I first saw The Little Prince here when I was 5 back in 75 I believe! Damnation Alley! But most notably I would alternate almost everyday for 3 weeks between The Spy Who Loved Me at The Egyptian and simultaneously Star Wars at the Chinese! Then I remember the big camping out lines for Empire Strikes back! The 3 little screens in the side building I remember Kentucky Fried Movie playing there!
Btw this was the EASIEST theatre to sneak into in it’s day. The exit was at the bottom of a long flight of stairs and you just walked back up those stairs when people were exiting and made a bee line to the bathroom.
ANYONE REMEMBER FIELD OF DREAMS PLAYING HERE? I SAW IT OPENING NIGHT 1989 AND IT WAS A NEAR RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. On the behind the scenes of the Field of Dreams DVD, the director speaks of the first showings at the Westwood Avco and how it was a special experience.
I must be confusing it with the World theatre then. Ironically i am living in the same area, about 2 blocks away and walk past these closed theatres pretty much everyday.
This was one of the best theatres ever! beautiful screens sound, overall quality a real cut above. And it felt fancy. I saw The Matrix there, Born On The Fourth Of July—with Ron Kovic, who the movie was based on actually there. Saw The Green Mile, Apocalypse Now Redux. This really was one of the best theatres, especially the main one.
I used to go here all the time in the 90’s. Make the trip all the way from Hollywood. Most memorable I saw Barton Fink, Reservoir Dogs, Magnolia, I actually used to sneak in sometimes. It was too easy, as the exit doors were at the bottom of a long staircase which you just walk up that staircase like you forgot to validate your parking.
More intriguing about this disgusting theatre was that it was a popular restaurant/nightclub in the 50’s. You can tell by the green tile like walls that clash with the more modern marquee and surroundings.
I first remember seeing Animal House here as an 8 year old. I went home that night and trashed my room, inspired by the film. Later I remember Fame was a big movie playing there. Jesus Christ Superstar. As a kid I used to play in the big lobby outside the bathrooms downstairs—I mean running leaps and somersaults all over that carpet. Saw Thelma and Louise there near it’s closing.
I am confused because my memories of this theatre and the block it was on are from my early, early youth in the 70’s. Anyone else who might know, please comment as I have subscribed to this page. I remember Capricorn One! I was probably 6 years old. Remember I wanted to see North Dallas Fourty but my Mom’s boyfriend adamantly warned me that it was not the fun cartoonish film the poster made it look like. Okay but the earliest memory was, and this is where I get confused if this was in fact at the World theatre or the Hawaiian theatre down a ways towards Bronson—which is what I believe is the spot I saw that crazy obscure horror film called Blue Sunshine! A babysitter took me and it traumatized me for weeks!
I saw a lot of memorable films and had significant experiences at this theatre growing up in the 80’s! Saw Tootsie there, Halloween III I remember and how everyone was confused afterwards as to where the heck was Michael Myers. Remember Elephant Man, Tender Mercies—films my parents dragged us along to see and we were bored to tears. Always seemed to see the John Carpenter movies here: Christine, Starman. Saw prince’s Under The Cherry Moon, sorry but I loved it—1986! Theatre hopped here all the time. Miss this theatre a lot!!!
(cont) Saw Moment By Moment of course—I mean it was Travolta’s new film!! Saw Little Darlings, The Pirate Movie! Random but remember Hercules with Lou Ferigno playing there. Caveman w Ringo Starr, Rocky III, The Rocky Horror they would host on Sat midnight. About Last Night, St. Elmo’s Fire. Remember 2010 w Roy Scheider. Platoon! Tom Hanks and Gleason in Nothing In Common. I truly miss this movie theatre which was ground zero for much of my youth growing up in the valley and the movies which shaped my life.
