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Coordinates: 34°03′46″N 118°26′51″W / 34.062684°N 118.447407°W / 34.062684; -118.447407
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{{Short description|Cinema in Los Angeles, California, US}}
{{Other uses|Fox Theatre (disambiguation){{!}}Fox Theatre}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox historic site
{{Infobox historic site
| name =Fox Village Theater
| name =Regency Village Theatre
| image = Highsmithwestwoodvillagetheater.jpg
| image = Highsmithwestwoodvillagetheater.jpg
| caption = Fox Village Theater with iconic tower
| caption = Regency Village Theatre with iconic tower
| location= 961 Broxton Avenue, [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California]]
| location= 961 Broxton Avenue, [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California]]
| coordinates = {{coord|34.062684|-118.447407|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|34.062684|-118.447407|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
Line 9: Line 10:
| built =1931
| built =1931
| architect= [[Percy Parke Lewis]]
| architect= [[Percy Parke Lewis]]
| architecture= [[California Churrigueresque]]<br> <small>([[Spanish Colonial Revival architecture|Spanish Colonial Revival]])</small>
| architecture=
| designation1=Los Angeles
| designation1=Los Angeles
| designation1_date = June 21, 1988<ref name="LAHCM_list">{{cite web |author=Department of City Planning |title=Designated Historic-Cultural Monuments |publisher=City of Los Angeles |url=http://www.preservation.lacity.org/monuments/ |accessdate=2010-06-15 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609160708/http://www.preservation.lacity.org/monuments |archivedate=2010-06-09 |df= }}<!-- do not link to the PDF, it goes dead on every update. Archive link: http://www.cityprojectca.org/ourwork/documents/HCMDatabase090707.pdf --></ref>
| designation1_date = June 21, 1988<ref name="LAHCM_list">{{cite web |author=Department of City Planning |title=Designated Historic-Cultural Monuments |publisher=City of Los Angeles |url=http://www.preservation.lacity.org/monuments/ |access-date=2010-06-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609160708/http://www.preservation.lacity.org/monuments |archive-date=2010-06-09 }}<!-- do not link to the PDF, it goes dead on every update. Archive link: http://www.cityprojectca.org/ourwork/documents/HCMDatabase090707.pdf --></ref>
| designation1_number = 362
| designation1_number = 362
| governing_body = Private
| governing_body = Private
}}
}}
The '''Fox Theater, Westwood Village''', also known as the '''Fox Village Theater''', is a historic, landmark cinema in [[Westwood, Los Angeles]], [[California]], in the [[Westwood Village, Los Angeles|Westwood Village]]. It is located in the heart of Westwood and only a couple of minutes from [[UCLA]]. It is currently operated by Regency Theaters under the name '''Regency Village Theater'''. The theater has been one of the leading film premiere theaters in the history of cinema.


[[File:The Emoji Movie premiere at the Fox Theatre, Westwood Village 4.jpg|thumb|''[[The Emoji Movie]]'' premiere, Westwood Village]]
⚫
==History==
⚫
Designed by architect [[Percy Parke Lewis]]<ref name="https">{{cite web|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/186/|title=ArchitectDB - Fox Westwood Village Theatre|accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> the Fox was originally built in 1930 and first opened on August 14, 1931,<ref name=ct>{{Cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/246|title=Regency Village Theater|accessdate=9 November 2011|publisher=Cinema Treasures}}</ref> with a Spanish Mission style to it.<ref name="https"/><ref name=ct/> The theatre was part of a widespread cinema construction program undertaken by Fox West Coast Theatres. The Fox Theater quickly became the most recognizable symbol of the new Westwood Village, a [[Mediterranean Revival Style architecture|Mediterranean]]-style village development adjoining the [[University of California Los Angeles]] planned by Harold and Edwin Janss of the [[Janss Investment Company]].


