I was the Projectionist at this theater for several years during the 80s. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it wasn’t a bad theater, and it did some good business as I remember. The staff was non present because there was a lot of partying in that place! The theater had Cinemechanica projectors, pretty good projectors in my opinion. Cinema 1 had a V-18 tower projector (13,000 ft reel), 2 had two V8 projectors (6 thousand foot reels, changeovers.) Back in the day the only theaters in Santa Monica were the Brentwood Twins, Wilshire Twins and the Aero. Both the Aero and the Brentwood twins were 2nd run, the Wilshire first run.
This was a great theater! I remember this place doing great business too as a revival theater for Landmark! I don’t know why they closed this place, as it was always popular, and for good reason! I loved this place.. Much better than the Nuart in EVERY WAY!
I used to go see movies at this theater in the 70’s.. it was lit with green lights inside.. the lobby and bathrooms were painted black! It wasn’t a showplace by any stretch of the imagination…
but if you compare it to todays tiny box theaters, I much prefer the Meralta! Does anyone have any interior pics of the place??
I worked at this theater as a projectionist for many years when it was General Cinema’s Flagship theater. This was a great theater in the 70’s and 80’s! The Avco had excellent projection and presentation! I was there when they split the big house downstairs.. It was a very sad event for all of us that worked there.. Even sadder still is the condition it is in now.
I worked at this theater in the 70’s for several years as a projectionist. The sound system was just awful! The projection equipment had numerous issues as well. It was fun to operate the carbon arch lamphouses though. We always kept the lights dimmed at the lowest possible setting as the place was so rundown. The curtain was not operational either. I remember we barely kept the place open, it was ‘rarely’ busy. This was before video too! I am sure this theater did nto have 350 seats! The 270 as quoted above is more accurate. If anyone has any questions regarding this theater please ask away. There is no cry room in this theater.
The bacony wa
I was the Projectionist at this theater for several years during the 80s. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it wasn’t a bad theater, and it did some good business as I remember. The staff was non present because there was a lot of partying in that place! The theater had Cinemechanica projectors, pretty good projectors in my opinion. Cinema 1 had a V-18 tower projector (13,000 ft reel), 2 had two V8 projectors (6 thousand foot reels, changeovers.) Back in the day the only theaters in Santa Monica were the Brentwood Twins, Wilshire Twins and the Aero. Both the Aero and the Brentwood twins were 2nd run, the Wilshire first run.
Not sure how they fit a platter in that booth??? I meant to add that there is a balcony, very small.
This was a great theater! I remember this place doing great business too as a revival theater for Landmark! I don’t know why they closed this place, as it was always popular, and for good reason! I loved this place.. Much better than the Nuart in EVERY WAY!
I used to go see movies at this theater in the 70’s.. it was lit with green lights inside.. the lobby and bathrooms were painted black! It wasn’t a showplace by any stretch of the imagination…
but if you compare it to todays tiny box theaters, I much prefer the Meralta! Does anyone have any interior pics of the place??
We had a problem getting the the split theaters certified THX I remember…
I worked at this theater as a projectionist for many years when it was General Cinema’s Flagship theater. This was a great theater in the 70’s and 80’s! The Avco had excellent projection and presentation! I was there when they split the big house downstairs.. It was a very sad event for all of us that worked there.. Even sadder still is the condition it is in now.
I worked at this theater in the 70’s for several years as a projectionist. The sound system was just awful! The projection equipment had numerous issues as well. It was fun to operate the carbon arch lamphouses though. We always kept the lights dimmed at the lowest possible setting as the place was so rundown. The curtain was not operational either. I remember we barely kept the place open, it was ‘rarely’ busy. This was before video too! I am sure this theater did nto have 350 seats! The 270 as quoted above is more accurate. If anyone has any questions regarding this theater please ask away. There is no cry room in this theater.
The bacony wa