I worked at a 20 and 30 plex from 1998-2002. All the schedules were done manually by hand. Usually the first thing that was done was choosing the auditoriums for the films. Kids films that had only morning shows and could be used for interlocks for evening shows. Then showtimes were made. You would have a lot of shows starting at the same time (2 Saban Theatre:00, 2Saban Theatre:15, 2Saban Theatre:30 etc). You would have to adust times slightly to make sure auditoriums weren’t breaking at the same time next to each other. It was a tedious task.
The AMC Rolling Hills 20 started out originally as the AMC Rolling Hills 6. It was your typical early 80’s 6plex, mirrored in design to the AMC Marina Pacifica 6 amongst others. The theatre was always busy and expansion was needed. In the mid 90’s, it was determined that the theatre would be added on, and expanded to a 20 plex. A new 13 plex was added next to the old 6 plex (which stayed open, sans one doorway out) while the 6 plex stayed opened. AMC then opened the new 13 plex with stadium seating, and all theatres under 300 seats.
With the new theatre, the old 6 plex was semi gutted. The old 6 screens were rebuilt with stadium seating, and a 7th theatre was added where the former lobby was. The concession stand there was remodeled to form a very small satellite stand, and the restrooms were kept in the old lobby area, just long corridors led to them. Its definitely neat to see a movie in the old lobby!
The Alondra 6 actully had more than 1200 seats. Each theatre were narrow, with a center row, reminiscent of early AMC’s. The theatre actually stayed open as a successful dollar house for many years. It succumbed to the new theatres at Norwalk and Cerritos. It finally closed around 1998. It was ran as a unit of Norwalk 20 in its final days. The site was torn down.
Two interesting notes:
– sound was Mono all the way until the theatre closed. AMC never upgraded it.
– it had a crusty toilet in the booth for the projectionist that looked like had never been cleaned.
Mann National may not be dead
TJ Sullivan • Bio • Email
UPDATED BELOW
The sign pictured at right showed up this weekend in the ticket window of the shuttered Mann National in Westwood Village, calling into question reports of the big-screen movie house’s reported “date with the wrecking ball.”
As previously mentioned on LAO, the Mann National is one of a dwindling number of big-screen theaters still standing in LA. It’s a place where “The Exorcist opened to huge lines and ran what seemed like forever, and same for The Godfather.”
Perhaps this means it has achieved a stay of execution, as some had hoped would happen.
For now, all I know is that the sign says “Theatre opening Friday May 11th.”
*UPDATED: Mann Theatres no longer leases the theater building and referred questions about its operation to Tom Daugherty, who said during a brief telephone interview that he and a partner now hold the lease. Daugherty said the ticket window sign is correct, that the theatre will reopen this Friday (May 11) with The Ex, starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet.
Daugherty said movie goers can expect the theatre to continue to show first-run features, just as it did under Mann.
If my memory serves me correctly, this theatre and the old Broadway department store were torn down for the construction of the Wal-Mart now at the mall.
This theatre is in the process of getting remodeled. Gone is the marquee, the west box office is closed, and stadium seating is going in. I dont know what is going to happen to the two auditoriums with balconies.
This area could support a larger theatre by the civic center. This area does get a lot of crowd from Magic mountain, and the northern San Fernando Valley, which near San Fernando doesnt have a single theatre. One 20 screen complex could compete with the others perfectly in this area.
The original theatre opened up in the 80’s by AMC, a typical 10 plex they built during that time (same as Bubank, Chino, Plaza). They got rid of it around the late 90s when they pulled out of the market and Cinemark picked it up.
Looking at the website for the mall, the area where the theatres were are now used as storage for Target. Check out the above link and you can see the four theatres and emergency exits. The lobby was turned into a shop and hallway for access to this area.
Los Angeles most theatres except the prime locations (Century, Burbank, Universal, Santa Monica, etc) are $5, prime locations are $6 and Montebello is the sole $4 matinee theatre in Los Angeles.
Im sure someone will snag up MainPlace again. It has competition, but book kids films and it still does good business being in the mall. It makes me sad to see this theatre close.
This theatre outlived the UA theatres in the Brea Mall, and across from the Brea mall. I went to see a movie there before it closed and didnt make it in time, but the theatre was dirty, ugly, and empty.
If it wasnt for the fact that it was in a bad location, barely visible from the 57 freeway, it would have made a great art house for Regal.
I worked at a 20 and 30 plex from 1998-2002. All the schedules were done manually by hand. Usually the first thing that was done was choosing the auditoriums for the films. Kids films that had only morning shows and could be used for interlocks for evening shows. Then showtimes were made. You would have a lot of shows starting at the same time (2 Saban Theatre:00, 2Saban Theatre:15, 2Saban Theatre:30 etc). You would have to adust times slightly to make sure auditoriums weren’t breaking at the same time next to each other. It was a tedious task.
