UA Del Amo 6
91A Del Amo Fashion Square,
Torrance,
CA
90503
91A Del Amo Fashion Square,
Torrance,
CA
90503
13 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 59 comments
Ron K. if you’re still out there email me. I grew up right aroung the corner from you and went to WHS too.
My 1st day of work, and there I was with Benji, Bambi, the 3 Musketeers and the Towering Inferno. Wave upon wave of the humanoids thrown at me with their popcorn boxes and empty coke cups. I was drowing in a sea of humanity, but as I was going down for my last gasp I was rescued by the usher who stood above all. It was the fearless COATBOY. I think others should share their stories of the legend of the UA, the legend of COATBOY.
Had a buddy named Ken who managed the UA Del Amo in 1988-1990. Anyone know him?
Kind of a dive by then but was one of the earliest theaters I went to as a kid.
By 1990 it was a dive and on its way out but still saw some great movies in mostly empty, sticky floored, creaky seat theaters.
Sorry about that. I deleted some ads by mistake a while ago. If I have time I will try to re-post.
Dear Coatboy:
It has been over a year since we last heard from you. What has happened? You have not forsaken us when we need you most have you?
For those of you that are not familiar with the legend of COATBOY, he was the finest usher to ever wear the blue blazer. In the mid 1970’s the crowds were not coming to see Benji, and Bambi. They came in masses to see the man amongst men, the royalty of UA Del Amo, they came to see COATBOY….but alas he is silent. —-I pause to weep.—-Bubtorp
Elvis, plus a Raquel Welch roller derby movie. From the LA Times in January 1973:
http://tinyurl.com/2yvwcj
Dear Coatboy: I think I know who you are, so let me take a guess that your initials are P.E. —— You did a fine job and we were all the better for your services. Let me also add that the blue blazer was so sharp looking that I chose to wear that at my wedding, which was just a few years ago. I kept it locked up these many years from when we ushered the sacred halls. My wife went with the traditional white dress when I was trying to get her to wear one of those beautiful blue dresses with the reddish stripe worn by the lovely Cashiers. Adios Coatboy.
when i was 20 me and my gf saw kentucky friend movie in 75/76 and laughed our selfs silly. i just saw it again on video on demand and cant figure out why it was funny. my wife then gf said, comes to show you how our minds are not fully developed at 20 and how our tastes in humor changes in 30 years.
I do remember this. on the 1st floor by the caraval that wasnt there then. Bank of America had an indoor branch and that branch was one of 10 branches to deput the ATM card in 1975. The ATM machine was so new that they had no LED or LCD readouts then. LED was still new, so you would look in this viewer and it would roll instructions of what to do on the canvas back and forth to the right instruction. Sort of like buses did with destinations on their front. I was so excited to get the plastic ATM card and as a young kid presented it many times to places and they would take it as a visa. Plastic Bank cards were unheard of so they all assume it was a credit card from then BANK AMERICARD. ha ha. that was before home VCRs and especially camcorders. I had a Canon 1014 super 8mm camera i filmed all over torrance and in the mall in 1975. of course those cameras never had sound on them. :(
That was also the first year Kodak came out with their EK4 and EK6 instant photos like polaroid. Also My first alarm LCD watch from casio bought at the citizen store next to the theatre. Also I went to El Camino College in 75 and it was the first year they told students to bring the NEW electronic calculator and slide rules no longer were used in math.
I too, wore the blue polyester blazer in the quad era.
I too, stood as the last best hope for humanity, a single human sheild between a pack of angry coralled mothers and children and open theater doors during the dark days of the Benji and Bambi matinees.
I too, was given soft drinks, but denied the basic rights of popcorn with buttery flavored oil.
I too, raged inside when customers kicked empty popcorn cups at me to pick up…the very popcorn I was denied.
I too…. I too.
CB
I too.
