The marquee was dominated by large, red capital letters proclaiming "Night of the Living Dead." But there was more activity than a bunch of slow moving zombies inside the Central Cinema on the eastern slope of Capitol Hill.
Located at 1411 21st Avenue, the Central Cinema has been up and running since June 2005. Owned by Kevin Spitzer, the theater has the distinction of being the only cinema in Seattle that serves dinner and drinks before and during a screening.
Spitzer got the idea during a trip to Portland. Dining on Ahi tuna and a good beer at the Mission Theater, he considered ways a similar venture could work in Seattle. If people could have this experience in Portland, why not Seattle? The idea took shape when Spitzer retired from his sculpting work and renovated his old studio into Central Cinema.
Spitzer smiled as he spoke about the remodel.
"I happen to be married to an architect," he said. "That helps. But a lot of it was running around with measuring tape trying to figure out how to make it all work. The challenge was to make it all fit into the old space and make it all good."
Attached to the backside of the cinema is a full kitchen that prepares pasta, pizza, salads and desserts for the movie-going audience. Meghan Guthrie, one of Central's servers, said the new menu had been revised this last week. However, she recommended their Crème Brulee. Guthrie also recommended the pizza. The kitchen is also home to Wisteria Bakery, which supplies baked goods across Capitol Hill at locations such as Fuel Coffee and Café Victrola.
Spitzer pointed out the two-level cinema. The lower level sofas were plush, while the upper level seats were in the style of desk seats with movable desktops that flipped off to the side of the chair. Eventually, he would like sofas in the entire theater. There is also plenty of space for eating. Currently, the cinema can hold 120 people.
Unlike most theaters today, Central Cinema is an independent, like the Grand Illusion and the Northwest Film Forum. Spitzer believes they survive against the first-run cinemas because of their mix of films and the convivial aspect the restaurant provides. However, he said, the success of any film run was hard to predict. The cinema could be full on a Wednesday and dead on Saturday.
"Everyone talks about how video killed off revival houses," Spitzer said. "Now that everyone can rent a video, those places get blown out of the water... but it's come around to where people enjoy seeing movies in a large setting. You can build a theater at home, but it's still yourself and two friends. There is something to be said for getting out of the house."
Guthrie was also enthusiastic about the movies, and the audiences that come to the Central. She said the crowd is polite and laid back, and it's great to watch a movie and wait on people at the same time.
"When you get a good crowd," she said, "they tend to talk to the movie or laugh out loud at the good parts. We showed "The Warriors" about six months ago, and that was one of the best crowds ever."
When asked what to see this month, Spitzer laughed at the suggestion of everything, but said the cinema will be showing zombie movies through the month, along with the terrifying David Lynch film "Blue Velvet." They will also bring out Peter Jackson's film, "Bad Taste," which he said was about space aliens corralling up humans for their version of McDonald's.
Spitzer is also excited about their November events, which includes a live performance with the Portland cellist, Gideon Freudmann. He will play an original score while the cinema shows "The General," a silent film featuring Buster Keaton. Occasionally, the cinema also has events like this in addition to showing films.
Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave., is open every week from Wednesday through Sunday night. Everyone is welcome before 10 p.m. Due to state liquor laws, minors are prohibited after that time. Showtimes and more information are available at www.central-cinema.com.
Freelance writer William Freeberg lives on Capitol Hill and can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com.
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