I haven’t been to this theatre, but I do frequent the AMC TOWN CENTER 6 which is also in the same vacinity. The 6 plex is nice; all stadium seating with huge comfy seats with lift up arms rests. It is never overly crowded in the afternoon and easy to access. I went last week to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall for $6.00 first matinee; cannot beat that!
Paramount has been splitting the Paramount titles between MANN and the AVCO since the National’s demise. Warner seems to be the main MANN exclusive studio in Westwood. My guess is that SPEED RACER will play at the Village until May 22 when INDIANA JONES will open. I really cannot imagine INDIANA JONES opening at the AVCO.
“Iron Man” opens this Friday at the Avco; too bad it is not the Avco from the 70’s and 80’s with the giant screen. The demise of Westwood makes me sad.
It is really sad now that the Summer Season is approaching. The National was the “Indiana Jones” theatre in the 80’s; “Iron Man” is opening at the Avco and would have/should have been a National movie if Mann kept it. It is an odd experience going to Westwood these days and NOT seeing the National in its usual spot.
I went to this theatre a couple weeks ago, it was like climbing Mt. Everest to get to the theatre. Cannot say I liked the theatre very much, it pretty much has not character. It has been about 20 years since my last NYC visit; and I was disappointed that so many great theatres are now gone, it is worse than L.A.
Days of Heaven originally played at the Bruin in the Fall of 1978, it was later booked into the Village as a filler in early 1979 when Oliver’s Story died a quick death.
It is sad that The Landmark booked Blade Runner last October as the National said its final goodbye. I have not been to the Landmark and have no plans to ever visit it. Re: The Grove; I cannot stand it either. Pretty much the only L.A. theatres I like are the Village, Bruin, Grauman’s Chinese and Arclight, and am glad to have them all (still). I just spent a week in NYC; they only really have the Ziegfield theatre left, so I should not complain too loudly. I’m getting to the point that I’d rather stay home and watch Blu Ray. Movie theatres have become truly miserable.
I used to love going to this theatre in the 70’s when it was the Cinema on the Mall. My strongest recollection was seeing “Airport 1975” when it opened wide from its Cinerama Dome engagement. My favorite thing about it was the walk up balcony. I also remember seeing “Tommy” and “What’s Up Tiger Lily?” double feature during the Summer of 1975.
The Festival is a nice screen. I’m sure it won’t last forever, but it fits the Westwood Village mold perfectly, it is one of the last single screens in a world of “Monster-Plexes”.
Thanks for the updated list for the Village in the 80’s. Mann really booked some turkeys during the latter years, Two Moon Junction, Pumpkinhead, Stepfather 2, Dead Heat are classic bookings. Back then they probably had good grosses for those films because foot traffic was always so heavy in Wesrwood.
I’m still hoping when Mann lets the lease lapse that someone will take over. It is one of the last of the big screens in L.A.; the bookings will probably be strong this year with likely bookings of Ironman, Indiana Jones, Dark Night, another Harry Potter. Event films like this cannot open at the Avco.
Back in the day, the Regent was a gold mine; studios loved booking films there because of its size, location, and its ability to sell out quickly. If there was a must see film booked at the Regent it would always have long lines; and it would at times be difficult to get in. It was back in a time when you only could buy tickets before each show; there was no online ticket buying. The Regent was the Arclight and Grove of its time. Landmark tried initially to be semi-exclusive with it, but eventually gave in when they got the Disney contract.
The Regent has a couple of good things in its favor; it is small and it is situated in a great location. If Landmark ever dumps it I am sure someone would take over the lease.
I tried to cover the same time period for the Bruin as I did for the Village; this is what I remember for Summer 1979 through 1986. My memory is shaky during early 1983 so I did not pursue dates.
