My Favorite Places: The Olympic Theatre

The car on the right side of the street marks the location of the Olympic Theatre in this Ellis Postcard from the 1940s.

1945 schedule

The Olympic Theatre, at 107 N. Olympic Avenue, is one of only two independently owned, single screen movie theaters remaining in Snohomish County (the other being The Edmonds Theatre).

I first saw a movie there in 1978 when my family moved to Arlington. It was "the" place for pre-teens and teenagers to go in town -- it was a safe place to go in a time when Arlington didn't have that many constructive activities for kids outside of school programs.

Built in 1939, the 300 seat theater has had sound and screen upgrades in recent years. It has a charm that the big multiplex theaters can't compete with. They also can't compete with the Olympic's ticket and concession prices.

Admission to evening shows is just $7 for adults and $5.5 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors; it's just $4.50 for the 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees. And where else can you get a concession stand "Triple Feature" consisting of a large drink, a small candy and a large popcorn for just $7.75?

The Olympic as it appears today.

In 2001, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed old single-screen movie theaters as among the nation's most-endangered historic places -- which to me makes the Olympic Theatre all the more special, and another another reason why we shouldn't take Old Town Arlington's historic character for granted.

For a more detailed article on the Olympic, as well as additional photos, read Herald writer Gale Feige's article from last year, "Arlington's 72-year-old movie house is a one-woman show."
 
For screening schedules and upcoming attractions, visit olympictheatre.net.