IN 1941, BREMERTON EXPERIENCED a movie theater shortage. Who knew that such a thing existed? During WW2, the primary source for news was the movies, and the growing population had outstripped the existing three theaters. To fix this, not one but TWO brand new theaters opened within a year of each other. The neon marquees were works of art, the chairs were luxurious, their technology was state of the art… and I bet you know them.
The Roxy opened her doors on May 29th, 1941. She had beautiful acoustics, cushy opera seats, a smoking lounge and a patriotic mural in the lobby. The Admiral came in close behind on May 7th, 1942. Not to be outdone, the Admiral had 300 more seats than the Roxy and every seat had a perfect view. Unintimidated, The Roxy took out an ad in the paper on the Admiral’s opening day, expressing “Sincere Best Wishes to the new Admiral Theater, from the Roxy…”
The shipyard ran shifts 24-7 to power the war effort, so theaters were open into the wee hours of the morning. High schoolers took classes half time to work at the yard. Sailors strolled into town with their caps tipped back and money to spend at all hours of the day and night. Downtown did not sleep.
When the war ended, The Roxy and The Admiral cruised through the decades. By the 1970’s, most families had television and theaters became a treat instead of a staple. Both theaters adjusted to the times. They ran films like Star Wars and served sweet concessions. But capitalism was looming. The Kitsap Mall opens in Silverdale, heralding the end. Theater attendance drops as businesses migrate north and downtown slips into abandonment.
The Roxy closes in 1988. The Admiral was on her tail again, closing a year later. People were worried about the failing business district but no one knew what to do. The Admiral Theatre nonprofit was formed in 1990 to save the theater. It took 7 years and $4.2 million dollars before The Admiral opened again. Meanwhile, A couple with a dream bought the Roxy in 1991 and opened a cafe in the lobby. All they wanted was to serve coffee but people kept asking them, could we put on a show here? The Roxy went up for sale again in 1993. And 1997. And 1999.
That was when I met her.
Roxy spent most of her days quietly but a whole generation of Bremerton kids, raised in the cheap apartments and unkempt houses of the downtown core, were ready to be loud. Roxy was waiting for us. We overran the library and school copiers, making as many free fliers as we could print. They would be stapled to telephone poles everywhere. “Show this weekend, The Roxy, $5 at the door!!!”
I’d slip a fiver out of my mom’s purse and disappear downtown. I can still feel the pulse of the drums, beating through the darkness. A teenage boy is screaming into a microphone about how broken his heart is and mine is too. Later, we’ll all pour out into the empty streets and wander around, causing a little mischief.
But right now, we’re taking in a show at The Roxy. Maybe you should too. It’s a Bremerton tradition, after all, and she’s looking better than ever. Even back when she was falling down, it was worth it. // DEENA TAYLOR
CHECK OUT DEENA’s Bremerton History Podcast Bremelore. Find it wherever you podcast. And at bremelore.wtf. And for historical reference on this story, check out “Magnificent New Theater Opens Tomorrow”, Bremerton Daily News Searchlight, May 28 1941, pg 14 & Woolston, Deborah. “Marquee lighting a bright sign of progress” Kitsap Sun, February 03 1994, pg 9.