1979
6/15 PROPHECY (5 Weeks)
7/20 THE FRISCO KID (4 Weeks)
8/17 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (6 Weeks)
9/28 TIME AFTER TIME (5 Weeks)
11/2 RUNNING (6 Weeks)
12/14 CHAPTER TWO (14 Weeks)
1980
3/28 SERIAL (4 Weeks)
4/25 WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM (3 Weeks)
5/16 THE HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS (5 Weeks)
6/20 ROUGH CUT (2 Weeks)
7/4 AIRPLANE! (12 Weeks)
9/26 ORDINARY PEOPLE (11 Weeks)
12/10 THE COMPETITION (12 Weeks)
1981
3/6 ALL NIGHT LONG (5 Weeks)
4/10 NIGHTHAWKS (6 Weeks)
5/22 OUTLAND (6 Weeks)
7/3 S.O.B. (4 Weeks)
7/31 VICTORY (4 Weeks)
8/28 GALLIPOLI (4 Weeks)
9/25 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (12 Weeks)
12/18 SHARKY’S MACHINE (7 Weeks)
1982
2/5 PERSONAL BEST (8 Weeks)
4/2 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (RE:4 Weeks)
4/30 PARTNERS (3 Weeks)
5/21 THE ROAD WARRIOR (3 Weeks)
6/11 GREASE 2 (2 Weeks)
6/25 BLADE RUNNER (4 Weeks)
7/23 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (11 Weeks)
10/8 LOOKIN’ TO GE T OUT (2 Weeks)
10/22 IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD (2 Weeks)
11/11 LOVE CHILD (1 Week)
11/18 TEX (3 Weeks)
12/10 THE TOY (?)
1983
THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (Re-Issue), MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, EXPOSED, HAMMETT, TRADING PLACES, BEYOND THE LIMIT, THE DEAD ZONE, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT
1984
POLICE ACADEMY, THE NATURAL, GREMLINS, CLOAK & DAGGER, FLASHPOINT, PLACES IN THE HEART, THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL, FALLING IN LOVE, CITY HEAT
1985
TUFF TURF, THAT’S DANCING!, WITNESS, GOTCHA!, FLETCH, MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME, SUMMER RENTAL, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, AFTER HOURS, THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW, JAGGED EDGE (MO), SPIES LIKE US, CLUE (one week), SPIES LIKE US (switched back after a week with Regent who took CLUE booking)
1986
DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS, GUNG HO, AT CLOSE RANGE, POLTERGEIST II:THE OTHER SIDE, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, TOP GUN (MO), CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, CROCODILE DUNDEE (MO), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Mann VILLAGE theatre, Westwood (June 1979 – December 2004)
1979
6/8 PLAYERS (3 Weeks)
6/29 BLOODLINE (3 Weeks)
7/20 RUST NEVER SLEEPS (2 Weeks)
8/3 NORTH DALLAS FORTY (9 Weeks)
10/5 “10†(10 Weeks)
12/14 THE JERK (8 Weeks)
1980
2/8 THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (4 Weeks)
3/7 COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (9 Weeks)
5/9 WINGS OF CHANGE (2 Weeks)
5/23 THE SHINING (8 Weeks)
7/18 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (2 Weeks)
8/1 THE HUNTER (5 Weeks)
9/5 THE BIG BRAWL (3 Weeks)
9/26 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (RE: 2 Weeks)
10/10 PRIVATE BENJAMIN (11 Weeks)
12/25 ALTERED STATES (14 Weeks)
1981
4/1 ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE: 1 Week)
4/10 EXCALIBUR (10 Weeks)
6/19 SUPERMAN II (9 weeks)
8/21 FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (5 weeks)
9/25 MOMMIE DEAREST (5 Weeks)
10/30 LOOKER (3 Weeks)
11/20 RAGTIME (4 Weeks)
12/18 NEIGHBORS (5 Weeks)
1982
1/22 SHOOT THE MOON (3 Weeks)
2/12 CANNERY ROW (2 Weeks)
2/26 CHRISTIANE F (3 Weeks)
3/19 VICTOR/VICTORIA (10 Weeks)
5/28 ROCKY III (3 Weeks)
6/18 FIREFOX (4 Weeks)
7/15 TRON (MO: 4 weeks)
8/13 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (13 Weeks)
11/12 CREEPSHOW (4 weeks)
12/10 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (1 week)
12/17 BEST FRIENDS (7 Weeks)
1983
2/11 LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER (1 Week)
2/18 LOVESICK (4 Weeks)
3/18 HIGH ROAD TO CHINA (4 Weeks)
4/15 FLASHDANCE (9 Weeks)
6/17 SUPERMAN III (4 Weeks)
7/15 STAYING ALIVE (12 weeks)
10/7 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (6 Weeks)
11/18 YENTL (13 Weeks)
1984
2/17 LASSITER (2 Weeks)
3/2 AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 Weeks)
4/13 TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (RE:3 Weeks)
5/4 GREYSTOKE (MO:4 Weeks)
6/1 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (7 Weeks)
7/20 BEST DEFENSE (3 Weeks)
8/10 RED DAWN (7 Weeks)
9/28 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1 week)
10/5 TEACHERS (2 Weeks)
10/19 THIEF OF HEARTS (4 Weeks)
11/16 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1 Week)
11/21 SUPERGIRL (2 Weeks)
12/7 2010 (Until sometime Mid/late-January 1985)
I know that in 1985 the Village showed VISIONQUEST, THE SURE THING, THE SLUGGER’S WIFE, LADYHAWKE, A VIEW TO A KILL, SILVERADO, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, INVASION U.S.A.,JAGGED EDGE and ROCKY IV but I cannot remember if there was anything else that year.