The '''Regency Village Theatre''' (formerly the '''Fox Theatre, Westwood Village''' or the '''Fox Village Theatre''') is a historic, landmark cinema in [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California]] in the heart of the Mediterranean-themed shopping and cinema precinct, opposite the [[Fox Bruin Theater]], near the University of California, Los Angeles ([[UCLA]]). The Regency Theaters chain lease ended in July 2024. The Westwood Village Theatre has been the site for many [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] movie premieres in Los Angeles.<ref name="dailybruin/westwood-debuts">{{cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=William |title=Westwood home to long history of Hollywood film debuts since 1931 |url=https://dailybruin.com/2015/10/01/westwood-home-to-long-history-of-hollywood-film-debuts-since-1931 |access-date=28 March 2023 |work=[[Daily Bruin]] |date=October 1, 2015}}</ref><ref name="gettyimages/premiere-westwood">{{cite web |title=Movie Premiere Westwood Village |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/movie-premiere-westwood-village |website=[[Getty Images]] |access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref> The seating capacity of the cinema is about 1,400.<ref name="cinematreasures/246"/>
It was remodeled in the late 1940s to the early 1950s.<ref name=ct/> It became famous for the many [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] movie premieres held there and remains one of the main venues for movie premieres in Los Angeles.


⚫
==History ==
⚫
[[National General Pictures|National General Theatres]], the former Fox Theatres-West Coast, sold the theater to [[Ted Mann]], then owner of the [[TCL Chinese Theatre|Chinese Theatre]], and it became part of the [[Mann Theatres]] chain.
⚫
Designed by architect [[Percy Parke Lewis]],<ref name="https">{{cite web|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/structures/186/|website= ArchitectDB |title=Fox Westwood Village Theatre|access-date=2008-09-03}}</ref> the Fox was originally built in 1930 and first opened on August 14, 1931,<ref name="cinematreasures/246">{{Cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/246|title=Regency Village Theater - Mann Village Theater|access-date=9 November 2011|publisher=[[Cinema Treasures]]}}</ref> in a Spanish Mission style.<ref name="https"/><ref name="cinematreasures/246"/> The theatre was part of a widespread cinema construction program undertaken by [[Fox Theatres|Fox West Coast Theatres]]. The theatre is part of the 1929 Westwood Village, a [[Mediterranean Revival Style architecture|Mediterranean]]-style village development adjoining the [[University of California Los Angeles]] planned by Harold and Edwin Janss of the [[Janss Investment Company]].


In the 1940s, the backstage areas were bricked off.<ref name="cinematreasures/246"/>
⚫
In 1988, the Fox Theater was designated by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as an Historic Cultural Monument (HCM #362).<ref name="LAHCM_list"/>


On October 18, 1951, the Village Theatre was given a [[Spyros Skouras|Skouras]] era remodel and reopened, increasing the seating capacity to 1,535, with plaster gold swirls on the stage area side-walls, exit upgrades, new seats, new carpet, and lobby upgrades, including [[California Gold Rush]] artwork.<ref name="cinematreasures/246"/><ref name="historictheatrephotos/ArchitectID=65">{{cite web |title=Carl G. Moeller: Theatre Architect |url=https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Architects.aspx?ArchitectID=65&TheatreID=64 |website=historic theatre photos .com |access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref>
When Mann Theatres went out of business, Regency Theatres purchased both the Village Theater and a multiplex cinema at "The Plant" in [[Van Nuys, California]] in 2010.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/01/local/la-me-westwood-theaters1-2010apr01 2 historic Westwood theaters saved from possible closure]</ref>


⚫
In 1973, [[National General Pictures|National General Theatres]], the former Fox Theatres-West Coast, sold this theater to [[Ted Mann]], then owner of the [[TCL Chinese Theatre|Chinese Theatre]], becoming part of the [[Mann Theatres]] chain.<ref name="cinelog">{{cite web |title=National General's Chinese |url=https://cinelog.org/cinelog/2009/08/16/national-generals-chinese/ |website=cinelog.org |access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref>
With ongoing efforts to revitalize Westwood Village, the Fox Theater continues to be a major drawcard and asset for the area.


In the late 1970s, new 70mm projection equipment was installed and a larger screen was added.
⚫
==Architectural features==


⚫
In 1988, the Fox Theatre was designated by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as an Historic Cultural Monument (HCM #362).<ref name="LAHCM_list"/>
⚫
The most striking feature of the Fox Theater is the iconic 170-foot<ref name=Reopens>{{cite news|title=Village Theatre reopens tonight in Westwood|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=1951-10-18}}</ref> white [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture|Spanish Revival]]/[[Streamline Moderne|Moderne]]<ref>An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles - David Gebhard, Robert Winter (Gibbs Smith) 2003</ref> tower which looms over the Broxton and Weyburn Avenues intersection. Atop the tower is a blue and white metal [[Art Deco]] “Fox” sign, which was renovated in the late 1980s.


