Los Feliz 3 Cinemas
1822 N. Vermont Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90027
1822 N. Vermont Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90027
23 people
favorited this theater
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For the record, this theater finally reopened (after the March 16, 2020 Covid shutdown) on August 7, 2021. American Cinematheque has partnered with the theater, and I believe one of the screens is being programmed full-time by them for repertory shows, Q&As, etc. Here’s an excerpt from a May 19, 2021 Variety article following an AC press release: “ while the Egyptian Theatre remains closed for renovation until late 2022, the American Cinematheque has partnered with the Los Feliz 3 Theatre to showcase films, Q&As and special events seven days a week beginning late July. In line with the American Cinematheque’s ongoing programming, the Los Feliz 3 has installed reel-to-reel 35mm projectors.”
Please update, triplex on October 15, 1993. Grand opening ad in photos section.
Please update, 305 seats
According to the May 10, 1968 edition of The Van Nuys News from Van Nuys, California (Page 54), the Los Feliz Theatre was one of the very few theaters anywhere to host a theatrical showing of The Beatles' 1967 made-for-tv movie “Magical Mystery Tour” (May 10-11, 1968): “Los Feliz Slates Benefit Showing of Beatles Movie: Two special midnight benefit showings of the Beatles' new film "Magical Mystery Tour,” will be staged tonight and tomorrow at the Los Feliz Theatre. The film, originally made and shown on British television, stars the Beatles and was written and directed by them. All proceeds from this Los Angeles showing will go to the Underground Radio Strike Fund. Donations are $3.00. Seating is limited to the two performances."
I’m pretty sure I’ve found some images of the Los Feliz from 1950. They come from a public service film called ‘Dangerous Stranger.’ I’m posting them in the photo section – if someone would be so kind as to confirm they are from the Los Feliz, I’d appreciate it.
I Metro in about once a month or so to go to the Los Feliz. They get good movies and I saw “Beast of the Southern Wild” in one of their small screening rooms before all the Oscar buzz. They have several nice indie film festivals each year. The theatre serves a valuable neighborhood purpose and I appreciate the $5.50 senior price.
Purist critics have no concept of how difficult it is to keep theatre lights on in 2013. Don’t shun, attend.
One of the reason the Vista can still exist is because the Los Feliz serves as a moveover house. A necessary evil, I think.
I haven’t been in the Los Feliz since 1984 when I savored the experience of sitting through two showings of “Vertigo” in a lovely vintage, comfortable neighborhood theater perfectly befitting the film.
As a very young teenager, the Los Feliz was my “neighborhood theater,” in the early 1960’s. It was a fantastic theater, first to show the then new European New Wave movies — Fellini, Swedish directors, Truffaut, et. al. I was overwhelmed at young age with the quality and content of these fabulous films — and they made a life-long impact on my understanding…of the world, of good movies, and of the various ways of viewing these ideas and people. My childhood/teenhood was strongly influenced by this theater and its repertoire — at that time!
This used to be a sweet, architecturally nice, vintage theater until greed and bad management caused them to make it into a most disagreeable triplex, (even that made up name is disgusting and part of the devolution of English.) Avoid it at all costs. Much better to go to the beautiful and wonderful Vista Theater with its twenty seven sphinxes, great service from the whole crew, especially the legendary Victor who dresses up like a character in each of the movies while he takes your ticket! and the AMAZINGLY low prices! Six bucks for a movie!!!!! They also have made EVERY SEAT handicapped accessible, which means there is enough room for anyone, even my six foot eight inch best friend. BTW, I do NOT work there or know anyone who does. I just love it and am so disappointed in the Los Feliz “3,” which is a perfect example of a bad decision made worse by poor planning and uninspired workmanship. They made a once fun, neighborhood cinema into a hideous mess. Also, the crew has no pride in their work and the bathrooms are dirty, which is just one of the many side effects of bad architecture- it hurts the soul! Anyone who loves beauty should shun it.
If possible, avoid the main auditorium, but the 2 & 3 screening rooms are fine and add an intimacy. On Sunday 7/24, I caught the 9:45PM showing of “Beginners” and counted 47 moviegoers, near capacity. I appreciate the $5.50 senior rate($6.50 for everyone before 6)for first-run movie at half the ArcLight price.
Photos of its current (as of Jun 4 2011) interior and exterior HERE from its official website.
I agree. The Los Feliz is awful in its current condition. Back when it was a single screen, it was very nice.
It should be UN-triplexed. The small theaters are just too small. Might as well watch the film at home. Nice exterior but a venue to avoid.
A small night photo of the Los Feliz appeared in Boxoffice of June 29, 1935. The caption attributes the design of the theater to architect Clifford Balch.
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dmr4wn
Here are some photos taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/d9ou3f
http://tinyurl.com/d74ojr
http://tinyurl.com/cx68fl
The Los Feliz 3 Cinemas, photographed in November 2007:
http://www.you-are-here.com/theatre/los_feliz.html
The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office gives an original construction date of 1934 for the building at 1822 N. Vermont, and the Los Feliz Theatre is listed at this address in the 1936 Los Angeles City Directory.
I attended the Los Feliz many times in the early 1960s, and probably saw more foreign films there than at any other theater aside from the Cinema, on Western Avenue. The Los Feliz never seemed as self-consciously arty as the Cinema. It was more like a friendly neighborhood movie house that happened to show art films. I’m glad it’s still there, even if triplexed.
The Los Feliz was listed in newspaper listings as early as 1939. It was then an independent neighborhood theater, as were the nearby Vista and Hunley Theatres. The listing gave its location as Vermont and Franklin, about a block north of its actual location.
Just saw Persepolis in the smallest auditorium (61 seats!!). Although the theatre is small, the staff is great and you can tell they take great pride in their theatre. Plus where else can you see a 1st run movie in LA for $4.50 matinee and $7.50 evening ticket prices? I would, however, be cautious about seeing a scope picture in the smallest auditorium.
Or the LA Times is wrong, but they seem to be pretty accurate.
There’s aren’t too many Ed Wood players around any more. One of his regular actresses died recently, I can’t recall her name.
Here is a March 1970 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2mq72a
I lived across the street from this theatre for a couple of years.
I saw a few shows here before the conversion, when it was a revival house, including a fantastic double feature of “Psych-Out” and “Wild in the Streets.”
After the triplexing, it became a first run house, leaning towards the “indie” releases. I saw Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood” here, and Ed’s associate and bit player Conrad Brooks was hanging around after the movie, peddling a book and autographed photos. Talked with him for several minutes. Nice guy.
This theater was around as early as 1940, according to this lawsuit:
http://tinyurl.com/yf765z