On 6/6/22, citing mounting maintenance/safety issues and “little historical value”, the West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to raze the existing structure and replace it with a new playhouse. A committee is being formed to select the new design and a $6.5 million budget cap for the project has been set.
Opened by Starplex Cinemas on November 14, 2003. Starplex founder J.C. Mitchell retired from the company shortly after a merger with Interstate Theatres and primary financial backing changing to J.C.’s brother, Cinemark founder Lee Roy Mitchell, in 2005. Planning to launch a new chain of small town cinemas, J.C. Mitchell and two former Starplex executives purchased the Sulphur Springs theatre around 2008. Rechristened the Trans Texas Theatre, the new venture never grew beyond the Sulphur Springs location and was eventually sold to Bright Star Cinemas in September 2019. Remaining true to its' interrelated ownership history, Bright Star contracts management of the theatre with Showbiz Cinemas (owned by Lee Roy Mitchell’s son/J.C. Mitchell’s nephew Kevin Mitchell).
This was a rather generic late 80’s/early 90’s era AMC, with one odd exception. At some point, someone had decided to decorate the lobby with a sizeable collection of artificial plants. In the mid 90’s, I recall there being rows of plastic potted ivy lining the upper ledges of the lobby.
Yes, the entire structure remains vacant and, as far as I know, is still owned by the Robertson Property Group. The various proposals involving the site never went anywhere and it has been a few years since anything noteworthy has even been suggested. About the only bright side is that the building is well secured and monitored (i.e. there are no issues with break-ins/vandalism/squatters/etc.).
Back when AMC bought Starplex, we were told they planned on eventually conducting a remodel (similar to what they ended up doing with the former Starplex sites in Bakersfield and La Mirada). After taking over the site a full facility survey was conducted and some preliminary plans were created. I remember questioning the awkward positioning of the freestyle soda unit and was told that they wanted to leave room for installing a bar later on (the area currently occupied by video games). I suspect the delay in starting anything was merely the result of timing; the company’s unstable finances, followed by the pandemic, forced them to place such plans on hold and keep the theatre operating as more or less of a placeholder.
Of course, I’ve been out of the AMC Woodbridge loop for a few years now and their plans may have changed. However, being that they signed a new lease recently, I’d assume the original plans are back on the books. The site’s track record, area’s demographics, and the Irvine Company’s willingness to reinvest/share in construction expenses hold too much potential for them to walk away from (someone else would likely step in if they did).
This past fall the center announced that AMC had renewed their lease and there would be “significant reinvestments to upgrade the experience for guests.” So, they might be starting renovation work.
As 2021 closes out, the five oldest operating cinemas in Orange County are:
Big Newport - Newport Beach 2/11/69
South Coast Village - Santa Ana 12/22/71
West Grove Cinemas - Garden Grove 7/11/75
Woodbridge 5 – Irvine 2/8/80
University 6 – Irvine 6/29/84
Richard’s earliest newspaper listing appears to have begun on January 7, 1971. A group ad, promoting “Now 4 Theatres With The Newest Frisco Films” and memberships being available; Richard’s is listed with the Los Angeles area Cine 1 and Flick, and North Hollywood’s Sahara.
It looks like the end may have come for the Brea Plaza 5. The theatre has been dropped from Tristone Cinemas' website and is no longer listed among the property’s tenants on the BOSC Realty website. This past August the Orange County Register ran a piece on plans being submitted for a new apartment/hotel/office complex on the site.
The Pig N Whistle, which occupied one of the Egyptian’s retail spaces, was recently remodeled into a Mr. Tempo Cantina. While the unit has seen remodels and tenant changes before, this latest incarnation of the Pig N Whistle had meticulously recreated the venue’s historic 1920’s look. Unfortunately, that history was unceremoniously cast off and replaced with a “hip” modern style for the cantina remodel.
The other retail units at the Egyptian (most recently occupied by a juice bar) remain vacant and boarded up.
The marijuana lounge closed sometime before the 2020 pandemic. After sitting vacant for a year or so, there has recently (10/21) been some remodel activity at the theatre. The facade has been resurfaced and looks to be awaiting new paint. While the digital marquee continues to advertise local businesses, the windows are papered over and all of the branding has been removed (including the large Hologram USA sign).
