AMC Criterion 6

Another article on its closing: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/AMC-Criterion-6-Goes-Dark-On-Third-Street-Promenade/37216

I used to go to the movies in L.A. 3 – 4 times a week. When the neighborhood theaters started closing, most of the movies stopped appealing to me. I set up a state-of-the-art theater and built a fantastic collection of films. I have everything I ever wanted, including dozens of films that never made it to VHS or DVD (thanks to certain studio connections from when I worked in the industry; new copies just seem to crawl out of the vaults).

So, any problems? Yes, I’m now separated from the theaters and the people, and I used to live for going to the movies. I got tired of seeing these theaters close, seeing the admission go up over and over, and I hate those f'ing action adventure, flash cut, Star Wars, superhero films. How many times can seeing a building be blown up be exciting? The neighborhood theaters closed when people started supporting the malls and multiplexes, and I reluctantly withdrew.

Tonight’s midnight double feature is “Eegah!” plus “The Undertaker and His Pals.” Admission is free, the popcorn is fresh, and nobody with a cell phone will be admitted.

Bad news, Brade48: The AMC Criterion 6 closed yesterday. Front page news in the Santa Monica Daily Press. It looks like the space will be turned into retail.

http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/033013.pdf

Status should be changed accordingly.

I went here when it was a single-screen, large auditorium. The best double feature I saw was “Oh, Lucky Man!” plus “The Boys In The Band.” I’ve been to the six-plex, and it’s terrific. Good sight lines, good audience. Why do they want to destroy a successful theater? Money, of course! Screw what the audience who is supporting the theater wants! Typical corporate business.

May not be open for much longer. According to an article in this issue of the Santa Monica Daily Press —

http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/120812.pdf

— the owner has received permission from the city to convert the theatre space to retail. The majority of the article deals with the proposed new multiplex AMC wanted to build on Fourth, but the author dropped this bombshell in the last two paragraphs. See page 10.

It should be noted that the organ from this theater was used for at least a few recordings by Gaylord Carter, though I believe this was after the organ had been removed from the Criterion to a new home.

 Also, the 60s marquee of the Criterion can be glimpsed in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," in the background of several shots filmed along the street (the stolen bike scenes) with a generic "Cartoon Cavalcade" advertised on the reader board.
                

Went to the Criterion 6 for the first time on 10/12. The $6 senior Tuesday is a great deal, but the $5 flat rate evening parking is $2 more than Westwood(where you can sometimes find a free spot). Saw “Case 39”, 10:05PM show in one of the downstairs auditoriums. Only eight of us watching quite a good movie-much better than the reviews. The little girl is tremendous, almost as good as the one in “The Bad Seed”, which the Aero showed months ago.

The vertical sign and marquee are amazing-are they reproductions or restored originals?

Thanks for all the experts on this board-I learn a lot.

It is listed under AMC in the LA Times Calendar section today. AMC Criterion 6, all three Cinemas on the Promenade are listed under AMC.

Mann has taken this theater off their website not long ago. Checking the recording they still have it as the Mann Criterion. Tomorrows news ads will tell the story..

William, where is Chuck allen now? he was my DM at Fashion Island, i really liked him and Anita.

3 up, 3 down. Downstairs all stadium. Upstairs all slope.

The Mann Glendale theatres do not post their showtimes until Thursday afternoon, and has been that way since the time the Pacific 18 opened up across the street two years ago. The remaining theatres usually get their showtimes programmed Tuesday afternoon, but for some reason, it takes a couple hours for them to propagate online.

I worked as an assistant at the Criterion in 2006 and 2007, and it is not a barrel of fun to run. I hope AMC keeps some of the managers aboard, because it has a good crew currently.

William, I remember going to that also. They had a pre-opening event with the 3 Star Wars films and the 3 Indiana Jones films. ALL off Mann’s Westwood management were there including Harry Francis.