ArcLight Beach Cities

831 S. Nash Street,
El Segundo, CA 90245

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Jamey_monroe45
Jamey_monroe45 on September 16, 2023 at 4:19 pm

The toast of the South Bay? Cinepolis Inglewood has other plans! 🤭🤭

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on April 12, 2021 at 6:32 pm

The two brands operated more than 300 screens in California, including the coveted Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. In a blow for California moviegoers — and those in Los Angeles in particular — the ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres are closing all of their locations for good after seeing their business decimated by the pandemic.

ArcLight’s stable includes the prized Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. The Dome, built in 1963, is the crown jewel of the small theater complex constructed in more recent years.

ArcLight Hollywood is a bastion for both first-run movies and independent titles and, at one time, was one of the first L.A. cinemas to offer high-end food. It has also been a favorite site place to stage premieres of indie titles, and is beloved by many cinephiles.

ArcLight’s locations in Hollywood and elsewhere, including Sherman Oaks, are operated by Pacific Theatres. The Pacific side of the aisle includes such popular locations as the Grove in West Hollywood.

“This was not the outcome anyone wanted, but despite a huge effort that exhausted all potential options, the company does not have a viable way forward,” said a statement issued by Pacific Theatres, which is owned by the Decurion Corporation.

No ArcLight or Pacific location has reopened since the pandemic began. On Monday afternoon, word quickly spread across Hollywood that they will remain dark for good.

It wasn’t immediately clear who the pool of potential buyers might include for the more high-profile locations, should they be up for sale, such as the ArcLight Hollywood complex.

Last year, Netflix closed a deal to operate the Egyptian, another landmark Hollywood theater that’s not far from the Cinerama Dome. Among the mega chains, Cinemark only has two L.A. locations (one in Baldwin Hills and the other in Playa Vista).

“To all the Pacific and ArcLight employees who have devoted their professional lives to making our theaters the very best places in the world to see movies: we are grateful for your service and your dedication to our customers,” the statement continued. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”

The National Association of Theatre Owners has warned all along that smaller and regional independent chains, such as Pacific and ArcLight, might never recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

“To our guests and members of the film industry who have made going to the movies such a magical experience over the years: our deepest thanks,” read the statement issued by Pacific Theaters. “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve you.”

rivest266
rivest266 on August 4, 2016 at 10:40 pm

November 15th, 1996 grand opening ad as Beach Cities Cinema in the photo section.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on March 7, 2012 at 8:18 am

Precisely, Scott!

Scott Neff
Scott Neff on March 6, 2012 at 6:19 pm

Chris — what do you mean by down vs. up sloping?

Is down where you enter at the top of the stadium and step down? And up where you enter at the bottom and walk up?

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on May 30, 2011 at 11:28 am

Street View needs to be upgraded – the shot is from it’s days as a Pacific.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 24, 2010 at 9:55 am

I was there a couple of days ago. Nice remodel.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on November 13, 2010 at 11:25 pm

P.S. Pacific & ArcLight are the same company. Their parent company (Decurion Corporation) simply converted it from Pacific to ArcLight, so the line about ArcLight “taking it over” is not quite accurate.

Chris Utley
Chris Utley on November 13, 2010 at 11:23 pm

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING transformation from Pacific to ArcLight. Auditorium layout completely changed from downward sloping stadium seating to upward sloping stadium seating. Screens are bigger. Sound is upgraded. Projection is DP…but they do have film projectors on hand.

This theatre is going to be the toast of the South Bay!

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 30, 2010 at 1:40 pm

The theater is closed for conversion to Arclight.
http://tinyurl.com/2d9q447

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 19, 2009 at 2:22 pm

Here is an interior photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/lk2ouu

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 28, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Here is a photo taken earlier today:
http://tinyurl.com/ce3lf3

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 13, 2008 at 11:51 pm

There was a shooting in this theater a few nights ago. Two El Segundo police officers were wounded, along with a bystander. It was the first such shooting of an El Segundo officer since 1957. The suspect was killed in the exchange of fire.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 11, 2008 at 9:41 pm

I interviewed for a job over at TRW when I moved to LA in 1984. I remember driving slowly down Rosecrans looking for the TRW complex. Most of Rosecrans between Sepulveda and Aviation was vacant land. Hard to picture that now when you see this theater and all the rest of the retail on that stretch.