Update: The renovated theater reopened in 2021. Operated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts the theater hosts frequent theater, music and film events.
Update: 168 is incorrect number of total seats when you check the Landmark ticketing system. The correct number is 193 seats and just confirmed this number with theater manager (Aug 2023). A sign in the lobby lists max occupancy as 245, but that would be inclusive of guests in wheelchairs etc.
In conjunction with the recent Frieze art fair in LA, global art gallery Perrotin announced that they will open their first gallery in LA in the old cinema. As a teaser they presented a film from Danish filmmaker Jesper Just on a video wall. They plan to make one sheet posters for each art show to display in the theater’s original poster boxes.
Gene Stavis told me the revised seating was going to be 480 for the main theater and 280 for theater 2. That was last year while they were still under construction.
31 OCT 2008 … JUSTICE: A CROSS THE UNIVERSE (L.A. PREMIERE)
11 Nov 2008 … CHRISTMAS ON MARS: A FANTASTICAL FILM FREAKOUT FEATURING THE FLAMING LIPS (L.A. PREMIERE)
18 Nov 2008 … TIMECRIMES
On August 8th, 2008, The Montalban became the temporary home of Nike Sportswear’s unique retail and special events theatre. As part of this theatre has been cleaned, painted and upgraded. New sound and lighting as well as 35mm film and HD video projection have been installed. A massive 55x26 screen recovered from one of San Diego’s single screen theaters, most likely the Valley Circle, was installed in The Montalban. Artist Geoff McFetridge was commissioned to create large scale murals on the roof and south side of the building and installed a unique wallpaper motif in the second floor mezzanine room.
From a press release: Margarita Cannon, the theater’s creative director explains, “One of the great challenges in having a landmark theatre is reversing the aging process. Nike Sportswear brought in ideas and artists, and now the Montalbán has new life to share with our community.â€
Movies came back to the Montalban in a major way with weekly Cinema Tuesdays series, which features premieres, advance screenings and sneak peeks of innovative films from around the world:
12 Aug 2008 … BEAUTIFUL LOSERS (LA PREMIERE)
19 Aug 2008 … TOKYO OLYMPIAD
26 Aug 2008 … ASSASSINATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT
09 Sep 2008 … SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO
09 Sep 2008 … 3X3: THE WINDRUNNER SHORTS (WORLD PREMIERE)
23 Sep 2008 … MEGUNICA (U.S. PREMIERE)
30 Sep 2008 … ROCKNROLLA
07 Oct 2008 … ASHES OF TIME REDUX
14 Oct 2008 … LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
21 Oct 2008 … SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
28 Oct 2008 … PART OF THE WEEKEND NEVER DIES (U.S. PREMIERE)
I’d like to shoot a current photo (for a then and now) from the same spot, since the Montalban, Broadway Hollywood and Taft buildings are all still standing.
Update: The renovated theater reopened in 2021. Operated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts the theater hosts frequent theater, music and film events.
https://www.facebook.com/METphOfficial/
Update: 168 is incorrect number of total seats when you check the Landmark ticketing system. The correct number is 193 seats and just confirmed this number with theater manager (Aug 2023). A sign in the lobby lists max occupancy as 245, but that would be inclusive of guests in wheelchairs etc.
Now a private events venue going by its original name The Riviera Theatre
In conjunction with the recent Frieze art fair in LA, global art gallery Perrotin announced that they will open their first gallery in LA in the old cinema. As a teaser they presented a film from Danish filmmaker Jesper Just on a video wall. They plan to make one sheet posters for each art show to display in the theater’s original poster boxes.
Now 473 seats after renovation. https://www.writersguildtheater.com/about
As a Dolby Screening Room it now has 70 seats.
Three Theaters:
110, 130, and 225 seats
The theater building is up for sale:
https://www.theeastsiderla.com/neighborhoods/highland_park/highland-parks-last-remaining-movie-house-goes-up-for-sale/article_727ec90e-15c4-11ed-bc54-f3a9443bc7ae.html
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/5600-N-Figueroa-St-Los-Angeles-CA/26235428/
@ridethectrain did a walk-through with theater manager and asked for all capacities. Guessing possible discrepancy could be do to handicap seating?
