Picwood Theatre
10872 W. Pico Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90064
10872 W. Pico Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90064
18 people
favorited this theater
This S. Charles Lee-built theater opened in 1948 at the intersection of Westwood and Pico Boulevards.
After four decades of delighting West LA crowds, the Picwood Theatre was closed in 1985, and demolished to make way for an extension to the Westside Pavillion mall.
The buildings on the entire block (a bowling alley, a bank, and a video arcade were among them) were torn down and replaced by the Westside Pavilion, a huge shopping mall, that takes up two blocks (an overhead bridge stretches across Pico Boulevard, providing access to both sides of the mall without having to physically cross Pico on street level.
A glimpse across the street from the mall at the 1940’s Apple Pan hamburger joint gives a glimpse of what the area once looked like. Pico has changed — for the better?
Contributed by
Michael LeBlanc, William Gabel, Ross Melnick, Ray Martinez
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Recent comments (view all 250 comments)
FWIW…The Picwood’s run of “E.T.” began July 16, 1982, which was the film’s sixth week of release. The Cinerama Dome played it as a Los Angeles (city and county) exclusive for its first five weeks of release. The Picwood’s engagement ran, I believe, for 22 weeks.
BobSe, you ran such a great show that I remember bringing you caviar! Picwood had such classy people :–)
The Picwood ran “E.T.” on a limited release after it left its exclusive engagement at The Cinerama Dome. We ran it until we opened “The Dark Crystal”. IMDB tells us the it opened on December 17, 1982. Anyone any good at math? If the dates are correct, Picwood ran “E.T.” for 22 weeks.
Funny how I clearly remembered seeing “E.T.” at the Picwood but had forgotten the Dome. I’ve always been pretty good at remembering where I saw certain films, especially in a unique place like the Dome, so the impact of this one must have been pretty significant to have wiped that part out.
Boy, do I miss the long runs of great films.
The 1980’s was the last true decade that had outstanding projection in theatres, run by true projectionists. They ran the theatres without automations to run curtains and lights.
BobSe: Why are you repeating me??? Just two comments before you I had stated the Picwood showed “E.T.” after the Cinerama Dome and that it ran 22 weeks. If you were agreeing with me, then say so. Otherwise, please pay attention.
@Coate: sorry, I was agreeing with you and confirming according to the best of my recollection…thought you might like concurrance from someone who was actually there for the entire run.
Auditorium featured on the front cover of the 5/7/49 issue of a leading trade journal: boxofficemagazine
Described as “All-New” in this 1968 renovations article: Boxoffice
worked in the there in the 1950 was one of the greatest i worked in they had lots of first time showings like bell book and candles