Comments from DonSolosan

Showing 26 - 50 of 576 comments

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Leimert Park (Vision) Theatre on Nov 27, 2013 at 6:12 pm

Take a look inside the Vision Theatre in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles following stage 1 of its restoration, and get a preview of stages 2 and 3.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about The Orpheum Theater - Los Angeles on Oct 24, 2013 at 11:03 am

Ahh, the golden voice of Steve Markham!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Santa Monica Place plans for new movie theater on Oct 19, 2013 at 9:23 am

I recently heard that the new mall is not doing too well — I wonder which store or stores will close to provide the space for this.

Also, not surprised to hear that the Criterion 6’s closing didn’t result in an uptick at the other theatres on the Promenade… in my opinion, they were the best screens down there.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about "Jazz Singer" Curtain on Sep 6, 2013 at 5:36 pm

This is my third and final video about vintage theatre curtains. Warner Bros. corporate archivist Leith Adams shows the lucky audience at a Last Remaining Seats show a piece of movie history.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Azteca Theatre on Aug 28, 2013 at 9:44 am

MagicLantern, you must have been looking at an old photo. The street view now is dated 2011, and the name is gone.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Vision Theatre on Aug 12, 2013 at 6:41 am

Art1956, because Vision is the most recent name of the theatre. Leimert is listed as a previous name.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Belasco Theatre on Jun 30, 2013 at 6:36 pm

LawMann, I think it’s possible, but unlikely. The seats have been removed and the floor leveled to make it into a nightclub/live performance venue. Not only on the main floor, but also in the balcony. True, LRS screened a movie at the Wiltern and had to bring in folding chairs for the main floor, but the large balcony was intact. With limited seating in the balcony, I don’t know what size audience the Belasco could handle—and that’s a key factor in picking venues for LRS.

Something you might consider: join the LRS committee and make a pitch for using the Belasco. They will consider it. I pushed for screening “King Kong” at the Shrine where the Kong on display scenes were filmed. Unfortunately, the financial details didn’t make sense, and it was shown at the Los Angeles instead. Maybe you’ll have better luck than I!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Mayfair Theatre on Jun 13, 2013 at 2:49 pm

I went by the other day. The construction barriers are still up. There’s a marquee and blade sign (no name) on the front of the building now, but I’m not sure where they came from. Maybe they found the blade sign somewhere in the building; it wasn’t hanging up before this conversion. Also, the marquee is different (original 2-sided, now 3-sided), and the “Box Office” and “Alumni Bar” signs that were on either side have not returned.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about NuWilshire Theatre on Jun 10, 2013 at 9:14 am

Well, the general idea was that the theatre could be restored at some future date, but they didn’t install the type of floor that can easily be removed (ala some of the theatres downtown). They dug down to create underground parking and put in a new floor. So I don’t think the act can be undone without a huge expense…

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about NuWilshire Theatre on Jun 8, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Yes, they stripped the building down to the walls, leveled the floor, etc.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on May 30, 2013 at 3:58 pm

The auditorium is in danger of being demoed. The city doesn’t have the funds to update/improve it.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Mayfair Theatre on May 30, 2013 at 3:54 pm

I think it’s covered in the older comments, but this is yet another mixed retail/residential building that will keep the facade of the theater. The building is almost done. The last time I went by, the facade was in good shape, but all the signage, etc., had been stripped. I don’t know what, if anything, they are planning on putting back.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about NuWilshire Theatre on May 30, 2013 at 3:49 pm

The owners threw out Landmark so they could reconfigure the building for retail use, so it’s hard to see them going with another exhibitor. On the other hand, it has been empty for over 5 years…

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about National Theatre on May 30, 2013 at 3:40 pm

I was in Westwood about a week ago and saw men working in the lot where the National stood, so it looks like they might actually be ready to build something there… five and a half years after they tore it down.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Criterion Theatre on Apr 6, 2013 at 6:06 pm

Nixols and Navan, the Criterion Theatre was (mostly) demolished. The Criterion 6 which stands there now (and has its own page here, where this discussion is ongoing) is the historic facade of the old building on a brand new structure.

Also, where did you get the idea that they’re going to demolish this? The article only talks about converting the building…

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about AMC Criterion 6 on Mar 29, 2013 at 11:41 pm

Hey, I just finished reading the article linked above, and the last line cites CT!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about AMC Criterion 6 on Mar 29, 2013 at 11:36 pm

Bad news, Brade48: The AMC Criterion 6 closed yesterday. Front page news in the Santa Monica Daily Press. It looks like the space will be turned into retail.

http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/033013.pdf

Status should be changed accordingly.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Hilltop Square Two Theatres on Jan 25, 2013 at 4:27 pm

I lived in the area in 1979/80 and saw “Where the Buffalo Roam” here. “Mad Max” was on the other screen.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about AMC Criterion 6 on Dec 7, 2012 at 11:48 pm

May not be open for much longer. According to an article in this issue of the Santa Monica Daily Press —

http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/120812.pdf

— the owner has received permission from the city to convert the theatre space to retail. The majority of the article deals with the proposed new multiplex AMC wanted to build on Fourth, but the author dropped this bombshell in the last two paragraphs. See page 10.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Fox Theatre on Nov 9, 2012 at 10:47 am

The Fox was approved today for national landmark status at the preservation meeting in San Diego. Congrats to everyone involved with the nomination.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about El Capitan Theatre on Sep 4, 2012 at 9:14 am

It’s “Throwback Thursday,” and I missed it too. I didn’t see it on their web page, but it is on their Facebook page. They had people voting for which film they wanted to see.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Wyandotte Theatre on Aug 22, 2012 at 7:49 pm

Bobcat, I saw the X rated “Adventures of Emmanuelle” at the Wyandotte. However, I don’t recall if they were showing X rated movies regularly at the time.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about UNITED Theater on Broadway on Sep 11, 2011 at 12:54 pm

One of the “Jesus Saves” signs was removed from the back of the building the other night. No news on where it’s going, or what is going on.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Loew's Pittsford Triplex on Sep 11, 2011 at 12:07 pm

I had the 22x28 poster which featured just those four images at the top, the apes wrestling with Taylor at the bottom, and without the cage. Nova’s full shot is visible, including her clothing-covered crotch. My mother still thought it indecent. I never liked the horrible grimace she’s making.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Tower Theatre on Sep 6, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Again, not abandoned. It’s used as a filming location and for special events.