Five Star Cinema
10155 Reseda Boulevard,
Northridge,
CA
91324
10155 Reseda Boulevard,
Northridge,
CA
91324
6 people
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United General Theatres
United General Theatres Sun, Jun 25, 1972 – Page 69 · Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York) · Newspapers.com
The Peppertree 3 Cinema was built for Herb Finkelstein and Fred Kane as an automated mini-theatre franchised with United General Theatres Circuit. United General was a fledgling competitor to the Jerry Lewis Cinema Circuit and others which promised one-button automagic theater operation to operators who may have had no knowledge of running a theater or any other business. It was backed in name by Glenn Ford, Agnes Moorehead and Debbie Reynolds. This was the first of twenty supposedly being built in the Valley and opened July 3, 1973. However, there is little evidence that there were more than five such properties under consideration. The entire chain was gone by 1975.
Grand opening ad posted.
Shane, please contact me about Lori and Cathy. Lori and I were neighbors, close friends, and classmates at Holmes and Monroe. We have another Reunion coming up and Lori and Cathy are listed on our Monroe records as “Reported passed away – not confirmed”. Many of us have fond memories of both of them and would like to get them invited to future reunions or just get the records straight. I’ve talked to Dennis Jr, but he didn’t have contact with them.
I don’t remember who owned this theater in the early 80’s, but he did play my friend’s father’s movie, “The Secret of Nimh” (my friend’s father was partners with Don Bluth). He lived just on the other side of Devonshire, so this was very convenient. I remember living in Northridge up to ‘02 and got to take my wife to a couple movies here before it closed down. I am not sure, but it may have been a first run theater in the 80’s (someone could clarify). As a second run theater, I do fondly remember seeing “Pulp Fiction” there in '94 before it left the big screen. Back to the 80’s, I remember seeing “Rambo” (the original) and “Brainstorm” maybe even as a double feature.
Shane and/or Dennislivingston. This is Greg Moreland. I lived across the street from your family, I was classmates with Lori and of course new Cathy and Dennis very well also. Our parents were close friends and Stan and Dolores (Mr & Mrs Livingston to me)and I was included like family for my first Las Vegas trip (Lori and I were about 16 -17). I don’t recall any ownership details but I do remember the Americana opening and there is no argument that the Multi-screen theater was Stan’s Idea and he was the manager and a part owner of the Americana. Dennis got his first job as a projectionist there. I would very much appreciate if you could put me in touch with Lori and Cathy or let me know what happened to them. Lori is a missing person on our Class of 72 Alumni list.
Greg Moreland
Actually the Peppertree Theater was owned by Stan, Dolores, Lauren, and Cate Livingston. Dennis Sr. was the Projectionist . I worked their from the beginning up til it was sold. And know the family very well. And knew them better than any of their estranged relatives. Shane, your info is right on! Also, Dennis Sr did not have any part in the sale of ownership. That is a falsity. Please get your facts straight before you print stuff. The theater sold in 1986 when Dolores got sick and they retired to Las Vegas. Dennis Sr was no longer working for them at that time. He was only the Assistant mgr. Not part owner.
Actually Dennis it was Grandpa (Stanley Livingston) who owned it and your Dad who was the projectionist-Assistant Manager he also was the first Projectionist. Dennis Sr. worked their before Grandpa took it over.
When Mr Robert Lippert Sr. passed on November 16,1976 he bequeathed Grandpa ½ ownership of the Americana on Van Nuys Blvd in Panorama City with the other half going to Mr. Robert Lippert Jr. Lippert Jr. Inhereted the rest of the Lippert chain of theaters of 162 In-Door Theaters including 21 Drive-in Theaters.
The Americana was doing so well that Lippert Jr. bought Grandpa out giving him cash and the sole ownership of the Peppetree 3 theater which was only a couple of miles from Grandpas home. With Grandpa and and your dad making the Peppertree one of the best Independent chains around. Grandpa sold the Theater to move to Vegas because Grandma was sick and wanted to retire to Vegas.
I remember going there around ‘89 or '90 when I was attending CSUN and dating a girl who lived in Northridge. She thought I was the ultimate cheapskate for taking her there. Whatever. The announcement on the phone advertised the “real butter” on their “fresh popcorn”…not a great theater by any means and a lot of brats running around on the sticky floors from what I recall.
I saw “Heat” there on March 17, 1997. That’s the one with DeNiro, and Pacino.
The Peppertree was a nice, small triple-plex. No great shakes, but not a bad place to watch a film. When I lived in the area (‘79-'82), the site was anchored by a Ralph’s (not Pretty Good) Grocery, and the Peppertree was flanked, if I recall correctly, by a tiny disco and a health-food store and restaurant that served lots of sandwiches with avocado and alfalfa sprouts on thick, whole-grain bread. The Farrell’s was at the south end of the parking lot.
Zip code was/is 91324
I grew up in Chatsworth and saw many films here in the 70’s/80’s. This was my grandmothers favorite theater because of the prices, she was extremely thrifty. $1 admission suited her just right.
All i remember is alot of small screens with murky image and tinny sound, but a lot of fond memories of the whole area, including Farrell’s ice cream parlor and the “Okinawa Karate” center near-by where i made it to a green belt as a child!
The the last few years of its existence, it became somewhat of an art house. I remember seeing Gods & Monsters and The Wedding Banquet there. In addition, I remember 1 screen was devote to Indian films. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Here is a 1974 newspaper ad:
http://tinyurl.com/yluebj
Peppertree 3 Cinemas opened in the summer of 1973. From 1973 to 1987 it was a union ran movie house. Voted the “best popcorn” in the valley. One of the only family owned movie theatres. Sold in 1987 by Stanley and Dennis Livingston Sr. What a great place!
CORRECTION: SOLD IN 1987
MY NAME IS DENNIS LIVINGSTON II. MY FATHER INHERITED THE PEPPERTREE 3 CINEMAS BY MR. LIPPERT AFTER HE PASSED AWAY. MY GRANDFATHER STANLEY LIVINGSTON WAS IN CHARGE OF THE OPERATIONS AND MY FATHER WAS THE OWNER/PROJECTIONIST. MY FAMILY SOLD THE THEATRE IN 1997 TO RELOCATE TO LAS VEGAS, NV. I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT MEMORIES OF THE PEPERTREE 3 CINEMAS AND I INVITE YOU TO SHARE YOURS WITH ME. IT WAS A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO ENJOY SECOND RUN MOVIES. I AM THE ONLY SURVIVING KIN OF THE LIVINGSTON FAMILY. IF YOU KNEW MY FAMILY AND HAD ANY SPECIAL CONNECTION WITH THEM I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
SINCERLY,
DENNIS LIVINGSTON II email:
I believe the Peppertree/Five Star suffered some damage in the Northridge Quake in 1994 and closed due to that like many businesses in the area. For whatever reason, they simply didn’t re-open.
The theater wasn’t all that great shakes — and it certainly was narrow! — but for the price, even in the early 1990s, it was a good place to catch second-runs.
The Peppertree Theatre was operated by the Robert L. Lippert Theatres chain.