Circa 1998-1999, the theater had a remodeling, getting new seating and carpet.<ref name="cinematreasures/246"/>
⚫
Carved winged lions sit halfway up the tower at the base of projecting columns. A blue and white sign with the legend "Fox Westwood Village" is positioned at the bottom of the tower just above the entrance. By night, the elegant white tower literally becomes a beacon with its signs and the shaft of the tower illuminated.


In 2010, [[Mann Theatres]] went out of business. [[Regency Theatres]] became the operator of both the Village Theatre and a multiplex cinema at "The Plant" in [[Van Nuys, California|Van Nuys]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Linthicum|first=Kate|date=2010-04-01|title=2 historic Westwood theaters saved from possible closure|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-01-la-me-westwood-theaters1-2010apr01-story.html|access-date=2020-09-23|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
The rectangular cinema building immediately behind the tower features long rows of [[Churrigueresque]] [[stucco]] decorations. Perched atop the corners of the building stand carved [[griffins]].


In 2014, Regency added the immersive [[Dolby Atmos]] sound system to the theater in time for the movie ''[[Transcendence (2014 film)|Transcendence]]''.
==Interior==


In 2019, it became the first [[THX]] ''Ultimate Cinema''™ theatre.<ref name="thx/ultimate-cinema-westwood-village">{{cite web |title=THX Launches World's First THX Ultimate Cinema™ at Regency Westwood Village Theatre |url=https://www.thx.com/blog/thx-launches-worlds-first-thx-ultimate-cinema-at-regency-westwood-village-theater/ |website=THX |access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> An investor group led by [[Jason Reitman]] agreed to buy the theater in February 2024. The group consisted of more than two dozen filmmakers; besides Reitman, the group also includes [[J. J. Abrams]], [[Judd Apatow]], [[Damien Chazelle]], [[Chris Columbus (filmmaker)|Chris Columbus]], [[Ryan Coogler]], [[Bradley Cooper]], [[Todd Phillips]], [[Alfonso Cuarón]], [[Guillermo del Toro]], [[Alejandro González Iñárritu]], [[Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris]], [[Hannah Fidell]], [[James Gunn]], [[Sian Heder]], [[Rian Johnson]], [[Gil Kenan]], [[Karyn Kusama]], [[Justin Lin]], [[Phil Lord and Christopher Miller]], [[David Lowery (director)|David Lowery]], [[Christopher McQuarrie]], [[Christopher Nolan]], [[Emma Thomas]], [[Alexander Payne]], [[Gina Prince-Bythewood]], [[Jay Roach]], [[Seth Rogen]], [[Emma Seligman]], [[Brad Silberling]], [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Denis Villeneuve]], [[Lulu Wang (filmmaker)|Lulu Wang]] and [[Chloé Zhao]]. The group will showcase props, wardrobe and film collections, notably Columbus' collection of 16mm film prints, from their personal collections. There are plans to add a restaurant, bar and gallery to it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jason Reitman Acquires Fox Village Westwood Theater With Filmmakers Including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, JJ Abrams, Chloé Zhao|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Pat|last=Saperstein|date=21 February 2024|access-date=22 February 2024|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/jason-reitman-buying-fox-village-westwood-theater-1235893597/}}</ref>
The seating capacity of the cinema is about 1,400. The interior of the theater was remodeled during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The lobby and exits were upgraded and [[California Gold Rush]] artwork was added in the lobby.<ref name="cinematreasures.org">{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/246/|title =Cinema Treasures - Mann Village Theater|accessdate=2008-09-03}}</ref> Golden flourishes were added near the stage areas.