The AMC Rolling Hills 20 started out originally as the AMC Rolling Hills 6. It was your typical early 80’s 6plex, mirrored in design to the AMC Marina Pacifica 6 amongst others. The theatre was always busy and expansion was needed. In the mid 90’s, it was determined that the theatre would be added on, and expanded to a 20 plex. A new 13 plex was added next to the old 6 plex (which stayed open, sans one doorway out) while the 6 plex stayed opened. AMC then opened the new 13 plex with stadium seating, and all theatres under 300 seats.
With the new theatre, the old 6 plex was semi gutted. The old 6 screens were rebuilt with stadium seating, and a 7th theatre was added where the former lobby was. The concession stand there was remodeled to form a very small satellite stand, and the restrooms were kept in the old lobby area, just long corridors led to them. Its definitely neat to see a movie in the old lobby!
Nevermind, i read the other article. So the 3 plex was to the east of the buffums store and then 6 screens added at the buffums.
Where was the 1,2,3 located at originally. I know the 9 plex opened when the old Buffums store closed and that was converted to the 9 plex.
The Alondra 6 actully had more than 1200 seats. Each theatre were narrow, with a center row, reminiscent of early AMC’s. The theatre actually stayed open as a successful dollar house for many years. It succumbed to the new theatres at Norwalk and Cerritos. It finally closed around 1998. It was ran as a unit of Norwalk 20 in its final days. The site was torn down.
Two interesting notes:
– sound was Mono all the way until the theatre closed. AMC never upgraded it.
– it had a crusty toilet in the booth for the projectionist that looked like had never been cleaned.
I may try and go if I am free that night.
The AMC Santa Monica 7 is three levels. 2 large theatres in the basement, two large on the ground floor and three small in the upstairs.
View link
Mann National may not be dead
TJ Sullivan • Bio • Email
UPDATED BELOW
The sign pictured at right showed up this weekend in the ticket window of the shuttered Mann National in Westwood Village, calling into question reports of the big-screen movie house’s reported “date with the wrecking ball.”
As previously mentioned on LAO, the Mann National is one of a dwindling number of big-screen theaters still standing in LA. It’s a place where “The Exorcist opened to huge lines and ran what seemed like forever, and same for The Godfather.”
Perhaps this means it has achieved a stay of execution, as some had hoped would happen.
For now, all I know is that the sign says “Theatre opening Friday May 11th.”
*UPDATED: Mann Theatres no longer leases the theater building and referred questions about its operation to Tom Daugherty, who said during a brief telephone interview that he and a partner now hold the lease. Daugherty said the ticket window sign is correct, that the theatre will reopen this Friday (May 11) with The Ex, starring Zach Braff and Amanda Peet.
Daugherty said movie goers can expect the theatre to continue to show first-run features, just as it did under Mann.
If my memory serves me correctly, this theatre and the old Broadway department store were torn down for the construction of the Wal-Mart now at the mall.
This theatre is in the process of getting remodeled. Gone is the marquee, the west box office is closed, and stadium seating is going in. I dont know what is going to happen to the two auditoriums with balconies.
Our AMC had a policy that a seat could be saved up until the trailers started, then the seat needed to be given up.
This area could support a larger theatre by the civic center. This area does get a lot of crowd from Magic mountain, and the northern San Fernando Valley, which near San Fernando doesnt have a single theatre. One 20 screen complex could compete with the others perfectly in this area.
It looks like it is going to be a mix of art and second run.
This theatre used to be part of the AMC Chain.
The original theatre opened up in the 80’s by AMC, a typical 10 plex they built during that time (same as Bubank, Chino, Plaza). They got rid of it around the late 90s when they pulled out of the market and Cinemark picked it up.
View link
Looking at the website for the mall, the area where the theatres were are now used as storage for Target. Check out the above link and you can see the four theatres and emergency exits. The lobby was turned into a shop and hallway for access to this area.
This theatre has been demolished. Or at least, is in the process of being cut up for new mall stores.
Mark, are you talking about:
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All AMC Theatres in the US are doing this.
Los Angeles most theatres except the prime locations (Century, Burbank, Universal, Santa Monica, etc) are $5, prime locations are $6 and Montebello is the sole $4 matinee theatre in Los Angeles.
Bob, I would like to see the pictures of old stonewood.
Im sure someone will snag up MainPlace again. It has competition, but book kids films and it still does good business being in the mall. It makes me sad to see this theatre close.
Apparently this theatre has been sold to Phoenix Theatres:
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This theatre outlived the UA theatres in the Brea Mall, and across from the Brea mall. I went to see a movie there before it closed and didnt make it in time, but the theatre was dirty, ugly, and empty.
If it wasnt for the fact that it was in a bad location, barely visible from the 57 freeway, it would have made a great art house for Regal.
I meant Rosedale Center.
AMC looks to be building a new theatre at Roseville Center, thus closing the Har Mar 11.