As for the flooding mentioned earlier, I believe you are thinking of another theatre (perhaps, the Laguna Beach South Coast). The Niguel was located well above sea level and not directly adjascent to the ocean (a large gated community has stood on the ocean side of PCH for quite some time). The Niguel’s flooding and water damage issues were the result of the theatre being built at the base of a hillside; i.e. drainage problems during heavy rains. While the theatre is long gone, Monarch Bay Plaza still stands, near the corner of Crown Valley and PCH.
The first “mystery theatre” picture, is the Santa Ana Theatre (also billed as the Santa Ana Electric Theatre), which was located on east 4th street. The theatre was operated by “Doc” Roberts (he’s the man standing on the far left hand side of the photo). The Santa Ana library dates the theatre opening/picture to 1908, while the City of Santa Ana lists 1906; in either case, this would make the Santa Ana/Electric Theatre the first commercial movie theatre in Orange County, predating the Temple Theatre (which has traditionally been billed as the first) by a year or two.
This theatre was originally a Cinemark and was later sold to Interstate Theatres (which merged with Starplex Cinemas). As the name implies, the theatre is located near a livestock processing center.
The Fountain Valley Twin was opened by Loew’s on 12/24/71. The opening features were “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” and “T.R. Baskin”. General Cinemas took the theatre over in 1973.
A very modest strip mall cinema, that served as Stanton’s only movie theatre, until Edwards' Village Center 6 opened in the mid 80’s. Formerly part of the Loew’s chain, the Stanton Theatre’s sole moment of notoriety came in 1969, when the theatre was one of two Orange County venues (the other being Newport Beach’s Balboa Theatre) raided for showing “I am Curious, Yellow”. The seized films resulted in a case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court. When the theatre was closed for remodeling in 1977, there was a permit stipulation, that no future x-rated or un rated films be shown, before the site was allowed to reopen.
After Edwards opened the Village Center 6, the, now independently owned, Stanton Theatre quickly fell out of favor with movie goers and turned to Indian films, with limited success. The theatre was closed for good by the mid 90’s and sat vacant for years. A frequent site for break ins, vandalism, and transient squatters, the theatre was damaged by a fire in the late 90’s. In early 2005, the entire strip mall was razed to make way for a new commercial development.
Joe Vogel posted: “Maybe Cecil is one of Harry’s sons, or perhaps a grandson”
I believe Cecil is (was?) Harry’s son, as an early 60’s news bit, about the opening of Anaheim’s Brookhurst Theatre (another Vinnicof Theatre), lists Vinnicof & Son Theatres as being operated by Harry and Cecil Vinnicof.
While operated somewhat independently (as an “adults only” venue) for it’s first twenty or so years, the Loge became the Brookhurst Theatre’s fifth auditorium, following the larger theatre’s early 90’s quading. The Loge remained physically seperate from the Brookhurst, but the marquee, bookings, operations, etc. began to utilize the Loge as a traditional auditorium (dropping the luxury, “adults only” idea) during it’s final years.
According to the 4/15/68 Boxoffice Magazine, Cinemaland’s first manager was Harold Brislin, an individual who had formerly managed the Fox West Coast, in Santa Ana, and had been with the company for 33 years (at the time of Cinemaland’s opening).
According to the 4/24/61 Boxoffice Magazine, the Brookhurst Theatre was built for $300,000. The news piece also mentions that the opening manager was Jack Geller, “former acting school operator in Hollywood”.
Regency has a history of “soft openings”. I’m sure there will be proper signage, advertising, etc. shortly. In Southern California, the chain is well known for succeeding with theatres that others have given up on.
I have my doubts about any of the “big three” buying National Amusements outright. Each will obviously explore the matter, but the price tag (even at a “fire sale” level) is a bit much to take on right now. Even if one of them was able to secure the financing (difficult within the current economy), would they really want to add that much debt on to their books (especially Regal, which has been piling up some hefty debts)? I would more easily picture National Amusements breaking the chain up in to smaller packages and selling off to numerous parties.