I do think there is still a future for moviegoing and nice theatres in Westwood. I’m really hoping that the Village and Bruin remain; since they are in the heart a Westwood a resurgence could revolve around them (and the Regent). My guess is within 5 years the Avco and the Festival will be gone and perhaps some kind of tasteful multiplex will join the Village, Bruin and Regent. It is just a matter of someone taking a chance to make it happen; it will never hit the heights of the 70’s and 80’s again, but Westwood is still a viable market for film exhibition.
The National had a nice little homage with the one scene in Zodiac (Even though story was sent in S.F.), But yeah, I have memories of seeing The Bad News Bears in 1976 will a full audience, talk about a 70’s moment. We will NEVER have a theatre like the National ever again.
Mark, I put together a small listing for Mann VILLAGE; at least a period I could remember. My employment there was Fall 1980 until January 1983. It is about 98% accurate. My mind is blurry any earlier and beyond that date.
Mann VILLAGE theatre, Westwood (June 1979 – December 2004)
1979
6/8 PLAYERS (3 Weeks)
6/29 BLOODLINE (3 Weeks)
7/20 RUST NEVER SLEEPS (2 Weeks)
8/3 NORTH DALLAS FORTY (9 Weeks)
10/5 “10†(10 Weeks)
12/14 THE JERK (8 Weeks)
1980
2/8 THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (4 Weeks)
3/7 COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (9 Weeks)
5/9 WINGS OF CHANGE (2 Weeks)
5/23 THE SHINING (8 Weeks)
7/18 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (2 Weeks)
8/1 THE HUNTER (5 Weeks)
9/5 THE BIG BRAWL (3 Weeks)
9/26 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (RE: 2 Weeks)
10/10 PRIVATE BENJAMIN (11 Weeks)
12/25 ALTERED STATES (14 Weeks)
1981
4/1 ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE: 1 Week)
4/10 EXCALIBUR (10 Weeks)
6/19 SUPERMAN II (9 weeks)
8/21 FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (5 weeks)
9/25 MOMMIE DEAREST (5 Weeks)
10/30 LOOKER (3 Weeks)
11/20 RAGTIME (4 Weeks)
12/18 NEIGHBORS (5 Weeks)
1982
1/22 SHOOT THE MOON (3 Weeks)
2/12 CANNERY ROW (2 Weeks)
2/26 CHRISTIANE F (3 Weeks)
3/19 VICTOR/VICTORIA (10 Weeks)
5/28 ROCKY III (3 Weeks)
6/18 FIREFOX (4 Weeks)
7/15 TRON (MO: 4 weeks)
8/13 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (13 Weeks)
11/12 CREEPSHOW (4 weeks)
12/10 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (1 week)
12/17 BEST FRIENDS (7 Weeks)
1983
2/11 LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER (1 Week)
2/18 LOVESICK (4 Weeks)
3/18 HIGH ROAD TO CHINA (4 Weeks)
4/15 FLASHDANCE (9 Weeks)
6/17 SUPERMAN III (4 Weeks)
7/15 STAYING ALIVE (12 weeks)
10/7 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (6 Weeks)
11/18 YENTL (13 Weeks)
1984
2/17 LASSITER (2 Weeks)
3/2 AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 Weeks)
4/13 TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (RE:3 Weeks)
5/4 GREYSTOKE (MO:4 Weeks)
6/1 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (7 Weeks)
7/20 BEST DEFENSE (3 Weeks)
8/10 RED DAWN (7 Weeks)
9/28 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1 week)
10/5 TEACHERS (2 Weeks)
10/19 THIEF OF HEARTS (4 Weeks)
11/16 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1 Week)
11/21 SUPERGIRL (2 Weeks)
12/7 2010 (Until sometime Mid/late-January 1985)
I know that in 1985 the Village showed VISIONQUEST, THE SURE THING, THE SLUGGER’S WIFE, LADYHAWKE, A VIEW TO A KILL, SILVERADO, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, INVASION U.S.A.,JAGGED EDGE and ROCKY IV but I cannot remember if there was anything else that year.
