iPic Westwood
10840 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
10840 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
33 people
favorited this theater
Showing 151 - 175 of 280 comments
All great stories.List of movies was alao nice to read,Forgot I played a few of them.
Westwood lost its MOJO for many reasons. Some say the shooting that happened. But I think it got too big and imploded. When I worked at the Village in 1980-1982 there was an untouchable arrogant additude about it. The theatre owners thought they had it made. All it took was Century City, then Santa Monica to begin showing first run films to take enough bite, The Landmark 12 is the last bite that killed Westwood film exhibition.
From what I understand, the rents for the empty spaces are still ridiculous. So they cannot lease the spaces and in this economy even more. My problem is pretty much there is nothing outside of seeing a film I like to do there. No more walking around looking at book stores, Tower records is gone, it is a drag.
The AVCO because unspecial when they split the large theatre into Two. The large auditorium was quite nice considering the outside of the theatre did not make you believe a large screen was in there. It was not National or Village great, but it was good enough to make you appreciate the presentation and you wanted to visit that theatre again.
I am happy that Regency is running the Village and Bruin with some enthusiasm, and they are doing a wonderful job running them. But pretty much they are operating because they are prestige and they are not making hard cash on them. The AVCO though is pretty much gone. I’d guess when lease renewal comes up AMC may dump it. The property it sits on could turn into apartments or offices. Some people like me still make a special trip to the Village, but doubtful people go out of their way to visit the Avco.
I would see a film at the Avco any day over the Grove.
I am going to the AVCO tonight to see “The Virginity Hit.” I appreciate the $6 senior Tuesday(even at their high-end Century City and Burbank locations)and also their AM discounts.
Saw “Date Night” at the AVCO on 4/27 and there were only about eight of us at the late show.
Westwood needs to promote itself and get back some of its MOJO. I like the urban feel of Westwood vs. the manufactured ambiance of say, The Grove.
Is the AVCO closing?
I just noticed the Avco seems to have lost its digital projector this past weekend. Think this is significant of anything other than the fact that it isn’t a very high-grossing location? Probably not, but I wonder if Avco’s closing would improve the bookings Village/Bruin/Crest are able to get.
The AVCO lost is lustre when they split the big downstairs theatre. Unfortunately economics destroyed it. As we mourn the loss of the National and celebrate Regency’s takeover of the Village and Bruin, it should be remembered that this was once an amazing theatre complex. I’m glad I grew up in an era when I was able to enjoy these big theatres and others like the Picwood, Plitt Century Plaza and even the (Pacific’s then)Pantages when it showed films.
The main house really did not have an enormous curved screen. It was more flat than curved. The National Theatre had a bigger screen for the same size house.
This theater was amazing. When I went with my parents in 1974 to see His girl Friday, I remember it was playing upstairs. I asked my mom to show me the large auditorium downstairs and she thought I was was nuts. When I was old enough to drive, I remember taking a date to see Amityville Horror on opening night, and I finally got to seethe LARGE auditorium. I remember how the Theater slopped down and the enormous curved screen…. It blew me away. A few months later. I waited all day to see Empire Stikes Back. Also remember seeing Annie here, and that the ticket prices went up to $5 for that showing….we were outraged…LOL.
Are there ANY pictures of the the downstairs auditorium around?? I have looked everywhere and cannot find them…if you know of any..please share….would love to see that again.
You have to get a libary card from the LA public library. Once you have that log on to lapl.org and go to access databases. The LA Times archives are on there.
They really do appear to be going full-speed ahead with digital conversions, even at the lesser sites. The Broadway 4 in Santa Monica also now had a digital projector. I’d assume 3D is not far behind, just takes a few more weeks to put into action.
AMC appears to have added Digital Projection to the Avco. Or I guess for the big screen. How To Train Your Dragon opens Friday Mar 26th with a Digital Presentation, but not in 3D.
OT rant:Dammit! I don’t live in L.A. County anymore(haven’t since 1977)and can’t get access to the public library system without one.
How can i get to see old newspaper movie ads from the LA Times online? You can PM me,if you’d like.
renewing link
Here is a January 1974 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/mzuj8o
We had a problem getting the the split theaters certified THX I remember…
I worked at this theater as a projectionist for many years when it was General Cinema’s Flagship theater. This was a great theater in the 70’s and 80’s! The Avco had excellent projection and presentation! I was there when they split the big house downstairs.. It was a very sad event for all of us that worked there.. Even sadder still is the condition it is in now.
does anyone know of any pics online of the old downstairs auditorium before it was split in ‘93?
Anyone know the seat count for the various auditoriums? They all seem about equal size, although the lower THX “twins” are actually smaller than the big one upstairs…
I liked the old number three room (now it’s number 4). I haven’t been there since AMC took over. It is a standard style auditorium.
Is the larger of the two upper screens worth going to, or is it the same (or worse) standard as the average mega-multiplex screens? I don’t remember ever seeing anything there that wasn’t in the big auditorium, and I haven’t been there since the split.
After Szabo at the Avco, there was Pete Bobella and then Clarence Walker. During the late 50’s to 60’s Szabo worked for UA chain at the UA Pasadena Theatre.
Lee – that must be your October 06' post re Szabo??!
Hi john I hope you remember me from san francisco. you had the theater in chestnut street by the marina and palace of fine arts. I got a great tour of the film room upstairs. I hope this is the same john dolmage. we had great fun. my email is and would love to get together and remember old times. are you still working for movies theaters? hugs, joseph
I worked @ the Avco in the summer of 77' and again over Christmas that same year. Was a great job! We had Star Wars of course & that made the place quite an attraction. Szabo was the mgr when I was there.