National Theatre

The last I heard, the Mann National's seating capacity was 1112.

At my June visit, I could tell that the National certainly needs refurbishment - at least the seats need to look better. I like the orange color of the auditorium. News indicates light fixtures to be replaced. Why replace very pretty light fixtures that work fine?

i've only worked here at the national for a few months and i love it. its a fun environment that makes everyone open their eyes and mouth to say "wow" as wide as you can imagine when they come in. i love to see the costumers face when they see the huge seating capacity the theatre has.

Mann theatres is toying with the idea of making the National the largest Stadium seating screen in the country. It would cost 5 million for this renovation.Make sure you keep the huge screen. brucec

In the late 1980s I saw "The Untouchables" here on open night. Back then Westwood was very popular and attracted huge crowds. Therefor there was a massive line around the theater to enter. Unfortunately it started to rain. Luckily the National had Split-Leaf Philodendrons planted along its side. My friend improvised rain head gear using the large leaves from the plant and was quickly followed suit by others standing in line. It was quite the a sight.

Westwood area in the 1970's was a modern version of downtown with many single screen theates. Westwood always had exclusive runs at this time and would day and date with Hollywood Blvd. It was neat to go to the movies in Westwood on a Friday or Saturday Night and there would be huge lines at each of the single screen theates and they all had midnight shows. The National opened in 1970 and I saw Catch 22 there with my cousin and a few friends.Westwood always drew a very hip crowd at the time. Westwood became to popular and started to have problems with the residents in the area along with merchants in the 1980's. The shootings and a riot at a theate helped cause the decline in this upscale area of LA along with new competition from AMC 14 in Century City and the new theatres in the newly revitalized Santa Monica area. Mann Theatres plan to build a new 5 screen Stadium theate in Westwood but if these plans fail then they plan to renovate the National into a large single stadium theatre.brucec

The National Theatre opened March of 1970 with the film "The Boys in the Band". The opening manager was long time Fox West Coast Theatres manager Harry Francis. Harry would go on to manage many other Fox and Mann Theatres till the mid 90's. Harry opened and managed the Crest Theatre in North Long Beach and later would manage the Fox Village and open the National and manage his last theatre the Bruin.

He worked for over 50 years in theatre management.

A few months ago, I copied an ad from an LA Times on microfilm. The ad heralded the National Theatre as a luxurious showplace. It was first owned by NGC Theatres, a subsid of National General. The new theatre had dramatic, contemporary design with sparkling new decor. A year-round climate control system. Latest most sophisticated projection system, and full 6-track stereophonic sound.

Oh how things change in 34 years! The projection system would include 70mm, which would be prominent at the National, and digital sound would take over by the end of the millenium.

At one time the booth also featured Doug Trumbull's Showscan projection equipment. The theatre was used as a test theatre at one time in the early 80's.

Is a refurbishing going to happen to the National? I went over the weekend to see Team America:World Police. The consession stand looks newly updated but the auditorium itself is a mess. Broken seats and the seats in general are very uncomfortable. It really needs a cosmetic lift. The screen and sound are still top notch, except I was agry because the lights were on during the trailers and the first 5 minutes of the feature. Otherwise it is a great theatre still.

I hope they don't do the stadium seating.

The National was among the handful of theaters equipped with Cinema Digital Sound (CDS), the 1990-1991 precursor to the contemporary digital sound formats.

I was the Manager of the National from 1986 to 1989. It was a beautiful and exhilarating time of life and Westwood provided the perfect backdrop. Good times!!

Any word on if the National will be refurbished? At least new seats? Drapes? It is still one of the BEST Theatres around.

From the LABJ - "Continuing its exodus from Westwood, the Mann Theater chain will not renew its lease on the landmark National Theatre when it runs out in August." Will post more as soon as I get more info.

Was in the National a few weeks ago for Brokeback Mountain, and man, (or should I say Mann), has this place seen better days. The auditorium was pretty run down looking, seriously in need of refurbishment. Moreover, they made a huge mistake with the seats here, putting after-market plastic cupholders on them instead of buying new, a move I could see for a dollar-house but not in a theatre with this prestige. I have never seen this done successfully in a way that retains the comfort of the seat, it takes away about an inch or so on either side of the patron, and if you have a few extra inches on your behind as many of us do you are in for an uncomfortable few hours. The projection and sound was still very good, though.

I’d be very sorry to see this go. It would be great to see some money thrown at this wonderful and historic screen, with some work it could be the pride of Westwood film-going, but I suppose the bean counters will out. Hell, let the guy who bought the Crest take it, he’s doing a bang-up job over there.

Just don’t mess with the Village or the Bruin, that’s all I ask.

http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/articles.asp?ID=35922

Curtain may fall on Mann theater

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JENNIFER HUANG/daily bruin

James Lazarre works the ticket booth at the Mann National Theatre on Lindbrook Avenue in Westwood. Mann will not renew its lease on the theater, which expires in July.

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By Roberta Wolfson
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
rwolfson@media.ucla.edu

Though the lights of the Mann Village and Bruin movie theaters will continue to vibrantly flash on the corner of Broxton and Weyburn avenues, the static lights of the Mann National Theatre may soon go dim.

Come this July, Westwood may be one theater short, as Mann Theatres will not renew its lease for the National Theatre, located on Lindbrook Drive.

The one-screen cinema has been in Westwood since the 1970s and has been managed by the Mann Corporation for most of its existence. It is one of five local theaters in Westwood Village, which includes the Village, Bruin and Festival theaters, all operated by Mann.

The fifth theater, the Regent, is operated by Landmark Theatres. Mann will be unable to renew its lease due to the National's cost of rent, said Peter Dobson, CEO of the Mann Corporation.

The future of the Mann National Theatre is uncertain at the moment, as the landlords may either seek redevelopment, rent the theater to someone else or look to renegotiate a better term lease with the Mann Corporation.

"The lease is renewable, but it is an unrealistic rent, so we need to change the terms. As yet, we have not had confirmation that the landlords are willing to change the terms," Dobson said.

The company, which has been involved with Westwood cinema for several decades, will be renewing its lease for its other three theaters in Westwood, as the rents for those facilities are financially reasonable, Dobson said.

There is a possibility that the National Theatre may have to close down, at least temporarily, though the possible closure is not an indication of Mann's departure from Westwood, Dobson said.

"We are definitely not saying we want to get out of Westwood, as we are very involved and dedicated to Westwood. We've had a long and happy relationship with the Westwood community, but it has to be on a sound financial footing," Dobson said.

Chris Escobar, a year-long resident of Westwood looking to enter the UCLA Medical School, said he sees movies in Westwood every two weeks or so, and though he does watch movies at the National, many people come to the Village and Bruin theaters because they "are a lot nicer and more clean."

For movie-going Bruins such as Vikram Balakrishnan, a second-year electrical engineering student, the closure of this theater would mean a loss of entertainment and individuality for Westwood.

"Each theater in Westwood offers only one movie, which is a fun experience that is unique to Westwood and other parts of L.A., but once you leave Westwood, it's hard to get to theaters," Balakrishnan said.

Dobson said he was very sad about Mann's departure from the National.

"The implications of our withdrawing this lease are obviously having one theater less in Westwood and one less screen for students to watch," Dobson said. "This marks the end of an era. If the theater ends up closing, it will be a very sad thing."
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With reports from Derek Lipkin, Bruin senior staff.

The big problem is the theatre is a large theatre (1112 seats) and the neighborhood zoning rules of Westwood. The operator/chain is stuck with one single screen that does not make enough money to cover the leases rent. The landlord wants more money for the property than what Mann wants to pay and make a profit. With the opening of plexes in Santa Monica, Century City and other nearby areas. Westwood has returned to the days in the 70's. During that time and earlier the big areas to open films were Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Westwood was a small area next to UCLA. From the late 70's till the 90's Westwood was the place, till the Santa Monica reinvented the Mall area. But during the heydays of the late 70's till the 90's the area neighborhoods have changed and made harder on what types of business that Westwood can have. Because of all the extra traffic and people that the films brought in. The neighborhoods got sick of the parking problems, so they made the surrounding areas permit parking and there still was problems.
I enjoyed working the National many times with full houses and running near empty. Because of the way the zoning for parking and seating. The National would have to be plexed to make any money. But I would hate to see that happen, because the National has a better screen than the Village. But Mann has always perferred the Village. The studios are another suspect in killing theatres like this. The studios want the big grosses and the big screens, but they also want to keep the screens hostage for X amount of weeks even if the film dies. And then they fight over the who has the Village or got stuck with the National. Mann should book the house with a clause of two to three weeks only, then maybe more people might go to this theatre if they knew it's only going to play there for that short of a time.
Last year the Loews/Cineplex Century Plaza was razed.

I guess this is the third coming around on theatres.
The 1950's because of TV.
The 1960's because people moved away to the burbs.
The 2000's because of poor movies, cable, cost of going out, etc. etc....

Hopefully the theater will not be closed and this is nothing more than a tactic to negotiate a better lease. The National, amazingly, has survived threats of being plexed and having stadium-seating installed.

For Westwood, most folks I know seem to like the Village the best. Me, I always preferred the National.

Some of the movies I remember seeing at the National:
Christmas Vacation
Clueless
Empire Of The Sun (70mm)
The Hunt For Red October (70mm)
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (70mm)
Interview With The Vampire
Lost In Space
Pretty In Pink
Some Kind Of Wonderful
Top Gun (70mm)
Star Trek: First Contact
The Untouchables (70mm)
Young Sherlock Holmes (70mm)

I think the last thing I saw there was a press screening of "Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace." I remember Jay Leno and a few of his "Tonight Show" colleagues sitting in the row behind me. They seemed to enjoy the movie...but that didn't stop him from bashing it on his show the next night!

It may be a "bland exterior" but isn't it also the first thing you see when entering Westwood Village from the south? That sign is a local landmark and would be missed by everyone.

The National Theatre opened on March 26th. 1970 with a private opening screening of "The Boys in the Band". And opened to the public on Friday March 27th 1970 with the engagement of "The Boys in the Band".

I've have been trying to go again before it closes but MANN has been using the National as a dumping ground for crappy movies. "RV", "Silent Hill", "ATL", "Larry The Cable Guy...", "The Hills Have Eyes", "Take The Lead", "Ultraviolet", none of these are what I want to see as one of my last films at this great theatre.

Mann is still going to close it at the end of June or in July. But it will go out with a bang (as a Mann at least). As of now, the last two films booked for the National will be Poseidon starting 5/12 for a week, then the big one----THE DA VINCI CODE starting 5/19, and it looks like DA VINCI will be the final farewell for the National (4-8 weeks), unless someone steps in fast and takes it over.

I'll have to try to see Posiedon this weekend for one last time at the National. I doubt anybody will take it over at this point, it would not be logical. What is going on with the proposed Mann Stadium 5 plex behind the Bruin? Pretty soon Westwood Village will be down to only the Village and the Bruin unless someone builds someting new. If ANY theatre needs to go it is the Avco. That theatre lost any lustre it had when the chopped it up.

ANOTHER ARTICLE REGARDING THE NATIONAL:


Marked Mann: Theater chain won't renew National lease.
Source: Los Angeles Business Journal: Feb 6, 2006 issue
Author(s): Riley-Katz, Anne


Mann Theaters will not renew its lease on the landmark Mann National Theatre, continuing its exodus from Westwood.

The National, the last single-screen theater built in Los Angeles, was the site of numerous glitzy film premieres since its opening in 1970.

After exiting the National, Mann will be left with only three one-screen theaters: the Village, Bruin and the smaller Festival theater.

"The lease is coming to an end, and they were looking to raise the rent," said Mann Theaters Chief Executive Peter Dobson. "We just can't afford the money they want."

Simms Commercial Development, which manages the property, declined comment.

The Mann chain, co-owned by Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Studios and Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros., will exit in August from the 1,107-seat venue. Mann previously abandoned the four-screen Westwood Theatre complex in 2001, which was replaced with a Whole Foods Market, and subsequently left the Regent and Plaza theaters.

"At one point, Mann controlled all 10 screens in Westwood Village proper," said Steve Sann, a longtime Westwood business owner, real estate consultant and partner in the Nine Thirty Restaurant at Westwood's W Hotel.

The first premiere at the theater was in 1970, when "The Boys in the Band" bowed. Since then, it's been the site of scores of high-profile Hollywood film debuts, including "The Exorcist," "Indiana Jones" and "Spider-Man."

Westwood was once dominated by large, single-screen theaters. But the advent of stadium-seating cineplexes and competition from the ArcLight in Hollywood, Century Theaters' new 15-screen flagship operation in Century City and The Bridge all cut into attendance.

Mann executives had hoped to keep the classic picture palace. "We looked at renovating the theater or turning it into four screens and none of the business models worked," Dobson said.

One plan discussed in 2004 called for Mann to be the anchor tenant of a five-screen theater project in a $60 million, mixed-use development on Broxton and Le Conte avenues. That project, however, recently stalled when the development partners filed lawsuits against each other. The reported price of renovating the National at the time was about $5 million.

Overhauling the National could be expensive due to required seismic and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, asbestos removal and other improvements. Parking and traffic concerns and lack of retail appeal also have made Westwood less appealing to theatergoers.

Sources said one potential tenant would be Westwood-based Regent Entertainment, which occupies the penthouse floor of the KB Homes building at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue. Regent is the world's largest independent distributor of television movies ...

does anyone know how many subwoofers the National has?

It appears The National will be open in July. Two premieres are scheduled; "Little Man" July 6 and "You Me and Dupree" July 10th. I believe it will cease as a Mann Theatre end of July. I'm not sure if the Regent Entertainment rumor is true or not, but there is talk they are interested in taking over the National lease.

do you happen to know why the Village is dark this week? Superman Returns opens there next tuesday at 10:00PM, and there are a couple premiers scheduled this week, but there isn't anything playing there until Superman. Are they upgrading maybe? Seats? Sound?

The Village is not dark-far from it...It is showing "The Lake House" and at the end of the week, will have the Premiere of Superman (Wed 6/21) and the opening night of the LA Film Festival(THUR 6/22).

thx for the info. I guess it was a glitch in movietickets.com. For about the past week or so, when you tried to see what was playing at the Village it would say 'info unavailable for this theater' if you chose dates up to the 26th. But, then if you chose the 27th or after it would show you showtimes for Superman. But now shotimes for Lake House are listed.

Reading this makes me want to cry. As someone who grew up in the 70s and 80s, The National, more than any other theater in Westwood, could instantly transport me back to those wonderful, informative years as soon as I entered the lobby. The theater has a wonderful, nostalgic, retro vibe, while still giving you a state of the art presentation, which is only found in a few other houses in LA. If it is truly going to be going, I'll be very sad indeed.

I think the perfect use for this theater would be as a revival house (but a nice one) to offer people another chance to see some of these films on a wonderful, giant screen. I'd love to have the opportunity where I could show up and see Alien, Superman, 2001, Top Gun, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark... They could even start it off with another engagement of The Exorcist! I have to believe this town, more than any other, could support that. If I had the money, I'd do it myself.

I love the above idea! Lots of 70mm engagements.

Question is: If Mann can't make the National work, what could Regent do better?

I second the notion of 70mm revivals here. I saw Titanic here in 70mm - with all the masking expanded to full capacity (unlike Chinese)! Truly an epic experience!

It's all about the real estate it sits on. I would love to see revivals in the theatre. It was a fun theatre to run the booth during those days. It's like those days when the Cinerama Dome was stuck with one of those lame bookings and running to 10 people per show. What saved the Dome was that the Forman family owned the land that the Dome and B of A and Wells Fargo buildings sit on. And was able to turn the project into a real winner. During the last years UA operated the Egyptian Theatre. They had on the planning stage a new complex for that block. They were to keep the original house with the large D-150 screen and build a 8 to 10 screen complex next door. But the city zoning turned it down and UA trashed the theatre, by turning it into a budget house and then dumping it. The National sits on a large piece of land and the landlord knows. The zoning in that area is the biggest problem, you can't add screens with a new complex. If Santa Monica and Century City had not became the new movie going areas on the westside and if Mann still had the 5 mile clearance. The National would be a moneymaker. So with the studios opening films on so many screens in all these areas around the National. The National's slice of the profit pie is so much smaller now.

I had heard that it was closing at the end of July, but I just called today to ask if Clerks II is going to be the last film they show and was told by a manager that something had been "worked out." Has anyone else heard about this? The manager didn't seem fully confident about what he was saying, so maybe it is just going to be open on a month to month basis. He didn't seem to really want to talk to me, so maybe someone else could get more information. The direct number to the box office is (310) 208-3946.

I was wondering myself and was thinking about making a visit this weekend. It sounds like a short term agreement has been made but would imagine the National's days are numbered. Mann has been trying to build a Stadium seating Multiplex in Westwood for a while. If they succeed in that they will probably drop the National and the Festival and keep the Village and Bruin. They could make money on the National if they booked more premieres there, but I guess most studios want the Village and Bruin. I could never understand why they let the National get so run down. They could have at least put new more comfortable seats in it. I'm happy it will be around a bit longer; it is a great theatre and last of its kind.

I was wondering myself and was thinking about making a visit this weekend. It sounds like a short term agreement has been made but would imagine the National's days are numbered. Mann has been trying to build a Stadium seating Multiplex in Westwood for a while. If they succeed in that they will probably drop the National and the Festival and keep the Village and Bruin. They could make money on the National if they booked more premieres there, but I guess most studios want the Village and Bruin. I could never understand why they let the National get so run down. They could have at least put new more comfortable seats in it. I'm happy it will be around a bit longer; it is a great theatre and last of its kind.

Saw a matinee of Superman Returns as a "farewell" to the theatre this weekend and found out that Mann has signed an additiona 6 month lease! That would get it through the holidays.

I got deeply nostalgic watching the traditional Superman opening credits in the National glorious 1970's decor auditorium. Even the smell of the place reminded me seeing the original Superman as a kid at the Tacoma Mall Twin in 1978.

The National's presentation was excellent as usual.

I'll truly miss this screen. The only movie I ever saw here was the secret Dolby Digital test of "Star Trek VI."

Actually, now that I think of it, I take that back; I also saw "Single White Female" there.

At any rate, it's a shame they're shutting this one down. One less single-screen palace.

After reading the past few posts, I had to go see for myself:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdNationaljan252007001.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdNationaljan252007002.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdNationaljan252007003.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdNationaljan252007006.jpg

The National shows up in "Zodiac" posing as a theatre in San Francisco (for the 1972 premiere of "Dirty Harry"). Looking back on the film, the shot they use for the exterior (which is a more traditional entrance and marquee) clearly does not match the interior (The National's two floors and large windows).

The production designer/location scouts must have realized that no theatre screams "Early 70's" like the National. If they do end up closing it or, God forbid, getting rid of its funky 70's decor, at least it will always be preserved on film. And "Zodiac," with its spot on cinematography and production design, is likely to become the gold standard of filmic representations of that period.

Recent nighttime view of Mann National Theater:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdMannNationalMar92007.jpg

This week you can see "Zodiac" at the National. It moved over from the Bruin. Now you watch the movie at the theatre where filmed scenes! Too bad they didn't just open "Zodiac" at the National. In earlier days they probably would have as its a Paramount Picture. Now the National just seems to get the leftovers and the move-overs. Sad.

What is the interior like now? They could have spent this time remodeling the theatre for the summer blockbuster season. Now it seems the National won't be able to book any first-run blockbuster hits (Shrek the Third, Spiderman 3).

I saw Rocky VI there back in January and it is the same. Personally for me I like the retro 60's interior just the way it is. Part of it's charm. The only thing I would do is put in new seats and paint the ceiling.

The National did not open Zodiac because it doesn't have digital projection. Zodiac was the first movie to be shot totally in digital,thus the Bruin opened it(It has digital projection).

"Zodiac was the first movie to be shot totally in digital..." SAY WHAT???

Yes, what about Star Wars II & III, Superman Returns...

Yes without using film!

mannr,
I'm afraid you're mistaken on this digital issue. That, or else you've fallen victim to some deceptive press releases or news reports.

To clarify, over the last five or six years, there have been dozens of productions shot using any of several digital formats. Many independent productions and a growing number of TV shows have been originated this way. Some of the major movies shot digitally whose titles most moviegoers will recognize include:

Apocalypto
Click
Collateral
Flyboys
Grindhouse ("Planet Terror" half)
Jackpot
Miami Vice
Once Upon A Time In Mexico
A Prairie Home Companion
Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow
Spy Kids 2
Spy Kids 3
Star Wars: Episode II Attack Of The Clones
Star Wars: Episode III Revenge Of The Sith
Superman Returns
Zodiac

Digital *photography* and digital *projection* are two separate processes. For a movie to be projected digitally it does not need to have been shot digitally, and vice versa.

Per IMDB website under trivia for "Zodiac":

"David Fincher decided to use the Thomson Viper FilmStream camera to shoot the entire film, making this the first feature film shot exclusively with the camera, and in the uncompressed digital video format. Zodiac is the first "Hollywood Studio Production" shot with the VIPER and in an uncompressed digital "data" Format. The first ever shot feature Film shot entirely with the VIPER is the British independent production Silence Becomes You (2005) by director Stephanie Sinclaire. After Silence Becomes You, other independent European Movie-Productions like Highlander: The Source (2007) (director Brett Leonard) and Scorpion (2007) (director: Julien Seri) have used the same work flow."

Confusion must have been that this was the forst time for this particular camera.

To clarify further..."Zodiac" wasn not the first production to use the Viper. It is, however, believed to be the first to use that camera in a fashion where the imagery was recorded as data, rather than recording onto tape.

Learn more about the process here:
http://digitalcontentproducer.com/videoedsys/revfeat/video_going_tapeless/

LIGHTS OUT!

Westwood's Mann National, a big single-screen house that once played the exclusive runs of The Godfather and The Exorcist, will close at the end of this week. This theatre has been dying for years. We live in a megaplex stadium-seating world, and sagging-at-the-heels behemoths like the National -- a once-grand showplace that still has pretty good and projection quality -- are all going to be toast sooner or later.


Mann's National has a date with the wrecking ball
I mentioned the National's closing to a twentysomething L.A. woman, and she told me she'd never been there. The crowds aren't going to Westwood any more. I can let the National go but please don't tell me this is going to happen to Mann's Village also. If this is in the cards don't want to hear about it. The same thing that happened in NYC is slowly happing to LA, the single-screen theatres are closing, and what LA will have left will be multiplexes like the Arclight, the Grove, teh AMC Century City and The Bridge.

The National was used last year for a scene in Zodiac. Mark Ruffalo can't handle watching Dirty Harry and goes out into the lobby for a smoke, and then Jake Gyllenhaal comes up to him and chats him up about the case.

http://hollywood-elsewhere.com/archives/2007/04/national_is_dea.php

Bummer! Cinematour recently posted shots I took in summer 2006.

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

Who's going to be there Thursday night for the final show? Thank god they're going out with Shooter, a fairly decent movie that will make good use of the big screen and the sound.

Has this closing been confirmed by Mann?

If this is confirmed, I plan to be there for the final show, yes.

Is it definitely being demolished and not just closed? if so, what will be built on this site?

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963372.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

An article I posted earlier this week on the Mann's closing:
http://www.efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=2164

I remember waiting on line for hours at the National to see The Exorcist with friends from my dorm at UCLA...I remember going to the National on a very rainy weekend afternoon (circa 1977-78) and seeing a matinee of The Gauntlet with maybe a dozen or so people in the audience. At the time, it felt to me like the world's largest private screening room. I agree with Jason, above. If they had made the National into an art-house, it would have had no competition in Westwood. I'll hate to see them tear it down. Another one bites the dust indeed.

Final show tonight! "Shooter" 10:10 PM. Dolby Digital THX. I will be there. Hope everyone can join.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=56550704&blogID=255605429&MyToken=fd80bd27-2289-4d3f-936b-7700c1c2f0b7

Final thoughts on the National.

I just returned from watching the curtain close for what, apparently, was the final time at the Mann National Theater in Westwood. I'd already seen Shooter but I had to be there to pay my respects to one of the great theaters of Westwood.

The theater opened in 1970 and I believe I saw Scrooge there later that year, followed by Bedknobs and Broomsticks in 1971 and 1776 in 1972. I was too young to see The Exorcist there in 1973 but I remember the faux open bedroom window they had set up for it on the Eastern exterior wall of the building, a wall that has now been covered up by a shopping center for decades. The billowing curtains of that window gave me the creeps as a kid.

In Jr. High, I saw re-releases of Jaws and Fantasia there but it was in 1979, with the opening of Star Trek the Motion Picture that I started my habit of seeing movies there on opening day (having camped out the night before to see the first show), a habit which continued on and off over the decades up until the release of The DaVinci Code last year.

But the film that I probably most associate with the National is Raiders of the Lost Ark. I saw the first two showings there on opening day and countless more in the weeks that followed.

Boy, for a long time I've missed the huge poster murals they used to paint on the exterior Western wall, overlooking Galey. It was stirring indeed to see Indiana Jones painted there, 30 or 40 feet high!

With the big screen at the Avco long ago bisected and now the National closing, The Village theater is the only truly GREAT screen left in Westwood! And out of the 18 screens we had there less than a decade ago, we will now be down to 9.

Farewell National Theater! You gave me countless hours of joy and you will be sorely missed!

Alan Sanborn
April 19, 2007

thanks for clarifying the digital info. for Zodiac. Got info. from website(when film was still in production). The theatre will be missed. Hope that it won't be torn down

I grew up in Santa Monica during the 70's and early 80's. The only way to see First Run films then was to go to Westwood. My Saturdays were spent taking the bus there to see a new film. The National was always impressive to me even back then. The design was sleek and modern; the lobby took you upstairs to this HUGE comfortable auditorium that did not have one bad seat.

My first sighting EVER seeing the National was when "The Mackintosh Man" was showing. I remember thinking how cool the marquee was; the big expressive sign made you already that you were in for something special. I worked at the Mann Village from 1980 to early 1983; Both theatres were considered the "it" theatres in L.A. County. Studios fought over bookings, but ultimately Paramount and Warner always won out.

In the 70's my bus visits took me to see such gems as "The Bad News Bears", "Islands in the Stream", "Heaven Can Wait", "Superman", "Big Wednesday" and the underrated "The Big Bus".

The early 80's it was all about "Raiders of the Lost Ark". A bunch of us from the Village "snuck in" opening night (when they had a sold out crowd). Back then we all had friends at all the MANN theatres in the Westwood. Getting in on opening nights were tough, but somehow we all managed to get in. During the 80's it was mainly Paramount's premiere theatre (Warner usually had the Village).

The 90's brought competition with Century City and Santa Monica delivering first run films. Trendy was not Westwood any longer. Crowds rather sit in a small character-less theatre. There was no appreciation for a theatre like the National. Sadly MANN felt it was not in the best interest to keep the theatre going; you could see them losing interest over the years. Last year (2006) they managed to book "The Da Vinci Code" and an expansion run of "Brokeback Mountain"; but the bookings otherwise consisted of the films no one else really wanted. My last visit was February 17th for "Music & Lyrics". I'm glad I made it, but am sad I no longer am able to see a film at this great theatre ever again.

Some notable films that played first run at the National in the 70's include "Dog Day Afternoon", "The Wind & the Lion", "The Front", "Starting Over", "The Fortune", "Bobby Deerfield", "Sorcerer", "Bound For Glory", "Star Trek: The Motion Picture", "The Godfather" and "The Exorcist"

The 80's: "Reds", "Beverly Hills Cop", "The Untouchables", "Rain Man", "Top Gun", "Crocodile Dundee", "Brainstorm", "Star 80", "Footloose", "Empire of the Sun", "Greystoke", "Black Rain",
and all the Indiana Jones Films.

The 90's: All the Jack Ryan Thrillers, "Wayne's World", "Courage Under Fire", "Mission:Impossible", "Days of Thunder", "The Talented Mr Ripley", "The First Wives Club", "In & Out", "Boogie Nights", "Entrapment", "Star Trek:First Contact", "Runaway Bride". Face/Off", "Saving Pvt. Ryan".

Since 2000: "The Italian Job", "What Women Want", "S.W.A.T.", "Gangs Of New York", "School of Rock", "Brokeback Mountain", "The Da Vinci Code", "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory", "March of the Penguins", "Mean Girls", "Closer", "The Manchurian Candidate."

It may be gone. But obviously and thankfully I have fond memories.

Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?

I'd certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work... any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.

I can't help but look at NY's Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I'm afraid the National has more in common with NY's late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I'm not saying I don't like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it's not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.

It's hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.

I read about Regent from an article on AllBusiness.com last year when Mann first talked about closing it.

I don't know if anyone remembers. But giant murals were painted on the back of The Loyola (a once Mann theatre in Westchester, Ca.) of films playing exclusively in Westwood. They had one for "Dog Day Afternoon" painted with EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT NOW PLAYING at MANN NATIONAL, Westwood.

My fondest memory of being at the National was a 70MM DTS presentation of "Titanic" in 1998 (just after it moved over from the Village). They completely maxed out the vertical & horizontal masking to create a genuine 70MM projected image (unlike the Egyptian & the Avco - 70MM on a 45-50 foot screen ain't 70MM, folks!). The sound was rich with deep bass and the surrounds bouncing all over the auditorium. It was truly an unforgettable experience.

I didn't start going regularly to the National till the summer of 1993, but I'm glad I made it! It is a sad day in Westwood right now. We've truly lost a great theatre.

P.S. - That Avco diss was in reference to a late 1990's post auditorium split presentation of the restored version of "Vertigo" that they had the NEVER to present in 70MM! Pathetic!

Here is the last few years worth of Premieres at the National Theatre.

Darkness Falls--01/22/2003
The Core--03/25/2003
Daddy Day Care--05/04/2003
Legally Blonde 2--07/01/2003
Gigli--07/27/2003
Second Hand Lions--09/18/2003
Timeline--11/19/2003
Agent Cody Banks 2--03/06/2004
Man on Fire--04/18/2004
Upside of Anger--03/03/2005
Beauty Shop--03/24/2005
Sin City--03/28/2005
Monster In-Law--04/29/2005
Happy Endings--06/26/2005
Brokeback Mountain--11/29/2005
Just My Luck--05/09/2006
Little Man--07/06/2006

And that was it.

This theater will be missed by many Angelenos if it's torn down. The Mann Festival should have been the theater to go (if any). I consider the National a giant, hulking, futuristic work of art like JFK's Terminal 5 (the old TWA terminal)...a work of art on the outside and spacious and comfortable on the inside.

I can tell you two premieres I went to at the National, in order of the ridiculous to the sublime:

Hudson Hawk (where I met James Coburn in the upstairs lobby) and The Hours.

I completely agree with you, hollywood90038. The old TWA terminal is being saved by Jet Blue by building around it. If only the same could be done with the National.

Is there any way to change those zoning laws? Is there any group that has the political juice to get this done? Now that Mann has called their bluff and closed the National, maybe the community leaders will realize that something must be done to save the special place that their community holds in the hearts of L.A. moviegoers. In ten years, when all that is left are the Village, Bruin, and the Crest (all the way down Westwood Blvd., it might as well be in a different city), Westwood will have completely lost its unique character.

By the way, thank you for the management for turning the sound all the way up for last night's final screening. Those chest-rattling explosions in Shooter gave me fond memories of the National back in its glory days. Seeing a girl sitting in front of me (with a group of friends, probably from UCLA, with no idea the significance of the night and probably wondering why there were all these strange men trolling around with cameras) clamping her hands around her ears to muffle the sound definitely made the night just a little brighter.

I commend the city of NYC by making Terminal 5 "untouchable" though bottom-line, I think they hoped by moving the Port Authority into the building, it would ultimately become junked-up by default, become unsafe and eventually have to be torn down. I applaud Jet Blue with their approach to keeping the building with only minimal changes. With corporate greed as it is here in L.A., I doubt the National can be saved. I'm sure property owners would rather build another hi-rise on that spot. If the situation changes, I will delete this photo:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/NationalCloses2007b.jpg

Is that Photoshopped, or the actual sign on the theatre today?

Brad E41, what made your source think Regent would take over the place? Or did they mean to say Regal, which has bought up Edwards and UA Theatres and become one of the largest chains in the US?

I'd certainly like to see the National survive as a movie venue, particularly one with a varied program including retro classics, but I agree with others here that it would probably take a signifigant change, like food service, exceptional projection technology, luxury seating, etc. Currently LA has no dine-in movie venue, so perhaps converting a section to VIP/Table service might work... any viable future for this venue would require a substantial amount of money, and someone brave enough and empassioned enough to give it a go. That kind of person is even more rare than exceptional movie theatres.

I can't help but look at NY's Ziegfeld, which is their last large single screen/big screen house. However they are doing it, Clearview manages to keep it open. However I'm afraid the National has more in common with NY's late Astor Plaza, which had the kind of minimal disposable decor as the National. I'm not saying I don't like that decor, (in fact its simplicity makes it very simple to update) only that it's not the kind of atmoshpere one finds at the Ziegfeld.

It's hard to give up hope for the National, but clearly the current trend is for greedy landlords to trash the past for the cash made with forgettable high rises and retail spaces. One of my favorite movie venues of my youth was perfectly viable right into the 90s when it was torn down for a PepBoys store that went out of business in less than a year. That forgettable store sits empty where a clasic theatre could be entertaining people to this day.

Photoshopped.

Back in the 90's Mann had to renew their leases on the Village and Bruin Theatres. At one point there was talk about not renewing them because of the large rent increase. But there finnally did renew. Many of the older theatres they have had long term leases at low rents.

I used to work in the district office out of Wichita, Kansas when the Mann circuit was a national chain, having taken over National General, and the National as well as a variety of LA and NY houses were a great source of pride for that organization. It is unfortunate to see it close, and I sincerely hope that some constructive use will come of this venue. The picture of the closing night is awesome, but also a sad sign of the times.

If you are talking about the photo I posted 6 posts back, that is NOT a real picture of closing night. That was my personal goodbye to another landmark, made up in a photoshop program.

April 19th was a sad night. I attended the final screening at the National and was surprised by number of cinema-philes who turned out (with their cameras as well). I took a bunch of photos that I will try to get over to Cinematour in the next couple of weeks. The National's presentation was flawless, of course (too bad the movie wasn't better), putting any other theatre to shame. The explosions in the film reminded me of the first film I saw there, "Saving Private Ryan", and how much in awe I was of the presentation!

Perhaps it's naive to think of him as some sort of potential savior, but do you think that Spielberg could do anything to save the National (beyond outright buying it)? I say this because so many of his films have played there. Beyond the Indiana Jones films, Empire of the Sun and Saving Private Ryan also (and perhaps others as well).

I would assume that Spielberg is the type that would have some interest in where his films play (particularly on the west side of L.A. where he lives). The fact that Empire of the Sun played at the National instead of the Village (at a time when most Warner Bros. films played at the Village or Bruin) makes me think that maybe he has some love for the National.

Also, wouldn't this be the perfect time to update the National? Close it down this year, remodel and update it, and then re-open it with a week of 70mm presentations of the first three Indiana Jones films, leading up to the premiere of the 4th one. As much as I would hate to see the old 70's decor go, I would rather have an open and operating National than none at all. Not to mention that, considering it has been so long since the last one, Paramount would be smart to re-release the first three. One of the reasons why the Star Wars prequels were so successful is that the younger generation had been primed for them by the re-release of the first three films. Paramount might not want to do something as large scale, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to run the first three for a week or so in one or two theatres in all the major cities to prepare viewers for the fourth one.

I'm still intrigued by the idea that there is something else going on here besides just the high cost of the lease. Is Mann still co-owned by Warner Bros. and Paramount? I know they sold it at one point, but didn't they buy it back? Does the acquisition of Dreamworks play into this at all? And thus, could Spielberg have extra pull here?

I just went to the Mann website, where they make a big deal about being a "boutique" theatre chain known for their history, prestige, state of the art presentation, and being "where Hollywood goes to the movies." Yeah, right.

I love both of your ideas - of re-releasing the previous Indiana Jones films leading up to the release of the fourth and of major Hollywood players such as Steven Spielberg stepping in to try to save the National. In such a scenario, would it still be run by Mann or would it become an independent like the Crest?

Studios themselves mostly had to give up theater ownership decades ago but I'm not sure how or if that would effect independent owners who work in the film industry. I was also never sure how exactly deals like the ones Disney has with the El Capitan (and used to have with the Crest)work. Does Disney actually own the El Cap and what is it's arrangement with Pacific Theaters?

I worked at the United Artists Westwood (once called the United Artists Cinema Center) for 18 years and I know they had some sort of deal with Tri-Star which poured huge amounts of money into our remodeling. I was always proud of the fact that we were the theater that turned a four-plex into a three-plex, bucking the trend of theaters like the Avco and the Mann Westwood which did the opposite. Of course, now it's a drugstore so it doesn't matter much anymore.

Anyway, I would favor and do what I could to help with any scenario that would preserve the National for future generations. It's sobering to realize that it was the LAST single screen theater built in Califoria and that was 37 years ago! We're not likely to see it's like again.

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

Yes, hollywood90038, I am refering to that picture, I had assumed it was 'doctored' you did an excellant job with the concept. It is very sad that the Mann Corporation could not negotate favorable terms on the lease renewal. Again it is my sincere hope, even sitting all the way out here in Kansas, that something good will come from this, it is SO unfortunate to see buildings just sit vacant and detorate while something else is constructed across the street.

It's funny that a posting here mentioned that perhaps Steven Spielberg could save the theater. I was mentioning this to a friend of mine with the same idea this morning. Many of his films played at the National. He's a huge movie buff. It would seem that he'd *want* to save this theater. There are very few around like it anymore. It far surpasses almost any other theatre out there for size and presentation quality.

It's a wonderful idea to bring back the original Indiana Jones trilogy and have it play there. How about a Spielberg festival? Of course, first run movies would have to play there for the theatre to be viable (and not the dreary second hand titles the National's been getting lately). This theatre has a glorious past and it's a shame that it's been pushed aside.

It's not that Spielberg or anyone else is obligated to save the theatre. But it seems like the right thing to do. In fact, he wouldn't even have to invest in it. He's got enough clout to ask Paramount to revive the theater. It's not in too bad of shape and it's in great location. Talk about it being a premiere house again!

El Capitan in Hollywood is a single screen and does excellent business, and yet no one complains that it's a relic and can't compete with the megaplexes. And that theatre is much older than the National. So make the National an "in" spot to see movies again.

Too many classy and classic theatres have been lost since the mid-90s. We don't need anymore megaplexes. Nearly every megaplex I've gone to looks like every other megaplex I've gone to. At least the National had its own magnificence. It'll be missed unless someone takes it over.

So it appears the National isn't gone yet. Mann sold it to a company called Simms Entertainment(sp?. I called them up. They don't plan to demolish it but instead lease it out to someone to show films in. They wouldn't tell me what company but said they hope to get first run movies in there. We'll see what happens.

But I thought it wasn't Mann's to sell. Were they not leasing it?

I think Mann theatres owned the National back when Ted Mann owned the chain. Simms Entertainment? I hope it is true that it stays open as a movie theatre. Maybe they could put some money into getting new seats. It would be weird it not being a "Mann" theatre, but I am all for it being utilized as a working movie theatre.