I don’t blame Mann for the downfall of the National either. The blame is on the public who rather go to sub-par AMC Plastic Plexes instead. Mann actually was going back and forth with ideas to keep the theatre going, but realized it would not be profitable in the long run.
1973:The Mackintosh Man
1975:Dog Day Afternoon
1976:Jaws
The Bad News Bears
The Big Bus
1977:Fun with Dick & Jane
Islands in the Stream
Nasty Habits
Sorcerer
1978:FM
Big Wednesday
Heaven Can Wait
Superman
1979:The Main Event
More American Graffiti
Star Trek The Motion Picture
1980:Little Darlings
The Nude Bomb
Caddyshack
Oh God Book II
Popeye
1981:Incredible Shrinking Woman
Postman Always Rings Twice
The Hand
The Fan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paternity
Reds
1982:Some Kind of Hero
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
Night Shift
1983:The Outsiders
Twilight Zone The Movie
Brainstorm
Star 80
1984:Reckless
Footloose
Greystoke
Indiana Jones Temple of Doom
Tightrope
Body double
Oh God You Devil
1985:Stick
Rustlers' Rhapsody
Explorers
The Black Cauldron
Weird Science
Compromosing Positions
Plenty
To Live & Die In LA
Young Sherlock Holmes
1986:Best of Times
9 ½ Weeks
Pretty in Pink
Blue City
Top Gun
Heartburn
1987:From the Hip
Some Kind of Wonderful
Secret of My Success
Big Easy
Empire of the Sun
1988:Beetlejuice
Clean & Sober
Running on Empty
Rain Man
1989:Dead Calm
Indiana Jones Last Crusade
License to Kill
Let it Ride
X-Mas Vacation
1990:Hunt for Red October
1991:City Slickers
Star Trek VI
1992:Patriot Games
Boomerang
Honeymoon in Vegas
Husbands & Wives
Hero
A Few Good Men
1993:Point of No Return
The Firm
Undercover Blues
1994:Intersection
The Paper
Jurrasic Park
The Client
Clear/Present Danger
Only You
Interview w/Vampire
Drop Zone
Nell
1995:Brady Bunch Movie
Bye Bye Love
Kiss of Death
Congo
Clueless
Goldeneye
Sabrina
1996:12 Monkeys
Birdcage
Fear
Mission Impossible
Courage Under Fire
A Very Brady Sequel
Bogus
First Wives Club
Star Trek First Contact
1997:Absolute Power
Volcano
Fathers Day
Face Off
Spawn
In & Out
Boogie Nights
The Rainmaker
The Postman
1998:Lost in Space
Truman Show
Your Friends & Neighbors
1999:Austin Powers Spy Who Shagged Me
Runaway Bride
Bringing out the Dead
Talented Mr Ripley
2000:Shaft
The Replacements
Ladies Man
What Women Want
2001:Along Came a Spider
Shrek
Tomb Raider
The Score
Rat Race
Hardball
2002:Super Troopers
Changing Lanes
Spiderman
Sum of all Fears
Simone
Swimfan
Transporter
Star Trek Nemesis
2003:Just Married
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
The Core
Italian Job
Charlies Angels Full throttle
S.W.A.T.
School of Rock
2004:Mean Girls
Manchurian Candidate
Team America World Police
Spongebob Squarepants
Closer
2005:Hitch
Pride & Prejudice
Family Stone
2006:Brokeback Mountain
2007:Music & Lyrics
I haven’t been to this theatre, but I do frequent the AMC TOWN CENTER 6 which is also in the same vacinity. The 6 plex is nice; all stadium seating with huge comfy seats with lift up arms rests. It is never overly crowded in the afternoon and easy to access. I went last week to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall for $6.00 first matinee; cannot beat that!
