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  Discover. Preserve. Protect.
Also known as Westwood, UCLAN, Metro, Pacific Crest, Crest, Westwood Crest

Majestic Crest Theatre

Los Angeles, CA
1262 Westwood Boulevard
, Los Angeles, CA 90024 United States
(map)
310.474.7866
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Moderne
Function: Movies (First Run)
Seats: 500
Chain: Independent
Architect: Arthur W. Hawes
Firm: Unknown
Majestic Crest Theatre
Exterior of the Crest Theatre
Photo courtesy of Noa Bolozky
Opened in December 1940 as the UCLAN Theatre, a live theatre. An Art Moderne masterpiece on a neighborhood scale, the Crest Theatre was, with its smaller sister, the El Capitan across town, the crown jewels of the Pacific Theater chain, which formerly operated it. Recently renovated and restored with wondrous black-light enhanced wall murals and twinkling ceiling stars, the Crest Theatre is a show every time.

Before the start of each film, music blares, lights illuminate the curtains and shooting stars fly across the small ceiling. The Crest Theatre is a small, stylish and essential theater just below Wilshire in Westwood.

On May 14, 2008, the Majestic Crest Theatre was desiginated an Historic-Cultural Monument by the City of Los Angeles.

Related Websites

The Westwood Crest Theatre (Official)
Contributed by Cinema Treasures


YOUR COMMENTS

 
Before Disney remodeled this theatre, SRO theatres remodeled it around the early 80's. It was called The Metro. It also had a art deco style (different from The Crest today). When Disney was remodeling, they uncovered the old poster display cases, that had been covered since the late 70's (They still had posters in the display from the movie "A Piece of the Action". There is talk that Pacific may be closing or is interested in closing this theatre.
posted by William on Oct 4, 2001 at 3:48pm
When this theatre was built in the early 30's, it was called the Westwood Theatre. It later changed it's name to the UCLAN Theatre in the late 40's-early 50's. After that it changed to the Crest Theatre till SRO Theatres remodeled it, and changed the named again to the Metro Theatre. Then back to the Crest Theatre. During the 60's this theatre was operated by Statewide theatres then Century Theatres then Loew's Theatres. Then GCC Theatres in the 70's, then to SRO theatres then to Pacific Theatres.
posted by William on Oct 2, 2002 at 8:10am
The Crest is no longer owned by Pacific theatres. It was sold to a theatre buff for 3.5 Million. Brucec
posted by brucec on Nov 6, 2003 at 2:25pm
I've been told that Henry Fonda built and ran the Westwood Theatre for a period of time.
posted by eadkins on Aug 4, 2004 at 2:37pm
The architect of this theater is named as Arthur W. Hawes, and the owner as Frances S. Fonda, in a notice about its planned construction published in Southwest Builder and Contractor, issue of April 12, 1940. The place must not have opened until 1941, or very late 1940.

(Yes, eadkins, Frances Fonda was Mrs. Henry Fonda, Jane's mother.)

And, like Moviemanforever, I saw "Five Easy Pieces" at this theater- though it wasn't on the night when they did the preview of "The Owl and The Pussycat."
posted by Joe Vogel on Dec 2, 2004 at 3:53am
Is this still a first run house? I wonder why Pacific got rid of it?
posted by RobertR on Dec 2, 2004 at 4:56am
It is still a first run house. With the loss of 2 of the 3 multiplexes in Westwood (Mann Westwood 4, UA Westwood 4), this theatre will continue to get first run bookings for a long time...
posted by Jeff Arellano on Dec 2, 2004 at 5:54am
The suicide of Frances Seymour Fonda (formerly Mrs. George Tuttle Brokaw) was kept from her daughter Jane. Though the New York socialite killed herself in 1950 by cutting her own throat, the 12-year-old Jane was told that her mother had died of heart failure. Household newspaper and magazine subscriptions were canceled, and the staff and student body of Fonda's high school were instructed not to discuss the incident. Fonda learned the truth months later while leafing through a movie magazine in art class.
posted by Cookie Crawford on Dec 15, 2004 at 10:29pm
Shouldn't this be listed as being located in Westwood, not Los Angeles?
posted by MagicLantern on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:00pm
Maybe. Perhaps it's because Westwood is in Los Angeles County. Also, the architectural designer (Arthur W. Hawes) should be identified in the profile, too, now that he is known.

Who knows how to contact the administartion with updates?
posted by Cookie Crawford on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:07pm
They usually mosey through the comments sometime during the day. Squeaky wheel, grease, etc. The theatre's in walking distance of every other theatre in Westwood, too.
posted by MagicLantern on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:23pm
MagicLantern: Could you contact me at cookiela2001@cs.com if you have any suggestions about researching architects, such as Mr. Hawes? I have questions, but little experience!
posted by Cookie Crawford on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:28pm
I see in your future...a trip to the downtown Los Angeles Central Library...
posted by MagicLantern on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:39pm
P.S. I mention the Federal offices because Mr. Hawes was born in England.
posted by Cookie Crawford on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:47pm
Westwood is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles, not a separate city.

(Then again, so is Hollywood, yet we have some listings here under that "city" name.)
posted by Ron Newman on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:53pm
The seating capacity of the Crest Theatre is 500.

The first operators when it became the Uclan Theatre were the independent circuit Dietrich and Feldstein.

Theatre interior designer Joe Musil was responsible for the current renovation carried out in conjunction with the Disney Organisation. He was also responsible for the 1993 restoration of the Cecchi Gori Fine Arts http://cinematreasures.org/theater/212/ and the El Capitan Theater http://cinematreasures.org/theater/17/

posted by KenRoe on Dec 21, 2004 at 12:56pm
I saw Rosemary's Baby at the Crest during it's exclusive engagement during the late 1960's. Luckily, I was unprepared for the film, and found it one of the most engrossing movies I've ever seen. The Crest was a an Art Deco masterpiece in the Sixties, and I am so happy to say it stands just as handsomely in the new Millenium. And, best of all--and almost unique in Los Angeles--they still show current feature films there! Westwood is like the last refuge of individual movie theaters, what with the Bruin and the equally exquisite Fox Village (I know, it's really a Mann Theater, but let's remember it's heritage), located across the street from each other in the heart of Westwood Village.
posted by L. Thomas on Jan 6, 2005 at 3:41pm
The other names for this theater were UCLAN, Metro and Pacific Crest. Now it is called the Westwood Crest Theatre. They have a website.
http://www.westwoodcrest.com/
posted by Lost Memory on Jan 17, 2005 at 9:43am
Loew's 1967 annual report mentions the chain's acquisition of the Picfair, Beverly, Crest, and other Statewide Circuit theatres. See pages 5 through 8.
posted by Ron Newman on Jul 5, 2005 at 5:11pm
Another AKA for this theater is the Majestic Crest.
posted by Michael Coate on Aug 18, 2005 at 10:13pm
CALLING ALL THEATRE / MOVIE ENTHUSIASTS!!!

