Venues that program classic film screenings:
6067 Wilshire Blvd. at Fairfax
The museum's Geffen and Mann Theatres program a variety of classics as well as newer films. Frequently there are special guests introducing the features. The two theatres can run DCPs as well as 35 and 70mm. | our page about the Geffen Theatre | our page about the Ted Mann Theatre | Academy Museum website |
1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
The Aero is one of three venues programmed by the American Cinematheque. It's a mix of vintage Hollywood product, newer revivals and many current films, frequently with actors and directors appearing to discuss their work. | our page about the Aero | Cinematheque Aero screening calendar |
611 N. Fairfax Ave.
This is the latest incarnation of the venue that opened in 1942 as the Silent Movie Theatre. Programming in this 150 seat house includes occasional classics along with cult favorites. There's a restaurant on the patio out back. | our page about the Brain Dead Theatre | the Brain Dead website |
1313 Vine St., Hollywood
This theatre in the Pickford Film Center, operated by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, has gone a bit dormant since the Academy opened two new theatres at their Museum. But there are occasional rentals by organizations like KCRW as well as special programs. | our page about the Linwood Dunn | AMPAS website | event calendar | news and updates |
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock
A mix of vintage films, later favorites and new releases. In addition to the 271 seat main house there's also a little micro-cinema. There's also a video rental store with over 50,000 titles. | our page about the Eagle | the Vidiots website |
6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills
Another AMPAS venue that's rather dormant at the moment. Perhaps there will be a revival of film screenings and special programs like the venue has hosted in the past. We'll see. | our page about the Samual Goldwyn | AMPAS website | event calendar |
2100 N. Highland Ave.
In addition to regular exhibits and special shows, the Museum frequently offers programs about various film stars, directors and aspects of Hollywood history that include film screenings as part of the presentation. The organization also offers off-site programs including Silents Under the Stars in the summer and the Cinecon Clasic Film Festival every Labor Day weekend. Thanks to Anthony Swadden for the photo. | the Hollywood Heritage website | HH on Facebook |
1822 N. Vermont Ave.
This neighborhood triplex has two smaller screens that offer first-run Hollywood product with the American Cinematheque programming screen #1 with revivals, cult favorites, various retrospectives either via DCPs or on 35mm. | our page about the Los Feliz | the Vintage Cinemas website | American Cinematheque screenings |
3rd and Broadway
While it's far from a full-time operation, somehow this 1918 vintage movie palace manages to get more film screenings than the other old theatres downtown. At least once a month the Secret Movie Club has something, usually a vintage double bill on 35mm. Street Food Cinema, "L.A.'s moveable cinema feast," also rents the house on occasion, usually for a digital film screening around a holiday. Cinespia is also in there (or at the Palace) occasionally as well. | our pages about the Million Dollar | Secret Movie Club website | Street Food Cinema website | Cinespia website |
New Beverly Cinema 
7165 Beverly Blvd.
A mix of classics, cult favorites, prints from owner Quentin Tarantino's personal collection. There are three or four program changes a week plus weekend matinees and midnight shows. The schedule usually includes at least a couple programs of films from the 30s or 40s each month. Double features, always on film. | our page about the New Beverly | the New Bev website | on Facebook |
140 Richmond St. El Segundo
It's a small theatre from the 20s that was rescued decades ago by some pipe organ buffs for the installation of their Wurlitzer. Initially it was just silent films on the programs but the focus has broadened to include films of the 30s and 40s. And, of course an organ prelude on their psychedelically painted instrument. No film here - it's all digital projection. | our page about the Old Town Music Hall | oldtownmusichall.org | on Facebook |
320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel
This 1,200 seat house, built in the 20s to house a pageant about the founding of California's missions, is now a civic auditorium with a fine pipe organ installation. While most of what the theatre offers are live shows, there's also a Silent Sundays series featuring films with live accompaniment. | our page about the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse | the theatre's website | on Facebook |
1917 Bay St. 2nd floor, Arts District
Lots of vintage films as well as cult favorites, discussions and workshops at the Club's 90 seat house in the Arts District. There are occasional screenings at other venues including the Million Dollar. | Secret Movie Club website |
