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Laemmle Grande to close
posted by
Michael Zoldessy
on
October 6, 2009 at 7:45 am
LOS ANGELES, CA — For a while, it’s been the only first-run cinema in downtown, but on the heels of the opening of the new Regal opening at L.A. Live, the Laemmle Grande is closing its doors.
Laemmle Director of Operations Kevin Gallagher confirmed that the staff was informed of the announcement on August 1.
While the company discussed the option of focusing on art films or commercial crossover indie films, it felt that the specialized market needed more than locals to fill the house.
Read more at blogdowntown.
Comments (3)
It was always in a lousy location from the start, in an area void of nightlife and one level down from the street. Most people passing by would never know the theatre exists. Only a sign board on Figueroa is the only indication a theatre is somewhere in the area.
It’s still sad to read about another frequently-patronized theatre closing down.
There is a place in the Los Angeles exhibition scene for a theatre like the Grande. A place where small documentary films can screen next to offbeat American Independent films that are being self-released, all while the latest Bollywood musical or Korean horror film unspools in the remaining auditoriums. It would be the kind of theatre that showcases the diversity that is Los Angeles. But to truly succeed, that kind of theatre needs to be run by a not-for-profit organization, an entity that can take advantage of charitable gifts and community grants to supplement ticket sales. Laemmle Theatres is not that organization. We plan on leaving the theatre in good working condition, and hope that some existing or new arts organization will step up with a plan that would make use of the facility toward some good purpose. ~ Greg Laemmle, President of Laemmle Theaters, via Jordan Moore, Studio/Media Liaison of Laemmle Theatres