TCL Chinese Theatre

I hope I am wrong. But everything about these guys does not say “we love film preservation.” These days I have to expect the worst and hope for the best. IF the Chinese goes we will only have the El Capitan as a first run theatre on Hollywood Blvd and Egyptian for retros. There was a time when I was a child/teenager you could start on Hollywood Blvd at the Chinese walk east past the Paramount, Hollywood, Egyptian, Pussycat, Vogue, Holly, Fox, Hollywood Pacific, Vine, Pantages, World and end at the Pix. Trust me, I HOPE you are wrong. Tomorrow I am going to try to see Josey Wales at the TCM Festival.

Just a really bad hunch. Everything I read and hear tends to make the nightclub more likely than a movie theatre.

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These guys are money hounds and NOT film lovers.

Did you read another article, or is this further speculation? Even though the deal closes in three weeks, the likelihood that they would just shut it down right away is close to nothing, IMO.

4 words: MAYAN THEATRE – DOWNTOWN LA.

Hate to say it, but Grauman’s will probably become a nightclub after all. I’ve accepted it.

Let us not ignore the fact that the sale also includes the adjacent 6-plex. I can’t imagine taking over both Grauman’s AND the 6-plex if you only want to convert Grauman’s to a nightclub. Perhaps they’ll convert the 6-plex to a nightclub and I wouldn’t loose a moment’s sleep if they did.

Also… Grauman’s is a cultural landmark so I’m not sure how easily or extensively it could be converted into a nightclub. Obviously they COULD do it, I just don’t know what additional hoops and accommodations would have to be gone through to make it actually happen and if it would be worth it or not to the new owners. Nightclubs in Hollywood are about as stable and longstanding as most of the marriages in this town.

Sadly, I think even the most beloved large screens are always in jeopardy these days. Sometimes I wonder how long Disney will hold the El Capitan; granted they are one of the higher grossing theatres when a new Pixar opens. But they also charge through the butt force you to pay more for a show, even more if the kid wants a happy meal deal. But what about the off months? the 6 weeks of showing Mars Needs Moms to empty audiences? The cost to run the theatre must be murder, electricity alone when they run the marquee 24/7.

Honestly, I hope I am wrong about the intentions of the Chinese. But this smells like something bad more than good to me. But hey, I could be wrong. Let’s hope so.

What the Chinese needs is a lesson in showmanship and showcasing a film from the folks at the El Capitan. They need to lure a studio, WB, Paramount, Universal whoever into partnering with the venue to showcase studio product. Plus they could have the added feature of the Chinese 6 as a move-over house as new product is showcased at the Chinese.

They only have what’s left of the land lease till 2023 (12 years).

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Several Hollywood sources said they had heard that the new owners are considering turning the theater, which has 1,152 seats, into a nightclub. It’s worth noting that Samaha has interests in two historic Hollywood Boulevard movie theaters that have recently be turned into nightlife venues: the Fox Theatre and Vogue Theatre.

Leron Gubler, CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and Nicole Mihalka, a commercial real estate broker at Cushman & Wakefield, both said they had heard talk about the Chinese Theatre being converted to a nightclub. However, Tronson said he doesn’t expect that to occur, adding that the new owners had not mentioned such a potential change to him.

“That would kill all the interest from people who are interested in coming there,” Tronson said.

The article says :“..one person familiar with the matter said the theater will continue to screen movies and host premieres and that the new owners plan to upgrade food and beverage services.”

I pray that they can save the Chinese, the last few years has been dreadful for this gem.

On a side note, Barco announced today they are installing their new 4K DLP projector, DP4K-32B for the TCM Festival. I cannot wait to see Goldfinger on Sunday afternoon on that screen in 4K DLP!!

Does Mann own any of these remaining theaters or are they leased?

I would think Regency would be too small potatoes to be a booker for the Chinese, especially if Mann can’t fight the Arclight. Would need to be somebody big.

Will it still operate under Mann?

TCM Film Festival starts this Thursday through Sunday. Cool stuff showing. Mann is booking a film called THERE BE DRAGONS in the Chinese 6 the following week. I’m curious to see if they will open anything with box office appeal this Summer.