Still Old School
Washoe Theater
Eight shades of gold. Somebody had opinions.
The Story
Anaconda's Art Deco movie palace on Main Street. Construction started in 1931, the doors opened in 1936, and it still shows first-run movies on one screen for $7.
The Washoe sits on Main Street in Anaconda. Construction started in 1931, and the Depression held up the opening until September 24, 1936. Five years is a long wait for a movie.
B. Marcus Priteca of Seattle designed it. Gus Forseen, a Missoula contractor, built it. Hollywood artist Nat Smythe did the interior designs, and members of the Anaconda Painters Local did much of the wall and ceiling work, in pastels and eight shades of gold leaf. Eight. Somebody had opinions about gold.
The first feature was The Texas Rangers with Fred MacMurray. In 1982 the theater went on the nation’s official list of historic places.
It’s still a working movie house. The fall 2026 calendar has a new release most nights, $7 for adults and $6 for kids, plus $6 Sextet Nights. On September 24, 2026, the Washoe marked its 90th anniversary by showing The Texas Rangers again, for free.
Go see whatever’s playing, and look up before the lights go down.
Still Old School: Anaconda's Washoe, Eight Shades of Gold and a $7 Ticket
Why It's Still Old School
Construction began in 1931 and the Depression made it wait until 1936. It opened with The Texas Rangers, showed it again free for its 90th in 2026, and still charges $7 a ticket.
Photos
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- Address
- 305 Main St., Anaconda, MT, 59711
- Phone
- 406-563-6161
Sources
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While You're Here
Still Old School · Anaconda · Before '50
Still Old School: Anaconda's Washoe, Eight Shades of Gold and a $7 Ticket
Anaconda's Art Deco movie palace took five years and one Depression to finish. It opened in 1936, turned 90 in 2026, and still sells $7 tickets.
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