While not yet open for a regular schedule, the theater’s restoration is complete and a soft opening “sneak peek” was held on 11/23/24. Additionally, the theater will be hosting a charity fundraiser screening of the 1993 documentary “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie” on 1/29/25.
To fill in a brief history gap. Shortly after the 2004 Cinemark/Interstate acquisition, Interstate was spun off of Cinemark and merged with Starplex Cinemas (circa 2005). Starplex/Interstate later sublet a portion of the complex to an independent party which ran Indian films; the idea being to have half the complex operating as Starplex/Interstate and the other half under the Indian operator. Unfortunately, the already problematic theatre became even more of an issue under this arrangement and Starplex found an out through selling the remaining lease to Big Cinemas in 2009.
Mike Radio: Yeah, I remember that. There was the cinema by itself, with the Universal Amphitheater and Universal Studios down the way a bit (back when Universal was just the studio tour and stunt shows, with the occasional concert at the amphitheater).
The theatre’s opening day LA Times listing consists of little more than eight movie title entries as Movies 8 in the co-op independent block ad. Tell me that doesn’t scream 80’s Cinemark (I actually bet there was a discussion whether they should splurge for the eight lines or not).
The theatre recently reopened as the “Hang On to the Dream Theatre”. It appears the organization is a non profit, operating the theatre as a multi media venue; acting workshops, stage shows, a live audience podcast, open mic comedy, and a weekly independent movie night.
I was told the scenario was pretty much what Scott suspected. Cinemark signed a short term lease, which was tenant friendly, fully aware that the property’s future was in doubt. The redevelopment plans had been in play since the time of Regal’s departure, but not finalized. Had the plans fallen through or changed, Cinemark would have explored extending their lease and investing in the theatre. As the redevelopment plans moved forward, Cinemark exited, in a nothing lost fashion (having gained brand exposure and some revenue on a minimal investment).
The station entrance may not end up affecting the theatre. They are proposing two possible options. Option one would be the southeast corner of Hollywood and Highland, resulting in the current Ripley’s museum and the theatre property being affected. Option two would be the southwest corner, affecting the current souvenir shop and rear parking lot area. Option two would involve less demolition/disruption and afford the use of the large open lot running behind the blvd properties for construction equipment (option two makes far more sense, but civic projects aren’t always driven by common sense).
This theatre should be classified as closed. Cinelounge vacated the location some time ago and removed it from their website (they now operate at 6464 Sunset and a theatre in Tiburon, CA.). While it might be operating for occasional live theater performances, the venue is no longer screening movies.
The 2012 change in operators was due to Starplex departing the ownership structure which had overseen Starplex, ShowBiz, Movie Tavern, and iTZ (i.e. the separation agreement included relinquishing the Kingwood 15 to ShowBiz).
The flickering lights in that video appear to be one of the three line showtime lobby marquees; flashing gibberish because there is no TMS feed. While I’d like to think it’s a sign of some progress in the much anticipated reopening, it’s more likely that a breaker wasn’t turned off after core maintenance or a facility walkthrough.
The Cave Theatre’s lobby, along with the neighboring Howard Johnson’s (now an empty lot), were utilized in the opening segment of the 1979 adult film “Candy Goes to Hollywood”.
A welcome/advisory policy trailer from the Dragon Art Theatre (featuring Don Davison addressing the audience from his desk) is utilized by Something Weird Video for their “Dragon Art Theatre Double Features” vintage adult film series.
The Guinness Museum closed a few months ago and the interior is currently undergoing a significant remodel (looked to be stripped down to the framework). While some listings have it classified as temporarily closed, the owners (same family that runs the Hollywood Wax Museum) have taken down the Guinness Museum website and removed all references to the attraction from their existing website. Whether they are planning to relaunch a new Guinness Museum or looking to create a different attraction is unknown (I believe the family also owns the property).
I’ve seen some semi recent plans that list “cinema”, but as a generic “Retail/Restaurant/Health Club/Cinema” map legend color key; which seems to suggest more of a possible use than concrete plan. Considering the delays, setbacks, and current state of the theatre industry, I wouldn’t be surprised if ICON dropped out of the project (it’s certainly been over a year since they were mentioned as being attached).
Due to the original theatre’s layout they utilized periscope projection for some of the auditoriums (i.e. the image was projected onto a mirror, which reflected to a second mirror, and then to the screen). They had changed to a traditional setup by the time I spent some time at the theatre, but the periscopes remained in a former projection booth that had been converted into a meeting room.
This theatre’s address remains 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue. The 6464 Sunset Blvd location is a different theatre that has its' own page on Cinema Treasures. I.E. the group operating as Cinelounge moved, the theatre didn’t.