T'he Los Angeles Theatre' on South Broadway, LA is playing host to the UK television show 'Dead Famous LIVE'. We are currently looking for people who would like to come along as part of the studio audience.

'Dead Famous LIVE' is a studio entertainment show all about Hollywood History and the paranormal. We will be welcoming celebrity guests on to the show and investigating famous locations around Hollywood which are rumoured to be haunted including the Los Angeles Theatre itself.

This is an invaluable chance to get access to the Los Angeles Theatre, the place where Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights' premiered in 1931 and to have a thoroughly great day out! (And its free!!)

We're transmitting 'Live' back to the United Kingdom so expect it to be exciting and fun!

We will be filming on three days from 11th - 13th November between 11.30am - 4pm. If you are interested in coming on one or all of these days then email me for tickets!

george.hughes@twofour.co.uk

I look forward to your responses!
posted by UKuser on Nov 2, 2005 at 12:49am
"Shouldn't this be listed as being located in Westwood, not Los Angeles?"

Westwood is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles. The Crest is south of Wilshire, which distinguishes it from being in the part of Westwood called the village, where many of the fine premiere houses are located, like the Mann Village and the Bruin.
posted by GWaterman on Dec 3, 2005 at 4:48pm
I went to the Crest for the first time today and saw "Munich." The Crest is a theater that I have known about for some time now and have wanted to go to but had actual just never gone to. I do not know why I had never gone to this theater before because in the late 1980's, during the heyday of Westwood Village, I was watching movies in Westwood every weekend. Maybe it was because the Crest is south of Wilshire Boulevard and therefor really out of Westwood Village. I did however once make it next door to the now defunct Coronet Theater to see "The Doors." The Crest is a gem of a theater worth making a trip to. The auditorium is very nice with murals of the old Hollywood skyline on the walls. It is great this single screen theater survives.
posted by Knatcal on Jan 8, 2006 at 2:04pm
I'm still waiting for photos on the Look Inside column!!
posted by BillH. on Jun 11, 2006 at 5:50pm
This is an exterior photo of the Westwood Crest Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 10, 2006 at 4:13pm
The new owner has changed the theatre's name to the Majestic Crest.

Why is it still listed as the Westwood Crest?
posted by exit on Oct 10, 2006 at 12:21am
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET INFORMATION ON THE ARCHITECT ARTHUR W. HAWES??
posted by architect85 on Oct 12, 2006 at 5:51am
architect85: You can email me at cookiela2001@cs.com I did some research on Hawes and will get it to you, if you like.
posted by Cookie Crawford on Nov 1, 2006 at 2:05pm
The only thing that might be original at the Crest is the facade area near the vertical sign above the marquee. The rest of the theatre is the Disney remodel.
posted by William on Nov 1, 2006 at 2:46pm
Recent nighttime view of the beautiful Crest Majestic theater:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdCrestmar92007.jpg
posted by hollywood90038 on Mar 10, 2007 at 2:51pm
They'd never do it, and it would be nice if the owner replaced those backlight mural type signs on the marquee with the old style movable lettering. The theater would look a little more like a restoration than a renovation. That said, given how much Westwood has changed since I visited when I was a kid in the 1970s, it's a miracle the building still stands and still retains as much of its original character as it does. Interesting that GCC (General Cinema) owned it for a time.
posted by Tom N on Mar 14, 2007 at 4:54am
It must have been an art house in January 1950 as the features were "Donizetti's Opera" and "This Wine of Love", according to an ad in the LA Times.
posted by ken mc on Jun 3, 2007 at 11:42am
GCC operated it when Loew's left the California market. Among the other main theatres they picked up from Loews was the Loew's on Hollywood Blvd. (aka. Paramount/El Capitan), Holly, Beverly (in Beverly Hills), Picfair, ElMiro and others.
posted by William on Jun 6, 2007 at 5:38pm
Here is another recent night view of the Crest.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 29, 2007 at 10:04am
Want to take a look at the murals inside. I did an independent, free photoshoot of them to show up the lovely glowing look. View at the theatre site, www.westwoodcrest.com, then click on special events, and then on the link to the Majestic Crest Pictures. Or go directly to the slideshow at my site http:www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides. I am not affiliated, and the images are not for sale. I am a photographic artist and I love the cinema.
posted by James Everett on Jul 3, 2007 at 1:56am
James--Beautiful series. Thanks! tom
posted by Tom N on Jul 3, 2007 at 6:00am
Tom - Glad you enjoyed! I was sleepless last night, so put up the link to my pics in this forum. I plan to add more images from the shoot I did - more angles, more murals. For those who want to see it http://www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides (Flash), or http://www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestweb (web pages). Pass the word along.
posted by James Everett on Jul 3, 2007 at 7:39am
James, Great looking pictures of the auditorium. Did you happen to take any pictures of the lobby area/concession area?
posted by JohnMessick on Jul 3, 2007 at 11:35pm
John - Thanks. And I did not get shots of the concession are, not this time around at least. My goal was simply to capture the auditorium. However, I am still working on some unshown shots of the walls, murals and screens, including (maybe) a simulation of the lights dimming.
posted by James Everett on Jul 4, 2007 at 9:27am
Now the simulation of the lights dimming...that would be cool. I have seen a picture of the concession area and it is fantastic. Joe Musil designed the interior and what a beautiful job he did.
posted by JohnMessick on Jul 4, 2007 at 9:47am
Everyone within normal travel distance of greater Los Angeles, who are devotee's of the classic single screen theaters, should jump onto their Pogostick or catch a train to SANTA ANA and see the fabulous display of JOSEPH MUSIL'S CREST THEATRE.

Artistically shown is everything from early pencil drawings, blue prints, molds, models and beautiful photographic collection -the entire side wall of his museum/auditorium is devoted to the CREST.

I would advise calling first for an appointment 714-667-6959 as Mr. Musil's (formerly known as the "Salon of the Theatres" -now the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL DESIGN) does not keep normal shop hours... You'll need to offer a handsome donation because it's well worth the normal price of admission and this is a non-profit organization with volunteer docents! www.josephmusil.com

Mr. Musil is an amazing iconic tower of authority regarding countless American theaters. He was profesionaly trained in Milan, Italy and has provided his services to theater giants across America, further providing a wealth of designs and models for numerous Disney projects both locally, France and Japan.

The only other point I might add was a comment from an overseas visitor during the 2005 THS Conclave; "Your museum tour and stage show was the absolute highlight of the entire tour." -Need I say more?
Simon Overton -Volunteer stage manager.

posted by Simon Overton on Jul 10, 2007 at 9:21pm
Edited from “Neighborhood Theaters: Room for Dreams, Big and Small” by Patrick Goldstein, Los Angeles Times, July 10, 2007:

The handsome old Westwood Crest Theater, a 1940-era movie house on Westwood Boulevard is a lovely theater, but saddled with a crushing disadvantage. With one screen, its fortunes fluctuate by the luck of landing a hit picture; a multiplex can book hourly showings of a popular film while relegating a fading flick to a smaller theater. The only reason the Crest still exists is that it is owned by one man, Robert Bucksbaum, who bought it in 2002 and operates it as a labor of love.

