Tustin Market Place 6
2961 El Camino Real,
Tustin,
CA
92782
2961 El Camino Real,
Tustin,
CA
92782
1 person
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The 1992 action-thriller “Under Siege” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (October 9, 1992).
Starring Steven Seagal, Gary Busey & Tommy Lee Jones, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens and held the top spot for four straight weeks, remaining in the top ten through mid-December & finishing the year as the 13th highest-grossing film of ‘92 with a domestic gross just shy of $84 million.
It remains Seagal’s highest-grossing film to date and was a breakout hit for director Andrew Davis who went on to helm the Oscar-winning 1993 big-screen adaptation of “The Fugitive” starring Harrison Ford.
I caught “Under Siege” at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and have always found it to be an enjoyable action flick.
Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning classic “Unforgiven” opened at the Tustin Marketplace 30 years ago today (August 7, 1992).
Starring Eastwood, Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman, the film opened at number one on over 2,000 screens & remained it the top ten through mid-September, ending its initial run with a gross over $75 million & finishing the year as the 11th highest-grossing film of 1992.
The film was re-released on over 500 screens in early March of ‘93 after it received nine Oscar nominations & added another 300 screens by early April after winning Best Picture, Director, Editing & Supporting Actor (Hackman) awards.
By the end of its “Oscar Run”, it had grossed another $25 million to finish with a total just north of $100 million.
Today the film is widely considered Eastwood’s best endeavor & one of the greatest Westerns ever made.
I saw it at the Tustin Marketplace opening week and while enjoying it, I admit to not initially calling it a “classic.” But my appreciation has grown for the film with multiple viewings over the last 30 years and today feel it should have won more Oscars, mainly Original Screenplay & Cinematography.
(Finally uploaded the ads!)
June 5th, 1992 grand opening ad in photo section
Frankly, second-run theaters have reinvigorated the exhibition business. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Starplex’s Woodbridge 5 is doing gangbuster business as a bargain house. They went digital two years ago and can show anyhing that’s out there, 3D included. One just has to look at the lines in front of the place on a Saturday night to realize second-run theaters are not “a thing of the past.” Moviegoers are hungry for cheaper alternatives, especially in family-friendly places like Irvine and Tustin. Starplex is doing it, so is Regency. Regal should have recongized the opportunity and jumped on it. If it doesn’t fit your current model, change the model.
As far as a gut-rehab, I don’t buy it. Its location (second-floor)and large footprint make it a very unique property. With the exception of maybe a restaurant or food court, I can’t see anything else going in there. Restaurants, however, have been closing over there for years so I doubt anyone new would come in. I’m pretty sure it was the lease that expired and the Irvine Company will look at new theater operators first, as they did when Edwards closed the Woodbridge 5.
guarantee that that Regal put a non compete clause in the closure of this theater, unless they just let the lease expire and the landlord is motivated to fill it.
Second run houses are going to be a thing of the past anyone going in there at this point will have to re-fit the booth again with new equipment and there is no point not going digital, and the cost out weighs the fact there is probably a booking zone issue where they will have to split product and argh as nice as it sounds it is a gut re-hab.
PRO’s it hasn’t been closed long enough to be demolished.
Seems like a great property for Regency to pick up, though it’ll probably become retail given the popularity of the mall.
Just heard about the closure. Regal really dropped the ball on this property. It could have been a viable, rather profitable second-run theater if they just brought the prices down to relect the product and environment. Offering reduced pricing on just Sundays and Tuesdays was a joke. Just look at what Starplex did with the old Woodbridge Theater in Irvine. They’re charging $2 a head for second-run flicks and doing gangbuster business everyday. It’s like the early ‘80s over there. With any luck, they’ll rescue the Tustin 6 and make it a destination once again.
Do ALL the auditoriums have a fixed aspect ratio of about 2:1? Went here for the first time Friday… The digital projection allowed them to pillarbox 1.85 on the screen, with slivers of empty space on either side. I’m assuming that Scope shows still get cropped, as they have Sony 4k, meaning they couldn’t easily alter the image height for a letterbox effect.
It’s a lot like other late 80s/early 90s Edwards sites with the fixed aspect ratios, that distinct type of seat that rocks back and forth, and a strangely modern interior given the auditoriums themselves… Most reminded me of the Del Mar Highlands 8.
Caught “Warrior” at the Tustin 6 last week; first time I’d been inside since 2001. Looked the same for the most part, save for the lack of people. Only one other person in my theater for a matinee showing. Had to move twice as the armrests on both seats I tried were loose. Seats in front of me were faded and chipped. Presentation and sound were fine for the most part(surprisingly all theaters feature digital projection) but with its lack of stadium seating and overall freshness, it really fits the model of a bargain theater now and ticket prices should be dropped to at least $5 for all screenings, not just the ones on Sunday and Tuesday. Paying $9.75 for a matinee here is ridiculous. I don’t plan on returning until that happens.
Tustin Marketplace 6 is now offering $5 tickets all day on Sundays and Tuesdays.
Open August 17, 1990
Owners:
1994 Edwards' Theatres Circuit of San Gabriel Calif., James Edwards, Jr. Owner, He had over 20 theaters all in California.
2001 Regal Cinemas
More info and photos always welcome.
Tustin was home from 1942 to 1999 of the U.S. Naval Air Station Santa Ana/U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. The 2 Massive Blimp Hangers still stand.
Thanks flix70 interesting stories, A good theatre is a great anchor in a shopping center.Weekends for sure as you mentioned.
The most notable thing about the Tustin Marketplace 6 is that it was the city’s first movie theater since the old two-screen Tustin Theatre covereted to a dinner theater in 1981. For nearly 10 years, Tustin residents had to leave the city to see a movie.
When the Marketplace 6 opened its doors in 1990, you can imagine the interest the theater received. I worked at a bookstore 100 feet from its box office and the theater was packed every Friday and Saturday night for the four years I was there. Most of our business came just before and immediately after the 8PM shows. It would remain the only theater in town until The Irvine Marketplace 10 opened across the street in 1999. Well, technically it was the only theater in town until the AMC Tustin 14 opened in 2007.
I saw some great shows there over the years – The Silence of the Lambs, JFK, Cape Fear, Unforgiven and The Sixth Sense to name a few. The last one I believe was The Majestic in 2001.