Panorama Theatre
9110 Van Nuys Boulevard,
Panorama City,
CA
91402
9110 Van Nuys Boulevard,
Panorama City,
CA
91402
3 people
favorited this theater
Originally built and opened in 1949 as a single screen, 1,000-seat movie theatre. The Panorama Theatre was converted into a two screen theatre in the 1970’s era. It closed in the early-2000’s and now serves as a church.
Contributed by
jeff Zimmer
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
right! there was a crying room. around 1960 i think there was a pizza place and a hobby shop next to the panarama.
i remember seeing “forbidden planet”, “war of the worlds”, the original “parent trap”, and “the alamo” about 10 times!!!
once invited to sit with the girls. magda was the cutest girl in the school, but i thought she had a tough boyfried, who would knock my head off! yes. i think that is the phone number of the panarama!
also, saw a “l'il abner” movie, which i have never seen anywhere else!? visited the old neighborhood last year (arleta — used to be pacoima). the hebrew school on beachy and osborne is no longer there, but the building is still there. around 1980 noticed spanish movies playing at the panarama. last year noticed the panarama sign was still there — i should take a picture for this website next time in LA.
finally, saw “the time machine” there — going into the future where the morlocks have taken over!
Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/raqz3s
This is a 2008 photo.
This was in Boxoffice in June 1949:
Max Torodor broke ground last week for his 1,000-seat Panorama Theatre in Van Nuys. Ceremonies, led by Andy Devine, featured sinking a “time capsule” containing current southland and Hollywood mementos.
I love the look of the theatre.
I like the name,looked pretty cool from the outside too bad there are no inside shots.
Looking at the pictures you got to LOOK to find the Theatre.
My grandfather, Max Torodor was one of the three original partners. My father, Don Torodor managed the theater for many years. I remember spending so much of my childhood there helping the “candy girls” as we called them and having crushes on the ushers. I also remember my sister and I being allowed to go up to the projection room with Forest, the Projectionist and watch the movies from there. It always had a wonderful musty smell combined with the smell of buttered popcorn. I remember a Beatle movie, maybe “Help”? They sold Beatles memorabilia on the counter and I swear I remember them selling Beatle wigs!?!? I also remember very scary Vincent Price movies. I was too young to see a lot of the movies that were shown. I was born in 1957 so I probably wasn’t hanging out there until at least 1962. Does anyone remember Alfedo Gonzales? He started out taking tickets at the door and was “promoted” to the candy counter. From there to Assistant Manager and then to Manager!! He is a wonderful person. Many years later he approached my dad about opening his first restaurant “La Serenita” which he finally opened next door to the theater, where CHICHI’s Pizza used to be. A friend of mine just sent me this link and it was so great to read all posts. What a trip down memory lane!
Great comments. Wonderful memories including the “crying room”. Was in those days a “chic” theater. Saturdays were always matinees with at least 2 films (mostly science-fiction) and a series (you had to keep coming back). This is around ‘62-'65. Saw Hard Day’s Night and Help there, as well as countless (musical)films. In those days you could stay and watch a film(s) again without paying extra. Wonder if Bill Robinson or Alfredo remember the usher, Jay Hammond, from late 50’s/early 60’s. Thanks for this wonderful walk down memory lane.
This opened on December 19th, 1949. It’s grand opening ad has been uploaded here.