Walked by today and construction is progressing. The new concessions stand is in and also what looks like a bar. Also it’s got a darker theme with black walls and lobby seating. Still looks like a few months into the new year of 2023 before it’s even close to opening.
The Playhouse 7 theater has been closed for over 3 months now. Landmark said they would reopen “soon.” Walked by the theater the other day(September 30, 2022,) and nothing has been done to the theater, other then striping the theater of all its old signage. I would be surprised if the theater reopened under the Landmark brand before the end of the year.
The New Beverly has been closed for upgrades and renovations since the beginning of 2018. Projected reopening is December 2018. Promising some nice new upgrades without sacrificing the intimate and familiar New Beverly that has been home to me for 38 years, I can only wonder what Tarantino has in mind and is doing to the theater that requires it to be closed for 12 months …
@Berndog. Great post and I, like you, grew up in Monterey Park and rode my Schwinn Stingray to the theater for Saturday matinees and have many fond memories of seeing many great films there in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I wonder what part of Monterey Park you grew up in? I lived over by the Midwick tract, off of West Garvey Ave.
I really hope that QT and Michael Torgan can work something out where the Torgan family has a role in the continued running of the New Beverly. I can understand (and applaud) QT’s desire to want to play a bigger role in the running of the theater by taking over the programming to utilize is massive library of 35 mm and 16 mm films, cartoons, shorts and trailers and his love of “film’ as opposed to DCP. We, who love the New Beverly, owe him a debt of gratitude for helping Sherman financially to keep the doors open and then saving the theater from becoming a Supercuts by purchasing the building. However, the New Beverly is also synonymous with the Torgan Family whose business it has been since 1978, even though they did not physically own the building. Sherman and then Michael ran the business and did all the programing and, since 1980 when I started attending the NB, I’ve been comforted seeing Sherman and then Michael in the Box Office over the years. The Torgan’s built the brand and I felt like a part of their family over the years and, as much as I respect QT, I hope that we don’t lose that. I really hope something can be worked out between the parties.
The Midwood was Woody Allen’s local neighborhood theater. In last night’s American Masters on PBS about Woody, He speaks very fondly of growing up in the neighborhood and all the great films and memories he has of the Midwood. At one point he goes back and stands in front of it seeing what it has become. Very poignant.
The Niguel Theater was located next door to a great burger stand called “Duke’s on the Pacific Coast Highway. Good burgers and fries as I recall. In 1978 I saw "Big Wednesday” at the Niguel. In one of the scenes the William Katt character talks about “surfing Laguna” and a big cry came from the audience in response.
The Alhambra Palace 10, or whatever it was called, has ceased operating and is now closed. The theater is now dark and only a poignant “Thank You Alhambra” is all that remains on the marquee. All that remains is to remove the seats and fixtures, gut the place, and then demolish it. Coming soon: a Los Angeles County administration building on this site. Yet another theater on Main Street in Alhambra – gone – where once there were many. Joining The El Rey, the Capri and the Century and Temple farther east on Las Tunas, now the only theater that survives on Main Street is the Edwards Alhambra Renaissance 14 on the corner of Garfield and Main Street. Saw lots of great movies over the last 45 years at both the Alhambra Palace and also at the old Alhambra and Gold Cinemas before the Palace replaced it when it was destroyed in the Whittier Earthquake in 1987. This theater was a large part of my youth and it will be missed.
What world do you inhabit where “young people” care about single screen theaters? The only thing I observed they care about is texting and checking Facebook on their devices during the film much to the chargin of this 50 year old. Also, if these “young people” want to watch the film and pay the premimum admission price, why do they bring in their “tablets and notebooks” into the theater? Ain’t that what libraries are for? What ever happened to just watching the movie without resorting to compulsive behaviour every 15 minutes? Riddle me that Batman …
Saw it when it was released on July 5th, 1985 at the Monterey Mall Cinemas. Bad time in my life, but this film with it’s appeal lifted me out of my depression for those 2 hours and let me forget, mostly due to the great performance Michael J. Fox gave. Have not seen the sequels though. Now I live in South Pasadena and often walk pass some of the locations used in the film – namely the McFly’s house and Lorraine’s house (and the tree Marty climbs to spy.) Think I’ll watch my copy tonight to celebrate 25 years!
I’ve attended the Conservancy’s “Last Remaining Seats” program every June since 1995. Always a great show and I’ve seem some great programs over the years like when Stanley Kramer came out to be interviewed and introduce his film “Guess Who’s Comiing to Dinner” or when both Mel Brooks and Cloris Leachman were on hand to introduce “Young Frankenstein.” It’s always a great time at the Last Remaining Seats and supports the good work the Los Angeles Conservancy does in helping to save these historic theaters and other buildings in and around Los Angeles. We are very lucky to have these theaters extant when so many have fallen over the years. A big shout out to Clifton’s Cafeteria – another of Los Angeles historical gems! Try their Mac & Cheese – Huell Howser loves it!