As much as the National is in need of an upgrade comfort-wise, there is a part of me that likes it the way it is. It is a perfectly preserved represtation of its era for design etc. As I look through my photos I took, the ones of the front row seats make me think that at some time some fan sat in that chair to see the latest Indiana Jones in 70mm. I know that it is probably not viable to preserve the theatre as is, but it has character and a real sense of time. The kind of place that many of us growing up in the 70's and 80's learned to love (and want to work in) movies.

Many of the older properties that Mann Theatres held where leased like the Village and Bruin. Some of the properties the company leased were owned by the Skouras family.

The National really did not need much renovation. But I really think new seats were in order. Also something needed to be done to the dirty ceiling, a fresh outside paint job, and a new sign.

As far as an extensive renovation, I do not think a big overhaul was needed. Back in 2002 they were planning to do a major overhaul, but they changed their minds. Probably because what they had planned was too expensive, and I think the asbestos had to be removed and was costly.

Sad to say I saw only one movie there - an advance screening of Just Cause in '95. Let's just say I was more impressed with the theater than the film. Wish I had made it back before the closure. I did see Zodiac and thought it looked familiar.

I was only ten years old, but I could sware that the original "THX" promo during the opening weekend of "Empire of the Sun" at the National was the loudest I've ever heard. I also have fond memories of having a birthday party watching Crocodile Dundee II at the National with my friends, as well as seeing Misery, Beetlejuice, Species, Christmas Vacation and many others. It will be missed.

I still live in Westwood and work out at LA Fitness (about a block from the National) several times a week. I'll keep an eye out and post any noticable changes to the theater on this site.

A couple random thoughts:

-Wasn't the Crest purchased and restored by some passionate independant investor a while back? Perhaps this person be looking at assuming the National as well?

-The corner that the National sits on is relativly quiet and parking is sparce. The Circuit City accross the street went out of business a few years back after Best Buy came to town, and the huge DSW shoe store that opened recently in it's place always seems empty. I can't see the National being converted into some big-box retail store and being too successful. Quite honestly, I can envision that space sitting vacant for years unless someone reopens it as a theater.

Michael, have you checked any further? We've seen print articles, (referenced here, i think) wherein Mann reps said that increased rent was the deciding issue for their exit, which indicates that the building is not theirs to sell. However, the rest of your report sure sounded promising...

Jordan C - the Majestic Crest (as it's now called) was renovated with Joeseph Musil's design talent (similar to his work on the El Capitan) years before it was sold to Robert Bucksbaum, who has said it took his entire life savings to purchase the theatre. Mr. Bucksbaum's passion for a small classic theatre did save the Crest, (which we all thank him for) but it it highly unlikely his pockets are deep enough to acquire and renovate the National.

I agree that parking is an obvious issue with running the National. That has apparently been the case for decades, for I met Patty Duke (Astin) in the summer of '74, when she and her family had a home in the area, and she said that after THE EXORCIST opened at the National, it was impossible to park anywhere in Westwood. I would imagine that solving the parking issue, perhaps in some kind of co-op deal with surrounding merchants, would be a key factor in the National's future success. But I believe that, like challenge of running the theatre itself, the parking issue is not insurmountable.

The National Theatre will re open on 11 May 2007. Unknown operator and feature.

Thats great news if it's true. But if Mann couldn't make it work...

I worked at the National in '84-85 during engagements like Temple of Doom and Beverly Hills Cop, and saw many films there in the early 80's (Brainstorm, Krull, Star Trek II, etc) it's always been my favorite theatre of Westwood but this was the last heyday of Westwood, when movies were still an exciting and inspiring event. We've witnissed the death of single house cinema's over the last 10-15 years and it's been an inevitable slow death. At that time the manager was a young guy named Mac Carter, long time figure Harry Francis was at the Bruin ("paying customers aren't complaining sir") Famous LAPD cop Marc Fuhrman patrolled Westwood on foot and the theatres were rife with embezzlment I saw entire staff's fired at several chains, ahh but that was the chaotic fun of the times and we had so much fun.
I spent a lot of time hanging out in the projection booth with the projectionist (Burt) admiring Doug Trumball's 70mm showscan equipment, which they left there for years. Of course seeing anything in 70mm at the National was always a treat, at some point in the 90's they basically wrote that theater off diverting first run movies to the Village or Bruin and sending dumb comedies or substandard fare to the National.
I don't agree the theatre needed renovation, i personally liked the orange interior and curtains, what they needed were better movies, not a newly remodeled interior. And as for Spielberg saving the place, it's a romantic notion but it'll never happen. The true movie scene is dead, plain and simple, We don't even have projectionsists left fer' christ sakes! It can and never will be what it was, these are the last days, it's over.
DP www.reflectionsofevil.com

Adam has posted my closing night shots of the national on Cinematour.

http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/2134.html

There is an ad in today's L.A. Times for "The Ex" that lists "Mann National" as one of the theatres it is opening in on Friday. Is this a misprint? Does this mean that Mann has gotten another extension on the lease, or is now sub-leasing it from "Simms Entertainment." WTF!?!

I was in Westwood today and walked by the theatre. A sign on display in the boxoffice window suggests the theatere indeed will re-open on Friday the 11th. Whether it's being re-opened by Mann Theatres or another outfit, I couldn't tell you at this time.

That's great that the place will be re-opening, but it does create a problem of sorts since for the past couple of weeks Bill Kallay and I have been chipping away at a special tribute article. I guess now we'll just have to hit the "delete" button! Kidding. I suppose we can still run the article if there's any interest out there.

Not to sound like an ingrate here, but we were kinda hoping the new owner would fix the place up... keep an eye on Mann's (and other chain's) website for Friday's listings. So far the National is not on Mann's website. PS Michael. of COURSE we're all anxious to read what you've been working on.

Michael: By all accounts, go forward with the article.

JSA

Perhaps "Simms Entertainment" is going to lease the theatre, with Mann acting as a booking agent, and retaining the MANN name. Maybe MANN found a partner for the costs of running the theatre. Whatever the case, it is great it is coming back. There is plenty of film product coming this Summer, and the National should be 'well booked'.

I am going to guess that Mann is NOT, repeat NOT, reopening the theater. If it is going to reopen soon under a different operator, the newspaper ad is probably simply wrong. Often, the studios that place the ads mistakenly use the former name until they realize otherwise.

Too bad they didn't keep it and book Spider Man 3 there, staggering showtimes with The Village.

Mann theatres has lost its importance as a movie chain with the exception of a few select industry theatres. Like the old M-G-M its been reduced to a shadow of its former self. Ted Mann purchased the National General(Fox West Coast)chain back in the 1970's which was a dominant player in LA until he sold the chain to Warner Bros/Paramount and its been downhill ever since. With the exception of the Chinese in Hollywood and Village in Westwood very little has been done to improve the circuit. Im surprised it hasn't been sold to another theatre chain. Westwood has suffered the same decline as Mann theatres which was the dominant force in Westwood for years. Landmark is opening a state of the art multiplex at the Westside Pavillion which will not have a positive effect on Westwood Village.I just hope the Fox Village is saved at all costs.brucec

You bring an old question to my mind with your above comment. I used to work for the Mann circuit out of the district office in Wichita, Kansas, my question is; How exactly did Ted Mann come to purchase National General? That question has been debated for decades around ths part of the country. If anyone has an opinions or knows the history of the transaction, I for one would be interested in reading your opinions.

Thank you.

Was this a Mann theatre when it first opened?

No, it opened as a National General Theatre. The little round sign that sits on top of the National sign in the above picture, originally was the NG logo.

According to this article, In 1973 Film producer Ted Mann buys 276-screen National General Theatre chain for $67 million.

National General Theatres was looking for a buyer at the time. With that purchase Mann Theatres of Minnesota picked-up Fox West Coast Theatres Corp.(also known as National General Theatres), Evergreen State Amusement Corp., Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres Corp., Fox Midwest Theatres Corp., Fox Eastern Theatres, Inc. and NT & T Amusement Corp. After a few years of operation(1975-1978), he started to drop under performing theatres from the circuit.

We in district 5-5 were definately considered 'under performing' or not wanted if you want to call it that. Mann was twining the larger Fox Theatres NGC had built in the late 60's and early 70's but no new construction. The district I was in was eventually sold to the Dickinson Circuit which either closed or gave away the ageing downtown properties. All are closed or demolished today, some have undergone extenisve renovations to become community centers, but that is the exception no the rule.

Thank you for your responses.

Here the opening newspaper ad for the National Theatre.

http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/70mm_in_los_angeles_national_opening_enlarge.htm

http://www.laobserved.com/intell/2007/05/mann_national_may_not_be_dead.php

Mann National may not be dead
TJ Sullivan • Bio • Email

*UPDATED BELOW*

The sign pictured at right showed up this weekend in the ticket window of the shuttered Mann National in Westwood Village, calling into question reports of the big-screen movie house's reported "date with the wrecking ball."

As previously mentioned on LAO, the Mann National is one of a dwindling number of big-screen theaters still standing in LA. It's a place where "The Exorcist opened to huge lines and ran what seemed like forever, and same for The Godfather."

Perhaps this means it has achieved a stay of execution, as some had hoped would happen.

For now, all I know is that the sign says "Theatre opening Friday May 11th."

*UPDATED: Mann Theatres no longer leases the theater building and referred questions about its operation to Tom Daugherty, who said during a brief telephone interview that he and a partner now hold the lease. Daugherty said the ticket window sign is correct, that the theatre will reopen this Friday (May 11) with The Ex, starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet.

Daugherty said movie goers can expect the theatre to continue to show first-run features, just as it did under Mann.

So pretty soon we'll need to change the name of this theatre here (at least to remove 'Mann'). Will he still call it the National?

Wow! Very nice. Hopefully he will be able to book it with some blockbusters for the summer.

There was a Tom Daugherty that was the former Head of projection mainenance for Mann Theatres and later went over to the DTS, before starting a theatre servicing company. His wife's (or former wife's?) brothers are part of the Regency Theatre chain.

The Ex? Oh jeez yea thats gonna draw big crowds, I'm glad it's re-opening but again the problem is (and has been) they simply WILL NOT send first run big summer movies to this theatre. If they opened Spider Man or Transformers there, people would re-discover the place exists and it would do business

Why cant this theater get the big pics???

Bad location compared to Village, bad parking, underappreciation of vintage 60's/70's decor, can't hold a film as long as the Avco, especially since Mann has hardly any screens left to move a film to...

It's a whole two blocks from the Village and Bruin, so I don't see how its location could be bad if theirs is good. And isn't the Federal Building parking lot on evenings and weekends?

are there larg multiplex around this theater>

It's not the location, the theatre has done the business in the past. Most of the current theatre going public likes the newer theatre complexes around the city. The National can get the films if they want them, but the contracts the studios force upon the first run theatres to have their films for 4-8 weeks most of the time. So if you are stuck with a film that did all it's business in the first week, you are stuck for most of the rest of the time. And the other problem with Westwood is the film is playing all over town and not just in the old Westwood / Hollywood main locations. If people are in Santa Monica they go to the theatre in Santa Monica or where ever they live. The days of the Best locations being Westwood & Hollywood are all but over now. The bad parking problem has been a problem for decades, even when the theatres were making money.

The closest large plex is located in Century City (AMC) and soon a few miles south in West Los Angeles (Landmark). The AMC Avco Center (4 screens) is the largest left in Westwood.

The parking isn't any worse there than anywhere else in Westwood, the 1970 decor is part of it, most of the new generation hate that time and execs are scared of it. They want to erase our memories of a time when GOOD intelligent movies used to exist, a time when things were looser and more sensible, a time when there was still genuine excitement, still possibilities and new horizons to explore, when originality flourished, and things weren't oversaturated, over-done and burned out. A time before LAPD units infested the streets of Westwood driving around like sharks looking for prey, Looking for petty traffic violators, looking for anyone acting suspicious or out after cerfue to ruin more lives and make things more difficult in an already over-stressed world. A time when there was good music and great music stores, and searching for records was like a treasure hunt. A time when there were projectionist's who cared about presentation, not apathetic management pushing buttons. A time when movies played for months and months, before 10,000 cable channels and DVD players turrned us into vegetables. A time when SFX meant hand crafted models and miniatures, beautiful matte paintings and new innovations, a time when trailers weren't cut the exact same way over and over and over and over (fade's and flashe's for every cut) from the same marketing factory for more forgettable films with ridiculous titles (as we've run out of titles) a time when actors were interesting, when directors were a bit more in control, before committee's and executives controlled everything, when entrepreneurs and moguls bought chains not corporations, a time when you could smoke everywhere, including theatre lobby's, when buildings and spaces were inviting and more relaxed, not monitered by security camera's and looking for suspicious behavior, a time when..well i could go on and on

Well... Um... So anyway, Mrs. Lincoln, How did you like the play?

******BREAKING NEWS*********

The National will reopen today (May 11th) under new management. They will be playing the new file "The Ex" starring Zach Braff, Amanda Peet and Jason Bateman. Here is a link to the story:

http://www.laobserved.com/intell/2007/05/mann_national_may_not_be_dead.php

So is it now an independent, or part of a different chain? What does the theatre now call itself?

Showtimes for "The Ex" are 1:00, 3:00, 5:10, 7:00, 9:50 starting today (Friday, May 11th).

From the blurb, I am inferring the new leaseholder is operating the theatre as the National Westwood Theatre (as an independent).

My bad. I didn't see the original entry buried in the entries for the last week. I pulled the showtimes from Yahoo Movies.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE, 1970-2007
10925 Lindbrook, Los Angeles (Westwood Village)

Compiled by Michael Coate, from a forthcoming article on the history of the National

RE = Re-Issue/Return Engagement
MO = Move-over; i.e. continuation of engagement from another theatre

Excluded are premieres and other private events, as well as test screenings, sneak preview screenings, midnight screenings, and temporary one-day move-overs.

03/27/70 … THE BOYS IN THE BAND (9 weeks)
05/27/70 … THE SICILIAN CLAN (4 weeks)
06/26/70 … CATCH-22 (18 weeks)
10/28/70 … LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSY (9 weeks)
12/25/70 … I LOVE MY WIFE! (7 weeks)

02/12/71 … LITTLE MURDERS (7 weeks)
03/31/71 … MAKING IT (4 weeks)
04/29/71 … SUMMER OF ’42 (9 weeks)
06/30/71 … CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (20 weeks)
11/19/71 … BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (8 weeks)

01/12/72 … THE FRENCH CONNECTION (RE, 10 weeks)
03/24/72 … THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH (9 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
05/26/72 … THE OTHER (9 weeks)
07/26/72 … STAND UP AND BE COUNTED (2 weeks)
08/09/72 … THE GRADUATE (RE, 1 week)
08/16/72 … EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX (11 weeks)
11/01/72 … CARRY ON DOCTOR (2 weeks)
11/15/72 … THE HOSPITAL / FUZZ (RE, 1 week)
11/22/72 … MONKEY BUSINESS / THE COCOANUTS (RE, 2 weeks)
12/06/72 … PULP (1 week)
12/13/72 … FUNNY GIRL (RE, 1 week)
12/21/72 … 1776 (5 weeks)

01/24/73 … FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
03/07/73 … LOST HORIZON (11 weeks)
05/23/73 … A WARM DECEMBER (3 weeks)
06/13/73 … BILLY JACK / BANANAS (RE, 1 week)
06/20/73 … THE LAST OF SHEILA (6 weeks)
08/01/73 … THE MACKINTOSH MAN (4 weeks)
08/29/73 … ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE (9 weeks, stereo)
10/31/73 … FANTASIA (RE, 1 week)
11/07/73 … EXECUTIVE ACTION (7 weeks)
12/26/73 … THE EXORCIST (26 weeks)

06/21/74 … CHINATOWN (8 weeks)
08/14/74 … CALIFORNIA SPLIT (7 weeks)
10/02/74 … THE CRAZY WORLD OF JULIUS VROODER (2 weeks)
10/16/74 … THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ (MO, 1 week)
10/23/74 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-stereo)
11/01/74 … PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (7 weeks, stereo)
12/18/74 … THE GODFATHER PART II (14 weeks)

03/26/75 … AT LONG LAST LOVE (2 weeks)
04/11/75 … HARRY & TONTO (RE, 3 weeks)
04/30/75 … BLAZING SADDLES (RE, 3 weeks)
05/23/75 … THE WIND AND THE LION (5 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
06/25/75 … THE FORTUNE (8 weeks)
08/20/75 … BEYOND THE DOOR (4 weeks, stereo)
09/17/75 … YESSONGS (3 weeks, stereo)
10/08/75 … DOG DAY AFTERNOON (11 weeks)
12/25/75 … LUCKY LADY (5 weeks, 70mm-stereo)

01/30/76 … FANTASIA (RE, 6 weeks)
03/10/76 … JAWS (RE, 2 weeks)
03/24/76 … THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH (MO, 2 weeks)
04/07/76 … THE BAD NEWS BEARS (11 weeks)
06/23/76 … THE BIG BUS (3 weeks)
07/14/76 … LEADBELLY (2 weeks)
07/30/76 … CAMELOT (RE, 1 week, 70mm-stereo)
08/04/76 … DRUM (3 weeks)
08/25/76 … LET’S TALK ABOUT MEN (4 weeks)
09/24/76 … CAMELOT / HELLO, DOLLY! (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
10/06/76 … THE FRONT (9 weeks)
12/09/76 … BOUND FOR GLORY (9 weeks)

02/09/77 … FUN WITH DICK & JANE (5 weeks)
03/18/77 … ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (6 weeks)
04/29/77 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 1 week, stereo)
05/06/77 … NASTY HABITS (7 weeks)
06/24/77 … SORCERER (9 weeks)
08/12/77 … MARCH OR DIE (2 weeks)
08/26/77 … SUSPIRIA (3 weeks, stereo)
09/16/77 … THUNDER AND LIGHTNING (1 week)
09/21/77 … YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE (2 weeks)
10/05/77 … BOBBY DEERFIELD (10 weeks)
12/12/77 … >>> closed for remodeling and installation of Showscan <<< (4 days)
12/16/77 … LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (RE, 1 week)
12/21/77 … THE GAUNTLET (6 weeks)

02/03/78 … THE ONE AND ONLY (6 weeks)
03/17/78 … AMERICAN HOT WAX (4 weeks)
04/14/78 … THE MEDUSA TOUCH (2 weeks)
04/28/78 … FM (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/17/78 … THE MANITOU (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/26/78 … BIG WEDNESDAY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/28/78 … HEAVEN CAN WAIT (14 weeks)
10/06/78 … WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? (5 weeks)
11/10/78 … THE WILD GEESE (4 weeks)
12/08/78 … THE DEER HUNTER (1 week for Oscar consideration, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/15/78 … SUPERMAN (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

04/13/79 … HURRICANE (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05/04/79 … THE EXORCIST (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/22/79 … THE MAIN EVENT (6 weeks)
08/03/79 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/07/79 … THE WANDERERS (3 weeks)
09/28/79 … ANIMAL HOUSE (RE, 1 week)
10/05/79 … STARTING OVER (9 weeks)
12/07/79 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02/01/80 … AMERICAN GIGOLO (7 weeks)
03/21/80 … LITTLE DARLINGS (6 weeks)
05/02/80 … THE 39 STEPS (1 week)
05/09/80 … THE NUDE BOMB (5 weeks)
06/11/80 … URBAN COWBOY (6 weeks)
07/25/80 … CADDYSHACK (3 weeks)
08/15/80 … SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (4 weeks)
09/12/80 … THE MOUNTAIN MEN (2 weeks)
09/26/80 … WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1 week)
10/03/80 … OH, GOD! BOOK II (4 weeks)
10/31/80 … THE AWAKENING (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/14/80 … THE IDOLMAKER (1 week, magnetic Dolby Stereo)
11/21/80 … SONG OF THE SOUTH (RE, 3 weeks)
12/12/80 … POPEYE (7 weeks)

01/30/81 … THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (4 weeks)
02/27/81 … FANTASIA (RE, 3 weeks, stereo)
03/20/81 … THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (3 weeks)
04/10/81 … ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE, 2 weeks)
04/24/81 … THE HAND (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/15/81 … THE FAN (4 weeks)
06/12/81 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (16 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/02/81 … PATERNITY (4 weeks)
10/30/81 … RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE IN CONCERT (1 week)
11/06/81 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (RE, 4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/04/81 … REDS (14 weeks)

03/12/82 … RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP (3 weeks)
04/02/82 … SOME KIND OF HERO (4 weeks)
04/30/82 … AC/DC: LET THERE BE ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/21/82 … FIGHTING BACK (2 weeks)
06/04/82 … STAR TREK: THE WRATH OF KHAN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/30/82 … NIGHT SHIFT (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/24/82 … A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (RE, 1 week)
10/01/82 … JEKYLL & HYDE…TOGETHER AGAIN (3 weeks)
10/22/82 … TRON (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/29/82 … ALTERED STATES (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/05/82 … THE MISSIONARY (2 weeks)
11/19/82 … HEIDI’S SONG (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/24/82 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/10/82 … AIRPLANE II: THE SEQUEL (6 weeks)

01/21/83 … HEY GOOD LOOKIN’ (1 week)
01/28/83 … THE ROAD WARRIOR (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02/18/83 … TABLE FOR FIVE (5 weeks)
03/25/83 … THE OUTSIDERS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/29/83 … SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/20/83 … SPACEHUNTER: ADVENTURES IN THE FORBIDDEN ZONE (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo, 3-D)
06/24/83 … TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/29/83 … KRULL (2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/12/83 … THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE (1 week, 3-D)
08/19/83 … YOR: THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE (1 week)
08/26/83 … STRANGE BREW (3 weeks)
09/16/83 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09/30/83 … BRAINSTORM (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/28/83 … RICHARD PRYOR: HERE AND NOW (2 weeks)
11/10/83 … STAR 80 (5 weeks)
12/16/83 … UNCOMMON VALOR (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/27/84 … STAR 80 (RE, 1 week)
02/03/84 … RECKLESS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02/17/84 … FOOTLOOSE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/30/84 … GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04/30/84 … >>> closed for remodeling and installation of THX Sound System <<< (4 days)
05/04/84 … BREAKIN’ (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/23/84 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (12 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/17/84 … TIGHTROPE (6 weeks)
09/28/84 … THE WILD LIFE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10/05/84 … IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (MO, 1 week)
10/12/84 … GARBO TALKS (2 weeks)
10/26/84 … BODY DOUBLE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/09/84 … OH, GOD! YOU DEVIL (4 weeks)
12/05/84 … BEVERLY HILLS COP (16 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

03/29/85 … KING DAVID (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/12/85 … CAT’S EYE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/26/85 … STICK (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/10/85 … RUSTLERS’ RHAPSODY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/31/85 … GOTCHA (MO, 1 week)
06/07/85 … THE GOONIES (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/12/85 … EXPLORERS (2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/24/85 … THE BLACK CAULDRON (1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/02/85 … WEIRD SCIENCE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/30/85 … COMPROMISING POSITIONS (3 weeks)
09/19/85 … PLENTY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/11/85 … SILVER BULLET (2 weeks)
10/25/85 … KRUSH GROOVE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/01/85 … TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/22/85 … FEVER PITCH (2 weeks)
12/04/85 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

01/17/86 … A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (2 weeks)
01/31/86 … YOUNGBLOOD (1 week)
02/07/86 … THE BEST OF TIMES (MO, 2 weeks)
02/21/86 … 9½ WEEKS (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02/28/86 … PRETTY IN PINK (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/11/86 … OFF BEAT (2 weeks)
04/25/86 … CRITTERS (1 week)
05/02/86 … BLUE CITY (2 weeks)
05/16/86 … TOP GUN (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/02/86 … UNDER THE CHERRY MOON (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/18/86 … THE KARATE KID PART II (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07/25/86 … HEARTBURN (2 weeks)
08/08/86 … TOP GUN (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09/26/86 … ‘CROCODILE’ DUNDEE (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/12/86 … THE GOLDEN CHILD (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/16/87 … CRITICAL CONDITION (3 weeks)
02/06/87 … FROM THE HIP (3 weeks)
02/27/87 … SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/03/87 … POLICE ACADEMY 4: CITIZENS ON PATROL (1 week)
04/10/87 … THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/03/87 … THE UNTOUCHABLES (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/22/87 … SUMMER SCHOOL (4 weeks)
08/21/87 … THE BIG EASY (6 weeks)
10/02/87 … LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/30/87 … FATAL BEAUTY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/20/87 … DATE WITH AN ANGEL (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/25/87 … SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/09/87 … EMPIRE OF THE SUN (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

02/12/88 … ACTION JACKSON (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/11/88 … OFF LIMITS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/30/88 … BEETLEJUICE (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/25/88 … ‘CROCODILE’ DUNDEE II (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/13/88 … THE DEAD POOL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/10/88 … CLEAN AND SOBER (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/26/88 … HOT TO TROT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/02/88 … FREEWAY (1 week)
09/09/88 … RUNNING ON EMPTY (4 weeks)
10/07/88 … IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/28/88 … FEDS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/09/88 … CHILD’S PLAY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/23/88 … SCROOGED (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
12/16/88 … RAIN MAN (14 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

03/24/89 … DEAD BANG (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/07/89 … DEAD CALM (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/21/89 … PET SEMATARY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/24/89 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
07/14/89 … LICENCE TO KILL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/11/89 … A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
08/18/89 … LET IT RIDE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/01/89 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
09/15/89 … NIGHT GAME (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
09/22/89 … BLACK RAIN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/17/89 … PRANCER (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/22/89 … LETHAL WEAPON 2 (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/01/89 … CHRISTMAS VACATION (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/12/90 … INTERNAL AFFAIRS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/02/90 … THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/27/90 … DAYS OF THUNDER (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo**)
08/17/90 … MY BLUE HEAVEN (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/14/90 … DEATH WARRANT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/21/90 … FUNNY ABOUT LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/05/90 … MARKED FOR DEATH (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/26/90 … GRAVEYARD SHIFT (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
11/16/90 … ROCKY V (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
12/19/90 … ALMOST AN ANGEL (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12/27/90 … THE ROOKIE (MO, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

**DAYS OF THUNDER opened with a 70mm-Cinema Digital Sound print, but reliability problems were encountered and a switch was made to a 70mm-Dolby Stereo print, which was used for the duration of the engagement.

01/11/91 … REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
01/18/91 … FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/22/91 … HE SAID, SHE SAID (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/15/91 … IF LOOKS COULD KILL (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/27/91 … REVERSAL OF FORTUNE / MISERY (RE, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/03/91 … RICH GIRL (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
05/10/91 … SWITCH (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/07/91 … CITY SLICKERS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/02/91 … BODY PARTS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/23/91 … SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/20/91 … McBAIN (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/27/91 … NECESSARY ROUGHNESS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/25/91 … THE HITMAN (2 weeks, Ultra Stereo)
11/08/91 … STRICTLY BUSINESS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/06/91 … STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

02/07/92 … THE ADDAMS FAMILY* / STAR TREK VI (RE*, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/21/92 … RADIO FLYER (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/28/92 … MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/13/92 … JFK (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/27/92 … LADYBUGS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/10/92 … SLEEPWALKERS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/01/92 … K2 (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
05/29/92 … THE HUMAN SHIELD (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
06/05/92 … PATRIOT GAMES (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/01/92 … BOOMERANG (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
07/24/92 … MO’ MONEY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/14/92 … SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/28/92 … HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/18/92 … HUSBANDS AND WIVES (2 weeks, Dolby Mono SR)
10/02/92 … HERO (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/23/92 … DR. GIGGLES (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10/30/92 … RAMPAGE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/06/92 … UNDER SIEGE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
11/13/92 … BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/11/92 … A FEW GOOD MEN (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

01/15/93 … BODY OF EVIDENCE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01/29/93 … UNFORGIVEN (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02/05/93 … SOMMERSBY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/05/93 … AMOS & ANDREW (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/19/93 … POINT OF NO RETURN (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/15/93 … BOILING POINT (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/30/93 … THE PICKLE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/07/93 … INDECENT PROPOSAL (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/21/93 … SLIVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
06/15/93 … CLIFFHANGER (MO, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/30/93 … THE FIRM (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
07/30/93 … RISING SUN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/20/93 … HARD TARGET (2 weeks, DTS)
09/03/93 … FORTRESS ( 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
09/10/93 … UNDERCOVER BLUES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/24/93 … THE GOOD SON (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/15/93 … THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/29/93 … FATAL INSTINCT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/05/93 … FLESH AND BONE (3 weeks, DTS)
11/24/93 … A PERFECT WORLD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/10/93 … WAYNE’S WORLD 2 (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

01/07/94 … THE AIR UP THERE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01/21/94 … INTERSECTION (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02/18/94 … BLUE CHIPS (3 weeks, DTS)
03/09/94 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY (RE, MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
03/18/94 … MOTHER’S BOYS (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03/25/94 … THE PAPER (5 weeks, DTS)
04/29/94 … PCU (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
05/06/94 … CLEAN SLATE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/13/94 … THE CROW (2 weeks, DTS)
05/25/94 … BEVERLY HILLS COP III (4 weeks, DTS)
06/25/94 … JURASSIC PARK (RE, 1 week, DTS)
07/01/94 … BLOWN AWAY (3 weeks, DTS)
07/20/94 … THE CLIENT (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/03/94 … CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (5 weeks, DTS)
09/09/94 … TRIAL BY JURY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/28/94 … NATURAL BORN KILLERS* / TRIAL BY JURY (MO*, 1 week, DTS/Dolby Stereo)
10/07/94 … ONLY YOU (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/28/94 … DROP SQUAD (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/04/94 … DOUBLE DRAGON (1 week, DTS)
11/11/94 … INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/09/94 … DROP ZONE (2 weeks, DTS)
12/23/94 … NELL (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/20/95 … S.F.W. (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
01/27/95 … HIGHLANDER: THE FINAL DIMENSION (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/17/95 … THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/17/95 … BYE BYE, LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/31/95 … TOMMY BOY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/21/95 … KISS OF DEATH (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/19/95 … DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/09/95 … CONGO (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/07/95 … SPECIES (2 weeks, DTS)
07/19/95 … CLUELESS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/11/95 … A WALK IN THE CLOUDS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/95 … THE PROPHECY (3 weeks, Ultra Stereo)
09/22/95 … SHOWGIRLS (2 weeks, DTS)
10/06/95 … ASSASSINS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/27/95 … COPYCAT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/03/95 … FAIR GAME (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/17/95 … GOLDENEYE (4 weeks, DTS)
12/15/95 … SABRINA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/05/96 … 12 MONKEYS (4 weeks, DTS)
02/02/96 … BLACK SHEEP (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/16/96 … BRAVEHEART (RE, 1 week, DTS)
02/23/96 … RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
03/08/96 … THE BIRDCAGE (5 weeks, DTS)
04/12/96 … FEAR (3 weeks, DTS)
05/03/96 … THE CRAFT (2 weeks, SDDS)
05/17/96 … HEAVEN’S PRISONERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/22/96 … MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (7 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/12/96 … COURAGE UNDER FIRE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/09/96 … ESCAPE FROM L.A. (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/23/96 … A VERY BRADY SEQUEL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/06/96 … BOGUS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/20/96 … THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/11/96 … THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/01/96 … DEAR GOD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/22/96 … STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/20/96 … BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD DO AMERICA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/10/97 … THE RELIC (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/29/97 … GRIDLOCK’D (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/14/97 … ABSOLUTE POWER (3 weeks, SDDS)
03/07/97 … PRIVATE PARTS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/21/97 … SELENA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/11/97 … PARADISE ROAD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/25/97 … VOLCANO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/09/97 … FATHERS’ DAY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/30/97 … TRIAL AND ERROR (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/13/97 … SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/27/97 … FACE/OFF (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/01/97 … SPAWN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/15/97 … EVENT HORIZON (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/97 … HOODLUM (3 weeks, DTS)
09/19/97 … IN & OUT (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/24/97 … BOOGIE NIGHTS (MO, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/21/97 … THE RAINMAKER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/12/97 … SCREAM 2 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/25/97 … THE POSTMAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/09/98 … FIRESTORM (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/16/98 … FALLEN (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/06/98 … THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
02/27/98 … DARK CITY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/06/98 … TITANIC (MO, 4 weeks, 70mm-DTS)
04/03/98 … LOST IN SPACE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/08/98 … WOO (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/15/98 … PLUMP FICTION (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
05/22/98 … FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (2 weeks, DTS)
06/05/98 … THE TRUMAN SHOW (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/10/98 … SMALL SOLDIERS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/24/98 … SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/07/98 … SNAKE EYES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/28/98 … WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/11/98 … YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/02/98 … A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/16/98 … RUSH HOUR (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/23/98 … SOLDIER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/06/98 … THE WIZARD OF OZ (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/20/98 … THE RUGRATS MOVIE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/11/98 … STAR TREK: INSURRECTION (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/15/99 … VARSITY BLUES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/05/99 … SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/05/99 … ANALYZE THIS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/02/99 … THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/23/99 … LOST & FOUND (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/30/99 … ENTRAPMENT (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/11/99 … AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/30/99 … SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/30/99 … RUNAWAY BRIDE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/99 … THE 13th WARRIOR (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/17/99 … THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/01/99 … THREE KINGS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/22/99 … BRINGING OUT THE DEAD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/12/99 … DOGMA (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/10/99 … DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/25/99 … THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)

02/04/00 … SCREAM 3 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/18/00 … THE WHOLE NINE YARDS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/22/00 … ROMEO MUST DIE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/14/00 … 28 DAYS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/05/00 … GLADIATOR (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/16/00 … SHAFT (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/21/00 … WHAT LIES BENEATH (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/11/00 … THE REPLACEMENTS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/00 … HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/15/00 … BAIT (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/29/00 … BEAUTIFUL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/06/00 … GET CARTER (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/13/00 … THE LADIES MAN (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/20/00 … PAY IT FORWARD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/10/00 … LITTLE NICKY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/17/00 … THE 6th DAY (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/15/00 … WHAT WOMEN WANT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/12/01 … SAVE THE LAST DANCE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/02/01 … VALENTINE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/16/01 … DOWN TO EARTH (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/02/01 … SEE SPOT RUN (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/09/01 … GET OVER IT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/16/01 … ENEMY AT THE GATES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/06/01 … ALONG CAME A SPIDER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/27/01 … TOWN & COUNTRY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/18/01 … SHREK (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/15/01 … LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/13/01 … THE SCORE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/17/01 … RAT RACE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/14/01 … HARDBALL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/28/01 … DON’T SAY A WORD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/19/01 … THE LAST CASTLE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/02/01 … DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/16/01 … HEIST (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/21/01 … BLACK KNIGHT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/30/01 … TEXAS RANGERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/07/01 … HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/14/01 … VANILLA SKY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/11/02 … ORANGE COUNTY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/25/02 … THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/08/02 … ROLLERBALL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/15/02 … SUPER TROOPERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/22/02 … COLLATERAL DAMAGE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/01/02 … WE WERE SOLDIERS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/29/02 … CLOCKSTOPPERS (1 week, Dolby Digital
04/05/02 … DEATH TO SMOOCHY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/12/02 … CHANGING LANES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/03/02 … SPIDER-MAN (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
05/31/02 … THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/28/02 … MR. DEEDS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/12/02 … HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/19/02 … K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/07/02 … SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/23/02 … S1MONE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/06/02 … SWIMFAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/20/02 … THE FOUR FEATHERS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/11/02 … THE TRANSPORTER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/25/02 … JACKASS: THE MOVIE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/27/02 … ADAM SANDLER’S 8 CRAZY NIGHTS (2 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/13/02 … STAR TREK: NEMESIS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/27/02 … GANGS OF NEW YORK (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/10/03 … JUST MARRIED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/24/03 … THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/07/03 … HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/14/03 … THE HUNTED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/28/03 … THE CORE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/11/03 … BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/16/03 … CHASING PAPI (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/25/03 … BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/15/03 … X2 (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/30/03 … THE ITALIAN JOB (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/27/03 … CHARLIE’S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
07/18/03 … BAD BOYS II (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
08/08/03 … S.W.A.T. (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
09/05/03 … DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/19/03 … THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/26/03 … DUPLEX (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/03/03 … SCHOOL OF ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/24/03 … BEYOND BORDERS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/05/03 … SCHOOL OF ROCK (RE, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/14/03 … TUPAC: RESURRECTION (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/28/03 … TIMELINE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/12/03 … LOVE DON’T CO$T A THING (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/19/03 … BAD SANTA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/25/03 … PAYCHECK (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/16/04 … TORQUE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/30/04 … THE PERFECT SCORE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/13/04 … THE PERFECT SCORE / THE BIG BOUNCE* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/20/04 … SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/27/04 … TWISTED (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/19/04 … THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/26/04 … SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/09/04 … THE WHOLE TEN YARDS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/23/04 … HELLBOY (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/30/04 … MEAN GIRLS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/04/04 … TROY (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/18/04 … DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/16/04 … FAHRENHEIT 9/11 (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/23/04 … SPIDER-MAN 2 (MO, 1 week, SDDS-8)
07/30/04 … THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/04 … EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/03/04 … ANACONDAS: THE HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/10/04 … RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (2 weeks, SDDS)
09/24/04 … NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/15/04 … TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/19/04 … THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/03/04 … CLOSER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/17/04 … LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/14/05 … RACING STRIPES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/04/05 … COACH CARTER (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/11/05 … HITCH (7 weeks, SDDS)
04/01/05 … SIN CITY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/30/05 … SAHARA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/06/05 … HOUSE OF WAX (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/27/05 … THE LONGEST YARD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/15/05 … STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/29/05 … BATMAN BEGINS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/15/05 … CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/05/05 … THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/19/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS* / THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
08/26/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / MUST LOVE DOGS* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/02/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/09/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / A SOUND OF THUNDER* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/16/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / THE BROTHERS GRIMM* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/23/05 … ROLL BOUNCE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/30/05 … INTO THE BLUE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/14/05 … THE FOG (1 week, SDDS)
10/21/05 … STAY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/28/05 … NORTH COUNTRY (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/04/05 … SAW II (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/18/05 … GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’ (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/23/05 … PRIDE & PREJUDICE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/02/05 … AEON FLUX (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/16/05 … THE FAMILY STONE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/21/05 … FUN WITH DICK & JANE (2 weeks, SDDS-8)

01/06/06 … BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/27/06 … BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/10/06 … FINAL DESTINATION 3 (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/17/06 … FREEDOMLAND (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/03/06 … ULTRAVIOLET (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/10/06 … THE HILLS HAVE EYES (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/24/06 … LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/31/06 … ATL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/07/06 … TAKE THE LEAD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/21/06 … SILENT HILL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/28/06 … RV (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/12/06 … POSEIDON (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/19/06 … THE DA VINCI CODE (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/28/06 … THE LAKE HOUSE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/07/06 … WASSUP ROCKERS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/21/06 … CLERKS II (1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/28/06 … CLERKS II / SUPERMAN RETURNS* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
08/04/06 … BARNYARD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/18/06 … MATERIAL GIRLS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/06 … CRANK (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/15/06 … GRIDIRON GANG (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/22/06 … FLYBOYS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/06/06 … THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/27/06 … SAW III (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/10/06 … HARSH TIMES (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/22/06 … TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/08/06 … UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/20/06 … ROCKY BALBOA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/12/07 … ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/19/07 … THE HITCHER (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/26/07 … BLOOD & CHOCOLATE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/02/07 … THE MESSENGERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/09/07 … DREAMGIRLS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/14/07 … MUSIC AND LYRICS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/23/07 … ZODIAC (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/06/07 … SHOOTER (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

THE END?

