Regent Showcase Theater

614 N. La Brea Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90036

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, Laemmle Theatres, Regent Theatres

Architects: Clifford A. Balch, David K. Mesbur

Functions: Church

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Gordon Theater, Showcase Cinema, ARC Theater

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 818.761.0661

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

ARC Theater

The Gordon Theater opened February 9, 1938 with Irene Dunne & Cary Grant in “The Awful Truth”. With its 899 seats, all on a single floor, it was designed by architect Clifford A. Balch for operator David Gordon. The murals on the auditorium walls were by interior designer Anthony Heinsbergen.

In 1985, it was renovated with the designs of architect David K. Mesbur, who won awards for his work on the theatre. Cineplex Odeon reopened it as the Showcase Cinema on October 11, 1985, with the movie “Colonal Redl”. Loew’s Cineplex stopped running the Showcase Cinema on January 13, 200o. It was taken over by Laemmle Theatres on May 26, 2000 and was renamed Regent Showcase Theater.

Sadly, the Regent Showcase Theater was closed on 29th May 2008 with the Yung Chang film “Up the Yangtze”. However, it soon re-opened and continued as an independent art house cinema until closing again in May 2009.

In 2013 it became part of the Artists Resource Center and was used as a church, renamed ARC Theater. The church moved out of the building in December 2015. By September 2016 another church was occupying the building and by 2023 it was available to be used for film shoots.

Contributed by Ray Martinez, Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 65 comments)

CStefanic
CStefanic on May 18, 2016 at 11:05 am

The listing now states that the Church has moved out of the building. What’s going on with it now?

rivest266
rivest266 on August 7, 2016 at 7:58 am

February 9th, 1938 and October 11, 1985 grand opening ads in the photo section.

Cineplex Odeon bought out many single-screen theatres in the 1980’s in Canada and named them Showcase.

ridgeley
ridgeley on September 5, 2016 at 5:58 pm

CStefanic – I was past the theater this morning, and it’s being used by something called One Church International. At least nobody’s knocked it down, nor suggested it, as far as I know.

CStefanic
CStefanic on September 8, 2016 at 9:05 am

That’s good to know. I drive by it often – and the fact that it still stands is reassuring.

Navan
Navan on September 7, 2017 at 4:55 pm

Judging by the age and art deco interior, I would “hope” this is a landmark that can’t be torn down. Then again, this is L.A. I used to go here off and on from 1969 – 1983. Classic old theater. Hope it becomes one again.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 4, 2018 at 4:54 pm

1956 photo as the Gordon Theater added via Mark MacDougal‎. The current Regent Showcase marquee appears to be the same, although updated.

CStefanic
CStefanic on October 1, 2023 at 5:06 pm

Does any body know how long the new cult, excuse me, ‘church’ has a lease on the Showcase for? Or who I might be able to speak to about this?

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on October 2, 2023 at 1:43 am

The property is being handled by The Location Portal (thelocationportal.com) for film shoots. So, you could try contacting them for information.

ridethectrain
ridethectrain on October 2, 2023 at 8:29 am

Please update, on May 26, 2000 Laemmle Theatres took over theatre from Loews Cineplex which cease control on January 13, 2000. That when it was renamed Regent Shoawcase Thatre

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