Brookhurst Theatre

The Brookhurst Theatre reopened as a discount house on November 14, 2003, after being closed since May. It is operated by Interstate Theatres (http://www.interstate-theatres.com), who last summer also took over the former Krikorian 7 in La Mirada, CA which has been closed for many years. Their web site says that they have locations in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Are discount cinemas making a comeback? Did they ever Leave?

I was a kid when the Brookhurst opened in 1961. It was buetful curtens were gold the walls were blue with walnut panling and white celings up to row 4 then the color on the walls and celing changed to soft yellow in front of the very large stage. The stage was wallnut. The screen was hugh it took the curtins a long to open to the very large screen. I went every Sat. They played all the big movies in stero sound and 70 mm it was stat of the art.There was never an empty set. I loved going in earley to here the music befor the movie stero was new and I loved hering summer place and other music soundtracks. I will miss it. Sam Brown

This is the site for showtimes:

http://www.interstate-theatres.com/showtimes.asp?theater_id=457

Thus, it should be listed as Open.

The Brookhurst is now owner/operated by Starplex Cinemas (A Dallas based company that merged with Interstate Theatres in 2005). The company is backed by Leroy Mitchell, founder/former owner of Cinemark. Interstate was a subsiderary of Cinemark, became an independant entity when Cinemark was sold, then merged with Starplex (which was owned by L. Mitchell's brother).The company operates a few first run theatres (in Texas), but specializes in discount houses. The Brookhurst was the company's second California theatre, La Mirada being the first, and they went on to reopen theatres in Bakersfield and Irvine. Apparently, this company is making a go of reopening old multiplexs as discount houses.

The Brookhurst is scheduled to close it's doors once again. The theatre will be shut down 1/8/06

The Brookhurst Theatre opened on April 5th 1961.

In 1963, the operator of the Brookhurst was Harry Vennicoft & Son Theaters, Inc, 1824 S. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles. Vennicoft also operated the Garfield in Alhambra, the Grove in Garden Grove and the Regent, Strand and Temple Theaters in Los Angeles.

Does anyone know if this theatre is for sale or know of any theatres in the Orange County area that are.

The four plex configuration resulted in the following seating capacity:

Aud#1 - 163
Aud#2 - 168
Aud#3 - 275
Aud#4 - 275
Total - 881

The two small auditoriums are accessed directly off of the lobby. The larger auditoriums are acccesed at the end of a hallway that runs between the two small auditoriums (formerly the center of the single screen auditorium). The small auditoriums have a traditional slope and are slightly V shaped. The large auditoriums slope slightly upwards, as they are located in what was once the front of the auditorium, but retain a more common rectagular shape. The auditorium decore is red/white/blue drapery and white-washed wood panneling. The flooring is bare concrete, with dark patterned carpeting running down the aisles.

Projection is divided in to two booths, linked by a catwalk that runs above the center hallway. Two neon arrow fixtures hang from the open catwalk, remnants from a previous incarnation (the theatre featured heavy use of indoor neon in the 90's). The concession stand retains the post quading remodel look/structure (complete with glass bricks and a neon arrow). The current lobby/hallway decore consists of bare, lavender colored walls.

The large A frame signage, that stood in front of the theatre for 30 years, was removed in the early 90's; the rooftop marquee was removed circa 2003. The current signage consists of a small branding lightbox above the entry and a marquee space on the property's freestanding signage (above a listing of the property's other tenants). One of the theatre's original signs, directing patrons to a rear parking area, remains, but is partially covered with ivy.

According to the 4/24/61 Boxoffice Magazine, the Brookhurst Theatre was built for $300,000. The news piece also mentions that the opening manager was Jack Geller, "former acting school operator in Hollywood".

After being divided in to four screens, the Brookurst was operated by the folowing companies:

American Family Theatres 1992 - 1997
Globe Theatres 1998 - 2003
Interstate/Starplex Cinemas 2003 - 2006

I went to the the Brookhurst Theater through the mid 60's, I saw some great movies there. It brings back good memories. I remember the girl that worked at the refrestment counter, Frances Baur. She was real attractive and had such a great personality. She was a graduate of Magnolia High School. I think she is living in Cario, Egypt, everything checks out that is her. I never thought that the theater had 900 seats. I wonder if that is after they turned it into a multiplex? I just remember it as a single theater.
BallRoad

Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cyfjc4

The Brookhurst is scheduled to reopen as "Brookhurst 4 Discount Cinemas" on July 3, 2009.