Regency Bruin Theatre

This theatre was built in 1931 the same year as the larger Village across the street. It was as well a Fox West Coast Theatre. In the 70's it became a 70mm theatre and is state of the art today.

Correction: The Bruin opened in 1937. Architect was S. Charles Lee.

The Bruin became a 70mm house in 1978. The first film to play in 70mm was "Capricorn One" from Warner Bros.. The two Norelco AAII projectors came from the Carthay Circle theatre. The #2 machine head was changed out in the early 90's.

Website for Mann's Premiere Theatres:
http://mann.moviefone.com/services/premieretheaters.adp

Mann altered their website, official webpage / showtimes now at
http://mann.moviefone.com/showtimes/theater.adp?theaterid=89

Here is an opening year photo at this link:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015714.jpg

Like Westwood itself, the Bruin is in need of a makeover inside.

The photo posted by J.F. Lundy above has "Boy Meets Girl" playing on the marquee which dates it at 1938, a year after the Bruin opened.

I worked as projectionist at the Bruin from 1975 until 1997. I ran some great films there, lots of premiers."All the President's Men" was the first premier I worked. Quite often, I would meet celebs there. Biggies I remember were "Terms of Endearment" played there exclusive for several months.As William (above)wrote, The Bruin installed 70mm in 1978. I was working there at the time and worked on the installation of the Norelco AAII Projectors. As he said "Capricorn One" was the 1st of many 70mm pix to play there.Some of the HUGE Boxoffice pix in 70mm were "Road Warrior" Blade Runner"
I have pictures of many of the marquees, as well as pix of the projection installation. I also made a short comedy film called "Walk-In' at the Bruin and used theatre staff to play customers. People still laugh when I run this film. Soon hope to make this available on DVD. Anyone interested?

I am currently the union projectionist/engineer for The Mann Bruin, Westwood, and other Mann theatres in the Westwood area. I have been here since april 2003. The Bruin is still a first run theatre, and is often used as “overflow house” for the big premieres across the street at The Village. It is also still host of its own premieres. The last one was Dreamworks’ Red Eye in August 2005. I am very interested in any pictures or film shot at The Bruin over the years. Please let me know….

Here is a photo of the Bruin Theater.

This is another photo of the Mann Bruin.

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!

The facade looks similar to the Trylon Theater's facade in Queens, N.Y. Did other theaters have this feature?

If you refer to the concave wall with giant fluting above the marquee, that was a common feature of many buildings, whether theatres or retail shops, all around Los Angeles during the Art Moderne period. Another theatre with a similar feature was the Arden in Lynwood, a few miles southeast of downtown. If you refer to that splendid round marquee, that was a feature of several theatres that occupied corner locations, including the RKO Hillstreet, the Warner Downtown, and the Wiltern.

Here is a photo of the foyer, circa 1937, from UCLA collection:

http://sclee.library.ucla.edu/001/17/i0011702.jpg

Nighttime shot

This is another modern photo of the Mann Bruin Theater.

Here is a 2006 photo of the Mann Bruin.

How about some interior shots? I've been to the Westwood, across the street, in '01 and saw Planet of the Apes there. They have a killer sound system (THX certified) but the screen is a bit small. It can't be much larger/smaller than Baltimore's Senator.

Here a few shots from the Mann Theatres site.

http://www/manntheatres.com/premieres/theatres/bruin.php

Forgot a dot.

http://www.manntheatres.com/premieres/theatres/bruin.php

Thanks, William. The interior doesn't look as nice or ornate as my memory of the Westwood, but more like a studio screening room.

The theatre had these nice side wall lights at one time, but they removed them during one of the later remodels.

MESSAGE FOR THOMAS L. and OTHER PROJECTIONISTS!

Hey Gang! My name is Todd and I learned the trade on carbon-arc projectors in college back in 1988. I currently freelance as a projectionist in Los Angeles in people's private homes, at talent agencies, etc. I also work the Palm Springs Int'l Film Festival in January.

