Friday, May 13, 2011

Photo-finish Friday: hello, goodbye

 
 As the weeks dwindle down to the last few here in West LA, I’m saying goodbye to another “neighbor.” This is the Crest Theater on Westwood Boulevard. It dates from 1941 and was founded by Frances Seymour Fonda, wife of Henry Fonda. It’s a city landmark, with a bright, glowing façade at night.

Inside, the walls of the auditorium are decorated with beautiful back-lit murals showing a nighttime cityscape of Los Angeles circa 1940. The ceiling, with many tiny lights, does a good job of looking like a sky full of stars – something you never see in LA.

The Crest changed hands last fall for a reported $4 million (not a lot when you consider what celebrities pay for homes in Malibu) and is now owned by Bigfoot Entertainment. The movie currently up on the marquee is one of their features.

I don’t get out to the movies often, but this theater has been a favorite. As a single-screen venue, it’s a real retro experience, and the interior décor evokes nostalgia for a long-gone era of movie-going. Their online photo gallery is definitely worth a visit.

Photo-finish Friday is the bright idea of Leah Utas over at The Goat's Lunch Pail.

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6 comments:

  1. Leah J. UtasMay 13, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Great pic, Ron. I miss one-only movie theatres.

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  2. David BarberMay 13, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    That looks great. One screen cinemas are (sadly) a thing of the past but remembered fondly. I remember getting into an X-rated movie (An American Werewolf in London) when I was 13/14 at a small cinema back in Manchester. Fantastic!!

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  3. Richard ProschMay 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    It's sad what movie theaters (entertainment centers?) have become. I am lucky enough to be old enough to have fond childhood memories --including Saturday afternoon showings!

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  4. Oscar CaseMay 13, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Nice gallery of photos. The theater reminds me of the one in Murray, Utah, where I went to high school in the 40's. It was still standing but unused the last time I saw it.

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  5. sageMay 14, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    I miss those old theaters... in our little town, they divided up the theater so that it now has 4 screens. But it still has an old feel, but not classic.

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  6. Laurie PowersMay 17, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    I'm pretty familiar with Westwood Blvd, but I've never been in this theater. I certainly hope that it sticks around. I'd much rather go to these than the multi-plexes, which are neon nightmares.

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