Centinela Drive-In
5700 W. Centinela Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90045
5700 W. Centinela Avenue,
Los Angeles,
CA
90045
10 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Aladdin Enterprises, Pacific Theatres
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Pacific Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Centinela Drive-In to the north of Inglewood was opened April 27, 1950, when it was operated by Aladdin Enterprises and the Berman Brothers. On March 8, 1956 it was taken over by Pacific Theatres and renamed Pacific Drive-In. It later returned to its original name and was closed September 26, 1993. It was demolished in 1998. A condominium complex has been built on the site.
It had a functional steel-girder screen with lots of metal work done in the Art Moderne style. The Centinela Drive-In glowed in a vivid electric blue neon across the back of the theatre screen after dark. It was always an enjoyable experience going there.
Contributed by
Donald John Long
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 36 comments)
I lived around the corner from this former D/I from 2007 through the begining of 2010. When it was a D/I, I only went here 3 times: Once in 1990 to see “Darkman” & “Mo Better Blues”, again in 1991 to see “Stone Cold” & “Misery” and lastly in 1993 to see a triple bill of “Meteor Man”, “Poetic Justice” & “In The Line of Fire”. It was at that last visit that Pacific handed out flyers announcing the closing of this and the Studio D/I’s.
During its last years operating, Pacific Theatres contract with the projectionists union had them driving between this drive-in and the Studio Drive-in. Yes, the projectionists drove back and forth all evening.
FWIW, the drive would have been only 5-10 minutes.
I know Chris, cause it did it for a few extra shifts.
I think I only went to this drive-in once, back in the 70s. Came out from South Gate to bring a date (who lived closer to this side of town). Still, it was an enjoyable experience. It was famously using by director Michael Mann in his wonderful 1995 L.A. crime saga, Heat, and noted in Movie-locations.com site:
http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/heat.html
“The deserted drive-in, where Van Zant’s men set up a double cross, was the Centinela Drive-In, which stood at 5700 West Centinela Avenue, Inglewood, before being demolished and replaced by apartments.”
Demolished in 1998.
Grand opening ad posted.
Historic Aerials -> Definitely gone by 1999.. This drive in was in the 1995 film, HEAT, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer and several more!
Possibly closed with “Striking Distance” and “Mo' Money”.
Now Alessio apartments.
Please update.