Luis, the UA is not “abandoned.” University Cathedral did a good job of maintaining the theater over the decades (see my videos as proof), and even though they’ve moved out and the building is for sale, they are set on finding buyers who will do right for the theater, not gut it or whatever.
Get with what? Paying extra for a 2D-converted-to-3D disappointing experience? And why should we stay home when what we want is the big movie experience? You need to get with the fact that a lot of people don’t see any extra value in a 3D release.
By the way, my understanding is that the State has a drop-down ceiling over the stage which precludes lowering the screen or closing the curtains. So even if the church was receptive to the idea of allowing movie fans in, it wouldn’t be practical…
Yes. Mainly that’s the Los Angeles Conservancy’s big fundraising event, Last Remaining Seats. Starting on the last Wednesday in May, we show six classic movies, usually in the downtown theaters, but sometimes branch out to other parts of LA.
3D films have not “been gaining steam,” they’ve been in decline. For several recent big releases, audiences have been seeking out the 2D versions over their more expensive counterparts.
Rafaelstorm, in terms of these theaters ever operating solely as movie theaters again, maybe. In the near-term picture, no. There’s a larger, more diverse population living there now. They’re cleaning up the buildings, fixing the sidewalks, and talking about putting in a streetcar. For a certain type of person (single, interested in an urban lifestyle), downtown is very attractive. And businesses are moving in to support them. The Belasco and Palace have recently reopened as a multi-purpose entertainment venue and a theater, respectively. Of course, the Orpheum, Globe, Mayan and Million Dollar have been operating for a while now in various capacities. The UA may open a new chapter in its history, if the right buyer can be found.
“Many, if not movies coming out today reflect a trend that’s been going on for several decades; the dumbing down of America.”
It may look that way to an adult, but what’s happened is that adults largely fled the moviegoing market and abandoned theaters to their kids. So movies made for adults have become few and far between, and the studios cater to the audience they have: kids. Naturally it has nothing to do with people being “dumber,” it has everything to do with appealing to kids' standards of entertainment, which are much different than adults.
But if you want to argue that today’s “Jackass” is so much dumber than yesteryear’s “Three Stooges,” you go right ahead…
“The sale that matters to the theatre (popcorn/soda) would have been lost”
John, the ticket sale matters just as much as the concessions. It’s not like the studios take 100% of the ticket. The theaters' cut of the ticket helps cover their overhead, with concessions covering the rest and providing profit. Cutting the ticket price will only hurt theaters' profit margin.
I asked the Conservancy about the level of protection the interior of the Chinese enjoys. This is what they wrote back: “The local landmark (HCM) designation mandates a review process that addresses the exterior and interior.”
There aren’t likely to be any nasty surprises concerning this building.
If Mann used historic preservation tax credits for their restoration several years ago, it would make it very difficult for anyone to significantly alter the interior now.
The word the LAHTF is getting through its contacts is that there’s nothing to worry about. As for Brad’s hunches, the Chinese does not equate in any way to the Mayan…
William, are you saying that Venice Theater should be listed as an alternative name? From the description above, it sounds like it opened as the Venice around 43, then became the Fox Venice in 51…
Apparently this theater is no longer majestic. The word has been taken off the marque and replaced with…
Bigfoot.
Yes, you heard it here first: this theater is now the Bigfoot Crest. Doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it? You think I’m kidding? You think I’m a clown? Do I amuse you? See for yourself:
To be fair, Jan who handles ticketing told me that they’ve never turned anyone away at the door. Some people buy tickets in batches of four, but only show up with one or two friends. They typically give the extra tickets to Jan to resell. So even if a night is sold out, you can still get in.
Then we would have to eliminate the Shrine Auditorium and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and… There are a lot of buildings listed here with cinema history that are not, strictly speaking, cinemas. As far as I know, it’s never been the mission of CT to only list buildings that were purpose-built to show movies. For example, all those storefronts that were turned into porn theaters in the 70s. Eliminate those and you marginalize a huge piece of cinema history.
In the case of the Belasco, it showed films over the course of at least four years. Isn’t that enough to get a listing here? People have history with this building and seeing movies there. It’s better to be inclusive.
What’s the problem, is the Internet running out of space or something?
Luis, the UA is not “abandoned.” University Cathedral did a good job of maintaining the theater over the decades (see my videos as proof), and even though they’ve moved out and the building is for sale, they are set on finding buyers who will do right for the theater, not gut it or whatever.
Status should be changed to OPEN. Here’s an article on the restored theater:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/16/georgia.theatre.reopens/index.html?&hpt=hp_c2
Get with what? Paying extra for a 2D-converted-to-3D disappointing experience? And why should we stay home when what we want is the big movie experience? You need to get with the fact that a lot of people don’t see any extra value in a 3D release.
