Regency Village Theatre

961 Broxton Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90024

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xaverian
xaverian on February 22, 2010 at 6:16 am

I can’t imagine that the Village and Bruin will close, given their historical significance and their pivotal role in holding premieres. But I’ve seen Westwood become almost a ghost town over the last ten years…I am worried but hopeful.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 22, 2010 at 3:56 am

I hope it is true that someone is taking over after March. Hopefully someone will also take interest in Westwood itself. It is hard to imagine Mann Theatres not being part of Westwood or L.A. for that matter. I grew up going to thier theatres and like I said was my very first job.

Talionis
Talionis on February 20, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Shutter Island is playing in digital at The Landmark down the street. (and they rarely play digital anything)

I know for a fact the digital projector was removed from the bruin.

I have a semi-confirmed rumor that Mann is out at the end of March and an independant company is taking over soon after.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin on February 20, 2010 at 6:30 pm

This weekend is that rare occasion when you could see movies at every Westwood theater in one day… 12:00 Shutter Island (Village), 2:30 Wolfman (AVCO), 4:50 The White Ribbon (Regent), 7:30 Crazy Heart (Crest), and 10:00 Valentine’s Day (Bruin). Why am I posting this? No real reason, other than I wish I could be there doing it right now… could be a fitting farewell to the Village and Bruin if they do end up going dark.

And AMC has a few single screens, mainly in NYC. But I’m pretty sure they were most all picked up from Loews.

markp
markp on February 20, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Ron Newman, the only single screen that I know of that AMC operates is in New York City, the 72nd street theatre, which went under the name of Loews Tower East many years ago.

xaverian
xaverian on February 20, 2010 at 9:56 am

I remember what Westwood used to be like in the 1970’s and 80’s, and it was really a magical place full of energy and excitement. The Village, the Bruin and the National played an enormous part in making Westwood special. I’m rooting for someone to keep the Bruin and the Village open—-all I know is that there has been interest by those companies, nothing definite yet.

Rick Caruso, who built the Grove and the Americana in Glendale, recently gave an interview to Patt Morrison of the LA Times and spoke of wanting to do something in Westwood. He said he drives by there every night, and it makes him sad, knowing what it used to be.

Muvico and Rave could really make a significant impact in the area by leasing the Village or Bruin and making them their flagship theaters in SoCal. People don’t really know these companies—-a move like this would put them on the map.

Mann hasn’t been the same since Ted Mann died—-Warners and Paramount never invested in the brand after Ted. And the city and the people of Westwood aren’t exactly the easiest to deal with. Losing Westwood as a center of movie going would be a tragedy.

Rick Caruso, the developer of the Grove and The Americana in Glendale, recently gave an inter

BradE41
BradE41 on February 20, 2010 at 4:29 am

I really do not see AMC, it is not thier style. I’m hoping some of the rumors are true. The Village really has a place in my heart, it was my first job back in 1980. Not to mention it is still the best screen to see a film in L.A., I like it over the Chinese and the Cinerama Dome. The thought of these theatres going dark sickens me. Muvico and Rave seem hungry to get thier foot in the door in SoCal and would put effort into them, so I’m hoping.

I’ve only known them as Mann theatres. Mann and Westwood have always been hand in hand. I still feel Westwood could get reborn and it would take someone with forsight to see what they can be later on. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

markinthedark
markinthedark on February 20, 2010 at 12:55 am

The Seattle Cinerama, but they just program and run it. Paul Allen restored and owns it. The arrangement was made under General Cinema.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on February 20, 2010 at 12:49 am

Does AMC run any single-screen theatres, anywhere? Their name means American Multi-Cinema, after all…

xaverian
xaverian on February 19, 2010 at 11:52 pm

How unbelievably sad if the Village and the Bruin close. I have heard lots of rumors—-all unconfirmed at this point—that several companies have expressed strong interest in these theaters. There are a few longshots who have kicked around the tires including Johnny Brenden, the grandson of Ted Mann, who now runs Brenden Theaters, a 100 screen chain in Nevada and Northern California, and has enormous affectation for his late grandfather’s once great Mann chain. Also two chains that have recently purchased or leased theaters in Southern California including Muvico(a new complex in Thousand Oaks) and Rave (the Beverly Cinema) are said to be interested. And my instinct tells me that Pacific Theaters would be interested. Curious as to why Brad thinks that AMC would not be intersted?

haineshisway
haineshisway on February 19, 2010 at 7:56 pm

That is pure conjecture on your part. Perhaps Mr. Scorsese asked for film, since he is a purist.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 19, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Doesn’t make a difference to me. But Mann has pretty much been Digital for everything they have booked at the Village over the past few years or so. It makes me think they removed the projectors as a sign that they are indeed winding down.

