Hi Everyone,
Please find below a statement that we recorded, with some updates for the community regarding potential sale opportunities you may have read about in the news. One day, I plan to learn how to express myself using solely written language. But until that day comes, please excuse the use of film clips… I find that such shared cinematic moments are capable of conveying a message more sincerely and precisely than words alone ever could.
All the best,
Greg Laemmle
Greg Laemmle here, with an update for our loyal patrons.
You may have heard through the grapevine that our company is up for sale again.
That’s not the case.
What is true, is that we are considering the sale of certain theatre properties.
This isn’t an ideal course of action, but it is something we need to do.
Stimulus programs to date have not been particularly helpful for businesses that are entirely shuttered.
And we’ve been closed for four months, with no reopening in sight.
Our goal is to free up cash, and shore up the financing of our remaining locations.
This isn’t an easy choice.
Bit it will allow Laemmle Theatres to survive.
If we do sell a property, we will secure a lease-back agreement, that will allow us to resume operations once local public health officials deem it’s safe to do so.
For those who think this is trivial, I get it.
There are more important things to worry about right now.
Nothing matters as much as our health, the well-being of our loved ones, and the safety of all essential workers.
But it’s also important to have something to look forward to.
And at Laemmle Theatres, we want to make sure that seeing a movie at your favorite theatre can be part of that future.
I want to thank the Laemmle community for your patience and understanding during this period.
We’ll do our best to keep you updated, as more information becomes available.
In the meantime, remember, always wear your mask.
Yikes!
We’ve been wanting to move to Pasadena for a while just to be closer to our favorite movie theater; playhouse Laemmle.
It’ll be very sad if you have to close it.
We miss going there a lot.
Good luck , and we understand the decisions you’ll have to make due to the pandemic.
Thank you for posting this message. The Laemmle in Claremont is a lifeline for film lovers and we appreciate you so much. We are anxiously watching this story unfold.
Is this Lesley Ann Warren the movie star? My favorite. I am waiting anxiously for the Laemmle theatres to reopen. My favorites are the ones in Claremont and Pasadena the ones closest to my home in La Verne.
It is not trivial for me and others who love cinema. I feel especially sad with the death of Olivia de Havilland – the Golden Age of Hollywood is now history. I want going to the cinema to continue into the future. The same applies to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the LA Opera, and so many other organizations and institutions. Barbarians are at the gates, civilization is fragile. What did General Millan Astray say at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 with Miguel de Unamuno in the audience: Abajo la civilizacion! Viva la muerte! I learned that from a movie I saw in Manhattan in 1965 To Die in Madrid. Please Laemmle keep the screen alive.
I miss visiting your theaters and wish you the best possible outcome of your decisions.
This isn’t trivial. I can’t wait to see movies in your theaters again. Best of luck!
Thank you for your posts. Your theaters are our source of cinema pleasure and I hope you will be able to save as many of them as possible. Wishing you only the best. We await your reopening.
I completely understand but I hope it’s not ENCINO or The Royal, my faves!
Lesley Ann Warren
You guys are the best. It isn’t trivial. Wishing you all the best – you are an irreplaceable resource for Los Angeles.
Thank you for this statement. Laemmle is an essential part of the LA cinema community. Best of luck to you.
Thank you for all you do for all film lovers. I am holding the space for the Laemmle to survive and to thrive once the shutdown is over. Peace and blessings, Beth
Wishing you good luck. It is said , a window closed ,a door opens,
Or something like it.Your theaters will survive.We miss the experience.
NO PLEASE TRY TO SAVE OUR THEATER. IT IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS EASY FOR MY 80 YR OLD DISABLED BODY CAN MANAGE TO WALK IN WITH MY WALKER AND STILL MAKE IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.