By the way, my understanding is that the State has a drop-down ceiling over the stage which precludes lowering the screen or closing the curtains. So even if the church was receptive to the idea of allowing movie fans in, it wouldn’t be practical…
Yes. Mainly that’s the Los Angeles Conservancy’s big fundraising event, Last Remaining Seats. Starting on the last Wednesday in May, we show six classic movies, usually in the downtown theaters, but sometimes branch out to other parts of LA.
3D films have not “been gaining steam,” they’ve been in decline. For several recent big releases, audiences have been seeking out the 2D versions over their more expensive counterparts.
Rafaelstorm, in terms of these theaters ever operating solely as movie theaters again, maybe. In the near-term picture, no. There’s a larger, more diverse population living there now. They’re cleaning up the buildings, fixing the sidewalks, and talking about putting in a streetcar. For a certain type of person (single, interested in an urban lifestyle), downtown is very attractive. And businesses are moving in to support them. The Belasco and Palace have recently reopened as a multi-purpose entertainment venue and a theater, respectively. Of course, the Orpheum, Globe, Mayan and Million Dollar have been operating for a while now in various capacities. The UA may open a new chapter in its history, if the right buyer can be found.
“Many, if not movies coming out today reflect a trend that’s been going on for several decades; the dumbing down of America.”
It may look that way to an adult, but what’s happened is that adults largely fled the moviegoing market and abandoned theaters to their kids. So movies made for adults have become few and far between, and the studios cater to the audience they have: kids. Naturally it has nothing to do with people being “dumber,” it has everything to do with appealing to kids' standards of entertainment, which are much different than adults.
But if you want to argue that today’s “Jackass” is so much dumber than yesteryear’s “Three Stooges,” you go right ahead…
Rafaelstorm, the Palace was always a live venue and TV studio, never a movie theater.
“The sale that matters to the theatre (popcorn/soda) would have been lost”
John, the ticket sale matters just as much as the concessions. It’s not like the studios take 100% of the ticket. The theaters' cut of the ticket helps cover their overhead, with concessions covering the rest and providing profit. Cutting the ticket price will only hurt theaters' profit margin.
Joe, I believe the “Hawaiian Gardens” days of the X 1 & 2 started in the early 90s. That’s when I attended screenings there anyway…
No, Kylee. The NuWilshire remains empty, a large dead spot in the neighborhood…
I asked the Conservancy about the level of protection the interior of the Chinese enjoys. This is what they wrote back: “The local landmark (HCM) designation mandates a review process that addresses the exterior and interior.”
There aren’t likely to be any nasty surprises concerning this building.
Nice to hear the report on TCM. Are the events in the Chinese selling out?
If Mann used historic preservation tax credits for their restoration several years ago, it would make it very difficult for anyone to significantly alter the interior now.
The word the LAHTF is getting through its contacts is that there’s nothing to worry about. As for Brad’s hunches, the Chinese does not equate in any way to the Mayan…
The opening paragraph should be removed then, as it is misleading. Thanks!
William, are you saying that Venice Theater should be listed as an alternative name? From the description above, it sounds like it opened as the Venice around 43, then became the Fox Venice in 51…
The Wyandotte, MI, theater has not been abandoned; it was demolished years ago. Matt Stopera should have consulted Cinema Treasures!
Apparently this theater is no longer majestic. The word has been taken off the marque and replaced with…
Bigfoot.
Yes, you heard it here first: this theater is now the Bigfoot Crest. Doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it? You think I’m kidding? You think I’m a clown? Do I amuse you? See for yourself:
http://bigfootcrest.com/
Monika, those signs are by Mac Billups, a member of the Inglewood Historic Site Preservation Committee.
I went by the other day and didn’t see any scaffolding. A building next door had scaffolding, but not the Westlake.
To be fair, Jan who handles ticketing told me that they’ve never turned anyone away at the door. Some people buy tickets in batches of four, but only show up with one or two friends. They typically give the extra tickets to Jan to resell. So even if a night is sold out, you can still get in.
This was always the worry with digital projection. You buy an expensive system, and a year or two later, something better comes out…
Then we would have to eliminate the Shrine Auditorium and Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and… There are a lot of buildings listed here with cinema history that are not, strictly speaking, cinemas. As far as I know, it’s never been the mission of CT to only list buildings that were purpose-built to show movies. For example, all those storefronts that were turned into porn theaters in the 70s. Eliminate those and you marginalize a huge piece of cinema history.
In the case of the Belasco, it showed films over the course of at least four years. Isn’t that enough to get a listing here? People have history with this building and seeing movies there. It’s better to be inclusive.
What’s the problem, is the Internet running out of space or something?