I'm wondering if any esteemed and tenured fellow projectionists know of any full or part-time work at your own wonderful venues or in the L.A. area in general. I simply love this work...and have the greatest respect for it!

Thanks in advance for any help! ToddHavens@sbcglobal.net

Try calling Local-150 and talk to Carl the Business Agent about work in the Los Angeles area. Because theatre projection does not pay the good rates as it once did. Because most of the staffing is done by the managers & assistants or the ushers types nowadays. Your about 10 years late on making fair money at this trade in Los Angeles. I use to work the Bel-Air circuit in Beverly Hills, Bel-Air and Malibu and the studio stuff, when I was based in Los Angeles. There was so much work and theatres to work at that time. Other then working in management or as a usher/projectionist, you might give Carl a call.

Thanks, William! I have a call into Carl. Another projectionist recommended I do the same in contacting him.

I've done the platter projectionist thing back in Ohio for what was $3.50/hr, I think. Tragic. That was over ten years ago. I still think there are niches of opportunity out here, I just imagine they're not to the multitude of Hollywood's former glory.

Thanks, again!

Thanks, William! I have a call into Carl. Another projectionist recommended I do the same in contacting him.

I've done the platter projectionist thing back in Ohio for what was $3.50/hr, I think. Tragic. That was over ten years ago. I still think there are niches of opportunity out here, I just imagine they're not to the multitude of Hollywood's former glory.

Thanks, again!

Thanks, William! I have a call into Carl. Another projectionist recommended I do the same in contacting him.

I've done the platter projectionist thing back in Ohio for what was $3.50/hr, I think. Tragic. That was over ten years ago. I still think there are niches of opportunity out here, I just imagine they're not to the multitude of Hollywood's former glory.

Thanks, again!

Thanks, William! I have a call into Carl. Another projectionist recommended I do the same in contacting him.

I've done the platter projectionist thing back in Ohio for what was $3.50/hr, I think. Tragic. That was over ten years ago. I still think there are niches of opportunity out here, I just imagine they're not to the multitude of Hollywood's former glory.

Thanks, again!

(Sorry, Gang...there appears to have been a glitch in the Matrix.)

This is a 2007 photo of the Mann Bruin.

Recent nighttime view of the Bruin Theater:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/wstwdBruinmar92007.jpg

I attended many movies at the Bruin, all throughout the mid-50s to the present. If you'd like to see classic shots of the exterior and interior from days of old, it's featured in John Frankenheimer's first film, The Young Stranger, with great exterior shots and lobby shots (as well as street shots of then Westwood - it's available on a region 2 DVD), and, from the earlly 60s, Hall Bartlett's The Caretakers, where we get great exterior shots of Polly Bergen walking up to the theater and buying a ticket, then great lobby shots as she enters the theater, and best of all, great auditorium shots when she goes beserk and runs up in front of the screen.

Amusingly, I saw a sneak preview of The Caretakers AT the Bruin - it was quite odd to be sitting in the auditorium watching Miss Bergen go berserk in the same auditorium!

One of the best screenings I've ever been to was at the Bruin. For the Thursday sneak of Snakes on a Plane, someone brought two huge trash bags full of rubber snakes, and would throw them throughout the audience at the appropriate times during the movie. There was constant hissing as well. And when Sam finally exclaimed his classic line ("I want these mf snakes of this mf plane"), there was literally a standing ovation. You couldn't even hear him finish his line because everyone was cheering at the top of their lungs. Cinematic experiences like that are truly priceless.

Oh-- and Heather Graham was there too. How random!

HOW DOES THE THEATER DO ....

Here is a recent view of the Mann Bruin.

Saw Drew Barrymore there once...

Here is a photo of the Mann Bruin dressed up for the Simpsons movie.

We moved away from L.A. 12 years ago. Is there still a Hamburger Hamlet directly next door to the Bruin? We would eat there and could watch as the line formed. When the line reached the middle of the Hamlet, we knew it was time to get in line.

