Highland 3 Theater

[Nayra Waddles]

Likemany theaters at the time, in the 70s, a new owner started screening adult films as a way to stay afloat and bring in more money, but that caused protests. According to Melnick, picketers, including local nuns, carried signs reading, "Decent movies for decent people. Shame, shame, what a disgrace. Get this filth out of our face." and the Highland Theatre did close for almost a year.

In 1975, the Akarakian family bought the theater, and a few years later they changed the space from a single screen movie palace to a triplex. To do that, they closed off a vintage balcony space and reduced the capacity to about 500 seats.

Local filmmaker and actress Marita De La Torre, featured in the 2024 Sundance film Ponyboi, is one of the founders of the Highland Park Independent Film Festival, which has been running for the last 10 years out of the Highland Theatre.

Without the Highland Theatre, Northeast L.A. is becoming more of a cinema desert. The closest first-run movie theaters are in Pasadena or Glendale, and while repertory screenings at Vidiots are just around the corner in Eagle Rock, there are no more neighborhood options.

The owner of Highland Theatre, Dan Akarakian, said that the theater officially shut its doors and stopped showing movies Thursday after it struggled to bounce back economically from the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the tenets that the founding members of Hard Road envisioned was creating educational opportunities in the theatrical arts for adults and children in Highland and the surrounding communities! Our annual theater programming and philanthropic outreach efforts focus on how we can best collaborate and partner with the local school administration, music and theater departments and the overall community.

Did you know that Hard Road that Hard Road has given a significant amount of money to the community for the improvement of theater in Highland including the donation of $50,000 towards the School Auditorium air-conditioning project and also helping to upgrade vital lighting and sound equipment at the schools.

Learning theater etiquette will enable you to avoid embarrassment. There are certain unspoken rules that apply to theatre attendance that only those that have been initiated into the process know. Avoid the risk of seeming boorish by learning about the proper way to manage your behavior in a performance to increase your level of enjoyment and participate as a courteous audience member.

Patrons arriving after curtain may not be seated until intermission. Latecomers may watch the show on the television in the lounge. Please note the time on the ticket and arrive no less than 15 minutes prior to that time.

Rideshare Information:

All casino drop-offs and pick-ups - including Taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, and other ride services, should utilize our rideshare area on the fourth level of the North parking structure to pick up and drop off guests. Please note that this is a drop-off and pick-up zone only. No parking or waiting of any kind is allowed.

Is there a charge for parking?

Parking is FREE and always easy and convenient at Yaamava' Resort & Casino. Guests can choose to self-park in either of our six-level parking structures or if a hotel guest or Diamond/Turquoise member, use the valet parking service which offers the convenience of curbside drop-off and pick-up. Please Note: Vehicles must be smaller than 8'2" to utilize the parking structure. There are 5,600 parking spots available with an additional 750 at our overflow lot.

Am I allowed to leave the venue and come back?

Yes. Guests who need to leave the venue and return must have their ticket scanned out before exiting the venue. Upon return, guests will repeat the security screening and ticket scanning process to re-enter the theater.

To claim an item in Lost and Found, the guest will be required to come to the Casino and present valid identification. Paperwork must be signed prior to release of property. Every attempt will be made to ensure property is released to the proper owner.

Where do I go if I require first aid?

There is a dedicated First Aid room located on the first floor near the entrance. In the event of a medical emergency, contact a member of our team.

Can I pass out my flyers for my band? Product samples?

The distribution of promotional items, flyers, or printed materials and the sampling/distribution of products is prohibited.

We also partner with Bear Springs Hotel, located blocks away from the casino with complimentary 24/7 shuttle service and discounts for Club Serrano members. For rates and availability, visit bearspringshotel.com.

What if I lost my ticket? What if my ticket was stolen?

For lost tickets, guests must contact the box office. For stolen tickets, guests should contact local law enforcement first, then their point of purchase.

Are guests allowed to stand?

Guests are allowed to stand during an event, provided that they are only occupying the area in front of their ticketed seat. Standing in aisles, and on chairs is strictly prohibited.

Is there a dress code?

Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. We reserve the right to deny entry to or remove any person wearing attire that we consider inappropriate. Costumes, props, full face masks, and face paint are not allowed.

De La Torre said that throughout this history, the theater saw many moments of heartwarming community congregation, especially when the theater hosted the annual Highland Park Independent Film Festival (HPIFF). She said one of those moments helped the community reconcile with its history of gangs.

However, Medina said he is skeptical that Etemad will follow through, as the theater industry continues to do poorly. He said he anticipates the building will be turned into an upscale music venue, much like the Lodge Room, a music venue across the street.

Jamie Tijerina, president of the Highland Park Heritage Trust, said she believes Etemad should attempt to survey community sentiment on the theater, which supports an affordable, community-oriented theater.

The News: The theatre closed, suddenly, on February 29, 2024. The staff was laid off without previous warning. Thanks to Cody Lawrence for sharing the news. The theatre was sold in December 2022 to Cyrus Etemad, owner of other buildings nearby including the Highland Park Bowl.

The tail end of the 99 year lease on the building expired in February 2023 but the new owner let the operator stay, rent-free, for a year after his lease expired. While some may be mourning the closure, the operator noted a lack of community support post-pandemic. He couldn't turn a profit even without paying rent. Renovation plans have not been announced.

The theatre's balcony and stage areas are currently unused. Since 1983 it's been a triplex using only the main floor. More details emerged later in "Historic movie theater in Highland Park closes after 100 years," a March 1 L.A. Times story by Christi Carras that was spotted by Escott O. Norton. Victoria Alejandro followed up with "LA Movie Lovers Mourn The Loss Of The Highland Theatre..," a March 15 LAist story that was spotted by Jonathan Raines.

Opened: March 5, 1925 with a personal appearance from Norma Shearer. The building was constructed for Clyde M. Church, a local banker. This stretch of Figueroa was originally called Pasadena Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

The operator of the theatre in 1925 was West Coast Theatres, the company that became Fox West Coast in 1929. This opening night program is in the collection of the family that had owned the building, who brought it to display at the November 2015 Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation tour. Thanks to Stephen Russo for sharing his photo on the LAHTF Facebook page.

Architect: Lewis A. Smith, who also did the Rialto in South Pasadena, the Beverly in Beverly Hills, the Vista Theatre, as well as a number of other projects for West Coast Theatres. The Highland had a Moorish interior and much of the decor in the balcony area remains intact.

A ticket to a cartoon show in 1944. Buy a War Bond, get a ticket for your kid. Thanks to John Conning for sharing this in a post on the Theatre Architecture Facebook page.

The Highland was operated for years by Fox West Coast Theatres. After they gave it up it had a run as a porno theatre. Family films came back in 1975 under operator Arman Akarakian. He was also involved with the Warner San Pedro. In 1983 it was triplexed with 3 theatres on the main floor. The balcony was walled off and was unused, as was part of the stage.

It was designated as a cultural historic monument by the City of Los Angeles in 1991. See "Preservationists seek to save Highland Theatre..," a September 1991 L.A. Times story. The neighborhood went through some rough decades but it's now booming. The theatre prospered as a triplex by running a friendly, efficient operation and offering bargain prices.

Another busy night. Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for sharing this 2015 photo as well as the many others appearing here. Visit her Avoiding Regret photo essay "Highland Theatre's Hidden History" for many more shots plus tales of her adventures at the 2015 Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation "all-about" tour of the building.

A later shot down the west side of the street from "Lights Out." A reflection of the theatre's marquee is seen in the lower left. It turns into a story about a supernatural being that threatens a family when (are you ready?) the lights go out. The film, directed by David F. Sandberg, also features Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello, Andi Osho and Alicia Vela-Bailey. The cinematography was by Marc Spicer. Thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting this one.

About photos from other sites: I've tried to give appropriate credit. The links near the images will direct you to the full version on the website hosting it. Please contact me regarding incorrect attributions or bad links. The images may be subject to copyright - check with the webmaster of the site in question about reproduction issues.

-- Bill Counter coun...@gmail.com

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