For the record, this was what Laemmle’s Sunset 5 had programmed yesterday on their final day 11-29-2011:
Another Happy Day 1:30pm 7:00pm
Elite Squad – The Enemy Within 1:20pm 7:10pm
The Skin I Live In 1:00pm 3:50pm 7:00pm 9:40pm
London Boulevard 4:10pm 9:55pm
Rampart 1:50pm 4:30pm 7:20pm 10:00pm
Melancholia 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 10:00pm
Tyrannosaur 4:20pm 9:50pm
Here is yesterday’s Laemmle facebook goodbye:
www.facebook.com/laemmletheatres/posts/10150432801533276
And this FB post with a link to info on the closure: www.facebook.com/laemmletheatres/posts/10150432339263276
Their website culverplazatheatres.com does show the current movies playing through Thursday 12-1.
Of course a website always can be in error, and the theater might well be closed Sunday night at close of business.
I kind of agree with other comments that “closed for renovations” seems to be a euphemism for “closed indefinitely”.
Some thoughts:
1) For years the prior owner seemed to have some sort of arrangement with Disney, because Disney product always seemed to be playing at the Majestic Crest. Maybe that relationship could be resurrected…
2) Or this: The description above says “Opened … as the Westwood Theatre a live theatre.”
Does anyone know if its old backstage areas and dressing rooms are still intact? Maybe it could be survive by converting back to a live theater.
3) Unthinkable to twin or tri-plex it- the unique cityscape interior wall artwork, which is what makes it so special, would be destroyed. (Plus it has historical designation).
4) So the “Singafest Asian Film Festival” runs through Oct 2nd. After that, will it be sayonara to The Majestic Crest? (which I prefer over “Bigfoot Crest”)
In response to a suggestion on their Facebook page of having later screenings, Laemmle replied: “Unfortunately, Beverly Hills municipal code prohibits us from starting movies after 10pm.” That’s not a great help when trying to entice younger movie goers.
Plus BH’s parking rules and enforcement are Draconian.
It’s terrific Laemmle got a one year lease reprieve. But I’d bet the landlord is just buying time until the economy turns around to put retail/office space there.
I remember this as the Cove Cinemas back in the early 80’s and was there a number of times.
Can anyone reconstruct the years that the various name changes occurred?
It certainly changed appearance from its original look in the photo at the top of this page, to the 1982 photo of The Cove linked to in the Apr 11, 2009 comment above…
Bob Jensen or anyone: when they increased from 12 up to 15 screens in 2003, did they subdivide some larger auditoriums, or did they do some new construction adding additional seats?
The Rialto is available for rent, and last Saturday a “no-low budget movie” (probably direct-to-DVD) titled “Killer Tumbleweeds” did just that for its “west coast premiere”: www.killertumbleweeds.com/Premiere_Planned.html
But the reason for this post is this: on the movie’s website are several publicity photos taken outside the theater the day prior. They show what the The Rialto’s exterior and marquee are looking like nowadays: www.killertumbleweeds.com/Rialto_Photos.html
The screening was free to the general public. It would’ve been nice to have gone, more just to be able to go inside and check out the theater’s current condition and its projection quality than really to watch this movie.
My 2¢ regarding the Jul 22, 2008 posting by Dublinboyo:
At least the Rialto’s owners haven’t yet:
1. demolished the building, which was the unhappy fate of the National Theatre (RIP) in Westwood village earlier this year, or
2. completely gutted the building to go retail, which is the unhappy ongoing fate of the NuWilshire Theatre in Santa Monica.
So looking for a silver lining, perhaps this ongoing stand-off is a good thing for a while: the city wants to buy or take it to redevelop and the owners “would never sell it under any circumstances regardless”, but at least nothing unhappy is happening.
(BTW, my guess is that the City of South Pasadena is too wealthy & conservative for a huge eminent domain action to be politically feasible at this point).
This current situation is maybe the best that can be hoped for near term.
