I’ve rediscovered the Vista when I went to see “The Social Network.” What an awesome theater: lots of leg room, good popcorn, great prices. Downside: yeah parking sucks but you just have to drive around. I did see a roach in the bathroom. But all in all, the theater is clean. The audience is gay, straight, young, old, metrosexual. A nice neighborhood theater that seats a lot of people. Please support this single screen theater so that we don’t have to go to the Grove or pay obscene prices like at the Archlight.
Thanks for posting those pics Don and Lost Memory. Does anyone have pics of the Tivoli that was up the street from the Plaza? I recall seeing “Mary Poppins” at one of those theatres during out annual summer trips to Laredo from Chicago.
Thanks for the info Mike. The Chelten was my neighborhood theater, having seen “Funny Girl”, “Hello, Dolly”, “Anne of a Thousand Days”, “The Out-of-Towners” among many others. Good memories. Never went to the Gaiety since I didn’t speak Spanish, but I loved the banana ice-cream they sold in the long carboard containers.
My sanity is saved! Thanks David for your post. Looking forward to what your barber can recall. Haven’t been home to Chicago since 1979; I believe it’s time for a visit.
I remember going to the United Artist to see “Cabaret” when it first came out. Not many people in the theater but my brother, sister and I had a great time. I seem to recall there was a restaurant next door to the U/A and there would be a girl on a swing over the door. Was I dreaming this?
Thanks for that info William. Here’s a perfect chance for the Shubert Organization to cash in on Hollywood Boulevard. WICKED could have moved over but since it’s closing, L.A. is once again getting shows that have passed through this way before.
I saw “Pump Boys and Dinettes” there and had a great time. The next live show I saw there was “A Chorus Line”. I recall the ad saying something like, “See it like it was meant to be seen”, which meant in an intimate setting. I never saw ACL at the Public in NY but in rather large venues like the Shubert in L.A. (now gone), the Pantages and the monstrosity of the Wilshire. ACL at the Las Palmas was awesome, although the stage was a bit small for the finale. I do recall when I saw ALC there, Lily Tomlin was performing at then Huntington-Hartford, a musical at the Pantages and the area had a feeling of a legit theatre area. It’s too bad the Pacific Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard cannot be converted into a legit theatre, but I know from other posts its not built for stage shows. I can only dream!
Last week the Fox on Hollywood Boulevard had construction work going on. You could look right in since the boards were down and the inside was completely gutted and workers were busy inside. Seeing all the work going on left the impression that it will no longer be a theatre of any kind. Anybody have any info if the Million Dollar Theatre, downtown, will be showing films again?
Thanks for the update soca109. Bummer I missed ‘Mildred Pierce’ at the Million Dollar. I sure hope there are plans to bring that movie palace back to its original use.
I remember going to the Chelten when I lived in South Deering. Saw some awesome movies there: Anne of a Thousand Days, Funny Girl, Hello Dolly, The Out-of-Towners, The Cowboys. Some of the pics posted here don’t come through.
Every summer the L.A. Conservancy hosts “Last Remaining Seats” to raise money to save the movie palaces on Broadway. Other than the Orpheum being renovated, is ANYTHING being done? The other theaters are just sitting there either for filming or turned into discount stores.
Thanks for the input; when did Million Dollar cease being a church?
I hear the theatre Dr. Gene Scott was in is not longer holding services; am I mistaken on that?
Thanks for the reply William. My point is that the smaller venues would be perfect for plays. Ever try hearing a play at the Wilshire? Talk about a barn. Perhaps a letter to the L.A. Conservancy or Hollywood Chamber of Commerce might be in order. Not that it would do much.
Why can’t all these theatres be converted to legit stages? “Wicked” is closing at the Pantages in January of 2009 to make room for “Mama Mia”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Grease” among others. What gives? These shows have played the L.A. area many times through the years. The Pacific Theatre is big enough to handle Broadway musicals. Just as they saved the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, formerly the Dootlittle and Huntington-Hartford, I’m sure the Fox, Vogue, Ritz, Vine and Pacific can be converted. They did that to the Henry Fonda. I’m all for saving Hollywood, so let’s save what’s there. Anybody remember seeing “A Chorus Line” at the Las Palmas back in the early 80s? It was awesome. And not that theatre just sits there.
I’ve seen apartment buildings go up faster. I am also waiting for the re-opening of the Cinerama Dome.
Thanks for that information rivest266.
Cool article on the Chelten Broan.
It’s still open and they’re showing “The Fighter”. I usually just Google it and it takes me to Vintage Cinema.
