National Theatre
10925 Lindbrook Drive,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
10925 Lindbrook Drive,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
55 people
favorited this theater
Opened March 27, 1970, the Mann National Theatre was one of the last single screen giants to be erected. Its rather bland exterior belied a large upstairs lobby (which was replete with chandeliers) and an enormous orange-colored auditorium (which boasted a massive screen).
The Mann National closed on April 19, 2007, but re-opened less than a month later under an independent exhibitor on a short-term lease. The theatre closed again on October 7, 2007 and was demolished in January 2008.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 744 comments)
Thanks for the link JoelWeide. I never went to this theatre before it’s demolition but I like it’s sparse, understated 70’s grandeur. I’m sure not everyone would agree. We’ll never see big, single screen cinemas built like this again. It was unique. What a waste to destroy it and not even fill in the lot with some bland condos. It definitely qualifies as a lost Cinema Treasure.
I wish I had been taking pictures of the National over the years before it closed. It had one of the best marquees of any theatre. If you took Gayley into the village from Wilshire the National greeted you. The marquee was so large that any graphics really stood out. The pictures on Cinematour with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days really illustrates how stunning the National was. I still get sad when I drive in Westwood. It is a theatre we will never experience again.
Thanks Joel! CinemaTour is an amazing site. Here’s a photo you must see in Curbed Los Angeles.
Ross, thats a great article in the ‘Curbed!’ Best way yet I’ve seen to remember a former theatre, hope that idea catches on!!!
Many THANKS to ‘hollywood90038’ for the photography of the demolition of the National. While it is indeed sad to see this theatre torn down, it is important that all aspects of the theatre be documented when ever possible. I sincerely hope that will all that iron in the frame of the National that it was recycled into another structure and not simply sold to a salvage yard.
The photos newly added just want to make me cry. We will never have theatres like this ever again. I love the newly added photos from the early 70’s.
A big thanks to markinthedark for the latest batch of photos taken on the National’s last night.
Heartbreaking.
NOW I remember where I saw “The Exorcist”! Thanks!
Is that Regan’s bedroom window with the curtains blowing around on the side wall of the theater? Nice touch of showmanship.
Yes, it is Regan’s window box. They installed a fan to blow the curtains. It was done by Warner Bros. PR department.