Paramount has been splitting the Paramount titles between MANN and the AVCO since the National’s demise. Warner seems to be the main MANN exclusive studio in Westwood. My guess is that SPEED RACER will play at the Village until May 22 when INDIANA JONES will open. I really cannot imagine INDIANA JONES opening at the AVCO.
Most of these small theatre complexes did not last. The late 90’s brought larger Stadium Style seat theatres that audiences embraced.
“Iron Man” opens this Friday at the Avco; too bad it is not the Avco from the 70’s and 80’s with the giant screen. The demise of Westwood makes me sad.
It is really sad now that the Summer Season is approaching. The National was the “Indiana Jones” theatre in the 80’s; “Iron Man” is opening at the Avco and would have/should have been a National movie if Mann kept it. It is an odd experience going to Westwood these days and NOT seeing the National in its usual spot.
I agree, the 70’s were the best years for contemporary cinema. I’d love to go back in time and see some of the films that played at the Village.
I went to this theatre a couple weeks ago, it was like climbing Mt. Everest to get to the theatre. Cannot say I liked the theatre very much, it pretty much has not character. It has been about 20 years since my last NYC visit; and I was disappointed that so many great theatres are now gone, it is worse than L.A.
Days of Heaven originally played at the Bruin in the Fall of 1978, it was later booked into the Village as a filler in early 1979 when Oliver’s Story died a quick death.
It is sad that The Landmark booked Blade Runner last October as the National said its final goodbye. I have not been to the Landmark and have no plans to ever visit it. Re: The Grove; I cannot stand it either. Pretty much the only L.A. theatres I like are the Village, Bruin, Grauman’s Chinese and Arclight, and am glad to have them all (still). I just spent a week in NYC; they only really have the Ziegfield theatre left, so I should not complain too loudly. I’m getting to the point that I’d rather stay home and watch Blu Ray. Movie theatres have become truly miserable.
I used to love going to this theatre in the 70’s when it was the Cinema on the Mall. My strongest recollection was seeing “Airport 1975” when it opened wide from its Cinerama Dome engagement. My favorite thing about it was the walk up balcony. I also remember seeing “Tommy” and “What’s Up Tiger Lily?” double feature during the Summer of 1975.
I drove through Westwood the other day, it is as sad as you expect seeing the National gone. :–(
The Festival is a nice screen. I’m sure it won’t last forever, but it fits the Westwood Village mold perfectly, it is one of the last single screens in a world of “Monster-Plexes”.
It is amazing looking back at what has played at the Village. They had some great films and quite a few ‘fillers’ that make you go huh?
Wow! Those are huge complexes. I wonder how many apartment units there are in all? It seems like it has taken the forever to build these.
Thanks for the updated list for the Village in the 80’s. Mann really booked some turkeys during the latter years, Two Moon Junction, Pumpkinhead, Stepfather 2, Dead Heat are classic bookings. Back then they probably had good grosses for those films because foot traffic was always so heavy in Wesrwood.
I’m still hoping when Mann lets the lease lapse that someone will take over. It is one of the last of the big screens in L.A.; the bookings will probably be strong this year with likely bookings of Ironman, Indiana Jones, Dark Night, another Harry Potter. Event films like this cannot open at the Avco.
Sad. We will never have a theatre like this ever again.
Back in the day, the Regent was a gold mine; studios loved booking films there because of its size, location, and its ability to sell out quickly. If there was a must see film booked at the Regent it would always have long lines; and it would at times be difficult to get in. It was back in a time when you only could buy tickets before each show; there was no online ticket buying. The Regent was the Arclight and Grove of its time. Landmark tried initially to be semi-exclusive with it, but eventually gave in when they got the Disney contract.
The Regent has a couple of good things in its favor; it is small and it is situated in a great location. If Landmark ever dumps it I am sure someone would take over the lease.
I tried to cover the same time period for the Bruin as I did for the Village; this is what I remember for Summer 1979 through 1986. My memory is shaky during early 1983 so I did not pursue dates.