The Cave is featured in the 1984 movie “Angel”. In addition to showing the exterior, two scenes take place inside; when the killer attempts to hide among seated patrons/is confronted by the manager and in a follow-up scene when he is discovered by police/flees. The giveaway that they actually shot the scenes inside the Cave is a faux stalactite visible to the left of the screen, framing an exit door, when they briefly flash to the movie being played (the 1983 adult film “Sweet Alice”). At the time of filming, the auditorium looked to be small (under 100 seats) and had a red/black color scheme. The exterior entrance was wood paneled, with slats arranged in a diagonal pattern, and the carpeting was brown.
Ed Collins: It was likely a misunderstanding from the Scientology Test Center occupancy. I recall them having L. Ron Hubbard/Scientology books displayed in the windows, in the sort of fashion which could easily be mistaken for a bookstore when driving by.
JackCoursey: Circa 2009 I was friends with one of the managers Regency had at the theatre and attempted to get some interior shots one day before opening. Unfortunately, mine also came out poorly. The auditoriums were far too dark (even with the lights up), the projection booth was so small (dominated by a shared projection platter) that it was impossible to obtain a decent angle, and the original stage area was behind a padlocked door. If there are any interior photos out there, I would speculate they are either pre twinning or from the current remodel project, as it was a very difficult venue to photograph in its' latter years as a cinema.
Being 2007, that would have been during Starplex’s operation of the theatre. Starplex “upgraded” the seating at a few of their subrun venues around that time; switching out inherited fixtures for Seating Concepts' economy line of theatre seats. In the case of Gateway, the installation contractor accidentally left the replacement seating shipment out in the rain, resulting in an expensive reorder and a falling out with the contractor (that was the last contract Starplex gave them).
In hindsight, this theatre was little more than a run of the mill 80’s era multiplex, attached to an equally average mall. However, when it opened, everyone was thoroughly impressed and it became the defacto movie going destination of choice overnight. The area’s classic single screens were all long closed by then, having ended their runs in extreme disrepair and subpar service/bookings; the cinema center multiplex was never exactly a first rate operation, just the only local option. So, I suppose almost anything would seem impressive to the market at that time. None the less, this theatre had the latest in sound & projection, new seating (which was drastically better than the cinema center), big chain booking power, and standardized corporate operations quality (as opposed to the somewhat amateur operations everyone had been accustomed to). Add the new mall on to that and it felt like a big deal. Of course, with the mall having gone into decline/closed and the theatre never having been significantly remodeled to keep up with the times, this cinema’s glory days are long passed now.
While omitted from news reports, the property is still owned by the Gilmore family (historic site of the Gilmore farm, Gilmore Oil, Gilmore field, Gilmore Drive In, etc.). Caruso developed/manages the center, AMC leases the theatre from Caruso, and the Gilmores lease the land to Caruso.
I remember this theatre being problematic for Starplex. The project was initiated as part of Starplex’s move into higher end new builds (as opposed to the more budget conscious acquisitions and builds they had focused on previously) and there were lofty expectations for the site. Unfortunately, construction was halted mid build, due to some issues with the company developing the property, and the complex sat incomplete for an extended period. By the time the theatre was finally completed, Starplex had sunk a lot of money and effort into the project. The headaches continued, as there remained issues with the development company not fulfilling a few items and some of the individuals initially put in place there allegedly weren’t up to the task at hand. Corporate repeatedly sent people out to the theatre for training and operations tweaks, but the site never lived up to the company’s expectations.
The Vineland was also part of Decurion’s “Pacific Swap Meets” division. As all three swap meet locations and their associated websites remain in business/operational, perhaps that division was spun off as an operation separate from the bankruptcy or taken over by a new management company.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Monrovia, Redlands, Downey, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Downey, Redlands, Monrovia, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Glendale, Redlands, Monrovia, and Downey Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Redlands, Monrovia, Downey, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
This theatre was typical of most Krikorian projects from the late 90’s through the mid 2000’s. The company came on board a city/property “revitalization” project, made a lot of grand claims about what they were going to do & how successful it was going to be, and received early acclaim from civic leaders. Then, reality set in. The promoted features either didn’t live up to their billing or weren’t finished at all. Attendance failed to even approach expectations. Accusations and finger-pointing, regarding unfulfilled promises/work/results, occurred between the company and landlords/vendors/city officials. Monrovia, Downey, Buena Park, Vista, Pico Rivera, etc. It was the same story over and over again; nothing ever seemed to work out as everyone had hoped. That’s not to say any of the theatres or development projects were bad, just that they never lived up to the hype.
