In 1964, imposing Roman Super Cinerama Theatre opened with an omnibus Hollywood movie as initial offering, How the West Was Won, a blockbuster which was shown for several months. From then on, Cinerama was a much sought-after theater for both foreign and Filipino films.
Cinerama featured the most modern equipment and amenities-wide screen, stereophonic sound, plush seats, thick carpet. The venue was very accessible, at the corner of Quezon Blvd. and Recto Ave., Quiapo, Manila.
Attached to the theater were shopping centers and private offices.
Tickets were sold in advance, seating capacity only. It was said that Cinerama made theater-going a memorable experience.
Unfortunately, Cinerama burned down in the mid-’70s. Showing then was the Ruel Vernal starrer Juan Tapak.
Eventually, a shopping mall with several theaters was built on the vacant lot, Isetann, which didn’t duplicate the grandeur and popularity of Cinerama. Was it arson or accident? Authorities never found out.
These days, all the stand-alone theaters in downtown Manila are gone... or have gone to see. Among them: Life, Center, Times, Globe, Ever, State, Ideal (which also burned down), Galaxy, Avenue, Universal, Odeon, Gotesco. — RKC