June 2022 Update: Theater 1 - formerly 390. Currently under renovation to become IMAX. Recliners will reduce capacity.// Theater 2 - formerly 403. Currently under renovation to become Dolby Cinema. Recliners will reduce capacity. // Theater 3 - 296. Will soon be converted to Prime. Recliners will reduce capacity. // Theater 4 - 235 // Theater 5 - 180 // Theater 6 - 180 // Theater 7 - 180 // Theater 8 - 141 // Theater 9 - 140 // Theater 10 -139 // Theater 11 - 139 // Theater 12 - 139 // Theater 13 - 139 // Theater 14 - 282
Cinema Rise closed January 7, 2016
Their website lists all the films they screened and a history of the theaters: http://www.cinemarise.com/
The current auditorium seating capacities as of August 2017 are: Theater 1 – 125; Theater 2 – 63; Theater 3 – 42; Theater 4 – 41; Theater 5 (upstairs) – 29; Theater 6 (upstairs) – 27.
Theater capacities are 92 seats, 60 seats and 28 seats.
Independently owned triplex with one large theater, two smaller theaters. (approx. 245 seats, 75 seats, 70 seats)
The theater has 330 seats since its remodel.
Here’s an aerial view of what is on the roof:
View link
It was built for basketball and soccer.
Gene Stavis told me the revised seating was going to be 480 for the main theater and 280 for theater 2. That was last year while they were still under construction.
31 OCT 2008 … JUSTICE: A CROSS THE UNIVERSE (L.A. PREMIERE)
11 Nov 2008 … CHRISTMAS ON MARS: A FANTASTICAL FILM FREAKOUT FEATURING THE FLAMING LIPS (L.A. PREMIERE)
18 Nov 2008 … TIMECRIMES
Here is that 1930’s photo side-by-side with present day Vine Street (October 2008). Unfortunately the W Hotel construction and billboards obscure the buildings somewhat. My photographer tried her best to get a similar angle.
And no Ken shoe purchase is not required.
Special film screenings have been extended through the end of the year.
On August 8th, 2008, The Montalban became the temporary home of Nike Sportswear’s unique retail and special events theatre. As part of this theatre has been cleaned, painted and upgraded. New sound and lighting as well as 35mm film and HD video projection have been installed. A massive 55x26 screen recovered from one of San Diego’s single screen theaters, most likely the Valley Circle, was installed in The Montalban. Artist Geoff McFetridge was commissioned to create large scale murals on the roof and south side of the building and installed a unique wallpaper motif in the second floor mezzanine room.
From a press release: Margarita Cannon, the theater’s creative director explains, “One of the great challenges in having a landmark theatre is reversing the aging process. Nike Sportswear brought in ideas and artists, and now the Montalbán has new life to share with our community.â€
Movies came back to the Montalban in a major way with weekly Cinema Tuesdays series, which features premieres, advance screenings and sneak peeks of innovative films from around the world:
12 Aug 2008 … BEAUTIFUL LOSERS (LA PREMIERE)
19 Aug 2008 … TOKYO OLYMPIAD
26 Aug 2008 … ASSASSINATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT
09 Sep 2008 … SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO
09 Sep 2008 … 3X3: THE WINDRUNNER SHORTS (WORLD PREMIERE)
23 Sep 2008 … MEGUNICA (U.S. PREMIERE)
30 Sep 2008 … ROCKNROLLA
07 Oct 2008 … ASHES OF TIME REDUX
14 Oct 2008 … LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
21 Oct 2008 … SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
28 Oct 2008 … PART OF THE WEEKEND NEVER DIES (U.S. PREMIERE)
Here is the corrected link to the great photo of the theater as the Studio from the USC archive.
Here is the metadata and description of same photo.
I’d like to shoot a current photo (for a then and now) from the same spot, since the Montalban, Broadway Hollywood and Taft buildings are all still standing.