Whittier Village Cinemas
7038 Greenleaf Avenue,
Whittier,
CA
90602
7038 Greenleaf Avenue,
Whittier,
CA
90602
9 people
favorited this theater
A news account in 1931 reported that architect David S. Bushnell was preparing plans for a theater, costing $90,000, seating 1,000 and to be leased to a theater chain. Because of the depression, according to the Whittier Historical Society, the lease was broken and the owner, Aubrey Wardman, ended up operating the theater with the architect serving as the manager.
The Wardman Theatre remained independent except for a time beginning in the 1970’s when it was operated by Pacific Theatres and by early 1977 it was operated by Pussycat Theatres. The 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake nearly finished the theater, but it was reconstructed with the original auditorium divided and more screens added by building an annex.
Its recently added stadium seating rises over the entrance to the old auditorium and the empty space below the risers has been converted to a video game arcade. Because a nearby Regal theater closed, the independently operated theater now has no serious competition.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
New book-length Pussycat Theatre history from the San Diego Reader:
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I grew up in Whittier attending the Wardman Theater for matinees of such movies as “It Came From Beneath The Sea” and “The Blob” (I loved Sci-fi flicks!.) It was a wonderful little theater, and since I moved back to Uptown Whittier 10 years ago, I can walk two blocks to see most first-run movies whenever I want. But about a month ago, the last vestiges of the original interior finally disappeared——the original concession stand (with its popcorn maker). Now, when you enter the lobby, you are faced with more of those obscene video games where the old concession stand (and staircase to the balcony)used to be. And they call this “progress”.
I also grewup in Whittier & remember seeing many Monster movies there 13 Ghost, The Giant Claw & Rodan! The Flying Monster to name a few.
I also remember that between the Lobby & the theater there were no doors only heavy velvet drapes.
I seem to remember that the Restrooms were upo the curved stairs behind the Snack Bar.
This is a 1983 photo of the Pussycat Theater.
Here is a January 2007 ad from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/kpro4f
One of my fond memories of the Wardman Theater was standing in line waiting to see the August 1964 release of A Hard Day’s Night. We Beatlemanics were in line for hours to see the movie. Everyone talked about John Lennon’s book, 16 magazine, and our Beatle bubble gum cards. Then you could mail $25 to get Hollywood Bowl tickets to see the Beatles. Now I go to the Whittier Village Cinemas to watch sci-fi and Harry Potter films. Yes, I remember the old drapes and decor…but it’s the price of popcorn that creeps me out! However, you can’t beat the admission and location…it’s small town-like.
Here is part of a July 1977 article in the LA Times:
WHITTIER-Community leaders hope to appeal to the business sense of X-rated movie theater chain owner Vincent Miranda. If all goes well, they say, Miranda will be convinced that conversion of the Wardman Theater into a multi-theater complex showing general run films would be profitable and a valuable asset to a nearby redevelopment project.
Miranda’s recent acquisition of the Wardman Theater from Pacific Theaters has touched off controversy here. The S. Greenleaf Avenue cinema is showing two sexually explicit films. Although just outside the Greenleaf Ave./Uptown Redevelopment Project, businessmen are fearful that the presence of an X-rated theater may have a detrimental effect on potential developers. There is also apprehension that other adult-only businesses may be attracted to the area.
A coalition of business, church and parents groups has formed to voice objections to the showing of adult-oriented films at the Wardman. Recently, coalition spokesmen visited Miranda at his Hollywood offices. “We tried to suggest to him that a four-theater complex would make itâ€, said City Councilwoman Delta Murphy. “We told him that it would be an economic plus for him and an economic plus for the city. We said that if he is not interested in that, we wanted a lease price and a lease option price.â€
Miranda said he is considering the coalition’s proposals. But he expressed doubt that a multi-theater complex at the Greenleaf site would be feasible. At this point, Miranda said he would be more interested in sale of the Wardman rather than a lease agreement. Miranda has promised to forward a sale price to the coalition leaders. “We do buy and sell theatersâ€, he said.
Nice looking marquee.
Photos of the Whittier Village Cinemas.
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The chain that was originally going to open the Wardman before the building’s owner and architect took over was Hughes-Franklin Theatres. One of its principals was Harold B. Franklin, a former director of Paramount’s Publix chain and later the president of Fox West-Coast Theatres. His partner, the Hughes in the chain’s name, was the famous Hughes known as Howard. Franklin left the Hughes-Franklin presidency in 1932 after only two years but went on to other positions in the business. He died at the relatively young age of 52 in 1941 while in Mexico City on business. More information on the role Franklin played in the exhibition industry can be found at the Margaret Herrick Library.