How is this theatre currently being advertised in the LA Times and other local newspapers? What name does it have in the ad?

The theatre will be open for about one more year, until all the permits for new construction are in place. Then it will be demolished for a new retail space. Everybody check it out! You all have a second chance!

Here's the link to an e-mail from someone who claims to know what's going on:

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/05/mann_national_o.php

The display ad for "The Ex" lists it as, simply, "National Theatre" with no owner identified. It no longer appears in Mann's directory, nor does it (yet) appear in the independent theatre directory.

wow thanks for posting that list, really brings back memories and reminders of a few forgotten films. I worked there from the start of "The Wild Life" in august of '84 up through Beverly Hills Cop where a bunch of us transferred over to the Regent at the beginning of '85 to stay with the manager of the time (who's name i've temporarily forgotten but he was a cool guy) When i first started, prior to the 21 year old Mac Carter who replaced him, there was a long time manager (name slips my memory again) who I later heard committed suicide, poor guy. I remember he used to walk up to check us floor staff every now and again to find everyone standing around having a good time (anything but working which we rarely did) and would start screaming at us "Get in there and BAG you fu*@ers..!!" (re: bagging trash in the theatre) lol Those were wild days, concessions was $1000 short a week during Beverly Hills Cop, everybody was dipping their hands in the register, it was total madness, there were firings left and right including management. It was too much fun!
I can remember living on popcorn and nacho cheese which was permanently soiled all over the polyester uniforms, celebrities were always frequenting the place and I'd strike conversations with directors like William Friedkin, Ron Howard, Robert Wise, Peter Hyams and others.
Re: the master list, I'm really surprised to see they installed the showscan equipment in '77, i always thought that came in the early 80's. Imagine how mind-blowing it was to see Showscan in 1977, too bad it didn't fly and Trumball ultimately sold the company. Btw, regarding the above link to the upcoming demise of the National, which is a travesty, did you notice the one comment someone left on that page? This is what i'm talking about, they want to erase or change our memory of a time when things were better, for the new generation anyway. It's over. Just look at how things shifted in the late 80s, how bad movies got around '90-91-92---and all the way to the present. The last 7 years in partuclar have been a new downslope that keeps sloping lower and lower.

ps, Lost Horizon played there for 3 months in '73? wow i thought that one flopped big time on it's release, must've been a booking contract, I personally love the film though.

I cannot believe "Yor: The Hunter From the Future" played at the National. Oh if I were able to go back in time...

Also "Krull" and "Spacehunter" playing a few weeks before that! What a summer!

I remember when YOR was there (only in the early 80's could such a thing happen) and I think Fire & Ice was at the Cineramadome around the same time, I remember seeing SpaceHunter and Krull there too. Audiences were laughing it off the screen but i loved it. I remember when sneaking in to see Krull someone coming out the exit doors saying "you don't want to sneak into that it ain't worth it!!"

I'm equally amazed about "Yor," but I would use my time machine to go back and see "Phantom of the Paradise."

I also can't believe how long some of those 70's titles ran. And they say that the theatre is empty now! It must have been a ghost town in the 11th week of "Lost Horizon" or the 7th week of "I Love My Wife."

As for the other news, we've now got a year to stop it. Does anyone have a plan, beyond kidnapping UCLA students and forcing them to walk the two extra blocks from the Village and Bruin?

Another huge thanks to Michael for the "master list" of films that played the National. Some bizarro choices there. I'd also love to read that article.

I'm curious if anyone has visited the re-opened National? If it's true that it's only going to be open another year, that might be reason enough to drag myself and my Canon Rebel XTi cam down to LA. ;)

Remember, Yor was a Columbia Pictures release.

"Paris, Je T’aime" has been booked at the National begining today. Sounds interesting. I may go tomorrow to see it even though it is in walking distance from me at the Sunset 5. Since the National days are still numbered I will have to go as much as I can. Has anybody been there since the re-opening?

I saw Yor at the Budco Goldman in Philadelphia in the summer of 1983. Funny how bad movies stick in your memory.

I love bad movies. I actually own Yor on Laser Disc....

Someone recently changed the name here at CinemaTreasures from 'Mann National Theatre' to 'National Westwood Theatre'.

Is this definitely the name the theatre is now using on signs and advertising?

Well it's no longer a Mann Theatre.

I recall seeing a movie in 1980 when I was a freshman in college. Some atrocity with Alan Alda and Rita Moreno. It was a rainy weekday, and I was the only one in the theater, besides the projectionist I suppose. Twenty seven years later and I still remember sitting in the middle row waiting for the movie to end.

'"Paris, Je T’aime" has been booked at the National begining today.'

A wonderful film (saw it at last year's Vancouver International Film Festival) and one that would look and sound just amazing at the National. Go check it out!

y'know John Steiner the villain in YOR is now a real estate agent in Los Angeles, he's an old friend of mine. I love the idea that the YOR discussion is taking over the National thread, hehe

ken mc was that film "The Four Seasons"?

ken mc, you are referring to The Four Seasons which was released in 1981. According to Michael Coate's exhaustive list posted above, it never played the National. I bet it played at the Regent.

I saw it at the Sam Eric on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. It was the Four Seasons. Middle age couples having some kind of mid life crisis.

I was following the bad movie thread and not the Mann National thread. Sorry about the confusion.

I believe this film is also on COMCAST CABLE PAY PER VIEW...SAW THE AD THAT SAID RELEASED SAME DAY AS THEATERS ORDER NOW...........

Paris je t aime

Does anyone know if they have changed the "Mann" sign that is perched in top of the "National" sign. I am out of town for a month and it is driving me crazy to not be able see what they have done to my favorite theatre!

Here is a 1984 photo from the UCLA collection
http://tinyurl.com/2ejk32

wow thats when i was working there (re: above photo) in fact i'm probably in that photo somewhere. Wouldn't it be neat to go back in time and walk around observing yourself anonymously

I'd like to see a one-week run of The Exorcist back at this theater. While I'm sure most people own this film on dvd, The Exorcist was made to be seen in a vast auditorium. It's not as creepy watching it at home.

This afternoon:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdWestwoodNationalMay192007003.jpg

Nice to see a gathering of people around the box office...

Yes!!! It is good to see people around the boxoffice, and appreciating a venue such as the National. It is sad to see the marquee carved up like they did in removing the Mann name, but maybe (probally not) they'll replace it with something. Also excellant work on the part of Michael Coates with the booking list ,very well done!

Looks like they did not bother to remove 'Mann' from the big sign on top.

Ron Newman, would you spend the money on such an expense if you only had a short-term lease?

It's easy for the main marquee for the theatre since it comes down to street level.

I went to Saturday's 8:00 showing of "Paris, Je T’aime" (even though I live in walking distance from Sunset 5 where it is also showing). It was a nice crowd, probably around 100 or so patrons. It was very casual, they used the bottom lobby as a waiting area instead of a line outside. The staff was friendly and very non-corporate. It reminded me of a Leammle theatre instead of a former Mann. They showed trailers for upcoming MGM titles "Death at a Funeral" and "Charlie Bartlett" which they also have one sheets hanging up for. I'm guessing they will show both films this Summer and they both look like good films. Hopefully they will draw nice crowds amongst the blockbusters that will dominate the screens in Westwood. "Paris, Je T’aime" was a very good film and I recommend it for anybody looking for something not so ordinary.

Back to the YOR discussion... Unless I'm mistaken, it last played at the Grand Illusion in Seattle in mid-2005. I impressed many of the patrons at that screening with my knowledge that there is a 3.5 hour cut...

3.5 hours of Yor? Good God! One gets suicidal feelings after watching just the first 1/2 hour...

Proof again that Seattle is one of the top movie watching cities in the world.

The NATIONAL is now included in the Independent Theatre Directory in the LOS ANGELES TIMES newspaper.

The NATIONAL is now included in the Independent Theatre Directory in the Los Angeles area newspapers.

Under what name?

a 3.5 hour cut of YOR?? where did you hear that?
Now that the National is an independant maybe they can have some revival midnight screenings or something, perhaps some rare 70mm showings. It's unlikely but be great if someone organized that. Like when Carl from the Plaza was doing those midnight showings years ago, occasionally if the Plaza was tied up they'd have them at the National. Which is how I saw "Dragonslayer" and "The Wall" in 70mm there.

For those Plaza showings why didn't they put the Midnight 70mm screenings at the National in the first place?

I second the motion for some 70MM revivals at the National. How about "70MM Mornings" every Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM. and "70MM Midnights" on Friday and Saturdays. That would leave the normal hours for open for their regular engagement commitments. Of course the occasional 70MM week-long festival would be great. Would probably draw more people than "Hitcher 2: Sequel to a Crummy Remake".

Somebody should direct the current operators to this website and thread so they can see our wishes.

Yea, another thing is unfortunately i don't think there are many 70 prints floating around, and their difficult to obtain. The Cinematheque for example shows the same damn 2 or 3 films every year (Lawrence of Arabia, Baraka, etc) Part of that is their afraid of scheduling anything too obscure (i know first hand they uncovered 70mm prints of things like "Krull" and "Castle Keep" but weren't interested in showing them) But I don't think there are many prints easily obtainable, and many have been damaged, faded or deteriorated. They wanted to show "Raiders" in 70 last year but the print was damaged, it's a shame. Ghastly to think of all those discarded 70 prints that cost a fortune to strike, their basically collectors items now.

Most of the times with rare prints from the studios they will not let them be run in platter theatres. They can only be run in change-over style. And older 70MM prints have problems with torn sprockets and old splices and tend to brake easier on platter shows.

Under what name is the NATIONAL listed in the Independent Theatre Directory, Ron Newman asks? Well, not the name the place appears under on this Cinema Treasures page! :-)

It's listed in the directory as NATIONAL THEATRE, the same name listed in display ads indicated in my post of May 14.

Whose idea was it to change the name for this page from MANN NATIONAL THEATRE to NATIONAL WESTWOOD THEATRE? Sure, the place is in Westwood, but that's not its official name. You wouldn't change the ZIEGFELD page to read ZIEGFELD MANHATTAN THEATRE, would you? Of course not, because locals familiar with the place would point out the name isn't correct.

amazing to think the Independent Theatre Directory in the LA Times still has any theatres left, it's shrunk and shrunk over the years. I often wonder just how much of a future movie theatres have in general. Too bad the next Indiana Jones film won't open at the National, even if it wasn't being demolished they'd likely send it somewhere else.
Btw, wanted to mention i just finished a new film called "SpaceDisco One" which will be screened Fri June 8 at the Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena sometime after midnight in 4 track quadrophonic stereo and I'd be happy to send anyone interested a DVD. www.myspace.com/choogo

Movie theaters have a long life ahead of them......Last 2 years ticket sales are on the rise and the last 5 years all time high theater attendance..........

The megaplexes have a future, but what about our beloved single screens?

FEW and far between...........

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084935/alternateversions

It says YOR was edited down from a 4-part Italian series. I read about the long version in an issue of Video Watchdog years ago. I think I still have the issue and will look for it.

And the 70mm print of Krull played at the Seattle Cinerama in 2004.

I've switched the name back to "National Westwood Theatre". This seems to be the name that's currently being used by MovieTickets.com, LA Weekly, CitySearch, Yahoo, etc.

I think it's more relevant to ask what's on the sign outside, what's in local newspaper print advertising, and how does the theatre answer the phone. I'm not in LA, so I can't answer the first two of these questions.

I actually rented YOR about a year ago from Cinefile (the video store next to the Nuart), and it came with a bootleg dvd of the 4 hour version. The only problem was that it was in Italian. Without subtitles. They should re-release YOR at the National. I'll go to every single showing of it.

I tried to phone the theatre. No answer after many rings.

The phone number should be 310-824-1188.
Also, we are trying to bring back the midnight shows, hopefully in the next couple weeks.

oh that's awesome to hear.

if you bring back midnight shows... i think all of us would agree that YOR would be a superb choice.

"Help me cut the choice meats."

Perhaps Columbia Pictures will strike a 70mm print of Yor just for the occasion. Oh! to heart the title track "Yor! He's a man! Yor! He's a man!" in glorious 6-Track magnetic stereo for the first time...

One can only dream. Sends chills up the spine.

I sure hope some midnight shows happen again! Or any kind of revival engagements. Are they really considering it? Well Indiana Jones IV is shooting right now but it ain't going to the National next year, quick somebody get the word to Spielberg. Ah forget it he doesn't care

screw 70mm, how about 150mm? they should develop new filmmaking technologies just for this occasion. should i start a petition? August 19th 2008 will be the 25th anniversary of YOR-- that gives us just over a year to turn this dream into a reality.

somebody get ahold of Doug Trumball and tell him to bring his Showscan Projector back!!

Since the National trying to get midnight shows going again, perhaps we should start making requests. I'll start with the obvious (in 70mm if and when possible):

The Indiana Jones Trilogy
Star Trek II, III, IV
Star Wars IV, V, VI (the untampered originals please)
The Hunt for Red October
Tron
Baraka
Lawrence of Arabia
Dune
2001
Die Hard
...

The Apple!!!! (I would give my left arm to see this at the National)
Troll 2
Goonies
Over the Top
Lazerblast
Cloak and Dagger
Cool as Ice
House of the Dead
Teen Wolf Too
They Live
Jaws 3-D
Pod People
Zotz!
Explorers
Schindler's List


...all of these in 150mm please.

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't THE BLUE MAX in 70, wonder if any prints are still useable? Also THE FRENCH CONNECTION as well might be good.

oh... and how could I forget the Swayze classic Red Dawn...

King Solomon's Mines (1985)
Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone up on that giant screen. And the effects!

The list goes on:

AIRPORT )
POSEIDON ADVENTURE) the originals
ROLLERBALL
TOWERING INFERNO
ALIEN
TOP GUN
DAYS OF THUNDER
and of course.....FANTASIA

...
E.T.
The Abyss
Apocalypse Now
Days of Heaven
and oh heck.... Star Trek I, V, VI
The Sound of Music
West Side Story
...

ROCKY HORROR !

I'm amazed!!! No one wants to watch Linda Blair spit pea soup on a preist in glorious 70MM! We've got to have the EXORCIST again. However we need to remind ourselves, before we get to far carried away, that this is not our theatre to book, but hopefully the management will
understand that there are patrons who will be greatful for the opportunity to see these great film works as they should be projected once again.

Hopefully the management can save the National from the wrecking ball. Seems like a theatre needs to be at least from the 1930's to be registered as a historic place. Perhaps I will perch myself high atop the National roof sign when the day comes and refuse to leave.

...especially YOR.

The Pod People, Teen Wolf Too and Cool as Ice???! I know for certain there are 70mm prints of Krull, Castle Keep and Days of Heaven laying around since the Cinematheque had uncovered them but weren't interested in showing them. The Apple has screened at the egyptian & aero several times and looks great, MGM struck a new print for the DVD. How about Earthquake and Battlestar Galactica: the movie in Sensurround!! I would give my left arm to see all three Battlestar Galactica movie's in a theatre (few know there were two sequels released theatrically overseas, edited together from various episodes with bits of added footage) There was also a Space 1999 theatrical movie, sigh, were are those prints now god only knows

Thats the 40 million dollar question, where are the prints? When I was in the old national film serivce depot in downtown Kansas City, Missouri many many years back, they had several 70mm prints in storage. It has been so long ago that I could not tell you the titles, but they had been there a very long time, and someone, somewhere was paying storage on them. Probally were not useable, largely because of the way they were being kept in the depot, but none the less they were there, and as stated above, where they are now, God only knows.

As fun as it would be to see classic movies at the National, it does butt up against the nearby Landmark Nuart and their longstanding Friday midnight movie series. Thus, the National should do something more unique if they want to have midnight shows, such as

a) only run 70MM prints. That's something the Nuart definitely can't do;

b) add midnight shows to their regular features. I was shocked and amazed that when the National opened HOSTEL PART II that they did not schedule either an advance Thursday 12:01 show or have weekend midnights. That would have seemed a no-brainer.

c) find a new movie that could easily become a cult film, plug it in at midnight, stick with it for a few weeks or months, and let people find it. After all, classics like PINK FLAMINGOS and ERASERHEAD took years to build an audience. There's gotta be plenty of weird, crazy new movies that could benefit from a residency at a great theatre like the National. And that would be the thing to get attention for the place..."Hey, what's that movie that only shows at the National at midnight?"

All of those things would be original enough to offer something different. Otherwise, to just do the same ol' midnight movies that Nuart is doing would ultimately dilute an already finite audience.

Excellant suggestion!

Wow! All this activity today and not once person mentioning that Raiders of the Lost Ark opened at the National 26 years ago today!

I was there for the first two shows and then returned regularly over the next several weeks. Ah, how well I remember the anticipation: a new movie directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, starring Harrison Ford, with a score by John Williams and special effects by Industrial Light and Magic! It was like a dream come true! And, boy, did it live up to it's potential!

From that huge boulder rolling down to the map shots tracking their progress to the succession of cliff hangers leading up to the greatest truck chase of all time(!) and then, of course, the awesome supernatural special effects of the finale! Truly a great film!

And, while I still believe that Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was exactly the WRONG direction to take the series (in effect making it hardly a SERIES at all), that was a heck of a lot of fun too. Last Crusade was much more a step in the overall right direction but I'm REALLY curious to see where they'll take the next one! Indy as an aging adventurer in the 1950's or 60's? Bring it on!

Of course, I heartily support the idea of a return to the great Midnight movies of old! Where's Carl when you need him?

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

I just saw John Cusack on the red carpet there tonight. It was for his new movie 1408 :)

Saw John Cusack on the red carpet at the National?

Last Crusade was the weaker entry in my opinion, Temple of Doom is far better. I've had this discussion many times before, come on Last Crusade was just not very good. The tank sequence was great, other than that it really lacked. I don't undersatnd why so many think it's better than Temple! I'm just hoping the next one will be an improvement.

I think the new operators of the National should really try to run "Raiders" on its giant screen. Loads of us movie geeks will turn out in droves for a late night show or Saturday morning matinee. What better way to get people interested in this theatre. Follow it later with showings of Temple of Doom and Last Crusade. Do any 70mm prints of these films still exist? Could Speilberg kick Paramount in the tush to strike some new ones to get some momentum going for the new film?

I understand the argument that Temple of Doom is a better film. It's certainly a more original and inventive film than Last Crusade. But that's both it's blessing and it's curse. As a film on it's own, it's a lot of fun. As a series entry, it's woefully lacking!

They made it a Prequel, in my opinion, simply to alleviate themselves of having to worry about anything that had been established in Raiders. But really that boils down to no Marion, which is too bad, because she's an infinitely more interesting heroine than Willie Scott. They didn't even take advantage of the fact that a prequel would have allowed them to bring Belloch back!

The bottom line is that Temple of Doom just has a completely different tone than Raiders. Raiders, for all it's amazing stunts and effects, always has one foot grounded in reality. If the Indy in Raiders is a real guy, then Temple of Doom is like some pulp novel that someone of that era might have WRITTEN about Indy. The film has a generally goofy quality which is simply not present in Raiders.

Last Crusade, while no match for the original Raiders, at least attempts to take place in the same UNIVERSE as Raiders of the Lost Ark! And Sean Connery really makes the film.

Best wishes,

Alan

If I remember correctly, Spielberg shot and edited Temple right around the time of his divorce- which cost him $100M 1984 dollars.
Which partially explains why we went from the interesting and watchable Marion to the utter dingbat that was Willie Scott...

To answer Joel's question as to were are these prints that National Film Service stored. They send many titles to the new film transit / storage companies (ETS/TES/FilmTreat). But many of the older exchange titles that were stored were junked, becuase the studios no longer needed to pay storage. As for the older 70MM titles many were sent back to the studios to patch together prints and the rest were junked. I visited the NFS Los Angeles location during the final closing. There was hundreds of prints left tobe destroyed.

D. Packard-- FYI Earthquake is actually screening in Sensurround later this month in Westwood at the UCLA James Bridges Theatre as part of the LA Film Fest.

Re: Lucas's divorce. I tend to agree that this must have had a big impact on Lucas. Up through Raiders, pretty much everything he did was brilliant. (Well, I'm a moderate THX-1138 fan but certainly everything after that!) Then he gets involved in his divorce and we get Return of the Jedi. Mind you, I love Jedi but if ever a film was in need of another script draft... Anyway, I've just always had the feeling that Lucas stopped paying as much attention around that time as we got Jedi and Temple of Doom back to back, both considerably off the sharp tone and wit of their predecessors. Of course, this doesn't explain why Spielberg would have let a lesser product slip out.

I've always figured that both Lucas and Spielberg just really wanted to try something different with Temple of Doom and they got a little blasted for it. Of course, the thing that they were always blasted for was the violence and the intensity of the Temple ritual sequences. Those, in my opinon, are some of the things that work very well in Temple of Doom. It's great when it's serious. It's the goofy nature of much of the humor (frequently relating to Willie Scott) that bothers me.

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

Mr Topps, thanks for the info, I checked the LA Film Fest online schedule, yea it's playing on the 31st. I remember seeing it at LACMA in sensurround several years back, they brought in the inventor to discuss it, had a rare 4 track mag print of it. Some interesting things on that schedule, also looks like their premiering Transformers in DLP SuperHD at the NATIONAL later this month! Finally making good use of the theatre, if only for a few special screenings

Yet it the Transformers will probably open at the Avco...

They're also playing this great documentary about the world of 1980's arcade games at the National called Chasing Ghosts. It's a really fun movie, and will be that much more fun at such an awesomely dated-looking theatre.

no kidding, Chasing Ghosts eh. I'm gonna have to check that out, was very much a part of that scene. (I was 2nd place state champion at Defender in 1981) Been watching episodes of "Starcade" lately too, a show i never even knew existed. I still want to make a film called "Sinistar"

"Wow! All this activity today and not once person mentioning that Raiders of the Lost Ark opened at the National 26 years ago today!" -- AlanSanborn

Alan:
If it makes you feel any better, I'll mention that yesterday to celebrate I pulled out my "Raiders" DVD and my old "Making Of Raiders" VHS.

And, if you're in the mood to reminisce about seeing "Raiders" at the NATIONAL, may I suggest backtracking to my post of May 14 and observe the film's three entries on the list of films that have played the NATIONAL over the years.

As you may recall, "Raiders" initially played a very successful 16-week run from June 12-Oct. 1, 1981 (plus there was a sneak preview showing on June 5). Then, after a brief run of two other films, "Raiders" returned for a month-long booking. And, in 1983, it played another engagement prior to "Brainstorm."

any web site for the new owners?

oh yea I remember when it was there in '83 prior to Brainstorm. Brainstorm btw was quite spectacular to see at the National in Super70mm. sigh, sigh, those were the days

I love Brainstorm ,it has never got the credit it is due..........

yes. John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. 6/12. I have a few pics, but looks like this site is only text.

Hey Kids I have midnight movies in the works so far I've confirmed
Goodfellas 7/13/07
Pulpfiction 7/20/07
Reservior Dogs 7/21/07
Spirited Away 7/27/07
The Wall 8/3/07
North by Northwest 8/10/07
The Warriors 8/31/07
I have more on the way!
admission $8 includes 1 hotdog, 1 46oz. popcorn, 1 16oz. fountain drink
shows will start after the last regular show lets out. between 11:55pm - 12:40am
I will try to schedule it so we can have 12 am shows. If anyone wants a certain movie or some diffenrent kind of candy let me know You can come down and let comments for me at the national my name is philllip.

Oh and we are trying to get The Exorcist for opening night of Film Festival. Check in during that week we will also have double features like a grindhouse of Exorcist/Jaws during our open days that week. We are still trying to confirm these dates! When I get some more time I will post the list of movies we have confirmed for the Film Festival.

That is so awesome.

Phillip, what is the film festival of which you speak? Does the the National have a website? When is the festival and what is the theme? Any 70mm in the future?
Thanks!
Mark

wow free drink popcorn & hot dog with an $8 admission? Midnight shows starting right away. it sounds too good to be true. Very cool of you guys,..did the folks from this board inspire the whole thing? Was it us? How did this come about? Did Cinematreasures save the day? I still can't believe it, my only little suggestion is, try and occasionally schedule lesser popular mainstream films (ala Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, etc) grant it they may be safe seat fillers, it's the kind of material that's shown all too often, it seems like the Rialto or Nuart shows that stuff every other month and i would think everyone's seen them a million times already. There are some good suggestions for midnight shows on this board, (70's disaster films, 70's/80's sci-fi-fantasy films, etc) double features are absolutely a good idea. Take a look above at that master list (Michael Coate posted) of all the films that played at the National back in the glory days, thats a good template to use for prints to search for. Thanks much for bringing in midnight shows

Don't know if this was asked earlier, but is the National still capable of screening 70 mm? If so, they definetely should run a special 70 mm series or festival. The titles are out there. It would be awesome to see "Baraka", "Patton", "Grand Prix", "2001" and many others on that screen.

JSA

Mark, the los angeles film festival are showing a few movies and a couple of premieres june 21-july 1. Joshua, Transformers, Ghost something? and a few others. 70mm not sure yet. I'm still trying to get fridays and sats booked for midnite shows.

D. Packard, I used to assist manage national and festival when mann still had it (national). I have wanted to do midnite shows but they never wanted too. Now I'm the GM for the National and the owners are letting me do what I want with the late shows. So again if anyone wants anything let me know. I'll try to do what I can and I will post all the shows. Oh and Sicko will be opening at national june 29th.

Armand, it's a pleasure to meet you! Thank you so much for your efforts regarding midnight shows. There are so many films I'd love to see, I hardly know where to start so I'll just mention one right now. Any chance that with the 4th of July coming up, you could get a showing of 1776? That was one of the first films I ever saw at The National and seems an obvious choice for this time of year. It was screened a couple of years back at the Egyptian so a print must still exist.

Great news, by the way, about Sicko coming to the National! I can't wait for that! I think you're going to have your first huge hit!

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

midnite shows
The Exorcist june 22,23
Fightclub june 29,30
Trainspotting july 6,7
Goodfellas july 13, 14
Pulpfiction july 20
Reservior Dogs july 21
Spirited Away july 27,28
The Wall aug 3,4
North by Northwest aug 10
Terminator 2 aug 11
Snatch aug 24,25
The Warriors aug 31, sept 1

Dang, I was hoping the Exorcist was going to play sometime in July. I can't make it down there this weekend. Oh well, I will be there for Terminator :) Thanks for the midnight movies.

My suggestion for midnight shows, undoubtedly no existing prints available

Catch 22
The Manitu
Suspiria
Fighting Back
Drum
Yessongs
Phantom of the Paradise
SpaceHunter
Hey Good Lookin'
Fuzz
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Little Murders
Sorcerer
Reckless
The Other
Popeye
Beyond the Door

I worked at the National from June '76 (starting with "The Big Bus") through December '81 ("Reds"). Great times. During that time, I saw on the average of two movies every week free at one of the Westwood theatres via the wonderful "pass system". While at the National, the Manager was Frank Ramsey, a huge personality with a number of colorful greetings. He loved his dog (anyone remember the name, Tinkerbell?) and appreciated his employees. Those were the days when stars would regularly visit Westwood and premiers were almost weekly occurrences at the Village, Bruin, National, Avco, etc. Thanks to Michael Coate for his great movie list!

Bad news everybody. The National will be closed in six months to make room for a Banana Republic. This is horrible news for lovers of cinema because this is one of the last single screen theaters left in Los Angeles. Something should be done to stop this.

I have made a petition entitled Save the National Theater. Please go to www.petitiononline.com and sign it.

What??^^ Where did you hear that from Jeremy?

Well Mr. Packard, (any relation to the Stanford?) you list some interesting choices.. I must be one of a handful of people who have heard of all those titles, but my favorite is definitely BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS. How about THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE while we're at it? add in MARY POPPINS, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, THE LITTLE PRINCE, OLIVER! WIZARD OF OZ, plus the original WILLY WONKA, and you might have a good morning matinee series.

For Midnight I'd suggest...

Monthly Camp Classics: SHOWGIRLS, MOMMIE DEAREST, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, SEXTETTE...

Behind the Music Series: CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC, ABBA THE MOVIE, COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER, ALMOST FAMOUS, SONG OF NORWAY, STAR IS BORN '76, THIS IS SPINAL TAP and its little known sequei...

80s cult favorites DIRTY DANCING, FOOTLOOSE, FLASHDANCE, XANADU, FAME.

Awful Sequels: STAYING ALIVE, GREASE 2...

Memorable Musicals, like THE MUSIC MAN, GREASE, DREAMGIRLS, CABARET, CHICAGO,
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, a double feature of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN and THE BAND WAGON, STAR IS BORN '54, UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, EASTER PARADE, GIGI, SHOW BOAT, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 1-2-3...

50s-60s Roadshows like MY FAIR LADY, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, SOUND OF MUSIC, KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SWEET CHARITY, BEN-HUR, CLEOPATRA, HAWAII, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, SPARTACUS, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, THE BIBLE... ensuring the prints are complete with Overture, Intermission, etc. and playing them in true roadshow fashion would set these apart.

"Miss-Cast" musicals series: GYPSY, HELLO, DOLLY!, MAME...
"Non-Singers Singing" PAINT YOUR WAGON, MAN OF LA MANCHA, EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU...

Sex-Change series: YENTL, TOOTSIE, VICTOR/VICTORIA...

Christopher Guest series: WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, BEST IN SHOW,
A MIGHTY WIND, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION...

Musical Remakes with their Originals: GOODBYE MR. CHIPS Peter O' Toole & Robert Donat, LOST HORIZON '37 and '73, AUNTIE MAME & (LUCY) MAME, NIGHTS OF CABIRIA & SWEET CHARITY, SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT & A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC...

I agree with previous suggestions for a 70s Disaster series, which should start with the good picture that began the trend - AIRPORT, and its guilty pleasure sequels, followed by POSEIDON ADVENTURE and it's sequel, EARTHQUAKE, ROLLERCOASTER, THE SWARM, HINDENBURG, JAWS...

"Visitors" Series: THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, E.T., STARMAN, THE VISIT, EXPLORERS, FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR. STRANGE INVADERS...

Epic/Blockbusters: 2001, GRAND PRIX, STAR WARS series, JAWS...

Timeless Classics: GONE WITH THE WIND, CITIZEN KANE...

To increase the draw, 70mm wherever possible, invite cast/crew from the films to appear/speak. If you had a digital projector (preferably 4K) all the recent digital clean-ups like GWTW, SINGIN IN THE RAIN, BEN-HUR, etc. would be much higher quality than most of us have seen before. (Sony should put one in just for the publicity)

To lessen the cost, contact the homevid companies to sponsor, maybe also record labels and/or stores; have CD/DVD for sale in the lobby.

Advance Ticket Sales (individual feature or several by choice) could ensure prime seat locations, bring in money sooner, and be a good gauge of interest.

Armand/Philip/Inwood, I know a reporter who would like to interview you... The National, and what you're doing with it, deserve some attention.

Well all those big ideas came before I saw the bad news... i say we boycott Banana Republic!

Jeremy I tried to search the petition site and could not find one to save the National.

editman--
I remember Frank Ramsey, i believe he was still there when i first started (mid-1984, during the engagement of Tightwalk with Clint Eastwood) It was around that time he was replaced by a young Mac Carter. I seem to recall Ramsey (if it is him I'm thinking of) was a really really nice guy and was very kind to the employees. He was certainly the easiest-going manager i can remember working for. It was only under rare occasions when he would flip his lid, actually i can only remember it happening once and it was fully justified since nobody did any work including the assistants, and i think he was under tremedous pressure fom the higher ups. I was sad to hear of his demise some years later

I was attending the LA Film Festival screening of Chasing Ghosts at the National tonight and the director of the program confirmed that the National was being torn down in six months to make room for Banana Republic. The entire audience was in shock when the announcement was made.

The url for the petition is: http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?movie155

I've signed it and encouraged others to, put for the record, even if BR backs down, that would not stop the owner from tearing it down for something else. I suggest some media attention, (TV/print) and industry attention (Variety, etc). For those of you who haven't seen PRESERVE ME A SEAT, http://www.apartment101films.com/ that would give you a good idea of what kind of a fight we have ahead of us.

The only chance I can see is finding some equivalent to Paul Allen, who had the means to save and upgrade the Seattle Cinerama, a chain of pub/diner Cinemas who'd like to get into the LA market in a big way, or a company that wanted to showcase a new presentation technology, like Sony and its 4k... Let's face it, Money talks louder than all the petitions in the world.

Frank Ramsey was a good manager to work for at the National. Around that time in Westwood there was Harry Francis which opened the National was over at the Village Theatre. And Bob Shapiro (last manager at Fox Wilshire) was over at the Bruin Theatre. When Bob retired Harry Francis moved over to the Bruin. And Elmer Haines got the Village Theatre. And the DM was Alan Bamossy for the area and then Chuck Allen.

Above Damon posted Tightwalk with Clint Eastwood, for the record it's "Tightrope".

i know i realized that shortly after, some kind of strange typo on my part..I meant Tightrope!! I don't what the hells wrong with me ((smack)) ((smack)) --smacking myself Christ,..need to focus on what i'm writing, my mind has turned to mush ((smack)) I remember Barnossy and Chuck Allen--who looked like a space alien. Barnossy was always coming around with flash inspections "we need to get you some black shoes" And MR Haines from the Village. Do you remember Dean (forget his last name) from the Regent in '85, and then Mike Lancaster, and how about my old friend William Edwards who managed the Plaza for years. Then there was Rick Pulsepher who managed the National in the later 80's (and I noticed he posted something on this board) this was when I was fired by the asst manager Isaac for eating M&M's on duty

What about Rita at the Village and later the 4-plex. What about Barton at the the Village also.

My God in Heaven. A Banana Republic? Whew! For a minute there I thought this classic might be torn down for something worthwhile.

As if there isn't enough empty retail space in Westwood that Banana Republic can't occupy!!! Foot traffic will be lousy for them at this location. My prediction is that the Banana Republic will be vacant 3 years after opening. Instead of an empty classic theatre, Westwood will have another empty retail space.

Has anyone seen what Banana Republic did to the Colesium Theatre in Seattle? At least the shell of the building is intact, but the inside has no hint that it was ever a theatre, except for the historic photos an the wall. Odd way of "preserving" a theatre.

I worked at the Village one year with Harry Francis, and another with Mr. Haines. It was a blast working back then. The Westwood theatres were the "it" theatres back then. I was hoping for a comeback for Westwood and the National would stay.

Banana Republic? With ALL THE EMPTY spaces in Westwood now they have to tear down the National to put a crappy store that will last only a year?

Ok F the Bannan Republic thing. That stuff was all news to me. I was standing in the door of the auditorium when he said it. As far as I know we have the lease till next may and the owners are planing to keep it for three. But we need more business definately! So Hint Hint Come to the Midnight Shows cause that will help us out alot! This week I should have flyers with all the midnite shows come by and pick some up. If anyone is coming to Joshua or Transformers I will be there (long hair, Blue shirt) you can talk with me if you have any questions.

Roadshow email me at armandruizphotography@gmail.com to set up an interveiw.

Hi Armand. You DEFINITELY need to get some serious publicity out on your Midnight shows! If not for this list, I would NEVER have had a clue about The Exorcist showing! I drove by the theater Thursday and couldn't see anything about it in the box office although on Saturday I noticed the TINY little paper ad you had in your window at the far end of the box office. There's also no mention in the L.A. Times about your midnight shows nor is there any number given to contact your theater.

That said, I'll do my best to spread the word to my friends.

By the way, I saw Sicko this week and it's incredible! I really think you're going to do HUGE business with it! Every American seriously NEEDS to see this film! When do you start selling tickets or are they already on sale?

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

By the way, William, when I last saw Rita she was managing at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. That was about a year ago so I don't know if she's still there or not.

I ran into Barton outside the Village Theater on the opening night of Spiderman 3. He's actually the one who told me that the National was about to re-open although he also told me that he thought they would get Pirates 3. If that had happened, I would actually have seen it IN WESTWOOD!

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

By the way, William, when I last saw Rita she was managing at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. That was about a year ago so I don't know if she's still there or not.

I ran into Barton outside the Village Theater on the opening night of Spiderman 3. He's actually the one who told me that the National was about to re-open although he also told me that he thought they would get Pirates 3. If that had happened, I would actually have seen it IN WESTWOOD!

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

Thanks Alan for the info.

I last saw Rita at the Criterion or Culver Plaza, its been so long.

Hey, I know Barton. I worked with him at the Village for 2 years. Used to see him all the time around Westwood. Does he still live in Westwood? I've been once to the National so far with the new Management, I saw "Paris, Je T’aime" opening Saturday night. My apartment is in walking distance to Sunset 5 (where it was playing) and I drove to patronize the National.

The last time I heard Barton still lived near the Village. I remember you from the Village.

Thanks for the heads-up, Armand. Looking forward to having the record set straight. Now I'm very curious how a 26 year old ended up running the National. Can't wait to read the story. Here come the jokes about being twice your age and having stationery older than you... However all that really mattters is how well it's done, so best of luck and let's all buy plenty of tickets!

wow Rita's at the Chinese, haven't seen her in a long time. She was such a spritely character, i worked with her in 1990 at the Village, she used to do a great imitation of Larry Parker the attorney (from his commercials) I wonder if Enre' is still working Box office at the Village, you may recall he is probably the most perennial figure of Mann figures, having worked with them since the mid 70's, at the Village box for over 30 years.
Remember when Nicolas Cage and Mathew Modine used to walk around westwood in the mid 80's acting crazy and freaking people out, and Nic Cage used to tease this girl Michelle Morgan (co-worker) when she was in the box. Yea doesn't surprise me their tearing it down for a Banana Republic that won't last long, this will soon be a banana republic country, it's over.

LONG LIVE NATIONAL THEATRE! Lets support the theatre guys, who knows how much longer it'll be here for.

Okay guys, there has been an answer to the National rumors over on Cinema Sightlines. They report that the announcement at the screening had no basis in fact, and there are no plans to demolish the National in the near future. They have some more details and are working on getting some definitive statements from the parties directly involved. Wouldn't you love to find whoever made that announcement and ask them where they got their information from?

Further info at: http://cinemasightlines.com/trailers_events.php

PS: Supporting the National with your frequent patronage in the next few months is a very good idea. I'm going over to see SICKO. Hope it's crowded.

When I was last in Westwood Village (about two weeks ago), there was a "public notice of planned demolition" posted in one of the NATIONAL's windows.

WHY ARE YOU GOING TO THE VILLAGE!??!?! GO TO THE NATIONAL!

