The Bruin and Village Theaters in Westwood have resided across from each other on Broxton Avenue for more than 70 years and will continue to complement each other under the new management of the Calabasas-based business Regency Theatres.
Starting Thursday, the two historic theaters began operating under the Regency Theatres name, a family-owned business that has bought theaters in Southern California, Nevada and Colorado. The lease of Village and Bruin Theaters’ former management, Mann Theatres, expired this month, putting the two theaters in danger of closure.
“They are two great theaters that we want to be part of the Regency family, and we want to continue the history and condition of these theaters in Westwood,” said Lyndon Golin, president of Regency Theatres.
Golin said that one of the factors that attracted Regency Theatres to acquire the two theaters was their history. Opened in 1931 and seating 1,300 patrons, the Village Theater has become a landmark, with the glittering letters spelling out “Fox” perched on the 170-foot Spanish architecture tower that have become a recognizable aspect of Westwood Village.
Its kin, the Bruin Theater, seating 670 people and built in 1937, is also notable with its Art Deco interior design, providing a more quaint setting for movie viewing as opposed to larger theaters outside of Westwood.
In the times of DVDs, Blu-ray and larger and flashier movie theaters, Golin said that Regency is adamant on maintaining the local charm of both the Bruin and Village Theater.
“Comparing them to big theaters is like comparing boutiques to Walmart. There is a special part about these theaters that makes them different from bigger places,” Golin said. “For example, we will try to have more special showings of classic film and retrospectives.”
The movie premieres in Westwood are also here to stay, as they have become a frequent event for UCLA students and the public alike to engage in star-gazing, such as the recent red carpet premieres of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “Up in the Air” at the Village Theater.
“The movie premieres will stay the same because studios still want to present their movies in Westwood,” Golin added.
Likewise, the new management is brainstorming ideas in which to increase traffic to the two theaters, like adjusting ticket prices and the possibility of lower-priced popcorn refills.
“We are thinking of special pricing and special events for students. … We need to get people back to these great theaters,” said Andrew Golin, vice president and co-owner of Regency Theatres.
First-year chemical engineering student Ian McRae, who was standing in line for the showing of “Avatar” at the Bruin Theater, said he is glad the theaters will be leased out to new management, as he enjoys the vibe and proximity of the theaters to campus.
“The venue is like (that of) a play and it’s a more eloquent way to watch movies,” McRae said. “I like that it’s not a bus ride away and I can just walk to Westwood and enjoy a movie.”