According to 1925 L.A. Times advertisements, the theatre’s opening week included the following features:
Tom Mix in “Dick Turpin"
Dorothy Devore in "The Narrow Street"
Rin Tin Tin in "Tracked In The Snow Country”
The grand opening announcement lists 5/28/25 as the opening night and mentions that the Fullerton branch of Mary Louise’s Cafe & Tea Room of Los Angeles was the property’s secondary tenant.
Some factors to consider:
Back in the “golden age”, theatres operated with a much smaller staff; thus, there were fewer spots to fill and one could be more selective.
Prior to the 1950’s, movie theatres held a more prominant place in communities; thus, a theatre job would be viewed in a higher regard.
Also, the overal business model was geared more towards an “event” experience than mass consumption product; thus, theatre operators weren’t focused as much on efficiency, speed, and cost cutting, as modern theatre operators are.
There is no doubt the quality of theatre workers was much greater in the “golden age”. I’d dare to say they tended to be much better just a decade or so ago, than they presently are. Working at a theatre was once a well respected profession that offered decent career options. As such, you saw long term employees, who truly cared about their work. These days, due not only to the theatre industry, but also to modern economics, theatre staff positions are more part-time, seasonal, and short term in nature.
While this sort of thing apears to be a growing trend in the industry, be it partial usage of venues or entire theatres dedicated to the concept, I suspect AMC is simply trying to find a better way to utilize their “overbuilt” megaplexes. In today’s market, 30 plexes, many of the 20 plexes for that matter, aren’t cost effective and are often far more than needed in any given area. Rather than “mothballing” excess auditoriums, this idea provides them with a potential use (I know there has also been talk of turning some auditoriums in to party/meeting rental spaces).
Heavily influenced by Bob Clark’s “Black Christmas” (74'); an equally well crafted horror film that hasn’t recieved the wide-spread recognition it deserves (as with “Halloween”, “Black Christmas” was butchered in a semi recent reworking/remake).
Back in the mid 90’s, AMC announced they were going to build a 24 screen theatre on this property. However, by 1997, AMC had pulled out of the deal and Regal stepped in. This was Regal’s third build in the county, preceeded by La Habra 16 and Garden Grove 16 (also opened in 1999). Regal had initially entered Southern California via the purchase of Krikorian Theatres' original chain, in 1996.
Prior to the opening, Edwards had threatened to build a 16 screen theatre across the toll road from the Regal site. After scrapping that plan, Edwards breifly entered in to buy out talks for the theatre, but that too fell through. Of course, within a few years Edwards filed for bankrupcy and the two companies fell under the REG banner.
Standard mid 80’s to early 90’s era Edwards multiplex layout, with 90’s era decorating flurishes. However, unlike most of it’s era peers, the RSM6 has managed to remain in “mint” condition; walk in to the theatre today and you are seeing the venue much as it was on opening day.
While this theatre was once an area hot spot, with no direct competition, it has lost much of it’s customer base to the Foothill Ranch 22. Currently (08'), operating with a skeleton staff and reduced weekday show schedule, one must speculate that this theatre’s days are numbered within the Regal Entertainment Group fold.
AMC ran the theatre as a relatively successful discount house in it’s later years. It’s closing coresponded not only with the mall’s redevelopment, but also with AMC’s expansion of their Fullerton venue. The staff and management were offered positions at the Fullerton 20 (expansion opened a couple of weeks after the Orange Mall 6 closing), but only one individual accepted the offer.
I stopped by and checked out the demolition today (3/13). The South Coast Plaza theatre was already down to walls and framework, the interior a pile of rubble; it had already been somewhat stripped, prior to demolition (as mentioned in an earlier post). However, the Plaza III turned out to have been relatively intact prior to the demolition; poppers, coke towers, menu boaards, screen, speakers, seating, etc. had all been there. It was almost as if Edwards had closed one night and never returned. Seeing such an intact theatre being torn apart was extra sad.
As for the flooding mentioned earlier, I believe you are thinking of another theatre (perhaps, the Laguna Beach South Coast). The Niguel was located well above sea level and not directly adjascent to the ocean (a large gated community has stood on the ocean side of PCH for quite some time). The Niguel’s flooding and water damage issues were the result of the theatre being built at the base of a hillside; i.e. drainage problems during heavy rains. While the theatre is long gone, Monarch Bay Plaza still stands, near the corner of Crown Valley and PCH.
