Academy Theater

3141 West Manchester Boulevard,
Inglewood, CA 90305

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Showing 1 - 25 of 66 comments

docchapel
docchapel on July 14, 2015 at 6:01 pm

I was a regular at the local movie theaters in my extended neighborhood of Southern California, and the Academy was definitely on my list. One of the nicer theaters around, it was probably a close second to the old “Figueroa.” Neither the “Fig,” (as we called it) or the Academy had the “neighborhood” theater feel. Great movie experience and down the street from the “5th Avenue” which was a true “neighborhood” theater, where I saw the first run presentation of “Shaft.”

humbert
humbert on February 26, 2015 at 2:28 am

I lived in Inglewood as a kid from 1955 thru 1961. I went to the Academy practically every Saturday afternoon.

jbrannan
jbrannan on November 10, 2014 at 11:38 am

I GREW UP NEAR THE ACADEMY THEATER, 1936 TO 1956.
THE YUMBURGER WAS OUR HI SCHOOL HANGOUT. IT SERVED THE BEST HAMBURGER OF THE TIME. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO IT AND IT’S GREAT RECIPE?

GaryParks
GaryParks on March 8, 2013 at 8:23 pm

This past January, while flying into LAX at night, I looked out my window and saw that, although the marquee of the Academy was not on, the tower was—completely operational and animating!

KlairBybee
KlairBybee on April 3, 2012 at 11:34 pm

I changed the marquee at the Academy Theatre in the early 70’s. One title I misspelled late at night that caused the manager to phone me to come pack and correct was for a movie called “The Public Eye.” I innocently spelled the second word and put “The Pubic Eye.” My uncle, Arlo Nalder, was part owner of the Yum Burger across the street. As a child, I remember seeing a movie I didn’t understand there called “A Letter to Three Wives.” I saw the movie recently and remembered sitting in the Academy trying find some meaning to all the talk about love and marriage…

monika
monika on April 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm

A photo I took of the Academy on 4-16-11:
View link

monika
monika on April 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm

My husband and I visited the Academy yesterday. A member of the church saw us taking pictures and introduced himself, we talked for a while about the Academy and Inglewood’s other churches. Such a pleasant encounter.

I had wanted to visit the Academy for a long, long time, and was so impressed with it. (photos to come)

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on April 7, 2010 at 9:11 pm

That’s nice, Ken. I’ve seen the tower lit up, but not the marquee. Very colorful.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 16, 2010 at 6:56 pm

I couldn’t get the script at the bottom of the etching at all. I took some interior photos but my bb failed me, so I didn’t post those.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on March 16, 2010 at 5:50 pm

Well, Ken, we told you they were nice people! The etched glass is very tough to photograph during the day because it faces the front entrance and the greenish neon lighting it up from behind can’t compete with the daylight.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on March 16, 2010 at 4:39 pm

Since I did not take the tour, the church operator was nice enough to let me inside for a look at the interior. Note that the woman in the etching is holding an Oscar. The churcj operator said it was not copyrighted, as that kind of art would not pass unnoticed by the AMPAS today. On the bottom right corner of the etching it says S. Charles Lee architect.
http://tinyurl.com/yaoezx8
http://tinyurl.com/ydookeb
http://tinyurl.com/y8k5q5a
http://tinyurl.com/yaalz3c

nickmatonak
nickmatonak on February 21, 2010 at 1:57 pm

Thanks to all who came and to the wonderful hosts at the Academy. The church, which has owned the building since 1975 has kept the building on wonderful condition.
You can see photos on the Los Angeles Historical Theatre Foundation FaceBook Page!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on February 18, 2010 at 12:17 am

Thanks. Are you coming out for the tour?

nickmatonak
nickmatonak on February 17, 2010 at 4:45 pm

There are several recent interior photos by Wendell Benedetti of the Academy now posted on the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation FaceBook page.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on February 17, 2010 at 2:03 pm

Want a look inside the Academy Cathedral? Hillsman Wright and I took an advance tour yesterday and the video is up on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/lahtf

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on February 14, 2010 at 10:08 pm

PLEASE NOTE: New time for the All About on Saturday due to a scheduling conflict — doors open at 10 a.m., event to begin at 10:30 a.m. Please spread the word!

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 10, 2010 at 6:38 pm

If they let you guys take pics, maybe you can post some after your tours.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on February 10, 2010 at 6:38 pm

If they let you guys take pics, maybe you can post some afterward your tours.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on February 10, 2010 at 1:00 pm

And as an added bonus: get a rare chance to walk through the Fox Inglewood. Yes, we’ve gotten permission to take people into the Fox. So, two amazing S. Charles Lee theaters for the low price of FREE.

Doors open at 1:30. Park behind the Academy. See you there.

nickmatonak
nickmatonak on February 10, 2010 at 1:47 am

Well the good news is that the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation with the Historic Sites Preservation Committee of Inglewood are hosting an presentation and tours of the theater (which is now used as a church) on Saturday, February 20th starting at 2pm
This event is open to the public and free of charge!!
There will also be a presentation on the Fox Inglewood as well!!
Please see our website www.lathf.org for more info or
on facebook as the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 5, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Sounds good. I saw the slideshow about the interior of the Fox but the Academy is a mystery. I imagine it still looks good inside.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan on February 5, 2010 at 6:57 pm

It would be cool to meet you, Ken. I’ve enjoyed your theater photos for a long time.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 5, 2010 at 6:35 pm

That’s a Saturday. I would like to see the interior of the Academy. Keep me posted.