On July 25, 2024 the [[Fox Theater, Westwood Village]] and [[Fox Bruin Theater]] closed their doors, when leases expired.<ref name="bhC/2-theaters-close">{{cite news |title=Historic Westwood Theaters Close Their Doors |url=https://beverlyhillscourier.com/2024/07/28/historic-westwood-theaters-close-their-doors/ |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=[[Beverly Hills Courier]] |date=28 July 2024 |quote=July 25 marked the end of a movie-going era in Westwood, when the curtains fell on the village’s two 1930s-era movie houses. The Regency Village Theatre (formerly the Fox Theater, Westwood Village) and the Fox Bruin Theater closed their doors at the end of the business night, when their leases expired.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=James |first=Meg |date=2024-07-21 |title=Beloved historic movie theaters Westwood Village and Bruin to close this week |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-07-21/historic-movie-theaters-westwood-village-and-bruin-to-close-this-week |access-date=2024-07-22 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
In the late 1970s new 70mm projection equipment was installed and a larger screen added. The Fox Westwood Village has a reputation for top quality sound and projection. The most recent re-modeling was about 1998-1999 with the theater getting new seating and carpet.<ref name="cinematreasures.org"/> In 2014, Regency added the immersive Dolby Atmos sound system to the theater in time for the movie ''[[Transcendence (2014 film)|Transcendence]]''. It remains one of the few remaining [[THX]] certified theatres in Los Angeles.

⚫
==Architectural features==

⚫
A feature of the theater is the 170-foot<ref name=Reopens>{{cite news|title=Village Theatre reopens tonight in Westwood|work=Los Angeles Times|date=1951-10-18}}</ref> white [[Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture|Spanish Revival]]/[[Streamline Moderne|Moderne]]<ref name="Gebhard-Winter-Arch-LA">{{cite book |last1=Gebhard |first1=David |last2=Winter |first2=Robert |author1-link=David Gebhard |author2-link=Robert Winter |title=An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles |date=2003 |publisher=[[Gibbs Smith]] |isbn=978-1-58685-308-2 |edition=5 |language=en}}</ref> tower which looms over the Broxton and Weyburn Avenues intersection. Atop the tower is a blue and white metal [[Art Deco]] “Fox” sign, which was renovated in the late 1980s.

⚫
Carved winged lions sit halfway up the tower at the base of projecting columns. A blue and white sign with the legend "Fox Westwood Village" is positioned at the bottom of the tower just above the entrance. By night, the elegant white tower literally becomes a beacon with its signs and the shaft of the tower illuminated.

⚫
The rectangular cinema building immediately behind the tower features long rows of [[Churrigueresque]] [[stucco]] decorations. Perched atop the corners of the building stand carved [[griffins]].


==Movie premieres==
==Movie premieres==


Westwood Village hosts around 24 movie premieres per year.<ref name="dailybruin/premieres-westwood">{{cite news |last1=Zhang |first1=Enming |title=Committee discusses movie premieres' impact on Westwood Village businesses |url=https://new.dailybruin.com/post/committee-discusses-movie-premieres-impact-on-westwood-village-businesses |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=[[Daily Bruin]] |date=April 29, 2019}}</ref> The list of features which have debuted at the theater includes:<ref name="dailybruin/westwood-debuts"/><ref name="gettyimages/premiere-westwood"/><ref name="wvia/premieres">{{cite web |title=Movie premieres in Westwood Village |url=https://thewestwoodvillage.com/events/movie-premieres/ |website=Westwood Village Improvement Association |access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="hollywoodreporter/1134083">{{cite news |last1=Rizzo |first1=Carita |title=Mark Wahlberg, Peter Berg Talk Making a "Character-Driven Action Movie" With 'Mile 22' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mile-22-premiere-mark-wahlberg-peter-berg-talk-making-a-broad-appeal-action-movie-1134083/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=10 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Bullet Train' premiere in Los Angeles |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-bullet-train-premiere-los-angeles-20220802-fuqvv6ztyvborishqzxhox4oba-photogallery.html |access-date=28 March 2023 |work=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref> ''[[Robots (2005 film)|Robots]]'', ''[[The Fast and the Furious (2001 film)|The Fast and the Furious]]'', ''[[A Star Is Born (1976 film)|A Star Is Born]]'', ''[[Spider-Man: No Way Home]]'', ''[[Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]]'', ''[[Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse]]'', ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'', ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'', [[List of James Bond films|James Bond films]], ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'', ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'', ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', every ''[[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]]'' film, ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'', ''[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]'', ''[[The Emoji Movie]], [[The Lego Movie]]'', ''[[Shrek]]'', ''[[Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie]]'', the ''[[Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (franchise)|Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs]]'' franchise, ''[[Overlord (2018 film)|Overlord]]'', ''[[Venom (2018 film)|Venom]]'', ''[[Murder Mystery (film)|Murder Mystery]]'', ''[[Hairspray (2007 film)|Hairspray]]'', ''[[Bullet Train (film)|Bullet Train]]'', and hundreds of others.
A number of movie premieres have been held at the cinema, including: ''[[A Star Is Born (1976 film)|A Star Is Born]]'', [[James Bond in film|James Bond films]], ''[[JFK (film)|JFK]]'', ''[[Mission: Impossible (film)|Mission: Impossible]]'', ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'', each [[Harry Potter (film series)|Harry Potter]] film, ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'', ''[[The Terminator]]'', ''[[The Emoji Movie]], [[The Lego Movie]]'', ''[[Shrek]]'', ''[[Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie]]'' , and hundreds of others. Typically the streets get shut down and are used for red carpet arrivals.
<!-- this should probably be a list article instead of an arbitrarily chosen selection of titles -->


