AMC AVCO Center
10840 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
10840 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
23 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 223 comments found
No word leaked yet on new operator?
The Avco officially Re-opened as a 4 plex in November 1993; Carlito’s Way on 2 screens, My Life and The Three Musketeers were the premiere films with the remodel. I went openening day to see Carlito’s Way.
It’s scary how inaccurate our memories can be on things like this. I found some of mine confirmed on your list, but could have sworn I saw “Carrie” and “Silent Movie” in the main auditorium there. Oh well, this is endlessly fascinating.
Thanks for that pointer. It’s a great listing. If only there were many more like it.
silver, Cliffs, Howard, Chas, etc.:
A few years ago I compiled a comprehensive listing of everything that played in the Avco’s large auditorium. The list included plenty of detail ideal for an introductory write-up (opening date, transition date of conversion to 4-plex, longest-running engagements, info on presentation types, etc.). I’m not surprised my list is being overlooked since it is buried on Page 6 of this theater’s comments.
I think I liked the site better when comments all appeared on the same page. And in just checking my 2008 comment that included the list, I see the formatting got all screwed up in the transition from the old site to the new site. New-and-improved website, my ass!)
You people are making a big mistake with your comments regarding the future of the Avco: You’re using logic, reason, and customer appeal. I used to work in the industry and found that the people making the decisions in the theater chains and film distribution companies only care about money. That’s the bottom line. Whatever changes are made to the Avco, it’s based on economic benefit with little regard to anyone who appreciates theaters.
I think we can all agree the AVCO needs a generous, detailed description. How do we go about getting that done?
Silver, I’ve written many of the Introducions & haven’t noticed any of mine being shortened or disappearing. Even for LA, usually I (here in Philly) or Ken Roe (over the pond in London) take it upon ourselves to write a much more complete Intro than the skimpy one this one has. Only once did I see a movie here, in 1988, did I see a movie here, “The Milagro Beenfield War” in what my notes say was a large auditorium.
If I’m not mistaken, it was fall of 1993 that the main house was twinned to create a totally useless 4-plex.
What year was it that the Avco got subdivided up into 4 screens?
To the Cinema Treasures operators: Historical info of thissort always used to be in the overview descriptions at the top of the page for theaters, but seems to have been deleted in many cases with the recent site redesign for some reason… Why?
For that matter, this overview doesn’t even include basics like the year built or opened… What gives?
They had to gut the whole theatre interior because of the asbestos in the complex. Before the main house was twinned it seated around 1100 or so. And having worked there , there was alot of room inside.
They will most likely just gut it out and start from scratch. The first floor has quite alot of space for those who remember when it was a large screen. I still have to think it will be somewhat awkward though. Not really sure if it will catch on unless the food is good because I would imagine the presentation of the film will be unimpressive.
There’s actually more space in there than you’d think. Everything is set up like tetris. It’ll have to be a small kitchen and obviously small theatres but I see them putting the kitchen where the employee break room was.
I am curious how they plan to break up the auditoriums and where they plan to put the kitchen.
I think i just threw up a little while reading this……
I just don’t understand why, if you’re going to spend that kind of money on renovating that theater, you wouldn’t at least consider restoring the original screen downstairs (something that might actually appeal to film fans). I doubt, however, that the new operator even has any knowledge of what the Avco used to be. They’re moving in to basically do what drove people away in the first place; twinning what’s left and carving it up even more. I can’t imagine wanting to see anything in a theater with only 150 seats, and that’s the BIG auditorium. I agree with what Greg Laemmle said in that article with regard to the companies involved being more interested in being restaurateurs and bartenders than film exhibitors. Sorry, but the Avco ended up in about the worst hands it could have. I had initially held out hope that we may get someone in there who really remembered how important this theater was historically in Los Angeles and what it really could have been again, but instead we got another slash and burn “entrepreneur” to make this theater even less desirable than it has been for nearly 20 years.
I guess it is nice if it keeps films in Westwood. I’m not going to patronize it. The whole concept I find unappealing.
Countdown to bankruptcy/re-closure in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
Smaller theaters (stadium, of course) higher prices.
It looks like when the Avco Cinemas reopens after the remodel. It will be a Six Plex complex with auditoriums seating 70-150 people. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/dinner-and-movie-westwoods-avco-theater-set-multimillion-dollar-renovation-34221?page=0,0
The problems with motion picture exhibition in Westwood have nothing to do with parking, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise has never done anything more than look at the surface of the issue.
I have a special relationship with the Avco. Yet, I have never saw a movie in it, and I am not from LA. However, it played a very important part of a trip which will make it to script some day. And I will need this place to be shot the way it was. So save the old signage.
I worked at the Avco during the summer of 1977(yes,during Star Wars) and late December/early January of 77-78. Was a great job. I have fond memories of working there. Sad to see it go.
Drove past today. The place is in shambles. Sad. Hope they’re planning on restoring it. Any scoops?
All of this about Westwood is shocking to hear. Okay, so I haven’t been there in two decades — but it still makes no sense. I’m grateful that I knew it in its prime, in the glory years of the ‘70s and early '80s.