The first “mystery theatre” picture, is the Santa Ana Theatre (also billed as the Santa Ana Electric Theatre), which was located on east 4th street. The theatre was operated by “Doc” Roberts (he’s the man standing on the far left hand side of the photo). The Santa Ana library dates the theatre opening/picture to 1908, while the City of Santa Ana lists 1906; in either case, this would make the Santa Ana/Electric Theatre the first commercial movie theatre in Orange County, predating the Temple Theatre (which has traditionally been billed as the first) by a year or two.
It was originally an AMC. Interstate/Starplex were the second tenants.
Starplex Cinemas sold this theatre. Effective 3/20/09, the theatre is operated by Elvis Cinemas.
This theatre was originally a Cinemark and was later sold to Interstate Theatres (which merged with Starplex Cinemas). As the name implies, the theatre is located near a livestock processing center.
Edwards took over the theatre in 1978.
The Fountain Valley Twin was opened by Loew’s on 12/24/71. The opening features were “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” and “T.R. Baskin”. General Cinemas took the theatre over in 1973.
A very modest strip mall cinema, that served as Stanton’s only movie theatre, until Edwards' Village Center 6 opened in the mid 80’s. Formerly part of the Loew’s chain, the Stanton Theatre’s sole moment of notoriety came in 1969, when the theatre was one of two Orange County venues (the other being Newport Beach’s Balboa Theatre) raided for showing “I am Curious, Yellow”. The seized films resulted in a case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court. When the theatre was closed for remodeling in 1977, there was a permit stipulation, that no future x-rated or un rated films be shown, before the site was allowed to reopen.
After Edwards opened the Village Center 6, the, now independently owned, Stanton Theatre quickly fell out of favor with movie goers and turned to Indian films, with limited success. The theatre was closed for good by the mid 90’s and sat vacant for years. A frequent site for break ins, vandalism, and transient squatters, the theatre was damaged by a fire in the late 90’s. In early 2005, the entire strip mall was razed to make way for a new commercial development.
Joe Vogel posted: “Maybe Cecil is one of Harry’s sons, or perhaps a grandson”
I believe Cecil is (was?) Harry’s son, as an early 60’s news bit, about the opening of Anaheim’s Brookhurst Theatre (another Vinnicof Theatre), lists Vinnicof & Son Theatres as being operated by Harry and Cecil Vinnicof.
After being divided in to four screens, the Brookurst was operated by the folowing companies:
American Family Theatres 1992 – 1997
Globe Theatres 1998 – 2003
Interstate/Starplex Cinemas 2003 – 2006
While operated somewhat independently (as an “adults only” venue) for it’s first twenty or so years, the Loge became the Brookhurst Theatre’s fifth auditorium, following the larger theatre’s early 90’s quading. The Loge remained physically seperate from the Brookhurst, but the marquee, bookings, operations, etc. began to utilize the Loge as a traditional auditorium (dropping the luxury, “adults only” idea) during it’s final years.
According to the 4/15/68 Boxoffice Magazine, Cinemaland’s first manager was Harold Brislin, an individual who had formerly managed the Fox West Coast, in Santa Ana, and had been with the company for 33 years (at the time of Cinemaland’s opening).
According to the 4/24/61 Boxoffice Magazine, the Brookhurst Theatre was built for $300,000. The news piece also mentions that the opening manager was Jack Geller, “former acting school operator in Hollywood”.
Regency has a history of “soft openings”. I’m sure there will be proper signage, advertising, etc. shortly. In Southern California, the chain is well known for succeeding with theatres that others have given up on.
I have my doubts about any of the “big three” buying National Amusements outright. Each will obviously explore the matter, but the price tag (even at a “fire sale” level) is a bit much to take on right now. Even if one of them was able to secure the financing (difficult within the current economy), would they really want to add that much debt on to their books (especially Regal, which has been piling up some hefty debts)? I would more easily picture National Amusements breaking the chain up in to smaller packages and selling off to numerous parties.
