You are correct Scott. It was named after the mall property and purchased by Edwards prior to opening (i.e. Mann design/build but never operated by Mann).
I pass by the theatre weekly. Aside from replacing some glass following an attempted break-in, there has been no activity at the site. Unfortunately, the exterior is beginning to look a little worse for wear due to the neglect. While it was listed for a few months following the closure, the property has been “off market” since the spring of 2023.
Back when this theatre was taken over by Movie Tavern and the nearby AMC Hulen 10 became a Starplex both companies were under the same ownership umbrella (Starplex and Movie Tavern even operated out of adjoining office suites at the time).
Harry Fujiwara, better known as 60’s-early 90’s professional wrestler/manager Mr. Fuji, worked as a ticket taker at the theatre during his later years. His former career occasionally caused problems, as some patrons harassed him (still viewing him as his fictitious villain character), but most simply got a kick out of seeing “Mr. Fuji”. He retired after his health began to fail and passed away in 2016.
Back when Starplex first took on the theatre there was a great deal of old paperwork left behind. Among the documents were a series of architectural renderings which depicted the theatre as an eight plex, with an ice cream stand, storage to concession dumbwaiter (storage room is on the second floor), and quite a few misc. extras. As the documents were dated to pre opening (i.e. not a remodel plan), this falls in line with Krikorian’s well established history of having grander plans than what ultimately came to pass.
This theatre is also a short walk from AMC’s corporate headquarters. Surprisingly, the facility remains somewhat of a standard megaplex era theatre, rather than the cutting edge flagship one would expect to be adjacent to their home office.
Back in 2009, the theatre experienced a rather unique after-hours robbery. In addition to emptying the safe, the thief left behind a note which detailed how security inadequacies had allowed him to commit his crime and listed various performance shortcomings by the theatre’s general manager. And, if leaving a written report wasn’t odd enough, the guy actually signed the note (revealing himself as the property’s security guard). Between signing an admission of his crime and “skipping town” with a less than life changing sub $5,000, the thief didn’t manage to stay on the run for long. However, his note did prove to be productive, as Starplex investigated the items in his critique; ultimately resulting in an overhaul of the theatre’s management team. Perhaps, the world’s first operations audit robbery.
CTCrouch
commented about
Fox 4on
Jun 3, 2025 at 7:28 am
Back when I was in college (early 90’s), I remember this theatre looking a bit worse for wear and thinking it was closed several years before it actually shut down; overgrown landscaping, broken exterior fixtures, decaying asphalt parking lot, etc. Then again, there was a general “build it and forget about it” approach to upkeep with a lot of theatres in the area back then.
It’s amazing how often this hole in the wall theatre has popped up as a location in films. “Angel”, “Sweet Alice”, “Candy Goes To Hollywood”, “What Would Your Mother Say”, “Don’t Answer The Phone”, “10 to Midnight”, “Armed & Dangerous”, “Jack’s Back”, “Where The Day Takes You”, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”, “MaXXXine”, W.A.S.P.’s “I Wanna Be Somebody” music video. I’m sure I’ve missed a few with this list too.
On a trivia side note: The Cave’s use in “Angel” is somewhat of a cameo within a cameo, with a shared thread. In “Angel”, there is a scene where a character is watching “Sweet Alice” at the Cave and “Sweet Alice” contains a scene in which a character is watching a film at the Cave (a storyline film starring the namesake Sweet Alice character). So, at one point, a film’s fictional Cave patron would be watching another film’s fictional Cave patron; both ultimately watching films involving the fictional Sweet Alice character.
The theatre will be open for regular business beginning in February (first movie will be “Lincoln” on 2/12). Their website has posted the month’s movie schedule, along with some long term live events. It appears they will be primarily operating on weekends, with one screening per day.
Walking past the theatre this afternoon 1/27/25, I noticed that the exterior “gong” has suffered some visible damage. As I pass the theatre on a daily basis and hadn’t noticed the damage before, I assume this is very recent. Whether this is the result of age/deterioration, an accident, or the recent Santa Ana winds is unclear. Pictures added to the photo section.
The property was purchased by the Sundher family (founders/owners of the Hollywood Wax Museum) in 1991 and is operated under their Kuvera Partners business entity. From what I’ve been able to ascertain, they are remodeling the site into an “Outbreak: Dread The Undead” fright attraction, mirroring the “Outbreak” attractions they run in Tennessee and South Carolina.
In a 2016 interview former Carlos Tobalina associate, William Larraburre, recalled that Tobalina purchased the Mayan after returning from San Francisco with “a bag full of cash”; documentation from the time estimates the purchase price as $300,000. This transaction, along with a series of large all cash real estate acquisitions in the late 60’s/early 70’s drew the attention of the FBI. However, despite creating a 550 page file on Efrain “Carlos” Tobalina, the FBI was never able to establish any direct connection to criminal activity, beyond “unsubstantiated information” and suspicion.