Still, business there has not been good. Bucksbaum is now in negotiations with an investment group to sell the land the theater sits on in return for a series of five-year leases that will allow him to continue operating the theater. Bucksbaum says his biggest problem has been finding a consistent flow of product. Studio distributors, more at home dealing with big chains, rarely go out of their way to support a family theater owner like Bucksbaum.

Bucksbaum originally had a deal with Disney, but that quickly dissolved. He then struck a deal with 20th Century Fox, which also went south after a series of booking disputes too complicated to detail here. Suffice to say that Bucksbaum feels that, as a one-man show, he was treated like a second-class citizen.

"My livelihood depends on this one theater — I don't have 3,000 other theaters to fall back on," says Bucksbaum, who also runs ReelSource, a box-office data firm. "At first, everyone said they'd throw me a bone. But in practice, it was the complete opposite. They had the attitude — 'You're one little guy. What could you possibly do for us?' "

The Crest has become essentially a second-run art house, largely playing movies that have already opened at other theaters. Bucksbaum has only one first-run commitment this summer, New Line's "Hairspray," which opens later this month.

All the good movies in the world may still not save the Crest. Like the other aging one-screen theaters that populate Westwood, it's a gas-guzzler in a neighborhood full of Priuses. All those lights on its marquee come with a cost — Bucksbaum complains that his electricity bill probably rivals any theater in the country.

But the Crest is an invaluable link to our past, when it didn't take half a day to drive across town. As Bucksbaum puts it: "I think people would like to have some ties to their roots and to their neighborhood, to what this city was like 50 years ago."

That probably makes Bucksbaum a crazy dreamer. But in many ways Cuban is a crazy dreamer too, trying to drag movie exhibition into the 21st century. Having sat in the lap of a theater owner as a boy, I like hearing about dreams and schemes. To me, it sounds like the crazy talk of people who really love movies.
posted by Homeboy on Jul 12, 2007 at 6:07pm
Well "Hairspray" is a fun film and the prints look great from Deluxe. It's in scope and also it has a very lively soundtrack too.
posted by William on Jul 12, 2007 at 7:04pm
To anyone paying attention, it is obvious that this theatre is officially named the Majestic Crest, yet Cinema Treasures insists on listing it as the Westwood Crest.

Let's examine the evidence, shall we? Mr. Bucksbaum has stated in an interview that he was fond of the movie THE MAJESTIC and its depiction of a family run movie palace. He has spent a lot of money adding the name MAJESTIC to the marquee, it is in all the advertising, the telephone recordings, everywhere - except for Cinema Treasures, and his own website, which hasn't changed a bit in years.

With unreliable bookings, unsteady business, serious damage done to the theatre by careless film crews, the high cost of running the place, and a daily struggle to keep it open, clearly he is much too busy to buy and register a new domain name, cross-link it with the current domain name, and update the graphics on his website. Anyone who has tried to run a website while also trying to support himself can empathize.

This man is a hero to us for fighting against all odds to preserve a real Cinema Treasure. The least you could do is list it under the name he obviously prefers!
posted by exit on Jul 16, 2007 at 7:26am
Typically when a classic theater sitting on expensive real estate closes or announces its intention to close the community rallies to try to save it. Meanwhile a developer already has his permits and is chafing at the bit to tear it down. Under the pressure of time, it often doesn't work and wrecking ball does its thing.

Despite Bucksbaum's best efforts, it seems clear to me that the Majestic Crest's days as a single-screen movie theater are numbered. Shouldn't someone RIGHT NOW be working with Bucksbaum to form a non-profit to buy it, or convince the City of Los Angeles to make it a performance venue, or do whatever the things a community does when a theater closes and they try to save it? Why wait? Isn't it easier to do it now with a bit of time rather than at the last minute?
posted by Homeboy on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:00am
Well the website calls the theatre "The Westwood Crest Theatre".

And in the history of the theatre section, he has the wrong decade listed as when the theatre was named the Metro. He posted on the site: "In the 1970's it was temporarily renamed the Metro, and MGM made minor design changes." It was named the Metro around 1983, before that it was known as SRO's Crest Theatre.
posted by William on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:02am
Before what Disney did to remodel the theatre in that El Capitan way. The Crest Theatre was no thing more than a long shoot galley type theatre with very little interior decor that would make it special.
posted by William on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:48am
Yes William, we know that the website for the Crest is not fully up to date. That is no reason for Cinema Treasures not to be up to date. And despite what the theatre was before, it is now a gem worth saving.

Homeboy, the owner of the Crest loves the theatre and has clearly announced that he has NO INTENTION of closing. The National in Westwood is in much more immanent danger of being lost in just the scenario you describe than the Crest is.
posted by exit on Jul 16, 2007 at 12:17pm
I get it that the owner loves the Crest, but he's not going to live forever and accidents (God forbid) do happen. Also, from the LA Times article, it seems as though he's at the mercy of forces over which he has no control (supply of new product, the success of other theaters, a rise in electric rates, etc.) It seems like such a labor of love (given what that real estate is worth and what his expenses are) that it's not going to make financial sense to anyone else. I guess what I have in mind is a succession plan. Does he have kids? Do they love theaters or developer money? Better than he will the theater to the Crest Historical Society. (No need to set it up now, but the plans for it, how it would work, how the theater would sustain itself, etc. should be firmly in place.) I'm going on about this using the Crest as my subject, but I think all too often we rest easy because a theater is being run as a labor of love with no thought as to what will happen when the owner is no longer around. If possible, nothing should ever been done under the pressure of a last minute deadline.

Personally, I don't think the National is especially distinctive. But that's just me, and I know that the goal is to save all theaters.
posted by Homeboy on Jul 16, 2007 at 12:43pm
Roadshow, I've worked the Crest Theatre during it's Pacific Theatre/Disney days. Yes, I enjoyed the Crest Theatre the many times I've been there. From the article Homeboy posted, It looks like Mr. Bucksbaum has had problems with a deal with Disney and Fox over booking disputes. One problem is the Crest is a single screen theatre. The studios want the screen for their product, but as a single screen house, you are very limited to time a feature can play and for how long. A lot of the deals now a days the studios want for the First Run market are three weeks or longer. As a single screen and a Independent theatre you are up againist a high wall. Your stuck with that feature most of the times for the full term of the contract. Till the next booking. I know the Crest can kick ass with business and I've been there during that time. So it's not a theatre that under performs normally. But the studios make it very hard sometimes for the single screen to make money, by the terms of the contract. The National Theatre is another story. It sits on a large piece of land, that Mann Theatre just leased.. Like Mann Theatres does not own the Village or Bruin Theatres too, they are both owned by the same family and are just leases.
posted by William on Jul 16, 2007 at 12:49pm
"To anyone paying attention, it is obvious that this theatre is officially named the Majestic Crest, yet Cinema Treasures insists on listing it as the Westwood Crest."

