinematic experiences, is set for revival. Closed since the COVID pandemic, the dome is now on track to reopen with the aid of SONY Pictures and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. SONY Pictures announced plans to lease, restore, and reopen the theater in 2028. Alamo Drafthouse will manage programming for this iconic venue along with 14 additional screens in the adjacent multiplex.
“Hot damn! We’re bringing the Dome back, baby,” exclaimed Tom Rothman, CEO of SONY Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, emphasizing their dedication to movie theaters. He considers the Dome as unparalleled in representing the essence of moviegoing.
Michael O’Leary, who leads Cinema United, shared the emotional significance of this reopening. The Dome’s closure was emblematic of the pandemic, but its upcoming revival underscores the resurgence of movie theater attendance.
Escott Norton, a former executive director and current board member of the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, echoed this excitement. He recalled that many have eagerly awaited the Dome’s reopening, viewing it as quintessentially Hollywood. As a native of LA and former film production designer, Norton treasures his experiences at the Dome, describing them as immersive.
“When I saw Close Encounters on this giant screen curved around me, it knocked my socks off,” Norton remarked about the immersive experience offered by the unique architecture of the Dome.
Constructed in 1963 under the direction of Pacific Theaters founder William Forman, the Dome was designed to showcase wide-screen movies in a captivating setting. Forman employed a French architect, trained by geodesic design pioneer R. Buckminster Fuller. The geodesic design catered to the widescreen format that was devised as a strategy to attract audiences away from televisions.
The Dome debuted with It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a film featuring prominent comedians like Sid Caesar and Milton Berle. Although filmed in Ultra Panavision rather than Cinerama, the movie played continuously at the Dome for two years. Attendees of the premiere included luminaries such as Bobby Kennedy and Adlai Stevenson, though President and Mrs. Kennedy had to decline due to their ill-fated trip to Dallas.
The Dome became a sanctuary for film enthusiasts, sometimes dressed in themes matching its screenings. Memorable instances include Godzilla bursting through its roof, Shrek-inspired greens, and figures like Spider-Man draped upon it. Prestigious events and premieres, such as Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, further cemented its reputation.
Despite financial struggles amidst the pandemic, fervent efforts from individuals like Benjamin Steinberg kept the Dome’s legacy alive. Steinberg’s campaign drew attention by projecting images onto the Dome, imploring the property’s owners to revive it.
Although met with resistance, Steinberg’s actions heightened awareness of the Dome’s plight, enabling preservationists to push for restoration. As the Dome prepares for its comeback, SONY pledges to honor its historical significance while securing its future.