Buena Vista Cinema

The Buena Vista Cinema opened April 26, 1972, with “Airport". United General Theatres, the franchiser, planned 1,000 other automated Jerry Lewis-style family theaters across the country.

In 1971 United General’s advertisements appeared in newspapers proclaiming, “Free franchise seminar: How you can own your own United General mini-theatre". A $15,000 investment plus start up cost was required of the franchisees.

The Los Angeles Times noted 200 locations were planned for California. According to the Van Nuys Valley News, 20 locations were planned for the San Fernando Valley as well as Orange County. Known California locations that actually opened were in Fullerton, Northridge, and Oxnard. Other known openings were in Vernon, Connecticut, White Rock and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

According to the Pasadena Star-News, in May 1974 the cinema changed hands and opened with “Deep Throat" and “The Devil In Miss Jones”. The previous owner had moved his family films to the Crest Theatre in Monrovia, which ironically had just ended its days as an X-rated theater.

For the next three years the city of Duarte went through all legal maneuvers to padlock the Buena Vista Cinema. The Star-news reported on February 23, 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to review the case of Duarte vs. the Buena Vista Cinema. The cinema was finally out of the news and advertisements in late-1977.

As for the previously mentioned United General Theatres, its financial, legal problems and demise was chronicled in California newspapers in 1975. The whole story is summed up with one headline from the Los Angeles Times, November 26, 1975: “2 sentenced to prison in $4 million theater scheme".

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