I posted a similar comment on this page in August of 2005. It is apparent to me that this issue of primary and alternate theatre names is not one of Cinema Treasures' strong points despite the useful and informative contributions of its readers.

A similar thing exists with the NATIONAL in Westwood. I pointed out on two separate occasions the situation with the venue's name, in one case even answering another reader's question on how the venue was promoted in local newspaper advertising and on the building itself. Yet, amazingly (and insultingly) one of the CT staff ignored (or dismissed) my posts and chimed in stating the name needed to be the NATIONAL WESTWOOD!

Fine, list it as NATIONAL WESTWOOD...but as one of the small-print alternate names! I'll argue that the primary name should be NATIONAL. Same here with the CREST. The main name ought to be MAJESTIC CREST since that is its current and official name; all other names (UCLAN, CREST, METRO, WESTWOOD CREST, etc.) should be alternates.
posted by Michael Coate on Jul 16, 2007 at 3:09pm
The staff of CinemaTreasures do not read every comment made on every theatre. I don't know if any of them live in Los Angeles where they would see newspaper advertising or marquees. If you want them to change the name of this, or the National, or any other theatre, send them an e-mail or fill out the correction form.
posted by Ron Newman on Jul 16, 2007 at 3:16pm
Michael, we agree on a lot.

Okay Mr. Newman, you've made a good point. I have just submitted a correction with enough detail (and passion) to convince the Powers that Be at CT. Being webmasters themselves, they must realize how difficult is is to change the domain name and page graphics of an established website. My point in that message was that Mr. Bucksbaum's efforts to keep the theatre exemplify the very mission of Cinema Treasures, so they should at least list it under his chosen name.

While we're giving so much impassioned attention to The Majestic Crest, let's all remember that it's well worth a drive far beyond your local uglyplex to enjoy the superior moviegoing experience of this classic theatre. Let's put our money where our mouths are and go SUPPORT the place.

HAIRSPRAY opens at the Majestic Crest on Friday July 20th. Can you imagine the fun of watching it in such a theatrical environment? See you there.
posted by exit on Jul 16, 2007 at 4:34pm
btw, did the original Hairspray play at this theater?
posted by Justin Fencsak on Jul 16, 2007 at 4:47pm
Latest additions to slideshows of Westwood's Majestic Crest Theatre interior and murals!!

I just finished a major upgrade to the slideshows of The Crest online, and am pleased with how it looks and works.

There are now four separate slide shows, all accessed off www.westwoodcrest.com (you need to enable popups), or directly on my site: www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides

The original set of slides is now revised and expanded with new views. Four panoramas have been added, another of some of the art deco details, and a fourth set devoted to showing many of the murals.

There are identical Flash and HTML versions of each, and a cool new index page with access to both the Flash and the HTML pages.

I am not affiliated with the theatre, or engaged to do this work. It is simply a labor of love for this wonderful cinema in my neighborhood. People deserve to see the murals.
posted by James Everett on Jul 16, 2007 at 11:49pm
Again James those pictures are GREAT. Now pictures of the lobby and concession would be sweet.
posted by JohnMessick on Jul 18, 2007 at 5:00pm
Justin:
The 1988 "Hairspray" did not play its Westwood first-run engagement at this theatre; it played at the nearby CORONET, a theatre which has gone under several names and, unless I'm not looking hard enough, does not have a Cinema Treasures page.
posted by Michael Coate on Jul 19, 2007 at 4:48pm
I had never heard of the Crest until one of my visits to Westwood Village last year. When HAIRSPRAY opened at the Arclight in one of the black box auditoriums (not the dome) I still went to see it and was not really wowed by the movie. Today I went to see it at the Crest and I loved it. Same movie...different venue. The sterile blackbox auditoriums at the Arclight did nothing to make the movie seem special. The beautiful deco Crest with those killer murals, the stary ceiling with the shooting stars, the non stadium seating AND the curtain ceremony all added to the experience of seeing the movie in a true movie palace. My only minor complaint was that the film was a tiny bit larger than the screen so some of it could be seen on the black behind the screen but not enough to be a real bother. This is the first time I've ever changed my opinion of a film after seeing it again in a different theater. Truly a wonderful experience. Anyone who thinks that seeing a big, colorful, splashy musical in a bland theater is no differnt than seeing the same movie in a real theatrical movie palace is missing a big part of the movie going experience. HAIRSPRAY should have opened in the dome, not Chuck and Larry.
posted by hollywood90038 on Aug 4, 2007 at 10:23pm
Michael Coate:
I find a four-plex theatre named the Coronet listed in the United Artists Theatres section of the movie listings in the L.A. Times Calendar section for August 24, 1986. Its location is given as Westwood Boulevard one block south of Wilshire. It isn't listed in the Times' movie listings in the issue of February 10, 1971, but that issue does contain a listing for a theatre called the U.A. Westwood, with no street name given. The same place perhaps? I can't find hide nor hair of either theatre listed at Cinema Treasures. You must be right about it being missing from the site.

There's a small photo of a U.A. Westwood Theatre on this page at Roadside Peek, but again the exact location is not given. The photo appears to be more recent than either of the moive lisings I've cited.
posted by Joe Vogel on Aug 4, 2007 at 11:57pm
Before the Metro remodel and the Disney fancy remodel. The Crest Theatre was a very plain non-movie palace theatre. The only classic thing that is original is the facade of the theatre. Every thing else is from that Disney remodel. Without that remodel the theatre would be just a standard shooting gallery type theatre.
posted by William on Aug 5, 2007 at 8:06am
Hollywood90038 - as a fellow fan of the Crest, it is great to see yet another person become a devotee. With my husband (JamesG) having photographed and studied the murals, I would have chosen a less violent adjective than "killer". How about "magnificent", "stunning", "glorious", "breathtaking". Just not a word whose origins are in the taking of the life of a competitor.

