NuWilshire Theatre

Now owned by Landmark and renamed the NuWilshire Theatre: http://www.landmarktheaters.com/market/LosAngeles/NuWilshireTheatre.htm

Carved in two in the early or mid-'90s, I believe. Fortunately, they kept the nice neon marquee that dates back a few decades.

As the former manager of the NuWilshire in the early to mid 90s, I can say with authority that the theatre was definitely split in the 1970s.

When the Wilshire Theatre opened it seated 1189 people. When this theatre opened it was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres then National General Theatres then Mann Theatres and now Landmark Theatres.

The Wilshire was designed by John Montgomery (J.M.) Cooper, who was also the architect of the Roxie on Broadway in Los Angeles.

Is this split up and down or down the middle?

It was twinned down the middle. Some of the seats are still at the original angle towards the screen.

This is such a well run theatre. They have a very spirited staff who are always pleasant, efficient, courteous and often fun, sometimes with adornments to match the movie as they did with "Blair Witch".

Does the sign outside still say "Wilshire" even though the theatre's name is now "NuWilshire" ?

I live around the corner from the NuWilshire and yes, the sign still says "Wilshire."

I saw Mel Brook's "Silent Movie" this weekend. Near the end of the movie, they do a sneak preview of their film (called "Silent Movie") and I think the exterior is this theater. Anyone confirm this?

In "Silent Movie" they used the Fox Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills as a location.

Fox West Coast Theatres did a extensive remodeling to the Wilshire Theatre in mid 1961, with it reopening in the fall of that year. During this remodel Fox West Coast Theatres spent nearly $100,000 in modernizing the theatre. In this they did a complete revision of the front and entrance area and a reseating of the auditorium. In this remodeling the capacity was reduced to 836 from the 1189 in the past. In the reseating they installed American Bodiform chairs in a new plan for inproved sightlines and comfort. In this plan it provided a distrance of 36 inches back to back on the main floor and 38 inches in the loge section. Auditorium redecoration features new draperies for a screen extending all most to walls and modern luminaries. A new facade has been erected fo imported tile into which the box office has been integrated on the right side. The new lobby scheme also incorporates large aluminum poster cases. Remodeling included general modernization of illumination, a new ladies cosmetic room, completely refurbished wash rooms and new Alexander Smith carpeting through the theatre as part of a fresh decorative scheme colorful and lively with pattern. A new colorful concession stand opposite the metal framed glass doors. In its decorative aspects, the renovation was pointed,as expressed in a statement by the circuit, "to provide atmosshere of color, glamor and luxury tastefully combined with one of relaxation."

The next remodel would come when Mann Theatres twinned the theatre in the 70's.

This is a 1938 photo from the LA Library:

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028810.jpg

Here is a picture shortly before the grand opening in 1930:

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028809.jpg

Does anyone know if the murder/robbery at this theater in 1987 was ever solved?

You may be thinking of the Silent Movie theater on Fairfax.

There was a robbery around that time at that theatre. The Silent Movie Theatre also had one.

Here is a recent photo of the NuWilshire Theater.

1992 from the Santa Monica PL:
http://tinyurl.com/2tjvml

Looks like the NuWilshire will be closing down by the end of this month. It is time for us to say goodbye to one of the oldest and grandest art houses in Los Angeles. It will be missed by many but unfortunately we are not the ones in charge. It would be nice if someone could at least explain the reasons why... Anybody?

Geesh!!! Landmark is dumping almost all of thier SoCal theatres. Last month the Rialto. Will they dump The Regent Westwood next?

I grew up in Santa Monica and frequented the theatre when it was a single screen MANN theatre. My mother worked there as a teenager in the 1940's. Sad loss. Perhaps Regency will pickup the lease. It seems in thier league.

Indeed, 1st the Rialto in South Pasadena, and now this one. As Landmark continues to build megaplex arthouses, people should realize that Landmark may no longer be interested in historic neighborhood moviehouses. Landmark wants you to go to their new megaplex-that's why.

Landmark should change thier name since they are pretty much dumping all the "Landmark" theatres they operate. Unless the owner is demolishing the building, I'm sure someone will take over the lease.

They'd better not dump the Nuart!

Landmark recently did a extensive face lift on the Nuart, it may be safe (for now).

It does not look like the NuWilshire will close in October. They have a film called SHARKWATER opening Nov 2.

I have not been to the NuWilshire since the new Landmark 12 plex has opened, but the crowds were usually pretty good there. I think there are plenty who would prefer not to drive all the way to the Westside Pavillion for the more expensive Landmark 12 when they could walk to the cozy NuWilshire (or Laemmle Monica 4 Plex). I find it disconcerting that Landmark wants to evolve into a chic, upscale art/indpependent megaplex chain. I went to the new Landmark and saw Into the Wild there and found the whole experience a bit sterile and cold. The film has now expanded its run to include the NuWilshire, where I would have preferred to see it in retrospect.

If Landmark does dump it, hopefully Laemmle or Regency will pick it up. Really, where would you rather see a restored Fellini film, or the latest French or Russian period drama? At the sterile Landmark, which looks like it is trying to emulate the latest hip hotel lobby, or a cozier setting, like the NuWilshire, the Royal, or the Monica 4 where you may want to linger in the lobby and talk to your friends about the film you just saw while deciding where to grab a bite...

I think someone will snap up the NuWilshire once Landmark lets it go. Landmark seems to want to focus on the Landmark 12 and wants to become an AMC for the art theatre crowd. I have not been to the Landmark 12 and have no plans to ever go.

The Nuart is safe. The NuWilshire will have its last day on November 8th of this year. It will be missed.

The Regent has to follow soon. Unless Landmark has a long-term deal with Disney product. (which rather dilutes their in my mind).

Does Landmark own this theater?

If owned by someone else, and IF the rent is right, and IF the theater is still profitable (lots of ticket buyers!), then maybe one of those other movie operators will be interested. If there are as few ticket buyers as the South Pasadena Rialto, or apparently the National had, then forget its reopening.

And, if Landmark owns it, they may not wish a competitor to reopen it. They could rent it out for non-entertainment or sell to a developer.

Mann Theatres operated the Wilshire, and I think they leased it. One problem is that the theatre sits on a nice piece of land on Wilshire Blvd.. The stores next to the property are all regular retail, nothing special. There is a small city owned metered parking lot on the stagehouse side of the building. Most of the original decor of the theatre was removed in the twinning. Landmark added stereo after Mann left.