One of the last of the single screen theaters in Los Angeles. Small and intimate – a great place to see a film. They do a lot of special programing. Parking though is a real drag; the meters and public lots charge $1 an hour! Ouch! One of my favourite things over the years was to have a meal at the old Dolores' Resturant up the street and then catch a film at the Royal. Sadly, the Dolores is under new owners and they have ruined the place. Bad service, over priced and, worst of all, no toast with their breakfasts! Unexcusable. Stay away from this place.
I need to recind my recommendation for lunch or breakfast, originally posted on September 8, 2009, for Delores' Resturant. Now under new and not better management, I cannot recommend this place for anything. Over priced with bad service and attitude, this is not the Delores Resturant I remember. So, if you are in the neighbourhood to see a film at the Royal or Nuart and you drive pass Delores’s, keep driving.
Does the City of South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce have any information about the current condition of the Rialto Theater? Will the City of South Pasadena fire code violations be rectified allowing future use of the theater? Any contact with the owners? With the proposed City of South Pasadena redevelopment on hold due to the econonmy, does the city have any plans in working with the owners in trying to at least restore the Rialto to some level of use? I ask this because a city that uses this iconic theater as propaganda and symbol used in everything associated with the city including the City of South Pasadena float in the Rose Parade must have some knowledge of what’s going on with it and any plans for future use or restoration. So, how about it South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce – what’s going on with the Rialto?
Will always remember this place as the theater where I saw “This is Spinal Tap” in 1984. Memorable if for that, but the theaters left much to be desired.
Reading a biography of Limerick’s favourite son Richard Harris (and not Frank McCourt as some would argue.) In 1970 Harris released the one film he both directed and starred in – “Bloomfield” – and agreed to have the Savoy Cinema host the special benefit gala premiere. Harris flew in some of the class A celebrities of the era, including Roger Moore, Avengers and Goldfinger star Honor Blackman, Bee Gee Maurice Gibb and his wife Lulu for the event. Once the celebs were seated and the show was about to begin, someone called in a bomb threat to the Williams Street police station and the theater had to be evacuated while the 100 Garda and Special Branch officers searched the theater for the bomb. Harris was, understandably, angry and later said, “I can think of 50 fuckers who made that call, but none of them had anything to do with the IRA or the UVF.” RIP Richard Harris.
Walked by today and construction is progressing. The new concessions stand is in and also what looks like a bar. Also it’s got a darker theme with black walls and lobby seating. Still looks like a few months into the new year of 2023 before it’s even close to opening.
The Playhouse 7 theater has been closed for over 3 months now. Landmark said they would reopen “soon.” Walked by the theater the other day(September 30, 2022,) and nothing has been done to the theater, other then striping the theater of all its old signage. I would be surprised if the theater reopened under the Landmark brand before the end of the year.
The New Beverly has been closed for upgrades and renovations since the beginning of 2018. Projected reopening is December 2018. Promising some nice new upgrades without sacrificing the intimate and familiar New Beverly that has been home to me for 38 years, I can only wonder what Tarantino has in mind and is doing to the theater that requires it to be closed for 12 months …
@Berndog. Great post and I, like you, grew up in Monterey Park and rode my Schwinn Stingray to the theater for Saturday matinees and have many fond memories of seeing many great films there in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I wonder what part of Monterey Park you grew up in? I lived over by the Midwick tract, off of West Garvey Ave.
I really hope that QT and Michael Torgan can work something out where the Torgan family has a role in the continued running of the New Beverly. I can understand (and applaud) QT’s desire to want to play a bigger role in the running of the theater by taking over the programming to utilize is massive library of 35 mm and 16 mm films, cartoons, shorts and trailers and his love of “film’ as opposed to DCP. We, who love the New Beverly, owe him a debt of gratitude for helping Sherman financially to keep the doors open and then saving the theater from becoming a Supercuts by purchasing the building. However, the New Beverly is also synonymous with the Torgan Family whose business it has been since 1978, even though they did not physically own the building. Sherman and then Michael ran the business and did all the programing and, since 1980 when I started attending the NB, I’ve been comforted seeing Sherman and then Michael in the Box Office over the years. The Torgan’s built the brand and I felt like a part of their family over the years and, as much as I respect QT, I hope that we don’t lose that. I really hope something can be worked out between the parties.
The Midwood was Woody Allen’s local neighborhood theater. In last night’s American Masters on PBS about Woody, He speaks very fondly of growing up in the neighborhood and all the great films and memories he has of the Midwood. At one point he goes back and stands in front of it seeing what it has become. Very poignant.
The Niguel Theater was located next door to a great burger stand called “Duke’s on the Pacific Coast Highway. Good burgers and fries as I recall. In 1978 I saw "Big Wednesday” at the Niguel. In one of the scenes the William Katt character talks about “surfing Laguna” and a big cry came from the audience in response.
