Regency Village Theatre

I hope it is true that someone is taking over after March. Hopefully someone will also take interest in Westwood itself. It is hard to imagine Mann Theatres not being part of Westwood or L.A. for that matter. I grew up going to thier theatres and like I said was my very first job.

This weekend is that rare occasion when you could see movies at every Westwood theater in one day… 12:00 Shutter Island (Village), 2:30 Wolfman (AVCO), 4:50 The White Ribbon (Regent), 7:30 Crazy Heart (Crest), and 10:00 Valentine’s Day (Bruin). Why am I posting this? No real reason, other than I wish I could be there doing it right now… could be a fitting farewell to the Village and Bruin if they do end up going dark.

And AMC has a few single screens, mainly in NYC. But I’m pretty sure they were most all picked up from Loews.

I remember what Westwood used to be like in the 1970’s and 80’s, and it was really a magical place full of energy and excitement. The Village, the Bruin and the National played an enormous part in making Westwood special. I’m rooting for someone to keep the Bruin and the Village open—-all I know is that there has been interest by those companies, nothing definite yet.

Rick Caruso, who built the Grove and the Americana in Glendale, recently gave an interview to Patt Morrison of the LA Times and spoke of wanting to do something in Westwood. He said he drives by there every night, and it makes him sad, knowing what it used to be.

Muvico and Rave could really make a significant impact in the area by leasing the Village or Bruin and making them their flagship theaters in SoCal. People don’t really know these companies—-a move like this would put them on the map.

Mann hasn’t been the same since Ted Mann died—-Warners and Paramount never invested in the brand after Ted. And the city and the people of Westwood aren’t exactly the easiest to deal with. Losing Westwood as a center of movie going would be a tragedy.

Rick Caruso, the developer of the Grove and The Americana in Glendale, recently gave an inter

The Seattle Cinerama, but they just program and run it. Paul Allen restored and owns it. The arrangement was made under General Cinema.

How unbelievably sad if the Village and the Bruin close. I have heard lots of rumors—-all unconfirmed at this point—that several companies have expressed strong interest in these theaters. There are a few longshots who have kicked around the tires including Johnny Brenden, the grandson of Ted Mann, who now runs Brenden Theaters, a 100 screen chain in Nevada and Northern California, and has enormous affectation for his late grandfather’s once great Mann chain. Also two chains that have recently purchased or leased theaters in Southern California including Muvico(a new complex in Thousand Oaks) and Rave (the Beverly Cinema) are said to be interested. And my instinct tells me that Pacific Theaters would be interested. Curious as to why Brad thinks that AMC would not be intersted?

Doesn’t make a difference to me. But Mann has pretty much been Digital for everything they have booked at the Village over the past few years or so. It makes me think they removed the projectors as a sign that they are indeed winding down.

I am guessing we are nearing the end for the Village and Bruin? Shutter Island opened today at the Village without a Digital Presentation, so I guess they removed the projectors. While the premiere of Hot Tub Time Machine at the Bruin which was scheduled for March, has been removed from the Mann site. I thought we would hear something about their future by now, but it looks like they will just go dark and stay that way. Pretty much more empty spaces in the once thriving Westwood.

Looking at the lack of enthusiasm Mann is giving the Chinese, they really are indicating they do not care any longer. Sad, these were always my favorite theatres.

Edward, I think Brad is right. I was there on the final night Mann operated it and they were on a month to month at that point. Mann was supposed to have shuttered it earlier than they did. The other operators continued the month to month operation until it closed permanently.

SHUTTER ISLAND opening Feb 19 @ the Village. Tickets on sale now.

I would say that CLASH OF THE TITANS will open still @ Village, and HOT TUB @ Bruin. But the question is, are they the last films for the 2 theatres? Will the theatres suddenly close the day after Easter? Even when Mann did not renew the National, they kept it open on a short term month to month for an additional 10 months.

Maybe it’s a special double bill for Oscar season (The Blind Side is up for Best Picture and Best Actress, Invictus is up for Best Actor).

Also, the posters for Clash Of The Titans and Hot Tub Time Machine are probably just for titles coming to the Chinese.

saw Book of Eli here last night (Saturday 1/30, 7PM). Probably less than 50 people there. On their website Mann doesn’t seem to have any premiers booked for the Village, though one is scheduled for the Bruin in March.

http://www.manntheatres.com/premieres/upcoming.php

Mann is still doing a great job with the upkeep though. Clean and polished. No burnt out lights in the ceiling. They lowered the curtain in between the Screenvision prefeature show and the trailers. The balcony was open. That awesome sound system is still there.

Among the Coming Soon posters in the lobby was Clash of the Titans and also Hot Tub Time Machine. Both movies open March 26.

Mann was booking Fox films in thier Westwood theatres during the mid-late 90’s into the early 2000’s. If it was 10 years ago no doubt Avatar would open at the Village, or perhaps the National.