National Theatre
10925 Lindbrook Drive,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
10925 Lindbrook Drive,
Los Angeles,
CA
90024
64 people
favorited this theater
Showing 351 - 375 of 757 comments
As BradE put it right on the nose about rent and turning over films around. And it’s the labor issue everyone is under one plex. During the late 80’s through the 90’s, the job of the full time projectionist in each theatre was cut down. It became a share job, were you had two full time operators in each theatre or plex at one time. It would become the Village and Bruin, National and Plaza, Westwood 4-Plex and Regent Theatres, tagged together. So each theatre dropped a operator from payroll. During that time Cineplex operated the Odeon (aka. Festival). So now Mann takes over the Odeon and that theatre is part of the National & Plaza route for the projectionist. During this time magagement starts to work in the booth. Oh when Cineplex operated the Odeon in it’s last year it was a share job with the Crest Theatre. It’s much easier to manage a plex now a days.
Putting screens under one roof would be more profitable probably. The problem with the stand alone palaces is the rent is very high and the turnover of films is less frequent. People are also lazy, they rather go to one place with many choices than to walk around a town to find the screens. Personally, I love spending the day in Westwood going from theatre to theatre, eating lunch in between films. It was more fun back in the late 70’s and 80’s when there was Tower Records and many book store to browse. Westwood still has potential and I have faith in it.
what would be the difference between a multi-plex and what’s there right now? aside from the fact that all the screens aren’t in the same building (and you can’t movie hop). as it stands right now, there are still 10 screens within walking distance of each other. would putting them all under 1 roof actually bring in more money?
Who cares about the Avco? The Crest is wonderful.
In 3 years the leases are up on the Village & Bruin. I’ve heard they are both in the red (despite premieres) & won’t still be operated by Mann. Both exteriors are legally protected, but interiors could become retail, restaurant, etc. In my opinion, “saving” the Village for continued entertainment including some movies (perhaps like the Warner Grand in San Pedro and the Alex in Glendale but also with some premieres) is very important, more so than the National which appears doomed altogether. Don’t expect Mann to plex around them like the Dome. Look for somebody else!
William is pretty much correct. The National as an Indie is a tough task to take on. At least when MANN operated it they had studio product to book into it, as an Indie they seem to be limited in what they could get. This past summer was a good example of so many big titles that should have been at the National and instead played at either the AVCO, Village or Bruin. With the National, Plaza, Westwood 4-plex and the United Artists being gone they have enough clout to build a new theatre complex. My guess is that a new multiplex will show up within the next 2-3 years. Mann could use the Bruin and Village as anchors to the new multiplex.
A new plex going into westwood could kill the Avco.
Then the National Theatre gone screwed on the matter. It was the only thing that was holding any new plex building in Westwood. So if those plans are indeed in the past let’s see what goes into play when the National gets razed. Only time will tell.
William, those plans are in the past.
Damon you forgot “Lifeguard”.
There has been three different plex proposals for over a decade. Pacific was once named as one of the chains. Mann was another, but Mann had most of the cards in their hand. Because they operated the houses in question. So they held the seats which any new location needed. So if a new plex was to open Mann would keep that other location alittle longer in operation. Till the other plan was dropped. Three locations have been talked about over the last decade. The parking lot across from the former Plaza Theatre and the area around the site of the Plaza Theatre and the parking lot behind the Bruin Theatre. I worked for Mann Theatre during that time.
It might not be that active, but since Mann only leases the Village and Bruin it would by their best plan. Use the Village & Bruin as their main theatres and the plex as move-over houses. Maybe by that time the lease for the Festival Theatre will be up.
long live the momory of Ted Mann, co-producer of Krull and The Illustated Man!
Mann might do what? There’s no such proposal on the table now, is there?
The National Theatre is just too big for it’s own good. With a big chain as Mann Theatres it was able to keep and get biggers film for the house, but with that market changing and the zoning of the UCLA/Westwood area. The cost of the National’s lease did not pay. Many chains have done this over the years. Once the National closes it’s doors and is razed. Mann Theatres might go through with that plex they want to build around the corner from the Bruin/Village. Cause you take the amount of seats from the National, Plaza and the Westwood Quad. They can get a nice sized plex out of that number. Because of the parking vs. seat zoning for the area. That’s why no one has built anything in the area. Mann needed to drop the National to make it work.
yea when’s it closing? are they opening with anything new this month at all? I KNEW i should have seen 3:10 to Yuma there (ended up seeing it at a lousy theatre with weak sound) Probably the last thing worthwile that’ll ever play there. I tried to get this girl to go but she just kept giving me the brush-off
I am sad to hear the National is really becoming extinct. Once it is gone there will never be a theatre like it ever again. Thanks to the AMC'plexing of America the grand movie theatres are pretty much gone. The public rather be hearded like sheep into little boxes with a screen. :–( When is the National’s official closing date?
We have learned that this wonderful venue is again closing in October 2007 and it may be facing demolition. In doing some research, I found that the architect of the National Theater was Harold W. Levitt and Associates. Levitt came on the scene in the 1950s as a modernist architect, designing incredible homes and other buildings. He did at least two other theaters, the Fox Valley Circle Theater in San Diego (demolished in 1998 and the South Coast Plaza Theater in Costa Mesa, which is presently closed. All three of these theaters were fresh unique designs that are being lost one by one.
3:1o is on a 4 week min.per screen
Good Luck Chuck wound up at the Avco. 3:10 must have still been doing well. The have Feast of Love now but I am guessing its a dud from the per screen average.
How did the theater do with these movies……..
Here’s the theatre with two mock up signs and the top Mann logo photo shopped out.
View link
The sign was put up for the two premieres (one already played): 3:10 to Yuma and Good Luck Chuck. The font used was “Impact” in navy blue.
Certainly if they invested good money to update a sign that was only off-balance (blank on left third) perhaps it is a sign (no pun intended) that they intend to keep it open a while.
Now, how about that website!! I can send my photos that were posted on Cinematour to use if wanted.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134
The National may have a very good Fall/Christmas season. There are so many films opening and mostly quality. I’ll try to see 3:10 to Yuma myself this weekend. Good to hear there is a new sign. The National could last longer than expected.
The reason why the National Theatre got 3:10 to Yuma is because they premiered the movie.
The National Theatre and the Crest have no affiliation together.
Mark, you are right about the Mann sign on the top being too hard to take down. And yes, the National did great this week with 3:10 to Yuma. Good Luck Chuck will be premiering at the National Theatre next Wednesday just as well. They will probably get that movie right after the premiere just as well.
it is amazing the national opened with the latest big film (this weekend) opposed to the village. They must have even had some crowds over the weekend, it’s almost just a smidget of the old days. wonders will never cease