Nope, sadly the Hamlet is now a Jerry's Deli. Feh.

This is another recent photo of the Mann Bruin.

I went to a premiere of a Bond film in 1985 at the Bruin. My roommate worked for Mann Theaters at the time. As we were filing in on the red carpet, someone in the audience shouted out "How did those two losers get in?". People are cruel. After the movie, we tried to get into the food area but were tossed by the guards. We ended up at Hamburger Hamlet.

In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I've heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won't still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, "saving" the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don't expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!

In your travels Howard tell us about the stage at the Village to put on shows.

William, I've been in all the Westwood Village theaters, but I don't know the Village's stage size or whether it could be expanded. If you or others know, please comment directly on the Village page rather than here, on the Bruin page.

I worked at the Village (1980-1982) and remember the backstage not being too deep beyond the screen.

Recent views:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdBruinOct222007003.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdBruinOct142007004.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdBruinOct22200700010.jpg

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.

This is a view of the interior.

That last shot of the interior of the Bruin was taken from the Mann Theatres web site.

http://www.manntheatres.com/premieres/theatres/bruin.php

They should complain to the other website about stealing their photo.

Thief!

Was that directed at anyone in particular?

Here is another recent photo.

A recent night view can be seen here.

I tried to cover the same time period for the Bruin as I did for the Village; this is what I remember for Summer 1979 through 1986. My memory is shaky during early 1983 so I did not pursue dates.

1979

6/15 PROPHECY (5 Weeks)
7/20 THE FRISCO KID (4 Weeks)
8/17 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (6 Weeks)
9/28 TIME AFTER TIME (5 Weeks)
11/2 RUNNING (6 Weeks)
12/14 CHAPTER TWO (14 Weeks)

1980
3/28 SERIAL (4 Weeks)
4/25 WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM (3 Weeks)
5/16 THE HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS (5 Weeks)
6/20 ROUGH CUT (2 Weeks)
7/4 AIRPLANE! (12 Weeks)
9/26 ORDINARY PEOPLE (11 Weeks)
12/10 THE COMPETITION (12 Weeks)

1981
3/6 ALL NIGHT LONG (5 Weeks)
4/10 NIGHTHAWKS (6 Weeks)
5/22 OUTLAND (6 Weeks)
7/3 S.O.B. (4 Weeks)
7/31 VICTORY (4 Weeks)
8/28 GALLIPOLI (4 Weeks)
9/25 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (12 Weeks)
12/18 SHARKY’S MACHINE (7 Weeks)

1982
2/5 PERSONAL BEST (8 Weeks)
4/2 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (RE:4 Weeks)
4/30 PARTNERS (3 Weeks)
5/21 THE ROAD WARRIOR (3 Weeks)
6/11 GREASE 2 (2 Weeks)
6/25 BLADE RUNNER (4 Weeks)
7/23 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (11 Weeks)
10/8 LOOKIN’ TO GE T OUT (2 Weeks)
10/22 IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD (2 Weeks)
11/11 LOVE CHILD (1 Week)
11/18 TEX (3 Weeks)
12/10 THE TOY (?)

1983
THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (Re-Issue), MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, EXPOSED, HAMMETT, TRADING PLACES, BEYOND THE LIMIT, THE DEAD ZONE, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

1984
POLICE ACADEMY, THE NATURAL, GREMLINS, CLOAK & DAGGER, FLASHPOINT, PLACES IN THE HEART, THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL, FALLING IN LOVE, CITY HEAT

1985
TUFF TURF, THAT'S DANCING!, WITNESS, GOTCHA!, FLETCH, MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME, SUMMER RENTAL, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, AFTER HOURS, THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW, JAGGED EDGE (MO), SPIES LIKE US, CLUE (one week), SPIES LIKE US (switched back after a week with Regent who took CLUE booking)

1986
DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS, GUNG HO, AT CLOSE RANGE, POLTERGEIST II:THE OTHER SIDE, FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, TOP GUN (MO), CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, CROCODILE DUNDEE (MO), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Am I the only one who gets the message "This image or video has been moved or deleted" when I click on the countless Photo Bucket links on this website?

