I thought this was already listed! I remember driving by, seeing that pirate painting and wanting to go there. But we lived closer to the Michigan and Fort George Drive-Ins, and that’s where we would go on rare occasions.
Interestingly, while the author is being all “visionary” about the changes his magic glasses will cause, he doesn’t see their full potential. As well as bringing about the demise of movie theaters, they will also replace live theater, concerts, churches and political rallies. In fact, any experience where people congregate will become a function of magic glasses. Who needs schools when you can educate directly through this simple, low cost device?
The TV manufacturing industry will fall as people turn to magic glasses to provide visual news and entertainment, along with DVD and Blu-Ray manufacturers—giving Hollywood another big hit to the pocketbook. Magic glasses will also put the final nail in the coffin of print media, but not only that — ereaders will be rendered obsolete as well. And iPods and iPhones watch out!—all your functions will be usurped by this might newcomer!
Throw away your video game console(s)! All gaming will be ported over to magic glasses, probably connected to magic gloves. Throw away your porn collection! Sex with magic glasses will be better than the real thing, with zero chance of disease or emotional transmission. (Accu-jac connector sold separately.)
The eyeglass/contact lens/Lazik industry will likewise be gutted. The glasses will be adjustable to take the light hitting their lens elements and deliver it to your eyes, correcting it for your individual vision problems. Manufacturers of sunglasses will also be wiped out by the introduction of this revolutionary and evolutionary product. Magic glasses will automatically adjust to conditions, delivering just the right amount of light to your eyes. Military night vision goggles are also a thing of the past, with their bulky size and enormous price tags.
The travel business will be the next to crumble, as people opt out of dangerous, expensive trips and rely on magic glasses to experience the wonders of the world.
Hey, this guy isn’t an idiot—he’s probably ironing out the bugs in this technology and getting ready to spring it on the world! In ten years time, he’ll own everything!
“There was a clear underlying tone of bitterness about how the exhibitors won’t pay the agreed upon rental terms etc. etc. and he didn’t seem to take into account that the theatres shouldn’t be required to pay 90% of a crap gross for a crap film just because the "content provider” thought it was the best movie ever made."
Scott, my understanding is that the studios have gone back to a roughly 50-50 split of the gross (not 90%). Also, it doesn’t matter what a “content provider” thinks of their film, if the theater chain doesn’t like it, they can decline to book it.
Also, we’re seeing a move toward providing customers with a better experience. In LA, the Arclight and El Capitan probably have the highest prices, but they are doing booming business because of the quality of their presentations.
Personally, I had a home theater, and I ended up selling it. One of the main reasons: no communal experience. I love the energy that a crowd makes when they’re really into a movie.
Re: the All About on August 28th. The doors open at 10, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. As well as the history presentation, there will be an extensive tour of the theater.
I was in the building yesterday. Out front it says “Klub Haus,” with nothing to indicate its previous life. We got lucky; the door was open. We walked in and spotted the projection portals on the back wall. An employee confirmed that we were in the right place. The lobby had a bar. There was no screen, and there were long dining tables set up, banquet style. My friend went up and looked in the booth; it was being used for storage.
The address refers to all the buildings; some had letters to differentiate them, and I looked for one on the Klub Haus to make it easier to future cinema fans to find, but couldn’t find one.
No, it’s primarily a live theater venue. That’s the musical stage version of Phantom on the marquee (as well as Legally Blonde and Chicago). There’s a large number of movies-turned-into-musicals on their schedule…
By the way, Morgan Hill has an 11 screen multiplex, with 3 stadium auditoriums just added recently (sorry, no IMAX) — and it’s near the freeway, Kirk! Apparently it’s not good enough for Mr. Cheek.
I see what you mean, Scott. He starts talking about Hollister, then jumps to Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The weird thing is, Hollister also has a theater called the Granada. I got derailed when he started dissing the Art Moderne style as “uninspiring.”
The other weird thing is that he recognizes how important the environment is to enjoying the show, then completely dismisses it in favor of new, upgraded technology; does he really think that a black box multiplex will inspire people the same way?
Also from LAobserved, Bucksbaum says he thinks the sale will be “a positive experience for the theater’s patrons and the Westwood community.” That doesn’t sound like the new owner is going to close it.
“I’d bet the electric bill is enough to choke a cow.”
According to LAobserved, Bucksbaum once said it cost $22,000 a month to keep the marquee lit.
“Well for the last few months, the person that operated the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills Has had the Crest Theatre listed on his business cards.”
Might that be the person who moved his digital projectors into the Crest?
www.youtube.com/lahtf
Is the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation’s channel on YouTube. Lots of content there, recent and vintage.
Two recent videos, one showcasing the architecture,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9opWcP-MPRI
and the other an interview with the general manager of the Pantages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzbu3Ogkt0I
Yeah, if you haven’t been in there since the renovation (or you’ve never been), this is really worth the visit.
I thought this was already listed! I remember driving by, seeing that pirate painting and wanting to go there. But we lived closer to the Michigan and Fort George Drive-Ins, and that’s where we would go on rare occasions.
