Harkins Theatres celebrates 76 years in Arizona

The celebration lasts all month with FREE soda upgrades at the concession stand

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Arizona’s homegrown theatre chain celebrates its 76th Anniversary of providing Arizonans with Ultimate Moviegoing. To thank loyal moviegoers, Harkins Theatres is offering a FREE soda upgrade from a medium to a large, with a FREE refill included through October 1.

Harkins’ deep-rooted history begins in 1931 when Dwight “Red” Harkins rode out of his hometown of Cincinnati on a Harley Davidson determined to seek his fortune in Hollywood by landing a role in the exciting world of talking pictures. Luckily for Arizona movie lovers, Red never made it to Hollywood. In 1933, at the height of the Depression, Red opened the first Harkins Theatre, The State Theatre in Tempe. He was just 18 years old.

When Red passed away in 1974, he left the family theatre business in the hands of his eldest son Dan, who immediately set about expanding the original chain of five theatres and upgrading every facility with a new generation of sound and projection technology. Today, Harkins Theatres operates 30 theatres and more than 400 screens in five states.

Over the past 76 years, Harkins has become known for its innovations and signature amenities including:

• The Harkins PlayCenter – an in-lobby childcare facility where for only $6, children can play in a safe, secure environment supervised by certified professionals while Mom and Dad watch a movie.
• The Harkins Ultimate Rocker® – high back, rocking love seats, wall-to-wall screens and state-of-the-art digital sound technology.
• Unprecedented concessions – featuring an enormous menu including hot food selections such as Freschetta pizzas, White Castle cheeseburgers, churros and popcorn chicken.
• The Cine Capri – boasting a screen three stories high and over 70 feet wide, towering before 600 high-back rocking chair loveseats. Paying homage to the original Cine Capri that closed its doors in 1998, today’s Capri is featured at Harkins Scottsdale 101 and Harkins Tempe Marketplace and has become the place to see all Hollywood blockbuster films.

Published on behalf of Harkins Theatres
Celebrating 76 years in Arizona and headquartered in Scottsdale, Harkins Theatres is the largest family owned theatre chain in the country and the premier movie exhibitor of the Western U.S. operating over 400 screens. Featuring a larger selection of film, snacks, and innovative amenities to moviegoers since 1933, Harkins Theatres is renown for its commitment and passion for offering the Ultimate Moviegoing ® experience. Founded by renowned showman, inventor, and community leader Dwight “Red” Harkins, Harkins Theatres has historically been a trailblazer for advancements in the motion picture exhibition industry. For more history, awards, and other information, visit www.harkinstheatres.com. Or, call Bryan Laurel at 602-738-3906 or Melissa Rich at 602-390-4232.

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