Some of the links are dead. They are all posted by users, rather than by the site, and sometimes the users don't keep their Photobucket (or Webshots or whatever site they've linked to) accounts, or they run out of space and remove older photos to make room for new ones. I do still see hollywood90038's three photos of the Bruin linked on October 28 last year, though.

No matter what site your in, don't even bother if "PHOTOBUCKET" is available for pictures......they're never there, just deleted.

According to a picture seen in the documentary on the Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III DVD, that film (Leatherface) played at this theatre.

From 2007, at night:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/wstwdBruinmar92007.jpg

I recently went back to the Bruin after an almost twenty year hiatus. I remember well Westwood of the 1980's. In high school and college I would travel down to Westwood with friends on the weekends to hang out and see films. At the time Westwood offered the best opportunity to see moves due to the large concentration of theaters, most single screen theaters. Now going on two decades later, Westwood lacks the nightlife and four theaters have closed. As I read the postings for the Bruin, I am concerned that the Bruin, penultimate to the Village in status in Westwood, may close along with the Village. I especially began to worry after the National Theater was demolished. For some years now I have been involved in the Los Angeles Conservancy and their efforts to rehabilitate and prevent the destruction of the historic theaters on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Cannot a similar campaign be launched to preserve the theaters of Westwood?

Here's a great shot of the Bruin circa 1956. I've also added photos of the Lido, the Stadium, the Vogue, and the Wiltern, so check 'em out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v147/whitesheik/Bruin1.jpg

Hainesway can you give us the link to the other photos?

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/3390/

The Lido.

The Vogue.

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/496/

The Stadium

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/499/

And the Wiltern.

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/19/

The year given for this photo is 1982.

Here is a 1948 photo from Life Magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/64dtf4

Ned Fairbairn, we had to meet. I did some projection fill-ins there also.

Here is a December 2008 photo.

This is a 2009 photo.

Here is a photo taken last year:
http://tinyurl.com/dl2nvk

1981 Photo

1982 Photo

1983 Photo

Here is a July 1975 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/ptvyce

A picture of the booth in the 1990's
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39915489@N06/3666918772/

Mann will not renew its leases for the Village and Bruin.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-westwood-movies1-2009aug01,0,542882.story

The Village and Bruin have two things going against them.

The first is the nearby AMC 15 and LANDMARK 12 who have clearance to play the same films. With the blockbusters like Harry Potter available all three locations, the Village ends up third choice.

THE BIGGEST OBSTICLE is that Westwood Village is a complete drag. They have done nothing to entice the public to really come there. The parking is still awful and Rents are still ridiculous. Retails have bailed and have chosen not to come into the village whatsoever because the lack of return. There are places that have been empty for a decade. It is not an ejoyable place to hangout any longer. When I go see a film at the Village and Bruin I time it so I can see the film and then leave.

Doubtful any chain will take these leases in this current economy, and with Westwood a mess. It would take someone with foresight to hope it will turn around at one point. But Westwood has no interest in becoming a mecca again and will probably just ended up as it has settled into.

We can only hope that the owners will offer a deal to Mann to keep operating them until perhaps they find a new lease holder. I'm not sure when the lease expires, but Mann was flexable with the National for a while and kept it open an additional 8 months.

I'm very sad about this. Those 2 theatres and the National have always been my favorites since I was a teenager. THere will never be anything like them ever again.

Having never been privileged to visit this theatre, as well as the Village, and indeed, the now lost National, is it possible that Mann might consider twinning or even tripling these iconic theatres in an attempt to secure their future? Please note - this is NOT my preferred option, but better than the fate that befell the National. BTW. What now occupies the land that used to be the National?