1979
6/15 PROPHECY (5 Weeks)
7/20 THE FRISCO KID (4 Weeks)
8/17 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (6 Weeks)
9/28 TIME AFTER TIME (5 Weeks)
11/2 RUNNING (6 Weeks)
12/14 CHAPTER TWO (14 Weeks)
1980
3/28 SERIAL (4 Weeks)
4/25 WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM (3 Weeks)
5/16 THE HOLLYWOOD KNIGHTS (5 Weeks)
6/20 ROUGH CUT (2 Weeks)
7/4 AIRPLANE! (12 Weeks)
9/26 ORDINARY PEOPLE (11 Weeks)
12/10 THE COMPETITION (12 Weeks)
1981
3/6 ALL NIGHT LONG (5 Weeks)
4/10 NIGHTHAWKS (6 Weeks)
5/22 OUTLAND (6 Weeks)
7/3 S.O.B. (4 Weeks)
7/31 VICTORY (4 Weeks)
8/28 GALLIPOLI (4 Weeks)
9/25 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (12 Weeks)
12/18 SHARKY’S MACHINE (7 Weeks)
1982
2/5 PERSONAL BEST (8 Weeks)
4/2 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (RE:4 Weeks)
4/30 PARTNERS (3 Weeks)
5/21 THE ROAD WARRIOR (3 Weeks)
6/11 GREASE 2 (2 Weeks)
6/25 BLADE RUNNER (4 Weeks)
7/23 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP (11 Weeks)
10/8 LOOKIN’ TO GE T OUT (2 Weeks)
10/22 IT CAME FROM HOLLYWOOD (2 Weeks)
11/11 LOVE CHILD (1 Week)
11/18 TEX (3 Weeks)
12/10 THE TOY (?)
1983
THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (Re-Issue), MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, EXPOSED, HAMMETT, TRADING PLACES, BEYOND THE LIMIT, THE DEAD ZONE, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT
1984
POLICE ACADEMY, THE NATURAL, GREMLINS, CLOAK & DAGGER, FLASHPOINT, PLACES IN THE HEART, THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL, FALLING IN LOVE, CITY HEAT
1985
TUFF TURF, THAT’S DANCING!, WITNESS, GOTCHA!, FLETCH, MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME, SUMMER RENTAL, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, AFTER HOURS, THAT WAS THEN THIS IS NOW, JAGGED EDGE (MO), SPIES LIKE US, CLUE (one week), SPIES LIKE US (switched back after a week with Regent who took CLUE booking)
1986
DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS, GUNG HO, AT CLOSE RANGE, POLTERGEIST II:THE OTHER SIDE, FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF, TOP GUN (MO), CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, CROCODILE DUNDEE (MO), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Mann VILLAGE theatre, Westwood (June 1979 – December 2004)
1979
6/8 PLAYERS (3 Weeks)
6/29 BLOODLINE (3 Weeks)
7/20 RUST NEVER SLEEPS (2 Weeks)
8/3 NORTH DALLAS FORTY (9 Weeks)
10/5 “10†(10 Weeks)
12/14 THE JERK (8 Weeks)
1980
2/8 THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (4 Weeks)
3/7 COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (9 Weeks)
5/9 WINGS OF CHANGE (2 Weeks)
5/23 THE SHINING (8 Weeks)
7/18 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (2 Weeks)
8/1 THE HUNTER (5 Weeks)
9/5 THE BIG BRAWL (3 Weeks)
9/26 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (RE: 2 Weeks)
10/10 PRIVATE BENJAMIN (11 Weeks)
12/25 ALTERED STATES (14 Weeks)
1981
4/1 ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE: 1 Week)
4/10 EXCALIBUR (10 Weeks)
6/19 SUPERMAN II (9 weeks)
8/21 FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (5 weeks)
9/25 MOMMIE DEAREST (5 Weeks)
10/30 LOOKER (3 Weeks)
11/20 RAGTIME (4 Weeks)
12/18 NEIGHBORS (5 Weeks)
1982
1/22 SHOOT THE MOON (3 Weeks)
2/12 CANNERY ROW (2 Weeks)
2/26 CHRISTIANE F (3 Weeks)
3/19 VICTOR/VICTORIA (10 Weeks)
5/28 ROCKY III (3 Weeks)
6/18 FIREFOX (4 Weeks)
7/15 TRON (MO: 4 weeks)
8/13 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (13 Weeks)
11/12 CREEPSHOW (4 weeks)
12/10 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (1 week)
12/17 BEST FRIENDS (7 Weeks)
1983
2/11 LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER (1 Week)
2/18 LOVESICK (4 Weeks)
3/18 HIGH ROAD TO CHINA (4 Weeks)
4/15 FLASHDANCE (9 Weeks)
6/17 SUPERMAN III (4 Weeks)
7/15 STAYING ALIVE (12 weeks)
10/7 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (6 Weeks)
11/18 YENTL (13 Weeks)
1984
2/17 LASSITER (2 Weeks)
3/2 AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 Weeks)
4/13 TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (RE:3 Weeks)
5/4 GREYSTOKE (MO:4 Weeks)
6/1 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (7 Weeks)
7/20 BEST DEFENSE (3 Weeks)
8/10 RED DAWN (7 Weeks)
9/28 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1 week)
10/5 TEACHERS (2 Weeks)
10/19 THIEF OF HEARTS (4 Weeks)
11/16 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1 Week)
11/21 SUPERGIRL (2 Weeks)
12/7 2010 (Until sometime Mid/late-January 1985)
I know that in 1985 the Village showed VISIONQUEST, THE SURE THING, THE SLUGGER’S WIFE, LADYHAWKE, A VIEW TO A KILL, SILVERADO, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, INVASION U.S.A.,JAGGED EDGE and ROCKY IV but I cannot remember if there was anything else that year.