On a more positive note, we had a wonderful coversation last night with the designer of the Crest remodel - Joe Musil. We attended his fascinating presentation and boutique museum down in Santa Ana, in the Santora Arts building.
posted by JaneD on Aug 5, 2007 at 10:26am
JaneD..John Messick here. I have never met Joe Musil, I do email a really good friend of his, Simon Overton. From what Simon tells me Joe is quite a guy. I am sure that you had a great time speaking with Joe and an equally great time at his Salon of Theatres.
posted by JohnMessick on Aug 5, 2007 at 11:23am
Here is a recent photo of the Crest Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 5, 2007 at 12:54pm
Hey John M - James G here. We (JaneD and I) got to meet and talk with Simon Overton - quite a character and a showman. We just loved the Ceremony of the Curtains - with lighting and multiple curtain effects in his pocket-sized theatre.
posted by James Everett on Aug 5, 2007 at 1:56pm
James G, Yes Simon Overton is quite a character and by reading his emails is is a showman. The trait that Simon posses is something that is truly ABSENT in todays theatre onwers/managers. Looking forward to your pictures of the concession area/lobby of the Crest. I do have one picture of the concession area, and that was from a magazine article.
posted by JohnMessick on Aug 5, 2007 at 3:52pm
Sorry...ok...the exquisite murals. Shows what can be done with some imagination to a "shooting gallery type" theater.
posted by hollywood90038 on Aug 5, 2007 at 5:31pm
To hollywood90038 - thanks. Yes, I like "exquisite".
posted by James Everett on Aug 5, 2007 at 5:40pm
I've seen the headline "Magificent photos of the Majestic Crest" somewnere... ; )

Very nice to hear someone else finds ArcLight's lackluster boxes unimpressive, and that the theatrical showmanship of the Majestic Crest can greatly enhance the quality of the moviegoing experience.
posted by exit on Aug 8, 2007 at 4:18am
To Roadshow - The Crest has a link to my 4 slideshows from their site (you will need popups enabled). Or you can go directly to http://www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides/, or via my blog at http:www.itookthat.com, then click on the link on right: Stunning Art Deco Cinema. I did it as a freebie to showcase the Westwood Majestic Crest interiors. Enjoy.
posted by James Everett on Aug 8, 2007 at 8:33am
Why does the theater description call El Capitan the Crest's "smaller sister" when I believe El Capitan has about 1000 more seats?
posted by saps on Aug 8, 2007 at 8:52am
Well Disney paid for the remodels on both theatres. Where as the El Capitan was restored to what it originally looked like. The Crest was given a Disney Art Deco remodel to give it a classic look to a non-deco auditorium. And Pacific and Disney had a deal to use both theatres a Disney's First Run showcase in Hollywood and Westwood. The "smaller sister" is just because of the remodels by Disney.
posted by William on Aug 8, 2007 at 9:03am
saps: More accurate to call the Crest the smaller sister of the El Capitan.

James: Your photos are also linked from another site, the one the describes them as magnificent. Your work is a complete success and the best way to convey the magic of the Majestic Crest. I know the designer, Joe Musil, is very pleased with how well you artfully captuted his work.

William: The Crest redesign is also an example of what Joe Musil could create on his own without Disney's executive "advice."
posted by exit on Aug 8, 2007 at 3:31pm
Michael C - the Coronet/United Artists was located just up the street from the Crest, within a block or so. I was there in the US days, and it was an ugly mess. It is now a drugstore.

Hwd 90038 - it's normal for a bit of the picture to spill over onto the black masking. Corners of a film frame are rounded and corners of a movie screen are square. The masking is there to give a nice sharp edge and contrasting frame to the picture, and movies are shot with that in mind. The picture at the Crest would always be brighter and sharper than the Dome because the dimensions of the Crest provide a shorter throw distance to a normal size screen.
posted by exit on Aug 8, 2007 at 3:47pm
Roadshow: I'll buy that tho I don't recall any spill over at the Chinese, the Dome (DREAMGIRLS was a perfect fit) or the Arclight blackboxes. Nonetheless, it was not enough to ruin the extraordinary movie-going experience at the Majestic Crest.
posted by hollywood90038 on Aug 8, 2007 at 7:57pm
For the reason I mentioned, It HAS to spill over a little, and on each of the screens you mentioned, it does. However the more it spills over, the more noticable it is. Maybe the Crest needs to adjust the masking or the lens. Can't tell without seeing it.

PS when I saw Dreamgirls at the Dome, the bottom corners were cut off much of the time (due to the bad angle of the projector's throw onto a curved screen) This is just one reason why the Dome's main booth should be relocated to the rear of the Mezzanine.
posted by exit on Aug 9, 2007 at 1:36am
Roadshow: I guess I was too wow'd by DREAMGIRLS to notice.
posted by hollywood90038 on Aug 9, 2007 at 8:03am
I thought DG looked generally pretty good, and was very well done as a movie...

Back to the Crest, I hope HAIRSPRAY lasts there ling enough for me to get there. Love the movie and have been waiting for something I like to play the Crest. That's one place I won't bring my own popcorn into. I'll make a point of buying popcorn, soda candy right there. This is a great place and I want to support it as much as I can afford to. Curious to see how the new curtain looks in person, and happy to know the pre-show elements are all fully operational now.

Mr. Musil put a great deal of artistry into the place, Mr Bucksbaum is taking good care of it, Mr. Everett has taken pictures that are beautiful enough to hang in an art gallery. And 90038, I love the way you articulated how much the Crest's showmanship enhanced your enjoyment of the movie as compared to that other place.
posted by exit on Aug 9, 2007 at 8:27am
I was kinda hoping that STARDUST would open at the Crest tomorrow. Since it's not opening in the Dome and I refuse to pay to see it in a shoebox, I'll wait and see if it moves.
posted by hollywood90038 on Aug 9, 2007 at 8:46am
It should be playing at the Village but Rush Hour 3 is there instead. RH3 is also playing at Grauman's. Argh.

You must be pretty brave to want to see anything at the Dome.
posted by Kram Sacul on Aug 9, 2007 at 9:32am
Well how about that. Stardust will be playing at the Village afterall, in 2k DLP too.
posted by Kram Sacul on Aug 9, 2007 at 10:16am
NANNY DIARIES is at the Majestic Crest starting Friday 8/25. looks like a fun movie and I'd love to see at at the MC.
posted by exit on Aug 21, 2007 at 6:15pm
Delighted to announce that I have now added a new slideshow of seven stunning images of the lobby/foyer and concession area to my online collection of Crest images. The index offers you a choice of Flash viewing, or HTML. Older versions of Internet Explorer may have problems with the web versions. But it works just fine if you have a Flash plugin.I suggest when viewing the Flash versions, you drag your bowser window as big as you can. The images will resize larger.

To view the new Foyer slideshow, and the other collections of the illuminated auditorium and murals, go to http://www.jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides
posted by James Everett on Sep 14, 2007 at 11:11am
LOST MEMORY: can I contact you for permision to feature that great photo of the Crest in an appropriate place?
posted by exit on Sep 14, 2007 at 1:29pm
Does ANYONE have photos of this or other movie theatres they would like to see featured online?
posted by exit on Sep 14, 2007 at 1:36pm
Roadshow....The photo dooesn't belong to me. You will have to contact the owner of the photo through flickr to get their permission.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 14, 2007 at 1:57pm
There isn't any contact info on her Flicker profile. Isn't it kinda strange that the bottom and left of the marquee in that picture is in Black & White?
posted by exit on Sep 14, 2007 at 2:01pm
It looks Photoshop played a role in that photo. Maybe you should look for another one.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 14, 2007 at 2:07pm
True, was just hoping for one with HAIRSPRAY on the Marquee.
posted by exit on Sep 14, 2007 at 2:11pm
James..OUTSTANDING.....your imagines of the lobby area are great. You really have capture Joe Musil artistic flare
posted by JohnMessick on Sep 14, 2007 at 3:48pm
Here is another photo of the Crest with Hairspray on the marquee. If you sign up for a free account, you can post a comment to this person on flickr.


