cinelog.org

  The Disneyland area of Anaheim has long been an entertainment focal point, yet cinemas have always struggled to find a niche within this Mecca for recreational spending. Since 1955, over 500 million people have been drawn to the Magic Kingdom, supporting a dense network of hotels, motels, restaurants, and assorted retail establishments that encircle the resort. […]

Thirty five years ago, General Cinema’s Saddleback 1-2-3 opened as South Orange County’s “hottest” entertainment destination, in a highly popular shopping plaza, that was the 70’s equivalent of the Irvine Spectrum. Yet, by the turn of the millennium, the theatre was a shunned entertainment relic, in a mostly vacant center, which was heading for demolition and redevelopment. . […]

  The theatre industry has long been rather “creative” with it’s own history; especially when it comes to who was first to reach a specific milestone. Be it the result of exhibitors attempting to “one up” each other or simply classic showmanship, there are usually numerous parties holding claim to the same industry breakthrough. One such multi storied […]

Considering the day’s news, I thought we’d take a quick look at Michael Jackson’s place in the history of Orange County cinema, via “Captain EO”, at Disneyland’s Magic Eye Theater. .   Opened in the Spring of 1984, the Magic Eye Theater was designed as a multimedia cinematic attraction in Tomorrowland. Located near “Space Mountain”, the theater had an […]

This past weekend marked the twentieth anniversary of the Rancho Niguel 8, in Laguna Niguel. Built with spacious, THX certified, auditoriums and a host of higher end amenities, the theatre was a dramatic departure from Mann’s tradition of more budget conscious multiplexes; this upgrade in quality was likely reflective of Mann Theatres having changed ownership […]

Ninety three years ago, Anaheim’s Grand Theatre opened to great fanfare, with a sold out showing of “Romona”, that was eagerly attended by the county’s top dignitaries and VIPs. Being one of the first Orange County theatres built outside of Santa Ana, the June 12, 1916 opening was a source of great pride for the city of Anaheim. Yet, the Grand’s prestigious start was a far cry […]

  Today’s photo depicts a unique lobby amenity that was once a signature feature of the, now defunct, General Cinema Corporation. The GCC chain, once one of the biggest names in the exhibition industry, was an early pioneer in the multiplex era and an innovator of many cinema features we currently experience. However, General Cinema’s lobby art galleries […]

Fullerton’s Fox Theatre turns eighty four today (the theatre opened as Chapman’s Alician Court). While the Fox has been closed for roughly twenty two years now, renovation efforts continue and the public will be afforded the rare opportunity to see this grand old palace up close, next month. .   On June 27th, the Fullerton Historic Theatre […]

Yet another anniversary, with Anaheim Hills’ Cinemapolis celebrating twenty years of operation. These days, the theatre is independently owned and known as “Cinema City”, but, back in May of 1989, “Cinemapolis” opened as So Cal Cinemas’ cutting edge flagship venue. .   . The first theatre built in the burgeoning Anaheim Hills area, Cinemapolis was an […]

Today marks the eightieth anniversary of the Orange Theatre opening, in downtown Orange. Started in 1924, the Orange Theatre had a rather turbulent construction process, passing through a series of owners and court battles, that left the building closed and incomplete for nearly five years. Then, in 1929, a former “dirt farmer”, Michael Eltiste, stepped in and managed […]