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Forty five years ago, this evening, a sell out audience welcomed Santa Ana’s “ultra modern and luxurious” United Artists Theatre on to the Orange County cinema scene. The VIP grand opening festivities included a pre release screening of the John Wayne picture “In Harms Way” and a star studded reception, which featured the likes of Maureen O’Hara in attendance. Amid […]

During my visit to the Studio of the Theatres open house, I was made aware that many people aren’t familiar with the transformation downtown Santa Ana has undergone over the past twenty years or so. “I never knew this was here” seemed to be a common statement at the event. Unfortunately, far too many people retain images of […]

Theatre structures have regularly posed a dilemma for property owners. While serving as potentially lucrative tenants and offering up considerable consumer drawing power, there is often a problematic issue once a theatre has run it’s coarse as a viable business. After movie goers have moved on, the property owner is left with a “white elephant”; […]

This coming week marks the anniversaries of two county drive-ins; the 55th, for Westminster’s Hi-Way 39 Drive-In, and the 50th for Santa Ana’s Harbor Drive-In. Both were opened by Pacific Theatres, on June 29th, but separated by five years (Hi-Way 39 in 1955 and the Harbor in 1960).  As with their county peers, each is now long gone and redeveloped; the […]

This month marked the forty fifth anniversary of a south county theatre which barely managed to leave a discernible mark on local cinema history during it’s brief fifteen year run.   The Niguel Theatre opened on June 9, 1965, as an anchor for the Monarch Bay Plaza commercial development, in the, then new, planned community of Laguna Niguel. Standing between the borders of […]

Yet another chapter is about to be written in the Miramar Theatre’s troubled afterlife. San Clemente developer, LAB Holdings, recently announced that they are in the process of purchasing the long dormant theatre and neighboring bowling allley. According to LAB Holdings co-owner, Shaheen Sadeghi, the group plans to restore the site for use as an […]

In light of the news that Newport’s Island 7 Cinema could be upgraded soon, I decided to check in on Corona Del Mar’s Port Theatre and see where the drawn out project stood. Over two years in to the Port Theatre’s renovation and the exterior has undergone a dramatic transformation. While maintaining the Port’s classic […]

Edwards Island 7 Cinemas, located in Newport Beach’s Fashion Island shopping center, could be recieving a luxury upgrade soon.   This past week, I spoke with an individual who works for the Irvine Company (owners of Fashion Island) and he mentioned that they are currently in the planning stages for a significant remodel/upgrade to the center’s  theatre. […]

This past week saw time catch up with a new generation of cinemas, as two forebearers of the megaplex era reached their proverbial end credits. First, AMC announced that they won’t be renewing their lease on the Grand 24, in Dallas, Texas. Then, Los Angeles’ Beverly Center 13 closed it’s doors to make way for […]

In conjunction with the Fox Fullerton’s 85th anniversary celebration, the Fox Historic Theatre Foundation has announced that phase one of the property’s renovation will begin this fall. The $6 million project will focus on the complex’s exterior and refurbishment of adjoining commercial spaces. Work on the theatre is being scheduled for a later phase, as […]