Landmark does not own the NuWilshire. The company was renting from an owner who has been trying to get them out for a while now. As much of a fan I am of the theater and as familiar as I am with its history I would love to see another theater company pick it up. Unfortunately this may not happen. About 3 or 4 months ago, an article was printed in the Santa Monica Daily paper regarding the theatre closing. It seems that the lease was to be up in a few years and the owner was planning to open up a jeans outlet in its place. There was something in the article about having a new underground parking facility which seems a bit absurd. However, the lease had not run out yet and that is why I was not shocked to hear about the theater closing now but a bit surprised that the end had come so soon. The NuWilshire Theatre, as far as I know, was actually the most profitable theater for Landmark in Los Angeles the past year. The Nuart sort of lost out due to the expense of neverending renovations it went through. So although it seems like Landmark is changing their plan as far as the type of theatres they own and operate, I wouldn't be so sure that it was completely up to them to close the Nuwilshire in the first place. After all, it is going to take the company a long while to make the money back that was put into The Landmark and I think the Nuwilshire seemed like something they would want to keep around at least until The Landmark became profitable itself. When I get the facts, I will post again.

While I do not have any clearer details, what the above poster said is true: Landmark does not want to leave, but it has been effectively given the heave by the property owner.

The recourse that film lovers may have is that in order for the owner to get anything done with the building, such as put in his underground parking or redo the interior, he must get approval from Santa Monica city council. He owns a retirement home nearby that he has repeatedly attempted to raze for luxury apartments, but the residents have mobilized each time his application comes up in front of council and vigorously protested, thus keeping him from kicking them out. So if enough people go to protest his plans when he tries to get them past council, he may have to give up. It won't be easy, it will require effort, but there is some degree of hope.

The Westwood Regent is safe for now: a long-term lease is in effect.

If the Westwood Regent real estate value is higher than as a moviehouse, it is safe only as long as Landmark wishes to stay there (gets enough movie customers & doesn't want to leave to focus on multiplex). If the landlord could get higher rent from another tenant or sell for great profit to a developer, and if Landmark is happy to leave, then they both agree to end the lease early.

If there the NuWilshire lease had another few years, then Landmark didn't need to depart, right?

See the Regent Theatre was retail before Laemmle Theatres turned it into a movie theatre and then Mann Theatres won the new lease and redid the theatre in their blue color decor. Since the Regent is somewhat small, it's safe unless the owners own the other properties next door. The NuWilshire would be safe till the lease is up or theatre stops making money for the chain. The city council route would work more for the retirement home but the landlord could close the property (theatre) and let it sit and tell and show hardship from not being able to develop the property. And it's about how much more property taxes the city can make on the new building.

From the sound of things; it looks like the owners do not want to own a movie theatre any longer. There goes the idea of another taking over the lease. Adios Wilshire theatre.

I can't believe the owner is so dumb as to sell such a wonderful and historic theatre. I mean, if it was going to be an upgraded theatre, I wouldn't mind as much, but a jean store? Are you serious? Yeah, we really need more stores like that in Santa Monica...Screw the 80 year old theatre. Rediculus. This has been such a great place for the fact that it was out of the way of the Promenade and was just a nice little cozy place to catch an artsy flick.

All of us here are sad that it's closing. And right now we are playing to successful films: Into the Wild and Eastern Promises. These old theatre houses are all we have left of old historic places that are still around, and to just change it and see ANCHOR BLUE all over the building will just be something hard to live with. But ofcourse, the landlord doesn't give a crap. Oh, well.

The problem is that many landlords can make more money on their properties. The landlord is not dumb on this matter. The property value along Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica is very high. The theatre which at one time seated 1200 seats, is a large building with a stagehouse. So the amount of money per square foot that the theatre is using is large. So once that lease ends the landlord can raise that rent to make that theatre so unprofitable, which would be his plan. If Santa Monica cared so much it would have never let Cineplex raze the El Miro (Broadway 4) or Mann Theatres raze the old Criterion for just the facade wall. Both of those theatres original decors out did the Wilshire.

Well, we've started to tell people about the closing of the theatre and from every person we told, grief and sadness was expressed. Unfortunetly, since there is no way of contacting the owner, it's impossible to do anything to the theatre now. I'm surprised at Santa Monica for allowing this to go forward, but I guess this is just another factor of business and how important it is for people to make profit. Yeah, there is a large amount of space behind the two screens at my theatre. A lot of storage space that could be used, but still, lol!!!

There has been a lot of changes in how Santa Monica runs in the last 10 years. There are ways for landlords to change rent control apartments, by taking them off the market for alittle over a year and then re-entering them back on the market at larger rents. The city council changed many rules and laws about housing and business and the landlords all want their larger cut of the rent pie. Santa Monica is not as friendly as it once was.

Very true, all thanks to City Hall, which by the way has been more corrupt then ever. They've been trying to approve the removal of 50+ ficus trees on 2nd and 4th streets, and the people are highly against this. This just prooves how Santa Monica is not a green city thanks to City Hall. Luckily, the "Treesavers" have been successful to halt the actions until October 26th. Let's hope that lasts. It would be such a blow to have 50 natural grown tress gone along with the NuWilshire.

I lived in Santa Monica for 30 years. My favorite house was the old Criterion. The theatre was big and roomy great scope picture. No real changes on that theatre from 1966 to close. I enjoyed the Wilshire, but never worked it.

Right now the staff and I are taking as many pictures as possible to remember how unique and unaverage this theatre is.

Please be sure to get auditorium pictures from both directions and booth pics and send them to Cinematour.com

Will do. Can you give me a specific e-mail I can send the pictures to?

Responding to an earlier comment - why is there "no way of contacting the owner"? Is he dead?

newsroom@cinematour.com
put theatre name and address in the email. They'll post them on their website.
www.cinematour.com

Any stats (# of seats per auditorium etc) you can include as well. You can also send that info into this website.

No, he's not dead. He just doesn't want to be bothered by anyone because I'm sure he knows that if it was possible to contact him people would call him nonstop and that might actually make him fell guilty and not want to close the place down.

I'm sure that he is legally required to have contact information at the tax assessor's office. Someone want to go down there, copy it down, and post it here?

The images I have a are a little distorted, but I will get better ones later on. I'll add the address to the theatre as well.

Man, I sure am going to miss this place. Even though I've only been working there since last May. I remember the first time I came there, back in 1999, to see The Blair Witch Project. Man, and to think that would be a place I would be working eight years later and to see it go, is just amazing and sad at the same time. A jean store...yeah...what an idea. Just what Santa Monica needs. *Even though there already is an Ancor Blue and Lucky Jeans just on Montana several blocks up. [rolls eyes]

Man, last night sure drew a big crowd for Into the Wild. We had 130+ people attend our 8:15 show. My dad even stopped by. Although it was crowded like crazy, it was nice to know that my theatre drew in a crowd near closing time. I felt really good about having a nice large crowd in our little theatre, and hoped to witness these things in the future. But, I guess after the 4th, those days will be long gone.

Good that people knew of its pending closure so they can say goodbye.
This theater was built with almost 1200 seats and above comment says after a remodel it had 800 seats. Split in two, that means each screen started with 600 and has 400 seats now? To have 130 attend on a Saturday evening doesn't sound enough to keep the theater open under another oerator. My question is will the entire building be demolished?

