I went there a few times in the 70’s when I was home from college in the summer. I think I saw Oh, Lucky Man there. I kept to theaters on the west side as they were closer.
I was in the Allen once, possible several times as a kid in the 60’s but I dont remember much about what it looked like, unfortunately. It was dark and we arrived whenever and sat through the next show until we saw what we missed. I did eat in the Rotunda restaurant once many years later. That was impressive.
Strange. It seemed much bigger than that. The balcony was always roped off and dark when I was there, so I couldnt get a look at it. Maybe the screen and the high ceiling made it seem bigger capacity-wise.
The main floor alone seemed in the 1,000 range. I’d be interested to know what the capacity was if anyone ever finds it. I never got a good look at how big the balcony was. Maybe it was a shelf style? It was always dark.
Yes, it was! I saw it the LAST night of the engagement too. I allmost didnt make it (was a weeknight). I’d only seen the film on tv in its truncated form. Will never forget that night!
I was able to see the rerelease of Lawrence of Arabia at the Cinema East (the only film I’ve ever seen in 70mm) and it was fantastic. I didnt realize at the time that the theater was in its final days. It seemed much bigger than 900 seats (perhaps that didnt take into the account the balcony? It was always closed the few times I was in there). When it lost exclusive run status, the theater began its long slow slide. It was never crowded when I was in there, and it was a large theater. Does anyone know the year it opened? Early 60’s? (I wasnt around then). It was one of several theaters on that stretch of E. Broad that are all gone now (Town and Country,
Carousel East). Cinema East advertised it had the biggest screen in
the city. I’m not sure if any theater built since then has a larger
one. Does anyone know how big the screen was? Even in its last days, the theater was kept up well. I agree, the lobby area was small. It did have its own parking lot, but it couldnt compete with the multiplexes springing up in the burbs……..
They were both nice theaters before they were twinned. The seats/aisles were never aligned after the twinning. I believe a hotel went up after the theater went down and that was demolished too for the present building. Does anyone have enough info to post the Cinema East? That was a great Columbus theater that had 70mm capability and a huge screen, but I dont have enough info on it to post anything.
Your welcome! I just love this site. Even if the theaters may not exist in the real world, they exist here and in the hearts of the people who love them…
I’m sorry I missed that. Was on too late for me to watch. :(
I’m curious, what other theaters in downtown L.A. have 2 balconies?
I went there a few times in the 70’s when I was home from college in the summer. I think I saw Oh, Lucky Man there. I kept to theaters on the west side as they were closer.
Talk about Phallic symbols. LOL!
Thanks for clearing that up. I was checking for Minneapolis and saw nothing in the list!
Why isnt there a listing for the Riviera here?
On what network? On a local L.A. Station?
I hope the program will be picked up by some Cable network here. Let us know. I’d love to see the interior of this theater.
I was in the Allen once, possible several times as a kid in the 60’s but I dont remember much about what it looked like, unfortunately. It was dark and we arrived whenever and sat through the next show until we saw what we missed. I did eat in the Rotunda restaurant once many years later. That was impressive.
Its too bad they had to install a bar in the dome under the balcony. Beautiful.
Can anyone post a listing for the Continent? I dont have any information on it.
Thanks for all the info!
Strange. It seemed much bigger than that. The balcony was always roped off and dark when I was there, so I couldnt get a look at it. Maybe the screen and the high ceiling made it seem bigger capacity-wise.
The main floor alone seemed in the 1,000 range. I’d be interested to know what the capacity was if anyone ever finds it. I never got a good look at how big the balcony was. Maybe it was a shelf style? It was always dark.
Yes, it was! I saw it the LAST night of the engagement too. I allmost didnt make it (was a weeknight). I’d only seen the film on tv in its truncated form. Will never forget that night!
I was able to see the rerelease of Lawrence of Arabia at the Cinema East (the only film I’ve ever seen in 70mm) and it was fantastic. I didnt realize at the time that the theater was in its final days. It seemed much bigger than 900 seats (perhaps that didnt take into the account the balcony? It was always closed the few times I was in there). When it lost exclusive run status, the theater began its long slow slide. It was never crowded when I was in there, and it was a large theater. Does anyone know the year it opened? Early 60’s? (I wasnt around then). It was one of several theaters on that stretch of E. Broad that are all gone now (Town and Country,
Carousel East). Cinema East advertised it had the biggest screen in
the city. I’m not sure if any theater built since then has a larger
one. Does anyone know how big the screen was? Even in its last days, the theater was kept up well. I agree, the lobby area was small. It did have its own parking lot, but it couldnt compete with the multiplexes springing up in the burbs……..
Thanks, Ron, for posting the Cinema East. I’ll check it out!
Loew’s Southland was built as a triplex, I believe. It was not in a nice area of town, and it was no surprise it didnt last.
They were both nice theaters before they were twinned. The seats/aisles were never aligned after the twinning. I believe a hotel went up after the theater went down and that was demolished too for the present building. Does anyone have enough info to post the Cinema East? That was a great Columbus theater that had 70mm capability and a huge screen, but I dont have enough info on it to post anything.
Yeah, the lobby was allmost a city block long.
Was this theater across the street from the Palace?
Awful. Where do foreign/small niche films open in NY now? Multiplexes?
Your welcome! I just love this site. Even if the theaters may not exist in the real world, they exist here and in the hearts of the people who love them…
Couldnt some builder build above the existing theater like was done with the Palace?
Andy, yes the Melanie concert was one of the concerts I remember at the DeMille. It did take place and was recorded too.