Peppertree Cinemas
10155 Reseda Boulevard,
Northridge,
CA
91324
10155 Reseda Boulevard,
Northridge,
CA
91324
2 people
favorited this theater
I first came to the Peppertree Cinemas in the fall of 1986 when I began attending nearby California State University, Northridge. At the time the theater showed deep run movies for one dollar. It had three screens. This was a great bargain for a college student on a limited budget. In the parking lot was a Farrell’s (later briefly Barrell’s). This was a novelty ice cream chain that closed around 1987. A film for one dollar and then ice cream afterwards was quite the bargain.
The Peppertree Cinemas slowly raised their prices 25 cents here and there. They eventually required everyone to buy a card — for about one dollar — valid for six months to pay the cheaper price to see a film. Eventually the Peppertree Cinemas remodeled around 1990 and acquired the space next door. They built two new screens with very narrow auditoriums.
Sometime in the mid-1990’s the Peppertree Cinemas became the Five Star Cinema. It closed not long after that in the late-1990’s. A gym is now located in the space.
Contributed by
David Knatcal
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
Peppertree 3 Cinemas opened in the summer of 1973. From 1973 to 1987 it was a union ran movie house. Voted the “best popcorn” in the valley. One of the only family owned movie theatres. Sold in 1987 by Stanley and Dennis Livingston Sr. What a great place!
Here is a 1974 newspaper ad:
http://tinyurl.com/yluebj
The the last few years of its existence, it became somewhat of an art house. I remember seeing Gods & Monsters and The Wedding Banquet there. In addition, I remember 1 screen was devote to Indian films. Correct me if I’m wrong.
I grew up in Chatsworth and saw many films here in the 70’s/80’s. This was my grandmothers favorite theater because of the prices, she was extremely thrifty. $1 admission suited her just right.
All i remember is alot of small screens with murky image and tinny sound, but a lot of fond memories of the whole area, including Farrell’s ice cream parlor and the “Okinawa Karate” center near-by where i made it to a green belt as a child!
Zip code was/is 91324
The Peppertree was a nice, small triple-plex. No great shakes, but not a bad place to watch a film. When I lived in the area (‘79-'82), the site was anchored by a Ralph’s (not Pretty Good) Grocery, and the Peppertree was flanked, if I recall correctly, by a tiny disco and a health-food store and restaurant that served lots of sandwiches with avocado and alfalfa sprouts on thick, whole-grain bread. The Farrell’s was at the south end of the parking lot.
I saw “Heat” there on March 17, 1997. That’s the one with DeNiro, and Pacino.
I remember going there around ‘89 or '90 when I was attending CSUN and dating a girl who lived in Northridge. She thought I was the ultimate cheapskate for taking her there. Whatever. The announcement on the phone advertised the “real butter” on their “fresh popcorn”…not a great theater by any means and a lot of brats running around on the sticky floors from what I recall.
Actually Dennis it was Grandpa (Stanley Livingston) who owned it and your Dad who was the projectionist-Assistant Manager he also was the first Projectionist. Dennis Sr. worked their before Grandpa took it over.
When Mr Robert Lippert Sr. passed on November 16,1976 he bequeathed Grandpa ½ ownership of the Americana on Van Nuys Blvd in Panorama City with the other half going to Mr. Robert Lippert Jr. Lippert Jr. Inhereted the rest of the Lippert chain of theaters of 162 In-Door Theaters including 21 Drive-in Theaters.
The Americana was doing so well that Lippert Jr. bought Grandpa out giving him cash and the sole ownership of the Peppetree 3 theater which was only a couple of miles from Grandpas home. With Grandpa and and your dad making the Peppertree one of the best Independent chains around. Grandpa sold the Theater to move to Vegas because Grandma was sick and wanted to retire to Vegas.
Actually the Peppertree Theater was owned by Stan, Dolores, Lauren, and Cate Livingston. Dennis Sr. was the Projectionist . I worked their from the beginning up til it was sold. And know the family very well. And knew them better than any of their estranged relatives. Shane, your info is right on! Also, Dennis Sr did not have any part in the sale of ownership. That is a falsity. Please get your facts straight before you print stuff. The theater sold in 1986 when Dolores got sick and they retired to Las Vegas. Dennis Sr was no longer working for them at that time. He was only the Assistant mgr. Not part owner.