posted by Lost Memory on Sep 14, 2007 at 3:52pm
To John Messick - Thanks for your comments. They turned out rather nicely. But what a stunning subject to start with. For the lobby shots, I literally had 5 minutes, while my car was in the white loading zone out front, with the helpful theatre manager watching out for inspectors.
posted by James Everett on Sep 14, 2007 at 4:32pm
This is a more recent photo of the Majestic Crest Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 17, 2007 at 7:04am
Great pictures Hollywood
posted by JohnMessick on Oct 15, 2007 at 12:30pm
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.
posted by Mark Campbell on Oct 29, 2007 at 6:01pm
It does seem a little ironic.
posted by James Everett on Oct 29, 2007 at 6:37pm
I am sure the operators of the Crest wouldn't mind hosting a group. They could watch a film (supporting the theatre) and have a discussion afterwards.
posted by Mark Campbell on Oct 29, 2007 at 6:42pm
Mark--That's crazy, and at a 12-plex no less. Perhaps Landmark made a big charitible contribution. They should, since they may put some of the single screens out of business. In Boston proper, the first run single screens are gone, though a number of them survive in the 'burbs where I live, just the opposite of what you'd expect.
posted by Tom N on Oct 30, 2007 at 3:04pm
You know, FWIW, I'm not inclined to read too much into their choice of venue. It doesn't require anyone to spend any money, it's near a cinema... and it's nearly impossible to please everyone.

Honestly, the Crest has no place for an undetermined number of people to sit, hang out, drink and talk for an indefinite period. It's not as if we could get them to just cancel a show so we could meet in the theatre. They have a business to run.

The CT guys obviously were looking for something near a theatre that had some seating, served alcohol and didn't require anyone to spend a lot of money. That would pretty much limit them to The Bridge, ArcLight, The Landmark, The Grove (there's a cafe thing attached to the lobby) or the SIlent Movie Theatre, which probably doesn't sell liquor.

Too far away for me, but what can you do? I'm not taking this one personally.
posted by exit on Oct 30, 2007 at 4:40pm
Dear All, To answer these questions, no, Landmark did not give any money to Cinema Treasures. We are having this event there because, as we stated earlier, they have free parking, no one has to pay to get in, and we can have the event without booking a space, interrupting a theater's programming for the evening, or clogging their lobby.

Thank you Roadshow for seeing that we didn't have a lot of options and this one made a lot of sense (at least at the time!). The Arclight cafe would need to be booked, The Grove has no cafe (it's a smaller version of the restaurant The Farm) and The Bridge is even further away. As previously stated, we tried to do this at the National to no avail.

We are doing this to gather our LA members together and I'd like to think that's the point. Obviously, we'd love to do something more elaborate, something in Hollywood (next time Roadshow), and something at a historic theater. This event is to see how many there are of us here in LA and then figure out something more elaborate for next time. That's it.

I will happily continue this conversation, if necessary, but I'd love to get back to discussing these theaters, if possible.
posted by Ross Melnick on Oct 30, 2007 at 5:22pm
Thanks to all for clearing this up. Tom
posted by Tom N on Oct 31, 2007 at 4:38am
http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u225/MPNeeb/?action=view¤t=Skidoo.jpg

Ad for Loews in 1968.
Also, the only first run engagement of Skidoo I'm aware of.
posted by neeb on Jan 6, 2008 at 11:58pm
Went here this past Saturday night (2/2/08) for the first time in about 9 years or so for "There Will Be Blood". Place was packed to the rafters - the owner of the joint himself was selling tickets at the BO! Showmanship is still in effect here. Sound was nice and crisp and the screen is still pretty decent.
posted by Chris Utley on Feb 4, 2008 at 9:23am
Just a reminder to all that you can view slideshows of the interiors, murals and lobby+ceiling at http://jamesgordongallery.com/crestslides
posted by James Everett on Feb 4, 2008 at 9:35am
Filming at the Crest yesterday:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/CrestFeb13200801.jpg
posted by hollywood90038 on Feb 14, 2008 at 6:52am
Advertised as the Crest Cinema in October 1973, per the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2vlkgd
posted by ken mc on Feb 22, 2008 at 7:18am
A Tear in the Ocean aka "Une larme dans l'océan" was released in the U.S. in September of 1973.

posted by Lost Memory on Feb 22, 2008 at 7:27am
A March 2008 photo can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 17, 2008 at 9:32am
Here is a story from today's LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/5wvhcf
posted by ken mc on May 6, 2008 at 9:07am
From “Los Angeles Conservancy News,” May/June 2008:

On March 20, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to recommend the Majestic Crest Theatre, located at 1262 S. Westwood Blvd., for designation as a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The nomination was submitted jointly by Friends of the UCLAN/Crest Theatre and the Westwood Homeowners Association after the theatre was listed for sale.

The theatre was originally built in 194) in a simplified Moderne style and was called the UCLAN Theatre, in reference to the nearby university. The structure underwent a complete interior and exterior remodeling in 1987-88 under the direction of interiors specialist and set de-signer Joseph Musil. Significant features of the themed Art Deco Revival makeover include the intricately stepped facade, the auditorium cyclorama depicting Los Angeles circa 1939, and an elaborate sunburst light fixture and hand-painted ceilings in the lobby.

Before completing the Majestic Crest Theatre, Musil had been an artist under contract for Disney. He would later consult on a number of theatre restoration projects, including the Alex in Glendale and the El Capitan in Hollywood. The Majestic Crest, however, is Musil's only theatre project in Southern California that was not a restoration project, but an entire re-creation. Since very few structures built after 1960 have been locally designated, the commission's vote on the Majestic Crest Theatre sets an important precedent for properties of the recent past by formally recognizing the significance of Musil's 1987 modifications.

Although the owner initially objected to designation of the theatre, the Conservancy worked closely with Council District 5 and the county assessor's office to quantify the potential economic benefits of HCM designation, including property tax relief under the Mills Act, and ultimately persuaded hint to withdraw his opposition. The nomination must still be approved by both the city's Planning and Land Use Management Committee and the City Council.
posted by Homeboy on May 12, 2008 at 8:22am
The Crest theatre is for sale by the owner, its future in jeopardy.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/11/21/crest_3.jpg
posted by socal09 on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:32pm
Here is the story that goes with the photo:
http://tinyurl.com/5l3n34
posted by ken mc on Nov 28, 2008 at 11:53am
It reads as if the owner did everything right. You'd think the local taxing body would recognize the theatre's value to the neighborhood, and help to make the inevitable tax break retroactive or something.
Or spreading the present difference across the next several years or so.
It's not like other business owners would cry fowl.