Well, actually no matter how many people we had come in, the building has already been sold so we would be closing reguardless. This particular Landmark theatre has been making more money than all other theatres, but since the owner has sucessfully sold the theatre to another company, we will be closing no matter what.

Nushboy07: How many seats in each auditorium? I've always felt the left one was slightly larger.

The theater to the left when you walk in hold 317 while the theater on the right holds 307. And 130 for one auditorium on a Saturday night when the movie is this far along in its run, like Into the Wild, is not a bad turnout at all. The theater was doing well. It is not closing due to a lack of profit, but due to leasing terms and a building owner with a different agenda.

Exactly! So, unfortunetly it is inevitable...

Anyone know who the current property owner is?

I to am very sad that The NuWilshire Theatre will soon not be screening films anymore. I recently spoke with the S.M. Landmarks public liaison about this matter and she said that it would be on the agenda for this Nov. 12 meeting. She indicated to me that even if it gets designated a landmark the owners could still change the function of the building. To stop it I think it would require a zoning change. Does anyone know more about this idea?

Landmarks Commission
Santa Monica City Hall, City Council Chambers, Room 213
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

The last day apparently is Nov. 4. At landmarktheatres.com, no showtimes are listed after that.

If so, the NuWilshire's last screening is to be a documentary called "Sharkwater" at 9:40pm Sunday evening.
(Or "Into the Wild" at 8:15 is appropriate: a sad film for a sad occasion.)

Then turn out the lights ...

Yup, that's right. I work tomorrow by the way. I took plenty of pictures. For those of you who would like to see them, just hit me up with your e-mail and I'll be glad to send them to you!

Nushboy put your email in the contact info of your profile.

Done

Man, Halloween sure was lame over at the theatre. My co-worker was really sad because that was her last day working at concession. I'm lucky enough to be working the last day of business...as concession. Great...lol

Nushboy, if you aren't going to send them at cinematour, you could set up a free flickr.com website and post the photos (or the best of them) there. Then, you could link your flickr gallery with a post here, and everybody could see them.

I'm sending them to you guys right now. I already did send you guys some pictures.

Okay, pictures sent.

Nush, when is the actual final day?

Sunday, November 4th 2007

Last day of work :(

Nush, see if you can get some detailed pictures of the booth!

Will do!

What news coverage has this gotten in the local Santa Monica newspapers? (When I lived there, the papers were the daily Evening Outlook and the weekly Independent-Journal; I think they have different names now.)

It was in the Santa Monica Daily Press a couple of weeks ago and before that a few months back. The theatre is now closed, they have already begun to renovate. They ripped out the seats today.

Ave atque vale.

I can't believe this has gotten so little coverage. I'm surprised the L.A. Weekly didn't write this up. Terrible news. I live within walking distance and did not have a clue until now and now it's too late...

In the olds days they would just close the theatre and put on the marquee "Closed for Remodeling". And never reopen the house after a few months of just sitting there.

I used to manage the Penguin restaurant on the corner of Olympic and Lincoln in Santa Monica. The owners told the staff that the restaurant was being closed for two days due to plumbing problems. Guess what, employees, time to find a new waiter job.

Did that have a little fountain in front of it? And wasn't it across from from like a Shell station too?

No Shell station when I was there in the late eighties. We did have a fountain. The homeless guys used to try and steal my poor little goldfish in the fountain, to eat I guess. Not much of a meal.

I remember that place, I ate there a few times and drove past it many times.

I would have recommended the second option.

Thanks to everyone who made the last show! It was great meeting you guys!

This was weird, but lastnight after getting back from class, I noticed that all of the front lights were on at the NuWilshire. This included the marque and the poster cases. Strange since all of the staff had to leave the premises by one that afternoon. I know no one from our staff was there. The newcoming crew sent from the owner must have turned them on for some reason. Weird...

I had not seen a film here in a decade (the film was "Delta of Venus") but I would have liked to have seen one last film here.

Yeah, that would have been nice. *The city hall meeting is going to be tomorrow. It will involve wither the property should remain a theatre or not. I hope it will.

Is that the Landmarks Commision meeting? Is anyone going?

I think it's not up to the city hall meeting as to the property remaining a theatre. They can recommend the owner save the facade of the theatre on the new building. So if he did not want or like Landmark as a tenant. He would make it very hard for any other chain to lease the house. I enjoyed going to the Wilshire may times when I lived in Santa Monica, but the original Criterion was my favorite of the two. If you look at what that theatre looked like from it's thread. That theatre remained a 1200 seat single for the longest time.

Hmm, yeah I figured it would just be about the exterior of the building. I guess we can all forget the possibility of it being a theatre again...At least for many years to come.

I haven't had a chance to go to the meeting. Did anyone else go?

If the theatre was located over on the south side of the city on Pico Blvd., it might have had a chance to stay operating as a theatre.

Why do you say that?

I went to the Landmarks Commission meeting this evening. They seem like they will be granting the landmark status but they decided to continue the item for a future meeting to work out which of the criteria the building qualifies under. The owner had his lawyer there to speak and he said they hired a consultant of their own who said to many changes have been to the building to consider it for status. I think everyone on the commission dismissed that though. In the course of the meeting we learned that the owner plans on extending the second story over the entire building and because of that added square footage has to add 20 parking spots below the building. They also wanted to uliminate the lobby and move the front doors to the property line. This idea will not be allowed if the landmark is granted and it specifies that the lobby is part of the significant features. The sad side show was the owners of the shoe repair in the building that are getting the boot. The building owner threatened the fella who runs the shop saying that he'll never beat him and that he would win. The negative feeling this theatre shutting down and changing to a jeans store might keep the store from finding success. I hope there is enough theatre left to interest a willing theatre chain operator and perhaps another investor to buy the building back and bring back the movies!

Ron, Wilshire Blvd. is the Prime city street in Santa Monica, so the cost of the property is out of this world. By what I said above about Pico is that. The price of the property along Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica is far less than Wilshire. So if that theatre was built along Pico Blvd. back then. It is a a fair chance the theatre might still be a theatre. There has not been a movie theatre operating along Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica since the early 60's.



The next problem if the Landmarks Commission grants Landmark status is if a new theatre chain can not change the theatre's features. So they only have two screens to work with. With the rent for that location being Very High, the cost to operate the theatre would be at a loss. To make it work as a theatre the chain would have to cut up and add screens to the building. Well the next problem the commission would have to deal with if they add more screens is the parking in the area. (lots and street parking) Since Santa Monica has permit parking nearby the other property owners would have a large say so. Most likely they might save the building and facade, but as a operating movie theatre thats going tobe the hardest to find a chain.

Dang bigtime, what a ruthless owner...Hey, was he (the owner) wearing a pink shirt? lol

I don't remember but he was behind the lawyer and next to the architect.
W

Man, how shocked I was walking home yesterday, to see the empty and disheveled NuWilshire. I really appreciate this discussion page - it is the only place anywhere to find real information. Only one of the S.M. papers had the most obscure vague blurb on the story. Sigh - it's another generic retail blob in place of community.

