The readers are challenging ! runs every Monday for you to look for solutions to community issues — from public nuisances, to eye-sores, to local mysteries. If you have a question, a query, a gripe about a public problem in Studio City, send it to and if we use your question, you will get a $25 gift certificate to a local business.
Dear Jack,
It's getting close to Oscar time and like most of my neighbors, I'm a big movie fan. I think it's weird that we have some of the most famous theaters around, like the Chinese and Egyptian only just over the hill in Hollywood, and the huge multiplex at Universal, and the IMAX and stuff, but why don't we have any movie theaters in Studio City? Are there any planned in the future? And was that big bookstore on Ventura once a major theater?
—Thanks a lot,
James Doran
Dear James,
It does seem strange that in a place like Studio City the theaters that exist are all private. It is mostly due to neighborhood opposition that no theaters have been built, or are planned to be built anywhere is Studio City.
A theater would bring new shoppers to the commercial area in Studio City. The hurting retailers, and their customers, would strongly support a new movie theater complex.
The only close theaters for first run movies is at the Universal City Theaters next to the outdoor area called City Walk. There is at least a $5 to $10 fee for parking. It is a nightmare to visit after dark. The other theater in the east San Fernando Valley, is the Cinemark, located at Coldwater and Victory in North Hollywood. It is an Eight-Plex and offers free parking, and easy access to the parking structure. I am a regular visitor to this theater.
Back to Studio City, the on Ventura Boulevard was a financial success during the '50 to '70s. Then multiplex's became the rage, and the owners of the theater, Mann Theaters, put it on the market. It is now a book store. Mann was interested in building a four-plex, but due to stringent opposition of the resident association, nothing was considered. There have been other Studio City sites considered through the years, but the SCRA always deep sixed the idea.
The only new theaters are planned by the Laemmle chain, to be built in the NoHo area on the Academy property located on Lankershim Boulevard. just North of Magnolia Boulevard.
It would show independent artsy films, like we have at the Encino Laemmle complex. It has not started construction due to the weak economy, and difficulty in securing financing.