Even a business that owns multiple companies isn't prepared for a $25K hit. The accountants should have caught the Mills Act criteria and planned accordingly.
Ironically the future tax benefit is now a selling feature.
posted by David Zornig on Nov 28, 2008 at 12:23pm
I wrote the following here July 16, 2007: "Despite Bucksbaum's best efforts, it seems clear to me that the Majestic Crest's days as a single-screen movie theater are numbered. Shouldn't someone RIGHT NOW be working with Bucksbaum to form a non-profit to buy it, or convince the City of Los Angeles to make it a performance venue, or do whatever the things a community does when a theater closes and they try to save it? Why wait? Isn't it easier to do it now with a bit of time rather than at the last minute?"

Of course, that's easy for me to write. Perhaps he HAS been doing this all along. What so disappointing to me -- and it happens time after time -- is that once the wrecking ball is in the air everyone springs into action forming committees and lobbying legislators. Shouldn't it be clear to us that every single-screen theater with historic value in an area where real estate is expensive needs a non-profit organization with a long-range plan for it? Do we need to wait for the owner to give up, or die, or a developer make a bid before it's clear that something needs to be done?

(Sorry. Just venting.)
posted by Homeboy on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:14am
From Boxoffice magazine, February 1955:

The building housing the Uclan Theater in Westwood has been bought by Morris Lehrmand and Paul Raful from the estate of Frances Seymour Fonda, late wife of actor Henry Fonda. The Uclan, operated on lease from the Dietrich and Feldstein circuit, is unaffected by the sale.
posted by ken mc on Dec 13, 2008 at 7:12pm
Hey, does anyone know where I could find a list of movies the Crest has played over the years, since it was built?
Thanks!
posted by LincolnA on Mar 1, 2009 at 7:05pm
Here is a plainer version of the Crest in 1981:
http://tinyurl.com/demjz3
posted by ken mc on Apr 10, 2009 at 3:46pm
Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.
Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.

Seller may provide finance/Owner may Carry back a Note (AITD)!

posted by eric chavez-CA on Apr 21, 2009 at 4:03pm
Here is a loopnet ad:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7
posted by ken mc on Apr 22, 2009 at 7:38pm
hopefully they can get some better bookings.
posted by jeremy w. on May 2, 2009 at 6:39pm
Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.
Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7

Seller may provide finance/Owner may Carry back Note!
posted by eric chavez-CA on May 3, 2009 at 4:51pm
Did you see that the Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show"?

Also, I hear the theatre is for sell....

http://cinematreasures.org/news/20973_0_1_0_M5/

I hope it manages to survive. It is a beautiful place to see movies!
posted by filmradar.com on Jun 2, 2009 at 12:45pm
Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show"!

Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7

Seller may provide finance/Owner may Carry back Note!
posted by eric chavez-CA on Jun 2, 2009 at 12:55pm
The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O Brien!

Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Even though the flashing marquee could cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that's right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you're sitting in your comfortable seats, don't forget to look up and watch the stars, just don't let them distract you.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale. Property has been just approved as a Historical monument and approved for The Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program which allows for the property tax reduction down to $17,500.00+/- per year.

One of the countries longest running and last single screen movie theatres. Westwood' s Crest Theatre was originally built as a live theatre in 1939 by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda. This unique venue is known for its landmark, hand painted murals depicting establishments from Westwood and Hollywood during the 1940s.
The best restaurants near Majestic Crest. Tengu , Sprazzo Cucina Italiana, Attari Sandwich Shop , JuJu Cereal Bar, Soleil Westwood, Jamba Juice, Palomino Euro Bistro, Westwood Thai Cafe, Isshin, Noah's Bagels.

Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7
posted by eric chavez-CA on Jun 2, 2009 at 2:40pm
Price has just been reduce!
The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O Brien!

Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Even though the flashing marquee could cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that's right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you're sitting in your comfortable seats, don't forget to look up and watch the stars, just don't let them distract you.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale. Property has been just approved as a Historical monument and approved for The Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program which allows for the property tax reduction down to $17,500.00+/- per year.

One of the countries longest running and last single screen movie theatres. Westwood' s Crest Theatre was originally built as a live theatre in 1939 by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda. This unique venue is known for its landmark, hand painted murals depicting establishments from Westwood and Hollywood during the 1940s.
The best restaurants near Majestic Crest. Tengu , Sprazzo Cucina Italiana, Attari Sandwich Shop , JuJu Cereal Bar, Soleil Westwood, Jamba Juice, Palomino Euro Bistro, Westwood Thai Cafe, Isshin, Noah's Bagels.

Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7
posted by eric chavez-CA on Jun 30, 2009 at 8:16pm
It's hard to be optimistic about the closing of the Festival, but I guess one good thing is that it means the Crest is more likely to get good bookings. For instance, on Friday, they open JULIE & JULIA, which is the first high-profile first-run film they've gotten in a long while. Yeah, it'd be nice for SOME of us if they would keep running the indie stuff--and second run is often a great help to catch up--but if bigger movies mean bigger crowds, I'm all for it. After all, this is at least the second best theater in Westwood.

As a side-note, when I was at LAFF, I tried to park at the AMPCO garage one day and noticed it was closed. Is this a permanent thing? One distinguishing thing about the Crest was always the cheaper-than-standard parking when Westwood was at meter-saturation.
posted by Danny Baldwin on Aug 3, 2009 at 6:14pm
If I were the owner of the Crest, I would reconsider selling. Come next March he may get better bookings. There are only so many films the Avco and Regent can play.
posted by BradE41 on Aug 12, 2009 at 12:57pm
The Crest is already letting Julie & Julia go. Begining Friday they have what appears to be a group of documentaries.
posted by BradE41 on Aug 19, 2009 at 5:26pm
They're all Oscar qualifying shorts. You'll see all the theaters booked to the brim with qualifiers at this time of year. Crest probably was paid a pretty penny to show them.

JULIE & JULIA clearly did well -- I saw shows with over 20 people pre-buying online, unheard of for them. It moves over to the Avco on Friday.
posted by Danny Baldwin on Aug 19, 2009 at 5:52pm
The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O Brien!

Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Even though the flashing marquee could cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that's right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you're sitting in your comfortable seats, don't forget to look up and watch the stars, just don't let them distract you.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale. Property has been just approved as a Historical monument and approved for The Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program which allows for the property tax reduction down to $17,500.00+/- per year.

One of the countries longest running and last single screen movie theatres. Westwood' s Crest Theatre was originally built as a live theatre in 1939 by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda. This unique venue is known for its landmark, hand painted murals depicting establishments from Westwood and Hollywood during the 1940s.
The best restaurants near Majestic Crest. Tengu , Sprazzo Cucina Italiana, Attari Sandwich Shop , JuJu Cereal Bar, Soleil Westwood, Jamba Juice, Palomino Euro Bistro, Westwood Thai Cafe, Isshin, Noah's Bagels.

Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7
posted by eric chavez-CA on Aug 19, 2009 at 9:48pm
Not to stray too far afield from the topic at hand, but I'm not sure I would put Jamba Juice on my top ten restaurant list.
posted by ken mc on Aug 19, 2009 at 9:53pm
Here are some photos from this weekend:
http://tinyurl.com/mo75cy
http://tinyurl.com/l3nt4n
http://tinyurl.com/nexslh
http://tinyurl.com/lzxonh
posted by ken mc on Sep 8, 2009 at 4:18pm
This is a 2009 night photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 10, 2009 at 9:43am
Here is the Metro in 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/mrhpsx
posted by ken mc on Sep 11, 2009 at 7:17pm
The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O Brien!

Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.

Even though the flashing marquee could cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that's right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you're sitting in your comfortable seats, don't forget to look up and watch the stars, just don't let them distract you.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale. Property has been just approved as a Historical monument and approved for The Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program which allows for the property tax reduction down to $17,500.00+/- per year.

One of the countries longest running and last single screen movie theatres. Westwood' s Crest Theatre was originally built as a live theatre in 1939 by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda. This unique venue is known for its landmark, hand painted murals depicting establishments from Westwood and Hollywood during the 1940s.
The best restaurants near Majestic Crest. Tengu , Sprazzo Cucina Italiana, Attari Sandwich Shop , JuJu Cereal Bar, Soleil Westwood, Jamba Juice, Palomino Euro Bistro, Westwood Thai Cafe, Isshin, Noah's Bagels.

Hello, my name is Eric Chavez and I am the President/Broker for Chavez & Associates REBF, Inc., and please Email me at: eschavez@chavezandassociatesrebf.com for a detail marketing packet.
or follow the link to:
http://tinyurl.com/df7xp7
posted by eric chavez-CA on Oct 25, 2009 at 3:58pm
How many times is that For Sale article going to get reposted? When did CT become the Craigslist real estate page?

Have never been to the Crest. Must get over there before it shuts down and becomes another American Apparel outlet.
posted by socal09 on Nov 3, 2009 at 8:49am
Not many single screens left. This house looks well kept and was once owned by Henry Fondas wife how cool.
posted by tlsloews on Nov 3, 2009 at 3:10pm
Lol..socal09.

I am just trying to use every resource I can think of to market the Theater in this tuff real estate market.

So, please get the word out to any you believe that would be interested in owning the Majestic Crest Theater. I will pay a flat Advertising fee of $5,000.00, to any one that refers a prospect for the theater and buys the theater.

Eric S. Chavez
President/Broker
CHAVEZ & ASSOCIATES
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE FIRM, INC.
100 North Barranca Avenue
7th Floor, Suite 718
West Covina, CA 91791
Dir: (626) 858-2006 x 2604
Fax: (626) 966-9010
DRE Lic: 01397806
“Prior Services: Sergeant of United States Marine Corps 1998-2004”
posted by eric chavez-CA on Nov 3, 2009 at 3:22pm
This theater is spectacular. A real gem. Saw Nine there last week. The movie wasn't so great but the theater just blew me away. Good sound, good screen, decent seats... and a beautiful auditorium. Someone buy it and preserve it!
posted by NYCJosh on Jan 5, 2010 at 8:05pm
Majestic Crest Theater is for for sale and is currently on the market.


Last True Neighborhood Theater in Los Angles! The Majestic Crest Theatre is featured in the opening montage of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O Brien! Majestic Crest Theater has a flashing marquee that can cause seizures at night, the interior of this Westwood theatre makes you feel like you slipped on a banana peel and ended up smack dab in Golden Age Hollywood. With an enormous screen and great sound (that's right - one screen), Majestic Crest Theatre hosts new release independent films with vim and vigor. When you're sitting in your comfortable seats, don't forget to look up and watch the stars, just don't let them distract you. One of the countries longest running and last single screen movie theatres. Westwood' s Crest Theatre was originally built as a live theatre in 1939 by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda. This unique venue is known for its landmark, hand painted murals depicting establishments from Westwood and Hollywood during the 1940s.The theater is currently operated by the existing owner, who would consider leasing back and continuing to operate the theater after a sale.

Centrally located on Westwood Blvd.Located in the northern central portion of Los Angeles' West Side, Westwood is bordered by Brentwood on the west, Bel-Air on the north, Century City and Beverly Hills on the east, West Los Angeles on the southwest, Rancho Park on the southeast, and Sawtelle on the south and southwest, near Los Angeles National Cemertery, Westwood Park, shopping stores, restaurants and minutes away from the 405 freeways exit off Wilshire Blvd.The district's boundaries are generally considered to be Santa Monica Blvd. (or Olympic Blvd. and, by some, Pico Blvd.) on the southeast, the city limits of Beverly Hills on the northeast, and Sunset Boulevard on the north; its southwestern boundary is the San Diego Freeway between Santa Monica and Wilshire boulevards, and Veteran Avenue between Wilshire and Sunset.

Eric S. Chavez
President/Broker
CHAVEZ & ASSOCIATES
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE FIRM, INC.
100 North Barranca Avenue
7th Floor, Suite 718
West Covina, CA 91791
Dir: (626) 858-2006 x 2604
Fax: (626) 966-9010
DRE Lic: 01397806
“Prior Services: Sergeant of United States Marine Corps 1998-2004”
posted by eric chavez-CA on Jan 6, 2010 at 8:53pm
Wow, Eric. Way to over-promote yourself! Typical realtor.
posted by butternut73 on Jan 13, 2010 at 7:49am
OK, we know, its for sale. When did Cinema Treasures become Craigslist.
posted by socal09 on Jan 13, 2010 at 8:54am
It's only his 9th post about selling the house.
posted by William on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:02am
If I had the money I would buy the Crest and take over the leases of the Village and Bruin. Pretty soon Westwood will be theatre-less and we will never have the likes of these great theatres ever again.
posted by BradE41 on Jan 13, 2010 at 9:12am
"With an enormous screen"

I don't know that I'd call it "enormous"...
posted by Don S on Jan 13, 2010 at 1:03pm
Click on eric chavez-CA and look at that bio. It's easy to see why the theater owners should immediately cancel the listing and try somebody else. Unless of course there is somebody out there just waiting for the next "price reduce".
posted by Manwithnoname on Jan 13, 2010 at 1:25pm
I apologize to all the members of Cinema Treasures. My attentions were not to agitated or upset Cinema Treasures members, but to fully market the theater and get the word out.

I am currently working on removing all post it comments listed above; comments I post it in regards to the theater for sale.

Eric S. Chavez
President/Broker
CHAVEZ & ASSOCIATES
REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE FIRM, INC.
100 North Barranca Avenue
7th Floor, Suite 718
West Covina, CA 91791
Dir: (626) 858-2006 x 2604
Fax: (626) 966-9010
DRE Lic: 01397806
“Prior Services: Sergeant of United States Marine Corps 1998-2004”
posted by eric chavez-CA on Feb 4, 2010 at 11:00am
Eric, there is two other sites that have a theatres for sale area.

http://www.cinematour.com/main.php

http://www.bigscreenbiz.com/
posted by William on Feb 4, 2010 at 11:31am
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