Opened: December 20, 1949 with Ruth Roman in attendance. The building is on the east side of the street, just north of Nordhoff St. Thanks to the now-vanished American Classic Images site for the 1982 photo from their collection. At the time of the photo it was a Spanish language operation run by Metropolitan Theatres.
Architect: William L. Pereira
Seating: 1,000 when it was a single screen. The theatre was twinned in the 1970s.
The December 19 ad in the Van Nuys News. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating it.
The Cinema Tour page about the theatre notes: "There is also (according to the original newspaper account in 1949) a time capsule made of copper, sunk into the foundation, containing chewing gum, bobby socks, photos of Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth, and other items."
It was originally an independent operation built by Max Torodor, Edward Grossman and one other partner. In 1970 they leased it to the Loew's circuit. General Cinema took over in 1972. It ended up as a Spanish language house operated by Metropolitan Theatres.
Closing: c.2001
Status: It's been leased to the Universal Church since 2002.
A snack bar view from 2004. Thanks to Radavis33 for the photo, a post on Cinema Treasures.
More exterior views:
1949 - The theatre under construction. Thanks to Dallas Movie Theaters for finding the trade magazine photo for a post on Cinema Treasures.
1958 - A visit from a movie horse. It's a Valley Times photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. The caption: "Movie stuntman George Steele holds reins of eight-year-old palomino movie horse California during visit with children at Panorama Theater where Western movie Palomino, which stars horse, is currently showing. Horse is owned by Ralph McCutcheon Stables at 14725 Parthenia St., Van Nuys, and has been featured in many movies and television shows."
2001 - The north side of the building. Thanks to Scott Neff for the photo, one of three on the Cinema Tour page about the theatre.
2004 - A view of the churched building. It's a photo from Radavis33 on Cinema Treasures.
2016 - A signage detail. Thanks to CXM0503 for the photo, one appearing on Cinema Treasures.
2019 - The north side of the building. Photo: Google Maps
2019 - Looking southwest on Bella Terra St. Photo: Google Maps
2019 - A facade view. That's Nordhoff St. on the right. Photo: Google Maps
2023 - A fine view taken by Dave Hunter that he included in a February Facebook post.
2023 - A look up the vertical. Photo: Dave Hunter
More information: See the Cinema Tour page for a nice history. Also see the Cinema Treasures page about the theatre.
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