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Considering the looming presidential election, I thought a look at the White House cinema might be appropriate.  Film had a rather inappropriate (by today’s standards) debut at the White House, via the screening of D.W. Griffith’s racially controversial “Birth of a Nation”, in 1915. The film, which depicts extreme racial stereotypes and the Klu Klux Klan […]

At 12:29 PM, on February 8, 1980, Mann’s Woodbridge 5 sat ready to open, as the city of Irvine’s first movie theatre. At 12:30 PM, the theatre opened it’s doors, as Edwards’ latest entry in the Orange County market. A cinema changing operators is normally a matter of little note. Be it a merger, buyout, […]

Today marks yet another cinematic anniversary in Orange County; the closing of the Village Theatre, in Orange, and the demise of “Captain Blood’s Family Theatres”.   For those unfamiliar with the Orange County theatre scene, yes, there really was a small Orange County cinema chain that went by the “Captain Blood’s Family Theatres” moniker (later shortened […]

 This week marks the thirty-ninth anniversary of the world’s first free standing four-plex, the Fashion Square 4, in La Habra, CA. Built by AMC, the venue was an early entry in the company’s emergence as a national powerhouse and a precursor to the “mulit-plex era”. While not having invented the multi-plex (depending on your definition of “multi-plex”, that honor goes to either […]

The 1970’s saw quite a few family friendly theatres and cinema landmarks turn to pornography as a means of financial survival. However, few know that Knott’s Berry Farm’s Independence Hall replica once held a two day adult film “festival”. Yes, the home of world famous fried chicken, fruit preserves, and “America’s first theme park”, was […]

Is it a “theatre” or “theater”? While most could care less and generally utilize “theater”, the subject does raise questions with some. Look the words up in a dictionary and you are likely to find that either is acceptable. Ask someone within more serious/hardcore circles and you are likely to hear some strong opinions on the matter […]

There has long been a certain stigma attached to the “movie theatre hot dog”. For the most part, the jokes and urban legends are completely unwarranted, as there is truly no difference between the hot dogs served in movie theatres and those served by any other concessionaire. The meat sources, brands, preparation methods, and product ages are […]

Every country has it’s own take on movie ratings. However, I find Iceland’s ratings system one of the most unique. Interesting, that there is such a specific age breakdown; 7, 12, 16, and 18. I’m assuming the pictograms are violence, sex, drug use, fright, and language. The meaning of the pictogram with three people is […]

Reflecting on the Buena Park Mall/theatre proved to be rather timely. On Monday, the Krikorian Metroplex 18 fell victim to a rather well planned robbery. According to the Los Angeles Times: A man who robbed a Buena Park theater this week took the time and care to convince his victims that he was a police detective […]

Twenty four years ago today, United Artists opened the Buena Park 8, in the lower level of the, then highly popular, Buena Park Mall. Long since closed and gutted, this venue had a brief “hot” run, but quickly fell victim to the fragile dynamics of mall life cycles. By the mid 90’s the Buena Park […]