There are two Starsky & Hutch episodes which use this theater as a location, both from season 2: “Gillian,” where it appears as the Royal, and “Vampire,” where its real name (at the time) is shown — Playhouse. Both reveal what the exterior and auditorium looked like in the late 1970s. Presently, they can be seen on Hulu.com for free.
“As someone pointed out, the best way to support this theater is to go see a movie at the Fairfax !”
While this helps the leaseholders, they have little say in their fate on this matter. If the owner decides not to renew, they’re out.
What people can do is keep an eye on the Fairfax’s page here, or join the Friends of the Fairfax Facebook page, for announcements when the public’s input is needed. Writing emails, or letters, or speaking out at a public hearing is very effective!
Chuck, are you talking about Google street view? If so, that’s out of date. The interior renovation is pretty much complete; I haven’t been by recently so I don’t know what they’re doing about signage outside. I understand the owner of the Mayan has filed an objection to them opening, and that has to be worked out.
I just watched an episode of Starsky & Hutch from their first season called “Silence” and it features the NuArt quite heavily, from a good shot of the front as they arrive, shots in the alley behind the theater, and then a shootout inside which really shows off the whole house once the audience is evacuated and the house lights are turned on. Hulu.com has it (for free), although it’s pretty compressed.
As far as eating in that neighborhood, I always go to El Rebozo’s, across SM Blvd and up Sawtelle one block on the left. Simple Mexican fare, but good.
Let’s hope you’re right. There’s a lot of effort underway to revitalize the downtown area. If that works, then it’s very likely that the Million Dollar will still be open in 2019.
That linked photo that Lost Memory posted on Dec 22, 2006 is more “new” Criterion than “old” Criterion. Like the El Miro down the street, it was so modified that it earned a new page here.
What problems are you having with YouTube? If it’s stuttering and stopping, you can let it load all the way before playing and that should take care of it. I haven’t heard of it giving anyone else trouble…
There is an “h” in Cecchi Gori, please take another look at the link posted on Dec 4 2009; the mistake at the top of the page is an additional “h.” “Checchi” is wrong.
Okay, I got inside on Friday to shoot photos and video, and I can confirm that my comment above is indeed correct. This place is like a time capsule. Everything is in its place just the way it was when they closed up decades ago.
I’ve posted the video on LAHTF’s YouTube channel; it’s called “Insider’s Peek #1” and includes nearly two dozen of my still photos of the place.
Okay, I asked Hillsman Wright about this at the LAHTF tour today, and he said that Warners originally planned to build 6 theaters in this style. Three actually got built. One has been torn down. And the San Pedro Warner is the only one still operating. So the article is only talking about the small sample of Warner theaters in this specific style, not their whole empire.
Back in 2006, William commented:
“In the article it states "Today, San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theatre is the only Warner movie palace standing.” The writer failed to mention that the Warner Hollywood (aka Pacific 1,2,3), Warner Wiltern and Warner Forum Theatres and the Warner Huntington Park and Warner Downtown are all still standing. Only the Warner Beverly Hills has been razed."
I think the author of the article is referring to theaters that the Warner Bros actually built and owned (San Pedro, Huntington and Beverly Hills). William is correct that two of these theaters still exist. The Huntington Theater also stands, and the community is looking for a way to restore it. Warners only got three theaters built before they changed their business plans.
As for the other theaters he mentions, I don’t know the precise history of most of them, however I do know that the Warner Downtown theater started life as a Pantages. This suggests that the other theaters in question may have been leased, not owned. Hope this helps.
See you at the Warner Grand tomorrow. Doors open at 10 a.m., the history presentation starts around 10:30 with the tour to follow. We’ll be there until around 12:30.
Wow! Count me out. If it’s worth seeing, it’s worth seeing right — in a movie palace with a giant screen and sound, with the buzz of the audience, and a bag of popcorn and drink. The big problem for me is that Hollywood hasn’t exactly been churning out “must see” movies the past few years…
As you know, SoCal, the Orpheum has been profitable for a while now. Technically the other theaters have not been abandoned, since they are earning their owners some money as filming locations, churches, etc. And there is movement behind the scenes right now, that if it pans out, could mean a second chance at life for some of these places.
Chuck, there’s not much of the exterior of that building that says “theater.” I remember shooting the Mayan in the 90s, and shot a few details of the Belasco, never guessing that it had been a theater.
A small correction: I typed Playroom in the description; it should be Playhouse.
There are two Starsky & Hutch episodes which use this theater as a location, both from season 2: “Gillian,” where it appears as the Royal, and “Vampire,” where its real name (at the time) is shown — Playhouse. Both reveal what the exterior and auditorium looked like in the late 1970s. Presently, they can be seen on Hulu.com for free.
“As someone pointed out, the best way to support this theater is to go see a movie at the Fairfax !”
