Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre reopens its doors to the public after extensive interior renovations

Julis Navarro
Staff Writer

Film lovers in Malibu and Santa Monica can breathe a sigh of relief.

The American Cinematheque has reopened the doors of the Aero Theatre as an extension to its programming at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This restoration will allow the beloved neighborhood theatre to resume its tradition in cinema with a new twist.

Margot Gerber, marketing and publicity manager for the American Cinematheque, said the location of the theater was key because the organization wanted to improve the west side of town. They also wanted to take advantage of the Aero, because it is a single-screen theater.

“It proved to be quite popular,” Gerber said. “People are very pleased with the renovations and are excited that everything is nice and new.”

The Aero Theatre was built in 1939 by Donald Douglas as a form of recreation for his employees at his aircraft plant during World War II. The theater was open 24 hours a day, so that aircraft workers could see movies during their off-hours.

The Aero closed in 2003 after a plan for the Sundance Cinemas Project to take over the theater went bankrupt. Now under the programming of the American Cinematheque, the Aero Theatre is open Wednesday through Sunday and is showing classic, independent, foreign and new release films.

“Their dedication to preserving cinema in a city that prides itself as the heart of the film industry is such a gift to the community,” said Miranda Banks, adjunct professor of film. Banks worked in the programming department at the American Cinematheque.

The Aero Theatre already has film festivals lined up to use the recently renovated venue.

Santa Monica resident Todd Pritchett attended the 70 MM Film Festival at the theater in January.

“I’m starting to really like the theater,” Pritchett said. He added that the theater gives him an opportunity to see films he has never seen.

“They’re gorgeous,” Pritchett said of the prints. “No scratches.”

The reopening of the Aero Theatre entailed a $1-million renovation, which included a new screen, projections, a concession stand and reduced seating.

“I loved the theater before in its rundown, authentic state, but we’re such fans of great cinema that anything that can be done to show more films is great,” said Elizabeth Masteron, a member of the American Cinematheque.

Jarrett Silberman, another Santa Monica native, is a regular moviegoer at the Egyptian Theatre, also under the programming of the American Cinematheque.

“In some ways, I like the sound better here,” Silberman said after his first visit to the Aero Theatre. He said he plans to visit the Aero more often.

Others said they are simply glad to see the Aero reopen.

Bob Borris, another member of the American Cinematheque, said he avidly follows the Cinematheque series and came to see a couple of the movies he had missed.

“It’s nice to see them extended to the Aero,” Borris said.

The Aero Theatre often invites the actors and the directors to introduce their own films and participate in film discussion. Their involvement in cinema is a step toward the American Cinematheque mission, which is “to provide a unique film experience” to the people of Southern California.

“The Cinematheque has provided a space and forum for the celebration of cinema,” Banks said. “It is not just their programming that has been a gift to the community, but also the fact that the Cinematheque has restored two fabulous movie theatres — both of which were in jeopardy of being torn down.”

Banks said she believes people often overlook the pleasure of watching a film projected in a beautiful theater.

The Aero Theatre is located on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.
Regular admission tickets cost $9. For more information, call (323)466-FILM.

02-17-2005