Too bad Sicko is also playing at the new Landmark, 2 miles away. I encourage everyone to see it at the National. And tell your friends. I converted a couple of coworkers (who had never been there) to check out the National. I sold them with with my pictures posted on Cinematour of the the National's closing night under Mann's operation:

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

They were wowed by the fact that it is a perfectly preserved relic of widescreen cinema construction from the 60's and 70's. Too bad that it is not old enough, or "ornate" enough, to be historically registered and preserved. It seems that Los Angeles will tear down and destroy anything that is not old enough. Where theatres like the Village and Bruin in Westwood will survive because of their location, age, neon, and classic design, superior theatres like the National willl fall. Unless we do something, all of the theatres and architecture from this era, unprotected as they are, will one day be gone.

I saw Sicko tonight and it was just as riveting as the first time. I was truly surprised to find only a couple of hundred people there but I hope that will grow as word gets out both on how good Sicko is and that the National's reopened for business.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Armand tonight who was still reeling over serving Dianne Keaton! Keep up the great work, Armand!

Best wishes,

Alan Sanborn

What's going on with the Midnight showings? Is anybody going? We've been requesting it yet only a few have shown support and gone to them. LONG LIVE THE NATIONAL!

Sicko's great, and I fully support and hope for lots of business (on anything) the National should get might get..but, shouldn't they (the National) be opening with stuff like Die Hard 4 or Transformers, or Harry Potter..Sicko is more of a Regent or Festival theatre type engagement. Of course i understand the reasons those films won't open there (they stopped opening first run bloackbusters at the National years ago) but they really should make use of that theatre in a suitable way and allow the large crowds to re-discover it. It's the only way I can possible see it surviving.

It's tricky to get major blockbusters when all of your competitors have huge chains of theaters that they can use to negotiate better deals with the studios. I think Sicko is potentially quite a catch although I do see your point that, visually, it isn't the sort of film that NEEDS a big screen like that National.

I think the real problem is still a lack of awareness that the National is open and running films and also not a lot of promotion out there. It was gratifying to see The National listed first in the Sicko ad in the Times but when I asked at the box office if people could order tickets over the phone, I was told by the cashier that he didn't think so. In today's market, this is a major handicap.

I'll bet The Transformers looked great when they screened it there for the L.A. Film Festival!

Best wishes,

Alan

Is it yes or no that the National only has six more months left? There seems to be conflicting reports.

Not enough info yet to draw a firm conclusion, but we're working on it.

this board is still the only place i know of (online) to get the list of upcoming midnight shows, is it advertised anywhere else? I don't even see it in the LA Weekly

Can't the National get a website going? Even a simple one? You can use my pictures that are on Cinematour...

Midnight shows are being canceled.

Thats too bad...

I'm new to this site and just moved to southern California. I plan on seeing Transformers but not sure which theater would be better? Keep in mind quality audio is what I care about! I'm very picky about it! So my question is, which theater has a better sound system, The National Theater in Westwood or the Acrlight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood?

Out of ALL the theaters in LA, which one has the best sound system?

re: the midnight shows, does anyone know if this is effective immediately? a bunch of friends and i were planning on seeing Goodfellas tonight!

re: the best sound system. my vote goes for the westwood village/national/bruin (NOT the mann festival), grauman's chinese, or the arclight cinerama dome.

Actually let me re-phrase the question since I just noticed Transformers is now playing at the Mann Bruin. Which theater has a better soundsystem, the Mann Bruin or the Arclight Cinerama Dome? Which additional theaters in LA have really good sound systems?

Oh, ok Mister Topps I just saw your post thank you. So you recommend both the National and Bruin, the Cinerama Dome and the Gruman's Chinese.

while i love the bruin and want to support more 1-screen theatres, if you had to choose between either-- go to the dome. that's where i saw it and it looked and sounded awesome.

I'm also a lover of clean powerful distortion free bass! Would you say the Cinerama Dome has that?

i gather the midnights are being cancelled because there was no way of getting any kind of advertsing and extremely low attandance? And/or perhaps a combination of too many other midnight events? (Rialto, Sunset 5, Nuart) Do they ever even have midnight shows in westwood anymore? It seems even big movies opening weekend (at the Village or Bruin) don't even have them anymore. Westwood has been so written off as a ghost town, my god. It's nothing but rollers (cops) cruising around late at night looking for kids to bust.
It's over, we're slowly dying off as a planet

for moviesoundlover: yes, the dome has that-- for any other questions about that theatre, you might want to move over to this thread: http://cinematreasures.org/theater/33/

and i have confirmation that the midnight movies are cancelled effective today. i am so bummed! since i've lived in westwood (2002) there's never been a theatre to program classic films. it's a shame too just because i hadn't seen it publicized anywhere! the only places to see midnight films now are the nuart and regency fairfax on fridays and the rialto, new bev, and sunset 5 on saturdays.

This is a REAL shame about the Midnight shows! I actually had friends lined up who wanted to see Pulp Fiction and Resevoir Dogs (a film that I am IN!) in the next couple weeks!

I can totally understand that the films weren't turning a profit. Very few people out there knew about them! Does anyone have any ideas for an effective way to market these shows? I believe that the audience exists for them if they can just be made aware that they're happening! I'm sure it must have taken the Plaza a little bit of time anyway to start building up word of mouth about their Midnights in days of yore.

I guess I'm just saying that I hope SOMETHING can be done to salvage this idea! The National is so vastly superior to any of the other theaters in town that show Midnight movies! I sort of have the sense that this is something that Westwood really NEEDED without even knowing they needed it!

Best wishes,

Alan

We had a good series of midnight shows at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre , afew years before Mann took the theatre over. We had Apocalyse Now, Altered States, Alien, Aliens, Deliverance, just to name a few in 70MM on Sunday at midnight. We had very good turn outs on many of the features that ran. On the 35mm features I would add a Warner Bros. cartoon plus a few trailers of coming attractions. I had a great time doing those runs in the booth. After that the Plaza Theatre ran midnights like we did. And the manager of the Cineplex Fairfax Theatre ran Sunday morning early classics shows. We would have the test runs late Saturday night around midnight for friends.
When we did the shows at the Odeon Westwood, we had flyers made up and placed them at Tower Records and many other places for the type of patrons we thought would be interested in it. It cost alot to put these shows together. (cost of rental of film, shipping of prints, labor, electricity for the building, pubicity for the event, etc...)

westwood's quiet as is, but even more quiet while ucla is out. i hope they consider bringing it back in september, when their prospective audience has grown. put up flyers around the film school there-- they'll get people for sure. classic films can still sell definitely sell tickets! i saw earthquake as part of the la film festival, and it was sold out!

Is there a theater or theaters showing classic films? Is there a website or thread that tells you which movies are playing?

What about getting a radio station to tie in to the event. I assume there are a variety of specialized radio stations in the LA market and maybe a few underground ones as well, see if one could work a deal, free tickets to the 5th caller, or split the profit, and let them promote the midnight showings. Radio people are creative as well let them come up with the idea.

It's too late now.

that sounds rather morbid r0wr-r0rw. know something we don't?

I was happy to see midnight shows were happening at the National, but to be honest, I didn't think the film selection was the greatest for that time period. While I would love to see Goodfellas or Pulp Fiction on that huge screen, my first reaction when seeing that list was, "Gee, some of those are kind of long for midnight and don't seem to have that WOW, gotta get out at midnight!" vibe. Snatch and Fight Club are great films, but relatively speaking, they feel so recent that they lack that event feeling that you need to get you out at midnight for a show at the National. I was actually putting together a suggestion list for them that I thought might generate more interest from the kinds of people most inclined to brave the drive to Westwood at midnight. Even though it seems useless now, here's a handful of my suggestions.

First, following Roadshow's lead you create themes for some of the shows, while also offering more than one offering to entice people to go for more than a single midnight show, such as...
Have a mini comic book festival and show:
Friday - Superman: The Movie
Saturday - Superman II
the following weekend
Friday - Batman
Saturday - Batman Returns
(you could probably even have taken a flyer for this program to the Secret Stash a few blocks away and sold out or majorly filled your shows.)

With Live Free or Die Hard in theaters right now:
Friday - Die Hard
Saturday - Die Hard II

Do actor themed features:
Friday - Terminator 2
Saturday - Predator

These are the kinds of showings that would get me out of the house two nights in a row to see a movie (like I did a few weeks ago when the Aero showed double features of Poltergeist & Creepshow, and Tron (70mm) & Star Trek II).

I also asked my wife what kinds of movies would get her out of the house to see a midnight show and she agreed that it had to be something big and something old enough to possibly not have seen theatrically initially or that you just want to see again in a theater. Ultimately, I would say you don't want to have a midnight show of anything newer than 1997.

Here is a partial list of movies I would have been first in line to see at the National:
Die Hard
Predator
The Indiana Jones Trilogy
The Star Trek Series (especially the original crew films)
The Star Wars Trilogy (a tough one to book, but it's a dream list)
Lethal Weapon 1&2
Batman and Batman Returns
The Abyss
The James Bond Films (up until Goldeneye)
The Rambo Trilogy (especially with a 4th coming)
The Goonies
The Back to the Future Trilogy
Superman 1 & 2
Howard the Duck (an odd choice, but one that has a sizable following who has never seen it in a theater)
Ghostbusters
Gremlins
Poltergeist
The Thing
The Dark Crystal
Krull
Brainstorm
The Road Warrior
Top Gun
The Untouchables
Speed
Under Siege
Cliffhanger
Conan The Barbarian
Blue Thunder
Commando
Big Trouble in Little China
Alien, Aliens, & Alien 3
Clash of the Titans
The Lost Boys
Silverado
Roadhouse
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
The Black Hole
Dragonslayer
Blade Runner
Willow
Jaws (and maybe even Jaws II)
A 3D festival (Jaws 3D, Friday 3D, Spacehunter 3D)
The Last Starfighter
Total Recall
The Muppet Movie
1941
Streets of Fire
The Rocketeer

The point of the above list is that there's some spectacle to be had in a lot of these titles. You can't program the National like the Nuart or the Rialto. The National has something none of those other theaters have... it's the National! You're not just selling the movie, what you're really selling is the spectacle surrounding it. Spirited Away is an amazing film, but it's not going to make me rush right out, cash in hand. I want to see something I haven't seen in a theater in 20 years, or better yet something I haven't seen in a theater at all. What I want most of all, is to go into the theater and, for two hours, feel like I've entered a time warp and I'm 11 years old again. When I saw Poltergeist a few week back, that's exact how it felt and it was amazing. I'd pay over and over to get to re experience that. I also disagree with those that said you shouldn't program similar to other the other midnight shows, I think the National should be programmed appropriately for that screen. That's the selling point.
Two last points:
- I also think that special prints (70mm) are one of the keys to success. It may be a pain in the ass, but this would also raise the visibility of what the National shows beyond just another set of "Midnight Movies."
and
- I don't think the National should be afraid to play around with their programming format. When The Dome ran a restored print of Scarface a few years back as a special engagement, they actually had to hold it over because it was so popular. The El Capitan has had success with some of their revival programs as well. If a movie like Sicko is dropping off in attendance and you don't have anything promising to play, try a week long engagement of a 70MM print of Close Encounters. You might find that it's more profitable over the course of the week. Just don't be afraid to think outside the box with The National. It's already at a disadvantage as an independent theater, but that is something that can actually be used to it's advantage. I don't care what I see at the National, as long as I get to keep seeing stuff there.

The problem with 70MM prints is there are only a few titles available. And the special newer restrikes that the studios have made can not be programmed into theatres that run only platter shows. Yes, I know the National Theatre has two projectors and is equipped to do change-overs. I have been a projectionist that has run the theatre on many event screenings in the past. When we did those 70MM screenings at the Odeon Theatre down the street. There was a lot more prints still around. Older worn prints in 70MM do not like to be run on platters very well. And the titles that are available have played alot at afew of the local festivals. "The El Capitan has had success with some of their revival prgrams.", well Disney runs a tight ship and a good shows.

I think your comments were right on target, Cliff. The National's advantage over all the other screens that do revivial is that it is a theater WORTHY of playing big spectacle films! "The Exorcist" was a great choice but almost nobody knew it was playing!

I was surprised on your list, Cliff, that you didn't put Terminator and Terminator 2 back to back, an obvious choice and a rare example of a great movie with a sequel that is, in many ways, even better.

My only question for you, Cliff, is - Howard the Duck has a large following? Really? I can't remember the last time I heard anyone mention that film with anything other than contempt! Personally, while I never thought it was a great film, I never thought it was AS bad as it's reputation made it out to be. But I haven't seen it in 20 years! Labrynth was a much more satisfying Lucasfilm that year.

Speaking of films with bad reputations, are there any other Ishtar fans out there? I've never understood the rep this film got! It's hilarious! I've had the opportunity to let both Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman know that I love the film. Beatty was appreciative but I think Hoffman thought I was making fun of him. Damn, I want an Ishtar soundtrack album!

Best wishes,

Alan

William,
I understand that. I'm not insisting that every print shown has to be 70mm, but that should the first type they try to acquire and if that proves too difficult, then go to 35mm. I saw a screening of Big Trouble in Little China a few years ago at the Arclight at the 35mm print they ran was brand new. It looked incredible. Similarly, the print of Poltergeist I recently saw was incredible and I'm sure in much better condition than any 70mm they might have been able to show. But a 70mm show of Poltergeist would have raised the cool factor on that show by a factor of 10. I'm just saying, if you can do it, that's the way it should be done. But hey, if you can get me a 35mm print of Blue Thunder to watch at The National, I'm there.

Alan, Howard the Duck is indeed a strange title, but:
- more than 10 years into the format, there still is no DVD release (meaning the movie is pretty much unavailable anymore and certainly not in any decent version)
and
- people that were young when that movie came out are in their 30s now and there's a nostalgic quality attached.

But, the main message is don't program for UCLA (which isn't the primary audience for the Village or Bruin either), program for the National and the right audience will come to you.

(And the T1/T2 combo was just left out because of the sheer number of movies I have rattling around in my head.)

Mark Campbell,

I know everything you don't and more about the National in regards to it's status as of now.

There are a lot of ideas and things like that being thrown around on this website, yet when the first showing of the Exorcist played, only 2-4 people were there? I KNOW there are more than 4 people that knew about the show playing, yet hardly anybody was there. Everybody on this website talks about change and what needs to be done to the theatre and what not but yet when it time comes to support the National Theatre on new endeavors such as the midnite showings, hardly anybody comes for support. It doesn't make much sense to me.

And I agree with the fact that the theatre didn't do much advertising as it is fairly obvious that hardly anybody knew about it. Oh well, maybe it's not too late and maybe the owners will see some more idea off of this website but as of right now, midnite movies are gone.

I hope this isn't a blame game but, yes, I agree that we who talk so much about wanting midnight shows are to blame if we didn't show up and support them (which I had not as of yet but was planning to several times in the upcoming weeks.) I honestly wasn't sure the whole thing was real (not being able to see any word of it in the paper or on the marquee) until it was too late to catch the Exorcist.

But, truth be told, while we could all vow to spread the word as much as possible (and I have and will continue to do so), the truth is that there aren't anywhere NEAR enough people on this list to make this a money-making venture for the theater! The showings NEED to be listed in the papers, preferably as far ahead of time as possible and flyers at trendy spots and places where film enthusiasts might be would be a big help. I bet a lot of businesses in Westwood would post signs or give out flyers in exchange for some free admissions or some free return advertising. We used to do those sort of cross promotions at the U.A. Westwood all the time!

I hope it isn't really too late but my advice would be to form a game plan before jumping back in. Come up with a strategy for getting the word out BEFORE you start running the films again! Also, as has been said, take advantage of the National's uniqueness as one of the last single house movie palaces and book films that will really show the National off to it's best advantage! Big spectacle movies are what suits the National and sci-fi and fantasy films always tend to have a loyal following. Any CHANCE of getting any of the Star Wars or Indiana Jones films in there? With proper advertising, those would definitely sell out!

Best wishes,

Alan

i've always wanted to use the National as a major location in a '70's style' sci-fi film, some kind of headquarters for the bad guy like the one Curt Jurgens had (underwater) in The Spy Who Loved Me or Maximillion Schell in The Black Hole. The concession stand would be converted into his control booth, the rest of the interior a giant spaceship interior, or maybe some kind of ground base.

Alan's right. I don't visit this site everyday (sometimes even every week) and I didn't know about the Exorcist shows until they were over. It was announced Wednesday for shows happening on Friday and Saturday. It was almost like the showtimes were set up and someone just expected other people to do the work and spread the word.

And regardless of the showtime, the rules still stay the same... you have to show the right films. Trainspotting and Fight Club are great films, but they aren't the right film's to get people into Westwood on a Friday Midnight. I mean, Repo Man might be a great midnight movie, but not for the National. Leave that for the Nuart.

So, here's my Monday morning quarterback suggestions.
1) Set up a website, even if it's just a single page with the schedule of what's playing now and what's scheduled to play. If nothing else, it gives other sites something to direct people to (and I have to imagine, if you were showing a cool film, sites like aintitcoolnews and various other sites and forums would be willing to link to a main schedule page). I don't check out cinema treasures everyday, but I do often check the Arclight and Cinemateque websites. If The National had a page, I'd bookmark it.

2- Figure out the online ticketing thing. The Crest can do it and The National should too. It's very easy, when it's 11PM on Friday night, to blow off a midnight show that you were previously gung-ho about. If I had the ability to buy tickets when my enthusiasm is greater, I'm likely to. And it's not at all convenient to drive down to Westwood to pick up my tickets ahead of time, so online means more sales, earlier.

3- Remember, The National's heyday was the late 70s and 80s, so remember that when you're programming the films. Pulp Fiction is a great film to see in a theater, but not right up front. You need to build awareness and (I think) that's by playing films that play to The National's huge presentation and history. Play to its nostalgia and grandeur, because that what those of us that are here are interested in. The list I provided is missing many great films from the 70s and 80s, but that's because I don't think they'll cause the kind of excitement you want The National to provide. The Breakfast Club is an awesome movie, but it wouldn't do much for me to see it at The National. Conversely, A View to a Kill is not necessarily a great Bond movie, but it would be so much fun to see that at The National. If you want to show The Breakfast Club (or Trainspotting), I would wait until you've had some success and there's more of a built up audience aware of the shows and coming back to the theater on a continuous basis.

4- Like Alan said, have a plan. Like I suggested, pick films that you can help along at first. Do a Batman/Superman style comics festival and advertise it (more than just a few days before the first shows) at comic book stores frequented by the very same people likely to be excited about such shows.

5- As an addendum to #3, don't expect the college to make midnight shows successful. They vanish every summer and they're not going to be as dependable overall as hardcore movie fans from all over Los Angeles and the Valley. Whenever I go to a movie at The Village or the Bruin, the audience is not made up of students, even during the school year.

#6- Don’t feel compelled to play by the rules. As I stated earlier, if there’s nothing first run of value to play during regular showtimes, then you couldn’t do any worse to throw in some revival shows in between other bookings. If you’re only selling 50 tickets a show to something like Sicko, is 50 tickets to a showing of Top Gun more or less profitable?

One means of effectively and affordably getting word out for alternate programming is to arrange sponsorship deals with publications like LA Weekly, Frontiers, City Beat, etc. where the publications kick in for advertizing, fliers, posters, etc. Another way to gain attention is to arrange some special appearances of people involved with the film. Sending press releases to the Times and News couldn't hurt either. And I heartily agree that, whether at midnight or otherwise, special programming needs to be older event pictures that can fill that big screen, and haven't been seen in theatres in a long time. None of this is easy, but if it is not a lost cause already, the National NEEDS attention. BTW, for further coverage and a look at the National in its infancy, check out: http://cinemasightlines.com

Sadly to say, many of us who originally saw THE TOWERING INFERNO, THE BIG BUS, XANADU, EARTHQUAKE and other such 70's big screen movies are not in their teens or 20-somethings anymore. A midnite show was great for PINK FLAMINGO'S at the Nuart when I was 20-something but to go to Westwood for a midnite screening of THE EXORCIST was out of the question...no matter how much advance notice given. But I happily dragged my 50-something self to the tiny Royal when they screened a restored print of FUNNY GIRL several years back in the afternoon...3 times.

yeah, too bad the Royal projectionist didn't know how to handle a roadshow. I remember him opening the curtains onto a blank screen for the overture and entracte.

I'm not much younger than you, but if my budget allowed I would schlep over to the National at Midnight (on public transportation yet) to see something I really liked...

but it seems pretty clear that the owner is only allowing it to stay open until he finalizes plans to demolish it. If it closed there would be another outcry, another online petition, etc.
this way people figure its fine, then it could suddenly close and be demolished within a week

It's too bad there is no Paul Allen-like person in Los Angeles with enough money or heart to preserve it like Mr. Allen did for the Cinerama in Seattle. Can't Mr. Speilberg help the theatre that showcased all of his Indiana Jones films in the 80's? Can't he give back a little to the movie-goers who have given him hundreds of millions of dollars? Couldn't this be a showcase for Dreamworks films or Speilberg films the way the El Capitan is for Disney?

(BTW does Paramount have any idea the mobs of people that would show up if they struck new 70mm prints of the Indiana Jones trilogy and had a festival prior to the release of the 4th film?)

Roadshow posted Jul 25: "Too bad the Royal projectionist didn't know how to handle a roadshow. I remember him opening the curtains onto a blank screen for the overture and entracte."

Well the Royal Theatre is operated by management, because the projectionist is on a Limited Service type of contract. So modern theatre automation is set-up to lower the lights and open the curtain once the start button or timer is pushed. The Royal Theatre contract had them watching over the Royal and the Monica 4 and management ran the shows.

The National Theatre will be playing Rescue Dawn tomorrow, Friday July 27th.

Business is slow...All of Sicko's business went to the newer Landmark.

I don't know how much life is in store for the National Theatre.

I just saw Rescue Dawn last week, great film! Refreshingly excellent departure from all the recycled mainstream crap. But dang I wish I knew it was going to the National, would've waited to see it there!
For anyone who hasn't seen it I HIGHLY recommend it, and it's actually a perfect film for the National. The sad thing is that when the occasional rare GOOD movie does actually make it's way into a theatre (usually in limited arthouse release) nobody goes to see it. Did Paris, je t'aime (another excellent film) bring in loads of business? I doubt it

I went opening weekend to see PARIS, JE T'AIME at the National, even though I live in walking distance to Sunset 5 where it was also playing. There were about 100 or so people for the Saturday Night showing I went to see.

Since this theater opened in the 1970's and still retains its '70's decor, 3 movies I would love to see screen in this theater are "Looking For Mr. Goodbar", "A Star Is Born" (Streisand version)and "The Stepford Wives" (1975 version). I originally saw Goodbar in widescreen at the old Hastings in Pasadena. Very intense with a killer 70's soundtrack, but can only really be enjoyed in a big theater on a wide screen. A Star is Born can only be enjoyed in a big theater on the widescreen because of the superb vocals and sweeping cinematography. Stepford for the sheer horror and brilliant cast, especially the Paula Prentiss scene after her
"transformation". Goodbar has never been released on dvd and the few rare vhs copies are pan and scan. Star was released on dvd last year but it loses some of its punch watching it at home, even in a home-theater environment. I watch Stepford frequently on dvd and never get tired of it. I doubt this will ever happen in the National's remaining lifespan, but I can dream, can't I?

I may try to catch Rescue Dawn sometime this weekend. It is a shame that it got to this point that the National is hanging on by a thread. There was a time it was considered one of the most valuable theatres in Los Angeles. I wish AMC Century 15 would suddenly get unpopular and ditto the Grove. Those 2 theatre complexes are awful, but 'The Sheep' flock to them instead of the big Palaces.

Well the current count on the petition is 71 as of this date.

What is the petition for? Rescue Dawn will be gone and "Becoming Jane" will be playing August 10th. Try to catch the movie before it's gone this Thursday.

ALL good bookings but to large a theater to make money on...

"What is the petition for?", the National Theatre may soon be razed to make way for a retail development.

And who's your source, William?

Well if you read some of the posts above you will find that the theatre only has around 6 months left. There is a plan to build a Banana Republic store on the site of the National. In my last post by saying "may soon be razed", I'm saying tomorrow but in the next year. ScottS posted a link on May 14th, 2007 @12pm, that talks about it. The owners of the land want more money for the property, than could be made with a single screen theatre sitting on it.

It's over, the National closing is a symbol of the final blow for "the death of cinema" in these strange, worn out, empty, dark and hopeless times. Society is slowly crumbling before us and we are bearing witness to it. It's like the scene in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas where Johnny Depp walks into a cloud of dust thinking "so what now?"

William, the Banana Republic story was denied by the manager a couple months ago. I have heard nothing definitive announced about the National. only heresay from an unnamed source. In the absence of some word from the actual owner or lessee, we have only rumor and speculation. I certainly think something is up and the National's future is in question, and by all means, make some noise if you want to help save the place, but let's not claim to have the real answers until do.

I gather this theatre is not old enough or architechturally significant enough to be registered as a historic place? Even if it was the last single screen built in LA? Too bad. One day all theatres from this era (my favorite) will be gone.

Roadshow, I'm not saying I have the answers. The National's future is in question.

Yes it is, and that is because the owner did not have any summer hits booked. Sicko and Paris did alright but all the others, such as Hostel II and Rescue Dawn are complete crap.

Hopefully there will be some decent fall/winter hits that they get.

As of right now, the National does not look like a place to book films because of it's low attendance, which is another problem in itself. Now is the time to help out and support IMO.

Hostel II is complete crap but Rescue Dawn is an excellent film, but i assume you mean 'crap' in terms of attendance and audience draw (which btw has NOTHING to do with the quality of a film) especially these days where the dumber and crappier are the box office draws, not the extremely rare and occasional good or intellgent film (remember those?) If they even manage to get a release, or even more miraculous, get made.
And the only reason the National gets low attendance is because they won't SEND any of the big releases there!!! Imagine if the Village and Bruin were closed for a few months because of a freakish killer insect infestation (or something) and they were forced to send everything to the National. (actually they'd probably open all the big films at the regent and festival anyway) This is the problem, the bookers/execs, who-ever parties are in control of theatre booking are the one's to blame!

Any photos of this place?

The problem now is that The National is not part of a chain. When Mann ran the theatre they had certain studios they had agreements with including Warner (which mostly went to the Village if a blockbuster), Paramount, Columbia and some Fox, MGM, Focus Features and Lionsgate. A majority of Columbia Pictures titles played at the National towards the end of Mann running it.

Disney books into the Regent; and AMC books Universal, some Columbia, some Disney, Some MGM, Dreamworks and now some Paramount into the AVCO.

Pretty much The National and The Majestic Crest get whatever Mann and AMC kick back. So the National got Sicko and 1408 because nobody had them booked, and The Crest managed to get Hairspray. The Fall Season has more releases than the Summer does usually; the National could pickup some hits, and UCLA will be back in session and they will have students attending again.

saps for photos go to:

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

In those pics the auditorium looks a lot like the Warner/Pacific 1-2-3 today.

William: I totally agree that the future in question and now is the time for action. Alert the Media...

Brad: you're right about the National not having enough support from the studios, and the place could do very well with a blockbuster.

Mark: Unfortunately, the National's streamlined modern design is not enough to make it a landmark based on its architectue. Its history, and potential are the real reasons to save it.

The National's kitschy 70s decor is so easy to update, new drapes and seats in the auditorium, new paint and wall coverings, etc and you've got a fresh up-to-date venue. I still think something like a conversion to a "dine in seats" venue (wildly successful elsewhere but not fully done in LA) I'd leave some seats for normal viewing and maybe create a VIP dining section. Installing superior projection like Sony's 4K or better could help. My point is the National has great potential as a movie showplace and it wouldn't take a lot of restructuring to make it viable. We can only hope, and make some noise to call attention to the place.

updating the 70's decor would completely ruin the place, thats one of the best things about the National!

I don't think new drapery and carpeting would be that damaging. The Cinerama Dome certainly benefited from that kind of TLC.

I agree with D Packard. 70's kitsch is in vogue in LA right now. Leave the drapes and wallpaper. Replace the seats and the carpet. And then show a double bill of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Star Trek Il". That would fill the house faster than anything they have booked since reopening.

The National needs a "El Capitan" type of format to be succesful. A major studio would have to help renovate and keep it booked with Hollywood Product. If someone like Universal for example would take it over to showcase thier big films, it would at least have hot new product. Imagine how great The Bourne Ultimatum would be on the National compared to the crappy Avco. Up until a couple years ago big Paramount films would open there. But they started giving those to the Village instead.

It would be great if it was restored to its late 60's glory. The main thing it has needed is new seat and drapes. Some tile replacement in the restrooms, a spruced up marquee, sign and box office. It already has a killer sound system.

But at this point Westwood is not the place anybody really wants to invest. 10 years ago the chances would have been stronger. The sucky part is perhaps 5 - 10 years from now it could be a hot spot again and the National would benefit. As it looks now, it will not be standing in 5 years.

Roadshow, I don't think you realize how much it would cost for the things you are talking about. To replace that HUGE theatre of over 1100 seats would be extremely costly.

Also, there is nothing wrong with the projection and sound at the National Theatre, and they actually have multiple projectors in their booths, including digital 2k's. Do you honestly think that the average person cares whether the movie is playing in film or in digital? Most wouldn't care.

The problem lies in the fact that no production companies are giving the good movies out to the National Theatre BECAUSE of the lack of attendance. When they see a movie theatre with low grosses, why would they wanna give their movie to that theatre?

Mark, how do you know whether or not those movies will do great? Sure they can bring in some bank, but how are you gonna claim that it "would fill the houe faster than anythign they have booked since reopening"? Do you know National's exact grosses? If you do, please share; I'm dying to know.

get them off rentrack

people dont care on digital or film ...also think about 300 per to replace seats at a cost of $330,000 TOTAL!

rowr rowr. One night of Raiders at the Cinematheque was very much sold out (not to mention those they were turning away when I was there). I beg you to compare the grosses of Sicko at the National vs. the new Landmark. I bet the the landmark took it by a landslide. My point is that if the National wants to stay open it should not play THE SAME FILM AS AN ARCLIGHT-TYPE PLACE DOING BOFFO BUSINESS LESS THAN 2 MILES AWAY!!! I am not trying to say I know the "exact grosses", I just trying to offer ideas that could keep my favorite theatre open, and perhaps in a unique way that could showcase the theatre for the types of films it was meant for. So get off my case! I am just another fan out there trying to help with ideas. If I were Paul Allen and could buy and restore this theatre like the Seattle Cinerama I would, but i can't. So I suggest you start offering ideas as well, if you really care about this theatre.

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, Mark, and I am sorry if I offended you but I am just trying to tell you what's going on. The idea of new seats and new equipment is really far-fetched and isn't going to happen, simple as that. As longislandmovies said, 300 to replace a seat x 1000+ seats is a lot of money for a theatre that won't even gross that much in a year.

Yes, Sicko was playing at the National and yes, the Landmark did make more. What do you expect? They are a brand new movie theatre where the parking isn't super expensive like it is in Westwood. Sicko was a gerat film to play at the National; if they didn't get Sicko, they would have got some other crappy moie that would have made even less. Oh yeah that's gonna help with the grosses, right?

And btw I actually do know the grosses in comparison to the Landmark and the theatre actually didn't do as bad as I thought it would. If you say landslide, how much more do you think the Landmark made in comparison to the National? 10 fold?

r0wr r0wr. I did not try to compute in my head what percentage the Landmark made from Sicko in comparison to the National, so stop being so aggresive on this matter. Why don't you tell us the numbers if you are privy to this knowledge? I don't care if it is .00001%. I know, as many do here, that we cannot replace all of he National's seats without some big money backing it. I, like others here, just want to offer ideas to help this theatre survive as long as possible in the economic envirorment it is in. And we all seem to know that will not mean going up directly against The Landmark. Kudos to the National if it didn't do as bad as you think against the Landmark. But that alone will not keep it open. So get off our backs for putting forth ideas, as unreasonable as they might seem. "Raiders" on the National's giant screen would have me marking my calendar. Sicko is in my Netflix queue.

I actually do know the grosses for both theatres and in actuality, they are non of your business (unless you are apart of the theatre business of course). I'm sure someone who has access to them will give them to you, but I can not.

Throwing up ideas is fine, but at least make them reasonable. Believe me when I tell you that if we had a "Sicko" or something like that every month, the National would stay alive. I know this for a fact so whether or not you believe me makes no difference.

If we tried "Raiders" for one week, do you honestly believe that it would gross more than Sicko init's first week? There would need to be LOTS AND LOTS of adverising that would need to be done.

r0wr - Statements like "I know everything you don't and more about the National in regards to it's status as of now" and "I actually do know the grosses for both theatres and in actuality, they are non [sic] of your business" indicate a rather juvenile arrogance that's neither appealing nor productive. You have no idea what experience or connections to the industry the rest of us may have, For someone who claims to be so "in the know" and such a well connected professional, I don't see any real constructive ideas or action coming from your direction.

I know how much seats and draperies cost. I have dealt directly with the contractors and companies who supply them. I never said it would be cheap to renovate the National, only that it wouldn't need any structural changes, and the fact is, if the National were to go on as a first class showcase it definitely needs some work done.

As for projection, I know of no commercial theatre in town that has installed 4k projection. 2k is not all that impressive on a large screen, so obviously twice the resolution would be an improvement. Claiming that the public wouldn't notice or care about the difference is exactly the cynical attitude that has led movie exhibition from a memorable theatrical event to just a blank room with a bare screen where the picture just pops on like your TV at home.

If Sony were to install 4k they could promote the theatre as having the highest resolution digital picture in town. Even better if Sony bought the place to show off their own technology and their product and rent it out as a premiere venue. The point is that having significantly superior picture quality could at least give the National some bragging rights to distinguish it from the rest.

Same goes for the dine-in concept that's been successful elsewhere. The National needs something to set it apart and draw more people (and more money) back. People who are eating and watching a movie spend more than the price of a standard movie ticket, and there is no theatre in town doing full food service. The little diner in the ArcLight lobby and the trays carried into a couple rooms in the Bridge don't count.

Of course none of the things ANY of us has suggested are likely unless a miracle happens and a generous studio or a Paul Allen steps up to save the place. And such miracles are very rare. People have forgotten that we almost lost the Cinerama Dome as we know it, and very few realize that it was not the public outcry ot a change of heart at Pacific that saved it. It was a lawsuit filed by one smart Cinerama fan that could have halted the whole ArcLight project or added about 12 million to its cost. (I don't like the navy blue curtains in the Dome at all, by the way.)

None of us is in any position to save the National, including one who claims to be so "iN with the Biz" but never offers any proof of his exaulted position. But demanding to keep the place open isn't as effective without some real suggestions for how it might be made more profitable. Those of us who've been reaching for ideas are at least trying to be consturctive.

So what CAN we do"? Well if the unnamed source quoted in the Curbed LA article is right, then the name of the National's owner is right there. Direct your petition and suggestions to him, ask some publications to investigate, ask studios to consider the possibilities... circulate fliers to get the word out... and anyone who is really "IN the Know" and in the industry should go talk to his connections and do something more constructive than shooting down all of our ideas.

The point of me being here is to be "in the know". Yes, I do apologize for my juvenile attitude but in actuality, I'm just trying to be realistic.

Do you remember Philip or Armand? Did you know that he is now gone and that his midnite movie thing was a failure in the eyes of the owners?

Don't get me wrong, a lot of the ideas that you guys are throwing out are great, but most are very far-fetched. 4k's projectors won't happen for and the reason will be undisclosed as of right now.

Notice how I am not here giving out ideas.. but more just reading.. and looking around..taking in ideas.. possibly giving them to som epeople.. take a hint..

Also, how would I know the pre-releases of the movies before hand? Did you know that there are 2 upcoming screenings and premieres this month and the next month? And how in the world did I know that "Becoming Jane" would be playing this friday at 12:00p 2:30p 5:00p 7:30p 10:00p?

Lucky guess..? I think not.

oh, brother... you aplogize then go right on and continue to claim that you are in on something we aren't without offering any proof. That act is getting tired. It's not as if the stuff you mention is Top Secret. So you know the Showtimes for Friday - they are already printed in papers and posted online. I found them on AOL City Guide minutes after reading your post, and they're printed in a newspaper that just landed on my doorstep.

Yes I had some contact with Armand aka Phillip (same person). I'd say putting a 26 year old with very limited experience in charge of running the National was a strong indicator that its days are numbered. Nice enough kid I guess, but the midnight movies looked like they were chosen by a teenage boy without much thought as to what kind of draw they would be, which is one reason why so few of us ventured out to see them. And yeah, I did know he was gone not long after the midnight movies were cancelled. Lucky guess? Who cares?

I have worked every position (including projectionist) in movie theatres and several positions in legit houses on both coasts, as well as various positions at nearly every studio in town, and I don't see any of that experience as particularly impressive. I've been employed and regarded as an expert and historian but firmly deny both labels because for all I do know there is infinitely more that I don't know. The only self description I'll agree to is I'm interested enough in entertainment to have learned and remembered a few things and I'm no big deal. However...

I am far beyond puberty so I'm not at all impressed with all this "hint-hint" stuff. Frankly, "I know something you don't know" and I've got a secret but I'm not telling you" ranks right up there with "nyah-nyah-nyah" on the maturity scale. If you reallly were some insider and your point in being here was to learn, you wouldn't feel the need to repeatedly try to impress us and call attention to yourself as some sort of incognito authority.

Now back to topic... booking BECOMING JANE into the National the day it opens wide after already playing in limited release isn't much to shout about. Another little art film in a blockbuster venue. Nice enough movie and better than nothing, but not very appropriate or profitable. The National deserves better, but life isn't fair.

The National does deserve better, but as of right now.. it's all that it can get. Yeah.. I'm nobody..

Jet Li's "War" isn't playing next week either, nor are the two premieres/screenings that you had nothing to comment about. And notice how you checked today for "Rescue Dawn" yet I knew on Tuesday. It's not TOO advanced but then again.. nothing of the National's bookings are.

Whether or not you believe me makes no difference to me. I know where I stand... and you know where you stand. You can decided whether or not I am a fake..

Actually, I knew on Monday, but that's not a big deal.

I don't need to "learn" anything. The ideas on this page are great but once again, extremely far-fetched. But then again, to you and most, I am nobody, so just flame on...

Where did you get the idea I checked anything for Rescue Dawn?
If you knew the showtimes on Monday or Tuesday, why did you wait to post them until Thursday?
Why is knowing these things supposed to impress anyone, and why do you still feel compelled to keep coming back with "I knew that"? You've really just proven my point. I needn't comment any further, bur i'm sure you will.

Your passion for the National is heartening and evident. However, please refrain from agitating one another. I know emotions are running high, but let's keep our comments on the subject at hand. Thank you.

Ross Melnick
Cinema Treasures

Is there a reason why The Simpsons Movie couldn't have played at the National? Besides no longer being connected to a theater chain.

Why The Simpsons Movie wasn't booked into the wonderful National but squeezed into the awful Avco (besides the $$ thing) is beyond logic.

Sure the Simpsons Movie could have played at the National, but sometimes the studios lock the theatres to a long contract. And as a single screen theatre it's hard in that market with no place to move it over like it had with Mann Theatres.