I do think there is still a future for moviegoing and nice theatres in Westwood. I’m really hoping that the Village and Bruin remain; since they are in the heart a Westwood a resurgence could revolve around them (and the Regent). My guess is within 5 years the Avco and the Festival will be gone and perhaps some kind of tasteful multiplex will join the Village, Bruin and Regent. It is just a matter of someone taking a chance to make it happen; it will never hit the heights of the 70’s and 80’s again, but Westwood is still a viable market for film exhibition.
The National had a nice little homage with the one scene in Zodiac (Even though story was sent in S.F.), But yeah, I have memories of seeing The Bad News Bears in 1976 will a full audience, talk about a 70’s moment. We will NEVER have a theatre like the National ever again.
Mark, I put together a small listing for Mann VILLAGE; at least a period I could remember. My employment there was Fall 1980 until January 1983. It is about 98% accurate. My mind is blurry any earlier and beyond that date.
Mann VILLAGE theatre, Westwood (June 1979 – December 2004)
1979
6/8 PLAYERS (3 Weeks)
6/29 BLOODLINE (3 Weeks)
7/20 RUST NEVER SLEEPS (2 Weeks)
8/3 NORTH DALLAS FORTY (9 Weeks)
10/5 “10†(10 Weeks)
12/14 THE JERK (8 Weeks)
1980
2/8 THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (4 Weeks)
3/7 COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER (9 Weeks)
5/9 WINGS OF CHANGE (2 Weeks)
5/23 THE SHINING (8 Weeks)
7/18 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (2 Weeks)
8/1 THE HUNTER (5 Weeks)
9/5 THE BIG BRAWL (3 Weeks)
9/26 MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN (RE: 2 Weeks)
10/10 PRIVATE BENJAMIN (11 Weeks)
12/25 ALTERED STATES (14 Weeks)
1981
4/1 ORDINARY PEOPLE (RE: 1 Week)
4/10 EXCALIBUR (10 Weeks)
6/19 SUPERMAN II (9 weeks)
8/21 FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER (5 weeks)
9/25 MOMMIE DEAREST (5 Weeks)
10/30 LOOKER (3 Weeks)
11/20 RAGTIME (4 Weeks)
12/18 NEIGHBORS (5 Weeks)
1982
1/22 SHOOT THE MOON (3 Weeks)
2/12 CANNERY ROW (2 Weeks)
2/26 CHRISTIANE F (3 Weeks)
3/19 VICTOR/VICTORIA (10 Weeks)
5/28 ROCKY III (3 Weeks)
6/18 FIREFOX (4 Weeks)
7/15 TRON (MO: 4 weeks)
8/13 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL (13 Weeks)
11/12 CREEPSHOW (4 weeks)
12/10 THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (1 week)
12/17 BEST FRIENDS (7 Weeks)
1983
2/11 LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER (1 Week)
2/18 LOVESICK (4 Weeks)
3/18 HIGH ROAD TO CHINA (4 Weeks)
4/15 FLASHDANCE (9 Weeks)
6/17 SUPERMAN III (4 Weeks)
7/15 STAYING ALIVE (12 weeks)
10/7 NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN (6 Weeks)
11/18 YENTL (13 Weeks)
1984
2/17 LASSITER (2 Weeks)
3/2 AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 Weeks)
4/13 TERMS OF ENDEARMENT (RE:3 Weeks)
5/4 GREYSTOKE (MO:4 Weeks)
6/1 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (7 Weeks)
7/20 BEST DEFENSE (3 Weeks)
8/10 RED DAWN (7 Weeks)
9/28 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES (1 week)
10/5 TEACHERS (2 Weeks)
10/19 THIEF OF HEARTS (4 Weeks)
11/16 JUST THE WAY YOU ARE (1 Week)
11/21 SUPERGIRL (2 Weeks)
12/7 2010 (Until sometime Mid/late-January 1985)
I know that in 1985 the Village showed VISIONQUEST, THE SURE THING, THE SLUGGER’S WIFE, LADYHAWKE, A VIEW TO A KILL, SILVERADO, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, INVASION U.S.A.,JAGGED EDGE and ROCKY IV but I cannot remember if there was anything else that year.