While this helps the leaseholders, they have little say in their fate on this matter. If the owner decides not to renew, they’re out.
What people can do is keep an eye on the Fairfax’s page here, or join the Friends of the Fairfax Facebook page, for announcements when the public’s input is needed. Writing emails, or letters, or speaking out at a public hearing is very effective!
I just looked at Bing, and its aerial view had the pointer aimed at the Mayan Theater…
Chuck, are you talking about Google street view? If so, that’s out of date. The interior renovation is pretty much complete; I haven’t been by recently so I don’t know what they’re doing about signage outside. I understand the owner of the Mayan has filed an objection to them opening, and that has to be worked out.
“With an enormous screen”
I don’t know that I’d call it “enormous”…
“It is a poor example of the architecture of the time and style.”
So why are they saving the facade?
I just watched an episode of Starsky & Hutch from their first season called “Silence” and it features the NuArt quite heavily, from a good shot of the front as they arrive, shots in the alley behind the theater, and then a shootout inside which really shows off the whole house once the audience is evacuated and the house lights are turned on. Hulu.com has it (for free), although it’s pretty compressed.
As far as eating in that neighborhood, I always go to El Rebozo’s, across SM Blvd and up Sawtelle one block on the left. Simple Mexican fare, but good.
You’re welcome, Chuck; glad you like it. And thanks for putting up the link! It’s my most-viewed video online.
Danny, yes, Avatar premiered at the Chinese. I don’t know if it was in 3D or not.
Let’s hope you’re right. There’s a lot of effort underway to revitalize the downtown area. If that works, then it’s very likely that the Million Dollar will still be open in 2019.
Depends, Justin. Are you a optimist on the economy, or a pessimist?
That linked photo that Lost Memory posted on Dec 22, 2006 is more “new” Criterion than “old” Criterion. Like the El Miro down the street, it was so modified that it earned a new page here.
What problems are you having with YouTube? If it’s stuttering and stopping, you can let it load all the way before playing and that should take care of it. I haven’t heard of it giving anyone else trouble…
There is an “h” in Cecchi Gori, please take another look at the link posted on Dec 4 2009; the mistake at the top of the page is an additional “h.” “Checchi” is wrong.
Screenvision’s content is “compelling”? Yeah, right…
Okay, I got inside on Friday to shoot photos and video, and I can confirm that my comment above is indeed correct. This place is like a time capsule. Everything is in its place just the way it was when they closed up decades ago.
I’ve posted the video on LAHTF’s YouTube channel; it’s called “Insider’s Peek #1” and includes nearly two dozen of my still photos of the place.
Someone I know went into the Fox yesterday and reports that it is “a time machine.” The original seats, carpets and decor are all still there.
Okay, I asked Hillsman Wright about this at the LAHTF tour today, and he said that Warners originally planned to build 6 theaters in this style. Three actually got built. One has been torn down. And the San Pedro Warner is the only one still operating. So the article is only talking about the small sample of Warner theaters in this specific style, not their whole empire.
Back in 2006, William commented:
“In the article it states "Today, San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theatre is the only Warner movie palace standing.” The writer failed to mention that the Warner Hollywood (aka Pacific 1,2,3), Warner Wiltern and Warner Forum Theatres and the Warner Huntington Park and Warner Downtown are all still standing. Only the Warner Beverly Hills has been razed."
I think the author of the article is referring to theaters that the Warner Bros actually built and owned (San Pedro, Huntington and Beverly Hills). William is correct that two of these theaters still exist. The Huntington Theater also stands, and the community is looking for a way to restore it. Warners only got three theaters built before they changed their business plans.
As for the other theaters he mentions, I don’t know the precise history of most of them, however I do know that the Warner Downtown theater started life as a Pantages. This suggests that the other theaters in question may have been leased, not owned. Hope this helps.
See you at the Warner Grand tomorrow. Doors open at 10 a.m., the history presentation starts around 10:30 with the tour to follow. We’ll be there until around 12:30.
Wow! Count me out. If it’s worth seeing, it’s worth seeing right — in a movie palace with a giant screen and sound, with the buzz of the audience, and a bag of popcorn and drink. The big problem for me is that Hollywood hasn’t exactly been churning out “must see” movies the past few years…
“Several hundred new spaces”? I heard that it would be in the neighborhood of 300+ new spaces…
As you know, SoCal, the Orpheum has been profitable for a while now. Technically the other theaters have not been abandoned, since they are earning their owners some money as filming locations, churches, etc. And there is movement behind the scenes right now, that if it pans out, could mean a second chance at life for some of these places.
The next LAHTF “All About” is scheduled for Nov 21 at the Warner Grand.
Chuck, there’s not much of the exterior of that building that says “theater.” I remember shooting the Mayan in the 90s, and shot a few details of the Belasco, never guessing that it had been a theater.