The Alhambra Palace 10, or whatever it was called, has ceased operating and is now closed. The theater is now dark and only a poignant “Thank You Alhambra” is all that remains on the marquee. All that remains is to remove the seats and fixtures, gut the place, and then demolish it. Coming soon: a Los Angeles County administration building on this site. Yet another theater on Main Street in Alhambra – gone – where once there were many. Joining The El Rey, the Capri and the Century and Temple farther east on Las Tunas, now the only theater that survives on Main Street is the Edwards Alhambra Renaissance 14 on the corner of Garfield and Main Street. Saw lots of great movies over the last 45 years at both the Alhambra Palace and also at the old Alhambra and Gold Cinemas before the Palace replaced it when it was destroyed in the Whittier Earthquake in 1987. This theater was a large part of my youth and it will be missed.
Saw “Big Wednesday” there in May 1978. As surfers, we were all stoked and made the drive out to the Fox for the film. First and only time I was there.
Will always remember sitting in a packed house to see “Das Boot” in 1981. Was a lovely little theater.
Another one bites the dust and sign of the times. Of course, it was never the same after they plexed it.
Well done lads and all thanks to you! Tremendous resource. Keep up the good work!
What world do you inhabit where “young people” care about single screen theaters? The only thing I observed they care about is texting and checking Facebook on their devices during the film much to the chargin of this 50 year old. Also, if these “young people” want to watch the film and pay the premimum admission price, why do they bring in their “tablets and notebooks” into the theater? Ain’t that what libraries are for? What ever happened to just watching the movie without resorting to compulsive behaviour every 15 minutes? Riddle me that Batman …
The new marquee is beautiful!
Saw it when it was released on July 5th, 1985 at the Monterey Mall Cinemas. Bad time in my life, but this film with it’s appeal lifted me out of my depression for those 2 hours and let me forget, mostly due to the great performance Michael J. Fox gave. Have not seen the sequels though. Now I live in South Pasadena and often walk pass some of the locations used in the film – namely the McFly’s house and Lorraine’s house (and the tree Marty climbs to spy.) Think I’ll watch my copy tonight to celebrate 25 years!
I’ve attended the Conservancy’s “Last Remaining Seats” program every June since 1995. Always a great show and I’ve seem some great programs over the years like when Stanley Kramer came out to be interviewed and introduce his film “Guess Who’s Comiing to Dinner” or when both Mel Brooks and Cloris Leachman were on hand to introduce “Young Frankenstein.” It’s always a great time at the Last Remaining Seats and supports the good work the Los Angeles Conservancy does in helping to save these historic theaters and other buildings in and around Los Angeles. We are very lucky to have these theaters extant when so many have fallen over the years. A big shout out to Clifton’s Cafeteria – another of Los Angeles historical gems! Try their Mac & Cheese – Huell Howser loves it!
One of the last of the single screen theaters in Los Angeles. Small and intimate – a great place to see a film. They do a lot of special programing. Parking though is a real drag; the meters and public lots charge $1 an hour! Ouch! One of my favourite things over the years was to have a meal at the old Dolores' Resturant up the street and then catch a film at the Royal. Sadly, the Dolores is under new owners and they have ruined the place. Bad service, over priced and, worst of all, no toast with their breakfasts! Unexcusable. Stay away from this place.
I need to recind my recommendation for lunch or breakfast, originally posted on September 8, 2009, for Delores' Resturant. Now under new and not better management, I cannot recommend this place for anything. Over priced with bad service and attitude, this is not the Delores Resturant I remember. So, if you are in the neighbourhood to see a film at the Royal or Nuart and you drive pass Delores’s, keep driving.
Look for it in John Huston’s 1979 film Wise Blood" which was filmed in Macon.
Shows up in John Huston’s 1979 film “Wise Blood.”
A great little theater. Saw many a good film there including “Animal House” in 1978.
Too bad Costa Mesa is full of fascists now.
Does the City of South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce have any information about the current condition of the Rialto Theater? Will the City of South Pasadena fire code violations be rectified allowing future use of the theater? Any contact with the owners? With the proposed City of South Pasadena redevelopment on hold due to the econonmy, does the city have any plans in working with the owners in trying to at least restore the Rialto to some level of use? I ask this because a city that uses this iconic theater as propaganda and symbol used in everything associated with the city including the City of South Pasadena float in the Rose Parade must have some knowledge of what’s going on with it and any plans for future use or restoration. So, how about it South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce – what’s going on with the Rialto?
Looking Good! Sherman is smiling from above!
Will always remember this place as the theater where I saw “This is Spinal Tap” in 1984. Memorable if for that, but the theaters left much to be desired.
Reading a biography of Limerick’s favourite son Richard Harris (and not Frank McCourt as some would argue.) In 1970 Harris released the one film he both directed and starred in – “Bloomfield” – and agreed to have the Savoy Cinema host the special benefit gala premiere. Harris flew in some of the class A celebrities of the era, including Roger Moore, Avengers and Goldfinger star Honor Blackman, Bee Gee Maurice Gibb and his wife Lulu for the event. Once the celebs were seated and the show was about to begin, someone called in a bomb threat to the Williams Street police station and the theater had to be evacuated while the 100 Garda and Special Branch officers searched the theater for the bomb. Harris was, understandably, angry and later said, “I can think of 50 fuckers who made that call, but none of them had anything to do with the IRA or the UVF.” RIP Richard Harris.