RKO bought Mid-America sometime around 1984 (the chain was subsequently renamed RKO Mid-America Theatres). Then they were eventually bought out by AMC a year or so later.
Are there any movies out right now? I see a bunch of crap on the top 10 box office, but does any of that count? I seriously doubt that y'all are complaining about not seeing “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” at the glorious Grauman’s Chinese Theatre! LOL! :)
Last time I was home, the only open business on the site of the Airway was a Shop & Save grocery store. Have they built anything else around it since then?
Are there any interior pictures of this place from the 50’s – early 80’s floating around cyberspace? I’d love to see a picture of the main auditorium (w/the original curtain & floodlights) from those days.
Went here once to see “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Jurassic Park” in the summer of 1993…and didn’t make it through the double feature due to a brisk and passionate makeout session. Aaaah…
I’ve seen some great multiplex auditoriums in my time. But in the world of megaplexes, NOTHING COMPARES to that fabulous awesome “Grand Palace” auditorium at this theatre! As the description above says, it’s 750 seats, screen is 70 feet wide and it’s all stadium seating. Both the sound and picture is PHENOMINAL! Before I had kids, my wife and I used to drive up here twice a year just to see movies in this particular auditorium.
IMO, it is the GREATEST 35MM projection auditorium built specifically for a megaplex. Ever.
My mom and I used to alternate between here and the Vermont when the place was open. That gave South LA moviegoers a choice between 9 different double features to choose from during any given weekend in the 80’s & 90’s.
I remember seeing the marquee when driving on the 405 Freeway back in the day. Now I take that freeway to and from work and I get a little sad to this day knowing that marquee is no longer there.
I only saw one movie here: Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” on opening day (which was the same night as my prom). Place was GINORMOUS! It’s a shame I never returned here when it was operating…then again that ain’t exactly my fault. The theatre switched to 2nd run double features during my years in college when I came home for summer vacation.
I would LOVE to know why Trans-Lux stopped operating this place. A little bit more patience and faith and they could have shown “Earthquake,” “Towering Inferno,” “Jaws,” and “Star Wars” in here!
I only went here twice – the first time was to see “Pulp Fiction.” It was Christmas 1994 and I was visiting home during winter break at college in Louisiana. By that time, “Pulp Fiction” had already gripped major cities in a frenzy but, with me being in Boondockville, LA, I only read about it in the paper. So I hauled myself on down to this theatre where it played in its largest auditorium. The place was (still) packed and the Dolby Digital was in full effect. 2 hours later, I was caught up in the frenzy like the rest of the world. To this day, this was one of the best movie theatre experiences of my life. Unforgettable!
And it happened at an uneventful moveover house. :)
Only believe half of what you read in Wikipedia. It’s based on people’s personal factoids and not true facts. Nearly every post on there contradicts itself since it just compliles info from different sources.
About the theatre: 2 of the auditoriums at Lakewood Center have retained their original non-stadium, sloped floor configuration – the original “main auditorium” on the left hand side, and the 2nd large auditorium on the right. Both have had their seating decreased (to make room for the additions) but are still relatively decent in my book.
Nice theatre, but WAY WAY WAY too expensive to get decent seating. Also, the screen is not big enough for 2:35 aspect ratio (I distinctly remember seeing major cropping for “Narnia – Prince Caspian” the last time I was here).
But the showy stuff (the decor, the pre-show) is unbeatable and that’s how the place consistentliy packs them in.
I used to come here quite frequently when I lived in Orange County. It’s a nice theatre with all digital sound and all the auditoriums were THX certified (don’t know if they still are now that Cinemark bought Century – word has it that they dropped the THX certification). Some auditoriums were hit and miss sound wise (one aud had its digital sound equipment fried and never replaced) and the screens are all top masking. But, as far as multiplexes go, I preferred this place to the (OVERRATED!) AMC 30 at The Block.
This theatre is the centerpiece of the Howard Hughes Center off Howard Hughes Parkway and the 405 Freeway in LA (Westchester to be exact). It was supposed to be operated by Edwards Theatres but, due to the industry-wide collapse of (nearly) every major movie chain in the USA, Edwards lost this one. I still remember when the Center opened but the theatre sat vacant for (what it seemed like) weeks. No one had a clue who would operate it or when it would open.
