cinelog.org

  The first week of May is well known for a series of justice, human rights, and independence celebrations; via the Law Day, May Day, and Cinco de Mayo holidays. Interestingly enough, this week also marks a historic breakthrough in film distribution and the proverbial “beginning of the end” for the Hollywood studio system.   . Prior to the late […]

This weekend marked the twelve year anniversary of one of the more notable passing’s in Orange County cinema history, with the death of Edwards Theatres founder, James Edwards II. On 4/26/97, the ninety year old Edwards was found floating in Newport Bay, having suffered a fatal heart attack.   . In the wake of Mr. Edwards’ […]

San Juan Capistrano is well known for it’s rich historic heritage, that spans over two hundred and thirty years. The city is home to California’s first winery, oldest residential neighborhood, oldest occupied building, famous swallows, and, of course, Mission San Juan Capistrano. However, few know that the area was also the site of the first film shot in Orange County. […]

Cinemas have stirred the entrepreneurial spirit in want-to-be moguls and dreamers since the dawn of commercial film. Be it the perceived excitement and glamour of being involved in the entertainment industry or merely the draw of a potentially lucrative cash cow, countless individuals have looked on theatre ownership as somewhat of a fantasy business venture. While a […]

Prior to the 1920’s, movie going was more of a cool weather pastime, as the stuffy confines of theatre auditoriums didn’t particularly lend themselves to personal comfort during the summer months. With the arrival of hot weather, one was more likely to frequent the park or a ball game than the local cinema, sending box office receipts plummeting. Theatre […]

  This past weekend marked anniversaries for both the beginning and closing chapters to one of the more storied periods in Orange County movie going. On March 13, 1968,  Fox West Coast/National General opened the South Coast Plaza Theatre, marking the theoretical start to Costa Mesa’s “golden era” of movie going. Forty years later, the same week saw the demolition […]

. Mention the name “Yost”, in Orange County, and most will either reference the recently reopened Yost Theatre or the venue’s many years as a Spanish language cinema. Sadly, few know of the theatre’s namesake or his former role as Orange County’s “Mr. Show Business”. .   Born in Pennsylvania, circa 1875, Edward D. Yost entered […]

Today marks the anniversary of Anaheim’s Century 21 theatre closing. This long forgotten cinema was profiled in an earlier post, but I thought a “then & now” look might be in order. Below is an early architectural rendering of the theatre and a recent picture of the site.       Somewhat of a unique indoor […]

  Amid the decades old family legacies and corporate conglomerates, that dominate the Southern California cinema landscape, there exists a somewhat quirky chain that has managed to operate outside theatre industry norms for twenty five years.   Founded in 1984, Krikorian Theatres were inspired in to existence via a father’s movie going frustrations. George Krikorian, a successful real estate developer and thoroughbred racehorse owner, […]

Just as this February marks the fortieth anniversary of Edwards Big Newport, the month is also notable for a less celebratory anniversary, the closing of Orange’s Cinedome Theatres.   Opened in the Spring of 1969, as a twin-plex, Syufy’s (later to be known as Century Theatres) Cinedome was a highly popular county movie going hub for the better […]