I think this whole sad drama, including yet another could-care-less property owner, would make for great print. I wish the papers were on it, or L.A. Weekly or something. I feel terrible for the shoe repair people -- that little messy shop is obviously their lives. Just boils me up that the landlord feels nothing other than little money orgasms. Too much of this kind of cruely in America rationalized by libertarian values. It's really just lawful sociopathy. Ugly. I digress -- but hey, isn't this how most of us secretly feel about so much of what we see around us these days? No? :\

Anyway, I'll keep watching this space - thanks people!

Well it's not just that little shoe repairman's business. It's also the many families that live in apartments in the city and the landlord raises their rents. The rents in the city have gone skyhigh over the last 10 years. The landlord have found ways to take rent controled apartments off the market and when new lower income apartments become available it's like a feeding ground in those lines. The times have changed in that city. The landlord feel it's their turn to make more money off the public for their properties. It's not going to get any better in that city. Santa Monica is a great city to live in, if you have the money.

Does anyone have any information on when the current marquee was put in place?

Fox West Coast Theatres did many theatre modernizings in the late 1930's. Alot of the Southern California houses were done in 1937-39 period.

I've spoken with both the shoe repair guy and the jewelry guy on the other side. They're both nice people and it's a shame to see them get kicked out. The shoe guy says his rent is presently a little under $900, and the other locations he has looked at are all in the $3-4,000 range. The jewelry guy says the places he's looked at are even higher.

But hey, it's progress. The city will make more money in taxes, the landlord will clean up. And we'll get more minimum wage retail jobs. Hooray!

For a second there, I thought you weren't being sarcastic, lol!

For some historical interest, here are some of the initial offerings when Landmark took over booking the theatre in 1992:

PREMIERES
Lol Creme’s THE LUNATIC
Monika Treut’s MY FATHER IS COMING
Peter Cohen’s THE ARCHITECTURE OF DOOM
Abbe Wool’s ROADSIDE PROPHETS
Sam Fuller’s WHITE DOG
Jon Jost’s ALL THE VERMEERS IN NEW YORK
Randy Thompson’s THE MONTANA RUN
Suzie Baer’s WARRIOR: THE LIFE OF LEONARD PELTIER
Murray Lerner’s JIMI HENDRIX AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT
David Byrne’s ILE AIYE: THE HOUSE OF LIFE
Philip Haas’ GIANT WOMAN AND THE LAUGHING MAN
Declan Lowney’s BOB MARLEY: TIME WILL TELL
Hutt/Elgear/Meleran’s VOICES FROM THE FRONT
Katherine Gilday’s THE FAMINE WITHIN
Norman Loftis’ SMALL TIME
Barbara Trent’s THE PANAMA DECEPTION
Francis Girod’s L’ELEGANT CRIMINEL

FESTIVALS AND TRIBUTES
Humphrey Bogart
“Japanese Animation” – featuring premieres of
Toyoo Ashida’s VAMPIRE HUNTER D
Mamoru Shinzaki’s BAREFOOT GEN
“Film Threat Presents” – series of premieres and revivals including
Leonard Kastle’s THE HONEYMOON KILLERS
Craig Baldwin’s TRIBULATION 99: ALIEN ANOMALIES UNDER AMERICA
David Van Taylor’s DREAM DECEIVERS
Shinya Tsukamoto’s TETSUO: THE IRON MAN
Henri Xhonneux’s MARQUIS
“Reemergence: Jewish Life in Eastern Europe”

RESTORATIONS AND REVIVALS
Terry Gilliam’s BRAZIL – original European version
F.W. Murnau’s TABU new print of restored version
Merian C. Cooper and Ernest P. Schoedsack’s CHANG new print of restored version
Frank Capra’s BROADWAY BILL new print
Yves Allegret’s THE PROUD ONES new print of uncut restored edition

SPECIAL EVENTS
William Osco’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND plays midnights
“Film Threat Presents” – series of midnight movies including premieres of
Jorg Buttgereit’s NEKROMANTIK
Jorg Buttgereit’s NEKROMANTIK 2
Jorg Buttgereit’s THE DEATH KING

I wonder if they played any 007 movies there. That would have been great!

Very interesting commentary about how little news coverage the NuWilshire's closing received. I've lived down the street from the NuWilshire for 20 years, and I always enjoyed walking there to catch an intelligent, usually foreign, movie. I recently saw both Into the Wild and Eastern Promises, and there was no indication of imminent closure. I was shocked when, all of a sudden, the theatre's marquis just went blank and the lights went out. Not even a sign in the window to say what happened. But then, we live in a country where the government can make a "pre-emptive" attack on a foreign nation without the slightest questioning by the news media. The closing of a classic movie house? Wouldn't even get a mention in the back pages. The sad truth is, not only have we lost a local treasure, we've lost the more important safeguards once provided by responsible investigative journalism.

This is a recent photo of the NuWilshire Theater.

Great shot! Next time get one with the window down, lol! But yeah, it's just very odd why they kept the lights on since we moved out. Talk about wasting power...and yet Santa Monica says it's a green city. Yeah...

Photo set from Oct 30, 2007, right before closure, including interior photos!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mothernature42/sets/72157602852109252/

*Courtesy of me and a few co-workers of mine.*

Well, nothing has changed with the theatre. The exterior lights of the place have been on since the last day of moving everything out. Now, the theatre has become a haven for the homeless. And I just read in the Santa Monica Daily Press that the buildings will be untouched until well into the new year. So, for those of you who want to take the pictures of the former theatre, you guys should do it as soon as you can. Because believe me, before you know it, it will be taken apart.

Nushboy7, in regard to your December 4 post, yes, THANKS to you and co-workers to photographing the theater and sharing the photos.

No problem. It is a shame as to what the NuWilshire looks now.

It's amazing how fast things fall apart. There's water leaking from underneath the marquee, trash strewn about.

There's another hearing tomorrow night about the Landmark Designation Application. 7 p.m., at City Council Chambers, City Hall, room 213. That's at 1685 Main Street in Santa Monica.

Yeah, my friend and I were there are few days ago, just looking at the rubble and mess. And to think, this place was flourishing with life not two months ago. It's totally unreal.

Hey, Don will you be there tomorrow?

Does this mean that the interior has been demolished?

I looked inside and the concession stand and everything is still there. All the doors are there, however the floor is torn up and there is rubble practically all over the lobby.

When they say Fox Theaters, do hey mean the same theater chain that is owned by Donald Fox?
http://0mg.com

I don't see anything about Fox theatres at that link.

Same here, at first I thought it was just SPAM or something.

Nushboy, yes, I'm thinking of attending.