And the Sony 4K projector will not help the business at the National. I work with one and it puts out a very picture but...

but it's not as good as some of the 2k DLP projectors?

The last line should have read "it puts out a very nice picture but...".

It all depends on the original material shown. It can't do 3D. Landmark has a few of these in operation in NYC and LA and other parts of the country.

wow this board just got the attention of the guy who runs this website!!
I have noticed a pattern all over the internet, on just about every message thread that has ever existed on every subject (especially the IMDB threads) somehow they always transgress into fights and insults.

That's why I had to stop writing.

Well, I guess I'll stop.

The reason why Simpsons Movie didn't play is because it was obviously booked way before the new onwers got a hold of the National Theatre. That is why there were no big summer blockbuster hits at the National.

Like I said before, this is the reason why all of National's bookings are last minute because they are only trying to get what they can which is why they were stuck with movies (although they were great movies) such as Sicko, Paris, and Rescue Dawn.

Too bad the National could only have "1408" for its opening week (as "Sicko" was booked for the following week). I don't think anyone expected it to do as well as it did.

r0wr r0wr: what midnite movies played at the National prior to the plug being pulled?

I'm not exactly sure but I know The Exorcist played once or twice, and so did Trainspotting I believe. Neither did that great because of the lack of advertising and what not on the GM's part (who was heading this project)

Also, 1408 didn't do as well as Sicko in it's first week. No where near as well, actually but maybe it would have caught on after the second week. We will never know.

If you scroll up a bit on this page to 6/14/07, you can see the sched of midnight shows that the young man had planned. I think only about 3-4 of them ran before the rest were cancelled. Nice idea, bad choices, not enough promotion, I think.

^^ Agreed.

The National may be able to get some decent bookings for the Fall Season. There always seems to be more films between Sept & Dec. UCLA students will return this month and hopefully the National will get some steady business. They probably should have waited for Fall to do midnight shows, students may have come to them if they advertised in the UCLA Bruin or hung up fliers around Westwood.

Pretty Much currently, The National (and the Crest)pretty much gets what MANN and AMC kicks back.

That would be nice if they got some good stuff in the fall. Don't know if it could save the National, but it sure couldn't hurt. I'd like to see Variety do an article on the challenges currently facing the National and the the Crest, hopefully focus a little industry attention there and MAYBE, hopefully, increase their chances for getting a break.

The L.A. times ran an article about the Crest not too long ago, and The Fairfax Cinemas. I'm not sure how those articles got initiated. Maybe if someone sent this thread to someone at the Times they will do a similar article for the Calendar section.

I would also help if the National got a website and online ticketing.

Yes I saw that article, Brad, about Majestic Crest vs. Landmark, wasn't it?

I have something on the back burner regarding both the National and the Crest. I've had some experience with publicity and getting things into the media, maybe I can make a little noise. Not sure at all how it will play out or what difference it'll make, but it has my interest and i can try.

And sure, Brad, why not contact the Times and any other media outlet you can imagine about both places? Go for it.

I scanned the LA Times webpage, Patrick Goldstein wrote the article about the Crest vs Landmark. It was part of his weekly Big Picture column. His e-mail address is nowhere to be found on the site. I'm not sure if he is the right person, I hate to send this link to someone at random. It should be someone who would take it to heart. A brief note with this page could be enough explanation of the history of the National, the current state of it, and the hopes to keep it open longer (and patronized).

Well Jet Li's "War" will be playing first run at the National when it comes out. I doubt that'll do super well but hopefully it gets some people to the theatre...

patrick.goldstein@latimes.com

Someone needed to contact Patrick Goldstein?

I wanted to let everyone know...Hadrian of Cinefile has aquired a nice print of YOR for his Black Abba midnight screenings at the Nuart. (for next Wed Sept 5 2007) He would love to get it shown at the National as well if such a thing could be arranged. I'm gonna give John Stiener a call see if he wants to show up. Repeat YOR: Hunter From the Future at the Nuart Sept 5 2007 midnight in 35mm 4 track optical dolby Yor-o-sound

War will be playing for another week and they are booked for another movie after that already, just to give you a heads up.

This is a recent photo of the National Theater.

what are these Black Abba screenings. I've heard about them... is it invite only? can other people attend?

anyone can show up, it's completely free, no invite necessary. Just be prepared for a 'lively' audience.
Doesn't anyone care that YOR is playing? It's finally showing..this is it, the one movie everyone on this thread has been discussing and now the chance is here...

does this happen every wednesday? is there a listing on any bulletins?! i wish i had known sooner...

no it's every other Wed, and there's basically no listing anywhere. You have to get on the black abba mailing list to find out whats playing (which is usually emailed 24-48hrs before it shows) which you can do simply by emailing hadrian@cinefilevideo.com
Often it's just the cinefile clan that show up but anyone can come.
They often don't know what their showing until the last minute and it's predicated on what prints he's just aquired. I can tell you Hadrian is always in search of cheap prints.. (to purchase, borrow, rent, etc) should anyone have a line on that

thank you so much D. that's such great news. i'm going to try my best to make it.

Damien, Black Abba screenings are NOT public knowledge, NOT open to the public, are NOT free, and are PRIVATE, INVITE-ONLY shows. I would really appreciate it if you removed all posts pertaining to this matter, lest I have to cancel the entire series.

3:10 To Yuma opens there on Friday September 7th

Excellent! I was hoping it would! Does the National have a deal with Lionsgate? Most bookings seem to be Lionsgate or MGM.

Went to the National last night to see WAR...it still is one fantastic theater..I dont care what anyone says about the dated design, seats, etc...The layout of the 1100 plus seats just feels so wonderfully HUGE...and the screen is awesome...and I would rather have that aged, run-down feeling at a large theater with history to it than go see a film at the Grove mall or Century City mall any day...

yep, enjoy it while it's there. These are the last days..

looks like a new sign is up

can you elaborate on that, Mark?

Above the front marquee is a white backlit sign that read "Mann National Theatre". Recently there has been a blank spot where the "Mann" used to be. Now the sign seems completely new with the words "National Theatre" occupying the whole rectangle above the marquee. I only saw it briefly when driving by on Wilshire (where you can see the theatre up the block). I plan to got see 3:10 to Yuma there in the next few days so I might be able to get a better look.

Wow, imagine someone spending the money for that when the theatre's days are supposedly numbered... thanks for the info, and please check to see if they took Mann's name off the big roof sign.

So the big new sign that they just paid to have made does not say National WESTWOOD Theatre, does it? Don't you think that big expensive sign would be enough proof for Mr. Cinema Treasures to change the listed name here to the name current proprietor obviously wants? He is paying to put "NATIONAL THEATRE" in the indie theatre list AND on the big sign, and has chosen NOT to call it the National Westwood. It Doesn't say National Westwood anywhere that the actual operators control. Yet Cinema Treasures insists on adding that word to the name... I believe Michael Coate made this same point months ago.

Thanks again for the report, Mark.

The Mann roof sign is still there. Probably too hard to get down. The new sign just says "National Theatre".

Idea: What if the operators of the National became booking partners with the Crest. That way each could have "more screens" and perhaps land better bookings. This way the if the Crest has a dud they could take a National move-over and vice versa. I know they must be competitors but it must be hard only having one screen with AMC and Mann as your rivals. Perhaps strength in numbers.

BTW: The National had the #1 film this weekend. Village is still showing "Stardust" which fell out of the top 10.

I agree with your idea, Mark... I think the Majestic Crest AND the National are both the most noteworthy theatres in West LA, and any idea that could help them sounds good to me. Easy for us to say from the sidelines, huh? For all we know Robert Bucksbaum and Tom Daugherty already know each other.

it is amazing the national opened with the latest big film (this weekend) opposed to the village. They must have even had some crowds over the weekend, it's almost just a smidget of the old days. wonders will never cease

The reason why the National Theatre got 3:10 to Yuma is because they premiered the movie.

The National Theatre and the Crest have no affiliation together.

Mark, you are right about the Mann sign on the top being too hard to take down. And yes, the National did great this week with 3:10 to Yuma. Good Luck Chuck will be premiering at the National Theatre next Wednesday just as well. They will probably get that movie right after the premiere just as well.

The National may have a very good Fall/Christmas season. There are so many films opening and mostly quality. I'll try to see 3:10 to Yuma myself this weekend. Good to hear there is a new sign. The National could last longer than expected.

Certainly if they invested good money to update a sign that was only off-balance (blank on left third) perhaps it is a sign (no pun intended) that they intend to keep it open a while.

Now, how about that website!! I can send my photos that were posted on Cinematour to use if wanted.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

The sign was put up for the two premieres (one already played): 3:10 to Yuma and Good Luck Chuck. The font used was "Impact" in navy blue.

Here's the theatre with two mock up signs and the top Mann logo photo shopped out.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x223/r0wr-r0wr/National/exteriorwide300dpi4x6edited.jpg

How did the theater do with these movies........

Good Luck Chuck wound up at the Avco. 3:10 must have still been doing well. The have Feast of Love now but I am guessing its a dud from the per screen average.

3:1o is on a 4 week min.per screen

We have learned that this wonderful venue is again closing in October 2007 and it may be facing demolition. In doing some research, I found that the architect of the National Theater was Harold W. Levitt and Associates. Levitt came on the scene in the 1950s as a modernist architect, designing incredible homes and other buildings. He did at least two other theaters, the Fox Valley Circle Theater in San Diego (demolished in 1998 and the South Coast Plaza Theater in Costa Mesa, which is presently closed. All three of these theaters were fresh unique designs that are being lost one by one.

I am sad to hear the National is really becoming extinct. Once it is gone there will never be a theatre like it ever again. Thanks to the AMC'plexing of America the grand movie theatres are pretty much gone. The public rather be hearded like sheep into little boxes with a screen. :-( When is the National's official closing date?

yea when's it closing? are they opening with anything new this month at all? I KNEW i should have seen 3:10 to Yuma there (ended up seeing it at a lousy theatre with weak sound) Probably the last thing worthwile that'll ever play there. I tried to get this girl to go but she just kept giving me the brush-off

The National Theatre is just too big for it's own good. With a big chain as Mann Theatres it was able to keep and get biggers film for the house, but with that market changing and the zoning of the UCLA/Westwood area. The cost of the National's lease did not pay. Many chains have done this over the years. Once the National closes it's doors and is razed. Mann Theatres might go through with that plex they want to build around the corner from the Bruin/Village. Cause you take the amount of seats from the National, Plaza and the Westwood Quad. They can get a nice sized plex out of that number. Because of the parking vs. seat zoning for the area. That's why no one has built anything in the area. Mann needed to drop the National to make it work.

Mann might do what? There's no such proposal on the table now, is there?

long live the momory of Ted Mann, co-producer of Krull and The Illustated Man!

There has been three different plex proposals for over a decade. Pacific was once named as one of the chains. Mann was another, but Mann had most of the cards in their hand. Because they operated the houses in question. So they held the seats which any new location needed. So if a new plex was to open Mann would keep that other location alittle longer in operation. Till the other plan was dropped. Three locations have been talked about over the last decade. The parking lot across from the former Plaza Theatre and the area around the site of the Plaza Theatre and the parking lot behind the Bruin Theatre. I worked for Mann Theatre during that time.
It might not be that active, but since Mann only leases the Village and Bruin it would by their best plan. Use the Village & Bruin as their main theatres and the plex as move-over houses. Maybe by that time the lease for the Festival Theatre will be up.

Damon you forgot "Lifeguard".

William, those plans are in the past.

Then the National Theatre gone screwed on the matter. It was the only thing that was holding any new plex building in Westwood. So if those plans are indeed in the past let's see what goes into play when the National gets razed. Only time will tell.

A new plex going into westwood could kill the Avco.

William is pretty much correct. The National as an Indie is a tough task to take on. At least when MANN operated it they had studio product to book into it, as an Indie they seem to be limited in what they could get. This past summer was a good example of so many big titles that should have been at the National and instead played at either the AVCO, Village or Bruin. With the National, Plaza, Westwood 4-plex and the United Artists being gone they have enough clout to build a new theatre complex. My guess is that a new multiplex will show up within the next 2-3 years. Mann could use the Bruin and Village as anchors to the new multiplex.

Who cares about the Avco? The Crest is wonderful.

In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I've heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won't still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, "saving" the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don't expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!

what would be the difference between a multi-plex and what's there right now? aside from the fact that all the screens aren't in the same building (and you can't movie hop). as it stands right now, there are still 10 screens within walking distance of each other. would putting them all under 1 roof actually bring in more money?

Putting screens under one roof would be more profitable probably. The problem with the stand alone palaces is the rent is very high and the turnover of films is less frequent. People are also lazy, they rather go to one place with many choices than to walk around a town to find the screens. Personally, I love spending the day in Westwood going from theatre to theatre, eating lunch in between films. It was more fun back in the late 70's and 80's when there was Tower Records and many book store to browse. Westwood still has potential and I have faith in it.

As BradE put it right on the nose about rent and turning over films around. And it's the labor issue everyone is under one plex. During the late 80's through the 90's, the job of the full time projectionist in each theatre was cut down. It became a share job, were you had two full time operators in each theatre or plex at one time. It would become the Village and Bruin, National and Plaza, Westwood 4-Plex and Regent Theatres, tagged together. So each theatre dropped a operator from payroll. During that time Cineplex operated the Odeon (aka. Festival). So now Mann takes over the Odeon and that theatre is part of the National & Plaza route for the projectionist. During this time magagement starts to work in the booth. Oh when Cineplex operated the Odeon in it's last year it was a share job with the Crest Theatre. It's much easier to manage a plex now a days.

How did Mann move prints amongst the single screeners of Westwood when they had premieres? Example: Village and Bruin had premieres so their films moved to the National and Plaza for a day. Did they have to break down the print and reassemble?

I saw South Park at the Regent on a day it had been moved from the National when it was having a premiere, and the THX trailer was still attached. (and the Regent is not THX).

There are two ways they could have done it. One being on two 6k reels and the other on a platter ring with platter clamps. They would leave the trailer pack intact most of the time for the one day event, but that would mean they were lazy to remove it too.

So they would roll the platter or reels down the street?

No, they would carry the two large reels by hand or platter ring. Carrying a platter ring with film is like carrying a tire.

FYI: The petition is up to 75 signatures now.

Has the theatre quietly closed as of today? There are no showtimes listed any where...

The theatre closed after Sunday's showing of "Feast of Love".

I thing the developer wants to move very fast.

Today's LA Times lists "Gone Baby Gone" opening at the National this Friday in THX. Will the booking move or is the theatre not really closed? The theatre has been listed in the Independent Theatre guide of the LA times all week with "Call Theatre for Information and Showtimes". Perhaps "Feast of Love" was such a bust they were not financially able to run it beyond Sunday?...

BTW Cinema Treasures should retitle this theatre what it calls itself these days: "The National Theatre"

The theatre is closed. They are not playing Gone Baby Gone.

well thats it then. It's over.
We've reached the end of a long journey, we've lost the battle.
The last great theatre, has closed, the last hope... has died, the flame has slowly burned out, it was kept burning, ever so faintly..over these last weeks,
but now everything is in darkness, the light of the projector has died, hope has died with it.
Perhaps someday in the doomed future, Charlton Heston will wander in out of the deserted ghost town of Westwood, filled with cobwebs and skeletons, fire up the old projector with a generator and watch Woodstock.
But for now, It is over.
And so I say fare thee well, thou shall never hear from Harry again

By the way, I am affiliated and in direct contact with the people who were running this theatre; Tom Daugherty and the other owners of the theatre. Farewell to this theatre and support the Culver Plaza Theatre now, one of the few independent theatres out there!

Thank you Tom Daughtry and group for at least trying to keep the National going. I'm glad I was able to be a patron when you ran the theatre, and wish you the best with the Culver Plaza.

National Theater October 14, 2007. The signs on the box office read "Closed For Private Screening".
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalOct1420070018.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalOct1420070025.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalOct1420070040.jpg

Hey guys, well I live in Portland, Oregon and am sad to say I never had the pleasure of attending a film at the National. I discovered it about a month ago while browsing around Cinema Treasures and by the time I had finished reading all of your comments, looking at your pictures, and learning of it's history and struggle to stay open in an industry and society that seems to care little about historic gems like the National, I had fallen in love with the place. I share your passion for the National and mourn the loss just as you do. I only regret that I had not learned of the place sooner so I could have paid a visit myself and brought my camera with me. I was actually debating about making a couple day trip to Los Angeles during one of my upcoming vacation weeks with a visit to the National at the top of my list. Sadly, it seems I am a tad too late. Nonetheless, I thank you all for sharing your fond memories on this post and for allowing me to experience the National vicariously through them. I am not an industry insider or a man with deep enough pockets to invest in the National and keep her alive, I am merely a working class American with a passion for gems such as she. However, if I were I would sweep in and return her to her former glory in a heartbeat. Thank you all and I mourn the loss along with you.

I updated Michael Coates original posting with the bookings Post-Mann to make it complete.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE, 1970-2007
10925 Lindbrook, Los Angeles (Westwood Village)

03/27/70 … THE BOYS IN THE BAND (9 weeks)
05/27/70 … THE SICILIAN CLAN (4 weeks)
06/26/70 … CATCH-22 (18 weeks)
10/28/70 … LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSY (9 weeks)
12/25/70 … I LOVE MY WIFE! (7 weeks)

02/12/71 … LITTLE MURDERS (7 weeks)
03/31/71 … MAKING IT (4 weeks)
04/29/71 … SUMMER OF ’42 (9 weeks)
06/30/71 … CARNAL KNOWLEDGE (20 weeks)
11/19/71 … BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (8 weeks)

01/12/72 … THE FRENCH CONNECTION (RE, 10 weeks)
03/24/72 … THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH (9 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
05/26/72 … THE OTHER (9 weeks)
07/26/72 … STAND UP AND BE COUNTED (2 weeks)
08/09/72 … THE GRADUATE (RE, 1 week)
08/16/72 … EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX (11 weeks)
11/01/72 … CARRY ON DOCTOR (2 weeks)
11/15/72 … THE HOSPITAL / FUZZ (RE, 1 week)
11/22/72 … MONKEY BUSINESS / THE COCOANUTS (RE, 2 weeks)
12/06/72 … PULP (1 week)
12/13/72 … FUNNY GIRL (RE, 1 week)
12/21/72 … 1776 (5 weeks)

01/24/73 … FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
03/07/73 … LOST HORIZON (11 weeks)
05/23/73 … A WARM DECEMBER (3 weeks)
06/13/73 … BILLY JACK / BANANAS (RE, 1 week)
06/20/73 … THE LAST OF SHEILA (6 weeks)
08/01/73 … THE MACKINTOSH MAN (4 weeks)
08/29/73 … ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE (9 weeks, stereo)
10/31/73 … FANTASIA (RE, 1 week)
11/07/73 … EXECUTIVE ACTION (7 weeks)
12/26/73 … THE EXORCIST (26 weeks)

06/21/74 … CHINATOWN (8 weeks)
08/14/74 … CALIFORNIA SPLIT (7 weeks)
10/02/74 … THE CRAZY WORLD OF JULIUS VROODER (2 weeks)
10/16/74 … THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ (MO, 1 week)
10/23/74 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-stereo)
11/01/74 … PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (7 weeks, stereo)
12/18/74 … THE GODFATHER PART II (14 weeks)

03/26/75 … AT LONG LAST LOVE (2 weeks)
04/11/75 … HARRY & TONTO (RE, 3 weeks)
04/30/75 … BLAZING SADDLES (RE, 3 weeks)
05/23/75 … THE WIND AND THE LION (5 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
06/25/75 … THE FORTUNE (8 weeks)
08/20/75 … BEYOND THE DOOR (4 weeks, stereo)
09/17/75 … YESSONGS (3 weeks, stereo)
10/08/75 … DOG DAY AFTERNOON (11 weeks)
12/25/75 … LUCKY LADY (5 weeks, 70mm-stereo)

01/30/76 … FANTASIA (RE, 6 weeks)
03/10/76 … JAWS (RE, 2 weeks)
03/24/76 … THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH (MO, 2 weeks)
04/07/76 … THE BAD NEWS BEARS (11 weeks)
06/23/76 … THE BIG BUS (3 weeks)
07/14/76 … LEADBELLY (2 weeks)
07/30/76 … CAMELOT (RE, 1 week, 70mm-stereo)
08/04/76 … DRUM (3 weeks)
08/25/76 … LET’S TALK ABOUT MEN (4 weeks)
09/24/76 … CAMELOT / HELLO, DOLLY! (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-stereo)
10/06/76 … THE FRONT (9 weeks)
12/09/76 … BOUND FOR GLORY (9 weeks)

02/09/77 … FUN WITH DICK & JANE (5 weeks)
03/18/77 … ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (6 weeks)
04/29/77 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 1 week, stereo)
05/06/77 … NASTY HABITS (7 weeks)
06/24/77 … SORCERER (9 weeks)
08/12/77 … MARCH OR DIE (2 weeks)
08/26/77 … SUSPIRIA (3 weeks, stereo)
09/16/77 … THUNDER AND LIGHTNING (1 week)
09/21/77 … YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE (2 weeks)
10/05/77 … BOBBY DEERFIELD (10 weeks)
12/12/77 … >>> closed for remodeling and installation of Showscan <<< (4 days)
12/16/77 … LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR (RE, 1 week)
12/21/77 … THE GAUNTLET (6 weeks)

02/03/78 … THE ONE AND ONLY (6 weeks)
03/17/78 … AMERICAN HOT WAX (4 weeks)
04/14/78 … THE MEDUSA TOUCH (2 weeks)
04/28/78 … FM (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/17/78 … THE MANITOU (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/26/78 … BIG WEDNESDAY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/28/78 … HEAVEN CAN WAIT (14 weeks)
10/06/78 … WHO IS KILLING THE GREAT CHEFS OF EUROPE? (5 weeks)
11/10/78 … THE WILD GEESE (4 weeks)
12/08/78 … THE DEER HUNTER (1 week for Oscar consideration, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/15/78 … SUPERMAN (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

04/13/79 … HURRICANE (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05/04/79 … THE EXORCIST (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/22/79 … THE MAIN EVENT (6 weeks)
08/03/79 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/07/79 … THE WANDERERS (3 weeks)
09/28/79 … ANIMAL HOUSE (RE, 1 week)
10/05/79 … STARTING OVER (9 weeks)
12/07/79 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02/01/80 … AMERICAN GIGOLO (7 weeks)
03/21/80 … LITTLE DARLINGS (6 weeks)
05/02/80 … THE 39 STEPS (1 week)
05/09/80 … THE NUDE BOMB (5 weeks)
06/11/80 … URBAN COWBOY (6 weeks)
07/25/80 … CADDYSHACK (3 weeks)
08/15/80 … SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (4 weeks)
09/12/80 … THE MOUNTAIN MEN (2 weeks)
09/26/80 … WHEN A STRANGER CALLS (1 week)
10/03/80 … OH, GOD! BOOK II (4 weeks)
10/31/80 … THE AWAKENING (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/14/80 … THE IDOLMAKER (1 week, magnetic Dolby Stereo)
11/21/80 … SONG OF THE SOUTH (RE, 3 weeks)
12/12/80 … POPEYE (7 weeks)

01/30/81 … THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN (4 weeks)
02/27/81 … FANTASIA (RE, 3 weeks, stereo)
03/20/81 … THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (3 weeks)
04/10/81 … ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE, 2 weeks)
04/24/81 … THE HAND (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/15/81 … THE FAN (4 weeks)
06/12/81 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (16 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/02/81 … PATERNITY (4 weeks)
10/30/81 … RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE IN CONCERT (1 week)
11/06/81 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (RE, 4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/04/81 … REDS (14 weeks)

03/12/82 … RICHARD PRYOR: LIVE ON THE SUNSET STRIP (3 weeks)
04/02/82 … SOME KIND OF HERO (4 weeks)
04/30/82 … AC/DC: LET THERE BE ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/21/82 … FIGHTING BACK (2 weeks)
06/04/82 … STAR TREK: THE WRATH OF KHAN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/30/82 … NIGHT SHIFT (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/24/82 … A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (RE, 1 week)
10/01/82 … JEKYLL & HYDE…TOGETHER AGAIN (3 weeks)
10/22/82 … TRON (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/29/82 … ALTERED STATES (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/05/82 … THE MISSIONARY (2 weeks)
11/19/82 … HEIDI’S SONG (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/24/82 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/10/82 … AIRPLANE II: THE SEQUEL (6 weeks)

01/21/83 … HEY GOOD LOOKIN’ (1 week)
01/28/83 … THE ROAD WARRIOR (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02/18/83 … TABLE FOR FIVE (5 weeks)
03/25/83 … THE OUTSIDERS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/29/83 … SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/20/83 … SPACEHUNTER: ADVENTURES IN THE FORBIDDEN ZONE (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo, 3-D)
06/24/83 … TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/29/83 … KRULL (2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/12/83 … THE MAN WHO WASN’T THERE (1 week, 3-D)
08/19/83 … YOR: THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE (1 week)
08/26/83 … STRANGE BREW (3 weeks)
09/16/83 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09/30/83 … BRAINSTORM (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10/28/83 … RICHARD PRYOR: HERE AND NOW (2 weeks)
11/10/83 … STAR 80 (5 weeks)
12/16/83 … UNCOMMON VALOR (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/27/84 … STAR 80 (RE, 1 week)
02/03/84 … RECKLESS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02/17/84 … FOOTLOOSE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/30/84 … GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04/30/84 … >>> closed for remodeling and installation of THX Sound System <<< (4 days)
05/04/84 … BREAKIN’ (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/23/84 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (12 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/17/84 … TIGHTROPE (6 weeks)
09/28/84 … THE WILD LIFE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10/05/84 … IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (MO, 1 week)
10/12/84 … GARBO TALKS (2 weeks)
10/26/84 … BODY DOUBLE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/09/84 … OH, GOD! YOU DEVIL (4 weeks)
12/05/84 … BEVERLY HILLS COP (16 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

03/29/85 … KING DAVID (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/12/85 … CAT’S EYE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/26/85 … STICK (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/10/85 … RUSTLERS’ RHAPSODY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/31/85 … GOTCHA (MO, 1 week)
06/07/85 … THE GOONIES (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/12/85 … EXPLORERS (2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/24/85 … THE BLACK CAULDRON (1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08/02/85 … WEIRD SCIENCE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/30/85 … COMPROMISING POSITIONS (3 weeks)
09/19/85 … PLENTY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/11/85 … SILVER BULLET (2 weeks)
10/25/85 … KRUSH GROOVE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/01/85 … TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/22/85 … FEVER PITCH (2 weeks)
12/04/85 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

01/17/86 … A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (2 weeks)
01/31/86 … YOUNGBLOOD (1 week)
02/07/86 … THE BEST OF TIMES (MO, 2 weeks)
02/21/86 … 9½ WEEKS (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02/28/86 … PRETTY IN PINK (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/11/86 … OFF BEAT (2 weeks)
04/25/86 … CRITTERS (1 week)
05/02/86 … BLUE CITY (2 weeks)
05/16/86 … TOP GUN (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/02/86 … UNDER THE CHERRY MOON (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/18/86 … THE KARATE KID PART II (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07/25/86 … HEARTBURN (2 weeks)
08/08/86 … TOP GUN (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09/26/86 … ‘CROCODILE’ DUNDEE (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/12/86 … THE GOLDEN CHILD (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/16/87 … CRITICAL CONDITION (3 weeks)
02/06/87 … FROM THE HIP (3 weeks)
02/27/87 … SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/03/87 … POLICE ACADEMY 4: CITIZENS ON PATROL (1 week)
04/10/87 … THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/03/87 … THE UNTOUCHABLES (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/22/87 … SUMMER SCHOOL (4 weeks)
08/21/87 … THE BIG EASY (6 weeks)
10/02/87 … LIKE FATHER LIKE SON (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/30/87 … FATAL BEAUTY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/20/87 … DATE WITH AN ANGEL (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/25/87 … SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/09/87 … EMPIRE OF THE SUN (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

02/12/88 … ACTION JACKSON (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/11/88 … OFF LIMITS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/30/88 … BEETLEJUICE (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/25/88 … ‘CROCODILE’ DUNDEE II (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07/13/88 … THE DEAD POOL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/10/88 … CLEAN AND SOBER (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/26/88 … HOT TO TROT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/02/88 … FREEWAY (1 week)
09/09/88 … RUNNING ON EMPTY (4 weeks)
10/07/88 … IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/28/88 … FEDS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/09/88 … CHILD’S PLAY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11/23/88 … SCROOGED (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
12/16/88 … RAIN MAN (14 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

03/24/89 … DEAD BANG (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/07/89 … DEAD CALM (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/21/89 … PET SEMATARY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/24/89 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
07/14/89 … LICENCE TO KILL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/11/89 … A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
08/18/89 … LET IT RIDE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/01/89 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
09/15/89 … NIGHT GAME (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
09/22/89 … BLACK RAIN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11/17/89 … PRANCER (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/22/89 … LETHAL WEAPON 2 (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12/01/89 … CHRISTMAS VACATION (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01/12/90 … INTERNAL AFFAIRS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/02/90 … THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/27/90 … DAYS OF THUNDER (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo**)
08/17/90 … MY BLUE HEAVEN (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/14/90 … DEATH WARRANT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/21/90 … FUNNY ABOUT LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/05/90 … MARKED FOR DEATH (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/26/90 … GRAVEYARD SHIFT (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
11/16/90 … ROCKY V (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
12/19/90 … ALMOST AN ANGEL (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12/27/90 … THE ROOKIE (MO, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

**DAYS OF THUNDER opened with a 70mm-Cinema Digital Sound print, but reliability problems were encountered and a switch was made to a 70mm-Dolby Stereo print, which was used for the duration of the engagement.

01/11/91 … REVERSAL OF FORTUNE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
01/18/91 … FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/22/91 … HE SAID, SHE SAID (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/15/91 … IF LOOKS COULD KILL (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/27/91 … REVERSAL OF FORTUNE / MISERY (RE, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/03/91 … RICH GIRL (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
05/10/91 … SWITCH (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06/07/91 … CITY SLICKERS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/02/91 … BODY PARTS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/23/91 … SHOWDOWN IN LITTLE TOKYO (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/20/91 … McBAIN (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09/27/91 … NECESSARY ROUGHNESS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/25/91 … THE HITMAN (2 weeks, Ultra Stereo)
11/08/91 … STRICTLY BUSINESS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12/06/91 … STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

02/07/92 … THE ADDAMS FAMILY* / STAR TREK VI (RE*, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/21/92 … RADIO FLYER (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/28/92 … MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/13/92 … JFK (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/27/92 … LADYBUGS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/10/92 … SLEEPWALKERS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/01/92 … K2 (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
05/29/92 … THE HUMAN SHIELD (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
06/05/92 … PATRIOT GAMES (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07/01/92 … BOOMERANG (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
07/24/92 … MO’ MONEY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/14/92 … SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08/28/92 … HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/18/92 … HUSBANDS AND WIVES (2 weeks, Dolby Mono SR)
10/02/92 … HERO (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/23/92 … DR. GIGGLES (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10/30/92 … RAMPAGE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/06/92 … UNDER SIEGE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
11/13/92 … BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/11/92 … A FEW GOOD MEN (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

01/15/93 … BODY OF EVIDENCE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01/29/93 … UNFORGIVEN (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02/05/93 … SOMMERSBY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/05/93 … AMOS & ANDREW (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/19/93 … POINT OF NO RETURN (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/15/93 … BOILING POINT (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/30/93 … THE PICKLE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/07/93 … INDECENT PROPOSAL (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05/21/93 … SLIVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
06/15/93 … CLIFFHANGER (MO, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06/30/93 … THE FIRM (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
07/30/93 … RISING SUN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/20/93 … HARD TARGET (2 weeks, DTS)
09/03/93 … FORTRESS ( 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
09/10/93 … UNDERCOVER BLUES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/24/93 … THE GOOD SON (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/15/93 … THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10/29/93 … FATAL INSTINCT (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/05/93 … FLESH AND BONE (3 weeks, DTS)
11/24/93 … A PERFECT WORLD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/10/93 … WAYNE’S WORLD 2 (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

01/07/94 … THE AIR UP THERE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01/21/94 … INTERSECTION (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02/18/94 … BLUE CHIPS (3 weeks, DTS)
03/09/94 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY (RE, MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
03/18/94 … MOTHER’S BOYS (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03/25/94 … THE PAPER (5 weeks, DTS)
04/29/94 … PCU (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
05/06/94 … CLEAN SLATE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05/13/94 … THE CROW (2 weeks, DTS)
05/25/94 … BEVERLY HILLS COP III (4 weeks, DTS)
06/25/94 … JURASSIC PARK (RE, 1 week, DTS)
07/01/94 … BLOWN AWAY (3 weeks, DTS)
07/20/94 … THE CLIENT (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/03/94 … CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (5 weeks, DTS)
09/09/94 … TRIAL BY JURY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09/28/94 … NATURAL BORN KILLERS* / TRIAL BY JURY (MO*, 1 week, DTS/Dolby Stereo)
10/07/94 … ONLY YOU (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10/28/94 … DROP SQUAD (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11/04/94 … DOUBLE DRAGON (1 week, DTS)
11/11/94 … INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/09/94 … DROP ZONE (2 weeks, DTS)
12/23/94 … NELL (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/20/95 … S.F.W. (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
01/27/95 … HIGHLANDER: THE FINAL DIMENSION (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
02/17/95 … THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/17/95 … BYE BYE, LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03/31/95 … TOMMY BOY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04/21/95 … KISS OF DEATH (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/19/95 … DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/09/95 … CONGO (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/07/95 … SPECIES (2 weeks, DTS)
07/19/95 … CLUELESS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
08/11/95 … A WALK IN THE CLOUDS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/95 … THE PROPHECY (3 weeks, Ultra Stereo)
09/22/95 … SHOWGIRLS (2 weeks, DTS)
10/06/95 … ASSASSINS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/27/95 … COPYCAT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/03/95 … FAIR GAME (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/17/95 … GOLDENEYE (4 weeks, DTS)
12/15/95 … SABRINA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/05/96 … 12 MONKEYS (4 weeks, DTS)
02/02/96 … BLACK SHEEP (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/16/96 … BRAVEHEART (RE, 1 week, DTS)
02/23/96 … RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
03/08/96 … THE BIRDCAGE (5 weeks, DTS)
04/12/96 … FEAR (3 weeks, DTS)
05/03/96 … THE CRAFT (2 weeks, SDDS)
05/17/96 … HEAVEN’S PRISONERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/22/96 … MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (7 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/12/96 … COURAGE UNDER FIRE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/09/96 … ESCAPE FROM L.A. (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/23/96 … A VERY BRADY SEQUEL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/06/96 … BOGUS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/20/96 … THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/11/96 … THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/01/96 … DEAR GOD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/22/96 … STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/20/96 … BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD DO AMERICA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/10/97 … THE RELIC (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/29/97 … GRIDLOCK’D (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/14/97 … ABSOLUTE POWER (3 weeks, SDDS)
03/07/97 … PRIVATE PARTS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/21/97 … SELENA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/11/97 … PARADISE ROAD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/25/97 … VOLCANO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/09/97 … FATHERS’ DAY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/30/97 … TRIAL AND ERROR (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/13/97 … SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/27/97 … FACE/OFF (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/01/97 … SPAWN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/15/97 … EVENT HORIZON (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/97 … HOODLUM (3 weeks, DTS)
09/19/97 … IN & OUT (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/24/97 … BOOGIE NIGHTS (MO, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/21/97 … THE RAINMAKER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/12/97 … SCREAM 2 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/25/97 … THE POSTMAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/09/98 … FIRESTORM (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/16/98 … FALLEN (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/06/98 … THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
02/27/98 … DARK CITY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/06/98 … TITANIC (MO, 4 weeks, 70mm-DTS)
04/03/98 … LOST IN SPACE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/08/98 … WOO (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/15/98 … PLUMP FICTION (1 week, Ultra Stereo)
05/22/98 … FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (2 weeks, DTS)
06/05/98 … THE TRUMAN SHOW (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/10/98 … SMALL SOLDIERS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/24/98 … SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/07/98 … SNAKE EYES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/28/98 … WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/11/98 … YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/02/98 … A NIGHT AT THE ROXBURY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/16/98 … RUSH HOUR (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/23/98 … SOLDIER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/06/98 … THE WIZARD OF OZ (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/20/98 … THE RUGRATS MOVIE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/11/98 … STAR TREK: INSURRECTION (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/15/99 … VARSITY BLUES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/05/99 … SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/05/99 … ANALYZE THIS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/02/99 … THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/23/99 … LOST & FOUND (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/30/99 … ENTRAPMENT (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/11/99 … AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/30/99 … SOUTH PARK: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/30/99 … RUNAWAY BRIDE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/99 … THE 13th WARRIOR (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/17/99 … THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/01/99 … THREE KINGS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/22/99 … BRINGING OUT THE DEAD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/12/99 … DOGMA (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/10/99 … DEUCE BIGALOW: MALE GIGOLO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/25/99 … THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)

02/04/00 … SCREAM 3 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/18/00 … THE WHOLE NINE YARDS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/22/00 … ROMEO MUST DIE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/14/00 … 28 DAYS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/05/00 … GLADIATOR (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/16/00 … SHAFT (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/21/00 … WHAT LIES BENEATH (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/11/00 … THE REPLACEMENTS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/00 … HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/15/00 … BAIT (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/29/00 … BEAUTIFUL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/06/00 … GET CARTER (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/13/00 … THE LADIES MAN (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/20/00 … PAY IT FORWARD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/10/00 … LITTLE NICKY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/17/00 … THE 6th DAY (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/15/00 … WHAT WOMEN WANT (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/12/01 … SAVE THE LAST DANCE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/02/01 … VALENTINE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/16/01 … DOWN TO EARTH (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/02/01 … SEE SPOT RUN (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/09/01 … GET OVER IT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/16/01 … ENEMY AT THE GATES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/06/01 … ALONG CAME A SPIDER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/27/01 … TOWN & COUNTRY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/18/01 … SHREK (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/15/01 … LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/13/01 … THE SCORE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/17/01 … RAT RACE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/14/01 … HARDBALL (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/28/01 … DON’T SAY A WORD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/19/01 … THE LAST CASTLE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/02/01 … DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/16/01 … HEIST (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/21/01 … BLACK KNIGHT (1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/30/01 … TEXAS RANGERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/07/01 … HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/14/01 … VANILLA SKY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/11/02 … ORANGE COUNTY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/25/02 … THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/08/02 … ROLLERBALL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/15/02 … SUPER TROOPERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/22/02 … COLLATERAL DAMAGE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/01/02 … WE WERE SOLDIERS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/29/02 … CLOCKSTOPPERS (1 week, Dolby Digital
04/05/02 … DEATH TO SMOOCHY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/12/02 … CHANGING LANES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/03/02 … SPIDER-MAN (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
05/31/02 … THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/28/02 … MR. DEEDS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/12/02 … HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION (1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/19/02 … K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/07/02 … SPY KIDS 2: THE ISLAND OF LOST DREAMS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/23/02 … S1MONE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/06/02 … SWIMFAN (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/20/02 … THE FOUR FEATHERS (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/11/02 … THE TRANSPORTER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/25/02 … JACKASS: THE MOVIE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/27/02 … ADAM SANDLER’S 8 CRAZY NIGHTS (2 weeks, SDDS-8)
12/13/02 … STAR TREK: NEMESIS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/27/02 … GANGS OF NEW YORK (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/10/03 … JUST MARRIED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/24/03 … THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/07/03 … HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/14/03 … THE HUNTED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/28/03 … THE CORE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/11/03 … BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/16/03 … CHASING PAPI (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/25/03 … BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/15/03 … X2 (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/30/03 … THE ITALIAN JOB (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/27/03 … CHARLIE’S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
07/18/03 … BAD BOYS II (3 weeks, SDDS-8)
08/08/03 … S.W.A.T. (4 weeks, SDDS-8)
09/05/03 … DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/19/03 … THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/26/03 … DUPLEX (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/03/03 … SCHOOL OF ROCK (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/24/03 … BEYOND BORDERS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/05/03 … SCHOOL OF ROCK (RE, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/14/03 … TUPAC: RESURRECTION (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/28/03 … TIMELINE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/12/03 … LOVE DON’T CO$T A THING (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/19/03 … BAD SANTA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/25/03 … PAYCHECK (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/16/04 … TORQUE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/30/04 … THE PERFECT SCORE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/13/04 … THE PERFECT SCORE / THE BIG BOUNCE* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/20/04 … SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/27/04 … TWISTED (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/19/04 … THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/26/04 … SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/09/04 … THE WHOLE TEN YARDS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/23/04 … HELLBOY (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/30/04 … MEAN GIRLS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/04/04 … TROY (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/18/04 … DODGEBALL: A TRUE UNDERDOG STORY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/16/04 … FAHRENHEIT 9/11 (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/23/04 … SPIDER-MAN 2 (MO, 1 week, SDDS-8)
07/30/04 … THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/27/04 … EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/03/04 … ANACONDAS: THE HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/10/04 … RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (2 weeks, SDDS)
09/24/04 … NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/15/04 … TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/19/04 … THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/03/04 … CLOSER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/17/04 … LEMONY SNICKET’S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/14/05 … RACING STRIPES (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/04/05 … COACH CARTER (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/11/05 … HITCH (7 weeks, SDDS)
04/01/05 … SIN CITY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/30/05 … SAHARA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/06/05 … HOUSE OF WAX (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/27/05 … THE LONGEST YARD (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/15/05 … STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/29/05 … BATMAN BEGINS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/15/05 … CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/05/05 … THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/19/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS* / THE DUKES OF HAZZARD (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
08/26/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / MUST LOVE DOGS* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/02/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/09/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / A SOUND OF THUNDER* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/16/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS / THE BROTHERS GRIMM* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/23/05 … ROLL BOUNCE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/30/05 … INTO THE BLUE (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/14/05 … THE FOG (1 week, SDDS)
10/21/05 … STAY (1 week, Dolby Digital)
10/28/05 … NORTH COUNTRY (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/04/05 … SAW II (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/18/05 … GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’ (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
11/23/05 … PRIDE & PREJUDICE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/02/05 … AEON FLUX (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/16/05 … THE FAMILY STONE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/21/05 … FUN WITH DICK & JANE (2 weeks, SDDS-8)

01/06/06 … BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01/27/06 … BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2 (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02/10/06 … FINAL DESTINATION 3 (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/17/06 … FREEDOMLAND (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/03/06 … ULTRAVIOLET (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/10/06 … THE HILLS HAVE EYES (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/24/06 … LARRY THE CABLE GUY: HEALTH INSPECTOR (1 week, Dolby Digital)
03/31/06 … ATL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/07/06 … TAKE THE LEAD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/21/06 … SILENT HILL (1 week, Dolby Digital)
04/28/06 … RV (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05/12/06 … POSEIDON (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/19/06 … THE DA VINCI CODE (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06/28/06 … THE LAKE HOUSE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/07/06 … WASSUP ROCKERS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/21/06 … CLERKS II (1 week, Dolby Digital)
07/28/06 … CLERKS II / SUPERMAN RETURNS* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
08/04/06 … BARNYARD (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/18/06 … MATERIAL GIRLS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/01/06 … CRANK (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09/15/06 … GRIDIRON GANG (1 week, Dolby Digital)
09/22/06 … FLYBOYS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/06/06 … THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE BEGINNING (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10/27/06 … SAW III (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/10/06 … HARSH TIMES (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/22/06 … TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/08/06 … UNACCOMPANIED MINORS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/20/06 … ROCKY BALBOA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01/12/07 … ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/19/07 … THE HITCHER (1 week, Dolby Digital)
01/26/07 … BLOOD & CHOCOLATE (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/02/07 … THE MESSENGERS (1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/09/07 … DREAMGIRLS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
02/14/07 … MUSIC AND LYRICS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03/23/07 … ZODIAC (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/06/07 … SHOOTER (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)

The NATIONAL THEATRE WESTWOOD (POST-MANN)

05/11/07 - THE EX (2 weeks)
05/18/07 - PARIS, JE T'AIME (3 weeks)
06/08/07 - HOSTEL: PART II (2 weeks)
06/22/07 - 1408 (1 week)
06/29/07 - SICKO (4 weeks)
07/27/07 - RESCUE DAWN (2 weeks)
08/10/07 - BECOMING JANE (2 weeks)
08/24/07 - WAR (2 weeks)
09/07/07 - 3:10 TO YUMA (3 weeks)
09/28/07 - FEAST OF LOVE (2 weeks)

Hey Brad, don't forget in the week of 6/22 Transformers and Joshua played during the LA Films fest (and 1408 didn't play on those days).

