Whittier Village Cinemas

A news account in 1931 reported that architect David S. Bushnell was preparing plans for a theater, costing $90,000, seating 1,000 and to be leased to a theater chain (United Artists). Because of the depression, according to the Whittier Historical Society, the lease was broken and the owner, Aubrey Wardman, ended up operating the theater with the architect serving as the manager. The Bushnell’s Wardman Theater was opened on March 15, 1932 with Lew Ayers in “All Quiet of the Western Front” plus vaudeville on the stage. In September 1936 it was taken over by Bruen’s Theatres.

In the 1970’s it was operated by Pacific Theatres and by early-1977 it was operated by Pussycat Theatres. The October 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake nearly finished the theatre, but it was reconstructed to the plans of architect David Harper, with the original auditorium divided and more screens added by building an annex, reopening on August 24, 1990.

Its recently added stadium seating rises over the entrance to the old auditorium and the empty space below the risers has been converted to a video game arcade. Because a nearby Regal theatre closed, the independently operated theatre now has no serious competition.

Recent comments (view all 27 comments)

TLSLOEWS on February 18, 2010 at 9:34 pm

Nice looking marquee.

JimMitchell on August 26, 2012 at 5:59 am

In the 1950’s, the Wardman was part of the Bruen’s Whittier Theatres company. Hugh W. Bruen also operated the Whittier and the Roxy, where he kept his office. In about 1953, he built the Sundown Drive-In.

jazzfi on January 22, 2013 at 10:11 pm

even when it showed adult films it still retained it’s marquee and architectural beauty as a single auditorium theater, with the warrior design and the flashing colors in front.. turning it into a six-plex totally ruined it as well as the historical beauty of the entire block..

bellbob1 on August 20, 2014 at 9:30 am

I remember seeing “Rhapsody In Blue” at the old Wardman Theater when it first came out in 1945. My stepfather, who worked for the railroad, had a part-time job of cleaning the Roxy, Wardman and Whittier theaters after closing. I remember many times going to the movies, falling asleep, he would wake me up, I would help him sweep up and then we would go home.

DavidZornig on March 30, 2017 at 8:26 pm

Photo added credit Louis Rico. Apparently this replica of the Whittier marquee is located in the Verizon store on Beverly and Norwalk, Southwest corner. Photo credit Louis Rico.

SteveCarras on July 14, 2018 at 7:29 am

I live in the area, and I go there all the time!

SteveCarras on July 14, 2018 at 7:32 am

MikeCoke on restrooms: You’re right, they were on high level.

dallasmovietheaters on October 23, 2020 at 2:46 pm

The project began as the proposed United Artists Theatre. But upon its launch, it opened as Bushnell’s Wardman Theatre on March 15, 1932 with “All Quiet on the Western Front” supported by a newsreel, a travelogue called “Cross Road” and five acts of vaudeville. Stars at the opening included “Western Front’s” Edmund Breese, Yola D'Avril and Rita Cavalier.

The theatre was tri-plexed becoming an adult theatre. It closed after the Whittier Narrows earthquake of October 1, 1987. However, the theatre was refurbished and relaunched in 1990.

ridethectrain on March 6, 2025 at 7:13 pm

Seating Capacity:

Theatre 1 259 Dolby Atmos

Theatre 2 187

Theatre 3 183

Theatre 4 120

Theatre 5 107

Theatre 6 71

Theatre 7 94

Theatre 8 85

ridethectrain on March 6, 2025 at 7:21 pm

Please update name to Starlight Whittier Village Cinemas