Out of Print documentary film movie New Beverly Bev Cinema marquee

History of the New Beverly Cinema

As one of Los Angeles' longest-running revival theaters, the New Beverly has screened the finest in classic, independent, cult, and foreign films as double-features, seven nights a week.

To this day, a double-feature costs only $8 ($6 seniors and children).

The theater space was originally a vaudeville theater featuring acts such as Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Jackie Gleason. At one point it was a nightclub called Slapsie Maxie's, named after the boxer and silent film actor, Maxie Rosenbloom. In the late '50's it was converted into a movie theater. For 20 years, the theater changed hands many times.

In 1978, Sherman Torgan changed the Beverly Cinema into the New Beverly Cinema as a double-feature revival house. The New Bev quickly became known for their innovative and daring programming, featuring films that were never limited by genre or era, just by Sherman's taste.

The Hollywood community and several prominent filmmakers came to know and love the theater. The loyal fanbase was drawn to Sherman's programming, and the comfortable, unusual vibe of the New Bev.

Out of Print documentary film movie New Beverly Bev Cinema monster Julia

Unfortunately, in July of 2007, Sherman Torgan passed away unexpectedly, and the theater was almost sold to corporate developers. Quentin Tarantino, an avid fan of the theater, purchased the building instead. And Michael Torgan, Sherman's son, was able to keep his father's legacy alive.

Because Michael Torgan continues to take chances with bold programming, the New Beverly audience is intact.

Since then, the New Beverly has also featured guest programming by Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright, Patton Oswalt, Kevin Smith, and more. These filmmakers pick their favorite films to share with their favorite audience.

For more information about the New Beverly, check out:
Article from Curbed L.A.

 

 

History of the Out of Print documentary

In 2001 Julia Marchese discovered the New Bev, and started begging for a job at this, her favorite place in the entire world. Finally, in 2006, she landed the coveted job!

In November of 2011, she was shocked to discover that one of the major hollywood film studios sent out a memo to theaters stating that their films would no longer be made or distributed in 35mm.

So Julia immediately took action. She started a petition to ask the studios to keep 35mm prints available to the public.

And after gathering more than 10,000 signatures on the petition, she started raising funds for "Out of Print," a feature-length documentary about how important the New Beverly Cinema is to its audience. As one of the longest running revival theaters in Los Angeles, the home of filmmaking, the New Bev is such an important character in the bigger story of the digital conversion and the potential end of 35mm film. Julia wants that story to be told.

Principal photography began for "Out of Print" in June of 2012. Julia interviewed dozens of filmmakers and New Bev regulars about their history attending the theater, why it's such an important place, and why seeing 35mm films on a big screen is an experience that must be preserved.