Arts & Entertainment

Fans Petition To Save The Cinerama Dome

A petition on Change.org raked in over 2,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.

It was announced Monday evening that Pacific Theaters would not reopen the location after the pandemic
It was announced Monday evening that Pacific Theaters would not reopen the location after the pandemic (Shutterstock)

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Less than 24 hours after it was revealed the Cinerama Dome would close along with Arclight and Pacific Theaters around the country, lovers of the famed theater are already mobilizing to keep the dome alive. A petition was launched on Change.org to ensure the dome continues to screen movies, calling on major studios and distributors to step in and protect its future.

"It is one of the last remaining Cinerama domes in the world!" petition organizer Ben Steinberg wrote. "With the recent news that Arclight Cinemas is closing forever, we cannot allow the Dome to be demolished or changed. We the people (cinephiles) are calling on Amazon, Walt Disney Studios, Apple, Netflix or someone else to save the Dome, and continue the legacy of the Cinerama Dome!"

The petition had raked in 2,000 signatures as of Tuesday morning. Calls to save the dome were equally loud, with fans, actors and directors alike touching on the storied significance of the venue.

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"My first premiere was Steven Spielberg's 1941 at the Cinerama Dome, December, '79," actor Michael McKean wrote. "But I always think of the Dome as the perfect place to chill in dog-day summer. Jaws, Men in Black, car chases & 'splosions, popcorn, Milk Duds. Yeah, save the Dome."

Decurion Corporation, the theater's parent company, announced Monday evening it would not reopen its various theaters as the pandemic begins to subside.

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"After shutting our doors more than a year ago, today we must share the difficult and sad news that Pacific will not be reopening its ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres locations," the statement reads."This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward."

Opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1963, the Hollywood ArcLight is one of the highest-grossing movie theaters in America according to Deadline. The dome has seen a number of timely makeovers, being decked in green with tubular ears for Shrek 2 and later adorned with a sliding Spiderman figure for the release of "Spider-Man 2" in 2004.

The dome was also featured in Quentin Tarantino's film "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and has appeared in "Entourage" and other TV shows. It was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1998.

"To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers," the letter continued. "To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you."

Deadline also reported that sources told them the company was planning to turn the keys back to its landlords as part of a negotiation on outstanding leases.

The announcement doesn't rule out a sale of the chain, but the company declined requests for additional comment.

City News Service contributed to this report.

READ MORE: Cinerama Dome Will Not Reopen After Coronavirus

LA, The Real Star In 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood'


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