Town & Country Theater
2980 Stevens Creek Boulevard,
San Jose,
CA
95128
2980 Stevens Creek Boulevard,
San Jose,
CA
95128
7 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: AMC Theatres, Century Theatres, Mann Theatres, National General Theatres
Previous Names: Cinerama Palace
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jun 14, 2012 — REMEMBERING CINERAMA (Part 53: San Jose)
- Jul 15, 2008 — Remembering "Die Hard" -- A 20th Anniversary Tribute
- Jul 15, 2008 — Remembering "Die Hard"
This former Cinerama Palace was built for 70mm Cinerama in 1966. Situated across the street from the palatial Century 21, the Town & Country was sold to AMC and renovated in 1991.
The screen was flattened and the deteriorating cinema was finally, and sadly, demolished.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
FOX TOWN AND COUNTRY THEATRE was originally owned by National General Theatres.It was sold to CENTURY THEATRES in the early 70’s when Mann took over and sold or closed all the Bay Area theatres under the FOX/NATIONAL GENERAL banner.
I WORKED WITH BILL TANNEHILL THERE TRAINING TO OPEN mANN’S FASHION ISLAND 6 IN FOSTER CITY AND I REMEMBER WHEN SCRAPPY MOVED TO THE FOX T AND C WHEN THEY SOLD THE SAN MATEO BEVERLY ALSO TRANSFERED THERE AND SLEPT IN THE JANITORS CLOSET.
I saw Die Hard, Top Gun and Superman here…. It had the best presentation back in the day, before AMC bought it and ruined its reputation. On the issue of the 21, 22 and 23 theaters closing across the street- With some serious funding from some serious supporters, the Century 21 could become a class act entertainment destination in the heart of the Silicon Valley once again. With some minor changes to the exterior, lobby and auditorium and a few major changes to the projection booth and screen, this theatre has the potential to be a first-run, 3D digital movie theatre, a one-of-a-kind single-screen IMAX venue and even a Cinerama-capable auditorium (as it was originally constructed to be) all in one. Just see what Paul Allen did for Seattle’s Cinerama Theatre and what the Pacific Theatre chain did for the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. The developers even built around that one and both sides won. The issue here is that we have wealthy corporate executives and we have dedicated, film-lovers who appreciate what these screens were in the past, what they are today and what they could be in the future. The problem that we face is that we do not have both qualities in the same person who is willing to swoop down and save the day, like Superman did for me in 1978 (another classic film I watched at these domes – technically across the street at Town & Country, which was still considered to be a part of the old “Block” Century Theatres complex).
boxcop… At the time of the “Superman” engagement, the Dome Complex and the Town & Country were in competition with each other. The Domes were run by Syufy and the Town & Country was run by Mann. Syufy’s (aka Century) ownership of the Town & Country came years later. See my Still Believing A Man Can Fly article for a reference to Town & Country being a Mann operation in 1978/79 (and for a list of where else “Superman” played when it was new).
Saw Krakato East of Java there and Herbie The Love Bug for 8 straight weeks .My father was the projectionist there Tom Taylor when I was young and mom was fed up with me i was sent to work with my Dad and yes Herbie played for 8 straight weeks not a fun summer but the memories will never go
The 70mm engagements at the Town & Country….
1967-03-08 … Hawaii (roadshow; 70mm unconfirmed)
1969-08-01 … Krakatoa, East of Java
1976-12-25 … A Star is Born
1978-12-15 … Superman (70mm from Week #7)
1981-01-23 … Altered States
1981-05-22 … Outland
1982-06-18 … Firefox
1983-04-22 … Raiders of the Lost Ark
1983-05-13 … Blue Thunder
1983-07-15 … Staying Alive
1984-06-08 … Ghostbusters
1984-12-07 … City Heat
1985-05-22 … Rambo: First Blood Part II
1985-07-24 … The Black Cauldron
1985-12-20 … Out of Africa
1986-05-16 … Top Gun
1986-10-17 … The Color of Money
1987-03-06 … Lethal Weapon
1987-06-03 … The Untouchables
1987-08-05 … Stakeout
1987-11-25 … 3 Men and a Baby
1988-05-20 … Willow
1988-07-15 … Die Hard
1989-07-07 … Lethal Weapon 2
1990-06-15 … Dick Tracy
1992-12-25 … Hoffa
I saw “Altered States” there in 1981, projected in 70mm. The projection booth door was right beside the left entrance, and the projectionist left his door open for people to see the equipment. I struck up a conversation and was allowed to be inside for picture start-up. A Disney cartoon “Chips Ahoy” preceded the feature. It had been blown-up to 70mm so that no projector change-over was needed. This experience was truly an example of someone who was proud of his work.
Ralph Daniel: I find it highly unlikely the “Chips Ahoy” cartoon short screened with “Altered States.” Ask yourself: Does it seem plausible Disney would authorize one of their G-rated cartoon shorts, with no thematic similarities, and in a different aspect ratio, to be screened with an R-rated movie from a rival studio? The only 70mm screenings of “Chips Ahoy” I’m aware of screened with “The Black Cauldron” in 1985. And “The Black Cauldron” played Town & Country, the same theater in which you’re recalling seeing “Altered States,” so if you saw “Cauldron” there, too, then I’d say you’re simply conflating the two moviegoing experiences. On the other hand, if you did not see “The Black Cauldron” there, then maybe it’s a different cartoon short that played with “Altered States” (the sci-fi themed “Duck Dodgers in the 24 ½ Century,” maybe?).
Seeing “Die Hard” here in 70mm was truly an EXPERIENCE that I am forever grateful I was able to have.
Opened on June 29th, 1966. Grand opening ad posted.