Highland Theatres
5604 N. Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles,
CA
90042
5604 N. Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles,
CA
90042
18 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres
Architects: Lewis Arthur Smith
Styles: Moorish
Previous Names: Highland Theatre, Highland 3 Theatres
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Dec 24, 2004 — Highland Theatre Cameo In "The Singing Detective"
Designed by noted theatre architect Louis Arthur Smith in 1924. The 1,450-seat Highland Theatre was opened on March 5, 1925. By June 1938 it was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres. This historic theatre has been triplexed in recent years with the seating capacity reduced to 465 (110, 130 & 225).
The Highland Theatre was once the entertainment hot spot of the Highland Park district, but it, like the area, has seen difficult times over the years. The theatre has continued to hold on, despite its proximity to downtown, and the tumult of time that seems to affect Los Angeles more than any other metropolis.
After 75 years, the Highland Theatre is largely forgotten beyond its neighborhood, but it is still a classic Cinema Treasure and one of the few remaining L.A. Smith designed theatres. The Highland Theatre now benefits by being just around the corner from the recently opened Highland Park station on the Metro Gold Line. The building was ‘For Sale’ in August 2022.
It was suddenly closed on February 29, 2024 due to a lease extension problem. The final movies were “Bob Marley:One Love” & “Dune Part Two”.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 40 comments)
Cool photos hollywood90038.
The Highland Theater’s marquee turns up in the new John C. Reilly movie Cyrus.
I took the Gold Line(via the Red Line from N Hollywood) and on 6/14 saw the Shrek movie. I agree that the area is very historic and gradually improving and relatively safe, even at night. You’re right, what a bargain, especially the senior rate.
Usually, lower economic areas are penalized but you can actually see a first run at the Highland for half the price of the West Side. It would be nice if they occasionally showed some specialty or classic movies like the Art Theater in Long Beach.
I visited this theatre on Nov. 17, and saw “Due Date” in Cinema 1. I was rather disappointed in the presentation. First of all, it was a scope picture, but the screen doesn’t have movable masking and everything is shown in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. So on a scope picture, the edges are cropped off. Second, the right side of the screen was out of focus. Third, the CinemaScope lens was not properly set, resulting in a slanted picture. The green scratches in the picture were not straight up and down, but slanted, as were the end credits. It seems that the projectionist is one of those who just turns the projector on, and doesn’t stick around to fine-tune the focus or make other adjustments.
Are all the cinemas the same size? Cinema 1 seemed pretty small considering the size of the building and that there are three auditoriums in it.
The main house (#2) is pretty big—definitely in the 300 seat realm—but the other two are very small. All have fixed aspect ratios, so yes, it’s a place for Flat movies only really. The price pretty much reflects what you get.
Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation will be doing an ALL ABOUT Tour at the Highland Theatre on November 21 at 10am. The Highland Theatre has been entertaining the local community for 90 years, and is the last theatre remaining in the area. Designed by L.A. Smith, (who also designed the Rialto) and opened in 1925 as a vaudeville house, the Highland has a complete stage, dressing rooms and balcony, all have been hidden from view for decades. LAHTF has been given full access, our ALL ABOUT tour will take you to parts of the theatre that the public hasn’t seen in years, and other places that have never been accessible to the public! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to rediscover a classic treasure! We are also thriled to be screening a special documentary: “The Highland Theatre: A Legacy Uncovered”, created and produced by the Highland Park Independent Film Festival.
For tickets and info: http://tinyurl.com/HighlandALLABOUT
LAHTF Members get $10 off each ticket! Click the REDEEM BENEFITS and enter your email and name as instructed, your discount will be applied.
Featured in Season 2 Episode 5 of the Netflix/Judd Apatow series “Love”. How great that this cool neighborhood theatre is still going!
The theater building is up for sale:
https://www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhoods/highland_park/highland-parks-last-remaining-movie-house-goes-up-for-sale/article_727ec90e-15c4-11ed-bc54-f3a9443bc7ae.html
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/5600-N-Figueroa-St-Los-Angeles-CA/26235428/
Three Theaters:
110, 130, and 225 seats
The Highland succumbed to the modern entertainment times, like so many other theaters have over the years. I hope someone or some coalition can restore the theater and keep it from being torn down.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-03-01/highland-theatre-highland-park-movie-theater-closed