World Theatre
6021 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
6021 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
14 people
favorited this theater
Originally opened in 1925 as the Marcal Theatre. Once operated by Pacific Theatres, the World Theatre was closed in the Summer of 1986. It was located at the east end of Hollywood Boulevard and showed second-run features in a triple bill for bargain prices.
“I think they were open 24 hours. Last rememberance of seeing anything there was a triple feature of "Footloose”, “Against All Odds” and “The Big Chill” in the Summer of 1984."
Today the much altered building is in use as a nightclub.
Contributed by
B Erickson
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Recent comments (view all 102 comments)
Okay, I used to go here from 1972 to 1986. They always had free parking just west of the theater itself in the back, and admission prices for the three movies were 99 cents, i.e. 33 cents per film!
I am reading comments here how “cheap” the admission prices were in the early 1980s, when you could get in for $2.50. Well, maybe, but I tell you, after prices jumped from 99 cents to $1.50, I went there less often, and when it went up to $2.50, I went there even less frequently. I went there EVER WEEK while prices were 99 cents, and never had any bad experience there at the World for the 14 years I was going there. The place was always well run, after a while you began to recognize the other regulars. I used to take a sandwich and an apple with me, as you could easily spend six hours or more in there for the 3 back-to-back flicks. It was really the cheapest place to stay out of trouble (and out of the rain or sun) in Hollywood.
Remember seeing Roger Moore in “Gold” here in 1973, and I also believe I saw “Fear is the Key” (Alistar Maclean actioner) with Barry Newman here in the previous year.
Last time I was there was just before they closed in the summer of 1986, I believe. I moved out of California in September of that year, and have only been back there occasionally on short visits. We thought Hollywood was “bad” then, but nothing prepared me for the total economic melt-down in Tinseltown, in fact in most of once high-flying California. Seems like every bldg on Hollywood Blvd has a FOR SALE or FOR LEASE sign on it these days, wow.
I am glad that even though it is no longer a functioning public cinema, the core of the structure itself survives to this day as a music club/concert venue. The “X” theater that used to show triple porno fare, situated just east of the Hollywood World is boarded-up for a loooong time, however. One would think that someone could put that one to some good use.
Lots of comments here re. how much the admission charge was at the World. I was a regular there from 1972 to 1986, so I can only speak for those 14 years or so.
During most of the 1970’s, admission was 99 cents or $.99. Then I remember $1.50 and finally, $2.50.
I do not recall any $1.00 and $2.00 admission charges during this period at the World Theater.
Also, parking was always free and readily available. Try that today anywhere in America.
You can see the World marquee lit up and impressively animated at the very end of this Hollywood Blvd. footage from 1967: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBmaX64TWSw
I worked as projectionist at the World in the late 60’s. Besides the triple bills, sometimes Universal would rent the theater for preview screenings, and would send their sound guys out to set up the double system sound machines.
Once we ran Willard and Ben on the same bill, and I persuaded the manager to let me cut the tail and credits out so it played as one continuous movie. Another time we were running Black Beauty, and the last day an audience member pointed out the reels were out of order. I checked the leaders and indeed they had been mismarked and we had run it that way all week.
I saw a horror movie here when I was a toddler! Blue Sunshine! 1976!
Also I remember seeing capricorn One!
Has this theatre been demolished? I have driven by the X twin which supposedly is right next to it, but I can’t for the life of me remember seeing a building for this one!
The building is still there but the entire façade was removed several years ago. It’s directly across the street from the Toyota service entrance.
why?
Why…what? The facade was removed after the 94 earthquake. It had already been severely modified by that time so it was no great loss. If you mean why is it across the street from Toyota, I can only guess because the theater was there before Toyota. The only indication of it ever being a theater is the low profile of the auditorium part of the building. It seems to sink into the ground. This was done to allow for the rake. With the stage house also gone, there is nothing left of its theatrical beginnings. By the way, The Museum of Death is next door. That should help narrow it down.