It’s been interesting reading everyone’s comments. I worked for GCC from 1980 till 2002 when AMC took over the chain.
I can’t possible explain all of the complex issues that faced the Avco and the rest of the movie exhibition industry. But I’ll throw out some random thoughts…
You have to remember that when a theatre like the Avco was in it’s prime there was no such thing as video or even cable tv. Westwood, Hollywood, and New York, were where major films were platformed prior to release. Movies played for 6 months or more in those days. Now they are on DVD in 6 or 8 weeks. Many people didn’t even have color TVs when Star Wars was released in 1977.
The Avco was the first THX Theatre in the world.
What ultimately made us, GCC, decide to split the big auditorium was money. AMC opened the Century City with free parking. Santa Monica wasn’t even a film zone and then grew 3 different exhibitors. Out Regional Vice President at the time recommended against building in Santa Monica because he didn’t believe the theatre would pull in patrons because it was alongside the ocean with zero population…
If the Avco was making money we never would have decided to split the big auditorium. Plus we were being pressured by a couple of film distributors to give them another outlet for their movies beside our competitors in Westwood.
Leasing vs purchasing was always a business decision. It about “Return on Investment”. If you put 20 milllion dollars in to a theatre project that makes only $300,000 you aren’t even making 2% on your money.
The Avco did a little over 600,000 patrons in it’s heyday. And I can assure you it was profitable as a fourplex.
I haven’t been in the theatre business since 2002 but I can tell you that the Avco initially had a 20 year lease with two 20 year optional extensions. I don’t recall the lease rate but it never was a cheap location to operate. But ultimately it was a combination of surrounding locations being built, the Distribvutors changing the way they released film, and the high cost of parking in Westwood, that compromised the location and turned it in to just another theatre. ADA was another factor that was a major cost challenge.
The building never lent itself to stadium seating upgrade.
In the early 90s GC Theatres spun off from GCC. GCC had grown to be a corporate giant with many divisions beside theatres. When it came time for money for upgrades the theatre division never got cash because there was a better return in the other businesses such as making and selling school books or bottling soft drinks.
When the theatre division went out on it’s own we had to sign a deal to keep our leases. Basically we guaranteed we would pay them no matter what. Many theatre companies walked away from leases but we couldn’t. And I recall succinctly that the GCC Hollywood Galaxy and the GCC Beverly Connection had annual leases in excess of 2 million dollars a year…
I’m gonna run… I’ll organize my thoughts and write more in the future.
It’s nice to see people that still take an interest in the great days of movies and theatres.
The Sherman Oaks Twin opened in 1975. In 1984 the theatre was shut down for 90 days for an extensive remodel. The THX was added to the auditoriums at that time, platters replaced the changeover system, and 70 MM was added in Cinema #1. The theatre always offered the best sound system in the area.
Each auditorium had 476 seats. The remodeled theatre was designed by a gentlemean named Bob Luchetti.
My understanding is that the site is going to now be a BEST BUY store.
The triplex opened in March of 1977 and was in operation until the Northridge Earthquake; as already stated by Bill.
Because of the location of complex, it was frequented by many actors and industry people.
The Sherman Oaks Twin opened in 1975. In 1984 the theatre was shut down for 90 days for an extensive remodel. The THX was added to the auditoriums at that time, platters replaced the changeover system, and 70 MM was added in Cinema #1. The theatre always offered the best sound system in the area.
Each auditorium had 476 seats. The remodeled theatre was designed by a gentlemean named Bob Luchetti.
My understanding is that the site is going to now be a BEST BUY store.
The triplex opened in March of 1977 and was in operation until the Northridge Earthquake; as already stated by Bill.
Because of the location of complex, it was frequented by many actors and industry people.
It’s been interesting reading everyone’s comments. I worked for GCC from 1980 till 2002 when AMC took over the chain.
I can’t possible explain all of the complex issues that faced the Avco and the rest of the movie exhibition industry. But I’ll throw out some random thoughts…
You have to remember that when a theatre like the Avco was in it’s prime there was no such thing as video or even cable tv. Westwood, Hollywood, and New York, were where major films were platformed prior to release. Movies played for 6 months or more in those days. Now they are on DVD in 6 or 8 weeks. Many people didn’t even have color TVs when Star Wars was released in 1977.
The Avco was the first THX Theatre in the world.
What ultimately made us, GCC, decide to split the big auditorium was money. AMC opened the Century City with free parking. Santa Monica wasn’t even a film zone and then grew 3 different exhibitors. Out Regional Vice President at the time recommended against building in Santa Monica because he didn’t believe the theatre would pull in patrons because it was alongside the ocean with zero population…
If the Avco was making money we never would have decided to split the big auditorium. Plus we were being pressured by a couple of film distributors to give them another outlet for their movies beside our competitors in Westwood.
Leasing vs purchasing was always a business decision. It about “Return on Investment”. If you put 20 milllion dollars in to a theatre project that makes only $300,000 you aren’t even making 2% on your money.
The Avco did a little over 600,000 patrons in it’s heyday. And I can assure you it was profitable as a fourplex.
I haven’t been in the theatre business since 2002 but I can tell you that the Avco initially had a 20 year lease with two 20 year optional extensions. I don’t recall the lease rate but it never was a cheap location to operate. But ultimately it was a combination of surrounding locations being built, the Distribvutors changing the way they released film, and the high cost of parking in Westwood, that compromised the location and turned it in to just another theatre. ADA was another factor that was a major cost challenge.
The building never lent itself to stadium seating upgrade.
In the early 90s GC Theatres spun off from GCC. GCC had grown to be a corporate giant with many divisions beside theatres. When it came time for money for upgrades the theatre division never got cash because there was a better return in the other businesses such as making and selling school books or bottling soft drinks.
When the theatre division went out on it’s own we had to sign a deal to keep our leases. Basically we guaranteed we would pay them no matter what. Many theatre companies walked away from leases but we couldn’t. And I recall succinctly that the GCC Hollywood Galaxy and the GCC Beverly Connection had annual leases in excess of 2 million dollars a year…
I’m gonna run… I’ll organize my thoughts and write more in the future.
It’s nice to see people that still take an interest in the great days of movies and theatres.
Neal Stolberg
John Tarantino —
How can I get a hold of you?
Neal
John Tarantino —
How can I get a hold of you?
Neal
John Tarantino —
How can I get a hold of you?
Neal
The Sherman Oaks Twin opened in 1975. In 1984 the theatre was shut down for 90 days for an extensive remodel. The THX was added to the auditoriums at that time, platters replaced the changeover system, and 70 MM was added in Cinema #1. The theatre always offered the best sound system in the area.
Each auditorium had 476 seats. The remodeled theatre was designed by a gentlemean named Bob Luchetti.
My understanding is that the site is going to now be a BEST BUY store.
The triplex opened in March of 1977 and was in operation until the Northridge Earthquake; as already stated by Bill.
Because of the location of complex, it was frequented by many actors and industry people.
The Sherman Oaks Twin opened in 1975. In 1984 the theatre was shut down for 90 days for an extensive remodel. The THX was added to the auditoriums at that time, platters replaced the changeover system, and 70 MM was added in Cinema #1. The theatre always offered the best sound system in the area.
Each auditorium had 476 seats. The remodeled theatre was designed by a gentlemean named Bob Luchetti.
My understanding is that the site is going to now be a BEST BUY store.
The triplex opened in March of 1977 and was in operation until the Northridge Earthquake; as already stated by Bill.
Because of the location of complex, it was frequented by many actors and industry people.