Brain Dead Studios
611 N. Fairfax Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90036
611 N. Fairfax Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90036
39 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 63 comments
Also, here is an interview with the Brain Dead owner who is responsible for buying the theater and programming its films, Kyle Ng: https://www.complex.com/style/brain-dead-studios-kyle-ng-movie-theater-interview
This theater is now called Brain Dead Studios. It’s owned by the clothing company Brain Dead, and it’s a repertory theater that is programmed by the company’s owner. Films are frequently shown in 35mm, each night at 8:00pm. Here’s the blurb from their website:
“On October 13th 2020, Brain Dead Studios opened its doors on 611 Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles. Featuring a cafe, lounge, showroom and repertory cinema, the space serves as a cultural center, programming both locally in Los Angeles and virtually throughout the world. BDS celebrates the weird, wonderful and unsung. 611 N. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA
BRAIN DEAD STUDIOS is an experiential space collaboratively curated by the Brain Dead family to share our design, creation and inspiration. Located at the historic Silent Movie Theater site in Los Angeles, the Studios feature a green room, cafe, and movie theater.
The green room showcases the latest Brain Dead merch drops, alongside apparel exclusive to the Studios. Everything on site is sourced and created with thought, from our handpicked record collection to our collabs with local growers and artisans.
The patio restaurant SLAMMERS serves coffee all-day, as well as lunch and dinner. Our culinary director selects local, seasonally sourced foods to create a unique menu of cafe cuisine inspired by recipes from around the globe.
The movie theater remains true to its origins as an arthouse repertory cinema. Each month we present an all-inclusive blend of films ranging from the silent era to the contemporary, orchestrated around the nuances of a specific theme."
I forgot to put their website in my comment: fairfaxcinema.com Hope the theater is successful.
Does anyone know or care to speculate what documentary user “dfc” (in his/her 3-22-2019 comment) might have been referring to? Thx.
I see that they have actually re-opened, showing a mix of old films at the moment.
LA Times article confirming “Uncut Gems” will not open there.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-18/fairfax-cinema-cinefamily-uncut-gems?fbclid=IwAR1gTIE-zo1uzXG5UZ51NcPQI4BXHzsV18L5IA0yZTtg8vTlBnqIXNxKVyA
I’m very interested to see what the new “Fairfax Cinemas” has going for it. The fact that they are opening with a screening of a 35mm print of a newer film, shows us promise.
Agreed with CTCrouch. It’s actually a pretty hip area of Los Angeles, known as the “Fairfax” district due to the street name. It is nearby the famous Regent Fairfax Cinemas which resides just South on the streetcorner of Beverly and Fairfax (closed for awhile now). There is a wildly popular Jewish Deli called Canters.
dfc – It’s not a bad area. For decades the neighborhood was basically main street for the area’s large Jewish community (kosher markets, delis, etc.). However, in recent years that stretch of Fairfax has been transitioning in to a trendy youth fashion scene (sneaker and hip-hop fashion stores). You might encounter a random homeless person or street weirdo, but the bulk of the foot traffic will be people shopping for expensive shoes and clothing these days.
I watched a documentary about this theater last night. Interesting to say the least. I’ve never been to Los Angeles. Is the theater in a bad section of the city? Some of the later images of the theater show exterior bars.
Financial problems my foot! It closed because one of it’s owners went through some major publicity surrounding his actions with younger female co-workers and interns which garnered very negative vibes for the place. Almost every person who attended regularly has a story about him or it. To say it suffered financial problems is a bit of a lie. It doesn’t really matter why the Silent went dark but for those who seek the truth, it was not “due mainly to financial troubles”.
Renovations are underway and appear to be quite extensive. The front exterior wall/entry, box office, and foyer are striped down to the studs.
One of my favorite memories ever is that in 2001 and 2002 I went to this theater and saw It’s a Wonderful Life with a bunch of friends for my birthday. The 2001 viewing was my first time ever watching that movie! It was probably my best ever movie-going experience. The theater was packed to the gills, and the audience laughed out loud, clapped, and booed and hissed at Mr. Potter. It was awesome. I couldn’t help but get caught up in it! I was looking to see if they were showing it for my 40th birthday, and I was so sad to see that it had closed. I would LOVE for the new owners/operators to continue that tradition! So wonderful and classic!
The “Storage Wars” episode was in Season 2, episode 6(Enemy of the enemy).
Appeared briefly in a segment of Svengoolie’s television show. (2017)
Appered briefly on an episode of Storage wars(near the end)!! No idea on the name of the episode though?
Closed as of November 14, 2017.
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/cinefamily-closed-hadrian-belove-sexual-harassment-1201897516/
Every year this theatre does a honor to the William Castle films by showing one of his scary films and including the gimmick that he would have for that movie. For instance; they would show the movie “Tingler” and have all the seats rigged to vibrate during the “Percepto” parts of the movie. Just like it was originally done back in the 60’s.
Just watched Ghost Adventures. The theatre is haunted by the spirits of the two late former owners and interestingly enough the ghost of Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
This really is an amazing survivor! I visited on 4th July 2014 to see the reissue of The Beatles' “A Hard Day’s Night”. A large, very appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed the film, breaking out into spontaneous applause at the end. The cinema is what I describe as ‘endearingly ramshackle’, with four rows of two-seater sofas at the front and rows of truly ancient (possibly even 1942 original!) seats behind – and free-standing plastic seats at the end of every other row, to bump up the capacity! There’s also only one toilet closet for each sex, meaning queues before the feature comes on! There had been a live music event in the afternoon, and movies are just one aspect of the entertainment on offer. But there is a super, really imaginative line-up: long may this wonderful gem survive!
This was my favorite place in LA (when I lived their)and I went almost weekly from 1991 until 2006. I knew the second owner Laurence Austin vaguely. He was murdered in 1997. I wasn’t at the theater the night he was murdered; however I did see the murderer in the last row on the right side last row on an earlier night (They were showing either Buster Keaton or Laurel and Hardy)and he did attempt to shoot the front box office and I remember I heard glass breaking (No one was hit so I never thought anything of it). I also enjoyed Charlie Lustman’s time as the owner and miss his song “Take me to the Silent Picture show”. I would usually win a prize for guessing all the pictures on the wall. If anyone is writing a story about the Silent Movie Theater they can email me at
Yeah, they had a $144,000 goal and raised $158,000
These guys are running a Kickstarter that ends January 2.
The theater is also hosting a “Telethon” to help upgrade and preserve the theater on December 15, 2012: View article
Thanks Chuck1231.
Intersting concept.