Villa Plaza I-II-III

10501 Davisson Road SW,
Lakewood, WA 98499

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: General Cinema Corp.

Previous Names: Villa Plaza I-II

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News About This Theater

Newspaper Ad

Opened 1969 on July 1, 1969. Originally was a two-screen theater but demand forced owners to convert the larger theater into two spaces. Small, shoebox-style theaters. Fell into decline as newer, bigger theaters sprung up in Tacoma and Pierce County. It was closed on May 30, 1988. Theater was demolished when the Villa Plaza shopping center became the Lakewood Mall (which is now Lakewood Towne Center).

Contributed by Kate DeWeese

Recent comments (view all 21 comments)

archangel
archangel on August 26, 2011 at 3:14 pm

I remember that a “Laura” trained me as a doorman when I started working there in 1978. I agree with your comment though that mostly they would only door while covering our breaks. In my Chief of Staff days I filled in for vacationing managers at pretty much all of GCC’s theaters from Everett down to Tacoma. Some of them had full time female “doormen”. Oh, and for those that remember her as our District Manager I hear that Linda Danisher (sp?) is a librarian now or at least she was as of a few years ago.

markinthedark
markinthedark on August 26, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Some notable exclusive engagements late in its life were Return of the Jedi and Romancing the Stone. GCC played a lot of Fox and Universal films in the day.

OldGCCchick
OldGCCchick on September 16, 2011 at 8:23 pm

I started there in 1982 when E.T. was playing to sold out crowds. I closed it in 1988 shortly after I was promoted to manager.

cylgecko
cylgecko on March 15, 2012 at 8:12 am

Does anyone know when the photo of the concession stand was taken? I worked there in the mid-80’s (including the ROTJ and Romancing the Stone runs) and it looked exactly the way it does in the photo. So sad it’s gone. Have a lot of very fond memories. It was my first-ever job. After it closed, I moved to Lincoln Plaza GCC for summer jobs when home from school.

OldGCCchick
OldGCCchick on March 15, 2012 at 9:37 am

I think those photos were taken between 86 & 88. Was sad closing it. We probably know each other. I am Carmen. I Went from Villa Plaza, on to Renton Village to close it before the rebuild then on to Kitsap Mall Cinemas.

EricWaldow
EricWaldow on April 30, 2012 at 12:55 am

I don’t know if the Brady Bunch were there for the opening, but there is a connection. There was a special screening (I think it was “Charlotte’s Web”) and two of the cast members (Pretty sure it was Barry Williams and Christopher Knight) were there and handing out records (45s) after the movie.

DavidClary
DavidClary on February 2, 2015 at 7:36 pm

Wow that brings back memories. I worked there about 1975/1976ish to about 1977/1978ish. Started as a doorman & eventually chief of staff. Also popped popcorn & filled in for the janitors. Knew Johnny the projectionist (Drove a VW bug ) and spacing on the name of the other projectionist. Manager’s name was O'Neil and another might have been a younger brother to Linda Danisher. Was there for the King Kong remake launch. And no I NEVER ate the popcorn…:–)

markinthedark
markinthedark on July 25, 2015 at 12:14 pm

Just uploaded some old newspaper ads

rivest266
rivest266 on July 11, 2021 at 4:54 pm

The Villa Plaza Cinema I & II was opened by General Cinema on July 1st, 1969. Grand opening ad with pictures posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 12, 2021 at 2:05 pm

Newspaper listings for this cinema ended on May 30th, 1988.

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