Enter National Amusements who stepped in, called the place The Bridge Cinema de lux and opened the place up in Summer 2001. They dressed the theatre up with a way out combination of 1960’s era decor mixed with 21st century flourishes. The theatre sits on 3 levels: Level 1 holds 11 screens – including their IMAX theatre (a TRUE, GENUINE IMAX with the 6 story tall screen that we know and love) a reserved seating “Directors Hall” auditorium with leather seats and concierge service, and another auditorium called CenterStage where they feature live performances before the show on weekends.
Level 2 is their lobby and main entrance which leads guests to escalators taking them to level 1 or 3. Their credit card kiosks as well as Guest Services are in the lobby as well.
Level 3 features their in-theatre restaurant 12 Lounge (named because Edwards had originally slated that space to Auditorium 12, but NA had other plans) featuring lots of booze, burgers, chicken tenders and pizza (REALLY GOOD PIZZA!). Also on Level 3 are 6 massively sized auditoriums – 2 of them are the aforementioned Directors Hall auditoriums with reserved seating.
Theatre has nice sized flat screens ranging from about 40 to 60 feet. It is equipped for digital projection in all of its auditoriums and pumps out Dolby Digital EX sound.
The only drawback about the theatre is the $2.00 parking at the Howard Hughes Center (unnecesary!) and the concession lines are slower than molasses. But I love the place a lot!
RKO bought Mid-America sometime around 1984 (the chain was subsequently renamed RKO Mid-America Theatres). Then they were eventually bought out by AMC a year or so later.
Raysson probably meant to say that the Magic Johnson Theatres family was the first chain of theatres to be owned and operated by African Americans.
FWIW, his very first location in LA is still open. I don’t know how they’re doing business wise – I avoid the place like the plague!
Looks pretty…
72 feet wide – at 1:85 fixed length ratio. Which means that 2:35 flicks will probably have that letterbox feel to ‘em. I’ll pass.
CinemarkFan: The Arclight auditoriums (the Cinerama Dome an exception) run digital or 35MM. No 70MM or higher.
WHEN THE HELL ARE THEY COMING TO LOS ANGELES??? THE FILM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD DOES NOT HAVE A DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA! WHAT THE HELL???
$30 tickets – FOOD NOT INCLUDED! I think I’ll pass…
Are there any movies out right now? I see a bunch of crap on the top 10 box office, but does any of that count? I seriously doubt that y'all are complaining about not seeing “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs” at the glorious Grauman’s Chinese Theatre! LOL! :)
Last time I was home, the only open business on the site of the Airway was a Shop & Save grocery store. Have they built anything else around it since then?
What’s occupying the space now?
Are there any interior pictures of this place from the 50’s – early 80’s floating around cyberspace? I’d love to see a picture of the main auditorium (w/the original curtain & floodlights) from those days.
Co-sign on all points made. All 20-somethings know is Dolby Digital, LoveSeats and shoebox multiplexes. Heh…they’d hate on “LOA” for being too long!
Break out the NEON GREEN & ORANGE!
Went here once to see “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Jurassic Park” in the summer of 1993…and didn’t make it through the double feature due to a brisk and passionate makeout session. Aaaah…
:o)
I’ve seen some great multiplex auditoriums in my time. But in the world of megaplexes, NOTHING COMPARES to that fabulous awesome “Grand Palace” auditorium at this theatre! As the description above says, it’s 750 seats, screen is 70 feet wide and it’s all stadium seating. Both the sound and picture is PHENOMINAL! Before I had kids, my wife and I used to drive up here twice a year just to see movies in this particular auditorium.
IMO, it is the GREATEST 35MM projection auditorium built specifically for a megaplex. Ever.
65ft side masking screens…MUSIC TO MY EARS!
My mom and I used to alternate between here and the Vermont when the place was open. That gave South LA moviegoers a choice between 9 different double features to choose from during any given weekend in the 80’s & 90’s.
I remember seeing the marquee when driving on the 405 Freeway back in the day. Now I take that freeway to and from work and I get a little sad to this day knowing that marquee is no longer there.
I really do miss this place.
I come here about 2-3 times a year. For a Pacific, it’s actually pretty nice. Nice sized screens and decent sound.