I don’t blame Mann for the downfall of the National either. The blame is on the public who rather go to sub-par AMC Plastic Plexes instead. Mann actually was going back and forth with ideas to keep the theatre going, but realized it would not be profitable in the long run.
My National visits:
1973:The Mackintosh Man
1975:Dog Day Afternoon
1976:Jaws
The Bad News Bears
The Big Bus
1977:Fun with Dick & Jane
Islands in the Stream
Nasty Habits
Sorcerer
1978:FM
Big Wednesday
Heaven Can Wait
Superman
1979:The Main Event
More American Graffiti
Star Trek The Motion Picture
1980:Little Darlings
The Nude Bomb
Caddyshack
Oh God Book II
Popeye
1981:Incredible Shrinking Woman
Postman Always Rings Twice
The Hand
The Fan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Paternity
Reds
1982:Some Kind of Hero
Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
Night Shift
1983:The Outsiders
Twilight Zone The Movie
Brainstorm
Star 80
1984:Reckless
Footloose
Greystoke
Indiana Jones Temple of Doom
Tightrope
Body double
Oh God You Devil
1985:Stick
Rustlers' Rhapsody
Explorers
The Black Cauldron
Weird Science
Compromosing Positions
Plenty
To Live & Die In LA
Young Sherlock Holmes
1986:Best of Times
9 ½ Weeks
Pretty in Pink
Blue City
Top Gun
Heartburn
1987:From the Hip
Some Kind of Wonderful
Secret of My Success
Big Easy
Empire of the Sun
1988:Beetlejuice
Clean & Sober
Running on Empty
Rain Man
1989:Dead Calm
Indiana Jones Last Crusade
License to Kill
Let it Ride
X-Mas Vacation
1990:Hunt for Red October
1991:City Slickers
Star Trek VI
1992:Patriot Games
Boomerang
Honeymoon in Vegas
Husbands & Wives
Hero
A Few Good Men
1993:Point of No Return
The Firm
Undercover Blues
1994:Intersection
The Paper
Jurrasic Park
The Client
Clear/Present Danger
Only You
Interview w/Vampire
Drop Zone
Nell
1995:Brady Bunch Movie
Bye Bye Love
Kiss of Death
Congo
Clueless
Goldeneye
Sabrina
1996:12 Monkeys
Birdcage
Fear
Mission Impossible
Courage Under Fire
A Very Brady Sequel
Bogus
First Wives Club
Star Trek First Contact
1997:Absolute Power
Volcano
Fathers Day
Face Off
Spawn
In & Out
Boogie Nights
The Rainmaker
The Postman
1998:Lost in Space
Truman Show
Your Friends & Neighbors
1999:Austin Powers Spy Who Shagged Me
Runaway Bride
Bringing out the Dead
Talented Mr Ripley
2000:Shaft
The Replacements
Ladies Man
What Women Want
2001:Along Came a Spider
Shrek
Tomb Raider
The Score
Rat Race
Hardball
2002:Super Troopers
Changing Lanes
Spiderman
Sum of all Fears
Simone
Swimfan
Transporter
Star Trek Nemesis
2003:Just Married
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
The Core
Italian Job
Charlies Angels Full throttle
S.W.A.T.
School of Rock
2004:Mean Girls
Manchurian Candidate
Team America World Police
Spongebob Squarepants
Closer
2005:Hitch
Pride & Prejudice
Family Stone
2006:Brokeback Mountain
2007:Music & Lyrics
2007: (Non-Mann) Paris, Je Taime