On 6/6/22, citing mounting maintenance/safety issues and “little historical value”, the West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to raze the existing structure and replace it with a new playhouse. A committee is being formed to select the new design and a $6.5 million budget cap for the project has been set.
Opened by Starplex Cinemas on November 14, 2003. Starplex founder J.C. Mitchell retired from the company shortly after a merger with Interstate Theatres and primary financial backing changing to J.C.’s brother, Cinemark founder Lee Roy Mitchell, in 2005. Planning to launch a new chain of small town cinemas, J.C. Mitchell and two former Starplex executives purchased the Sulphur Springs theatre around 2008. Rechristened the Trans Texas Theatre, the new venture never grew beyond the Sulphur Springs location and was eventually sold to Bright Star Cinemas in September 2019. Remaining true to its' interrelated ownership history, Bright Star contracts management of the theatre with Showbiz Cinemas (owned by Lee Roy Mitchell’s son/J.C. Mitchell’s nephew Kevin Mitchell).
This was a rather generic late 80’s/early 90’s era AMC, with one odd exception. At some point, someone had decided to decorate the lobby with a sizeable collection of artificial plants. In the mid 90’s, I recall there being rows of plastic potted ivy lining the upper ledges of the lobby.
Yes, the entire structure remains vacant and, as far as I know, is still owned by the Robertson Property Group. The various proposals involving the site never went anywhere and it has been a few years since anything noteworthy has even been suggested. About the only bright side is that the building is well secured and monitored (i.e. there are no issues with break-ins/vandalism/squatters/etc.).
Back when AMC bought Starplex, we were told they planned on eventually conducting a remodel (similar to what they ended up doing with the former Starplex sites in Bakersfield and La Mirada). After taking over the site a full facility survey was conducted and some preliminary plans were created. I remember questioning the awkward positioning of the freestyle soda unit and was told that they wanted to leave room for installing a bar later on (the area currently occupied by video games). I suspect the delay in starting anything was merely the result of timing; the company’s unstable finances, followed by the pandemic, forced them to place such plans on hold and keep the theatre operating as more or less of a placeholder.
Of course, I’ve been out of the AMC Woodbridge loop for a few years now and their plans may have changed. However, being that they signed a new lease recently, I’d assume the original plans are back on the books. The site’s track record, area’s demographics, and the Irvine Company’s willingness to reinvest/share in construction expenses hold too much potential for them to walk away from (someone else would likely step in if they did).
This past fall the center announced that AMC had renewed their lease and there would be “significant reinvestments to upgrade the experience for guests.” So, they might be starting renovation work.
As 2021 closes out, the five oldest operating cinemas in Orange County are:
Big Newport - Newport Beach 2/11/69 South Coast Village - Santa Ana 12/22/71 West Grove Cinemas - Garden Grove 7/11/75 Woodbridge 5 – Irvine 2/8/80 University 6 – Irvine 6/29/84
Richard’s earliest newspaper listing appears to have begun on January 7, 1971. A group ad, promoting “Now 4 Theatres With The Newest Frisco Films” and memberships being available; Richard’s is listed with the Los Angeles area Cine 1 and Flick, and North Hollywood’s Sahara.
It looks like the end may have come for the Brea Plaza 5. The theatre has been dropped from Tristone Cinemas' website and is no longer listed among the property’s tenants on the BOSC Realty website. This past August the Orange County Register ran a piece on plans being submitted for a new apartment/hotel/office complex on the site.
The Pig N Whistle, which occupied one of the Egyptian’s retail spaces, was recently remodeled into a Mr. Tempo Cantina. While the unit has seen remodels and tenant changes before, this latest incarnation of the Pig N Whistle had meticulously recreated the venue’s historic 1920’s look. Unfortunately, that history was unceremoniously cast off and replaced with a “hip” modern style for the cantina remodel.
The other retail units at the Egyptian (most recently occupied by a juice bar) remain vacant and boarded up.
The marijuana lounge closed sometime before the 2020 pandemic. After sitting vacant for a year or so, there has recently (10/21) been some remodel activity at the theatre. The facade has been resurfaced and looks to be awaiting new paint. While the digital marquee continues to advertise local businesses, the windows are papered over and all of the branding has been removed (including the large Hologram USA sign).
The Cave is featured in the 1984 movie “Angel”. In addition to showing the exterior, two scenes take place inside; when the killer attempts to hide among seated patrons/is confronted by the manager and in a follow-up scene when he is discovered by police/flees. The giveaway that they actually shot the scenes inside the Cave is a faux stalactite visible to the left of the screen, framing an exit door, when they briefly flash to the movie being played (the 1983 adult film “Sweet Alice”). At the time of filming, the auditorium looked to be small (under 100 seats) and had a red/black color scheme. The exterior entrance was wood paneled, with slats arranged in a diagonal pattern, and the carpeting was brown.
