Consider joining us as we come together to save a theater in our city with so much history.
Seattle is up and coming in the art of film and theater and can become a formidable and a
viable alternative to Hollywood, in the near future. Hollywood set the tone, but Seattle is
evolving. In addition, we have natural resources like water that California is lacking in
comparison. That is an environmental and world issue of course and it is a well that can run-dry if we as a people don’t make the necessary adjustments to conserve and or to reverse thecauses. But there are lots of reasons to understand that it’s time for viable alternatives and locations for this industry to remain functional. As we move to grow our own culture here in
our own back yard, we want to preserve what culture we have left.

The Coliseum Theater, a former cinema in Seattle, Washington, opened January 8, 1916. There is so much talent here in Seattle. Preserving our culture as we progress and grow in the arts
only makes sense. We know from the theater’s history that reputable actors who
stemmed from Hollywood, CA were compelled enough to modify their personal goals and
accomplishments,to include opening this very cinema. This theater was pure luxury and state of-the-art after its construction was complete. It included aspacious smoking room for men.
The ladie's restrooms were tailored to best accommodate woman with various amenities. The
theater offered a playroom for children as well as recessed floor lighting throughout. The
seating was the finest of its class. There were lavish floral arrangements. Birds would hang in
cages and chirp

and sing which created a unique ambiance.

Lasky-Paramount Actor Anita King chose to skip Hollywood. She then Followed her calling to
come to Seattle in 1891-1963, she came to open The Coliseum Theater. This was Seattle's first motion picture theaterby the way. The Coliseum debuted with Cecil B. DeMille's feature film called The Cheat, staring Fanny Ward, and the Japanese actor and a matinée idol Kintarō Hayakawa, known professionally as Sessue Hayakawa. The Coliseum was Seattle's exclusive venue for paramount films. The Famous Players-corporation and The Jessie l Lasky feature Play Company, staring Olive Morasco and Pallas pictures, was presented there. Inaddition, the talent pool from these studios alone boasted such early box office draws as Mary Pickford, Geraldine Ferraro, Marquerite Clark, John Barrymore, and Blanche Sweet. Upon Anita
King’s divine entrance, the Russian orchestra humorously serenaded to a version of "God save
The King" bringing all 2,400 people to their feet. "To you Lovers of Drama, and to this great city
of Seattle, I dedicated the most complete photoplay theater, not alone In the United States but
in (North) America.” The Coliseum Theater was built with the intentions of providing theatrical
entertainment for future generations. A lot of ingenuity, energy and expertise went into
making this project a reality. This set the stage for future generations to expand and grow. You
can’t build a road with laying the first brick.

The culture is still here. Movies and films are becoming more frequently made. We have new
projects like “Creative” who has been granted state funding for film projects here in Seattle,
that will move the needle. Perhaps there are ways to do this that makes financial sense to be
able preserve and to perhaps update this great historical landmark into a functional theater.

again in our city without relying on our tax dollars alone? The first step is to show that we have
an interest in doing that. Please consider joining our plight to salvage and to restore this great
historic landmark into an updated and more suitable theater for today’s needs, just as it was
designed to be in its earlier years.

By signing this petition collectively, with enough support we can bring this to legislation for consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated and could benefit us all.

“The Coliseum Theater, a former cinema in Seattle, Washington, opened January 8, 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and is also an official Seattle city landmark. Designed by B. Marcus Priteca, it was Seattle's first theater built specifically for showing movies, and was one of the first cinemas anywhere to strive for architectural grandeur. When it opened, it was advertised as "the world's largest and finest photoplay palace." In 1931, the Journal of the Royal Institute of Architects called it "the first of the world's movie palaces.”