According to 1925 L.A. Times advertisements, the theatre’s opening week included the following features:
Tom Mix in “Dick Turpin"
Dorothy Devore in "The Narrow Street"
Rin Tin Tin in "Tracked In The Snow Country”
The grand opening announcement lists 5/28/25 as the opening night and mentions that the Fullerton branch of Mary Louise’s Cafe & Tea Room of Los Angeles was the property’s secondary tenant.
Some factors to consider:
Back in the “golden age”, theatres operated with a much smaller staff; thus, there were fewer spots to fill and one could be more selective.
Prior to the 1950’s, movie theatres held a more prominant place in communities; thus, a theatre job would be viewed in a higher regard.
Also, the overal business model was geared more towards an “event” experience than mass consumption product; thus, theatre operators weren’t focused as much on efficiency, speed, and cost cutting, as modern theatre operators are.
There is no doubt the quality of theatre workers was much greater in the “golden age”. I’d dare to say they tended to be much better just a decade or so ago, than they presently are. Working at a theatre was once a well respected profession that offered decent career options. As such, you saw long term employees, who truly cared about their work. These days, due not only to the theatre industry, but also to modern economics, theatre staff positions are more part-time, seasonal, and short term in nature.
While this sort of thing apears to be a growing trend in the industry, be it partial usage of venues or entire theatres dedicated to the concept, I suspect AMC is simply trying to find a better way to utilize their “overbuilt” megaplexes. In today’s market, 30 plexes, many of the 20 plexes for that matter, aren’t cost effective and are often far more than needed in any given area. Rather than “mothballing” excess auditoriums, this idea provides them with a potential use (I know there has also been talk of turning some auditoriums in to party/meeting rental spaces).
Heavily influenced by Bob Clark’s “Black Christmas” (74'); an equally well crafted horror film that hasn’t recieved the wide-spread recognition it deserves (as with “Halloween”, “Black Christmas” was butchered in a semi recent reworking/remake).
The theatre opened on 9/17/1999.
Back in the mid 90’s, AMC announced they were going to build a 24 screen theatre on this property. However, by 1997, AMC had pulled out of the deal and Regal stepped in. This was Regal’s third build in the county, preceeded by La Habra 16 and Garden Grove 16 (also opened in 1999). Regal had initially entered Southern California via the purchase of Krikorian Theatres' original chain, in 1996.
Prior to the opening, Edwards had threatened to build a 16 screen theatre across the toll road from the Regal site. After scrapping that plan, Edwards breifly entered in to buy out talks for the theatre, but that too fell through. Of course, within a few years Edwards filed for bankrupcy and the two companies fell under the REG banner.
This Halloween season (08'), the theatre is being utilized for a temporary, “Saw” themed, walk-through horror attraction.
Standard mid 80’s to early 90’s era Edwards multiplex layout, with 90’s era decorating flurishes. However, unlike most of it’s era peers, the RSM6 has managed to remain in “mint” condition; walk in to the theatre today and you are seeing the venue much as it was on opening day.
While this theatre was once an area hot spot, with no direct competition, it has lost much of it’s customer base to the Foothill Ranch 22. Currently (08'), operating with a skeleton staff and reduced weekday show schedule, one must speculate that this theatre’s days are numbered within the Regal Entertainment Group fold.
The theatre’s total sating was 1,150.
Two large auditoriums: 375 each
Two small auditoriums: 200 each
The original interior color scheme was red and gold.
AMC ran the theatre as a relatively successful discount house in it’s later years. It’s closing coresponded not only with the mall’s redevelopment, but also with AMC’s expansion of their Fullerton venue. The staff and management were offered positions at the Fullerton 20 (expansion opened a couple of weeks after the Orange Mall 6 closing), but only one individual accepted the offer.
I stopped by and checked out the demolition today (3/13). The South Coast Plaza theatre was already down to walls and framework, the interior a pile of rubble; it had already been somewhat stripped, prior to demolition (as mentioned in an earlier post). However, the Plaza III turned out to have been relatively intact prior to the demolition; poppers, coke towers, menu boaards, screen, speakers, seating, etc. had all been there. It was almost as if Edwards had closed one night and never returned. Seeing such an intact theatre being torn apart was extra sad.