Opened in December 1940, this theater in the Westwood neighborhood was originally conceived as a live theater by Frances Seymour Fonda (the second wife of Henry Fonda and mother of Peter and Jane Fonda). During World War II, it was acquired by the independent Dietrich & Feldstein circuit and converted into a single-screen cinema.
Renamed as the UCLAN Theatre in honor of the initials of the nearby University of California in Los Angeles (more commonly known today as UCLA), the venue was later called the Crest Theatre in the mid-1950s and screened war footage for the local community. In the 1950s and 60s, the theater was operated by independents Morris Lehrmand and Paul Raful; later, by state theaters, Century Theatres, and Loews Theatres.
Management and ownership of the Crest evolved over time, with new seating, Dolby Stereo system, and 70mm projection installed, converting to digital in 2010 with a Sony4K projector capable of real-time 3D playback.
The cinema was completely remodeled in 1987-88 under the direction of interior specialist and set designer Joseph Musil. The Art Deco Revival themed renovation included the intricate stepped facade, the auditorium’s cyclorama representing 1939 Hollywood, an elaborate sunburst light fixture, hand-painted ceilings in the lobby, and etched glass exit doors.
On March 20, 2008, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the theater -now known as Majestic Crest– be designated a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. You can see it at 1262 Westwood Boulevard.