One odd photo in that collection caught my eye- the Evacuation Plan, of all things! View link
Were there really no emergency fire exits towards the front of the auditorium?? So that the only way out of the auditorium for potentially 1112 people would have been towards the rear through the basically two entrance-ways?
I know nothing about Los Angeles fire codes, but that seems dicey for 1112 people.
(I guess I’m just used to seeing illuminated exit signs to the left and/or right of screens now-a-days.)
quote: << I think unless they Arclight the Village and or the Bruin single screen theaters in Westwood are doomed. >>
Arclight?
Far better IMO would be if the American Cinematheque organization would take over the Village or the Bruin.
American Cinematheque has apparently successfully absorbed the Aero Theater in Santa Monics into their operation for about three years now.
They’ve shown they can operate large single screen theaters
Maybe they’ll be ready for a new challenge in a few years when Mann eventually bails out on the Village and/or the Bruin.
(One argument for them not to: Westwood is only 4-5 miles away from the Aero. That might too close to be running similar programming)
Reading and seeing these reports of the demolishment process is akin to an old friend slowly passing away before your very eyes…
So many memories…
So sad…
The last day apparently is Nov. 4. At landmarktheatres.com, no showtimes are listed after that.
If so, the NuWilshire’s last screening is to be a documentary called “Sharkwater” at 9:40pm Sunday evening.
(Or “Into the Wild” at 8:15 is appropriate: a sad film for a sad occasion.)
When Chronicles of Narnia was playing, during the pre-show presentation, I remember the El Capitan had “snow” fall from the ceiling over the main floor. And with the theatrical lighting it looked very impressive.
Anyone know did they did the effect? The “snow” never reached the floor (at least nothing fell on me in my seat’s location), so I don’t think it was real man-made snow.
Maybe tiny particles of dry ice that completely evaporate while falling? (I’m assuming some standard theatrical showcraft technique)
Roadshow, What a terrific article. (BTW, totally concur about Lamonica’s New York Pizza. Good stuff!)
However, this needs explaining:
“When it reopened, we learned that the National was being leased to a man who also operates the former Mann theatres in Culver City. We were told by a National staffer that he held a year lease on the National until spring 2008…"
But later on: "On Sunday, October 7 2007, with no advance warning, the National Theatre was quietly closed.”
Did the “National staffer” do some fibbing to the article’s author?
Or maybe that supposed one year lease had a hell of a termination clause…
Bummer
quote: <<So does that mean when the NuWilshire closes it will be split into half church and half temple? :–) >>
Going even further, if some tri-plex were to close, it could become a combined church, synagogue, and mosque- with interesting relations between the religions! ;)
Seriously, my comment was of course tongue-in-cheek about a church in the National.
I realize that whoever owns that land will be sending in the wrecking ball and building yet another office building or some kind of retail shopping center. Ugh. Even a parking structure would probably make more $$ than the National has in recent days. And adding insult to injury, it will make that intersection a mess for the years of construction. sigh
Both the Rialto Theater in South Pasadena and the Vine Theater in Hollywood have recently closed.
Presently, the Rialto’s marquee lists a Sunday worship service, and The Vine’s info recording mentions worship services.
Someone should get a church to move its services into the National. (or even start up a church)
Seems to be the thing to do now with defunct cinemas here in So. Cal.! ;)
Visiting South Pasadena last week, I was surprised to see the Rialto closed, and have been catching up with events by reading all these postings.
I was last there July 22nd for South Pasadena’s “Clean Air Car Show and Film Festival”, and lots of people were at the (free) showings of the screened documentaries.
Who’d have thought that less than a month later it would be closed down :(
The Rialto’s marquee now reads (in addition to the “available for filming or parties” notice):
Zion Baptist Church
Sunday Worship 8am
Not sure if it’s a one-time only or regular weekly worship; but I guess that could be a way to see the interior again if you’re interested… go to church!