ConvereseElliot: This is indeed the hardest theatre closing I have had to deal with since living in LA for the last 9 years. The National became my favorite theatre in LA, if not ever. I look at the list and drool at the films i could have seen at the National pre-1998 had I grown up here..

Mark, I lived with this theatre all my life. I grew up in Santa Monica; and at a young 12 or 13 years old I would take the bus to Westwood on Saturdays. My first visit to the National was for The Bad News Bears in 1976; it was the closest theatre playing it near SM. In the Summer of '78 Heaven Can Wait played there from June to end of Sept; I remember seeing it there in August and talking to the Asst mgr at the time who told me the grosses from week to week were fantastic and steady. Word of mouth of HCW kept that theatre filled throught its engagement. I have many stories and much love for the National along with the Village and Bruin; Westwood's BIG 3 THEATRES. It will be odd coming into Westwood it not being there any longer. There was never a time in my memory when it wasn't.

Brad, the first film I saw there was "Saving Private Ryan". I was blown away by the sound during the D-Day scenes. Never saw a 70mm presentation there but I wish I could have. I have seen the Indiana Jones Trilogy at single screeners in 70mm the Seattle/Tacoma area growing up. But they all must have paled in comparison to the National. Wish I could have been there for those. To me, this a perfectly designed theatre, crummy paint and orange curtains and all!

One could probably guess that I became obbsessed with the National by the number of photos I have up on Cinematour here:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

It would have been nice if the management had been kind enough to alert us that it finally was closing, even if it was only a day in advance. I'm sure the owner had this in mind for a long time.

I also have to wonder why someone got all the way up to the roof sign and painted over the theatre's name but left Mann's up there.

I remember going to see "FM" 2 weeks in a row when it opened in 1978. It may have been the first DOLBY film to show there. The film itself was kind of cheezy but the sound was perfection. All I remember is it was amazing at the National. It was wall-to-wall rock music and the theatre rocked. Needless to say the 70's feeling of the film fit into the atmosphere of the theatre. Great fun!

Mark, I worked at the Village in 1981 and a few of us went to the late show opening night of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". One of the Assistant managers snuck us in even though it was sold out. It was pure vintage National; a packed theatre and a energetic crowd. During that time period it was a blast working at a Mann theatre in Westwood. They were the 'it' theatres in Los Angeles and studios would kill to get thier films played at these screens. Mann was pretty much married to Warner and Paramount. In early 1981 mann took over the Regent and Fall 1981 they took over the Plaza. The Regent would get many 'exclusive engagements' that would constantly be sold out. Times have really changed all around in film exhibition and it will never be like that again.

Bill, I was fortunate enough to see Raiders in 70mm at the Southcenter Theatre (RIP) south of Seattle, The interior and layout were very similar to the National (look at the last photo on website below). Sound was never the best though. Center chanel dialogue was always a bit quiet and echoey. They later added a DTS sound system for Jurrasic Park. I saw that an Goldeneye in DTS and it still wasn't that great. Nothing compares to the National!
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2592

Mark: If you are ever back in the Seattle area you may want to pay a visit to Seattle Cinerama. A friend told me about it and it looks to have similarities to the National, the only difference being Paul Allen stepped in and saved it. I wish someone would do the same for the National.
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/360/

D. Packard: Do not hang your head about not seeing 3:10 To Yuma at the National. I had a similar experience here in Portland, back in 2001, when my favorite local theatre the Eastgate was closing. They were showing Raiders Of The Lost Ark as a farewell, but I went against my instincts and instead went to try and meet up with a gal I liked at the time. She promptly brushed me off and I lost the opportunity to say goodbye to an old friend. In my case. I put hormones ahead of my passions, but in your case you had no advance notice the end was coming so abruptly for the National.

ConverseElliot: Seen many a film at the Seattle Cinerama pre-restoration and only one (A.I. - Ugh!) post restoration. The Cinerama feels a little smaller and cocoon-like than the National, and would be more comparable to the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood.

I have never been to your beloved Eastgate but have driven by it and seen the photos on Cinematour. The large house of the eastgate seems more National-ish than the Cinerama.

Both the Rialto Theater in South Pasadena and the Vine Theater in Hollywood have recently closed.
Presently, the Rialto's marquee lists a Sunday worship service, and The Vine's info recording mentions worship services.
Someone should get a church to move its services into the National. (or even start up a church)

Seems to be the thing to do now with defunct cinemas here in So. Cal.! ;)

At one time the Edwards Big Newport Theatre had the same color drapes installed as the National.

SilverCamaro, a developer can generate a greater revenue stream from a retail project than from a church. Besides, how tacky would that type of church look in the center of Westwood Village.

So does that mean when the NuWilshire closes it will be split into half church and half temple? :-)

Mark, you would know better than I about the Seattle Cinerama because I have yet to attend a film there. I may do so in the next few weeks. The Eastgate was a real treasure, especially auditorium 1. I think it may have had as many as 1,300 seats at one point. In the advertising they always billed it as the largest screen and auditorium in the state with wording such as, "Experience the force on Oregon's largest screen...," for "Star Wars". Incidentally, it is now being used as a church similar to what SilverCamaro proposed for the National. Although, having someone occupy the National would obviously be better than seeing it demolished believe me, what the church has done to the Eastgate is a CRIME! I do not know, I really have no room to talk since I never got the chance to visit the National. All I can say is from what I have seen and read of the place, I mourn the loss along with you guys!

To all those that showed up, let's think of that last Thursday night screening of Shooter as the true final night of this great theatre. We gave it a proper farewell, and though the film was mediocre at best, the sound was cranked up and it looked great on that big screen.

Seeing Feast of Love at the National would have brought back none of the fond memories we all have. In fact, it's the type of film that actually is hurt by playing in such a cavernous theatre.

I just wish I had gotten tickets for that Transformers screening.

The Rialto closed too? Sigh I knew it wouldn't last long, every time i went it was empty. I'm sure the Academy in Pasadena will be next. Those are my favorite places, the empty forgotten theatres, i HATE all the crowded modern plexes with parking garages. I hate modern crowds and shopping complexes, I feel completely disassociated and detached with this hideous time we live in. I'm like a bitter anti-social curmudgeon living in the wrong time, lamenting the 70's. I can occasionally be seen shouting madly on street corners like crazed schizophrenic, like in the film "Reflections of Evil", made by some lunatic filmmaker (don't recall his name) Frankly i don't see how ANY cinema's have much of a future, other than the most frequented mega-plexes. Attendance has dropped so much, go to any late eve or early matineee show during the week, maybe 2-3 people in the theatre most of the time.

quote: <<So does that mean when the NuWilshire closes it will be split into half church and half temple? :-) >>
Going even further, if some tri-plex were to close, it could become a combined church, synagogue, and mosque- with interesting relations between the religions! ;)

Seriously, my comment was of course tongue-in-cheek about a church in the National.
I realize that whoever owns that land will be sending in the wrecking ball and building yet another office building or some kind of retail shopping center. Ugh. Even a parking structure would probably make more $$ than the National has in recent days. And adding insult to injury, it will make that intersection a mess for the years of construction.
*sigh*

i didn't knoww the Vine closed. Glad I dipped in after work a few weeks ago. Shots are on Cinematour. Sound was horrible!!!!!!

The Vine Theatre did not get Dolby Stereo ("A", not SR) till around 1998-9. Pacific Theatre ran it barebones in mono in it's day as part of their chain.

"To all those that showed up, let's think of that last Thursday night screening of Shooter as the true final night of this great theatre. We gave it a proper farewell, and though the film was mediocre at best, the sound was cranked up and it looked great on that big screen."

Good thinking---would you really want "Feast Of Love" to be your final memory of the National anyway? They could crank up the sound as much as they wanted and I'm sure that sappy movie would still stink. I'll be glad to take "3:10 to Yuma" with me as the last film I saw there, and I saw many. It was a solid movie that looked awesome on that giant screen. While "Shooter" wasn't great, at least better to have the taste of that film in your mouth as the sendoff for the National instead of "Feast Of Love".

The National in its infancy and a proper goodbye... http://cinemasightlines.com/cinemas_cinemaviews3.php

Thanks for sharing the article. I had a good time when I ran the National.

Thanks for the excellent article. Has anyone who posts here ever been in that Premiere Room? Also, does anyone know if the ladies room remained the same over the years. The photo in the article looks pretty fancy. I guess one of us should have snuck in to take a pic.

The Premiere room is now part of the manager's office. Doesn't look much different. Was in there within the past 4-5 years or so.

Roadshow, What a terrific article. (BTW, totally concur about Lamonica's New York Pizza. Good stuff!)

However, this needs explaining:

"When it reopened, we learned that the National was being leased to a man who also operates the former Mann theatres in Culver City. We were told by a National staffer that he held a year lease on the National until spring 2008..."
But later on: "On Sunday, October 7 2007, with no advance warning, the National Theatre was quietly closed."

Did the "National staffer" do some fibbing to the article's author?
Or maybe that supposed one year lease had a hell of a termination clause...
Bummer

Silver, that's a good question. I don't know all the facts, but I would guess that what happened to the National was not a surprise to anyone involved. You can send a question to the webmaster over there, or post a comment on the message boards...

PS: as an Ex New Yorker, I can't go anywhere near Westwood without a stop at Lamonica's.

This theatre was designed by the Los Angeles firm of Harold W. Levitt & Associates. Their successor firm, Levitt & Moss, maintains on its website this memorial page for Harold Levitt. It doesn't feature any information about the National Theatre, but it does feature a rendering of an unnamed theatre and a photo of the Levitt-designed Fox Valley Circle Theatre in San Diego.

Another interesting thing I've run across is on the website of Behr Browers Architects, the firm which did the plans for the renovations of the Criterion in Santa Monica and the Chinese in Hollywood, as well as renovations of the Mann Village and Bruin theatres in 1999. In a section of their website called "Plan Room", subsection "historic renovations", there is a mention of construction documents prepared for the Mann National Theatre in Westwood. Maybe Mann intended to renovate the National but the project didn't pencil out?

Yes Mann was toying with the idea of Stadium-izing the National for a while. One of their managers told me they were simultaneously considering either a multiplex or an overhaul of the National. I think they abandoned both ideas a while ago.

Since Mann did not own the building the landlord may have turned down the idea too about converting it. Cineplex converted the former National Theatre in Times Square into a tri-plex and the landlord forced them to turn it back into a twin.

Moviefone.com lists "Saw 4" as playing at the National this evening at 7:00 PM. Could this be correct? I know it's also playing at the AVCO.

If you try to buy a ticket on that website, for that movie at this theater, it won't let you, because the National is closed.

Not trying to argue with you, as it is probably just a misprint, but you couldn't buy tickets for "3:10 To Yuma" online at the National either.

In reference to Joe Vogel's email, the rendering is for the South Coast Plaza Theatre in Costa Mesa. That venue has has been vacant since 2000. Alan Hess went by it the other day an informed me that the interior appears to have been gutted. The Valley Circle Theatre was demolished in 1998. Levitt designed a number of theaters for the National General chain, but as they were mostly single screen venues most appear to have been lost while a few may have been multiplexed. There is no question that the National may have been his greatest theater design for sound quality if nothing else. Still, it stands, at least for the moment, as a pristine example of a true Modern Movie Palace of the type we will never see again.

Levitt's work is finally being recognized as one of unique quality in the Late Modern period. Unfortunately this recognition may not be in time to save his great theater designs.

Just got an e-mail saying that the National is scheduled for Demolition to buiild condos, and that there is a City Hall meeting to stop this on THURSDAY, Nov 1 at 10:00AM. Looking for more info on Monday. I'm toold that updates will be posted at http://cinemasightlines.com/cinemas_cinemaviews3.php

Anyone with media contacts, pass this on... This news should be in the trade papers, and on TV news ASAP.

I'm not in LA. When I have visited LA, the National was one of my very favorite theaters to see a movie in. If only more people had attended movies here instead of Century City and elsewhere.....!

You can't save the National, though. The general public,and those who govern, won't understand. It isn't a Golden Age Hollwyood, 1920's, 1930's movie palace, with an architectural style and history that IS appreciated by the general public.

Even if you could "save" the National as architecture, and I'm unsure if ANY buildings built as recently as the National get legal protection anywhere, you wouldn't save it for movies- not daily, not ever. Other uses would be in the building. Way too few people attended for movies in its last years and it won't get reused for entertainment.

Built almost two decades earlier, with exterior arctitecture more easily grasped, and a longer history of movie premieres, was the Cinerama Dome. That was saved, with a megaplex added- on land that was available.

In my humble opinion, I'd suggest people in Los Angeles work hard to preserve entertainment including a movie series in the recently closed Rialto in South Pasadena. The public can appreciate that historic theater.

And, I'd suggest people start to work to ensure that entertainment including a movie series and film premieres continue at the Village & Bruin. In 3 years, the lease is up, and Mann leaves. They are not profitable, even with the revenue of film premieres. If they are not going to have a megaplex added to them, they won't continue as daily movie houses. And, they likely won't have a megaplex added to them. So, work so live shows, concerts, etc. can be hosted, with a film series as stated. Or, those legally protected buildings will become retail stores, restaurants, whatever, but no more movies! Like the Rialto, the general public and government can appreciate why people would want the historic interiors preserved and continued for entertainment, of the Village & Bruin.

And, ATTEND movies at the Majestic Crest in Westwood if you'd like that jewelbox to continue! The decor was added, it isn't historic, won't be protected, but if enough people attend movies there, and the existing operator wishes to continue, it should.

Howard, There is no longterm legal protection, even for a landmark building in LA. The added multiplex is not what "saved" the Cinerama Dome. Regardless of the public outcry, Pacific fully intended to ruin the Dome and engulf it in the new multiplex. What saved the Dome was a proposed lawsuit against the city, which would have stopped the money Pacific wanted to build their new garage.

The Village, Bruin, Rialto and Crest haven't any more chances of surviving a greedy developer than the National does. But MAYBE if the hearing on Thursday gets some attention, people might become a little more aware of what they're losing... so that MAYBE the next endangered theatre might have a better chance.

Interesting strategy: if so many people would appear for the National, imagine how many would appear for the Village, Bruin, Crest, Rialto, etc?

Unfortunately, I don't anticipate many will appear for the National. Tell us how many appear, please.

How big a condo building can they build on the National site? No retail?

I really don't think any of the other theatres would have a huge turnout, either, unless there was a good deal of advance word, and just like with the National, the owner could avoid a public outcry by keeping the place open until its fate is sealed.

If you do a search at http://maps.live.com/Default.aspx?encType=1&v=2&ss=ypid.YN649x11369447&style=r&FORM=LLDP#JnE9eXAuMTA5MjUrTGluZGJyb29rKytMb3MrQW5nZWxlcyU3ZXNzdC4wJTdlcGcuMSZiYj0zNC4xOTc2MDUxNzA4OTc2JTdlLTExOC4yODI5Mjg0NjY3OTclN2UzMy45MTg4NjIxNTE1MjYlN2UtMTE4LjcwODY0ODY4MTY0MQ== you may be able to see the satellite view of the National, which shows it's not really on a very large lot.

Last week the National Theatre held a demo for the DMX Corporation. For their DMX-"Dimensional Movie Xperience". This was just a theatre rental for their "Demo" of the project and not a new lease on life for the National. It is 2K DCI compliant 48 frame technology that creates a 4K look for the production. Part of the demo used 70MM (SDS-70) with a DTS soundtrack. They held a demo like this not so long ago at the Harmony Gold Theatre. (no the Harmony Gold Theatre is not listed here, it's a private Industry theatre).

Confirmed over at Cinema Sightlines:

Meeting between Building & Safety and the Cultural Heritage Commission regarding the planned demolition of the National Theatre.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE TO COME FORWARD AND HAVE THEIR SAY.

TIME: Thursday, Nov 1 at 10:00AM

PLACE: 200 North Spring Street - Room 1010, City Hall - Los Angeles, CA 90012

The National theatre is the final item on the meeting's agenda. 

People should start lobbying for more of those DMX Dimensional 70mm showings before it gets demolished, that sounds cool

So this theater closed for good? GET OVER IT PEOPLE!!

One problem is since no chain has been willing to rescue the National, by running it. The developer could make a deal with the city and use the facade as part of their new design for the new building. It has been done before in many cites. But the rest of the building would be gutted or razed. Other than being a large single screen theatre in Los Angeles, it offers just the decor of the late 1960's. The Village Theatre offers a 1925 style exterior and lobby and a mid 50's style auditorium and the Bruin offers it's exterior marquee and the old poster cases located behind the fake walls under the marquee.

Bill H: This is a website dedicated to preserving theatres. If you don't share that feeling, you needn't waste your time here.

The Dome was constructed in 1963 and the National was in 1969, only six years apart, not decades.

I can readily see the beauty in The National, both as a unique architectural design (the multi-level lobby) and as an incredible place to see movies. Unfortunately, I don't think many others see it as such. But if the only history worth saving has to be 80+ years old, then we're in big trouble. They're clearing these things out and there will be nothing left of the late 70s/early 60s to remember by the time these things would hit historical ripening.

Westwood is an area defined as much by its movie-going as it is by the UCLA campus. Taking The National out of Westwood is going to change the character of Westwood. It might not do it right away, but as I said a few months ago (and as others have more recently commented) losing The National is a major stepping stone to also losing The Village and The Bruin. And for what? Condos? And I'm guessing the type of condos that you would find on any street, in any town, in any state. They're going to allow the removal, no make that the outright destruction of a one of a kind theater to make way for condos? That's almost as bad as when it was going to be a Banana Republic. Westwood's theaters were like their own little cinematic ecosystem. They needed each other to survive. Well, they're about to remove a keystone species and I fear the rest of Westwood is going to soon go extinct cinematically.

I wish I could be there to attend this meeting, but I have to go to New Mexico for work and won't be back in LA until Thursday night. But I would offer this...
History doesn't have to be old to be valuable. Any one's favorite memories are no older than they are.

Cliff, You can fax your supportive comments to the Commissioners, the info is on the National page at Cinema Sightlines.

Westwood used to be defilned by it's movie-going but not anymore, it's almost a ghost-town these days. In this day & age i don't see how ANY single house theatres will survive much longer, the few that are left. And frankly the whole theatrical experience is dead, it's a stay-home based multi-media world of 5000 satellite cable channels to choose from on your widescreen TV. Why would anyone want to bother with a movie theatre, just for some disposable new mainstream film that'll be on cable or DVD 2 weeks later? Oh, people still go, mostly for desperation of something to do, so they'll be around until at least 2012, but it's not the same. And good movies still do RARELY occasionally get made, but seldomly distributed by major studios, their lucky to get a week in release at some small art-house, swept under the carpet, overlooked by the general public.
Like the slogan for the 1973 film "The Last Programme"
The Future is Cancelled

D Packard is right. Studio films today are mostly programmed crap. Thank god niche cable TV is actually giving us something good to watch. We have grown into such an immediate gratification culture that here and now is literally "here and now on my iPhone in the middle of the desert".

I have been delving into that classic era of American Cinema (late 60's to mid 70's) and am wowed by how many good films there are from that pre-blockbuster era. (has anynody seen George Clooney's top 100 DVD list?) I am not blaming Mr. Speilberg or Lucas for creating the blockbuster and sabotaging smart hollywood fims (I am as big of a Star Wars/Indiana Jones junkie as there is...Star Wars 1977-1983 that is) but once hollywood saw the potential they have been trying to saturate our theatre with nothing but blockbuster ever since. And they have to have all that revenue from a film opening wekend. Up front and as soon as possible. And on as many screens as possible. And on DVD 3 months later.

Theatres like the National were built for event films that people would come from miles to see. Trouble is, coming from miles is no longer necessary. And event films are so common-place, they themselves have become less eventful.

In my wildest dreams the National could be run in the way the Cinematheque is run. It would seem LA could support something like that...

The National is one of a kind. Unfortunately audiences do no see the beauty in it. They rather see films in small not very distinguishable multiplexes. Mann was going to remodel it and keep it going a few years back; but the cost of renovating and the chance of re-couping the cost it made it too risky. Film going has changed and films are not made for the palaces anymore; they are made primarily for home theatres. Current movie theatres are a selling tool for DVD and now Hi Def. Films are in and now so quickly and on DVD before you realize. A theatre like the National cannot function as an Indipendently own theatre, Mann barely kept it booked and probably made no money on it. Too late to save it in my opinion; the next fight will be to save the Village and the Bruin.

Remember when a film opened and there was a limit in miles as to the next theatre that could play the film. Well now the film making factory opens on so many screens (3000+) to get the braging rights their film opening to $50 million the first weekend. If you look at the costs of these films to make and market. They are SO high it takes so long to make any profit on it. Films come out on DVD in such a short time, which would long ago go through the ranks of 1st. Run to 2nd and 3rd. run theatres. Those theatres are now fighting to stay alive as people are staying home to watch their HD and SD cable programs. Back in the 50's & 60's hundreds of theatres had to fight off TV to stay alive or dead. The National Theatre is not the first product of the 60's theatre building that has been targeted to be destroyed. It's just to big to make money for the land it sits on. it's all about the profits the company makes and the properties that do not perform well are razed. I'm sad the National is closed, I went to it and was lucky the work the booth afew times. I fact I like the national better than the Village. But since I did not win the Mega-Ball and buy the place. Hollywood & Mann Theatres is the blame for how this theatre was left high and dry.

Brad, Let's don't give up without a fight... every one of us could fax a letter to the Cultural Heritage commission just as easily as posting here. What's that cost anyone? Just a little effort to make it known you WANT the place to stay.

William, I'm not seeing Mann as the culprit here, as much as a landowner who would rather make a bundle now and doesn't give a shit what we're losing. According to the website, there is at least a chance: http://www.preservation.lacity.org/process It takes a big community to save and support a theatre, including people to come up with some variety of viable uses to keep the bills paid.

William, like you I prefer the National over the Village any day. Flawless and optimal presentation for any film, epic or not.

BTW: In light of what is happening with the National, the Rialto and other single-screeners, I was a bit disappointed that the Cinematreasures are holding their meeting to discuss theatre preservation etc. at the brand-spanking-new Landmark 12!!! Less than 2 miles away from Westwood Village, the densest grouping of open single screeners in the country. Are they serious? Are they serious about preservation?

I expressed my disappointment here:
http://cinematreasures.org/news/17409_0_1_0_C/

Feel free to express your feelings as well.

Mark, one of the former theatres I worked was located on that site. The Picwood Theatre was also a theatre that was worth saving. But Pacific Theatres had sold the property long before it closed the house. I guess the meeting for the East Coast would be at something new like the AMC 25 or Regal Union Square, Or if their lucky the Loew's Jersey City Theatre. Most likely the landowner will make a deal to save the facade of the theatre and gut the rest for retail. The National is just to large to operate as a single screen house. I've been to it and run it with just a few people per showing. But it runs with a good amount of people only three days a week (Fri,Sat,Sun). The rest of the week those theatres do fair business. By saying Mann was a culprit is they could have made it work for alittle more time. Mann could have booked the theatre harder. They could have did what Pacific did when the Dome was stuck with a turkey for a few weeks, use profits from one of their other houses to keep it running.

D. Packard,
While I can't point to most of what you said and disagree, the idea that the theatrical experience is dead is exactly the reason why we need The National. Everything you said is accurate, but for anyone that has been to The National, Village, Chinese, Dome, or El Capitan on the opening night of a big (sorry) event film knows that the theatrical experience is alive and kicking... it just needs a church to house its worshipers. That's what those theaters represent. That's why we're all here on this site. That's why The National has to stay.
It's times like now that I do wish studios could own theaters. If all the studios just owned one or two of these palaces, they would ensure that their best product played continuously and would keep the screens much more profitable than they are currently capable, not just with new films, but with classics from their catalog, just as Disney does with The El Capitan. Just imagine if Paramount was able to buy The National, not only would they have a glamorous home for all their premieres and events, but they would make sure that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull played on that screen, just like it should.

Here here Cliff. I wish Speilberg could buy the National and pull a Paul-Allen-Seattle-Cinerama hat trick as a thank you to LA fans. Certainly he has some spare change lying around. Cinematic Philanthropy.

I still think some sort of partial conversion to a Cinema Grill or Movie Drafthouse could make the National viable. A big screen with top notch presentation, good varied food service (maybe in the rear half of the auditorium, leaving some regular seats for regular use/price) Pitch it as moderately upscale and not too rowdy... And a varied program with some family oriented stuff, cult classics, midnight movies, themed nights/programs, personal appearance, panels, etc... take reservations in advance for a VIP section... This is the kind of stuff I think about all the time.

Roadshow,
Unfortunately, it's the stuff that only people who would go there think about. The people who actually run it, they close it down because they can't figure out how to make "The Ex" profitable for two weeks. There are so many ways to make that theater successful, but showing a movie like "Becoming Jane" or running "Trainspotting" at midnight aren't two of them.

Of course not, because keeping the theatre successful was not the real goal. These past few months operation was just a way to make people think the place wasn't going to be torn down. But if a real buyer came along...

So there's no reason why I can't contact every successful food-service theatre operator I can find, and point out what an ideal venue this would be to bring the concept to LA. It's an concept that's new to the area, in a college /upscale community.

The main space might be utilized on several tiers, with a high VIP level at the back, leaving room for a kitchen and two smaller rooms underneath.... A second level added to the upstairs lobby could hold some tables and flatscreens...

Hey, look, it's worth checking into. I'd rather be able to say I tried something rather than just sit around and talk about how impossible and hopeless it all is.

Roadshow,

How familiar are you with the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin? (www.originalalamo.com) They are just opening their new location on 6th street in Austin this week, but if they were ever looking for a move out to the west coast, THIS would be the venue to do it in.

Drinks, specialty films run near the UCLA campus? The Alamo has been very good in promoting their product in their home city, so I'm sure they could promote around LA and the campus. Say it with me now...The Alamo Drafthouse at the National...The Alamo Drafthouse at the National...

Jason I have heard of Alamo Drafthouse, and I have also looked up Studio Movie Grille and Movie Tavern, all of which are successful companies who have their top people listed on their sites. I've been working on a proposal about how many ways the National can can be viable for this purpose, and I hope to send it out by morning.

Meanwhile we have to prepare some kind of presentation regarding the theatre's historical significance...

I am hoping Michael Coate can use some of the National article he was working on.

Oh boy, you need to BE at a Drafthouse screening. It's like no other moviegoing experience currently in the world. Besides the food and the drinks, they also strictly enforce their no-talking and cell phone policy, which has helped keep their sales up. The company has opened cinemas in Houston and San Antonio and no doubt they want to make a big expansion. So why not LA?

The National has plenty of room for kitchen and service space, along with providing, like you said, VIP sections and special seating. It might take that seat count from 1,100 down to about 400-500 or so, but as long as you kept that screen it would be worth it!

The Studio Movie Grills in the Dallas area appear, at least to me, to be more of a sports bar venue. I'd lean more towards the Drafthouse concept which I think would benefit greatly from the nearby campus who are looking for a fun night out.

As for the cinema's current significance, I have an article I posted on efilmcritic.com about the National (the link is posted far up on this page) to contribute.

Jason, two voices are better than one,so please feel free to join me in alerting all of the drafthouse/tavern/etc. operations of the National's potential. I would hope just the mention that one of these businesses might be interested in the National could be reason enough to delay demolition while exploring the possibility. And since this is a very long message string, please re-post the link to your article and also fax it to the Cultural Heritage commissioners at (213) 978-0017.

News From Cinema Sightlines:  
www.cinemasightlines.com

CULTURAL HERITAGE HEARING ON THE NATIONAL THEATRE IN WESTWOOD.

The National Theatre in Westwood is one of the 3 last big-screen, large capacity individual movie theatres still standing in greater Los Angeles. This theatre is a rare example of late 60s-early 70s modern architecture, with some historical significance regarding the motion picture events that have taken place there. Known for superior picture and sound presentation, The National Theatre has been a favorite movie showplace in Los Angeles for over 37 years.

The property owner, Simms Development corp, has definite plans to demolish this irreplaceable theatre, to build condominiums and probably some commercial space.

A group called Friends of the National Theatre is applying to the LA Cultural Heritage Commission to grant the building Historical-Cultural Monument status, which could delay demolition while the case is fully reviewed.

The National application is the final item on the agenda of a meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 1 at 10am in Room 101 of City Hall.

If there is any hope of saving the theatre, this is the opportunity for Friends of the National Theatre, and anyone wishing to speak up with reasons not to destroy it, to come forward.


What: Cultural Heritage Commission Hearing on the National Theatre

When: Thursday, Nov 1 at 10:00AM

Where: LA City Hall - 200 North Spring Street - Room 1010 - Los Angeles, CA 90012

We suggest you make the Cultural Heritage Commissioners aware of your support for the National Theatre, and help them recognize its historical & cultural significance by faxing polite letters to:

Mary Klaus-Martin - President

Richard Barron

Alma Carlisle

Glen C. Dake, ASLA

Miriam "Mia" Guttfreund Lehrer, ASLA

Cultural Heritage Commission
Fax (213) 978-0017

http://preservation.lacity.org/commission/commissioners
http://cityplanning.lacity.org

Just asking to keep the theatre standing isn't as persuasive without some practical ideas for how the theatre could be made into a profitable venture.  We are working on a proposal suggesting that the National could be commercially viable if adapted into the popular Movie Tavern/Studio Movie Grill/Alamo Drafthouse concept, which has yet to be done in this area and seems particularly suitable for an upscale college community like Westwood. 

Keeping the first-rate bigscreen picture & sound presentation, while adapting part of the audience area to accommodate several levels of food service, could broaden the theatre's appeal by offering something for everyone in a way that is not available elsewhere. 

Anyone with other ideas is encouraged to write them up and have them ready for the hearing.  Please take this opportunity to speak up now, rather than regretting later on that the theatre was lost due to lack of support.   TAKE ACTION NOW!

- TJ Edwards, Cinema Sightlines  
Further details at www.cinemasightlines.com

Having spoken with the LA Conservancy and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, I must disagree with the Oct 29 statement by Roadshow that there's no longterm legal protection of buildings designated historic in Los Angeles. In some other states, cities don't have such protection, but they do in Los Angeles. That doesn't mean that any legal system is perfect. It does mean that in general, buildings designated historic stay.

That said, the National hasn't been designated as historic, so doesn't have any protection.

When the Dome was in danger, I was told by the man who won a fight to save it, that landmark protection in LA would last only a year.

I suppose the theatres torn down many years ago, like the Carthay Circle perhaps, of architecture that was no older then than the National's is now, weren't considered old or "historic" enough, either.

People don't learn.

The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted 4-0 to take the National Theatre under consideration as a Historic Cultural Monument for the City of Los Angeles. This first step puts a stay on any demolition plans while the application is reviewed, the site inspected by the Commission and final determination is made.

If the Cultural Heritage Commission votes to declare the National Theatre, the recommendation is forwarded to the City Council for a final vote. The building is located in the 5th council district. That is the district of Councilman Jack Weiss. Mr Weiss has not traditionally been supportive of historic preservation and this
nomination faces major challenges. I would implore anyone who has Jack Weiss' ear and wants to save this theater to work with us.

The ideal will be if a buyer with vision comes forward with a serious offer to take this wonderful venue over and make it work the way it truly can.

I will be posting support letters that have come in for the National over the next few days.

Roadshow, let me repeat, one more time: landmark protection in LA is permanent, NOT only for one year.

The Carthay Circle, if demolished around 1970, might have been a bit early for any city to designate as historic a movie palace. Few American movie palaces were "saved" and reused for other uses before then. No LA movie palace (including the RKO Hillstreet and Metropolitan/Paramount downtown) seems missed as much as the Carthay Circle.

Howard, I am not interested in debating that with you. All I know is what I was told years ago by someone directly involved in the Dome issue. Maybe things have changed in the past few years. Right now I'm more interested in seeing what we can do to assist Charlie's efforts, because he clearly knows what he's doing.

Nothing has changed in the last few years!
Regardless of what you may have heard from whoever, once designated, buildings stay protected.

Also, when a major chain departs operating a moviehouse & an indie takes over, and has a manager barely out of school, and arthouse films that can't fill 10% of the house start to appear....and people who know make it clear that the theater is going to be demolished....why sit around believing the theater has been saved?

Well, now the wool is pulled from eyes, and the interior is being gutted? Is that correct?

Even if the exterior of the National got designated, the interior would be a retail store or restaurant or something. Does that please people?

Here's what is realistic:
Save the South Pasadena Rialto for entertainment.
Save the exterior (and maybe cinema use) of the NuWilshire.
Save the Village & Bruin, for which you have 3 or fewer years to do.
the National for films is done.

To me the interior of the National is the point. It represents (in my mind) perfect auditorium design. (Even if it has funky drapes and uncomfortable old seats).

Howard, I'm curious, where do you live? Not all of us believed the National was saved when it was reopened. It's been written here and elsewhere some time ago that there was a great suspicion, and I believe it was said that a 26 year old manager was a good indication that the theatre's days were numbered. I don't think many of us actually believed it was actually saved.

No one has said the National was being gutted. Yet. Things are being removed. It is very common for a developer to try to deface or destroy a property so there is nothing left to protect. Case in point: Indian Hills Theatre in Omaha.

Declaring the National hopeless is not a constructive statement. Today four people decided it had enough merit to consider. A chance is a chance. Let's proceed calmly and deal with the matter at hand.

There's no mystery there, Roadshow, click on my name. I am a member of the Los Angeles Conservancy as well as the Theatre Historical Society of America, and a frequent contributor to these pages. I've been to almost every historic theater in Los Angeles.