Mann had drawn plans for plexing the Village way back in the mid 80's. The California Theatre in Huntington Park has a auditorium that is very like the Village. It was tri-plexed with the main theatre as the big house and the balcony split into two small theatres. They ran two walls just off the center line in the balcony so they could use the single projection booth for all three theatres. It works but it is not that great.
Mann does not own the property and the think the owners would not want to ruin the theatre.

That would have been an expensive undertaking for the Village. They would have had to add a elevator. The Bruin is large but narrow, the only way to could plex it is to either add on screens behind the main, or just gut the theatre out and build a whole new complex extending back into the parking lot.

Bercy, there's still an empty lot where the National used to stand -- with a sign reading, "prime retail space opening Spring 09!"

Here is a photo taken Sunday:
http://tinyurl.com/krmce8

Here is another 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nm8b3k

Ken, the two 1982 American Classic Images you linked to show a pole with a flourish on top sticking out of the center portion of the marquee. It's not in the 81 or 83 photos. I wonder if it was something related to "Chariots of Fire," the movie they were showing when those shots were taken... maybe an Olympic torch??

perhaps I need to return to my optometrist again, but I could swear the marquee reads Chariots of Fire.

Yes, that torch was a promotional touch that Warner Bros. did for the film "Chariots of Fire". Over the years the studios would do little promos to theatre fronts and marquees. In the Los Angeles market they did many of these displays at the Village, Bruin, National, Chinese, Cinerama Dome, Hollywood Pacific and Pantages Theatres and others. So people who grew up in the area got to see many of these displays as they went to the these theatres. Having worked with Warner Publicity shoting many of the marquees during this time of the 80's and 90's..

There was a guy at Warner in the early 80's when I worked at the Village who used to be in charge of the displays; he would visit Harry Francis and they would visit at the outside cafe next to the Bruin for hours. I cannot remember his name. But yeah the displays were great. I still have the "Arthur" silhouette from when it booked for the Bruin.

Alot of great memories at those theatres in Westwood. It is going to be my saddest day as a moviegoer when the Village and Briun close. I still get sad when I see the still empty lot where the National stood.

Brad41, his name is Ron Chan. He took over alot of these promos when Marty Weiser passed away. Marty was the one who dressed the Cinerama Dome with a easter hat for "Mame" and held that special screening of "Blazing Saddles" at the Pickwick Drive-In. We all learned alot from Harry Francis during those days about Showmanship.

Marty Weiser used to visit the Mann theatres in Westwood practically every weekend. The displays were phenomenal. Much of the fun going to the BIG theatres like the Village, Bruin, National, Picwood, Avco (when it was a major theatre), Plitt Century Plaza, Chinese, Pantages, Pacific Hollywood, Cinerama Dome etc. during the 70's / early 80's was seeing how the studios were going to "dress" them. We'll never have that again; the new theatres do not have that charm.

Any current news on plans for this theatre? Is it going to say -Pottery Barn - in big letters across the marquee after March 2010.

I doubt that retail will take over the Bruin or the Village...at least anytime soon. There are so many empty retails spaces as it is in Westwood. It really is not a shopping district these, parking is awful, and

I'm wondering if Mann will extend the lease a bit for the Bruin and the Village. They operated the National 8 months after the lease lapsed. Maybe they will come up with a short term 'deal' with the owners.

If the owners lease the theatres separately the Bruin could survive as a theatre. That is if there someone revives the plans to build additional screens behind it. Who knows what is being discussed at this point. Westwood needs to be revived before a movie theatre or retail space with truly trive again.

The digital projector was removed this past week. Time is winding down . . .

Any chance of Arclight Westwood?

November 2009 photo of the Bruin Theatre courtesy Matt.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mister_goleta/4149808156/in/pool-72675154@N00/

Mann's lease here is up in 2 months. Any news of future plans for this place?

There's been obvious hints on the Village's page about who will be taking over that theatre lease. Will the same people take over the Bruin's lease?