Ron Newman
Ron Newman on February 19, 2010 at 6:42 pm

Is that a bad sign? Film is a better medium than digital.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 19, 2010 at 6:22 pm

I am guessing we are nearing the end for the Village and Bruin? Shutter Island opened today at the Village without a Digital Presentation, so I guess they removed the projectors. While the premiere of Hot Tub Time Machine at the Bruin which was scheduled for March, has been removed from the Mann site. I thought we would hear something about their future by now, but it looks like they will just go dark and stay that way. Pretty much more empty spaces in the once thriving Westwood.

Looking at the lack of enthusiasm Mann is giving the Chinese, they really are indicating they do not care any longer. Sad, these were always my favorite theatres.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 8, 2010 at 5:17 pm

Edward. Yes and No. The original lease for the National expired July 2006. They kept it running after that date until April 2007. May 2007 through Sept 2007 the Culver people leased it.

markinthedark
markinthedark on February 8, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Edward, I think Brad is right. I was there on the final night Mann operated it and they were on a month to month at that point. Mann was supposed to have shuttered it earlier than they did. The other operators continued the month to month operation until it closed permanently.

Edward Havens
Edward Havens on February 8, 2010 at 4:57 pm

A theatre will have posters in the lobby up to the day it closes, and the status of posters in the lobby should never be used as an indicator of how long a theatre might still stay open.

Also, for Brad… Mann did not keep the National open once their lease expired. The people who operate the old Mann Culver Plaza took over the National on that month to month lease between May and October 2007, when it closed for good.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 8, 2010 at 4:14 pm

SHUTTER ISLAND opening Feb 19 @ the Village. Tickets on sale now.

segask
segask on February 3, 2010 at 5:43 am

“Were you able to talk to anyone there about closing date or if Mann will extend these leases a bit?”

—posted by BradE41

sorry, I didn’t.

Clash of The Titans has just been pushed back a week to April 2.

View link

BradE41
BradE41 on February 2, 2010 at 10:54 pm

I would say that CLASH OF THE TITANS will open still @ Village, and HOT TUB @ Bruin. But the question is, are they the last films for the 2 theatres? Will the theatres suddenly close the day after Easter? Even when Mann did not renew the National, they kept it open on a short term month to month for an additional 10 months.

William
William on February 2, 2010 at 10:46 pm

Theatre chains did this in the past around Academy nominations time. Both films have two nominations each.

KingBiscuits
KingBiscuits on February 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm

Maybe it’s a special double bill for Oscar season (The Blind Side is up for Best Picture and Best Actress, Invictus is up for Best Actor).

Also, the posters for Clash Of The Titans and Hot Tub Time Machine are probably just for titles coming to the Chinese.

BradE41
BradE41 on February 2, 2010 at 10:20 pm

According to Mann Website THE BLIND SIDE and INVICTUS are opening Friday the 5th at the Village. I may go see BLIND, to see what all the fuss is about. Seems odd for them to bring back films but I guess there is not much more they can book. Less than 50 for ELI on Saturday night is not good. Were you able to talk to anyone there about closing date or if Mann will extend these leases a bit?

segask
segask on February 1, 2010 at 5:15 am

saw Book of Eli here last night (Saturday 1/30, 7PM). Probably less than 50 people there. On their website Mann doesn’t seem to have any premiers booked for the Village, though one is scheduled for the Bruin in March.

http://www.manntheatres.com/premieres/upcoming.php

Mann is still doing a great job with the upkeep though. Clean and polished. No burnt out lights in the ceiling. They lowered the curtain in between the Screenvision prefeature show and the trailers. The balcony was open. That awesome sound system is still there.

Among the Coming Soon posters in the lobby was Clash of the Titans and also Hot Tub Time Machine. Both movies open March 26.

segask
segask on December 4, 2009 at 5:51 am

bah.

You guys were right. Avatar tickets are on sale at the AVCO:

View link

oh well.

Mann’s lease runs through March?