4473 Sunset Dr.
Quentin Tarantino now owns the theatre and he's programming it with film only -- both 35 and 70. In between first-run bookings the time is filled with revivals. And there are are also 10am Saturday and Sunday matinees of vintage films as well as Friday and Saturday midnight shows. And, as if that were not enough, one of the storefronts has been converted into a 20 seat micro-cinema running vintage titles on 16mm and VHS. | our pages about the Vista Theatre | the theatre's website | ticketing | the Vista on Facebook | on Instagram |
10899 Wilshire Blvd. Westwood
This well-equipped 295 seat house in UCLA's Hammer Museum offers programs curated by the museum as well as films presented by the UCLA Film and Television Archives. It's a mix of classics, newer works and resent restorations. There's parking for $8 under the building. | our page about the Billy Wilder | Hammer Museum events | UCLA Film Archive events |
Film screening news:
Sign up for Karie Bible's newsletter for listings of the many vintage films playing all over town. The Film Radar Facebook page isn't terribly active. But from there hit the "sign up" button to get the newsletter via e-mail. There's also a Film Radar website.
Classic film programs floating around town:
AFI Fest Films old and new every November at the Chinese and the Roosevelt hotel.
Alex Film Society They program occasional screenings at the Alex Theatre in Glendale as well as at other venues.
Cinecon Classic Film Festival Every Labor Day weekend for the last 50+ years. And for 2024 finally back at the Egyptian. Also see the Cinecon Facebook page.
Cinespia Old films at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery plus occasional screenings in the neglected downtown movie palaces.
Fathom Events This national presenter occasionally has interesting revivals on their schedule that are screened at many local theatres including the Regal at L.A. Live.
Film at LACMA Currently without a home of their own, this program has been doing a number of online screenings as well as occasional events at real venues including the theatres at the adjacent Academy Museum. Also see the Museum's film event calendar. Maybe they'll eventually get back to showing vintage films.
Landmark Theatres Occasional revivals of interest at the Nuart, the Landmark Westwood, the Landmark Sunset 5 and the Landmark Pasadena 7.
L.A. Conservancy A June series each year featuring vintage films in classic theatres. Usually downtown on Broadway but sometimes in old theatres elsewhere in the area. See their "Last Remaining Seats" page.
Noir City Hollywood The L.A. expression of this annual seven-city festival is sponsored by the American Cinematheque and Film Noir Los Angeles. In 2024 it's back at the Egyptian from March 22 through 31.| Cinematheque Egyptian screening schedule | Film Noir LA on Facebook |
Retroformat An organization devoted to preserving silent films and presenting them at various locations around town, usually with live musical accompaniment. Some of the venues have included the Hammer Museum's Billy Wilder Theatre and the Hollywood Women's Club.
Street Food Cinema Pop-up screenings at a number of different venues including rooftops and otherwise dormant downtown theatres.
TCM Classic Film Festival In April at the Chinese and other venues. The 2024 festival is April 18-21.