Mark, those hints turned out to be not so obvious after all. Unless the source is legally obligated to yank our chain to protect his neck!

The consensus seems to be that Mann will run it on a month to month lease after April 1. I have heard that Rave, which took over the Beverly Center 13 from Mann last summer, is seriously considering taking over the Bruin and the Village.

A longshot may be Johhny Brenden, Ted Mann's granson who now runs a 100 screen chain in Las Vegas.

I'm curious... from whom did you hear that Rave was seriously considering taking over the Bruin and Village?

Me too.

Remember whom ever takes over the leases of one or both houses has to have deep pockets to jump into the Westwood market. Both houses are landmark houses to the area. But the lease and operating costs with or without a extra screen plex next to it to move-over films. Will be the final word from the bean counters of the company. Without the move-overs they would have to move films in and out of the theatre to make money. And remember on Big films the studios deal is about a 90/10 % of the gross after the house operating nut.
When it was operated by WestStar Cinemas they lost money on the whole circuit before going Chapter 11.
It's easy to loss money then it is the make it in that business.

You are so right William.

Regency will be the new operator of the Village and the Bruin, according to their website, www.regencymovies.com

Here's the release:
WESTWOOD, CA -- Regency Theatres is pleased to announce the acquisition of two of the most legendary movie theaters in Los Angeles. Beginning on Thursday, April 1, Regency Theatres will be the proud operators of the historic Village and Bruin Theaters located in the heart of Westwood Village.

“We are excited to be adding the iconic Village and Bruin Theaters to the Regency family of theaters” said Lyndon Golin, President of Regency Theatres. “These celebrated movie houses have been landmarks in Los Angeles since the 1930’s and we plan to extend their legacy far into the future.”
Built in 1930 and opened in 1931, the Village Theater has been a popular location to see movies for several generations of moviegoers. The theater's grand architecture, large auditorium (which seats over 1,300 patrons) and state-of-the-art presentation make it a destination movie theater for film fans everywhere. The most striking feature of the theater is the 170-foot white Spanish Revival-style tower which looms high over the Broxton and Weyburn intersection.
The theater is a favorite among movie studios, which frequently select the theatre to premiere their top films. The Village Theater will soon celebrate its 80th Anniversary.
The Bruin Theater, a streamlined Art Deco cinema, opened its doors in 1937 directly across the street from the Village Theater and the two have stood side-by-side for over seven decades.
The Regency Village Theater is located at 961 Broxton Avenue and the Regency Bruin is located just across the street at 948 Broxton Avenue. Movie information and ticketing is available at www.regencymovies.com

About Regency Theatres:
Based in Calabasas, family-owned Regency Theatres was founded in 1996 and operates 22 locations in Southern California as well as theaters in Nevada and Colorado.

Regency also operates the Tamarac Square Cinema in Denver. This was originally a Mann house and one that Mann actually built.

Bruin (and Village) will remain THX-Certified. Good news!

Re: Edward and Tlsloews comments on March 15/16....I was wrong about Rave and the talk on Rave came not from people in the exhibition business who probably knew better, but producers/executives and studio types....

Any Clash Of The Titans 3D reports from here?

LAHTF's next "All About" will be a celebration of Regency Theatres taking over the Village and Bruin theaters. April 17, 9 a.m. Details to follow.

All About the Regency Village, Regency Bruin & Majestic Crest Theatres
A free, comprehensive history presentation and insider’s tour of three beloved landmark historic theatres
A chance to see and appreciate these theatres as never before…

Saturday, April 17, 9:15am; doors open at 9:00am
Event begins at the Regency Village Theatre, 961 Broxton, L.A., 90024 and
Ends at the Majestic Crest Theatre, 1262 Westwood, L.A., 90024
www.regencymovies.com & www.westwoodcrest.com
Plentiful parking in Westwood
Free Admission. The Public is Invited.

