Just heard that UCLA has acquired the building and wants to use it for live events. SHAME. REAL SHAME. They could use it as part of their student programming venue to continue it’s cinematic legacy. DAMN shame.
Screening movies again! On October 20th the Hayworth will be screening a 16mm film festival. Hopefully this breathes new cinematic life to the once grand house.
I drove past the Westlake early this morning and the DOORS WERE OPEN. From what I could see, the ground has been leveled with no seating remaining inside. Lights were all on. and the space is HUGE. I sincerely hope they do right by this theatre.
Re-looking at the photos from the last night. Man, one of the BIGGEST mistakes this city has EVER made: The closure and raze of the National. Devastating, even now.
I saw a few films there. Nightcrawler and Star Trek into Darkness among them. I like this little venue. They should do more with it – it would be a great place to show rep cinema. They took out their 35mm projectors though. Not too late to get them back!
There is really a market for revival houses and single screen houses these days. The other Westwood theatres, the Fox Village, the Fox Bruin, are successful, thriving houses showing modern releases and occasional rep choices. The Billy Wilder also fares very well nearby at the Hammer Museum. The Crest and the Mann Festival would do right to re-open under these same standards.
I quite agree. Every time I have been by the Music Hall or even attended a rare screening there, the auditoriums are almost bare. I heard that Sharon Stone and Faye Dunaway have frequented the theater, but never see them there.
I’m curious as to what exactly is going on with the Saban these days. It’s just down the street from me, and I pass it frequently when driving, but there never seems to be anything happening there. It just sits there, GRAND, magnificent.
I’d like that. I know it cost money and a lot of planning, but there is a LOT of finance to go around, especially to save old Hollywood, and the movie going experience. I’m shocked that this gem of a hidden secret hasn’t sparked more debate or conversations about it. I myself have never entered the building but by all accounts it’s a gorgeous, lovely palace still inside.
Question: Was the screen reduced in later years? All the pictures I’ve seen of the auditorium do NOT show a Cinerama screen.
Hello Alisonwriter. I am currently associated with the cinematheque, who owns the Egyptian Theatre. PM me about what it is you are interested in. I can probably help or assist you in finding the people you are looking for.
I ask again – whoever posted the venue’s status as “open” please back this up with evidence. I NEVER see this theatre open – and I am on the blvd a lot.
So apparently this space is now used for small Hollywood artifacts museum. They give tours every 5 minutes or some such sell. The marquee has been updated to display in all LED light, much like the Ritz/Pussycat/World Continental Theatre across the street. I will post more information when I can get my claws inside.
Just went past the Hunting Park Warners theatre this afternoon. Not good. The inside has been completely gutted and leveled. The lobby and auditorium space are intact but the way the construction was going it’s difficult to say how this will end. Sad too – the marquee still stands beautiful and magnificent as ever.
Does anybody know the status of this site? How can we have it registered as a historical landmark?
This is the Mann Festival, not the Westwood Cinema Center. Whoever printed this article and matched the picture needed to check his work.
This article goes into the purchase by UCLA.
https://mynewsla.com/education/2018/10/25/ucla-acquires-crest-theatre/
Just heard that UCLA has acquired the building and wants to use it for live events. SHAME. REAL SHAME. They could use it as part of their student programming venue to continue it’s cinematic legacy. DAMN shame.
Screening movies again! On October 20th the Hayworth will be screening a 16mm film festival. Hopefully this breathes new cinematic life to the once grand house.
I drove past the Westlake early this morning and the DOORS WERE OPEN. From what I could see, the ground has been leveled with no seating remaining inside. Lights were all on. and the space is HUGE. I sincerely hope they do right by this theatre.
I’m just going to say it – what they did with the Grauman Chinese (It will always be the Grauman Chinese to me) was an abomination.
Re-looking at the photos from the last night. Man, one of the BIGGEST mistakes this city has EVER made: The closure and raze of the National. Devastating, even now.
Does anyone know if this palace can still project film?
Very haunting. Thank you for posting. I saw “Jurassic Park” there in it’s final days. One of my favorite cinema memories.
I saw a few films there. Nightcrawler and Star Trek into Darkness among them. I like this little venue. They should do more with it – it would be a great place to show rep cinema. They took out their 35mm projectors though. Not too late to get them back!
There is really a market for revival houses and single screen houses these days. The other Westwood theatres, the Fox Village, the Fox Bruin, are successful, thriving houses showing modern releases and occasional rep choices. The Billy Wilder also fares very well nearby at the Hammer Museum. The Crest and the Mann Festival would do right to re-open under these same standards.
I quite agree. Every time I have been by the Music Hall or even attended a rare screening there, the auditoriums are almost bare. I heard that Sharon Stone and Faye Dunaway have frequented the theater, but never see them there.
I’m curious as to what exactly is going on with the Saban these days. It’s just down the street from me, and I pass it frequently when driving, but there never seems to be anything happening there. It just sits there, GRAND, magnificent.
I’d like that. I know it cost money and a lot of planning, but there is a LOT of finance to go around, especially to save old Hollywood, and the movie going experience. I’m shocked that this gem of a hidden secret hasn’t sparked more debate or conversations about it. I myself have never entered the building but by all accounts it’s a gorgeous, lovely palace still inside.
Question: Was the screen reduced in later years? All the pictures I’ve seen of the auditorium do NOT show a Cinerama screen.
Hello Alisonwriter. I am currently associated with the cinematheque, who owns the Egyptian Theatre. PM me about what it is you are interested in. I can probably help or assist you in finding the people you are looking for.
Alison Martino’s photos. I hope you asked permission DavidZornig.
I have seen the conversion as well.
Interestingly enough, I now work for the company that bought this venue – AEG: Anschultz Entertainment Group.
I ask again – whoever posted the venue’s status as “open” please back this up with evidence. I NEVER see this theatre open – and I am on the blvd a lot.
So apparently this space is now used for small Hollywood artifacts museum. They give tours every 5 minutes or some such sell. The marquee has been updated to display in all LED light, much like the Ritz/Pussycat/World Continental Theatre across the street. I will post more information when I can get my claws inside.
When was this?
Does this building still exist?
Just went past the Hunting Park Warners theatre this afternoon. Not good. The inside has been completely gutted and leveled. The lobby and auditorium space are intact but the way the construction was going it’s difficult to say how this will end. Sad too – the marquee still stands beautiful and magnificent as ever.
I’m curious – is the interior of this once grand cathedral still intact, or no?
SO – judging from recent street photos the building still stands. Hmmm…