Last Remaining Seats

As an avid moviegoer, I like to share money saving tips, and talk about quality discount programs. Although, the LA Conservatory’s Last Remaining Seats program is not a bargain, $20 for an individual ticket, it’s still, pretty cool. If you are interested in classic movie palaces, and fancy the idea of seeing them from the inside, this is one great way to do it.

The LA Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition, and preservation of historic architecture throughout the greater Los Angeles area. As one of its major fundraisers, for the past 23 years, the Last Remaining Seats series has made it possible for the general public to experience movies in classic, historical theatres.

Several years ago I purchased the $80.00 series pass, and was thrilled to enter the magnificent Los Angles Theatre built in 1931. I discovered this theatre on the Red Line Walking tour of downtown Los Angeles. While on the tour, we were congregated in front of the theatre entrance. The film company working inside had just stopped for a lunch break and the manager of the theatre saw our tour group outside. Since the theatre was already open, he invited us in to take a look. The theatre was absolutely fabulous. Later, when I heard about the Last Remaining Seats program, I saw a chance to revisit that theatre, as well as many others. Every week I looked forward to seeing a new venue.

To give you a little background, downtown Los Angeles has the largest collection of pre-war architecture in the United States. This is one of the reasons why so many movies are made there. In its heyday, downtown Los Angeles was home to the Million Dollar Theatre (1918), the Orpheum Theatre (1926), and the Los Angeles Theatre (1931). There were other theatres as well, but some of them have been converted to stores, churches, or lay dormant and in ruins. It is only through the love and care of private individuals and organizations like the LA Conservancy that some of these theatres can be visited today.

Occasionally, additional theatres will be used in this series. One year I attended a film at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and if I’m not mistaken the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood has been used as well. When you buy a ticket to one of these films, not only are you seeing a great film in a classic, historical, venue, but you are supporting a worthy organization. Your donation may go on to save another classic theatre and that’s a win-win for all involved. When it comes to charity and cultural organizations, I believe in voting with my dollars. When you give to a society, or join an organization, you are saying, this matters to me. Sometimes it’s the only way to keep something you care about alive. For further information about the LA Conservancy, or Last Remaining Seats, go to www.laconservancy.org.