While not yet open for a regular schedule, the theater’s restoration is complete and a soft opening “sneak peek” was held on 11/23/24. Additionally, the theater will be hosting a charity fundraiser screening of the 1993 documentary “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie” on 1/29/25.
To fill in a brief history gap. Shortly after the 2004 Cinemark/Interstate acquisition, Interstate was spun off of Cinemark and merged with Starplex Cinemas (circa 2005). Starplex/Interstate later sublet a portion of the complex to an independent party which ran Indian films; the idea being to have half the complex operating as Starplex/Interstate and the other half under the Indian operator. Unfortunately, the already problematic theatre became even more of an issue under this arrangement and Starplex found an out through selling the remaining lease to Big Cinemas in 2009.
Mike Radio: Yeah, I remember that. There was the cinema by itself, with the Universal Amphitheater and Universal Studios down the way a bit (back when Universal was just the studio tour and stunt shows, with the occasional concert at the amphitheater).
The theatre’s opening day LA Times listing consists of little more than eight movie title entries as Movies 8 in the co-op independent block ad. Tell me that doesn’t scream 80’s Cinemark (I actually bet there was a discussion whether they should splurge for the eight lines or not).
The theatre recently reopened as the “Hang On to the Dream Theatre”. It appears the organization is a non profit, operating the theatre as a multi media venue; acting workshops, stage shows, a live audience podcast, open mic comedy, and a weekly independent movie night.
I was told the scenario was pretty much what Scott suspected. Cinemark signed a short term lease, which was tenant friendly, fully aware that the property’s future was in doubt. The redevelopment plans had been in play since the time of Regal’s departure, but not finalized. Had the plans fallen through or changed, Cinemark would have explored extending their lease and investing in the theatre. As the redevelopment plans moved forward, Cinemark exited, in a nothing lost fashion (having gained brand exposure and some revenue on a minimal investment).
You are correct Scott. It was named after the mall property and purchased by Edwards prior to opening (i.e. Mann design/build but never operated by Mann).
Regency Theatres has taken over operations of the theatre; reopening date 11/20/25.
I pass by the theatre weekly. Aside from replacing some glass following an attempted break-in, there has been no activity at the site. Unfortunately, the exterior is beginning to look a little worse for wear due to the neglect. While it was listed for a few months following the closure, the property has been “off market” since the spring of 2023.
Back when this theatre was taken over by Movie Tavern and the nearby AMC Hulen 10 became a Starplex both companies were under the same ownership umbrella (Starplex and Movie Tavern even operated out of adjoining office suites at the time).
Harry Fujiwara, better known as 60’s-early 90’s professional wrestler/manager Mr. Fuji, worked as a ticket taker at the theatre during his later years. His former career occasionally caused problems, as some patrons harassed him (still viewing him as his fictitious villain character), but most simply got a kick out of seeing “Mr. Fuji”. He retired after his health began to fail and passed away in 2016.
The property is currently for sale and listed at $40,000,000.
https://www.majorproperties.com/property/once-in-a-generation-development-opportunity/
Back when Starplex first took on the theatre there was a great deal of old paperwork left behind. Among the documents were a series of architectural renderings which depicted the theatre as an eight plex, with an ice cream stand, storage to concession dumbwaiter (storage room is on the second floor), and quite a few misc. extras. As the documents were dated to pre opening (i.e. not a remodel plan), this falls in line with Krikorian’s well established history of having grander plans than what ultimately came to pass.
This theatre is also a short walk from AMC’s corporate headquarters. Surprisingly, the facility remains somewhat of a standard megaplex era theatre, rather than the cutting edge flagship one would expect to be adjacent to their home office.
Back in 2009, the theatre experienced a rather unique after-hours robbery. In addition to emptying the safe, the thief left behind a note which detailed how security inadequacies had allowed him to commit his crime and listed various performance shortcomings by the theatre’s general manager. And, if leaving a written report wasn’t odd enough, the guy actually signed the note (revealing himself as the property’s security guard). Between signing an admission of his crime and “skipping town” with a less than life changing sub $5,000, the thief didn’t manage to stay on the run for long. However, his note did prove to be productive, as Starplex investigated the items in his critique; ultimately resulting in an overhaul of the theatre’s management team. Perhaps, the world’s first operations audit robbery.
Back when I was in college (early 90’s), I remember this theatre looking a bit worse for wear and thinking it was closed several years before it actually shut down; overgrown landscaping, broken exterior fixtures, decaying asphalt parking lot, etc. Then again, there was a general “build it and forget about it” approach to upkeep with a lot of theatres in the area back then.