Some of you actually did made snide comments at the insider who said months ago that the theater was going to be demolished. Then, some of you focussed on what classic films could be shown at midnight to the oh so few people who attended. The handwriting was on the wall months ago...but...

Doesn't actually matter- the National wasn't going to continue for movies. That's not what I wish- Mark is right, it is a prefectly designed auditorium.

We all want historic theaters to survive. I agree that the National is worthwhile to consider for historic designation. If it got it though, expecting movies to resume is truly a longshot. Look at the Villa in Salt Lake City, selling rugs.
Of course, if you have a meal & drink movie exhibitor willing to make a serious bid to buy or lease, that would be interesting.

I don't recall recall the so-called insider stating flat out that the National was definitely going to be demolished. I recall him making many snide remarks of his own, repeatedly calling attention to himself with claims about knowing things we didn't, but he wasn't saying anything constructive, only shooting down everything else. His condescending tone didn't lend him much credibility. And if he knew it all why didn't he say anything about the closing on October 7? Some people may have dropped everything and run over there for one last movie.

I don't claim to have all the answers, but at least I have made a constructive effort in contacting three major draftouse/grill theatre chains, and several industry and media news outlets to call attention to the National.

Let me repeat, one more time: Regardless of the outcome, I'd rather be able to say I tried something rather than just sit around and talk about how impossible and hopeless it all is.

Well, then, you will appreciate that on October 6, 1983, the World Premiere in 70mm of "Never Say Never Again" took place at the National.

I walked by the theatre today. There was a brand new standee for "the perfect holiday" outside the open doors, next to a sign directing people to a private screening. The interior hasn't been touched... yet, at least.

"The interior hasn't been touched...."

Roadshow, on November 1, you wrote here
http://cinematreasures.org/news/17463_0_1_20_C/
"The demolition may be temporarily halted, but the owners have already begun to strip away the interior of the theatre."
Why did you make that assertion?

oh-- I didn't go upstairs, so I can only speak of the downstairs lobby.

Thanks for the clarification, but since there's a private screening, it doesn't sound likely that the interior is being stripped away (yet).

Howard maybe it's Standing Room Only. :)

Well, if Roadshow reports that all the chairs are gone, then I guess so!

if all the chairs are stripped then it's begun, the national is gone baby gone.
It's over.
we....have failed (head dipped to floor)

Hold your angst, we were jesting.

There was no screening at the National. There couldn't be, because, as reported on Cinema Sightlines, all the sound equipment has been removed.

You know, I drive by the National every day on my way to work and you'd never guess that it is closed since the huge "Feast of Love" billboard/poster is up on the marquee and I think the one-sheets are there as well. Why wouldn't they take down the signage if it is closed?

The Cultural Heritage Commission inspected the National last Thursday. Everything except the missing sound system appears to be intact. Ronald Simms, the owner-developer told me that he has no desire to reuse the building as "my tenants need parking". It is also my understanding that he has turned down an offer to buy the building. The Cultural Heritage Commission will be voting on November 29th at 10:00 AM in room 1010 at the Los Angeles City Hall on whether or not to recommend that the building should be declared a monument. It is very important that those who love the National Theatre be there to support this nomination. We need to pack the room. If you cannot come, please send letters of support to:

City of Los Angeles
Office of Historic Resources
200 N. Spring Street, Room 620
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Attn: Ken Bernstein

It is an uphill battle, but we can win it if the Cultural Heritage Commission knows that there is a constituency to support the preservation of this one of a kind theater!

shatter, it costs money to remove the signage. The studio would pay for the removal and replace it with the next booking on the marquee. The Embassy 2,3,4 in Times Square had "Enemy of the State" on it's marquee till earlier this summer.

friend of mine said they had a private screening at the National few days ago but i don't believe him (he tends to exaggerate things) said he drove by and saw people milling about inside. I drove by the other night at 2am, (best time to drive anywhere in L.A.) wierd how they left all the interior posters, banners & Feast of Love marquee up, to the average passer-by looks like the place is still operational. There was actually a sign that said "private screening tonight" but i think thats possibly been up there for weeks/months. It looks like the National was just abandoned with everything still in place, frozen in time, playing Feast of Love. Or it's still playing Feast of Love permanantly in another dimension running at a higher frequency, therefore we don't see any patrons or employees.

Footnote of interest, I found this rare footage on Youtube of audience reactions of The Exorcist in 1973 (wish the quality was better) I could sware there are some shots of The National in there but it's hard to tell. Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m70N8-Pm4S0&feature=related

What do you think..is that the National?

yup. thats the national

after studying that footage a bit more I can definately say that IS The National, all of it! Lots of shots of the lobby, concession stand, and a bit of the ext. It was just so dark and fuzzy was hard to tell at first, i mean for gosh sakes i should know I worked at the place back in '84!! Now who is that usher and where is he now?

Here is a March 1984 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/3byyfm

Racing with the Moon with Sean Penn, Elizabeth McGovern and Nicolas Cage was released in March 1984.

I heard from a friend that the vote from the commission was 4-0 againist Landmarking for the National.

Looks like the end is finally, really upon us -

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2007/12/curbedwire_mann.php

Our there any buildings in the US built as recently as 1970 that have been declared historic?

There was at least one building that was declared a cultural-historic monument by the City of Los Angeles when it was only 42 years old; the 1958 Holiday Bowl on Crenshaw, by Armet & Davis, was declared in 2000. Unfortunately, the declaration was not enough to save the place and it was demolished in 2003. There may be other buildings that were declared when they were even newer, but I'm unaware of them.

It's possible that declaring buildings so recent has actually emboldened owners of interesting, potentially landmarkable structures to try to get rid of them or drastically alter them before they get to the age where they might be declared. Maybe that's why the owners of the National are so eager to tear it down now. In a few years years there might be so many supporters of landmarking the building that it would be too late for the owners to easily get a permit to demolish it.

This theater is very nice but it is NOT a landmark!

longislandmovies, what is your definition of a landmark?

A building of historical significance.........

Are you guys going to fight? Is it OK if I watch?

For the purposes of those who would like to save buildings, our personal definitions of the word landmark are of no relevance anyway. If the City's Cultural Heritage Commission says that a pile of decaying wood is a landmark, then that pile of wood gets official protection. If the commission says that one of the last surviving theatres designed by noted local architect Harold Levitt is not a landmark, then the theatre goes without that protection, no matter how many of us consider it a valuable example of late midcentury modern design and worthy of preservation.

No fighting!
This was just a weak case for landmark status..

Was there any truth in the rumor that Robert Redford offered to buy the National for $12million & was turned down by the landlord?

i was down in westwood last night w/a friend, we were gazing in thru the National windows at 3am, it's all being gutted out. Design plans (c. from 1970) were laying on the floor, Feast of Love posters & marquee are still up. We walked to the back and I lamented how i spent half my life waiting by those exit doors back in the early 80's to sneak into Star Trek II or Krull or Temple of Doom for the 100th time (this was before working for Mann Theatres starting in '84, from then on i never had to sneak in) Are they still planning in demolishing the place, erecting an apt bldg? A hardware store? A barber school? what are the gonna do with it does anyone know?
Also, I vaguely recall when Road Warrior was playing there in 70mm (Jan of '83) but i think the film came out in the summer of '82 was that a re-release or hold-over of some sort? I seem to recall (unfortunately) seeing it at a smaller theater in Westwood sometime in '82 and somehow missed the National engagement. And does anyone remember how in that year ('82) they had TV monitors up all over the place, store windows, inside malls, etc and would run 24 hours a day constant trailers & featurettes for all the summer blockbusters, The Thing, Dark Crystal, Blade Runner, Poltergeist, etc
I recall experiences like waiting for a bus at 2am and watching clips from the Thing and the making of The Dark Crystal in some business store window. Sigh, only in those days

I remember watching trailers for Cat People, D.C. Cab, and Rumble Fish on one of those monitors at the Topanga Plaza. I might be wrong about this, but I think they might have been installed by Universal, seeing as all the trailers were for their movies.

P.S.--Bummer about the National. My wish for Santa this year is to find out that it is only being remodeled and Robert Redford is turning it into one of those Sundance theaters he was supposed to open.

D. Packard:

Regarding your "Road Warrior" question, if you'll scroll up to the NATIONAL's exhibition history (posted by Michael Coate on May 14, 2007) you'll see "The Road Warrior" is listed in the 1983 section as a three-week re-release.

And, yes, "The Road Warrior" initially came out in 1982. (The Westwood Village run was at the BRUIN and ran from May 21-June 10 according to 70mm in Los Angeles.)

Holy jeez i remember the monitors at Topanga Plaza too--and I think your right, they may have only been for Universal releases. Topanga Plaza and the Northridge Fashion Center (& Malibu Grand Prix arcade) were my stomping grounds as a kid in the late 70's/early 80's

Interior deconstruction underway:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalDec142007003.jpg

Hi, I used to work at the National for most of the 80's. I have a lot of great memories from there. Good times and good friends. The polyester uniforms and hypnotic carpet were the best.

I got some photos of the downstairs lobby under deconstruction as well as he blueprints sitting near a door mentioned above. I'll send them to Cinemaour for posting soon. Sad. I am in the process of relocating back to Seattle and the closing of the National and the NuWilshire in my old neighborhood in Santa Monica felt like a signal to leave LA. I'll be in LA frequently for work, but when I am not I'll have my beloved Cinerama in Seattle which was spared the National's fate.

My friend lives right next to the Cinerama in Seattle, he seems to think it's not going to last long either but I told him Paul Allen (who i knew back in the 80's) helped revive and save it a few years back. Yea it's a sad scene in L.A., but hey we still have the Village, Chinese and Cineramadome, even though they ruined the front entrance & marquee display at the Dome & Chinese, (why did they do that? the old display looked so much better in the front at the Chinese, as did the large rotating posters that used to straddle aside the dome) not to mention conglomerated them into hideous mega shopping complexes. But, what can you do.

D. Packard,
I knew a Damon Packard that worked at the National Theater. I think that he lived in the Venice area. Could that be you?

Yup, it's me. I was at the National in '84 the Regent in '85, Coronet and Plitt in '86 (during the whole embezzlement crackdown period) then went back to the National again in '89 for a short PT phase, got fired by the manager Isaac for eating M&M's on duty, we still joke about that to this day. Made alot of good friends at the theatres.
It's funny how the 3 phases of the 80's changed, the early 80's; fun & creative, still had the 70's vibe, mid-80's; drastic changes take over, any trace of the 70's wiped out though still a fun and somewhat creative time, late 80's; it's over, heavy restrictions, rules, punishment, Orwell's 1984. This is the period we've basically (more or less) been stuck in, more intensely with each passing decade.
Hey contact me at--
http://www.myspace.com/choogo
http://www.awayteamfanclub.com/reflectionsofevil

"The property owner, Simms Development corp, determined to demolish this irreplaceable theatre, even turned down an offer to buy the building, Simms plans to replace the theatre with "a one-story commercial space with rooftop parking."

Wow, that is one smart developer! A one-story commercial space with rooftop parking....hmmm, that sounds very similar to a structure just across the street and about 50 yards south of the National. The one that used to be Hollywood Video, which closed about 6 months ago and has sat dark and vacant ever since. Even the damm Gap couldn't make it in Westwood. Retail in Westwood has been dead for years, and that particular corner is the worst since it is a block or so off the beaten path. Smart move not selling the theater, Mr. Simms! And good luck!

Commercial opportunities in Westwood are a dime a dozen- and after some of the rents are paid, you're lucky to have a dime.
Granted, this is all blamed on a shooting 20 years ago which killed one person. The elderly in Santa Monica have killed more people with cars than shootings have in Westwood, but whatever.
No, whoever is running Westwood needs to be the subject of a 60 Minutes investigation. One of the nicest parts of LA and the list of established businesses that have come and gone reads like a list of Fortune 1000 companies. This place couldn't even support a McDonalds!
Goofball rents and leasing agreements made on Bizzaro World play more than a little role in Westwoods ennui, I'd love to see THAT blamed instead of a shooting the next time I read an article about why westwood is so vacant.

yea pretty soon cobwebs and tumbleweeds will be blowing thru westwood, i'd love to do a sequel to Omega Man and set it in Westwood, the Charlton Heston character sets up his secret living space inside the National

Westwood got a bit too big for its own good. Back when I worked at the Village in 1981 and 82 I asked management (Mann Execs) if they worried that people may migrate elsewhere eventually to see films and shop; they laughed. Westwood Village needs to become a "Village" again. It needs to be a place you could walk around, shop, eat dinner (or lunch), see a film etc. The odd part about all this is it is not a shopping district any longer and does not draw people unless they happen to decide to see a film; or have dinner there. The Village and Bruin are landmarks but that only protects the shells of the buildings. After Mann drops the lease they could become retail spaces unless someone else takes the leases. My only wish is that Pacific Theatres has the foresight to see potential again with Westwood, and decides to "Arclight" the Village or Bruin. Soon, Westwood Village will be Movie Theatre less unless someone takes interest in it again. The National never had a chance to continue on; we are lucky to have the Village and Bruin still, even though thier days are numbered.

It is indeed bizarre what's happened to Westwood. Remember when there were four music stores there - Tower, The Wherehouse, Musicland, and Penny Lane? Now, zippo. Of course, some of that has to do with the changing nature of the music industry but there is practically no place in Westwood where I browse anymore except perhaps Aahs. Is Kevin Smith's Secret Stash store still open? It always seemed to be closed when I was there!

Happy New Year!

Alan

Kevin Smith's store re-located to share space with LAZERBLAZER on Pico Blvd. There are no stores to browse in Westwood any longer which is why it is no longer draws big crowds. You pretty much have to go a time it so you can see your film, maybe grab a bite to eat somewhere and leave the Village. I used to spend the day in Westwood sometimes, going to the shops, seeing a couple of films and having lunch. The more popular theatres (Century City, Santa Monica promenade, The Grove, Westside Pavilion etc) are also shopping centers.

Westwood is dead. Period. It officially died after the huge riot following UCLA winning the NCAA basketball championship in about 1993-84. Before that it was the bad vibe that followed Mardi Gras at UCLA - remember that? It was like a big carnival every year on the UCLA campus but "a bad element" (i.e gangbangers) started to attend and pretty soon it was gone. This was about 1992 I think. Not to mention City Walk and the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica took a huge chunk of the biz away from Westwood. The worst was when they closed the Hamburger Hamlet and took away a pretty nice and affordable resturant. You used to see a lot of celebs eating and smoozing there on any given night. As mentioned, no more record stores; they closed the Westwood Tower records even before they liquidated their assets when they filed Bankruptcy. No bookstores and I believe Westwood had about 3 of them at one time. All gone. Mario's Italian Resturant is gone - replaced by a CPK - and Mario's had been there forever. Somehow the Haagen Dazs is still hanging on along with Stan's Donuts across from The Village. Westwood had 2 pretty cool resturants at one time: "Yesterday's and "The Old World." They also had a "Good Earth" resturant. All long gone. The Gap is gone and so is Copelands Sporting Goods. I think all the bars are gone too. Used to have a pint at Statton's. Gone. And let's not forget that once upon a time Westwood had a "Ships" Coffee Shop accross from The Avco. Yeah, I'd say Westwood is pretty much dead. And they want to convert the lot where the National was into a retail outlet?? Good luck.

Actually, the Good Earth restaurant reopened a few months ago in the huge space that used to be Madisons bar, right next to the Regent theater. Unfortuantly, it looks nearly empty everytime I pass by. As for bars, Maloneys is still there but is now called O'Haras, and the Westwood Brewing Company (formerly the Chart House circa 1992) is still around as well.

Let us all hope that the new upscale Palazzo apartment buildings that are opening across from the Expo Design Center this month will help breath some new life and business into the village.

UCLA won the NCAA championship in Spring 1995.
And I can't believe that would keep people away- does Boston have to worry about tourists not showing up?
No, Westwood's problems are self-inflicted. Narrow minded landlords writing bad rental agreements and the Westwood community allowing it to happen.
As for Bookstores... Westwood had a B Dalton, a Walden a couple of independent shops and Graphitti comics. Now? They have a mystery book shop (which is pretty cool). Granted Borders killed a lot of teh business, but still...
I've no idea about music stores, but if one could set up shop with a decent contract, they'd do well.

Lets go way back to the early 80's, does anyone remember Westwood had one of the very first video stores to open called "Video 2001", nothing but Beta rentals.
Ah, and does anyone remember Jim Litta's little store right next to the Village called "A Touch of Hollywood" with collectables & movie posters (circa 1984/85) And of course there was a time when the "Westworld" arcade was a thriving place with cool games..the Defender machines all dominated by my high scores (999.975) in permanent memory. And when the game Marble Madness came out, Spielberg (a known Marble Madness maniac, had a game of his own at his office in Amblin) had dominated the high scores with his initials "SAS". Well that was the rumor anyway, hehe

Just SAD!:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan0820080032.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan082008009.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan082008002.jpg

Wow, very sad

Thanks for posting them.

What exactly are they doing? Wrecking or remodeling?

Now a days when they wreak a building, they wrap the exterior of it. It's coming down soon.

Damn.

so, the big question on everyone's mind is...whats going up in it's place?

More vacant retail space?

I cannot deal with going to Westwood lately, only because I did not want to see what this picture is showing. It is the end of a era. I do not know Westwood without the National. :-(

My friend Chad wanted me to post this for him, Chad worked at the National in '88-89 during Rick Pulsipher's stay.
-----
The Sad Demise of Westwood Village is a glaring example of WHAT EXACTLY HAS HAPPENED TO THIS COUNTRY SINCE THE LATE 1980's. There is a vacant apathy and unchecked greed to contend with. People simply do not congregate for fun anymore. Isolated interests, locked in cars with windows up, talking on cellphones, passing by one or more indentikit corporate eatery for a quick bite, no time, no interest, things look too old there in Westwood.
Westwood has become a poorly envisioned and managed hodgepodge of stores and shops that have virtually NO CHARACTER and this is WHAT IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.
What is the point of going to a GRAND CINEMA in order to see a BLAND MOVIE?
Why not wait? Why not Rent? Why not NetFlix? Why not OWN IT TODAY ON DISNEY DVD?
Westwood used to be RollerSkating Playboy Bunnies, Warren Beatty's Heaven Can Wait Billboard up on high for a year; Bookstores, Good Restaurants, Cheap and Easy Parking, Good Films, Good Music Shops stocked with NEW RELEASES THAT MATTERED and people could care about.
NO FEAR, NO PARANOIA, NO PARKING ENFORCEMENT DRONES, NO CELLPHONES.
The National and the Plaza and the Regent and the FourPlex and the Village and the Bruin.
All within WALKING DISTANCE....

"The National and the Plaza and the Regent and the FourPlex and the Village and the Bruin.
All within WALKING DISTANCE...."

Not to mention the U.A. Westwood (turned to the U.A. Egyptian, turned to the Odeon Westwood, turned to the Mann Festival), the U.A. Cinema Ctr. (turned to the U.A. Westwood), the Avco, and the Crest! They may not have been Mann Theaters and they may have been mostly South of Wilshire but they were still withing walking distance and part of the vibrant Westwood movie scene!

Alan Sanborn
(Former U.A. Asst. Mgr.)

Alan (or whoever), is there a page on this website dedicated to the UA Westwood? I can't seem to find it. I have many fond memories of that theater, including seeing Terminator 2 on opening day there in '91. I still go there all the time, but now, of course, it is a CVS pharmacy. At least they kept the theater's outer shell virtually intact.

From today:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan122008003.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan122008004.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan122008007.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan1220080010.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdNationalJan1220080014.jpg

due to the bad weather today there was a gaping hole in the covering of the north west part of the wall and in the inside all i saw was that the whole thing is gutted out. RIP National

wonder what's gonna happen to the big sign? Someone have a big truck and studio to claim it?

Gutted inside out:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalJan28200810.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalJan28200804.jpg

WOW...That last one is pretty sad one.

So are they going to reuse the structure or are they in prep for tearing it all down?

It's going tobe a hole in the ground very soon. It looks like that from what those pictures.

Very sad.

:-(

There will never be a theatre like this ever again. We will be stuck with AMC Plastic Plexes, with no character, cramped seating, and small screens. I'm truly saddened.

I saw 3:10 to Yuma at the National in 2007 after not having been there for maybe 30 years. It all came back to me as soon as I stepped inside: the lamps on end tables, the overstuffed chairs in the lobby, the carpet, the smell of popcorn, even the walk up the stairs to the auditorium, which always felt like walking up to heaven. So many great memories of going to the National when I was a teen, especially my friend and I turning cartwheels at the front of the theatre.

For those who never will get to see the National's interior. You can see a very small part in the film "Zodiac". The filmmaker used the National as a location in the film for a theatre in the San Francisco area.
For those who had a chance to see a film or two there. Should go back over the list posted above and see how many film you saw there.

these are the movies i saw there, rocky (2006), the score (2001), march of the penguins(2005) and the ex (2007). the problem with national, in my opinion, was that no big time blockbusters were never at that theater granted some were, like titanic , but mostly mann village always stole the show.

I saw Zodiac at the National, and that's weird: watching people in a movie watching a movie in the theater you're in. I don't remember the first movie I saw there, but I do remember an advance screening of Wyatt Earp. The audio when a steam train was rolling into town really impressed me.

I've been photographing theaters as a hobby for several years now, and for the most part I'm not interested in anything built after the 60s. The National is a rare exception. Probably because it's very similar to the main theater in the town where I grew up. 70s architecture, golden curtains, big screen and big sound. That was indelibly printed on my psyche as what a movie experience was all about.

In those last months, I saw Ultraviolet and 3:10 To Yuma. And I also took my camera in to get some shots of that great lobby upstairs. I've had employees complain before when I've started taking pictures inside their theaters, but in this case I was pretty sure that no one would bother me, and they didn't.

Zodiac was the last film i saw there, i was always bothered by the fact that Fincher tried to pass that off as some theater in San Francisco, which anyone who knows SF knows is silly. He should've just had a scene where Jake Gyllenhaal is visiting L.A. (for some reason) and goes to see The Exorcist at the National, people are fainting in the isles, and maybe some woman vomits on Gyllenhaal at the same time Linda Blair is vomiting onscreen.
I wonder, was anyone at the very last show of the last film that ran there? (Feast of Love) I don't think anyone knew

I was at the last show for the National as a Mann Theatre. Film was "Shooter". Lousy movie, superb presentation. (pictures on CinemaTour):
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

Here is my complete list cut and paste from above:
02/05/99 … SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital) What an intro to the National!!
05/05/00 … GLADIATOR (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07/13/01 … THE SCORE (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11/16/01 … HEIST (MO, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
05/31/02 … THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12/13/02 … STAR TREK: NEMESIS (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
08/26/05 … MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
07/28/06 … SUPERMAN RETURNS* (MO*, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
12/20/06 … ROCKY BALBOA (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04/06/07 … SHOOTER (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
Wish I could have been there more.
What a great history created by Michael Coates above. I wish he were able to do a grid of all the Westwood theatre bookings during that timeframe. Does any exist out there?

My National visits:

1973:The Mackintosh Man
1975:Dog Day Afternoon
1976:Jaws
The Bad News Bears
The Big Bus
1977:Fun with Dick & Jane
Islands in the Stream
Nasty Habits
Sorcerer
1978:FM
Big Wednesday
Heaven Can Wait
Superman
1979:The Main Event
More American Graffiti
Star Trek The Motion Picture
1980:Little Darlings
The Nude Bomb
Caddyshack
Oh God Book II
Popeye
1981:Incredible Shrinking Woman
Postman Always Rings Twice
The Hand
The Fan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paternity
Reds
1982:Some Kind of Hero
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
Night Shift
1983:The Outsiders
Twilight Zone The Movie
Brainstorm
Star 80
1984:Reckless
Footloose
Greystoke
Indiana Jones Temple of Doom
Tightrope
Body double
Oh God You Devil
1985:Stick
Rustlers' Rhapsody
Explorers
The Black Cauldron
Weird Science
Compromosing Positions
Plenty
To Live & Die In LA
Young Sherlock Holmes
1986:Best of Times
9 1/2 Weeks
Pretty in Pink
Blue City
Top Gun
Heartburn
1987:From the Hip
Some Kind of Wonderful
Secret of My Success
Big Easy
Empire of the Sun
1988:Beetlejuice
Clean & Sober
Running on Empty
Rain Man
1989:Dead Calm
Indiana Jones Last Crusade
License to Kill
Let it Ride
X-Mas Vacation
1990:Hunt for Red October
1991:City Slickers
Star Trek VI
1992:Patriot Games
Boomerang
Honeymoon in Vegas
Husbands & Wives
Hero
A Few Good Men
1993:Point of No Return
The Firm
Undercover Blues
1994:Intersection
The Paper
Jurrasic Park
The Client
Clear/Present Danger
Only You
Interview w/Vampire
Drop Zone
Nell
1995:Brady Bunch Movie
Bye Bye Love
Kiss of Death
Congo
Clueless
Goldeneye
Sabrina
1996:12 Monkeys
Birdcage
Fear
Mission Impossible
Courage Under Fire
A Very Brady Sequel
Bogus
First Wives Club
Star Trek First Contact
1997:Absolute Power
Volcano
Fathers Day
Face Off
Spawn
In & Out
Boogie Nights
The Rainmaker
The Postman
1998:Lost in Space
Truman Show
Your Friends & Neighbors
1999:Austin Powers Spy Who Shagged Me
Runaway Bride
Bringing out the Dead
Talented Mr Ripley
2000:Shaft
The Replacements
Ladies Man
What Women Want
2001:Along Came a Spider
Shrek
Tomb Raider
The Score
Rat Race
Hardball
2002:Super Troopers
Changing Lanes
Spiderman
Sum of all Fears
Simone
Swimfan
Transporter
Star Trek Nemesis
2003:Just Married
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
The Core
Italian Job
Charlies Angels Full throttle
S.W.A.T.
School of Rock
2004:Mean Girls
Manchurian Candidate
Team America World Police
Spongebob Squarepants
Closer
2005:Hitch
Pride & Prejudice
Family Stone
2006:Brokeback Mountain
2007:Music & Lyrics

2007: (Non-Mann) Paris, Je Taime

Those pictures of the National gutted just destoys me. Well the fat lady had most defintely sung, yeah? I recall all the films I saw there over the last 30 years with the last one being "North Country" in 2006. Wow, just so very, very sad. It's a sad day when they close you favourite movie theater. Very much a "Last Picture Show" kind of moment. Hope springs eternal and I had hoped it would be saved from the wrecking ball at the 11th hour. A grand dame of a movie theater if there ever was one. I will miss the lobby and the stairs to the auditorium too as well as the snack bar - not to mention that big screen and when the guy in the booth would crank the sound during the THX plug before the feature. So, good bye old friend I will miss you. RIP Westwood National Theater. And FU Mann Theaters. . .

I really think the blame should fall less with Mann and more with the City of Los Angeles and bad planning in Westwood Village. (Bad Parking, Zoning, rules for # of seats allowed in the area etc.). Plus most movie goers are not theatre geeks like we are and would not understand why the National was an infinitely better place to see a movie than an AMC. Convenience wins the day. Mann might have been lacking the foresight to keep the chain strong and weather the megaplex boom better than it did, but it is a business and because of the prohibitive dynamics of Westwood Village they probably had no other viable solution for National than to shut it down. Any other chain would have had to do the same. You can't "Arclight" a property that is completely surrounded by tenants in a neighborhood that nobody wants to visit.

I don't blame Mann for the downfall of the National either. The blame is on the public who rather go to sub-par AMC Plastic Plexes instead. Mann actually was going back and forth with ideas to keep the theatre going, but realized it would not be profitable in the long run.

Well, in that case I stand corrected. I may have been rather hasty in slagging off and blaming Mann for the National closing. It is just a sign of the times. You are correct; it is symtomatic of a much larger problem. People (like us) just don't care about theaters like The National and they lose money, thus making them a liability and unprofitable. I know that. When folks would rather go to the local supermarket of mega-plexs and see a film in a box or, worse, on their Ipods, how is a single movie theater to survive? I'm still bummed though . . .

One of the problems that hit Westwood and many other areas is how films are booked and released. When the National was built Westwood was only starting it's climb tobe one of the prime areas for first run movies in Los Angeles. It all started out in Downtown Los Angeles along Broadway. Then Broadway and Hollywood districts shared playdates. Then Beverly Hills had some prime houses. And when Beverly Hills dried up in the mid 70's, Westwood was the next area. So Hollywood and Westwood was the First Run districts. Once the the studios started to release 1000's of prints at a time. And chains built more screens those First Run district like Westwood and Hollywood started to lose patrons. Remember many of those theatres in those districts were medium to large houses. So once you cut up that pie and release the film in a theatre afew miles away from your location, it will eat away your business sooner of later. If you look at Metropolitan Theatres and how they handled the theatres along Broadway in their last days as theatres. They closed the smaller ones first while keeping the larger palaces open as long as they could make a profit. Since Mann was just leasing the property, they did what they could. The landlord wanted more money for the new lease.

the mann national sign that was on top is now gone

I guess the status on top will change from closed to demolished.

north west corner top wall exposed, all you can see is the outer skeleton now. Honestly its too bad another theatre group couldnt buy that theater, i.e. AMC or Pacific.

It would be a hard sell for another chain to buy. After Mann Theatres which operated it for most of it's life to walk away. When Mann Theatres operated it, it was on a long lease. So the rent and the bookings had a nice profit margin to operate it. If you go back to the 90's time frame you would have had a true bidding war for the theatre. When UA lost the Egyptian Theatre in Westwood. Many of the major chain had a bidding war for that theatre, Cineplex won out. Which became the Odeon Theatre in Westwood (aka: Festival). When Cinplex dropped the house Mann picked it up at nicer terms than Cineplex was paying. Under Cineplex's terms the theatre could never make a profit for what price they charged admission. It was just a booking perk for them. If it was tobe bought by another chain they would had to plex it, to make it work.

From today:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb02200808.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb02200809.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb02200806.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb02200802.jpg

What a great history created by Michael Coate above. I wish he were able to do a grid of all the Westwood theatre bookings during that timeframe. Does any exist out there?

Thank you, Mark. I'm pleased you have enjoyed the list. It brings back a lot of good memories, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, I do not have any plans to do a similar listing for the other Westwood theaters. The closest thing to what you're seeking may be the 70mm in Los Angeles project, which, while not listing all of the bookings, identifies those films exhibited throughout Westwood in the 70-millimeter format.

On the subject of these booking lists, I'd like to mention, in case you haven't seen it yet, that I recently posted one for the CINERAMA DOME.

Very cool. Thanks Michael. Could you explain how you obtained all this info? I know you are tempted to do the Village next, then the Bruin, the Chinese............

Mark, I put together a small listing for Mann VILLAGE; at least a period I could remember. My employment there was Fall 1980 until January 1983. It is about 98% accurate. My mind is blurry any earlier and beyond that date.

Mann VILLAGE theatre, Westwood (June 1979 - December 2004)

1979

6/8 PLAYERS (3 Weeks)
6/29 BLOODLINE (3 Weeks)
7/20 RUST NEVER SLEEPS (2 Weeks)
8/3 NORTH DALLAS FORTY (9 Weeks)
10/5 “10” (10 Weeks)
12/14 THE JERK (8 Weeks)

1980

2/8 THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (4 Weeks)
3/7 COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (9 Weeks)
5/9 WINGS OF CHANGE (2 Weeks)
5/23 THE SHINING (8 Weeks)
7/18 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (2 Weeks)
8/1 THE HUNTER (5 Weeks)
9/5 THE BIG BRAWL (3 Weeks)
9/26 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (RE: 2 Weeks)
10/10 PRIVATE BENJAMIN (11 Weeks)
12/25 ALTERED STATES (14 Weeks)

1981

4/1 ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE: 1 Week)
4/10 EXCALIBUR (10 Weeks)
6/19 SUPERMAN II (9 weeks)
8/21 FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (5 weeks)
9/25 MOMMIE DEAREST (5 Weeks)
10/30 LOOKER (3 Weeks)
11/20 RAGTIME (4 Weeks)
12/18 NEIGHBORS (5 Weeks)

1982

1/22 SHOOT THE MOON (3 Weeks)
2/12 CANNERY ROW (2 Weeks)
2/26 CHRISTIANE F (3 Weeks)
3/19 VICTOR/VICTORIA (10 Weeks)
5/28 ROCKY III (3 Weeks)
6/18 FIREFOX (4 Weeks)
7/15 TRON (MO: 4 weeks)
8/13 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (13 Weeks)
11/12 CREEPSHOW (4 weeks)
12/10 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (1 week)
12/17 BEST FRIENDS (7 Weeks)

1983
2/11 LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER (1 Week)
2/18 LOVESICK (4 Weeks)
3/18 HIGH ROAD TO CHINA (4 Weeks)
4/15 FLASHDANCE (9 Weeks)
6/17 SUPERMAN III (4 Weeks)
7/15 STAYING ALIVE (12 weeks)
10/7 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (6 Weeks)
11/18 YENTL (13 Weeks)

1984

2/17 LASSITER (2 Weeks)
3/2 AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 Weeks)
4/13 TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (RE:3 Weeks)
5/4 GREYSTOKE (MO:4 Weeks)
6/1 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (7 Weeks)
7/20 BEST DEFENSE (3 Weeks)
8/10 RED DAWN (7 Weeks)
9/28 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1 week)
10/5 TEACHERS (2 Weeks)
10/19 THIEF OF HEARTS (4 Weeks)
11/16 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1 Week)
11/21 SUPERGIRL (2 Weeks)
12/7 2010 (Until sometime Mid/late-January 1985)

I know that in 1985 the Village showed VISIONQUEST, THE SURE THING, THE SLUGGER'S WIFE, LADYHAWKE, A VIEW TO A KILL, SILVERADO, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, INVASION U.S.A.,JAGGED EDGE and ROCKY IV but I cannot remember if there was anything else that year.

Wow! Invasion USA! A Cannon Film has played at the Village!

strange all these pictures of the National never show the workers, it's as if Gremlins were taking apart the place in the middle of the night

the workers are there, if you are around that area around noonish you see the workers get lunch they sneak in behind the barracade and into what the former entrance was into the theatre. Practically speaking, the theatre will probably be demolished within the next few weeks

does anyone remember when a young manager named Mac Carter was manager of the National in '84? i often wonder what became of him.

I just want to thank Hollywood90038 for all the great pictures. I appreciate your efforts in going out and taking those pics and posting them up.

THAT is what this website should be about.

Thank you.

update: roof is gone and all that remains is the outer skeleton

Oh man. Show me photos and break my heart some more . . .

Reading and seeing these reports of the demolishment process is akin to an old friend slowly passing away before your very eyes...
So many memories...
So sad...

soon they will erase our memories that these places ever existed, or that the 70's itself ever existed. Soon all films from the 70's will be destroyed banned and outlawed,..it will be a black hole in time, a 'dead zone' in memory

The National had a nice little homage with the one scene in Zodiac (Even though story was sent in S.F.), But yeah, I have memories of seeing The Bad News Bears in 1976 will a full audience, talk about a 70's moment. We will NEVER have a theatre like the National ever again.

I had only a limited time with the National when I lived in LA from 1998 to 2007, and I am emotionally attached to a few other theatres of this era, but the National is and always will be my favorite theatre. I am just glad I got to experience it before its demise. I am back in LA on business and was driving through Westwood but I could not bear to drive by the National. I saw a movie at The Grove tonight, and still the highest per-screen b.o. theatre in the nation seemed to have no movie-going soul compared to the National. Let's remember it in all it's 70's glory:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134
If only I could travel back in time and catch "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in 70mm there. Those days are gone. Showmanship is gone. Even film itself is going by the wayside in favor of crappy "Digital Presentation". And why go through the hassle when it will be on DVD in 3 months? Heck, steal it off the internet! I am happy to have grown up in the 70's and 80's when movie going was magical, and a treat. When we sat wide eyed, knowing we might not see Han Solo for another 3 years (my parents did not have a VCR). To me the demise of the National represents the demise of movie-going as being something special. (and not "Arclight special"). My cohorts in their 20's have no idea what this means.
Long live the National in the hearts of those who made an effort to see a movie there.

The deconstruction continues:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb05200816a.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb05200811.jpg
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http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb06200802a.jpg
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http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb07200804a.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb07200805a.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb07200808a.jpg

Absolutely heart-wrenching! Thanks for keeping us up to date with your photos, hollywood. The photo with the sun showing the skeleton of the theatre through the wrapping really sets the mood for the end of this wonderful theatre.

I was a high school student, 80-84 when Westwood was in its prime and would be there several times a week (I lived nearby in Brentwood Glen). Now I work at UCLA and walk into the "village" almost every week. What a difference. It's dreary, dead...like some of the previous posters mentioned, it is truly sad when you think of how many record and book stores there were; poster shops; cool stores in general. What do we have now? Ahhs and Urban Outfitters...give me a break. The National was a good theater...RIP...

Very cool. Thanks Michael. I know you are tempted to do the Village next, then the Bruin, the Chinese............

Mark, I would love to do up a list for the CHINESE and, in fact, have had several "fits and starts" at just such a list. That venue poses a challenge, though, because I think these lists work best for single-screen venues, and the period of time when the CHINESE was just a single-screener does not interest me as much as does the '80s & '90s triplex era. Plus, the theater is EIGHTY years old; how long do you think it would take to compile a list???

I don't wish to deal with trying to sort out which titles played the CHINESE's main auditorium vs. those that played on screens II & III. Also, it was common to open a film in #1 then later in the run move it over to II or III. Again, I don't want to deal with any of that. (And the "top" position in the Mann Theater Directory in the newspaper ads was not always an assurance of what was playing in #1.)

Now, the VILLAGE would interest me...at least for the '80s & '90s when I was regularly attending movies there. And seeing BradE41's partial list may just inspire me... (That lengthy post, by the way, ought to have been made on the VILLAGE page, don't you think?!)

But, I'm not convinced there are that many people interested in these bookings/playdates lists. If there were, wouldn't we be seeing more of them?

To really answer your question, I'm more interested in tracking films than theaters, but have been guilty of doing both. The next theater project I'm working on will remain a mystery until posting time. The only clue I'll give is that the venue is not located in Southern California.

The last roof support beam over the vast auditorium is removed:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb08200809.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb08200811.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb08200812.jpg

i think it would be appropriate if some police station depot or govt office is erected in it's place, be a suitable sign of the times,, replace freedom and creativity with punishment and fear!

Why are you living in govt fear....What are you doing in your life!

It is amazing the disposable, throw away society we now live in. McDonalds leaves their buildings up for a short period of time and then tears them down only to erect another McDonalds in its place. Probally a governemnt office building would stand longer than the 37 years that the National occupied this corner of Los Angeles. Hats off to 'Hollywood 90038' for the photography, it strikes me as interesting to note how 'new' looking the concrete block and steel frame works look. I assume that all the fixtures, seats, poster cases, carpet, lighting, etc. were all just scooped and dumped in a landfill somewhere.