I used to work for Dan Barron(Mgr) at Del Amo 6,it was full of fun and friendship. Are there anyone who worked for Dan, PLEASE drop an Email to me(). I am looking for United Artists Theatres logo(Good quality pic). Thanks
I used to work for Dan Barron(Mgr) at Del Amo 6,it was full of fun and friendship. Are there anyone who worked for Dan, PLEASE drop an Email to me(). I am looking for United Artists Theatres logo(Good quality pic). Thanks
I went and registered just to say this, Perry’s Pizza in the 70’s was simply the best. I worked at the theater in the mid to late 70’s. I would love to guess the identity of Manwithnoname by using his initials, but would only do so with his consent. As to other comments made here, I have similar emotions about seeing old haunts torn down is very sad. Oh well, part of growing older I guess. Adios UA.
I love reading about the history of my stomping grounds! I believe the food court in Del Amo was featured in “Valley Girl.” I remember when Jackie Brown was being filmed at the mall as well… It will be interesting to see what happens to good ol' Del Amo. In the 70’s, I hung out mostly at Old Towne Mall because it was smaller and had alot of really cool shops, rides and that great theater. I was reading about the South Bay Center in this thread, remembering “Newberry’s”, the “Orange Julius” stand, and seeing Santa Claus, who was stationed in that area of shopping center. What a great time… As I mentioned in another post, I feel like a little old lady reminiscing about the good old days. Really, alot has changed in the South Bay, and it’s sad to see the “small town” feeling go away with the “Corporating” of the beach cities.
Was that Pussycat Theater down the block and across the street from Torrance Community Theater?
My favorite shot in JACKIE BROWN is when Pam Grier leaves the mall and there’s a point-of-view shot through a doorway with the Union Bank Building across the street.
My favorite Del Amo 6 memory is of one foggy afternoon that I crossed the street from the Union Bank Building, where I was working, to see an early showing of Herzog’s NOSFERARTU, THE VAMPYRE, because I’d liked the poster. I was expecting a lot of gore, and what I saw instead put me to sleep—but that’s a perfect movie to doze off to, and it’s become one of my favorites because it always takes me back to that afternoon.
Hello Manwithnoname, and all Members! It is interesting all the changes this mall has seen. Is all the demolition being done to the North (Old Montgomery Ward) section, or is the South (Sears) section being demolished also?! BTW, I’m 45 years old now. I’m assuming, that the New Cinemaplex will be located in the North section also? I know it was not you in the lobby, Manwithnoname, but it was another poor soul. At closing time, we did not have to much time to fratinize, it was bust ass, to get the place locked down…LOL BTW Manwithnoname, what High School did you attend? Mine was West High and I lived just up the street on Mildred Ave. BTW, it is ALL very confusing, that the old section (outdoor) became the newest and the North (inclosed) became the older!!! VERY CONFUSING! it was an interesting project to watch!! Wow, Manwithnoname, that is an Interesting factoid, about Ronald Regan and Co. Things today are so different, like movies houses are just not the same today. It is a chore to go today, and EXPENSIVE. What part of Torrance do you live in today? Its very interesting to talk to a fellow Torrance Guy!! Bye for now to everyone…Ron PS, Was there two South Bay Center’s? I remember the Outdoor mall (May Co.)Used to love the old elevators as a kid, the old Touch panel!LOL when Mother&Sister were shopping. Loved playing with them!! was called the South Bay Center?? I’m not sure? I remember, i used to like as a kid, the old Wallicks (don’t think I spelt that right?)Music City. Used to love the Old Pacific Stereo; Stereo Hi-Fi Center(both Locations) and Dimensions In Stereo, in the Olde Town Mall. As you can tell, I’m an audiophile.
Hello Manwithnoname. I think we have a misunderstanding going? I know that the South Portion of the Mall, was build in the late 60’s early 70’s. I am NOT talking about that. What I am talking about was the Expansion Project in the Late 70’s early 80’s. The Project, was to build an Expansion Bridge over Carson St. and to INCLOSE the South Portion of the mall, to lets say: (Join them together) the project also included a new food courts,ect. I used to watch the construction in lets say: 1980 or there abouts? In my Senior year in High School, 1978-9, I rememeber shopping at JC Penney’s and that mall was still an outdoor (None-Enclosed Mall) I do remember a man workin late at the Cinema’s. I worked as a Security Officer from early 1984 to late 85. You always seam to question that I worked for the Mall?? Why? I don’t question that YOU worked for the Cinema’s. My Security Director’s name was: Mr.Gary Berger. He was a former LA Motor Patrolman. He was let go shortly after I left, I believe. They decided to go with Contract Security.