It’s amazing how often this hole in the wall theatre has popped up as a location in films. “Angel”, “Sweet Alice”, “Candy Goes To Hollywood”, “What Would Your Mother Say”, “Don’t Answer The Phone”, “10 to Midnight”, “Armed & Dangerous”, “Jack’s Back”, “Where The Day Takes You”, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood”, “MaXXXine”, W.A.S.P.’s “I Wanna Be Somebody” music video. I’m sure I’ve missed a few with this list too.
On a trivia side note: The Cave’s use in “Angel” is somewhat of a cameo within a cameo, with a shared thread. In “Angel”, there is a scene where a character is watching “Sweet Alice” at the Cave and “Sweet Alice” contains a scene in which a character is watching a film at the Cave (a storyline film starring the namesake Sweet Alice character). So, at one point, a film’s fictional Cave patron would be watching another film’s fictional Cave patron; both ultimately watching films involving the fictional Sweet Alice character.
Roughly a year after the fires the gutted structure and debris were cleared. As of 4/25 the site remains an empty, fenced off, lot.
The venue has reopened as a multi attraction outlet; “Outbreak - Dread The Undead”, “Chaos 5-D Adventure”, and “Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors”.
Closed on July 20, 2000. Demolition began the first week of August 2000.
After a few days of cordoning off the area directly below the gong a repair was completed.
The theatre will be open for regular business beginning in February (first movie will be “Lincoln” on 2/12). Their website has posted the month’s movie schedule, along with some long term live events. It appears they will be primarily operating on weekends, with one screening per day.
Walking past the theatre this afternoon 1/27/25, I noticed that the exterior “gong” has suffered some visible damage. As I pass the theatre on a daily basis and hadn’t noticed the damage before, I assume this is very recent. Whether this is the result of age/deterioration, an accident, or the recent Santa Ana winds is unclear. Pictures added to the photo section.
The property was purchased by the Sundher family (founders/owners of the Hollywood Wax Museum) in 1991 and is operated under their Kuvera Partners business entity. From what I’ve been able to ascertain, they are remodeling the site into an “Outbreak: Dread The Undead” fright attraction, mirroring the “Outbreak” attractions they run in Tennessee and South Carolina.
In a 2016 interview former Carlos Tobalina associate, William Larraburre, recalled that Tobalina purchased the Mayan after returning from San Francisco with “a bag full of cash”; documentation from the time estimates the purchase price as $300,000. This transaction, along with a series of large all cash real estate acquisitions in the late 60’s/early 70’s drew the attention of the FBI. However, despite creating a 550 page file on Efrain “Carlos” Tobalina, the FBI was never able to establish any direct connection to criminal activity, beyond “unsubstantiated information” and suspicion.
While not yet open for a regular schedule, the theater’s restoration is complete and a soft opening “sneak peek” was held on 11/23/24. Additionally, the theater will be hosting a charity fundraiser screening of the 1993 documentary “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie” on 1/29/25.
To fill in a brief history gap. Shortly after the 2004 Cinemark/Interstate acquisition, Interstate was spun off of Cinemark and merged with Starplex Cinemas (circa 2005). Starplex/Interstate later sublet a portion of the complex to an independent party which ran Indian films; the idea being to have half the complex operating as Starplex/Interstate and the other half under the Indian operator. Unfortunately, the already problematic theatre became even more of an issue under this arrangement and Starplex found an out through selling the remaining lease to Big Cinemas in 2009.
Mike Radio: Yeah, I remember that. There was the cinema by itself, with the Universal Amphitheater and Universal Studios down the way a bit (back when Universal was just the studio tour and stunt shows, with the occasional concert at the amphitheater).
The theatre’s opening day LA Times listing consists of little more than eight movie title entries as Movies 8 in the co-op independent block ad. Tell me that doesn’t scream 80’s Cinemark (I actually bet there was a discussion whether they should splurge for the eight lines or not).
The theatre recently reopened as the “Hang On to the Dream Theatre”. It appears the organization is a non profit, operating the theatre as a multi media venue; acting workshops, stage shows, a live audience podcast, open mic comedy, and a weekly independent movie night.
I was told the scenario was pretty much what Scott suspected. Cinemark signed a short term lease, which was tenant friendly, fully aware that the property’s future was in doubt. The redevelopment plans had been in play since the time of Regal’s departure, but not finalized. Had the plans fallen through or changed, Cinemark would have explored extending their lease and investing in the theatre. As the redevelopment plans moved forward, Cinemark exited, in a nothing lost fashion (having gained brand exposure and some revenue on a minimal investment).