Bigtime, I'll be at the meeting. I sent in a photo of the back of the theater from the outside, the fly space(sticks up from the rest of the building), in the hopes that it would be "landmarked" and more of the building would be left. That part of the theatre is where the curtains would rise up into for a live show. I think that means that there was at one time live shows there such as vaudville. Doess anyone know if there are any curtains left there?

Uh, it says it right on the description. "Originally a Fox theater when it opened in 1931, the Wilshire was later taken over by Mann Theatres and turned into a twin in the mid 1970's." I worked at a Fox theater as a teenager, that is why I was asking.
http://0mg.com

I have no idea who Donald Fox is, and I still do not understand why you put that link in your comment, since it doesn't say anything about Fox theatres.

Fox is of course William Fox (née Fuchs) who founded a studio that eventually became 20th Century Fox. I think you need to learn some Hollywood history.

SinisterBanana...did you happen to work for a Fox theater chain based out of Reading Pennsylvania?

*BIGTIME* Yes, there used to be old broadway shows at one time at the theatre. The curtains were there as well since last I went there, which was the last day of moving all the film equipment out of the theatre; which was back in early November. It should still be there today. I took photos of behind the stage and I'll upload some images of the curtain company and all as soon as I can! Also, a former co-worker tore a little hole to see what was on the front of the backdrop curtain, and she said it was something that was salmon color or something of that sort, but nothing else.

The NuWilshire Theatre was part of the Fox West Coast Theatre chain, which was a merger of West Coast Theatres and Fox at the time. Which later became National Theatres then National General Theatres before being sold the Mann Theatres in the 70's. When Mann Theatres dropped the house it became a Landmark Theatre location. There were Fox Theatres in many parts of the country, some were part of different sub-companies of Fox West Coast Chain and others were sold off and operated by other companies.

I have noticed that the floor was already torn, along with rubble from the ceiling. Since the next meeting for making this a Landmark is going to be held at a later and unknown date, it seems the owner wants to destroy what is left of the lobby - which would have to stay according to Historical Landmark laws - so there would be nothing left to save.

Went to the Landmarks Commission hearing last night, but after two and a half hours, they were still talking about the ficus trees on 2nd and 4th streets. At that point I left. I don't know how long those meetings usually run, so the matter might have gotten pushed to their next date.

I was reading a news story the other day about a Denny's restaurant, I can't recall the city. The owners actually applied for the historic designation themselves as they didn't want someone else to do it. This backfired, however, as the local commission then approved the status. The owners' goal was demolition, not renovation.

That was here in Seattle at the old Ballard Denny's. (Building was not originally a Denny's)
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/345852_dennys03.html
Seattle saves a Denny's. LA and Santa Monica can't save the National and the NuWilshire. Glad I left. The whole Denny's deal here in Seattle triggered a slew of newspaper articles about the need to preserve post-war modern architecture from the 40's to 70's as well the debate that "just because it ain't old doesn't mean it isn't significant". That's what I have been saying about the National all along. I used to live a few blocks from the NuWilshire and loved it (split and all!) because it was my neighborhood theatre and it had charm, but my heart was with the National. I have to travel to LA next week and I know I'll find a hole in the ground.

The NuWilshire's facade is now declared as a city landmark! Check out todays issue of the Santa Monica Daily Press of details. According to it, the exterior of the theatre will remain the same. On Monday, the Landmars Commision declared the theatre exterior a city landmark, despite the plans for Soundview Investment Group to change everything on the outside. The inside however, will be up to them, but the exterior of the building will remain the same. This is great news! Now, people can regognize what a great theatre this was, in addition to it being practcially the last art-deco style art house in Santa Monica.

Great News. Perhaps they'll give up the retail idea and let it be a theatre again.

That would be great, but wait until you see the image I'm going to take and send to you...

I bet it looks like a disaster, but they could remodel...

The facade is only the front of the building. The investment company can incorperate the use of the facade into whatever they plan to design in the new building if they want to develop. Developers have saved many facades of buildings but razed the rest of the building. The only way in today's film market is to save the facade and build a new building with a larger screen number plex on the site. The cost of the land on Wilshire Blvd. is very high and the rent for a theatre would be the same. (HIGH) It's Great that Santa Monica did something right, but the building would look sadder as a facade without a theatre with it. Look at the La Reina Theatre in Sherman Oaks.

And the Criterion Theatre in Santa Monica. At least there is a theatre there, and the former theatre's facade.

How torn up is the inside at this point? Is the wall down the middle still up?

Yes I was there and spoke the night of the land marking. I brought up the theatre feature of the Fly space at the back and that was included. That should help maintain more of the exterior of the building and perhaps make it more difficult to convert to a retail space.

Is the marquee considered part of the facade?

There is alot of former theatres with fly space that have been turned into retail, so it's not that difficult to convert. I'm just saying that as a fact. I'm happy they have saved a part of the building. But remember they also saved the facade of the old ElMiro/Cineplex Broadway for that condo/retail building.

Yes

*To Mark, the marquee is considered part of the facade.

Most of the times the signage is considered as part, especially deco vintage marquees.

Yes, even though I hear that that particular marquee replaced an art-deco style one well after 1938. However, they still are going to keep it. But they may add letters on the marquee telling outsiders that this place is a jean store or something. Especially if they keep the marquee lights on, which they will most likely have to do since that is the only protruding thing and the first thing people will look at.

What is fly space? (I considered the old Westside Pavillion cinemas to be fly space because of all the flies in the theatre) :)

it is the part directly above the stage where pipes with scenery, drops, drapery or lights can be raised or flowen up into to disapear from the stage.

When I was in back of the stage, I climbed the latter all the way to the top and filmed myself giving a little tour of the backstage, lol. It was intense.

Jeffrey N. Grant and Joanne S. Grant (husband and wife) are the owners of record, holding the land as conservators of a trust. The property was put into a trust in 2001, before which Joanne S. Grant was the named owner. Interestingly, LaBrea/Washington Co., c/o Max Netty is listed as the owner of the adjacent property that was used as Buster's Shoe Repair, having purchased it from multiple parties (including the Grants) in 2001. I'm not sure if that means that the two parcels have separate owners or if the company and trust are controlled by the same party.

At any rate, the listed mailing address for Jeff and Jo Grant is:
10569 Kinnard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

The company's listed mailing address, c/o Max Netty, is:
513 N Palm Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

This is all public record information that you can find at the county recorder's office. Please use it wisely and do not do anything illegal!

A few days ago I noticed homeless people starting to nest around the theater ticket booth and entrance, and more of the neon is out. Then someone tagged the front doors and poster displays. Now there's a fence blocking off the entire entrance. Fortunately, they didn't drill the posts into the decorative tile.

