About

History:

Vista Theatre

Architect L. (Lewis) A. Smith

The movie palace, Vista Theatre, began in 1923 as a vaudeville theater called “Bard’s Theatre.” Soon after opening, it began to feature a movie preceded by four vaudeville acts on Sundays. Entry cost 10 cents and candy was half that. The theater has been lovingly restored and today features first run movies in one of the few remaining historic single-hall theaters left in Los Angeles.

On July 5, 2021, film director Quentin Tarantino announced he purchased the Vista Theatre from Lance Alspauge who owned it since 1997. It was also announced popular house manager Victor Martinez would remain as the “epic” manager. (Source: “Behind Scenes of the Vista Sale,” Los Angeles Times, 7/7/2021