On a side note: In 2021 they utilized the adjacent Egyptian/Arena parking lot as the Cinelounge Drive-In (roughly 20 car capacity). Unfortunately, the drive-in operation was relatively short lived and shut down post COVID.
After perpetually postponing an H.R. Giger exhibit, complaints/legal actions over non refunded ticket money, and non payment of rent, the Multicultural Museum ceased operations. According to the landlord, the tenant, who was doing business under “Vogue Multicultural Museum”, abandoned the space and disappeared, owing over $1.2 million. As of 2024, the theatre is now home to the Victory Outreach Third Wave Hollywood church.
On 1/6/24 a fire destroyed a portion of the unfinished retail structures on the property (the cause is still under investigation). While the theatre shell was not affected, I would imagine this will hasten the city’s efforts to have the remaining unfinished structures removed.
The heavily remodeled/repurposed site opened, as the Rivian South Coast, on 12/9/23. While primarily a showcase for Rivian electric vehicles now, they have retained five rows of fixed seating in front of a single screen and stage (the foyer, concession, and twinning has been removed, creating a single “flow through” space); there is also some random couch/stool seating positioned around the displayed vehicles/information desks and pillow seating in the balcony area. A coffee shop is located adjacent to the courtyard, with outdoor seating. Overall, the remodel has resulted in a bright, open planned, retail space, with little remaining from the building’s cinema past.
Something new is developing at the theatre. The box office has been fully restored (had been walled over during the Hologram and lounge years) and there appears to have been some considerable work done inside. A public hearing notice about the building’s future use is posted on the front doors, but it is too far behind the security gate to read.
The theatre should be classified as demolished. Aside from a couple of out buildings, the entire mall property was razed (including the theatre). The ICON theatre will be a new build, located within a completely new development.
The Ace Hotel announced that they will be ceasing operations on 1/31/24 due to “complications” with the property owner. There have been some unofficial reports that the hotel will then look to reopen under a different operator/business model. Fortunately, the theatre is supposed to continue operating, uninterrupted, with new branding.
The theatre opened as a joint venture between Premiere Cinemas and industry veteran R.A. “Skeet” Noret (utilizing the Premiere branding, rather than Noret’s namesake chain). Following “Skeet’s” passing in 2016 the Noret offices closed, so I am unsure if his family has maintained an interest in the theatre or not.
While not yet open for a regular schedule, the theater’s restoration is complete and a soft opening “sneak peek” was held on 11/23/24. Additionally, the theater will be hosting a charity fundraiser screening of the 1993 documentary “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie” on 1/29/25.
To fill in a brief history gap. Shortly after the 2004 Cinemark/Interstate acquisition, Interstate was spun off of Cinemark and merged with Starplex Cinemas (circa 2005). Starplex/Interstate later sublet a portion of the complex to an independent party which ran Indian films; the idea being to have half the complex operating as Starplex/Interstate and the other half under the Indian operator. Unfortunately, the already problematic theatre became even more of an issue under this arrangement and Starplex found an out through selling the remaining lease to Big Cinemas in 2009.
Mike Radio: Yeah, I remember that. There was the cinema by itself, with the Universal Amphitheater and Universal Studios down the way a bit (back when Universal was just the studio tour and stunt shows, with the occasional concert at the amphitheater).
The theatre’s opening day LA Times listing consists of little more than eight movie title entries as Movies 8 in the co-op independent block ad. Tell me that doesn’t scream 80’s Cinemark (I actually bet there was a discussion whether they should splurge for the eight lines or not).
The theatre recently reopened as the “Hang On to the Dream Theatre”. It appears the organization is a non profit, operating the theatre as a multi media venue; acting workshops, stage shows, a live audience podcast, open mic comedy, and a weekly independent movie night.
I was told the scenario was pretty much what Scott suspected. Cinemark signed a short term lease, which was tenant friendly, fully aware that the property’s future was in doubt. The redevelopment plans had been in play since the time of Regal’s departure, but not finalized. Had the plans fallen through or changed, Cinemark would have explored extending their lease and investing in the theatre. As the redevelopment plans moved forward, Cinemark exited, in a nothing lost fashion (having gained brand exposure and some revenue on a minimal investment).
The station entrance may not end up affecting the theatre. They are proposing two possible options. Option one would be the southeast corner of Hollywood and Highland, resulting in the current Ripley’s museum and the theatre property being affected. Option two would be the southwest corner, affecting the current souvenir shop and rear parking lot area. Option two would involve less demolition/disruption and afford the use of the large open lot running behind the blvd properties for construction equipment (option two makes far more sense, but civic projects aren’t always driven by common sense).
This theatre should be classified as closed. Cinelounge vacated the location some time ago and removed it from their website (they now operate at 6464 Sunset and a theatre in Tiburon, CA.). While it might be operating for occasional live theater performances, the venue is no longer screening movies.
