Academy Theater

I was a regular at the local movie theaters in my extended neighborhood of Southern California, and the Academy was definitely on my list. One of the nicer theaters around, it was probably a close second to the old “Figueroa.” Neither the “Fig,” (as we called it) or the Academy had the “neighborhood” theater feel. Great movie experience and down the street from the “5th Avenue” which was a true “neighborhood” theater, where I saw the first run presentation of “Shaft.”

I GREW UP NEAR THE ACADEMY THEATER, 1936 TO 1956.
THE YUMBURGER WAS OUR HI SCHOOL HANGOUT. IT SERVED THE BEST HAMBURGER OF THE TIME. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO IT AND IT’S GREAT RECIPE?

I changed the marquee at the Academy Theatre in the early 70’s. One title I misspelled late at night that caused the manager to phone me to come pack and correct was for a movie called “The Public Eye.” I innocently spelled the second word and put “The Pubic Eye.” My uncle, Arlo Nalder, was part owner of the Yum Burger across the street. As a child, I remember seeing a movie I didn’t understand there called “A Letter to Three Wives.” I saw the movie recently and remembered sitting in the Academy trying find some meaning to all the talk about love and marriage…

My husband and I visited the Academy yesterday. A member of the church saw us taking pictures and introduced himself, we talked for a while about the Academy and Inglewood’s other churches. Such a pleasant encounter.

I had wanted to visit the Academy for a long, long time, and was so impressed with it. (photos to come)

Nice photo here:
http://tinyurl.com/yc3427q

Well, Ken, we told you they were nice people! The etched glass is very tough to photograph during the day because it faces the front entrance and the greenish neon lighting it up from behind can’t compete with the daylight.

Since I did not take the tour, the church operator was nice enough to let me inside for a look at the interior. Note that the woman in the etching is holding an Oscar. The churcj operator said it was not copyrighted, as that kind of art would not pass unnoticed by the AMPAS today. On the bottom right corner of the etching it says S. Charles Lee architect.
http://tinyurl.com/yaoezx8
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Thanks. Are you coming out for the tour?

Want a look inside the Academy Cathedral? Hillsman Wright and I took an advance tour yesterday and the video is up on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/lahtf

If they let you guys take pics, maybe you can post some after your tours.

And as an added bonus: get a rare chance to walk through the Fox Inglewood. Yes, we’ve gotten permission to take people into the Fox. So, two amazing S. Charles Lee theaters for the low price of FREE.

Doors open at 1:30. Park behind the Academy. See you there.

Sounds good. I saw the slideshow about the interior of the Fox but the Academy is a mystery. I imagine it still looks good inside.

That’s a Saturday. I would like to see the interior of the Academy. Keep me posted.