For the record, this was what Laemmle’s Sunset 5 had programmed yesterday on their final day 11-29-2011:
Another Happy Day 1:30pm 7:00pm
Elite Squad – The Enemy Within 1:20pm 7:10pm
The Skin I Live In 1:00pm 3:50pm 7:00pm 9:40pm
London Boulevard 4:10pm 9:55pm
Rampart 1:50pm 4:30pm 7:20pm 10:00pm
Melancholia 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 10:00pm
Tyrannosaur 4:20pm 9:50pm
Here is yesterday’s Laemmle facebook goodbye: www.facebook.com/laemmletheatres/posts/10150432801533276 And this FB post with a link to info on the closure: www.facebook.com/laemmletheatres/posts/10150432339263276
Their website culverplazatheatres.com does show the current movies playing through Thursday 12-1. Of course a website always can be in error, and the theater might well be closed Sunday night at close of business.
I kind of agree with other comments that “closed for renovations” seems to be a euphemism for “closed indefinitely”.
Some thoughts: 1) For years the prior owner seemed to have some sort of arrangement with Disney, because Disney product always seemed to be playing at the Majestic Crest. Maybe that relationship could be resurrected…
2) Or this: The description above says “Opened … as the Westwood Theatre a live theatre.” Does anyone know if its old backstage areas and dressing rooms are still intact? Maybe it could be survive by converting back to a live theater.
3) Unthinkable to twin or tri-plex it- the unique cityscape interior wall artwork, which is what makes it so special, would be destroyed. (Plus it has historical designation).
4) So the “Singafest Asian Film Festival” runs through Oct 2nd. After that, will it be sayonara to The Majestic Crest? (which I prefer over “Bigfoot Crest”)
In response to a suggestion on their Facebook page of having later screenings, Laemmle replied: “Unfortunately, Beverly Hills municipal code prohibits us from starting movies after 10pm.” That’s not a great help when trying to entice younger movie goers.
Plus BH’s parking rules and enforcement are Draconian.
It’s terrific Laemmle got a one year lease reprieve. But I’d bet the landlord is just buying time until the economy turns around to put retail/office space there.
I remember this as the Cove Cinemas back in the early 80’s and was there a number of times.
Can anyone reconstruct the years that the various name changes occurred?
It certainly changed appearance from its original look in the photo at the top of this page, to the 1982 photo of The Cove linked to in the Apr 11, 2009 comment above…
Bob Jensen or anyone: when they increased from 12 up to 15 screens in 2003, did they subdivide some larger auditoriums, or did they do some new construction adding additional seats?
The Rialto is available for rent, and last Saturday a “no-low budget movie” (probably direct-to-DVD) titled “Killer Tumbleweeds” did just that for its “west coast premiere”:
www.killertumbleweeds.com/Premiere_Planned.html
But the reason for this post is this: on the movie’s website are several publicity photos taken outside the theater the day prior. They show what the The Rialto’s exterior and marquee are looking like nowadays:
www.killertumbleweeds.com/Rialto_Photos.html
The screening was free to the general public. It would’ve been nice to have gone, more just to be able to go inside and check out the theater’s current condition and its projection quality than really to watch this movie.
My 2¢ regarding the Jul 22, 2008 posting by Dublinboyo:
At least the Rialto’s owners haven’t yet:
1. demolished the building, which was the unhappy fate of the National Theatre (RIP) in Westwood village earlier this year, or
2. completely gutted the building to go retail, which is the unhappy ongoing fate of the NuWilshire Theatre in Santa Monica.
So looking for a silver lining, perhaps this ongoing stand-off is a good thing for a while: the city wants to buy or take it to redevelop and the owners “would never sell it under any circumstances regardless”, but at least nothing unhappy is happening.
(BTW, my guess is that the City of South Pasadena is too wealthy & conservative for a huge eminent domain action to be politically feasible at this point).
This current situation is maybe the best that can be hoped for near term.
Mark Campbell: Thanks! That’s a great link: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134 to a terrific collection of photos.
