Yes, with an “er”, because I’m talking about movie theaters. What prompted this was an article in the LA Times about the Graumann’s Chinese Theater being sold… again. Thus, a recollection of some theaters that are no more, and some still hanging on.
The Nuart and Paradise in Westchester. I remember seeing loads of kids movies there when I was young. Both are now professional offices.
The National in Westwood. This was the big brown Whale of a theatre. It’s been torn down, but I remember seeing 2001 there with Karen Pratt (who died far too young), and seeing both Star Wars and Indy Jones there with the UCLA Computer Club.
The UA 4 in Westwood, below Wilshire Blvd. I remember seeing a really obscure movie there, “Another Nice Mess”, which was Nixon and Agnew done as Laurel and Hardy.
The AVCO Cinema Center in Westwood, where I saw Fame, and if I recall correctly, 9 to 5.
The Culver, which is now the Kirk Douglas. My girlfriend of the time (in college days) and I would regularly see horror movies there, and enjoy watching the people yelling “Don’t go into that room” at the screen.
The Paramount on Sunset, where my parents always took me to a movie musical when I was young.
As for the theater that prompted this story, the Graumanns? Sad to say, I’ve never seen a picture there. It now seems so forlorn, surrounded by the Hollywood/Highland center, with the Chinese 6 multiplex taking all of its business, used only for special showing. The footprints are still there, but I think the newest is from the premier of the first Star Trek movie. So it remains a faded star, surrounded by costumed superheros and fake movie stars. Sad.