Celebrate Regency Theatres’ recent salvation of the Village and Bruin and learn about their rich histories - including several “face-lifts”. Take an insider’s tour to generally forbidden off-limits areas. Then, walk over to the Majestic Crest – slightly detouring en route to say hello to Marilyn Monroe and friends – and discover how this former legit house reinvented itself via Disney, Pacific Theatres, and Robert Bucksbaum.
Three amazing single screen historic theatres, a cemetery chockfull of the famous and dead, and a chance to rediscover Westwood - all in one Saturday morning!

POWERPOINT HISTORIES – researched and presented by theatre historian Ed Kelsey. See how the Village, Bruin and Majestic Crest have changed over the years. What’s original? What’s Skouras? What’s Disney? Hear the stories of these great theatres from their beginnings through today.
TOUR BEHIND-THE-SCENES – get a real insider’s look.
DISCOVER – how you can support the continuing successful operation of these historic gems.
EDUCATE & ADVOCATE – find out how you can become actively involved in LAHTF’s ongoing theatre preservation work around SoCal. Brief updates on the Friends of the Fairfax, Inglewood Fox Theatre Alliance, Grauman’s Chinese, Golden Gate, Atlantic, and LA’s Broadway Theatres.

Regency Village Theatre (1931 – Percy Parke Lewis) formerly Village, Fox Westwood Village, Mann Village
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/246/
Regency Bruin Theatre (1937 – S. Charles Lee)
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/6/
Majestic Crest (1940 – Arthur W. Hawes) Westwood, UCLAN, Metro, Pacific Crest, Crest, Westwood Crest
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/34/
Join the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation on FaceBook - http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=125430125723

Many people are fascinated by the architecture of fantasy so beautifully on display in Southern California’s great historic theatres. People are also curious about how the theatres work. What does it look like backstage? What do the performers see when they look out across the footlights? Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's "All About" series gives the public an insider's look at these wonderful theatres and share parts of their histories - good and bad - as a way to encourage people to become actively involved in protecting and ensuring their futures.
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Here is a December 1976 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/y64ctfk

Here is a night shot:
http://tinyurl.com/y7vhejm

Does anyone know if the 1973 musical LOST HORIZON premiered at the Bruin? I know that the World Premiere was held in Westwood and I'm trying to verify which theater it took place. If you have any info to share, I would be most grateful. Thanks.

The 1973 musical remake of "Lost Horizon" was over at the National Theatre. And it opened there on Mar. 7th. 1973 and played there for 11 weeks.

Midnight shows return to Westwood! They're posted on the Regency website, tentatively scheduled for the Bruin with the possibility of moving to the Village -- http://regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=28

I noticed they have been showing Midnight Shows on Fri/Sat for regular engagements. Mann stopped those in Westwood quite a while ago. They mus have done well enough for Regency to begin showing the Cult type of films. Funny, I drove through Westwood Saturday afternoon and the streets were packed with people walking. Is the village somewhat busier again on weekends?

The Midnight shows were part of Regency's immediate takeover plans.

Watched The Caretakers the other night and realized the theater in the beginning where Polly Bergen loses it must've been the Bruin. (mentioned farther back in this thread, but I didnt read it before today) I could tell from the stores the theater was in Westwood. And it showed the round marquee (not enough of it to see the theater name) What tipped me off was the bear on the side of the concession counter inside. The marqee was showing West Side Story. Does anyone know if the film played there roadshow? Or was this a general release booking?

TJ, It was the general release of the film. "West Side Story" opened it's 70MM Roadshow engagement over at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Dec. 14th. 1961 with the West Coast Premiere held on Dec. 13th, 1961. "West Side Story" had 58 week Roadshow engagement at that theatre. (Dec. 14, 1961-Feb. 1963).

Thanks. I figured due to the theater's smaller size it probably wasnt......

During the true Roadshow era Westwood was not a stopping spot. The Los Angeles Roadshow houses were in Hollywood and Beverly Hills areas. And the near Carthay Circle Theatre.