The triplex: 1978-1994
Opened: General Cinema opened the first theatre on the site, their Cinema III - IV - V, on March, 17, 1978. It was on the south side of the street, a half block east of Van Nuys Blvd. The new triplex was across the street from the circuit's Cinema 1 & 2. The three auditoria were of the long shooting-gallery style.
An opening week ad. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating it.
The 5 plex: 1995 - present
Opened: December 15, 1995. This building was constructed by General Cinema as a replacement for the damaged triplex and was first known as the Sherman Oaks 3-4-5-6-7. Thanks to Bob Meza for his 2001 photo, one of 82 photos appearing on the Cinema Tour page about the theatre.
An opening day ad. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating it.
Seating: 970 total. The building footprint was limited by zoning to that of the previous building so the architects went up. Four of the screens have small balconies.
The complex was operated for a time by AMC Theatres following the GCC bankruptcy. The theatre appears in a 2005 episode of the TV show "Entourage" as the location for a premiere of the fictitious film "Aquaman."
It was later taken over by Pacific Theatres and was doing well operated by them as the Pacific Sherman Oaks 5. The theatre shut down in March 2020 due to Covid restrictions.
Status: On April 12, 2021 Pacific announced that they would not be reopening any of their theatres.
A 2013 lobby view. Thanks to Scott Neff for his photo on Cinema Tour.
The inner lobby. Photo: Eric Hooper - Cinema Tour - 2016
Looking down from the stairs. Photo: Scott Neff - Cinema Tour - 2013
The balcony level lobby. Photo: Eric Hooper - Cinema Tour - 2016
The balcony of one of the auditoria. Photo: Eric Hooper - Cinema Tour - 2016
A main floor view. Photo: Eric Hooper - Cinema Tour - 2016. Thanks, Eric!
Looking west on Millbank St. in 2007. Photo: Bill Counter
Thanks to Margot Gerber for including this 2020 view in an April 2021 Facebook post about Pacific's decision to not reopen any of their theatres following the year-long pandemic shutdown.
A 2020 poster case detail from Margo Gerber. Thanks, Margot!
The theatre dressed as if it were 1989 for a film shoot in January 2024. Thanks to Jeff Goldsmith for sharing the photos he took on a Facebook post.
A closer look at the entrance. Photo: Jeff Goldsmith - January 2024
John Jeffry commented that he thought it might be for the season 5 of
the TV show "Stranger Things." Ryan Stockstad countered with the idea
that it might be for a Ryan Murphy project about the Menendez Bros. When the post was shared on the Cinema Tour Facebook page Scott Neff commented: "Interesting
as well that the door stickers say 'Century' and the poster cases say
'AMC.' My guess is that it's standing in as the AMC Century City 14."
The far end of the marquee. Photo: Jeff Goldsmith - January 2024. Thanks!
Months later still dressed as if it's 1989 for the January film shoot. Thanks to Dave Hunter for sharing this June 2024 photo in a Facebook post.
More Information: The Cinema Treasures page has a bit of discussion about the theatre.
The Cinema Tour page has many photos (including interiors) from Eric Hooper, Scott Neff , Mark Campbell and Bob Meza.
See the bottom of the page about the Sherman Oaks 2 here on this site for a discussion of the design innovations of the early General Cinema theatres.
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