I’ve rediscovered the Vista when I went to see “The Social Network.” What an awesome theater: lots of leg room, good popcorn, great prices. Downside: yeah parking sucks but you just have to drive around. I did see a roach in the bathroom. But all in all, the theater is clean. The audience is gay, straight, young, old, metrosexual. A nice neighborhood theater that seats a lot of people. Please support this single screen theater so that we don’t have to go to the Grove or pay obscene prices like at the Archlight.
Thanks for posting those pics Don and Lost Memory. Does anyone have pics of the Tivoli that was up the street from the Plaza? I recall seeing “Mary Poppins” at one of those theatres during out annual summer trips to Laredo from Chicago.
Rolando
Thanks for the info Mike. The Chelten was my neighborhood theater, having seen “Funny Girl”, “Hello, Dolly”, “Anne of a Thousand Days”, “The Out-of-Towners” among many others. Good memories. Never went to the Gaiety since I didn’t speak Spanish, but I loved the banana ice-cream they sold in the long carboard containers.
Doea anyone know what happened to the Evergreen Theaters (there were three screens); the Jeffrey and Beverly?
My sanity is saved! Thanks David for your post. Looking forward to what your barber can recall. Haven’t been home to Chicago since 1979; I believe it’s time for a visit.
I remember going to the United Artist to see “Cabaret” when it first came out. Not many people in the theater but my brother, sister and I had a great time. I seem to recall there was a restaurant next door to the U/A and there would be a girl on a swing over the door. Was I dreaming this?
Rolando
Thanks for that info William. Here’s a perfect chance for the Shubert Organization to cash in on Hollywood Boulevard. WICKED could have moved over but since it’s closing, L.A. is once again getting shows that have passed through this way before.
I saw “Pump Boys and Dinettes” there and had a great time. The next live show I saw there was “A Chorus Line”. I recall the ad saying something like, “See it like it was meant to be seen”, which meant in an intimate setting. I never saw ACL at the Public in NY but in rather large venues like the Shubert in L.A. (now gone), the Pantages and the monstrosity of the Wilshire. ACL at the Las Palmas was awesome, although the stage was a bit small for the finale. I do recall when I saw ALC there, Lily Tomlin was performing at then Huntington-Hartford, a musical at the Pantages and the area had a feeling of a legit theatre area. It’s too bad the Pacific Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard cannot be converted into a legit theatre, but I know from other posts its not built for stage shows. I can only dream!
Rolando
Last week the Fox on Hollywood Boulevard had construction work going on. You could look right in since the boards were down and the inside was completely gutted and workers were busy inside. Seeing all the work going on left the impression that it will no longer be a theatre of any kind. Anybody have any info if the Million Dollar Theatre, downtown, will be showing films again?
Thanks for the update soca109. Bummer I missed ‘Mildred Pierce’ at the Million Dollar. I sure hope there are plans to bring that movie palace back to its original use.
I remember going to the Chelten when I lived in South Deering. Saw some awesome movies there: Anne of a Thousand Days, Funny Girl, Hello Dolly, The Out-of-Towners, The Cowboys. Some of the pics posted here don’t come through.
Hey, thanks Monika, sure do appreciate you providing the link to Bringing Back Broadway. I think I just might have to join the organization.
Every summer the L.A. Conservancy hosts “Last Remaining Seats” to raise money to save the movie palaces on Broadway. Other than the Orpheum being renovated, is ANYTHING being done? The other theaters are just sitting there either for filming or turned into discount stores.
Thanks for the input; when did Million Dollar cease being a church?
I hear the theatre Dr. Gene Scott was in is not longer holding services; am I mistaken on that?
Rolando
Thanks for the reply William. My point is that the smaller venues would be perfect for plays. Ever try hearing a play at the Wilshire? Talk about a barn. Perhaps a letter to the L.A. Conservancy or Hollywood Chamber of Commerce might be in order. Not that it would do much.
Why can’t all these theatres be converted to legit stages? “Wicked” is closing at the Pantages in January of 2009 to make room for “Mama Mia”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Grease” among others. What gives? These shows have played the L.A. area many times through the years. The Pacific Theatre is big enough to handle Broadway musicals. Just as they saved the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, formerly the Dootlittle and Huntington-Hartford, I’m sure the Fox, Vogue, Ritz, Vine and Pacific can be converted. They did that to the Henry Fonda. I’m all for saving Hollywood, so let’s save what’s there. Anybody remember seeing “A Chorus Line” at the Las Palmas back in the early 80s? It was awesome. And not that theatre just sits there.
Rolando