The 2012 change in operators was due to Starplex departing the ownership structure which had overseen Starplex, ShowBiz, Movie Tavern, and iTZ (i.e. the separation agreement included relinquishing the Kingwood 15 to ShowBiz).
The flickering lights in that video appear to be one of the three line showtime lobby marquees; flashing gibberish because there is no TMS feed. While I’d like to think it’s a sign of some progress in the much anticipated reopening, it’s more likely that a breaker wasn’t turned off after core maintenance or a facility walkthrough.
The Cave Theatre’s lobby, along with the neighboring Howard Johnson’s (now an empty lot), were utilized in the opening segment of the 1979 adult film “Candy Goes to Hollywood”.
A welcome/advisory policy trailer from the Dragon Art Theatre (featuring Don Davison addressing the audience from his desk) is utilized by Something Weird Video for their “Dragon Art Theatre Double Features” vintage adult film series.
The Guinness Museum closed a few months ago and the interior is currently undergoing a significant remodel (looked to be stripped down to the framework). While some listings have it classified as temporarily closed, the owners (same family that runs the Hollywood Wax Museum) have taken down the Guinness Museum website and removed all references to the attraction from their existing website. Whether they are planning to relaunch a new Guinness Museum or looking to create a different attraction is unknown (I believe the family also owns the property).
I’ve seen some semi recent plans that list “cinema”, but as a generic “Retail/Restaurant/Health Club/Cinema” map legend color key; which seems to suggest more of a possible use than concrete plan. Considering the delays, setbacks, and current state of the theatre industry, I wouldn’t be surprised if ICON dropped out of the project (it’s certainly been over a year since they were mentioned as being attached).
Due to the original theatre’s layout they utilized periscope projection for some of the auditoriums (i.e. the image was projected onto a mirror, which reflected to a second mirror, and then to the screen). They had changed to a traditional setup by the time I spent some time at the theatre, but the periscopes remained in a former projection booth that had been converted into a meeting room.
This theatre’s address remains 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue. The 6464 Sunset Blvd location is a different theatre that has its' own page on Cinema Treasures. I.E. the group operating as Cinelounge moved, the theatre didn’t.
On a side note: In 2021 they utilized the adjacent Egyptian/Arena parking lot as the Cinelounge Drive-In (roughly 20 car capacity). Unfortunately, the drive-in operation was relatively short lived and shut down post COVID.
The theatre closed on 5/29/23 and held a liquidation sale of its' fixtures/equipment.
After perpetually postponing an H.R. Giger exhibit, complaints/legal actions over non refunded ticket money, and non payment of rent, the Multicultural Museum ceased operations. According to the landlord, the tenant, who was doing business under “Vogue Multicultural Museum”, abandoned the space and disappeared, owing over $1.2 million. As of 2024, the theatre is now home to the Victory Outreach Third Wave Hollywood church.
On 1/6/24 a fire destroyed a portion of the unfinished retail structures on the property (the cause is still under investigation). While the theatre shell was not affected, I would imagine this will hasten the city’s efforts to have the remaining unfinished structures removed.
The heavily remodeled/repurposed site opened, as the Rivian South Coast, on 12/9/23. While primarily a showcase for Rivian electric vehicles now, they have retained five rows of fixed seating in front of a single screen and stage (the foyer, concession, and twinning has been removed, creating a single “flow through” space); there is also some random couch/stool seating positioned around the displayed vehicles/information desks and pillow seating in the balcony area. A coffee shop is located adjacent to the courtyard, with outdoor seating. Overall, the remodel has resulted in a bright, open planned, retail space, with little remaining from the building’s cinema past.
Something new is developing at the theatre. The box office has been fully restored (had been walled over during the Hologram and lounge years) and there appears to have been some considerable work done inside. A public hearing notice about the building’s future use is posted on the front doors, but it is too far behind the security gate to read.
The Deja Vu completed a remodel and reopened sometime over the past couple of months.
The theatre should be classified as demolished. Aside from a couple of out buildings, the entire mall property was razed (including the theatre). The ICON theatre will be a new build, located within a completely new development.
The Ace Hotel announced that they will be ceasing operations on 1/31/24 due to “complications” with the property owner. There have been some unofficial reports that the hotel will then look to reopen under a different operator/business model. Fortunately, the theatre is supposed to continue operating, uninterrupted, with new branding.
The theatre opened as a joint venture between Premiere Cinemas and industry veteran R.A. “Skeet” Noret (utilizing the Premiere branding, rather than Noret’s namesake chain). Following “Skeet’s” passing in 2016 the Noret offices closed, so I am unsure if his family has maintained an interest in the theatre or not.