The Aero Theatre is a historic single-screen movie theater at 1328 Montana Avenue, known for its distinctive Streamline Moderne design and longtime role as a neighborhood movie house. Today it is operated by the American Cinematheque, which uses the theater for classic films, restorations, retrospectives, advance screenings, filmmaker discussions and special programs. The Aero remains one of the best-known landmarks on Montana Avenue and retains its original marquee, detached box office and much of its historic character.

The theater opened in 1940 and was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company for workers at its nearby Santa Monica plant. During World War II, when Douglas employees worked around-the-clock shifts, the Aero showed movies virtually 24 hours a day so workers could attend regardless of their schedule. Designed by architect R. M. Woolpert, it later became a traditional neighborhood theater and, by the late twentieth century, a popular repertory cinema. The Aero closed in April 2003, but reopened in January 2005 after a major renovation led by the American Cinematheque and funded in part by philanthropist Max Palevsky. Officially renamed the Max Palevsky Aero Theatre, it has since continued as a venue devoted to film history and theatrical presentation.

Aero Theatre

Location

Memories

Share this page

Details