Yeah, I walked by there with my friend yesterday and saw there is now this big fence blocking off homeless. Yeah, that is good that they didnt drill into the tiles. Also, the light on the marque is finally off. I just found out that one of my managers perposfully left the lights on so he would know when construction would actually be taking place. I guess the workers took a while until they found the switch to turn it off after all these months, lol! I guess when he drives by there now, he will know that something will be going on. Probably in the inside since the structure exterior is now a landmark.

Here is a recent closeup-view.

Great angle! Looks like old time!

Went by there this morning, and the gate was open, along with the front door of the theatre. Wonder what's going on...

Nothing good, I'd guess, Nushboy07, but I hope I'm wrong...

I'm sure it's nothing good.

I kind of gave up hope long ago.

quote: <<< and the gate was open, >>>

Gate??! Anyone got a recent photo?

Does anybody know if it for sale?

Silver: the owner fenced off the area under the marquee. There were homeless people nesting in there, and a tagger painted on the doors and poster cases.

bbtommix: my understanding is that the original owner sold it to someone who wants to use it for retail space. So, no, they're probably not looking to sell it.

I will be in that area tomorrow. I will take some photos.

bbtommix, theaters like this & Rialto in S. Pasadena would likely cost MILLIONS to acquire.

There are some who would go that far. And if they do, all the more to them!

Yes, there are wealthy people, especially in Seattle, who step forth to rescue historic movie theaters. However, they have realtors, agents, representatives,etc. They aren't themselves asking "how much?" on blogs like this one.

It was sad seeing them take down the seats. As a matter of fact, several co-workers and I stayed the night that it closed, and when we woke up everything was there. However, the next day, things were already empty before you could say "Nu" in NuWilshire. It all happened so fast. Greed...

Man...talk about an eyesore! :(

Here are a few pictures I took of the theatre.

This was last weekend:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1747/frontgc0.jpg

This I took today...

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7874/afternr8.jpg

Sad shots. But if the owner really wanted to keep that from happening, he would have had it boarded up with a wooden fence and doorway. That would protect the poster cases and the panel doors in front of the theatre. With the type of fence in place in the shots, more of that will happen, if not worse.

Yeah! I'm sure he disagreed with the idea of it passing as a Landmark and is probably going to do as little as he can to help preserve it. Meanwhile, you know he is some ruthless person who doesn't even live in Santa Monica. Probably Malibu or the Palisades.

Buster's Shoe Repair has relocated to Main Street. If you're going from Pico it's about five blocks in on the left (land side of street). Please give this long-standing shoe repair your business--they've always done a great job for me and have really struggled to stay in business despite the ouster.

I'm curious as to whether anyone (Nushboy?) has tried to write the owners at the address I listed. It's not hopeless! Let them know you'll get all your friends to boycott their stupid jeans store (and then follow through). If money talks, talk with your money!

I noticed that the interior doors (from concession area into screening area) are still inside. I don't have the space for them right now, but I'm sure they're going to get thrown away and they are really beautiful carved wood doors deserving of a good home. If you're interested, talk to the construction crews while they're at work and ask if they are going to throw away the doors and if you could take them instead. Worth a try!

I never got a chance to call the owners. And even if I did, there wouldn't really be anything I could do in terms of what was planned. And about the doors, good luck!

Here is another recent photo.

Yesterday I stopped by there, and there were these two signs on the gate saying how the walls covered in graffiti were a shame and that they were basically the work of illigal immigrants. It was very racist. When I went back, the signs were gone.

This is a June 2008 photo.

Damn shame...

Well, the theatre is still sitting there. Just another eye sore of Santa Monica. You'd think they would at least start putting the jean store by now, but it's been abandoned for officially a year now...It better become a City Landmark or something. Ughh...I can just imagine the city tearing it down. Damn economy...

Yeah, and the old laundromat next door closed, and the Shoe Pavilion down the block closed... the neighborhood is starting to look pretty run down.

Apparently a friend of mine said that the guy in charge at the laundromat was shot one night and that's why it closed. It's hard to believe...

Neat looking theatre. It's a shame it's ended up in the condition it is.

Years ago in Chicago, some owners deliberately did little to prevent the desecration of buildings they were interested in tearing down. It sometimes gave them an ironic upper hand in court, if any preservationists were seeking landmark status of "their" properties.

The subsequent graffiti and damage could bolster both arguments. Protect it before it's damaged more. Or grossly remodel or tear down to prevent an "ongoing" eyesore. Like the owner would be "helping" the city out.

Sadly, some municipalities seemingly more often side with building owners than preservationists.
Because it is a faster route to increased tax revenues on "developing" properties.
New construction permit fees, business licenses of the ultimate new tenants, increased individual property taxes if something ends up as condos, etc.
Especially if everything around it in the neighborhood is simultaniously taking a dive too.

Nothing happens by coincidence when landmarking is thrown into the mix.

Yeah, unfortunetly you're right. I guess it's just a matter of time before the theater is no longer with us...I still have posters and old menus from the theatre. I'm thinking about getting rid of it, so if anyone would like to meet up with me, we can negotiate a price, or something.

Maybe some of those who attended/arranged the Landmark Commission meetings would be interested in your vintage items. Might help them scan some to put together a booklet or something about the Nu Wilshire. Especially if the facade gets saved. Best of luck in your efforts.

Is it too soon to say Buster's Shoe Repair next door got the boot?

No, they cleared out the shoe repair and the watch repair guys within a few weeks of closing the theater. For some reason, there's a big pile of dirt in the watch repair space.

David's right, Nushboy, maybe you could give the Santa Monica Conservancy a shot at your theater materials.

Yeah, I might just do that. Oh, and about the shoestore, it's now in Venice. I believe the Venice Board Walk or somewhere on Main Street.

I'm contacting the Conservancy right now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Don!

The shoe repair guy relocated to Main St, I think he's still in Santa Monica. The watch/jewelry repair guy moved over to Santa Monica Blvd, just two blocks away.

Since my shoe store/boot analogy went over so big, I'll spare everyone anything about the watch repair guy running out of time.

Good luck with the Conservancy angle Nushboy. Maybe you could scan a few of the items & post them for the list, before parting with them.

Ouch. I completely missed that. Sorry!

My older sisters and their friends went here when it was a first run single theatre in the 70's to see The Who's "Tommy" film. I went here with my dad to see a restored revival of "Once Upon A Time in America" in the early 90's.

I tried calling the Conservancy but they weren't around. I guess I'll have to call some time after the holidays now. But yeah, after going to the website, it looks as if they just focus mainly on property and things of that nature. I thought they had like a headquarters that showcased historical items that the public would be free to come see.

Then it sounds like you want the Santa Monica Historical Society. They have a space over on Euclid, but are supposed to move into the new library very soon.

I just re-read the article from Jan. 18th. 2008 from the Santa Monica Daily Press about the NuWilshire. It looks like the only part of the building that is safe is the facade area on Wilshire Blvd.. I only say this because of the Mayfair's facade is the only part of that theatre that is going tobe saved.