UPDATE:

I just walked by the National this morning after working out at the nearby LA Fitness gym. The white plastic covering has been removed and the frame is completely exposed. I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough, depending how you look at it) that the demolition workers were eating lunch and they left the wooden barricade door open and didn't mind if I took a peek inside. Surprisingly, the box office still stands virtually intact, glass windows and all. Even the paper sign that said "Closed for private screening" is still taped to the box office window. Other than that, the white brick walls from the lobby were the only recognizable parts of the structure still there.

I was able to speak with one of the demo workers. He said that the new structure would not be retail with parking on the roof, but rather a mixed use project with ground level retail, apartment units, and subterranean parking. Definetly better for the future of the Village than just more retail.

It's going fast:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200802.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200810.jpg
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http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200873.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200879.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200880.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb09200891.jpg

how sad..

With the decline of Westwood and single screen theaters in general it was inevitable. I imagine the other village theaters are not too far away from getting the axe as well.

Westwood might just return to the days when just the Village, Bruin and the Crest Theatres were the only theatres there.
The Village and Bruin Theatres should be ok for a while, even with the three years left on the lease.

Those latest photos are so sad to see what the National Theatre currently looks like. WOW

Gone, but not forgotten:

The National
Mann Westwood 4
United Atists 4
Mann Plaza

I think unless they Arclight the Village and or the Bruin single screen theaters in Westwood are doomed.

quote: << I think unless they Arclight the Village and or the Bruin single screen theaters in Westwood are doomed. >>
Arclight?
Far better IMO would be if the American Cinematheque organization would take over the Village or the Bruin.
American Cinematheque has apparently successfully absorbed the Aero Theater in Santa Monics into their operation for about three years now.
They've shown they can operate large single screen theaters
Maybe they'll be ready for a new challenge in a few years when Mann eventually bails out on the Village and/or the Bruin.

(One argument for them not to: Westwood is only 4-5 miles away from the Aero. That might too close to be running similar programming)

Great idea, but I'd have to go to bat for the Rialto in South Pasadena first to be given the American Cinemateque treatment as it's near Pasadena and thus might stand a chance of surviving as opposed to the Westwood theatares which are too close to the Aero and that lot in the westside/Santa Monica area. But unfortunately, American Cinemateque cannot save all the great single screen theaters as they can only program so many theaters and they survive on membership and donations, so there is only so much that can be done . . .

well now for a fact i can tell you that the leveling process has begun because the back wall where the screen use to be is now gone. Surprisingly i've seen a movie at every movie theatre in westwood until each theatre was respectively taken away
Mann westwood i saw goldeneye (1995)
mann plaza i saw mr.bean (1997)
UA westwood i saw Beethoven 2, Memento (2000)
and National i've already listed

I do think there is still a future for moviegoing and nice theatres in Westwood. I'm really hoping that the Village and Bruin remain; since they are in the heart a Westwood a resurgence could revolve around them (and the Regent). My guess is within 5 years the Avco and the Festival will be gone and perhaps some kind of tasteful multiplex will join the Village, Bruin and Regent. It is just a matter of someone taking a chance to make it happen; it will never hit the heights of the 70's and 80's again, but Westwood is still a viable market for film exhibition.

I would question the survival of the Regent. Mann already dropped it. Landmark picked it up, but has turned it into an almost Disney-only or move-over house. Plus they built their flagship 12 screener a couple miles away...

The Regent has a couple of good things in its favor; it is small and it is situated in a great location. If Landmark ever dumps it I am sure someone would take over the lease.

Landmark dumped The Rialto in South Pasadena back in August and nobody picked up their lease. I firmly believe that Landmark, with the exception of the NUART, will end up dumping all their single screen houses in the near future in favor of that white elephant they opened on Pico and Westwood Blvd. last year.

It's all about location, the Regent is in a good location. Whereas the Rialto not in a good location now. Because of all the new screens nearby. Landmark tried different policy formats to get business in that theatre. And the numbers did not work in the long run. The Regent works because as Brad said "It's small and good location". There was a recent article a friend sent me about the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, about how it's getting harder and harder to operate.

Back in the day, the Regent was a gold mine; studios loved booking films there because of its size, location, and its ability to sell out quickly. If there was a must see film booked at the Regent it would always have long lines; and it would at times be difficult to get in. It was back in a time when you only could buy tickets before each show; there was no online ticket buying. The Regent was the Arclight and Grove of its time. Landmark tried initially to be semi-exclusive with it, but eventually gave in when they got the Disney contract.

I agree with the last post. I remember when "Raging Bull" opened at the Regent in November 1980. Shows were sold out well in advance. Of course back then Westwood theaters had a late night 11:45 p.m. showing too, with the films letting out close to 2 a.m. Seems incredible now, but often times you had to wait around until that 11:45 p.m. showing to see a film. But then again in 1980 there was plenty to do in Westwood to past the time. Lots of entertainment on the streets too with people busking and, I seem to recall, lots of break dancers on the streets. What in the hell happened?

During that time there was not as many plexes and the studios released films differently (not as many prints on opening day), no internet, less things on cable, just to name afew things. I miss those days, I went to the movies every weekend during that time.

i worked at the Regent for most of 1985, Breakfast Club, St Elmos Fire, Wierd Science, Pee Wee's Adventure. Birdy, etc. It was total madness, chaos, constantly selling out, this was the peek of the hip Brat Pack era, and Westwood was at the center of it. Every girl was in love with Rob Lowe and Andrew McCarthey (and drove a VW Cabriolet), flat top haircuts, hair gel and trench coats were the 'in' thing. I was an outcast of the era, a rejected "film nerd" who only wanted to talk about Spielberg dolly shots and SFX techniques, so i missed out on all the club going fun.

Since last Sunday:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb10200831.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb11200839.jpg
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http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb12200803.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb12200820.jpg
(The Exorcist hasn't left the building)
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb12200831.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/NationalFeb12200852.jpg
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As depressing as these photos are, I have to say it is really impressive how neatly they take down a building these days. Almost a dismantling. Hope they recycle that metal into something good. But, like I said, depressing!!!

yea wierd there's a cross in that one shot--(a piece of hanging metal) like a last brief message from the otherworld, this was the theater where demons were exorcised, and people were fainting left and right. It is a SIGN..a final departing message from Father Merrin

Well, at least it wasn't abandoned and left rotting for decades.

Rest in Peace, National. May you have a place on a corner in movie theater heaven.

Yesterday and this morning:
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WOW, the curtain has fallen. My screen saver right now is the shot of the National Theatre playing "The Exorcist" with the famous window ad on the east side of the building and a parking lot and a Very long line going up Westwood Blvd. towards the old B of A.

Thanks for sharing all those pictures of the National.

Sad. We will never have a theatre like this ever again.

very sad

Alas we bid thee goodbye!

We learned too late that the National was the last freestanding single screen movie palace built in the United States, according to the "Theater Historical Society of America". It was turned down by the Cultural Heritage Commission several weeks before we got the letter. Simms was already into his demolition. The loss of the auditorium and the lobby sealed its fate.

I had hoped some day to see "Blade Runner" in that venue, as it was the perfect arena for that film. However, so many great buildings in Los Angeles are time dated. Just as the replicants, we strive to create our identities, only to have them crumble into dust.

Let us work to save what is left. Let us elect those to office who share our vision. There are other theaters that need help. Let us use the loss of the National as a rallying cry to never let this happen to our history again (Sadly, we know it will.)

The Crest down the street awaits its fate as well. We must work to have it rise from the ashes of the National as a true success in preservation.

It's surreal and gut-wrenching to have witnessed the photographic documentation here of the destruction of the National. (I thank the contributors nonetheless for providing it.)

I attended UCLA from 1973 to 1977, and Westwood Village was, obviously, an extension of the campus. Because I relocated from Los Angeles in 1984, I didn't get to witness -- fortunately! -- the decline of the Village in the ensuing years. It's so hard to believe that restaurants like the Charthouse, Yesterdays, Alice's and the Good Earth are a thing of the past, not to mention the wonderful variety of retail stores -- especially for books and records -- that made the Village such a great place to be, day or night.

In the realm of movie theaters, I was much more captivated at that time by the palaces of downtown L.A., Hollywood and Beverly Hills than the more modest venues of the Village. Nevertheless, the famous window promoting The Exorcist that was painted on the east-facing outside wall of the National was a thoroughly iconic presence during my freshman year, and my memory of the line around the block in the evening is still vivid. And having gained an appreciation for the mid-century modern esthetic over the years (finally!), the loss of the National is incredibly sad to me.

Thirty years ago, I prayed for the revival of the Broadway theater district. The collapse of mainstream retail outlets along Broadway and the sordid types of movies booked at places like the Los Angeles and the State during that era made this seem like a truly impossible dream. I would never in my wildest imagination have thought that plans for a real renaissance of the Broadway district would come to fruition at the same time that one of the largest and most modern venues in Westwood Village would be erased with hardly a tear shed except from movie palace geeks like us!

I recall the loss of the Carthay Circle and the destruction of the Stanley Warner (later Pacific) in Beverly Hills. I remember the pain of other demolitions, too: I hated it when the Richfield Building was taken down; when the magnificent Broadway Wilshire department store (formerly Coulter's) was destroyed, it left a pit in my heart in addition to the pit at the corner of Wilshire and Hauser that's still there 30 years later. For those who don't care about such things, it all must seem a bit silly -- but, truly, some things you never get used to!

This was a hard one to lose. A late period theater, yes, but still a movie palace in the modern-classic sense of the word. So many people tried to sway the Cultural Heritage Commission to help preserve the style and grace of this theater. All fell on deaf ears. As Charlie points out, let's use this as a wake up call to get involved sooner, louder and more passionately in future battles. We can no longer treat America's architecture as disposable commodities!

Here is a September 1973 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/33y73a

Electra Glide in Blue was released in August of 1973.

The National Theatre hosted a Special screening of the movie for Filmex. It must of looked and sounded good on that screen Scope and 4-Track Stereo sound.

As an Assistant Manager in August of 1986, I met my husband while working at the National. At the time, Westwood Managers would gather at Josephina's after hours to drink and B.S. while seated by the fireplace. This was Westwood with cruisers and gangsters, stars and premieres, and young twentysomethings so full of themselves--- full of potential and craving excitement.

Last summer, my husband and I visited LA and brought our children (ages 15, 12, and 8) to see the National for the first time. They have heard all the stories, they have seen the photo albums loaded with snap shots. Shock and sadness cannot begin to describe the feelings I felt as we walked up to the box office to read the sign that said: Theatre Closed. Thank you for your patronage.

Together we walked on the sidewalk along the lobby side doors, peeking inside through cupped hands to see the office, the preview lounge, the hallway to the guys locker room and the grand staircase. As I stood there feeling the growing loss I glanced down at the footing of one of the marble pillars (one of several that adorned the lobby side doors). At the bottom it was cracking with age.

Before I knew it, I gave the footing a quick, swift kick with my boot. Amidst a chorus of yells from my children-- "MOM, what are you DOING?" I dislodged a 5 inch piece of that marble and ran back to our minivan to keep it safe.

That piece of marble has now been added to my treasures of the National. Mann's National (my cashiers used to answer the phone Nan's National) Without that place I wouldn't have married the beautiful soul I still share life with all of these years later.

RIP National Theatre. Thanks Cinema Treasures for allowing me the opportunity to confess my vandalism and bare my heart.

NLSP - that was a beautiful and touching remembrance of the National. Please email me at Ebersonian1@aol.com - i have a question for you.

Karen

I drove through Westwood the other day, it is as sad as you expect seeing the National gone. :-(

Epilogue:
PAST
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PRESENT
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FUTURE (???)
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THE END
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"1-story retail with rooftop parking"? What a useless waste. Why couldn't it at least be something halfway respectable, like offices, apartments, or mixed use?

just think thats what that corner looked like in 1969 and before, minus a few modern surrounding bldgs and cars

Living here on the east coast (New Jersey), I never got out to see the National, but I can see by all the magnificent photo's that you folks out there really lost a treasure. I've said it before, and I'll repeat it again, if this progress, you can have it!!!

Lets not forget the why we loved it:
That great auditorium!

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134

Actually the building prior to 1969 was a great Alan Siple designed market. It was a great loss as well but at least it was replaced with a great theater. This time it appears that greatness is being replaced with mediocrity at best.

Seeing the death of this Queen, it smacks you in the face how much more important the "Business" is, in the glorious term, Show Business. Like daydreaming about winning the lotto, and what would you do with the fortune, I wonder why the people that have made their fortunes by telling their stories to enraptured audiences with flickering light, sit back and watch old Hollywood die away. That anticipation with standing on line on a warm summer night, watching the faces of the exiting show, knowing you were about to go on a thrilling ride. I imagine a group of Oscar winning directors pooling some of their fortune and coming to save the day. Securing a place where generations can see their work with the tradition of the big screen, the grand curtain opening. Taking a cue from Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and truly becoming united artists, but that's just selfish me. I never got to experience this lovely lady, in my travels to Hollywood, I ran to the Chinese, for fear she too one day would be gone. I'm sorry I missed it. I'm sorry generations to come will too. Now with 60" screens in living rooms almost as big as the small screens of the 35plex, you can get the movie, but you'll never get the magic. The actual thrill of a thousand unsuspecting souls leaping out of their seats as Carrie White's hand emerges from her grave, followed by nervous embarrassed laughter for being caught off guard, or the thunderous applause through tears as ET's ship soars through the sky. These are just a few of my countless versions of other's Babe Ruth homerun or Super Bowl memories. These Cinema Treasures are my Shea Stadium and Wrigley Fields. Appreciate them while we have them.

Very well put BobT. It is that magic you speak of that seems to be missing in everyones life these days. My father, a projectionist for 55 years, before moving on to that movie palace in heaven always told me how I missed out on another great treasure, the Roxy, in New York City. And like you, I have seen many a great treasure from my youth fall to the wrecking ball. And yes, even as we speak here, our beloved Shea Stadium, home to those loveable Mets, will see the same fate in less than a year. How sad, how sad in deed.

it's a bit off topic for recent posts but i just wanted to mention i think the new Indiana Jones film looks LOUSY

Mark Campbell: Thanks! That's a great link: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134 to a terrific collection of photos.

One odd photo in that collection caught my eye- the Evacuation Plan, of all things! http://www.cinematour.com/picview.php?db=us&id=44083
Were there really no emergency fire exits towards the front of the auditorium?? So that the only way out of the auditorium for potentially 1112 people would have been towards the rear through the basically two entrance-ways?

I know nothing about Los Angeles fire codes, but that seems dicey for 1112 people.
(I guess I'm just used to seeing illuminated exit signs to the left and/or right of screens now-a-days.)

I have a little movie of the curtain closing for the last time as a Mann Theatre (to applause). Hopefully one day this site or Cinematour can post video. Some of the frames of my tour are from that movie.

That evacuation plan was just for the lobby, which was on the second floor. The theater had the standard exits with lighted signs flanking the screen. They were covered by curtains, so they weren't that obvious.

Mark: Just upload your video to YouTube and link to it from here.

Now there's nothing but a dirt lot with a fence around it.

It is really sad now that the Summer Season is approaching. The National was the "Indiana Jones" theatre in the 80's; "Iron Man" is opening at the Avco and would have/should have been a National movie if Mann kept it. It is an odd experience going to Westwood these days and NOT seeing the National in its usual spot.

I agree wholeheartedly, Brad. "Iron Man" would have been INSANE at the National! Cest la vie!

I think the last movie I saw there was What Lies Beneath way back in 2000. The interior decor was horrible. The way the ceiling and curtains on the walls were. It was like being in a cave with shower curtains on the walls. Those orange and yellow shower curtains! Yuck! Little metal armrests with no cupholders. Did they ever finally add cupholders to the seats? And those funky looking Bose surround speakers!

your crazy, that's what was good about the national the 1970 decor hadn't changed.
Everybody is experiencing a different reality and we are in the middle of a battle of realities

I think the National had the most beautiful interior of any theatre in Los Angeles! And those were JBL speakers...

always looked like shower curtains to me, LOL.

I went to the National a few times in the mid to late '90's. Last time I was there was way back in 2000 I think. I'm pretty sure the surrounds hanging on the wall were Bose back then. Looked like Bose 802's. Maybe they were upgraded to JBL in the early 2000's?

Just curious who does own the Mann chain today. They don't seem to be doing much, no expansion or upgrading. I know I am in the central part of the country so I don't hear that much, but from their
web site it just appears to be the same old thing!

Mark, at one time there was Bose style surround speakers in the National and the Village.

Some recently-taken, post-demolition photos are included in the NATIONAL's photo gallery on the Fans of Showmanship website (membership required).

Does anyone remember Mike Shaw? Mike was the projectionist for Mann Theaters in Westwood for over 20 years. Barton and Rita will remember Mike. I remember Mr Francis and Mr. Haines. The first movie that opened the National was "Boys in The Band"...you are right Chuck Allen did look like a space alien....the stories I could tell. Rita is still at the Chinese in Hollywood

Mike Shaw passed away afew years ago.

I know...I was his partner for 30 years. Mike passed away on Nov 20th, 2000

I remember Mike. He worked with Mac at the Village before Mac went to Showscan. Then Ned and Scott from the Bruin. Carl from the National passed away almost 2 months ago.

wow Rita is still at the Chinese? I'll have to visit her sometime, she was wonderful, probably the most 'chipper' person i've known. I faintly remember some of these projectionists (Mike and Carl) sad to hear of their passing, the projectionist i used to hang out with in the booth at National (back in '84-85, when Trumball left a showscan projector up in the booth for years) was the kind of slightly crazy and paranoid Burt Calderon, but Burt was a great guy, really loved film and had filmmaking aspirations himself. Sigh those were inspiring days when things were still possible, when dreams were still (faintly) alive, the energies of the 60's & 70's were still mildly crackling in the air through the 80's, but they died out completely by 1989

I saw Rita at the Chinese a year or so ago. She looks pretty much precisely the same as she did 20 years ago! I knew Burt fairly well. When I was taking film classes at LACC, he used to always come to the screenings and used to rave about the films that my friends and I did. I'd always say Hi to him when I went to the movies in Westwood. Now, the Carl you're talking about who passed away is not the manager who used to run Midnight movies at the Plaza, is it?

Best wishes,

Alan

That's what i was wondering it can't be THAT Carl could it? I vaguely remember another Carl so assumed it couldn't be him, The Plaza Carl was a young guy, i frequented those Plaza midnight showings.
There was a young bright manager named Mac Carter who ran the National in '84 for a short spell, i've often wondered what became of him, he was a good friend. He was going to USC film school FT while simultaneously managing the National, talk about a juggling act.

Carl Belfour the projectionist is the one who passed away.

I saw an ad on craigslist today looking for a projectionist for the Landmark in W. LA, here is the ad URL http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/tfr/722017577.html
It's not every day you see a "projectionist wanted" post, especially these days, and i know there are some who frequent these boards so thought i'd pass it on

That's because Landmark is looking for a non-union projectionist for the site. Like a AMC style position without the ad.

Rita is not at the Chinese anymore.

Man, am I sad about the NATIONAL THEATER in Westwood being demolished. I remember the big premiere they had for LOST HORIZON there. Probably the biggest premiere that theater ever had. Merv Griffin did a 90 show from inside the lobby. Everyone was there from Ronald Reagan to Lucille Ball. It truly was one of the last great BIG premieres with the old school stars. Unfortunately it rained and rained that night, but boy, it must have been fantastic to see LOST HORIZON in 70mm on that screen.

William, Good God I miss Carl. We were party animals in BelAir in the 90s. My age, and he just goes. Sad.

I had fun times work with and for Carl too.

William, did you see Carl's movie, "Ricky Rosen's Bar Mitzvah?"

Just in Westwood today, how sad to see the corner block of my favorite movie theatre a vacant dirt filled lot. I had many a fun high school night and later college night spent at this theatre. Great 70's architecture and colors but when the lights dimmed and the curtain opened you had one of the largest screens ever and immaculate quality. Along with the Plitt Century Plaza, I miss this place so much! Here in LA we still have the Village, Chinese, and Cinerama Dome, but that's just three compared to what we have lost due to the AMC virus.

I was just thinking about this theater today because it's been about a year now since they destroyed it. As many have seen, the lot still sits empty a year later with no sign of development.

Given the economy now, I have to wonder how long that property will now sit abandoned, with no investor wanting fund development of the site. Seeing as how the loss of the National under the Mann lease seemed to be all about, according to Mann, "unrealistic rent," was the National just under victim of the spiraling greed of the real estate explosion? Given how real estate and the economy in general has been bottoming out, I have to wonder...

Was The National unnecessarily demolished?

It seems to me (and of course I don't know the whole story) that the owners of the land realized everyone seemed to be making a killing on their real estate investments and decided they wanted in on that as well. When Mann's lease came up for renewal, they (from the sound of it) came to Mann with terms that Mann saw as an "unrealistic" jump from the increases they had been accustomed to negotiating. Mann decides it can't operate profitably with those terms, the theater closes, and the landlords cavalierly hack away at a piece of Westwood's history so to quickly make room for one of the countless faceless businesses/building that populate anywhere USA (only to seemingly get F'd in the A when they can't one of those faceless bodies to occupy and pay for that corner - I'm sure investors would never ask things like, "How long was that Hollywood Video across the street there before they closed?")

Now I'm not saying that the landlords don't have every right to try and charge fair market value for the use of their property. They certainly do. But sometimes being profitable isn't always about how much money you can make today. Sometimes you need to be in the business of relationships. The National had occupied that corner for nearly 40 years. It was a Westwood landmark (even if a group of politicians didn't see it as such). It had contributed income for a myriad of Westwood businesses (how many dinners were sold at countless restaurants by National patrons in the village for a night out?). The city made money from parking fees of movie-goers... the list goes on. And it stood with one purpose... to show movies. It should have been allowed to remain as such so long as it wasn't unprofitable for the landlords. They should have made a little extra effort to consider the theater's importance historically and its future potential.

If this is the way it really happened (and I don't know if it is or not, just a theory) then I can only hope that the property has become a huge financial burden for the landlords over the last year and in their singular quest to make an extra dollar they're wishing they'd never have let The National go...
That would be a sweet slice of karma.

Very well put, Cliff.

For those who haven't checked this link, here is an overhead view of the National. Putting the map in "birds eye" view will give you different views. If you zoom in it will give demolition views.

http://maps.live.com/?q=10925+Lindbrook+Drive%2c+Los+Angeles%2c+CA+90024&mkt=en-US&FORM=BYRE

A fair and balanced assessment of the National from a 1 year perspective, Cliff.

Was The National unnecessarily demolished?

Yes.

And nothing can bring it back.

I was a part of the management team in Westwood from 2003-2005. When I left, there was still talk of refurbishing. Most of the money Mann makes in the Westwood area is with premieres - then the production company holding the premeire usually buys out the whole day at top dollar. As far as regular performances, when you have a clunker movie at a theater that sits over 1000, it gets awfully quiet...And very expensive to keep the lights on.

Even a massive film like a Batman doesn't clock the numbers very well past the first two weeks. You're still getting people, mind you - but a hundred or so for an evening performance at, say the 8pm showing, with thirty or so at the earlier shows still doesn't keep the payroll dollars up. That's why the multiplex has become king. In a building with ten theaters - one of them is bound to be the bread winner, or at least medium numbers across the board handle the paid positions, especially with the minimum crew it takes to man one building, as apposed to four buildings, as the case was in Westwood.

This actually has hit me hard just recently, as I fell out of touch with the staff and moved out of the area - I had no idea it was gone until just a month ago! How I would have loved another walk around the theater, like when I left the company...

I was creating training newsletters for our staff at the time, and when I left, I took my own little tour, and whipped up a goodbye edition. If you will allow me to indulge, I think you will find it is fitting to this situation - and the situations like this all over the country:

--------------
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Vincent's Heartfelt Farewell

The neat thing about being in management is that I get the keys to the front door. Recently, knowing my days are numbered, I took advantage of being a key-holder, and went in late at night to take a good look at the buildings I have worked at for for almost two years.

There was no movie playing, of course, and no one else but me in each auditorium. I don't believe in ghosts or channeling, but I am a firm believer in ambiance. With no one talking in front of me, and no one kicking the back of my seat, I let the theatre do the talking. What did I find?

TONS OF PERSONALITY
It's amazing what I noticed: The sheer artistry of the Village. The straight lines and sharp angles of the Bruin. The almost unfathomable size of the National.

Why would I do this late night vigil? To remember just how special these theatres are. To remind myself of what it was like the first time I walked into one (want to know the year? Look up Pink Floyd: The Wall). We get so jaded, working here day after day. These places are living history. They will never build houses like these ever again. People actually ask me if they can just come in and look. People constantly take pictures of the marquees from the street. They are subjects of professional photographers and artists, and the goal of every actor is to one day walk down their red carpets. These theatres are one of a kind, not to be repeated.

I wanted to get one last good look before I didn't have my keys anymore, before I became an average citizen once again. Just a moviegoer, no longer a moviedoer. Yes, I can come to see a movie, but I will no longer be intimately involved with the process. I wanted to remember how lucky I have been: how I was allowed to be a part of the history of these amazing places.

DELUXE PARTING GIFT
As I leave, I want to offer these words of of wisdom to you: Never forget that you are a part of history. The Village not only showed Star Wars Episode III, but the original Star Wars in 1977. The rather uneventful Exorcist: The Beginning played (very briefly) at the National, which Happened to open the Exorcist in 1973. At that time, the National was only three years old!

You are making your own history every day - Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, the Harry Potter films. These films will be remembered, and people will always remember the experience of seeing them here. Every time you see a child walk in for the first time, you are witnessing a lasting memory being created, and you are a part of bringing it to fruition.

Enjoy your time here. Log these memories away in a special place. Never take an opportunity to help our Guests for granted, for it is a memory in the making; both for them, and for you. Twenty years from now, God willing, these places will still be standing. Perhaps you will bring your own children, and will tell them that you worked here, and they will be amazed.

AND FINALLY...
God bless you and keep you - thank you very much for helping me make my own lasting memories. Working with each of you has been a pleasure and a joy. I will miss our day-to-day time together, but I will, of course, see you soon, as I come in and sit down, wait for the lights to dim, the curtain to rise, and the next memory to begin.

Take Care -
Vincent Hase

---------------------------

Well, at least I have my memory of the darkened room, the massive space - and all that ambiance.

Thanks for sharing that vhase. I understand how you felt sitting in the theatre all alone. I did the same thing when the Glenwood Theatre in Overland Park, KS was being demolished. Surprisingly, the property wasn't fenced off and access was easy through holes in the walls. I sat in the original auditorium after it had been gutted. There were still a few seats left and I sat in one remembering the wonderful times I had there. No one was there as it was a Sunday. It felt like how a person would feel being the only family member sitting with a dying relative that no one seems to care about anymore. I could hear traffic outside and life going on as usual, as though the grand ole girl had already been forgotten. I know it sounds strange, but as I left for the last time (it was torn down shortly thereafter), I had a feeling in my stomach as though the theatre was saying "Thank you for caring and please don't forget me".

"The Village not only showed Star Wars Episode III, but the original Star Wars in 1977."

No, it didn't. The 1977 first-run Westwood engagement of "Star Wars" was at the AVCO.

Well, then My General Manager's memory may have been lacking. He'd been around forever - said there was a big argument over it, because George didn't want it at the Village. He may have been confusing the Chinese. He'd been around for a LONG time...

Hardly the point of my post, however.

The point is as you say vhase, its not what played there years ago, its GONE, and thats the real sin here.

Michael, we really do appreciate the info you add here and you are a wealth of Star Wars information and I am glad you post here. However, it does get a bit irritating when you are constantly correcting people about Star Wars. I understand your passion for details as I share it as well, but you have not been elected the Cinema Treasures Star Wars accuracy sheriff. As much as this is a board for cinema related information and I see no problem with trading accurate info with others, it is also about sharing our memories and emotional bond to these old gems. For those whose posts are purely sentimental, some may hesitate to post their feelings and old memories if they feel they are going to be constantly "corrected". It would be much appreciated if you would try to differentiate between the two.

Thanks

"you have not been elected the Cinema Treasures Star Wars accuracy sheriff"

Then perhaps we ought to hold an election. :-)

Seriously, klebrun, I think your criticism of me is misguided. The expression "Don't shoot the messenger" comes to mind.

"The expression "Don't shoot the messenger" comes to mind."

Yes, so please don't shoot me, as I was only offering constructive criticism. I hope you aren't someone who loves to correct others, expects them to understand it, but cannot stand to be corrected themselves? If so,the word "hypocrite" would then come to my mind. :)

Could we please find something else to discuss! There are more important issues to debate related to preservation and film than the tit for tat that is on display here!

Sorry, but this is just a little 'much!"

So, the next time someone asks me "why doesn't THS have a discussion forum on their website"..... 'nuf said.

THS?

Theatre Historical Society

www.historictheatres.org
Theatre Historical Society of America -
Celbrating our 40th year in 2009!

THS is a membership organization for everyone who LOVES the architecture, history and people associated with theaters in America. We publish 5 magazines and 4 newsletters a year (as a benefit of membership), offer a yearly "Conclave" to a different region of the country where we spend 5 days traveling together to visit all kinds of historic theaters (last summer we were in the San Francisco Bay area, this year we will be in the Philadelphia area, next year we will be in and around Indianapolis. We also administer the yearly Weiss Literary Competition with cash prizes. Members also get discounts on theater related publications, including the upcoming re-release of American Theatres of Today.

THE REST OF THE STORY......
THSA is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively records and preserves the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America's theatres. Through its collections and publications, THSA makes available information on more than 15,000 theatres, primarily in the United States, and encourages further research in these areas.

Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, approximately 16 miles west of Chicago's loop, THSA is on the second floor of the York Theatre building. The Society also operates The American Theatre Architecture Archives, an extensive collection of photographs, slides, negatives, books, blueprints, clippings, videos, printed programs, and other material on historic theatres, primarily in the U.S., The American Movie Palace Museum, featuring exhibits of photographs, artworks, antiques, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating primarily to the "golden age of the movie palace."

Thanks for asking! : )

P.S. My comment was certainly not meant to minimalize the wonderful outreach and education that the Cinema Treasures site provides.

THS is proud to work cooperatively with Ross, Patrick and everyone else associated with Cinema Treasures - in fact their stunning book was the recipient of THS's first ever Book of the Year Award. I was only addressing the difficulty of monitoring discussion forums and the tangents that can result from spirited discussion.

Thanks Karen. And, as a member of THSA, I strongly encourage anyone with a love of classic movie theaters to join as well.

As for the Star Wars debates, it's always good to have accurate information. The important thing, though, is for everyone to handle one another with care.

While I know our comments sections produce a number of squabbles, without them, we'd be little more than a database. Your comments create and reflect the community.

-Ross

It is sad seeing that empty lot when I go into Westwood. Makes me kind of wonder what kind of bookings the National would be getting now if it was still around and Mann was still booking it. They can't seem to get decent films into the Chinese. I could only imagine what the National would be getting these days. Towards the end of Mann operating the National it was not getting the top films it once was, actually it was getting alot of trash.

Re: Star Wars. 1977; When they were booking the theatres in Westwood for the Summer, "Star Wars" was not a blimp on the radar. "Sorcerer" and "Exorcist II:The Heretic" were considered to be the big smashes and were booked at the National and Village respetively. If they had known "Star Wars" was going to be huge, no doubt it would have been booked probably instead of "Sorcerer" in Westwood and would have not had the break at the Chinese.

"Star Wars" was only booked at the Chinese for a brief run and forced Mann do a rush remodel on the Mann Hollywood theatre down the street after it became a huge sensation. Later after "Sorcerer" tanked, "Star Wars" returned to the Chinese and played for a whole year.

The moving over to the Hollywood of "Star Wars" really brought bad blood between Fox and Mann Theatres, but they were already commited to "Sorcerer". The bad blood lasted a long time between the two and finally loosed up in the 90's when Mann was booking pretty much all of the Fox films in its Westwood theatres once again, and a few now and then at the Chinese.

During the 1997 re-issues "Star Wars" and "Empire" and "Jedi" had very successful engagements at the Village.

Please forgive my typos on the previous post.

My late partner, Mike Shaw, was the projectionist at the Village theater (for 25 years )when the Star Wars Trilogy was re-issued in 1997

I knew Mike. I worked at the Village from late 1980 into early 1983.

This one breaks my heart. My fav theatre as a kid growing up in LA. My other fav was the ABC Century Plitt. Saw Superman, Indiana Jones and had a great date for Top Gun. A little over a year ago I brought my 7 yo son to Westwood to see the new Indiana Jones movie and for some reason I thought it was at the National. When we pulled into Westwood Village from Wilshire I was in complete shock to find a hole in the ground where the massive National once stood. Knowing there was only one other theatre in Westwood the movie could be showing, we bought our tickets at the Village Theatre and once we got situated in our seats, much to my surprise, tears started to roll down my face. I couldn't believe I was crying about a movie theatre being torn down...this place was special. Ah, the impact of the movies and the places you see them.

Oh, and of course the offence grows the longer that huge hole in the ground remains empty. The "logic" behind tearing the theartre down really hurts.

There was no logic, just greed. I think that now the economy is holding back any new development now, with so many empty retail spaces the need for new ones seems to be last thing on anyone's mind. Westwood is already a ghost town. It is a shame they should not let the National keep running in the meantime. The theatre was a one of a kind theatre that WE WILL NEVER SEE AGAIN.

There's a sign on the lot about 24/7 retail space opening up in Spring of 2009. Oops. I think they're going to miss that deadline.

I think this used to be the location of an A&P market in the fifties and sixties...it got torn down and the Mann went up...time moves on, I guess....

I watched ZODIAC again over the weekend. It is nice to have the National immortalized in this film.

I miss Westwood back when it was a Village. I was at UCLA from 85-88, but had been frequenting since 1980 or so, and it still had all the small town college vibe. Now days it's in a very sad state. I take my mom to her eye doctor on Wilshire/Gayley often and see the vacant weed strewn fenced lot where the National and a lot of my youth once stood. I remember Cafe Casino, DB Levy's, Ships, Acapulco, Pinoccio's, Baxter's, as well as the National, Picwood, Plaza, UA Cinema Center, Mann's Westwood, Plitt, Tower, Wherehouse, Penny Lane, Old World, Alice's, etc... and the entire fun vibe that Westwood had. You didn't need a destination in mind, you just 'went down to the Village' and humg out. Maybe a cafe/restaurant, browsing a bookstore or independent store. Now it's all corporate destination driven trips. No wonder a snooty eatery like EuroChow failed. This is supposed to be a fun free-wheeling college town, not an investment banker high-end 'what's the bottom line' exclusive town. I thank God I got to experience it in the 80's as it is all gone now and all the fun of being young is stripped. Too bad no older teens or UCLA students will ever experience what it was like to go to Mardi Gras, the Homecoming parade, and just hanging out in Westwood on a Friday or Saturday night was like. They may think it is fun but while they have a couple national chain stores and three worthy movie houses left ( Village, Bruin, Crest) they too will soon be gone or be diced into multiplexes. When I was there we had 10+ theatres and tons of stand alone stores. R.I.P. Westwood.

Wow people still on here. I really got sad when my former assist manager Marie told me they finally demolished it. But I feel DJT Cinemas didn't have a plan on how to keep it going. I remember Tom and Don talking about how everything was already booked for the 07 summer and they could only get scraps. Why wouldn't they plan ahead and get some blockbusters before opening. Also the reason the midnite movies failed, they wouldn't give me a budget for advertising. They cut their own throats. They also had the lease on the culver 6. It was third run movies for $6, anyone know if it's still around?

Also what kind of owner has his 17 year old son and 9 year old daughter work concessions during a private screening on a school day?

With CA and Los Angeles in financial crisis, I doubt the reality of this project on this site won't be seen for a while.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/Nationalsite2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/Nationalsite1.jpg

It's too bad the Cultural Heritage Commission views history strictly as a year and not via some sort of cultural impact (as their name would suggest). Maybe they can right this wrong and if that land stays vacant for more than forty years, they can hopefully declare the empty lot a landmark.

Well, Westwood residents wanted less traffic, less congestion, and over just less. They're certainly getting their wish. A few more years and we might have several empty lots and loads of vacant storefronts. That'll really up the property value in the neighborhood.

wow, we're still here, posting. Some of my friends are just NOW (at the end of 2009) discovering the demise of the place. I've toyed around with the idea of making a film about working at Mann Theaters in Westwood at the time ('83-85) It could be like American Graffiti of the 80's in the cinema world of Westwood Village, and how things changed drastically in the late 80's, leading up to the present day deterioration of everything. (think Leone's Once Upon a Time in America meets American Graffitti) Of course this film will never get made but, I can still toy with idea's, can't I?

D. Packard,
I think it's a testament to just how beloved this theater was that we're still discussing it two years after the final showng on that massive screen. I truly, truly envy you guys that had the opportunity to experience all of Westwood during its 70s and 80s heyday. That's what I loved so much about these theaters... that I could still approximate that feeling whenever I went there now. But I fully know it is/was nothing like being there in the day. You would just hope that the lessons learn by the National are applied to the Village/Bruin (assuming anyone actually paid attention).

Although its always sad to see a big single screen theatre go, this venue required a lot of updating and was lacking many of the amenities today's moviegoers want. The decor was barely above that of a suburban basement or an outdated Holiday Inn. A big single screen without additional screens to support it, is not a commercially viable venture anymore. To say it could be turned into a revival house is ridiculous. The Beverly Cinema barely survives.

This was one of the last examples of this architect's theatre work to still stand. Architect Harold Levitt's only other existing theatre design seems to be the theatre inside the Academy of Motion Picture building he designed. Although I consider that building on Wilshire to be one of the great architectural abominations of LA, the 1000 seat theatre inside is huge, has a big screen and excellent projection.

If you're still saddened by the loss of the National, then a visit to the Academy theatre for a screening is the next best thing. The future is the Regal LA Live opening downtown next week. Like it or not, the megaplex with faux Deco interiors, easy parking and endless concessions is what makes a profit. This is what keeps the movie business alive. At least the main auditorium with 800 seats and a balcony level seems like it will be quite a nice place to catch a film.

Time moves on. The National was a nice example of cinema architecture of its time. Architectural worthy of preservation? No. Capable of continuing to be a commercially viable venue? No. But its still a loss for all of those with good memories of the place and for a time when movies only played in big, single screen auditoriums.

Another one bites the dust!!!!!!!

From Boxoffice, August 31, 1970, an article about the National with several photos.

That was a great post of the 1970 Box Office mag, I posted it on my facebook page weeks ago. Does anyone know if there are any archived pics of Westwood in the 70's/80's anywhere online?

Damon, I have a few hundred shots of Westwood and Hollywood& other Los Angeles theatres from 70's through the 90's. I have not really started at the large job of transfering them from slides and to scan the prints & negs yet. I even have the shots of the Village without the FOX sign on the tower and shots of it returning to the top of the tower. Even it sitting on a truck bed between the two theatre.

went to see Book of Eli at the Village last night. Where the National once stood is now a chainlink fenced-off empty lot, densely covered with 3 to 4 foot high weeds. It'll probably be that way for a while. Lots of empty retail space in westwood right now.