For some reason it is this theatre that is most vivid in my youth, growing up in the 80s! It certainly wasn’t your vintage, classic looking movie house. It looked very much like a mall theatre, except on large room and a bunch of theatres—mostly small except for the 2 main ones on either far side of the concession counter. I would spend all day there many times, especially during the summer. Saw Every Which Way But Loose in the small theatre to the right of the concession stand. Saw Superman there in the big theatre to the right. The Shining was playing there but my friend and I were too scared to stay in the theatre. How we managed to theatre hop all day is beyond me, there really wasn’t any way to be discreet about it with their lobby set up. Saw Bladerunner and loved it as a 12 year old. Cont: in following comment…
So cool to see comments mentioning the very movies I saw there as well. Morgan Fairchild’s Seduction! Good lord that was a while ago! Most significantly I remember the original Halloween at this theatre in 1978 and I was too chicken to go in and even peek which I regret so much now. I remember seeing Xanadu here, Rollerboogie. Remember Heaven’s Gate playing there, even Howard The Duck coincidentally another bomb. C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man. Saw Can’t Buy Me Love! Jump way ahead to Rocky IV in the later 80’s, what a night of douche bags that audience! Good lord. Lethal Weapon 2… I miss this theatre. Snuck in the back door many times and always theatre hopped—actually got kicked out once, an usher followed me into the theatre as I sat down! Miss the comfortable theatres and seating. I still drive by to this day and never not mention or acknowledge what was once there ;( RIP!
Awww now bittersweet memories as I watch more and more theatres and music/book stores from our youth disappear. The Topanga theatre I first saw Raiders Of the Lost Ark in 1981; back when your parents took you to movies you didn’t even know what they were going to be about. Later remember seeing Popeye, Nightmare On Elm Street, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors. So funny how these movie theatres are like churches or old friends. I am forever fascinated by these lost movie houses. So sad that Tower records across the street is gone as well.
I first saw The Little Prince here when I was 5 back in 75 I believe! Damnation Alley! But most notably I would alternate almost everyday for 3 weeks between The Spy Who Loved Me at The Egyptian and simultaneously Star Wars at the Chinese! Then I remember the big camping out lines for Empire Strikes back! The 3 little screens in the side building I remember Kentucky Fried Movie playing there!
Also I remember seeing capricorn One!
I saw a horror movie here when I was a toddler! Blue Sunshine! 1976!
I saw Phantasm as a kid 1978 there!!!
Btw this was the EASIEST theatre to sneak into in it’s day. The exit was at the bottom of a long flight of stairs and you just walked back up those stairs when people were exiting and made a bee line to the bathroom.
Such memories!! I saw Barton Fink, Reservoir Dogs, Magnolia!! So wild to take the trip to this theatre back in the day.
ANYONE REMEMBER FIELD OF DREAMS PLAYING HERE? I SAW IT OPENING NIGHT 1989 AND IT WAS A NEAR RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. On the behind the scenes of the Field of Dreams DVD, the director speaks of the first showings at the Westwood Avco and how it was a special experience.
Ajtarantex when did you work there?
I must be confusing it with the World theatre then. Ironically i am living in the same area, about 2 blocks away and walk past these closed theatres pretty much everyday.
Good theatre but never has been good sound. I have not been in a few years so I don’t know if this has been fixed.
This was one of the best theatres ever! beautiful screens sound, overall quality a real cut above. And it felt fancy. I saw The Matrix there, Born On The Fourth Of July—with Ron Kovic, who the movie was based on actually there. Saw The Green Mile, Apocalypse Now Redux. This really was one of the best theatres, especially the main one.
I used to go here all the time in the 90’s. Make the trip all the way from Hollywood. Most memorable I saw Barton Fink, Reservoir Dogs, Magnolia, I actually used to sneak in sometimes. It was too easy, as the exit doors were at the bottom of a long staircase which you just walk up that staircase like you forgot to validate your parking.
More intriguing about this disgusting theatre was that it was a popular restaurant/nightclub in the 50’s. You can tell by the green tile like walls that clash with the more modern marquee and surroundings.
