I managed this theatre in 1971 and 72 and was a complete hoot! Being the small fry of the chain, we would get smaller films: “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever”, “Harold and Maude”, “Love Story” and actually got to premiere “The Last Picture Show”. I was amazed how many people demanded a refund because it was black and white.
On occasion we were called upon to help out bigger openings at the “Paramount” (El Capitan) for “The Godfather”, “The Cowboys” and so on, plus further afield at the “Baldwin” in Baldwin Hills for the opening of stinkers like “Cool Breeze”.
The “Academy” was chopped into thirds with the “Holly” taking the middle slice. It wasn’t evenly split and the center of the theatre was off kilter to the left a bit which necessitated putting (I think) five seats on the left side of the aisle and three on the right. There were shops installed on either side. To the left, was a jewelry shop that was regularly held up giving us front row seats to the SWAT team.
But them were the days, at night the sidewalks were a parade of hippies, pot, tourists, Hari Krishnas and old character actors. We were always changing hands and never for the better. During the “Kung-Fu” years, the “Holly” took a dreadful beating, with seats cut up and once the drapes set ablaze. For awhile we tried “Adult Films” like “The Eroticon” and sister theatre “The Century” became a gay house.
Sorry to see this venerable old theatre bite the dust. My first visit was in the mid ‘60s for Fellini’s “Juliet of the Spirits” and returned often. Mr. Federici gave me the poster and I still have it.
I was struck by the arty bits hung on the walls throughout the lobby. It’s was always fun. And let us not forget Milton Kaiser, the guy behind the counter. A charming old guy with plenty of stories about movies and Hollywood. One night he was mugged and savagely beaten. He returned to work sometime thereafter but was never quite the same (sigh).
What a fun theatre. I remember in 1966 driving from Los Angeles to the Fremont Theatre for the sole purpose of seeing Raquel Welch in “One Million Years B.C.” and Martine Beswick in “Prehistoric Women”, months before it they were to play in L.A.
There is an art print of this theatre available at: View link
There was not a weekend in the ‘60s I wasn’t found at the Nubell Theater.
Here was all the “Double Horror Matinees”, the Roger Corman movies and an odd thing called “Crazy Races” which was a filmed race and if the number of the winning – horse, boat or box racer matched the number on the bottom of your popcorn box – you’d win ANOTHER box of popcorn (Yay!)!
At one time you could vote for which movie you wanted to see next on a big board in the lobby.
Growing up in the 50s found me spending much of my time at the Crest Theatre. My uncle, Paul King, was the projectionist and often let me explore the wonders of the booth and snack bar. He also had a band, the Paul King Trio which played at the Riviera Hotel.
I will always remember the lighting under the stairs and the ornate metal work on the walls. In memory, the theater seemed huge and cathedral like. My mother would take me every Wednesday night for “Dinnerware Night” where everyone got a free dish or some such. During some contest, at four years old I won a cowboy shirt(!). Interesting, snaps instead of buttons. Who would have thought?
Back in the days where you would dress-up to go to the movies, I remember seeing “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and many more.
Theaters like this will be missed by us dwindling numbers of baby boomers.
I managed this theatre in 1971 and 72 and was a complete hoot! Being the small fry of the chain, we would get smaller films: “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever”, “Harold and Maude”, “Love Story” and actually got to premiere “The Last Picture Show”. I was amazed how many people demanded a refund because it was black and white.
On occasion we were called upon to help out bigger openings at the “Paramount” (El Capitan) for “The Godfather”, “The Cowboys” and so on, plus further afield at the “Baldwin” in Baldwin Hills for the opening of stinkers like “Cool Breeze”.
The “Academy” was chopped into thirds with the “Holly” taking the middle slice. It wasn’t evenly split and the center of the theatre was off kilter to the left a bit which necessitated putting (I think) five seats on the left side of the aisle and three on the right. There were shops installed on either side. To the left, was a jewelry shop that was regularly held up giving us front row seats to the SWAT team.
But them were the days, at night the sidewalks were a parade of hippies, pot, tourists, Hari Krishnas and old character actors. We were always changing hands and never for the better. During the “Kung-Fu” years, the “Holly” took a dreadful beating, with seats cut up and once the drapes set ablaze. For awhile we tried “Adult Films” like “The Eroticon” and sister theatre “The Century” became a gay house.
The Manager’s office was in the basement.
José the projectionist was from Argentina and ever so clever. He had a television rigged inside of an old speaker box on the wall. By opening the front of the speaker box, the TV would come on. Should anyone open the projection room door, the speaker box would close and TV turn off, thus management never caught him watching TV.
After I left, the theatre had a gala celebration for the 25th Anniversary of “War of the Worlds” and “When Worlds Collide”.
Sorry to see this venerable old theatre bite the dust. My first visit was in the mid ‘60s for Fellini’s “Juliet of the Spirits” and returned often. Mr. Federici gave me the poster and I still have it.
I was struck by the arty bits hung on the walls throughout the lobby. It’s was always fun. And let us not forget Milton Kaiser, the guy behind the counter. A charming old guy with plenty of stories about movies and Hollywood. One night he was mugged and savagely beaten. He returned to work sometime thereafter but was never quite the same (sigh).
What a fun theatre. I remember in 1966 driving from Los Angeles to the Fremont Theatre for the sole purpose of seeing Raquel Welch in “One Million Years B.C.” and Martine Beswick in “Prehistoric Women”, months before it they were to play in L.A.
There is an art print of this theatre available at:
View link
There was not a weekend in the ‘60s I wasn’t found at the Nubell Theater.
Here was all the “Double Horror Matinees”, the Roger Corman movies and an odd thing called “Crazy Races” which was a filmed race and if the number of the winning – horse, boat or box racer matched the number on the bottom of your popcorn box – you’d win ANOTHER box of popcorn (Yay!)!
At one time you could vote for which movie you wanted to see next on a big board in the lobby.
A great family theater.
Growing up in the 50s found me spending much of my time at the Crest Theatre. My uncle, Paul King, was the projectionist and often let me explore the wonders of the booth and snack bar. He also had a band, the Paul King Trio which played at the Riviera Hotel.
I will always remember the lighting under the stairs and the ornate metal work on the walls. In memory, the theater seemed huge and cathedral like. My mother would take me every Wednesday night for “Dinnerware Night” where everyone got a free dish or some such. During some contest, at four years old I won a cowboy shirt(!). Interesting, snaps instead of buttons. Who would have thought?
Back in the days where you would dress-up to go to the movies, I remember seeing “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and many more.
Theaters like this will be missed by us dwindling numbers of baby boomers.