You are correct, William. I commented on this on the Mayfair page. The only thing getting preserved in Santa Monica (as far as movie theaters are concerned) are facades. The lawyer representing the owners of the Mayfair had the nerve to call this "adaptive reuse."

But the business types are running this town right now, and they want density, more customers, more shopping. They don't really care what happens to the community...

Don S. I just read your post and you are right. I grew up going to all of the Santa Monica theatres.

What happened to the 'People's Republic' that I loved living in from 1979-84? Have all of the left-wingers left government?

All we are left with are the facades of the former Criterion, El Miro, soon to be Mayfair and maybe the Wilshire theatres. The Bundy theatre is long gone and the Aero is doing well over on Montana.

Ron, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights are still the big political party, but for running the rest of the city, the business types are calling the shots. Basically what that seems to come down to is development that is out of balance with what the infrastructure can handle. So the city merely exists now to provide the 3rd Street Promenade with customers. Anything that might appeal to locals gets the ax if it doesn't bring in shoppers with dollars bulging out of their pockets.

I used to go the Promenade when it was more interesting. The Midnight Special bookstore closed a long time ago, so all that's left is Banana Republic and Gap. Great deal if you like to buy clothes.

It was a mistake to close the NuWilshire, because number 1: we were making a ton of money off tickets and concession, and 2: with how bad the economy has gotten, I doubt the NuWilshire will ever have a store in it anytime soon. I mean, I remember practially two years ago, the Santa Monica Daily Press said that the NuWilshire was going to have it's front refurbished, and that has yet to happen.

*I mean, the marque was the only thing that was said to be refurbished. I'm not sure about anything else. It might be like Zucky's but instead of it being a bank, will be a new jean store...*God knows we need more jean stores in Santa Monica...

When did Zucky's close?

It closed back in 1993, but around 2008, they refurbished the establishment and now it's a bank.

I guess that Landmark Theatres was not making a ton of money off tickets and concessions to make it work as a theatre for the chain.
First off the chain only makes a small precent off the tickets it sells, the studios get the lions share of the money for tickets sold. And it will take time for the owner to have a design that the city could work with on the interior and exterior of the building. According to that article the owner does not have to deal with public hearings on the interior of the former theatre.

If the lease was up and the owner increased the rent to much Landmark would of course leave..thats business. I am sure the owner could pretty much get his asking price for the rent. Now, in todays economic climate, that may not be the case.

"I guess that Landmark Theatres was not making a ton of money off tickets and concessions to make it work as a theatre for the chain. First off the chain only makes a small precent off the tickets it sells, the studios get the lions share of the money for tickets sold."

First, is this true for foreign and indie movies? That's what the NuWilshire showed, not mainstream Hollywood fare.

Second, an employee of the theater just said that they were making a ton of money at that location. Do you know differently, William?

And Nushboy, did you see my suggestion from Jan 5? It might have gotten lost in all the posts... but you might want to look into the Santa Monica Historical Society with the items you mentioned.

John, the lease was not up. Landmark chose to leave early, probably hoping that their loyal customers would head over to the new location at the Westside Pavilion. It might be why the building sits empty -- the new owner might not be able to do anything until it expires (that's what's happening with the old See's Candy location across the street). So the new owner paid a lot of money for the building, drove out the retail tenants, and now is earning squat from the place... That's business!

Any large sum of money taken in at a theatre is tons to a employee. And yes it is true for foreign and indie films that studios release, there is a procentage the studio gets and then the theatre gets the rest. It does not have tobe mainstream Hollywood fare. The theatre chains pay for the licence to play any film, whether it's a 90/10, 80/20, 70/30... . The longer the film plays the theatre, more the theatre makes vs. the studio. I grow up and worked in that Santa Monica, the Wilshire made money but was not a big money maker for any chain.

Thats true Don..I didn't think about that. Willaim you are right...Employees always see the money coming in but never take into account the expenses. That is why they are employees.

Yes, what people fail to realize is that Landmark chain does not actually own these theaters nor the buildings they are in, but merely "lease" them and operate the theaters. So, if revenue falls enough and it becomes prohibitive to operaee them at a loss, they will just leave and cease operations. Same thing happened to another Landmark opeated theater in my hometown of South Pasadena - The Rialto in September of 2007. Landmark had leased and operated the Rialto Theater from the long time family owners from about 1976-77 and opeated it as a revival house well into the late 80's until the adevent of home video killed revival theaters and then switched to a more arthouse and first run fare. It is a sign of the times that single screen theaters cannot generate enough of a profit to justify their continued operation by Landmark and I guess as the wise man once said. "it's just business." I don't know what the specifics are regarding the closing of the Nu-Wilshire as it was running with 2 screens and I recall how sad I was when they plexed it by spliting the theater into 2 seperate theaters, but the place was still doing good buisness up until the day it closed wasn't it? Did the owners of the building just not renew Landmark's lease or did Landmark leave it as the new Landmark glass tower multi-plex at Pico and Westwood Blvd had just opened? I don't know - you tell me. I do know that all we live in an era where it is very conceivable in the not to distant future where with the exception of privately owned thaters that do multi-use like the Broadway theaters in Los Angeles, the era of the single screen movie house is coming to a rapid end but thank god for the good people such as the folks that contribute to this site that still love these theaters and hold them in high esteem and will will work to preseve them.

Landmark left before the lease was up. Like the Wilshire the Rialto Theatre was a former Mann Theatre. When Mann Theatre bought up National General Theatres chain in the early 70's. They operated many single screen houses around Southern California. They tried a few different price formats on the Rialto, Fox Venice, Lido, Highland. Before dropping those houses when there leases ran out. Like Dublinboyo pointed out Landmark does not own these theatres, like Mann Theatres too. Mann Theatres does not own the Chinese, Village, Bruin Theatres, they just lease them. If the Wilshire was located on the site of the Mayfair in downtown Santa Monica, it would be alive and running in some form.

"This particular Landmark theatre has been making more money than all other theatres,"

From Nushboy's previous comments, it sounds like he has some idea of the theater's place in the Landmark hierarchy.

I don't believe foreign movies are getting as strict of terms as Hollywood fare. They don't have the leverage.

I work in this industry too. But not as a floor person. When you look at what Landmark operates in this area, I could see there is money there. But in the locate art film market there Laemmle has a big foot hold on leverage in booking, but now with The Landmark in West LA that has changed a lot of booking patterns.

So Landmark was the one that gave up the house and that's where it sits.

There's a "For Lease" sign on the building now.

I was down at the LA Conservancy last night and ended up having a nice talk with a guy who volunteers for that organization and the Santa Monica Conservancy. He's particularly interested in preservation issues, and he said that the whole of the NuWilshire is protected, not just the facade as I had been led to believe from local newspaper coverage.

Assuming this is correct, if the NuWilshire gets turned into retail, it will probably resemble the Studio City theater that got turned into a bookstore. You can still see the flyspace intact, etc.