One odd photo in that collection caught my eye- the Evacuation Plan, of all things! View link
Were there really no emergency fire exits towards the front of the auditorium?? So that the only way out of the auditorium for potentially 1112 people would have been towards the rear through the basically two entrance-ways?
I know nothing about Los Angeles fire codes, but that seems dicey for 1112 people.
(I guess I’m just used to seeing illuminated exit signs to the left and/or right of screens now-a-days.)
quote: <<< and the gate was open, >>>
Gate??! Anyone got a recent photo?
quote: << I think unless they Arclight the Village and or the Bruin single screen theaters in Westwood are doomed. >>
Arclight?
Far better IMO would be if the American Cinematheque organization would take over the Village or the Bruin.
American Cinematheque has apparently successfully absorbed the Aero Theater in Santa Monics into their operation for about three years now.
They’ve shown they can operate large single screen theaters
Maybe they’ll be ready for a new challenge in a few years when Mann eventually bails out on the Village and/or the Bruin.
(One argument for them not to: Westwood is only 4-5 miles away from the Aero. That might too close to be running similar programming)
Reading and seeing these reports of the demolishment process is akin to an old friend slowly passing away before your very eyes…
So many memories…
So sad…
The last day apparently is Nov. 4. At landmarktheatres.com, no showtimes are listed after that.
If so, the NuWilshire’s last screening is to be a documentary called “Sharkwater” at 9:40pm Sunday evening.
(Or “Into the Wild” at 8:15 is appropriate: a sad film for a sad occasion.)
Then turn out the lights …
When Chronicles of Narnia was playing, during the pre-show presentation, I remember the El Capitan had “snow” fall from the ceiling over the main floor. And with the theatrical lighting it looked very impressive.
Anyone know did they did the effect? The “snow” never reached the floor (at least nothing fell on me in my seat’s location), so I don’t think it was real man-made snow.
Maybe tiny particles of dry ice that completely evaporate while falling? (I’m assuming some standard theatrical showcraft technique)
Roadshow, What a terrific article. (BTW, totally concur about Lamonica’s New York Pizza. Good stuff!)
However, this needs explaining:
“When it reopened, we learned that the National was being leased to a man who also operates the former Mann theatres in Culver City. We were told by a National staffer that he held a year lease on the National until spring 2008…"
But later on: "On Sunday, October 7 2007, with no advance warning, the National Theatre was quietly closed.”
Did the “National staffer” do some fibbing to the article’s author?
Or maybe that supposed one year lease had a hell of a termination clause…
Bummer
quote: <<So does that mean when the NuWilshire closes it will be split into half church and half temple? :–) >>
Going even further, if some tri-plex were to close, it could become a combined church, synagogue, and mosque- with interesting relations between the religions! ;)
Seriously, my comment was of course tongue-in-cheek about a church in the National.
I realize that whoever owns that land will be sending in the wrecking ball and building yet another office building or some kind of retail shopping center. Ugh. Even a parking structure would probably make more $$ than the National has in recent days. And adding insult to injury, it will make that intersection a mess for the years of construction.
sigh
Both the Rialto Theater in South Pasadena and the Vine Theater in Hollywood have recently closed.
Presently, the Rialto’s marquee lists a Sunday worship service, and The Vine’s info recording mentions worship services.
Someone should get a church to move its services into the National. (or even start up a church)
Seems to be the thing to do now with defunct cinemas here in So. Cal.! ;)
Visiting South Pasadena last week, I was surprised to see the Rialto closed, and have been catching up with events by reading all these postings.
I was last there July 22nd for South Pasadena’s “Clean Air Car Show and Film Festival”, and lots of people were at the (free) showings of the screened documentaries.
Who’d have thought that less than a month later it would be closed down :(
The Rialto’s marquee now reads (in addition to the “available for filming or parties” notice):
Zion Baptist Church
Sunday Worship 8am
Not sure if it’s a one-time only or regular weekly worship; but I guess that could be a way to see the interior again if you’re interested… go to church!