Prior to its' cinema conversion, the building served as a market and later a liquor store.
Ed Collins: It was likely a misunderstanding from the Scientology Test Center occupancy. I recall them having L. Ron Hubbard/Scientology books displayed in the windows, in the sort of fashion which could easily be mistaken for a bookstore when driving by.
JackCoursey: Circa 2009 I was friends with one of the managers Regency had at the theatre and attempted to get some interior shots one day before opening. Unfortunately, mine also came out poorly. The auditoriums were far too dark (even with the lights up), the projection booth was so small (dominated by a shared projection platter) that it was impossible to obtain a decent angle, and the original stage area was behind a padlocked door. If there are any interior photos out there, I would speculate they are either pre twinning or from the current remodel project, as it was a very difficult venue to photograph in its' latter years as a cinema.
Being 2007, that would have been during Starplex’s operation of the theatre. Starplex “upgraded” the seating at a few of their subrun venues around that time; switching out inherited fixtures for Seating Concepts' economy line of theatre seats. In the case of Gateway, the installation contractor accidentally left the replacement seating shipment out in the rain, resulting in an expensive reorder and a falling out with the contractor (that was the last contract Starplex gave them).
In hindsight, this theatre was little more than a run of the mill 80’s era multiplex, attached to an equally average mall. However, when it opened, everyone was thoroughly impressed and it became the defacto movie going destination of choice overnight. The area’s classic single screens were all long closed by then, having ended their runs in extreme disrepair and subpar service/bookings; the cinema center multiplex was never exactly a first rate operation, just the only local option. So, I suppose almost anything would seem impressive to the market at that time. None the less, this theatre had the latest in sound & projection, new seating (which was drastically better than the cinema center), big chain booking power, and standardized corporate operations quality (as opposed to the somewhat amateur operations everyone had been accustomed to). Add the new mall on to that and it felt like a big deal. Of course, with the mall having gone into decline/closed and the theatre never having been significantly remodeled to keep up with the times, this cinema’s glory days are long passed now.
While omitted from news reports, the property is still owned by the Gilmore family (historic site of the Gilmore farm, Gilmore Oil, Gilmore field, Gilmore Drive In, etc.). Caruso developed/manages the center, AMC leases the theatre from Caruso, and the Gilmores lease the land to Caruso.
I remember this theatre being problematic for Starplex. The project was initiated as part of Starplex’s move into higher end new builds (as opposed to the more budget conscious acquisitions and builds they had focused on previously) and there were lofty expectations for the site. Unfortunately, construction was halted mid build, due to some issues with the company developing the property, and the complex sat incomplete for an extended period. By the time the theatre was finally completed, Starplex had sunk a lot of money and effort into the project. The headaches continued, as there remained issues with the development company not fulfilling a few items and some of the individuals initially put in place there allegedly weren’t up to the task at hand. Corporate repeatedly sent people out to the theatre for training and operations tweaks, but the site never lived up to the company’s expectations.
The Vineland was also part of Decurion’s “Pacific Swap Meets” division. As all three swap meet locations and their associated websites remain in business/operational, perhaps that division was spun off as an operation separate from the bankruptcy or taken over by a new management company.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Monrovia, Redlands, Downey, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Downey, Redlands, Monrovia, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Glendale, Redlands, Monrovia, and Downey Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
A Texas based dine-in cinema chain called Look Cinemas has the former Redlands, Monrovia, Downey, and Glendale Studio Movie Grill sites listed as coming soon on their website.
This theatre was typical of most Krikorian projects from the late 90’s through the mid 2000’s. The company came on board a city/property “revitalization” project, made a lot of grand claims about what they were going to do & how successful it was going to be, and received early acclaim from civic leaders. Then, reality set in. The promoted features either didn’t live up to their billing or weren’t finished at all. Attendance failed to even approach expectations. Accusations and finger-pointing, regarding unfulfilled promises/work/results, occurred between the company and landlords/vendors/city officials. Monrovia, Downey, Buena Park, Vista, Pico Rivera, etc. It was the same story over and over again; nothing ever seemed to work out as everyone had hoped. That’s not to say any of the theatres or development projects were bad, just that they never lived up to the hype.