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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
— 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ahh, the golden voice of Steve Markham!
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.
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.
MagicLantern, you must have been looking at an old photo. The street view now is dated 2011, and the name is gone.
Art1956, because Vision is the most recent name of the theatre. Leimert is listed as a previous name.
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!
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.
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…
Yes, they stripped the building down to the walls, leveled the floor, etc.
The auditorium is in danger of being demoed. The city doesn’t have the funds to update/improve it.
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.
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…
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.
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…
Hey, I just finished reading the article linked above, and the last line cites CT!
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.
I lived in the area in 1979/80 and saw “Where the Buffalo Roam” here. “Mad Max” was on the other screen.
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.
The Fox was approved today for national landmark status at the preservation meeting in San Diego. Congrats to everyone involved with the nomination.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Again, not abandoned. It’s used as a filming location and for special events.