A Movie Night Inside Anaconda’s Washoe Theatre

A current movie can begin under murals, metallic ornament and ceiling decoration with gold- and silver-leaf detail at the Washoe Theatre in downtown Anaconda. This is a working 1930s movie palace, not a historic room kept behind ropes. Buy a ticket, pick up popcorn, settle into a seat and spend the evening in one of Montana’s more lavish old theaters.

The Washoe offers a pleasantly different proposition from the standard multiplex outing. It has one screen, original-style seating rather than recliners and cup holders, and the satisfying sense that the building itself deserves nearly as much attention as the feature.

The interior belongs to the decorative, theatrical side of Art Deco, often described as Nuevo Deco. Painted murals, etched glass, ornamental ironwork, copper accents and elaborate decorative hardware give the theater far more to look at than a typical cinema lobby.

The details do not stop at the auditorium doors. Smaller elements of the building carry the design along, so it is worth slowing down in the hallways instead of making a beeline for the snack counter. Etched glass and metalwork can turn an ordinary passage from one room to another into something to inspect.

Around the screen and stage, ornamentation frames the business end of moviegoing with the flourish of an earlier era. The hallway murals are another good reason to arrive with a little time to spare, particularly for anyone who enjoys old theaters, design or simply a fine bit of decorative excess.

Look up, too. Ceiling murals add another layer to the room, and some include 24-karat gold-leaf elements. It is the sort of ceiling that can keep a person occupied until the lights go down.

The Washoe still screens new-release films, including 3-D titles. Seeing a new action picture or family release in such a setting creates a nice contrast: contemporary sound and current programming inside a building that has held onto its old movie-palace character.

A single-screen theater naturally has a more limited program than a multiplex. The schedule may center on one film at a time, which makes choosing a show refreshingly simple and gives a screening the feeling of a community gathering rather than one option among 18.

The auditorium is sizable enough to hold a substantial crowd without turning the room into a cramped box. Its scale suits both a blockbuster and the quieter ritual of waiting for the feature to begin while people find their seats and study the room.

Glowing clocks positioned discreetly on both sides of the auditorium are an especially charming old-fashioned touch. They are useful, of course, but they also seem right at home amid the decoration, more like part of the theater than an afterthought.

Screenings may include an intermission, a civilized break that has largely vanished from modern moviegoing. It gives people time to stretch their legs, visit the restroom or head back for another round of snacks without trying to race through the credits of a trailer.

Concessions stay close to the essentials: popcorn, soda, candy and other simple movie snacks. The candy selection is notably broad, which is useful when a group cannot agree on one shared box of something.

Popcorn and a cold soda remain the natural companions to the Washoe’s big-screen experience. There is no need to overcomplicate a theater snack when the room around it is already doing plenty.

The balcony offers a clear view of the screen and another perspective on the auditorium’s scale and decoration. For many old-theater fans, a balcony seat is a small pleasure in itself; modern cinemas do not offer many chances to watch a movie from one.

Reaching the balcony requires stairs. The main point is practical as much as romantic: anyone choosing that seating area should be comfortable with the climb.

The historic surroundings do not mean a muted presentation. The sound system has enough low-end force to make action scenes register physically, and 3-D screenings have been especially well served by the overall audio.

That blend of old room and contemporary movie technology is central to the Washoe’s appeal. The seats may not be designed around built-in drink holders, but the screen still carries a modern release with the scale and punch it needs.

The Washoe also hosts live performances and special events, keeping the stage active in ways that go beyond movie programming. A theater with this much visual character makes a natural setting for a performance, where the room can contribute its own bit of drama before anyone takes the stage.

It is also a worthwhile downtown stop for people who care more about the building than the night’s feature. Visitors exploring Anaconda on foot or as part of a city tour have found the interior memorable even without attending a screening.

Occasional opportunities to look inside have been arranged through staff, including brief visits when a person was not buying a movie ticket. That access is not a regular, published tour program, so it is best confirmed ahead of time rather than assumed.

For the easiest introduction, though, a movie ticket does the job nicely. Arrive early enough to notice the murals and screen surround, take a last look at the ceiling before the lights dim, and let the evening proceed at the Washoe’s unhurried, single-screen pace.