The Monterey Theatre meant a lot to me growing up in the early 70’s in Monterey Park. I remember riding my bike here to watch Saturday matinees. I also will never forget my dad taking me to see JAWS here when it first opened. I distinctly remember waiting in line with a bunch of other people. It was really exciting. And I remember seeing the faces of the people exiting the theatre who had just seen the film. We don’t think twice nowadays about waiting in line with throngs of people to see the last HARRY POTTER or THE AVENGERS or the final installment of the LORD OF THE RINGS. But back in the 70’s it was a really unique experience to be a part of a cinematic event so huge. Everyone was talking about that one movie. It was quite literally historic. It’s ironic, because I didn’t know it then, but the phenomenon that was JAWS ushered in the beginning of the “blockbuster movie release”, and is a big reason why a stand-alone theatre like the Monterey no longer exists. Regardless, the Monterey was my “cinematic church” growing up and I had a lot of fond memories watching movies there.
I remember this theater well and loved watching movies here. I distinctly remember watching several of the original THE PLANET OF THE APES movies here and Irwin Allen disaster films like THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE and TOWERING INFERNO. If you grew up in Monterey Park/Alhambra in the 70’s, this is where you went to the movies. And, of course, the Monterey Theatre further south on Garfield. Also, the original THE HAT location was just across the street. Still is. And if you like pastrami, it’s the place to go.
The Monterey Theatre meant a lot to me growing up in the early 70’s in Monterey Park. I remember riding my bike here to watch Saturday matinees. I also will never forget my dad taking me to see JAWS here when it first opened. I distinctly remember waiting in line with a bunch of other people. It was really exciting. And I remember seeing the faces of the people exiting the theatre who had just seen the film. We don’t think twice nowadays about waiting in line with throngs of people to see the last HARRY POTTER or THE AVENGERS or the final installment of the LORD OF THE RINGS. But back in the 70’s it was a really unique experience to be a part of a cinematic event so huge. Everyone was talking about that one movie. It was quite literally historic. It’s ironic, because I didn’t know it then, but the phenomenon that was JAWS ushered in the beginning of the “blockbuster movie release”, and is a big reason why a stand-alone theatre like the Monterey no longer exists. Regardless, the Monterey was my “cinematic church” growing up and I had a lot of fond memories watching movies there.
I remember this theater well and loved watching movies here. I distinctly remember watching several of the original THE PLANET OF THE APES movies here and Irwin Allen disaster films like THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE and TOWERING INFERNO. If you grew up in Monterey Park/Alhambra in the 70’s, this is where you went to the movies. And, of course, the Monterey Theatre further south on Garfield. Also, the original THE HAT location was just across the street. Still is. And if you like pastrami, it’s the place to go.