I only saw one movie here: Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever” on opening day (which was the same night as my prom). Place was GINORMOUS! It’s a shame I never returned here when it was operating…then again that ain’t exactly my fault. The theatre switched to 2nd run double features during my years in college when I came home for summer vacation.
I would LOVE to know why Trans-Lux stopped operating this place. A little bit more patience and faith and they could have shown “Earthquake,” “Towering Inferno,” “Jaws,” and “Star Wars” in here!
As I said before…REGRETS.
I only went here twice – the first time was to see “Pulp Fiction.” It was Christmas 1994 and I was visiting home during winter break at college in Louisiana. By that time, “Pulp Fiction” had already gripped major cities in a frenzy but, with me being in Boondockville, LA, I only read about it in the paper. So I hauled myself on down to this theatre where it played in its largest auditorium. The place was (still) packed and the Dolby Digital was in full effect. 2 hours later, I was caught up in the frenzy like the rest of the world. To this day, this was one of the best movie theatre experiences of my life. Unforgettable!
And it happened at an uneventful moveover house. :)
Only believe half of what you read in Wikipedia. It’s based on people’s personal factoids and not true facts. Nearly every post on there contradicts itself since it just compliles info from different sources.
About the theatre: 2 of the auditoriums at Lakewood Center have retained their original non-stadium, sloped floor configuration – the original “main auditorium” on the left hand side, and the 2nd large auditorium on the right. Both have had their seating decreased (to make room for the additions) but are still relatively decent in my book.
Nice theatre, but WAY WAY WAY too expensive to get decent seating. Also, the screen is not big enough for 2:35 aspect ratio (I distinctly remember seeing major cropping for “Narnia – Prince Caspian” the last time I was here).
But the showy stuff (the decor, the pre-show) is unbeatable and that’s how the place consistentliy packs them in.
I used to come here quite frequently when I lived in Orange County. It’s a nice theatre with all digital sound and all the auditoriums were THX certified (don’t know if they still are now that Cinemark bought Century – word has it that they dropped the THX certification). Some auditoriums were hit and miss sound wise (one aud had its digital sound equipment fried and never replaced) and the screens are all top masking. But, as far as multiplexes go, I preferred this place to the (OVERRATED!) AMC 30 at The Block.
A bit more about the theatre itself:
This theatre is the centerpiece of the Howard Hughes Center off Howard Hughes Parkway and the 405 Freeway in LA (Westchester to be exact). It was supposed to be operated by Edwards Theatres but, due to the industry-wide collapse of (nearly) every major movie chain in the USA, Edwards lost this one. I still remember when the Center opened but the theatre sat vacant for (what it seemed like) weeks. No one had a clue who would operate it or when it would open.
Enter National Amusements who stepped in, called the place The Bridge Cinema de lux and opened the place up in Summer 2001. They dressed the theatre up with a way out combination of 1960’s era decor mixed with 21st century flourishes. The theatre sits on 3 levels: Level 1 holds 11 screens – including their IMAX theatre (a TRUE, GENUINE IMAX with the 6 story tall screen that we know and love) a reserved seating “Directors Hall” auditorium with leather seats and concierge service, and another auditorium called CenterStage where they feature live performances before the show on weekends.
Level 2 is their lobby and main entrance which leads guests to escalators taking them to level 1 or 3. Their credit card kiosks as well as Guest Services are in the lobby as well.
Level 3 features their in-theatre restaurant 12 Lounge (named because Edwards had originally slated that space to Auditorium 12, but NA had other plans) featuring lots of booze, burgers, chicken tenders and pizza (REALLY GOOD PIZZA!). Also on Level 3 are 6 massively sized auditoriums – 2 of them are the aforementioned Directors Hall auditoriums with reserved seating.
Theatre has nice sized flat screens ranging from about 40 to 60 feet. It is equipped for digital projection in all of its auditoriums and pumps out Dolby Digital EX sound.
The only drawback about the theatre is the $2.00 parking at the Howard Hughes Center (unnecesary!) and the concession lines are slower than molasses. But I love the place a lot!
They’ve gotta do SOMETHING! The place is a hot steaming pile of mess!
Since Mann is selling everything, AMC should indeed purchase the Criterion and build 10 screens behind it (or something of the sort).