Catalina Island Co. plans to shut down Casino theater

17 Responses

1. Maybe a membership scenario could work. People make a living just posting their life on Patreon, so a different tactic needs to be employed to save this icon

   1. Advertise the theater and movies to visitors…I would like to see a movie on the family that created Catalina. Kinda like the Palm Springs Tram. Add Starbucks loose the liquor. Add tram to and from movie…

2. Turning the theater into a dinner theater and having it run as a private concession
   seems like it could benefit everyone and become a new must do destination for
   residents and visitors alike. I think a concept like this would be worth considering.
   Billy B

3. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Stop it with your excuses, island company. Give the locals what they want. Give your visitors what they want. I believe it’s time for you to serve the public and not your pocket books. Do the right thing. Make people like what you do for a change. Especially those living in your own back yard.

4. CATALINA ISLAND WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOME FOR ALL GENERATIONS BUT EGNORING THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A VOICE CATALINA ISLAND WON’T BE WHAT IT IS NOW YOU NEVER NEVER TAKE AWAY A ICONIC LAN MARK OF THIS MAGNITUDE MAGAZINE MOVIES SHOW THIS THEATER STOP MAKING EXCUSES MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION KEEP THIS TEATHER FOR GENNERATIONS TO COME REMEMBERI US AND TURIST THIS PLACE IS WHAT IT IS I AGGREE SHOW CLASSIC MOVIES TAKE BACK TO I LOVE LUCY THE TREE STUGES THE LITTLE RASCALS AND MOVE CLASSICS.

5. This is just too sad. We visit Catalina for an average of 3-4 weeks annually. The theatre is high on our list of things to do. The first movie I remember seeing there was Bruce Brown’s classic ‘On Any Sunday’. What was that, 1971? My 3 kids have seen so many of their kids’ movies there. Cars, Ratatouille, multiple Batman movies etc. We miss Big Olaf too. It isn’t about the movie or the ice cream. It’s about the experience. The theatre is unlike anything else. It brings back so many memories of good times. Having an Olaf while milling about in the plaza by Antonio’s was a nice time to converse with our family and friends in the most relaxed environment possible. Often after seeing a movie. I guess it will just be one more night we spend on the instead.

   1. Seeing a movie at the Casino is always on my list of events to attend every time I sail to Avalon. I almost had a meltdown when Olaf’s closed! Have sailed to Catalina Island 53 times over the last six years. Going to miss my walks to the theater.

6. Advertise the theater and movies to visitors…I would like to see a movie on the family that created Catalina. Kinda like the Palm Springs Tram. Add Starbucks loose the liquor. Add tram to and from movie…

7. It was never a casino any way

8. I would go to the theater but I don’t know how much It costs… I think it needs to be advertised to people who are new into Avalon Bay…

9. We are new to the Avalon community. We sailed our boat from San Francisco, and love it so much we permanently moved our boat to Long Beach so we can visit Avalon monthly! The Casino is a major focal point of Catalina’s charm! I think it needs more advertising and posting of costs. I also like the idea of ordering food and beverages as you go in, and for them to be delivered quietly as the film is getting started… the Movie closure would take away some of Avalon’s Charm. Please listen to ideas from the community on how to keep it open.

10. Please make it easier to use this site, by enlarging this comment box!

11. The history of Avalon and the natural habitat of Catalina should be running Prior to the movie’s start time.
    The feature movie start time should be advertised so if a person is has heard the history and just want to see the movie they can plan their arrival time.

12. I am deeply contacted to Avalon. We owned a mooring and a condo and have many many great memories of great Avalon. Perhaps the movie portion of the casino can morph into better use of space? It’s so iconic and I hope the next level or choice will be amazing

13. I am shocked that Catalina Island Company is shutting down the movie theater! Financial reasons?!! Ha ha! Are you going to shut down the fancy spa too…I doubt that it is earning its keep? Ofcourse you won’t—it’s your baby. It’s time to fire the CEO of CIC.

14. Our g-pa Clements will be turning over in his grave if he knew the movie theater was closing.(he used to hang the posters etc. A lllooonnnggg long time ago.

15. Hi there !
    Just found out about this beautiful cinema situated on your wonderful Catalina island ! – Seemed like Heaven to me !
    I found this gem of a cinema exsited ? – And while looking for details – Movies & times etc. – I found it might not be there after all ! its ear marked for closing downs oh dear !
    Instead of having the Cinema open 24/7 – How about 2 days a week – Maybe not weekends when theres other things going on-On the island ? – But maybe through the week when its quieter People still want to go out? – Where there is a good atmosphere – If the Cinemas Open all the time you get a trickle of viewers -But if the Cinemas open just one or two night per week – all those sparadic viewers condense – Showing Classic movies – Advertised with cheap flyers & posters around the islands harbour so all the people coming & going know this great movie? Is gonna be on ! & maybe advertised on the maine land in fellow Cinemas – or free whats on leaflets so movie buffs could travel over for what your showing that one or two nights?
    What would be an extra draw too is the fact that if the classic movie is shown just a couple of nights a week ! – you’ll have the extra draw of people coming to see the film because the Casino will be busier than 20 people a night you got now ?
    Those 20 or so people every night (Who might be movie buffs Who may think nice place – Good movie but no atmosphere ? – and wont visit again ?) – But if can you condence those sparadic visiters Into those 2 nights – People will start to come back – Because it looks busier -Could have a childrens movie night too -Bring their parents ! 2 seats in stead of one -although ones half price -2 seats ar taken up ?
    Really hope your beautiful theatre stays open !
    All the Very Best !
    S.B. British Isles