AMC Classic Woodbridge 5
4626 Barranca Parkway,
Irvine,
CA
92604
4626 Barranca Parkway,
Irvine,
CA
92604
5 people
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“The Rocketeer” was presented at Edwards Woodbridge in 35mm Dolby Stereo beginning on Friday June 21, 1991.
On July 23, 2010, the Woodbridge will begin offering digital projection in two auditoriums (#2 & #3), with 3-D capabilities. By year’s end, all five auditoriums will be converted to digital.
The Woodbridge 5 celebrates its 30th anniversary this coming Saturday, Feb. 13. Festivities run from Noon to 10 pm and include auditorium pre-show programming showcasing music and noteworthy events from 1980, commemorative programs, a free movie poster raffle, lobby and auditorium contests for an assortment of movie memorabilia, movie passes, and gift cards, A $1 per ticket charity raffle for an iPod Nano, with additional prizes to be announced, $1 hot dogs, performances by locally famous “Wonder Dog”, plus, a special surprise for all guests.
For more information call 949.733.3795.
As for a rundown of names/operators:
1979 – 2/7/80
Mann Woodbridge
Technically, it was a Mann until noon of the grand opening (2/7/80).
The theatre was initially planned/announced as a four plex; a fifth auditorium (house #1) was added shortly before construction began.
2/7/80 – ¼/01
Edwards Woodbridge Cinemas
3/27/01 – 3/29/05
Captain Blood’s Woodbridge Family 5 & Captain’s Woodbridge Family 5
At some point, the “Blood” appeared to have been dropped.
6/24/05 – Present
Starplex Woodbridge Movies 5, Starplex Woodbridge Dollar Movies 5, & Starplex Woodbridge 5
The specific name has varied slightly between media outlets and even within the company.
The “Dollar” moniker was temporarily utilized when the theatre transitioned from $2 & $3 ticket pricing to $1 & $1.50 pricing, in the fall of 2005.
This theater has actually been a Starplex second-run veneue for many years now.
I work for the current operator and was the GM for this theatre’s relaunch. The signage Stuart spoke of, similar to a child’s “Light Brite” toy (in reverse), is still partially intact. While no longer used and covered over, we ran across the remnants when we were setting up the current light box signage. It must have been something memorable in it’s day, as numerous locals spoke of the old sign.
Fortunately, the Woodbridge has found a new life as a discount theatre. After years of languishing in the shadow of nearby “modern” theatres, the Woodbridge has experienced quite the rebirth and regularly experiences capacity crowds (it does some impressive attendance for a neighborhood five plex).
Also another cool thing I remember was the marquee streetside. It was a rotating metal cage about 8 feet long (think of a thick log being rolled around) with 5 panels that had lots of 2" holes in it. Inside the cage were lamps. We then had a bunch of black plastic plugs to fill the holes that should not light up. And voila! The oddest lit signage you might come across. It didn’t work when I transferred there – and I think the staff called it my folly in that I constantly tried to get it to work!
Not as cool as the black out signs in Westwood Village but rather unique.
I managed this theatre as “Edward’s Woodbridge 5 Cinemas” in the early 1980s for a short while.
Rumor had it that Drew Barrymore showed up when we screened “E.T.”.
The theatre seemed to do well and I am surprised to hear about Edwards Cinemas going bankrupt.
One fond memory were the coin operated video machines along the lobby wall which was a gold mine for the company. I remember spending way too much time playing ‘Defender’.
I’m sure nobody will miss that moronic Captain Blood name.
“Captain Blood” lost their/his lease in early Spring 0f 2005. The theatre was picked up by the Starplex Cinemas chain (a large nation wide chain, based out of Dallas, TX.). Under Starplex’s management, the theatre was closed and almost completely renovated. Beyond cosmetic changes to the lobby and hallways (gone is Blood’s high school haunted house theme), the projectors, soundsystems, seating, curtains, fixtures, etc. were replaced. Additionally, a new management/staff team was put in place. The current theatre operates as a “mid run” (movies which have been in circulation for 3 – 4 weeks) venue.
The theatre is now upgraded to modern standards (minus stadium seating) and called Starplex Woodbridge 5.
The promises that Todd Blood makes would materialize if it was not all BS. He is a professional in the way he runs his franchise. He is a professional in the way that he has learned how to manipulate and steal from his employees to live lavishly.
“Captain Blood” is not listed as a “chain,” if that is what WASSUP is referring to.
there more captain blood theatres in california beside this one look them up