Here’s a montage of construction photos showing the Belasco going up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUq1zheGYvU
The actual numbers I heard, Scott, were 58-42%
Interestingly, while the author is being all “visionary” about the changes his magic glasses will cause, he doesn’t see their full potential. As well as bringing about the demise of movie theaters, they will also replace live theater, concerts, churches and political rallies. In fact, any experience where people congregate will become a function of magic glasses. Who needs schools when you can educate directly through this simple, low cost device?
The TV manufacturing industry will fall as people turn to magic glasses to provide visual news and entertainment, along with DVD and Blu-Ray manufacturers—giving Hollywood another big hit to the pocketbook. Magic glasses will also put the final nail in the coffin of print media, but not only that — ereaders will be rendered obsolete as well. And iPods and iPhones watch out!—all your functions will be usurped by this might newcomer!
Throw away your video game console(s)! All gaming will be ported over to magic glasses, probably connected to magic gloves. Throw away your porn collection! Sex with magic glasses will be better than the real thing, with zero chance of disease or emotional transmission. (Accu-jac connector sold separately.)
The eyeglass/contact lens/Lazik industry will likewise be gutted. The glasses will be adjustable to take the light hitting their lens elements and deliver it to your eyes, correcting it for your individual vision problems. Manufacturers of sunglasses will also be wiped out by the introduction of this revolutionary and evolutionary product. Magic glasses will automatically adjust to conditions, delivering just the right amount of light to your eyes. Military night vision goggles are also a thing of the past, with their bulky size and enormous price tags.
The travel business will be the next to crumble, as people opt out of dangerous, expensive trips and rely on magic glasses to experience the wonders of the world.
Hey, this guy isn’t an idiot—he’s probably ironing out the bugs in this technology and getting ready to spring it on the world! In ten years time, he’ll own everything!
“There was a clear underlying tone of bitterness about how the exhibitors won’t pay the agreed upon rental terms etc. etc. and he didn’t seem to take into account that the theatres shouldn’t be required to pay 90% of a crap gross for a crap film just because the "content provider” thought it was the best movie ever made."
Scott, my understanding is that the studios have gone back to a roughly 50-50 split of the gross (not 90%). Also, it doesn’t matter what a “content provider” thinks of their film, if the theater chain doesn’t like it, they can decline to book it.
The movie glasses idea is pretty stupid.
Also, we’re seeing a move toward providing customers with a better experience. In LA, the Arclight and El Capitan probably have the highest prices, but they are doing booming business because of the quality of their presentations.
Personally, I had a home theater, and I ended up selling it. One of the main reasons: no communal experience. I love the energy that a crowd makes when they’re really into a movie.
Re: the All About on August 28th. The doors open at 10, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. As well as the history presentation, there will be an extensive tour of the theater.
I was in the building yesterday. Out front it says “Klub Haus,” with nothing to indicate its previous life. We got lucky; the door was open. We walked in and spotted the projection portals on the back wall. An employee confirmed that we were in the right place. The lobby had a bar. There was no screen, and there were long dining tables set up, banquet style. My friend went up and looked in the booth; it was being used for storage.
The address refers to all the buildings; some had letters to differentiate them, and I looked for one on the Klub Haus to make it easier to future cinema fans to find, but couldn’t find one.
No, it’s primarily a live theater venue. That’s the musical stage version of Phantom on the marquee (as well as Legally Blonde and Chicago). There’s a large number of movies-turned-into-musicals on their schedule…
The Park Plaza started life in 1923/24 as an Elks Lodge, according to the “Los Angeles Art Deco” book from Arcadia Publishing.
I don’t know about the State or the Palace, but the UA’s offices are empty.
Mainly Pickford, Chas. Chaplin didn’t want to be involved in owning theaters…
By the way, Morgan Hill has an 11 screen multiplex, with 3 stadium auditoriums just added recently (sorry, no IMAX) — and it’s near the freeway, Kirk! Apparently it’s not good enough for Mr. Cheek.
I see what you mean, Scott. He starts talking about Hollister, then jumps to Gilroy and Morgan Hill. The weird thing is, Hollister also has a theater called the Granada. I got derailed when he started dissing the Art Moderne style as “uninspiring.”
The other weird thing is that he recognizes how important the environment is to enjoying the show, then completely dismisses it in favor of new, upgraded technology; does he really think that a black box multiplex will inspire people the same way?
Also from LAobserved, Bucksbaum says he thinks the sale will be “a positive experience for the theater’s patrons and the Westwood community.” That doesn’t sound like the new owner is going to close it.
That was a great banner. It really brought the building to life.
“I’d bet the electric bill is enough to choke a cow.”
According to LAobserved, Bucksbaum once said it cost $22,000 a month to keep the marquee lit.
“Well for the last few months, the person that operated the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills Has had the Crest Theatre listed on his business cards.”
Might that be the person who moved his digital projectors into the Crest?
The address should be 2 Orinda Theater Square.
Kirk, take a look at Hollister via Google satellite. It doesn’t have extensive suburbs or freeways. Revitalizing the downtown makes perfect sense.
Hollywood, it’s tough to get a picture of that domed thing, isn’t it? I had to settle for the reflection.
Above that is another false ceiling that dates back to the original theater, with the real ceiling above that.
Video and stills from a recent visit now up at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_zDQhIB96g
I stopped by this building today; the American Legion logo is a part of the terrazzo, it is not brass.