I first remember seeing Animal House here as an 8 year old. I went home that night and trashed my room, inspired by the film. Later I remember Fame was a big movie playing there. Jesus Christ Superstar. As a kid I used to play in the big lobby outside the bathrooms downstairs—I mean running leaps and somersaults all over that carpet. Saw Thelma and Louise there near it’s closing.
I swear I saw a film at this exact theatre in 1978! But is says it was closed long before that. I think that’s inaccurate.
I am confused because my memories of this theatre and the block it was on are from my early, early youth in the 70’s. Anyone else who might know, please comment as I have subscribed to this page. I remember Capricorn One! I was probably 6 years old. Remember I wanted to see North Dallas Fourty but my Mom’s boyfriend adamantly warned me that it was not the fun cartoonish film the poster made it look like. Okay but the earliest memory was, and this is where I get confused if this was in fact at the World theatre or the Hawaiian theatre down a ways towards Bronson—which is what I believe is the spot I saw that crazy obscure horror film called Blue Sunshine! A babysitter took me and it traumatized me for weeks!
I saw a lot of memorable films and had significant experiences at this theatre growing up in the 80’s! Saw Tootsie there, Halloween III I remember and how everyone was confused afterwards as to where the heck was Michael Myers. Remember Elephant Man, Tender Mercies—films my parents dragged us along to see and we were bored to tears. Always seemed to see the John Carpenter movies here: Christine, Starman. Saw prince’s Under The Cherry Moon, sorry but I loved it—1986! Theatre hopped here all the time. Miss this theatre a lot!!!
(cont) Saw Moment By Moment of course—I mean it was Travolta’s new film!! Saw Little Darlings, The Pirate Movie! Random but remember Hercules with Lou Ferigno playing there. Caveman w Ringo Starr, Rocky III, The Rocky Horror they would host on Sat midnight. About Last Night, St. Elmo’s Fire. Remember 2010 w Roy Scheider. Platoon! Tom Hanks and Gleason in Nothing In Common. I truly miss this movie theatre which was ground zero for much of my youth growing up in the valley and the movies which shaped my life.
For some reason it is this theatre that is most vivid in my youth, growing up in the 80s! It certainly wasn’t your vintage, classic looking movie house. It looked very much like a mall theatre, except on large room and a bunch of theatres—mostly small except for the 2 main ones on either far side of the concession counter. I would spend all day there many times, especially during the summer. Saw Every Which Way But Loose in the small theatre to the right of the concession stand. Saw Superman there in the big theatre to the right. The Shining was playing there but my friend and I were too scared to stay in the theatre. How we managed to theatre hop all day is beyond me, there really wasn’t any way to be discreet about it with their lobby set up. Saw Bladerunner and loved it as a 12 year old. Cont: in following comment…
So cool to see comments mentioning the very movies I saw there as well. Morgan Fairchild’s Seduction! Good lord that was a while ago! Most significantly I remember the original Halloween at this theatre in 1978 and I was too chicken to go in and even peek which I regret so much now. I remember seeing Xanadu here, Rollerboogie. Remember Heaven’s Gate playing there, even Howard The Duck coincidentally another bomb. C. Thomas Howell in Soul Man. Saw Can’t Buy Me Love! Jump way ahead to Rocky IV in the later 80’s, what a night of douche bags that audience! Good lord. Lethal Weapon 2… I miss this theatre. Snuck in the back door many times and always theatre hopped—actually got kicked out once, an usher followed me into the theatre as I sat down! Miss the comfortable theatres and seating. I still drive by to this day and never not mention or acknowledge what was once there ;( RIP!
Awww now bittersweet memories as I watch more and more theatres and music/book stores from our youth disappear. The Topanga theatre I first saw Raiders Of the Lost Ark in 1981; back when your parents took you to movies you didn’t even know what they were going to be about. Later remember seeing Popeye, Nightmare On Elm Street, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors. So funny how these movie theatres are like churches or old friends. I am forever fascinated by these lost movie houses. So sad that Tower records across the street is gone as well.