Thanks for the Great memories MallRat73! The Midnight Show snacks sound good! and the LIGHT-UP also!! Try any of those things today??!! Things were so loose back than, THE GOOD OLE DAYS! Was sorry to read that Bally’s is now gone also. I used to love all the great Pin-Ball games they had in the 70’s. All of the Places and Things we remember (SO-FONDLY) are now FAST disapearing, what a shame!
Remember the Midnight Movies? Song Remains The Same, Dawn Of The Dead, Heavy Metal, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, WoodStock and a sixth film I don’t remember right now. We preferred the Del Amo midnight movies over Olde Towne or the South Bay 4’s down Hawthorne because Del Amo had a better selection/prints and we could sneak in burritos, fried chicken and beer. During Song Remains The Same and WoodStock someone near the back row would almost always spark one up after the opening credits.
The U.A. (closed and gone) on the corner of Crenshaw and PCH had the best RHPS print in the South Bay.
I worked at Bally’s Aladdin’s Castle downstairs next to McD’s (also now closed and gone). We traded arcade tokens for movie tickets.
I was in the ‘Rocket’ once. It held 10-12 kids and featured a 10 minute +/– instructional short about our solar system. As we exited we recieved round stickers that said something about Solar Pioneer or something like that. You missed nothing. I remember it was broken into and ransacked just before it was demolished.
The last I saw of the theatres was when Tarantino shot Robert Forster exiting theatre 2 for Jackie Brown in ‘96.
Hello All! Yes I do remember a man sleeping in the lobby of the cinema. So it was you. I ONLY worked Security there from 1984 to late 1985. We had a very tight lock-up routine. Manwithnoname, do you remember the carts the security used to ride to lock up the mall? You might have seen us WIZ by frantically trying to get the mall secured. I remember we had to do a lot of(Overtime) stake-out. Had a lot of breakins in 1984-5, they were sneaking through the gates of the store fronts, later found out it was an inside job, I remember some of the roof hatches were a problem also!! as were some of the mall doors, we had to chain a lot of them shut, the mall needed some door restoration! FOR SURE. I think the Glasiers, bit off more than they could with the Expansion project in the early 80’s.
Ya thats amazing Manwithnoname, that there are no theaters in Torrance, I guess that new 19 screen cinaplex will be quite welcomed. The section you are talking about, Manwithnoname was called Expansion. It went up in the early 80’s. Making the mall the LARGEST in the world for a time. I remember watching the progress a few times. I still remember doing patrol in the South-Side basement area that used to be the delivery ports for(the Shops)of that old outside section, the Glaziers bought that Shopping Center. I remember how erry it was to be down there and see the delivery tunnels all cemented up. Jim Jones used to keep his Boat and a Cadillac or two down there and one of the guard who used to be a Pro-Detailer, would moonlight after hours and restore them.
Thanks William for the correction, thats right it was called: Night Of The Comet. I used to love that Carmel Corn odor!! I also loved the ice-creams that were sold around center court! I agree with you BradE41!! The movie going experence leaves a lot to be desired today!! I remember that DOUBLE-FEATURES were common place and that you could just walk in at anytime and sit down and watch the movie until the next showing up to the part you came in on!!! Awe the good ole days. The prices today are outragious!! I remember going to FULL-ROCK-CONCERTS for LESS than the price of a movie ticket today. And the Theater Nazi’s who make sure you dont sneak in a crumb,(due to the fact, prices of consession today, $4.00 for a dixie cup of popcorn, thats outragious and highway robbery) really get on my nerve’s. I dont go to the movies to much anymore today because of those reasons and many more, I just wait for the picture to come on video. I do love (and miss) the HUGE cinamascope screens that are coming back in Vouge today! I must admit, that there is nothing to take the place of that HUGE cinemascope screen. BTW, I do remember seeing the Big Bus, I think I saw it at the mall!! I used to love the arcade, in my day, loved all the Pin-Ball machines they had, it was at the hight of pin-ball, Tommy, the movie kicked in the pin-ball craze, saw that at a Hollywood theater.
