ezfave, when did you work at this theatre? I was working there for about 2 years, from 1998-2000. I put a lot into the theatre and still have a picture of the Opening day staff.
The Oriental would be where the big red canopy over the sidewalk is.
There is another building just two over, would be about 7415 Sunset that looks like it could be a theatre. When visiting, it has something that looks like it could be a stagehouse, but is shorter and a wee bit wider.
Also, when they retro'ed the building for quakes, they did such a bad job that there are several Bolts and Rods that go from one wall to another to support it.
Ken, I drove around to the back of the store. And I saw what looked like it could be a theatre. I was like, hmm…..I took some crappy pics on my cell phone if you would like to see, just email me.
So when I walked in the store I saw the shape and was like…hmm.
When my friend walked to the back room where the vintage guitars are, I was awestruck. Its the full screen area, from floor to ceiling.
What they did was add two side rooms next to the theatre to make the guitar center building bigger. I wonder what is behind all the fake wall in front. Unfortunately we may never know,
I went into Guitar Center today. If you go in the store down a level to the acoustic room, and into the vintage room, not only can you see where the screen was located, but there is still some ornamental moulding on the ceiling. this is the only room where you can see this at, since drop ceilings were added to the other part.
Oddly enough, if you go upstairs in the Drum Store area, it takes you in part of what was the projection room.
The theatre was pristine when AMC ran it and was their Orange County flagship. I sat in numerous presentations there, even as a dollar house, that were tip top and great to watch. If I remember correctly, THX was in one of the auditoriums.
I took a tour of this theatre. The basement level (yes basement) holds the receiving room for the kitchen and offices. There is a huge employee breakroom down there with a private bathroom.
There are two elevators down to the basement, either through the regular lobby elevator or by the freight elevator in the kitchen.
Third level mezzanie has the entrance for handicapped to the big houses as well as the two side projection rooms.
There is a fourth level where the upper projection room is for the two main houses.
There are no plans for any theatre at all. AMC is building a new Century City 15 plex about two blocks down in the mall next to Macy’s. This will be the prime theatre.
The Schubert group was in talks to take over another theatre but I have not heard of what happened.
I had the pleasure to visit this theatre on Sunday with Ken Roe. Its a beautiful little theatre on an odd little side street.
The theatre does need a lot of work including tearing out the acoustic tiles and ceiling.
There is paintings on the wall, but are probably heavily damaged from the tiles and time.
The projection booth, although musty and low (the ceiling is only about 6'4" tall. Im that all and I hit the ceiling) is relatively clean. The tile union did build a handicap restroom in the back part of what was the auditorium and an office opposite it. They also replaced the original staircase with a makeshift one.
There is remnants of the old theatre still when you visit. The concession area lighting and moulding is there, all the ceiling moulding in the auditorium remains, and much much more.
The auditorium is well intact with original seating that is in excellent shape. The building is locted between the Highland Park and Eagle Rock Districts of LA.
Haha. Thats funny manwith. I’m in Monterey Park as well.
manwithnoname, you must live really close to me. I live not far from San Gabriel.
The Kwo-Hwa 2 was located on Valley Blvd and not Las Tunas. Today the site is a lot.
Im pretty sure that the empty lot is where this theatre would have been if you look on terraserver.
ezfave, when did you work at this theatre? I was working there for about 2 years, from 1998-2000. I put a lot into the theatre and still have a picture of the Opening day staff.
Kudos Ken.
Thanks Ken. Mind you this is less than a mile from the west theatres on Hollywood Blvd (El Capitan / Chinese / Hollywood)
Also, go to www.terraserver.microsoft.com
Enter 7425 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
The Oriental would be where the big red canopy over the sidewalk is.
There is another building just two over, would be about 7415 Sunset that looks like it could be a theatre. When visiting, it has something that looks like it could be a stagehouse, but is shorter and a wee bit wider.
Also, when they retro'ed the building for quakes, they did such a bad job that there are several Bolts and Rods that go from one wall to another to support it.
Ken, I drove around to the back of the store. And I saw what looked like it could be a theatre. I was like, hmm…..I took some crappy pics on my cell phone if you would like to see, just email me.
So when I walked in the store I saw the shape and was like…hmm.
When my friend walked to the back room where the vintage guitars are, I was awestruck. Its the full screen area, from floor to ceiling.
What they did was add two side rooms next to the theatre to make the guitar center building bigger. I wonder what is behind all the fake wall in front. Unfortunately we may never know,
But definitely, this theatre is still existant.
I went into Guitar Center today. If you go in the store down a level to the acoustic room, and into the vintage room, not only can you see where the screen was located, but there is still some ornamental moulding on the ceiling. this is the only room where you can see this at, since drop ceilings were added to the other part.
Oddly enough, if you go upstairs in the Drum Store area, it takes you in part of what was the projection room.
Definitely a site to see.
If you look at terraserver, you can see the two newer auditoriums to the theatre:
View link
The theatre was pristine when AMC ran it and was their Orange County flagship. I sat in numerous presentations there, even as a dollar house, that were tip top and great to watch. If I remember correctly, THX was in one of the auditoriums.
Oops, forgot about seating: It held ht following:
1,2,5,6,9,10,13,14 – All sat 200 each
3,4 – 150 Each
7,8 – 389 Each
11 – 500
12 – 575
3753 Seats total.
I took a tour of this theatre. The basement level (yes basement) holds the receiving room for the kitchen and offices. There is a huge employee breakroom down there with a private bathroom.
There are two elevators down to the basement, either through the regular lobby elevator or by the freight elevator in the kitchen.
Third level mezzanie has the entrance for handicapped to the big houses as well as the two side projection rooms.
There is a fourth level where the upper projection room is for the two main houses.
Driving by, construction crews are starting to gut out the theatre. Is demolition soon?
Anyone know when this theatre opened? Im guessing sometime in the 70’s (I beleive the mall was built during that time).
Unfortunately no Ron.
There are no plans for any theatre at all. AMC is building a new Century City 15 plex about two blocks down in the mall next to Macy’s. This will be the prime theatre.
The Schubert group was in talks to take over another theatre but I have not heard of what happened.
I had the pleasure to visit this theatre on Sunday with Ken Roe. Its a beautiful little theatre on an odd little side street.
The theatre does need a lot of work including tearing out the acoustic tiles and ceiling.
There is paintings on the wall, but are probably heavily damaged from the tiles and time.
The projection booth, although musty and low (the ceiling is only about 6'4" tall. Im that all and I hit the ceiling) is relatively clean. The tile union did build a handicap restroom in the back part of what was the auditorium and an office opposite it. They also replaced the original staircase with a makeshift one.
The marquee is gorgeous.
Thanks Ken. Had a mental lapse there.
There is remnants of the old theatre still when you visit. The concession area lighting and moulding is there, all the ceiling moulding in the auditorium remains, and much much more.
Today there is nothing left of the building that will remind you that it was a theatre, cept the flooring in front of the theatre.
Today, the unfinished furniture store only has one auditorium open for you to see, the second previous “showroom” is closed.
The auditorium is well intact with original seating that is in excellent shape. The building is locted between the Highland Park and Eagle Rock Districts of LA.
Also, this theatre is in the La Tijera district of Los Angeles, about 3 miles out of Westchester and the Airport area.