Some kind of construction is beginning on the old NuWilshire this week, judging by trucks, portapotties and scaffolding in the alley. No permit information is posted on the front of the building, but as the neighbor with the garage entrance directly across from the alley doors, I'll stay curious until I find out what's happening.

I'm starting to think the guy I talked to on Feb 11 was wrong. For the past few days, the jackhammers have been running over at the NuWilshire. They've cut a large opening in the side of the building near the back stage area, and it appears that they're stripping the place down to the walls. I peeked in yesterday and saw a pile of rubble about six feet high in the area of the lobby. It doesn't look good.

You might want to telephone the LA Conservancy to let them know what's going on. Sometimes building owners....

Howard, I emailed the Santa Monica Conservancy, and unsurprisingly, got no response.

There's no doubt now -- they've removed the front doors and the businesses in front (however, they have set aside the terrazzo sidewalk) and you can see it's nothing but a shell inside.

Telephone.....not email.....

Howard, I got a reply tonight. They said that the "envelope" of the building is protected, but not how the space inside is laid out.

Article and photo of the rehab on the front page of the Santa Monica Daily Press today.

http://www.smdp.com/pdf/032009.pdf

Also, inside is a photo of the Mayfair. I'm on my way over now to see if I can get some good photos of the place.

I can't stand what that guy said about the theatre! He could care less about how wonderful and important it is to preserve it. He's getting what he wanted. Also, isn't it ironic that all of a sudden he is talking to the press, when he declined to speak about it back in November 2007?

Don, protection for the exterior only is what I guessed, and now confirmed. The interior photos link that I added some time ago doesn't show ornate features inside (with exception of last photo).

It IS a shame it won't continue as a movie house.

Here is a 1930 photo from the LAPL, at the opening of the theater:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028809.jpg

Wow, well the NuWilshire was being worked on just a few days ago and here is an image of the action that's been going on. It's a shame that they gutted the entire place. I read recently that the owner in charge of the construction (I want to break his neck) said that he knows the theatre is important to this city and that he is going to preserve the outside and make it likable to everyone. Well, this is not the case. If that were the case, he would have let the National Landmark Committee let the theatre be preserved and untouched on the outside. However, the Daily Press said that he was able to stop the passing at like the last minute so now he can change whatever he see's fit. He says he will keep the marque to proove his love for the theatre. Please...

NuWilshire as of July 21st, 2009

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5550/nuwilshire.jpg

The last Daily Press article linked above, in March, states the exterior is legally protected. No? is there a more recent article to link here?

Well, they got rid of the entrance of the theatre and all. Now it's just a flat entrance in the front.

I was in Santa Monica Saturday and stopped by the (Nu)Wilshire and walked all around it, looking in the entrance and backstage doors. Lots of construction is underway inside, and there is not a trace of historic interior left, except for about one third of the original ticket lobby ceiling which was above the later one. It was pink plaster with grey bands around the edge. Holes were still visible where the cables had been hung through it to suspend the later ceiling. It looks as if the marquee is being kept. Also, vertical ribbed walls which were uncovered behind the poster cases are in the process of being recreated. Workmen were busy smoothing a new concrete sidewalk surface in front of the building. Sadly, I noticed that the green and black terrazzo floor of the entranceway had been sawn into squares, presumably for removal. No changes whatsoever were evident in the overall design of the facade itself. I looked up into the fly tower, and only the main steel braces for the stagehouse grid are still there. The concrete proscenium opening is very evident, but not a scrap of decoration remains. An auto entrance has been cut into the side of the theatre from the alley to the East of the building. This opens to a ramp leading into a basement parking garage.

Having read the Daily Press article posted above, I am going to have to amend my comment about the terrazzo. Putting the clues together--the sawing of the terrazzo into sections rather than just jackhammering it, and an earlier comment that they had "set it aside," plus knowing as I do that a skilled terrazzo contractor can indeed set a whole pavement back and match and fill the resulting seams to near-perfection--I do believe this is what has happened, and I applaud it. At least the entrance will have its old floor. Now, here's hoping that they will reconstruct the original entry ceiling.

A volunteer with the SM Conservancy confirmed to me that the terrazzo was removed to protect it from the heavy equipment going in and out, and will be reinstalled.

Whew! 1st I read that terrazzo was departing, then I read 2 comments asserting it will return. That's better.

Howard: I share your relief!

Gary, I've been in many LA cinemas, but don't recall this one from my part of one day in Santa Monica. But, I can root for it. Can you please clarify, does the exterior have legal protection or not? I thought it did, but then a comment suggested otherwise.

From your account above, it sounds like the exterior is being retained, and restored.

According to the SM Conservancy guy I've been talking to, the exterior of the building is protected and will be restored.

This really saddens me. I grew up and Santa Monica and attended this theatre when it was a single screen as a child. Now with the nearing of the end of the Bruin and Village it really stings.

I lived in Santa Monica from 1968 to 2001 and went to the Wilshire many times. One day when there was a double feature in each theatre, (and I wanted to see all four films), I timed it so I could see the double feature in the left theatre then walked into the right theatre for the second double feature. There were plenty of people in the lobby so no one noticed. I wanted to see if I could do it and I was pretty sore and exhausted by the time I got out. I no longer remember the films except that I believe one of them was "Cabaret." If that's true, and one souce lists a February 1972 release for the film, then the theatre was twinned before 1972. I've only noticed two comments on the twinning, one suggesting the 1990's and a later one giving the decade as the 1970's. Anyone have any better information on this?

Ted Mann bought the troubled National General Theatres chain in 1973. The twining happened at the Wilshire during the Mann Theatre operations in the 1970's. In the 1990's Landmark picked up the former Mann Theatre and revamped it. From the last years Mann operated as a move-over house from the Criterion and other Santa Monica houses. "Cabaret" opened at the New ABC Century Plaza Twin Theatres. Could it have been that you saw the movie when it went city wide or on a reissue?

What exactly is the developer building here?

They're turning it into retail space. Early on, there was talk of Lucky Jeans moving in there, even though they've already got locations on the Promenade and on Montana.

Here is a photo taken this weekend:
http://tinyurl.com/lh7zzm

The terrazzo is back in place, and the entire building has been painted a color somewhere between grey and mint green. Since the scaffolding is still up in front, I'm hoping this is just a primer layer or something. But I don't have high hopes. The insets above the retail spaces on either side of the marquee have some details painted in more normal shades of green.

The barriers and scaffolding are now down (looks like we're stuck with the indifferent color). The glass is in place, and you can see into the building where they are still working. The marquee still needs to be cleaned up, however.

2009 photo of the NuWilshire Theatre courtesy of Avilon.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7623944@N03/4210792029/sizes/o/in/pool-72675154@N00/

Only a few months sitting finished and empty, and people are starting to vandalize the place. The other day I noticed the new glass in front all scratched up, and homeless people roosting in those entryways they added...