AMC Fullerton 20
1001 South Lemon Street,
Fullerton,
CA
92832
1001 South Lemon Street,
Fullerton,
CA
92832
2 people
favorited this theater
The history of AMC’s Fullerton location is a tale of three theatres. Opened in 1988, as an eight-plex, the theatre was expanded in to a ten-plex in 1992, and eventually a twenty-plex in 1997.
The initial addition was seamless, as two large auditoriums were added on to the existing structure. However, the mega plex expansion called for a second, separate, building to be constructed across from the original theatre, with two free standing box offices between the structures.
The resulting complex caused a host of logistical problems, most notably, the “bad side vs. good side” mentality among patrons. The original theatres, labeled “the classic side” by AMC, were/are standard 80’s multiplex in design. The auditoriums, labeled “the stadium side” by AMC, were prototypical late 90’s mega plex. In addition to the two diverse styles, the Fullerton 20 was also plagued by a severe lack of parking, as the addition was constructed over a large portion of the parking lot. This problem was later corrected when another building on the property was purchased and demolished for parking.
The eight- and ten-plex versions of the Fullerton theatre saw business levels that far exceeded the facility. Box office and hold out lines regularly stretched in to the parking lot, with the undersized lobby usually packed to full capacity. Yet, with the seemingly needed expansion to a twenty-plex, the facility frequently stood as more than the market demanded.
Today, the moderately successful Fullerton 20 stands as a unique piece of theatre history, illustrating the industry’s transition during the late 90’s megaplex boom.
Contributed by
ecorche
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Theater opened Dec. 18, 1987.
And if I’m not mistaken, the two additional “large auditoriums” were opened prior to 1992. I saw “Father of the Bride” there in 1991.
The complex, especially when it was opened in 1987, was fairly uninspiring. It was similiar in decorative features to the AMC MainPlace which opened earlier that year. But in my opinion, the MainPlace theatres (especially the big 70mm houses) were nicer. I don’t know if I’d call the AMC Fullerton classic, but it was more of an improvement over AMC’s previous fare, like the Orange Mall 6.
Pacific Theatres was planning a large megaplex on the site of the old Anaheim Drive-In, just down the street and off the 91 Freeway. AMC had expanded their Fullerton complex to 20 screens, but I’m not clear on the exact year. The first time I visited the stadium side was for the engagement of “South Park.” But I think that Pacific backed out because of AMC’s presence within such a small radius. A Lowes Home Improvement store sits on the site of the old drive-in.
The theatre had a “soft open” in December of 87'. I don’t believe the concession stand was completed until mid January of 88'. The expansion was in May of 97' (I was on the expansion management team).
this was the site of a stabbing that occured during a showing of a horror movie on the same night as the oscars.
Here is the story from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/yssyjq
The suspect in the stabbing has been caught in Las Vegas. Police believe he may have been under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms during the stabbing.
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Grand Opening of the Fullerton 20.
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Seating Aud 1-325, Aud 2-304, Aud 3-381, Aud 4-198, Aud 5-204 Aud 6-212, Aud 7-212, Aud 8-199, Aud-9 204, Aud 10-345, Aud 11-159, Aud 12-100, Aud 13-126, Aud 14-126, Aud 15-280, Aud 16-280, Aud 17-126, Aud 18-126, Aud 19-100, Aud 20-159 Total seating 3856.
Grand opening ad for the 8 screens.
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Photo of the 10 screen.
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Fullerton 20 Grand Opening.
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