==References==
==References==
⚫
{{Commons category|Fox Theater, Westwood Village}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
⚫
{{Commons category|Fox Theater, Westwood Village}}
*{{Cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/246|title=Regency Village Theater <!-- - Mann Village Theater --> |publisher=[[Cinema Treasures]]}}

{{Westwood, Los Angeles}}
{{Westwood, Los Angeles}}
{{LAHMC}}
{{LAHMC}}
{{Movie theaters in Los Angeles}}


[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Towers in California]]
[[Category:Towers in California]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Revival architecture in California]]
[[Category:Mediterranean Revival architecture in California]]
[[Category:Spanish Colonial Revival cinemas and movie theaters]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1931]]
[[Category:1931 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 22:53, 11 December 2024

Regency Village Theatre
Regency Village Theatre with iconic tower
Location961 Broxton Avenue, Westwood, Los Angeles, California
Coordinates34°03′46″N 118°26′51″W / 34.062684°N 118.447407°W / 34.062684; -118.447407
Built1931
ArchitectPercy Parke Lewis
Architectural style(s)California Churrigueresque
(Spanish Colonial Revival)
Governing bodyPrivate
DesignatedJune 21, 1988[1]
Reference no.362
Fox Theater, Westwood Village is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Fox Theater, Westwood Village
Location of Regency Village Theatre in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
The Emoji Movie premiere, Westwood Village

The Regency Village Theatre (formerly the Fox Theatre, Westwood Village or the Fox Village Theatre) is a historic, landmark cinema in Westwood, Los Angeles, California in the heart of the Mediterranean-themed shopping and cinema precinct, opposite the Fox Bruin Theater, near the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The Regency Theaters chain lease ended in July 2024. The Westwood Village Theatre has been the site for many Hollywood movie premieres in Los Angeles.[2][3] The seating capacity of the cinema is about 1,400.[4]

History

[edit]

Designed by architect Percy Parke Lewis,[5] the Fox was originally built in 1930 and first opened on August 14, 1931,[4] in a Spanish Mission style.[5][4] The theatre was part of a widespread cinema construction program undertaken by Fox West Coast Theatres. The theatre is part of the 1929 Westwood Village, a Mediterranean-style village development adjoining the University of California Los Angeles planned by Harold and Edwin Janss of the Janss Investment Company.

In the 1940s, the backstage areas were bricked off.[4]

On October 18, 1951, the Village Theatre was given a Skouras era remodel and reopened, increasing the seating capacity to 1,535, with plaster gold swirls on the stage area side-walls, exit upgrades, new seats, new carpet, and lobby upgrades, including California Gold Rush artwork.[4][6]

In 1973, National General Theatres, the former Fox Theatres-West Coast, sold this theater to Ted Mann, then owner of the Chinese Theatre, becoming part of the Mann Theatres chain.[7]

In the late 1970s, new 70mm projection equipment was installed and a larger screen was added.

In 1988, the Fox Theatre was designated by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as an Historic Cultural Monument (HCM #362).[1]

Circa 1998-1999, the theater had a remodeling, getting new seating and carpet.[4]

In 2010, Mann Theatres went out of business. Regency Theatres became the operator of both the Village Theatre and a multiplex cinema at "The Plant" in Van Nuys.[8]

In 2014, Regency added the immersive Dolby Atmos sound system to the theater in time for the movie Transcendence.

