Whittier Village Cinemas

This theatre displays large poster-sized photos of other Whittier theatres that did not escape the wrecking ball. The pics are located along the theatre building south on Greenleaf.

I beleive they added Stadium in all theatres now. I saw Passion here and it was not bad at all.

Does anyone have any more or know where I can got more information on the history of the Village Cinemas? I was told that it once operated as a porno theater is this statement true? I am interested in doing a case study on this particular theater and need any guidance.

thank you

Susie, the Whittier Historical Society hass tons of info on this theatre as well as the other theatres that were in Whittier. You might want to give them a call.

The Wardman Theatre was operated by the Pussycat Theatre chain after Pacific Theatres dropped the house from their chain. The Pussycat Theatre chain operated many former neighborhood theatres like the Lyric Theatre in Huntington Park (former Fox House), Monica Theatre in West Hollywood (Tomkat Theatre now), State Theatre in Pasadena (former Mann / Fox House), Town in Downtown LA (former Bard's), New View Theatre on Hollywood Blvd., California Theatre on Main Street in Downtown LA, Guild Theatre in North Hollywood (former Mann/Fox House), Sunset Theatre in Hollywood (one of the last Pussycats to be operating). They operated other theatres in Inglewood, Santa Monica, Reseda, Buena Park, just to name a few.

The chain that was originally going to open the Wardman before the building’s owner and architect took over was Hughes-Franklin Theatres. One of its principals was Harold B. Franklin, a former director of Paramount’s Publix chain and later the president of Fox West-Coast Theatres. His partner, the Hughes in the chain's name, was the Hughes known as Howard. Franklin left the Hughes-Franklin presidency in 1932 after only two years but went on to other positions in the business. He died at the relatively young age of 52 in 1941 while in Mexico City on business. For more information on the role Franklin played in the exhibition industry go to: http://www.oscars.org/mhl/sc/franklin_44.html

I have visited the Historical Society and spoke to a few people in Uptown businesses including Derek the current manager for the Village Cinemas. I have acquired plenty of information but I would really like to get some testimonials from anyone who might have visited the Pussycat Theater when it was still in operation. This cinematic case-study is one of my last papers before i graduate from college (December 17!!!). I would appreciate any help whatsoever. I can omit names if desired or use pseudonyms if there are people out there who do not want their name on a research paper.

If you have any information or know of anyone who might please contant me:
Susie Balpuesta
(562) 686-5990
email: sueb1017@ucla.edu

Thank you very much for your time and consideration

Hello from Colorado!

Vincent Miranda was my God Father and owner of the Pussycat chain. I have been putting together a collection of ANYTHING Pussycat. Even a old matchbook would make my day! If you have any information, pis or even storys ..please let me know.

Thanks!

Tim David
tbdavid@msn.com
970.309.3991

If it is of any use to anyone, my mom was an usherette at the Wardman in the '40's and she used to park me in the projection booth with Mr. Wardman until her shift was finished, then we'd watch the next show. The lounge area upstairs was really beautiful, at that time. I grew up in the Roxy, around the corner from the Wardman, with its Saturday matinees, complete with yo-yo contests, etc., the Wardman, and the beautiful Spanish Revival Whittier Theatre, on Whittier Boulevard. After the War, my mom and I would chase the searchlights all over the L.A. basin on the weekends, attending shows at every movie house operating from Santa Monica to Long Beach to La Habra, Fullerton and Santa Ana. I'm currently restoring and operating the 1928 Patricia Theatre in Powell River, B.C., and draw heavily on my recollections of what REAL movie palaces looked like in their prime, in L.A.!
Annie F.
synergyframe@shaw.ca

I would like to know what lurks upstairs beyond the door next to the concession stand. The original staircase to teh upper lobby is still there, along with what I beleive to be the two doorways into the old lobby. The back of the theatre there is used today as a game room. The old theatre was cut into two and two theatres built into it. Six additional screens were built in the back of the old one. This theatre has stadium seating in all 8 screens, and the two large houses have really good sound.

The hall to the theatres im thinking could have been most likely part of the original auditorium.

From the LA Library:

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics34/00036939.jpg

Here is a link:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/3094.html

Two old restrooms, the projection room, an egyptian style room is up the stairs behind the snack bar.

Here is a recent photo of the Whittier Village Cinemas.

New book-length Pussycat Theatre history from the San Diego Reader:
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/aug/07/pussycat-theater-history-when-cathouses-ruled-ca-n/

I grew up in Whittier attending the Wardman Theater for matinees of such movies as "It Came From Beneath The Sea" and "The Blob" (I loved Sci-fi flicks!.) It was a wonderful little theater, and since I moved back to Uptown Whittier 10 years ago, I can walk two blocks to see most first-run movies whenever I want. But about a month ago, the last vestiges of the original interior finally disappeared----the original concession stand (with its popcorn maker). Now, when you enter the lobby, you are faced with more of those obscene video games where the old concession stand (and staircase to the balcony)used to be. And they call this "progress".

I also grewup in Whittier & remember seeing many Monster movies there 13 Ghost, The Giant Claw & Rodan! The Flying Monster to name a few.
I also remember that between the Lobby & the theater there were no doors only heavy velvet drapes.
I seem to remember that the Restrooms were upo the curved stairs behind the Snack Bar.

This is a 1983 photo of the Pussycat Theater.

Here is a January 2007 ad from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/kpro4f

One of my fond memories of the Wardman Theater was standing in line waiting to see the August 1964 release of A Hard Day's Night. We Beatlemanics were in line for hours to see the movie. Everyone talked about John Lennon's book, 16 magazine, and our Beatle bubble gum cards. Then you could mail $25 to get Hollywood Bowl tickets to see the Beatles. Now I go to the Whittier Village Cinemas to watch sci-fi and Harry Potter films. Yes, I remember the old drapes and decor...but it's the price of popcorn that creeps me out! However, you can't beat the admission and location...it's small town-like.

Here is part of a July 1977 article in the LA Times:

WHITTIER-Community leaders hope to appeal to the business sense of X-rated movie theater chain owner Vincent Miranda. If all goes well, they say, Miranda will be convinced that conversion of the Wardman Theater into a multi-theater complex showing general run films would be profitable and a valuable asset to a nearby redevelopment project.

Miranda’s recent acquisition of the Wardman Theater from Pacific Theaters has touched off controversy here. The S. Greenleaf Avenue cinema is showing two sexually explicit films. Although just outside the Greenleaf Ave./Uptown Redevelopment Project, businessmen are fearful that the presence of an X-rated theater may have a detrimental effect on potential developers. There is also apprehension that other adult-only businesses may be attracted to the area.

A coalition of business, church and parents groups has formed to voice objections to the showing of adult-oriented films at the Wardman. Recently, coalition spokesmen visited Miranda at his Hollywood offices. “We tried to suggest to him that a four-theater complex would make it”, said City Councilwoman Delta Murphy. “We told him that it would be an economic plus for him and an economic plus for the city. We said that if he is not interested in that, we wanted a lease price and a lease option price.”

Miranda said he is considering the coalition’s proposals. But he expressed doubt that a multi-theater complex at the Greenleaf site would be feasible. At this point, Miranda said he would be more interested in sale of the Wardman rather than a lease agreement. Miranda has promised to forward a sale price to the coalition leaders. “We do buy and sell theaters”, he said.