Theatre tours:
6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Well, nothing is going on yet in the tour department but the hope is that either Netflix or the American Cinematheque will start them up again. This was Sid Grauman's first Hollywood movie palace, opened in 1922. | our pages about the Egyptian | Egyptian Theatre website | American Cinematheque website |
6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Their tour program took a break during the Covid shutdown but the word is that it's getting ramped up again. Stay tuned for details. | our pages about the El Capitan | the theatre's website |
6925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Sid Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a Meyer and Holler design from 1927. They offer tours throughout the day, every day. You get a chat with a guide, spend some time in the lobby looking at exhibits and then wander down the side aisles of the auditorium and peek in (if a show is on). Or if your tour time hits an intermission, you get more of an auditorium tour. | our pages about the Chinese | TCL Chinese Theatres website | tour information |
L.A. County Music Center
135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown
Free tours of Disney Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre are offered Tuesday through Saturday by The Symphonians, a Music Center volunteer group. How much of each venue you see changes daily depending on production schedules. No reservations are necessary. Also see information about the separately offered guided tours and self-guided tours just of Disney Hall. | our page about Disney Hall | our page about the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion |
One Saturday each November the organization Grand Ave. Arts hosts an "all access" open house. In addition to tours of the four main theatres similar to the ones offered throughout the year, L.A. Opera hosts a more detailed backstage tour of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The festivities usually include other events at Colburn School, MOCA, the Broad and the Library as well. | Grand Ave. Arts website |
7th and Hill Streets, Downtown
The Warner Theatre is open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 5:30 for a walk-through anytime. It's a design of B. Marcus Priteca and opened in 1920 as a venue for the Pantages vaudeville circuit. Warner Bros. acquired the theatre in 1929. It's now a jewelry mart on the main floor but most of the decor is intact. Cost: free. Just walk in either the front door (there's not much left of the lobby) or use the stage door on 7th St. No, you won't be able to go up in the balcony. | our pages about the Warner Downtown |
39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena
The Playhouse, dating from 1925, doesn't have a regular tour schedule but will be happy to arrange one for individuals or groups. The tour can be customized depending on your particular interests. See the visit page on the Pasadena Playhouse website for contact information. | our pages about the Pasadena Playhouse |
320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel
The theatre doesn't offer regularly scheduled tours but will be happy to arrange a tour if you have a group of 5 or more. Details as well as a request form are on the theatre website's visit page. The 1,143 seat theatre is now used for movies, concerts, and various legit theatre offerings. It opened in 1927 as a home for an elaborate show about the founding of California's missions. | our pages about the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse |
8th and Broadway, Downtown
Well, it's no longer a theatre but Apple spent millions restoring the exterior, taking the interior apart and then reconstructing it as a store. The original plasterwork survives and it's worth a few minutes to wander in and get some idea of what it was like in 1927. They're open from 10 to 8 daily. | our pages about the Tower Theatre | the Apple website |
The LAHTF occasionally offers "all-about" tours of historic theatres as well as providing logistical support for other events in various venues. Their tours offer a chance to explore the non-public areas of many of the theatres. There are also various Zoom events. In addition to the website, you can sign up for the mailing list and check in with the LAHTF Facebook page.
The Conservancy offers walking tours
of the Broadway theatre district every Saturday morning. Depending on
schedules, the tour may include visits inside one or more of the
theatres. There are also other tours of various historic Los Angeles
neighborhoods. The organization's "Last Remaining Seats"
series of screenings in historic theatres every June offers another
chance to see the buildings. Tours of the theatres are offered before each screening.
Film awards programs:
Academy Awards / Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - At the Dolby Theatre.
Golden Globes - January
Film Independent / Spirit Awards - February
Recent releases - festivals, venues for sneaks, etc.
AFI Fest - Every November at the Chinese and Roosevelt hotel.
The American French Film Festival - October 29 to November 3, 2024 at the Directors Guild Theatres.
Downtown LA Film Festival - In October at Regal L.A. Live and other venues.
Film Independent
Los Angeles Italia - A free festival of the latest Italian releases at the Chinese 6. It's held during the week leading up to the Oscars.
USC Department of Cinematic Arts - Many screenings including sneaks of new films before they hit theatres. Open to the public but RSVP required.
Blogs and sites about the movies:
Awards Daily www.awardsdaily.com
Big Screen Biz - forums and advice for theatre owners www.bigscreenbiz.com
Boxoffice - the consummate trade magazine since 1920 pro.boxoffice.com
The Projectionist - awards season dispatches from the New York Times www.nytimes.com/column/the-carpetbagger
Critic Wire www.indiewire.com/criticwire
Deadline Hollywood deadline.com
Jim Hill Media - entertainment news with a focus on Disney jimhillmedia.com
Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/c/movies/
Lee's Movie Info - trailers, release dates, grosses and more www.leesmovieinfo.net
Leonard Maltin leonardmaltin.com
Los Angeles Times - entertainment news - www.latimes.com/entertainment
Movie City News - "Hollywood's Homepage" moviecitynews.com
MovieWeb - trailers and news movieweb.com
New York Times - arts section www.nytimes.com/section/arts
New York Times - movie section www.nytimes.com/section/movies
The New Yorker - culture section www.newyorker.com/culture
Observations on Film Art - David Boardwell www.davidbordwell.net/blog
Variety - film news, reviews and more variety.com/reviews/film
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