In 2019, it became the first THX Ultimate Cinema™ theatre.[9] An investor group led by Jason Reitman agreed to buy the theater in February 2024. The group consisted of more than two dozen filmmakers; besides Reitman, the group also includes J. J. Abrams, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Chris Columbus, Ryan Coogler, Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidell, James Gunn, Sian Heder, Rian Johnson, Gil Kenan, Karyn Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, Alexander Payne, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, Steven Spielberg, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang and Chloé Zhao. The group will showcase props, wardrobe and film collections, notably Columbus' collection of 16mm film prints, from their personal collections. There are plans to add a restaurant, bar and gallery to it.[10]

On July 25, 2024 the Fox Theater, Westwood Village and Fox Bruin Theater closed their doors, when leases expired.[11][12]

Architectural features

[edit]

A feature of the theater is the 170-foot[13] white Spanish Revival/Moderne[14] tower which looms over the Broxton and Weyburn Avenues intersection. Atop the tower is a blue and white metal Art Deco “Fox” sign, which was renovated in the late 1980s.

Carved winged lions sit halfway up the tower at the base of projecting columns. A blue and white sign with the legend "Fox Westwood Village" is positioned at the bottom of the tower just above the entrance. By night, the elegant white tower literally becomes a beacon with its signs and the shaft of the tower illuminated.

The rectangular cinema building immediately behind the tower features long rows of Churrigueresque stucco decorations. Perched atop the corners of the building stand carved griffins.

Movie premieres

[edit]

Westwood Village hosts around 24 movie premieres per year.[15] The list of features which have debuted at the theater includes:[2][3][16][17][18] Robots, The Fast and the Furious, A Star Is Born, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, James Bond films, JFK, Mission: Impossible, Batman, every Harry Potter film, Independence Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, The Emoji Movie, The Lego Movie, Shrek, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs franchise, Overlord, Venom, Murder Mystery, Hairspray, Bullet Train, and hundreds of others.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Department of City Planning. "Designated Historic-Cultural Monuments". City of Los Angeles. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Thorne, William (October 1, 2015). "Westwood home to long history of Hollywood film debuts since 1931". Daily Bruin. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Movie Premiere Westwood Village". Getty Images. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Regency Village Theater - Mann Village Theater". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Fox Westwood Village Theatre". ArchitectDB. Retrieved September 3, 2008.
  6. ^ "Carl G. Moeller: Theatre Architect". historic theatre photos .com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  7. ^ "National General's Chinese". cinelog.org. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Linthicum, Kate (April 1, 2010). "2 historic Westwood theaters saved from possible closure". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "THX Launches World's First THX Ultimate Cinema™ at Regency Westwood Village Theatre". THX. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Saperstein, Pat (February 21, 2024). "Jason Reitman Acquires Fox Village Westwood Theater With Filmmakers Including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, JJ Abrams, Chloé Zhao". Variety. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Historic Westwood Theaters Close Their Doors". Beverly Hills Courier. July 28, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024. July 25 marked the end of a movie-going era in Westwood, when the curtains fell on the village's two 1930s-era movie houses. The Regency Village Theatre (formerly the Fox Theater, Westwood Village) and the Fox Bruin Theater closed their doors at the end of the business night, when their leases expired.
  12. ^ James, Meg (July 21, 2024). "Beloved historic movie theaters Westwood Village and Bruin to close this week". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "Village Theatre reopens tonight in Westwood". Los Angeles Times. October 18, 1951.
  14. ^ Gebhard, David; Winter, Robert (2003). An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles (5 ed.). Gibbs Smith. ISBN 978-1-58685-308-2.
  15. ^ Zhang, Enming (April 29, 2019). "Committee discusses movie premieres' impact on Westwood Village businesses". Daily Bruin. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  16. ^ "Movie premieres in Westwood Village". Westwood Village Improvement Association. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  17. ^ Rizzo, Carita (August 10, 2018). "Mark Wahlberg, Peter Berg Talk Making a "Character-Driven Action Movie" With 'Mile 22'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  18. ^ "'Bullet Train' premiere in Los Angeles". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
[edit]
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