Ya its a shame that the Mall is no longer the Mom & Pop it once was! Everything is disapearing now! For you young guys out there reading, I know you think, (Awe this old Foggy) but life was so much simpler than, times were for sure more fun. Less complex for sure. Like I said in my opener….Awe The Good Ole Days….have a great weekend all…Ron K. PS lived in Torrance from 1969-70 than from 1973-86. Most of my years in Torrance were spent on Mildred Ave. On the boarder of Redondo Beach, below Prospect.
I remember going there with my mother and sisters around Christmas time. We lived in Santa Monica but it was the one of the only malls that was close to us. They let me go to the movies while they shopped and I saw a double feature of “Bugsy Malone” and “The Big Bus”. I believe it was only 4 theatres still at that point. Yes, I do remember the Carmel Corn odor. It was fun back then to go to the movies. Now it almost feels like work to go.
Ron K. the movie was called “Night of the Comet”.
Awe the good ole day’s! Hello All!! I fondly remember the first movie I saw there. It was the Omega Man in 1971. Another movie that stands out in my mind, is a rather obscure one called: Phantom Of The Paradise, with Paul Williams in 1975-6. The last movie I saw there was: The Day Of The Comet in 1985, I believe. I was working as a Security Officer at Del Amo, that is when it was Owned By the Glasiers(I dont think I spelt there names right?)It was INHOUSE Security-again the good ole days!! The mall was a Mom & Pop owned mall, now its owned by a GIANT,sign of the complex times we live in today…BTW Does anybody know if the Glasiers owned the mall right up untill 2003? I remember it was a partnership with the Jones. Jim Jones, was the 2nd in command. I remember when the Glasiers would come to the mall to inspect, the guards were all on there best behavier, LOL. I remember the Glasiers as being VERY nice and friendly!! I have fond memeories in that mall! It’s a shame that the ole Cinemas are now gone and that Tier of the mall will be changed forever!! I to remember that “Mural” I remember the FIRST one, it was of Mod late 60’s, early 70’s, Fashion Chicks…LOL Really GROOVY!!! So dated in that time frame!! Thought it was very funny!! Would be great to have a piece of that original one! It was changed to an abstract later, covering the old one, I suspect. I don’t remember the “Rocket” to much? One thing I do remember for sure, at the time I was working for the mall, it was the largest Reginal Shopping mall in the world. I still have a Letter Head saying that. The Glasiers were planing ANOTHER Expansion in the mid 80’s, to keep it the Largest Mall, but because of the Edmonton Mall in Canada, the plans were dropped. After that, the mall started to wain a bit. WHAT A SHAME. I have lived a GOOD portion of my life in Torrance, Graduated from West-High in 1979. Moved to Colorado in Aug.1986. I definately want to return to the South-Bay one day soon….BTW Love to talk to others about the good ole day, Torrance etc. I also have fond memories of the Ole Town Mall and the Cinemas there…One of my favorite haunts there was Dimensions In Stereo, anybody on here an Audiophile? and remember that shop? Bye for Now…Fond memories to ALL!!! Ron
If you look at terraserver, you can see the two newer auditoriums to the theatre:
View link
Ironically, I also saw Dawn of the Dead(1979) at a mall theater, the UA Town Center 3 in Santa Maria, CA—Entrance was upstairs in the mall itself.
UA Del Amo 6 is now history. I drove by Del Amo Mall today and the new owners, Mills Corp, have begun demolition of the east wing (where the old theaters were located). Now all that’s left of the theaters are the memories.