At 75, Laemmle family’s theaters look to the future

In the lobby of the historic Royal Theatre in West Los Angeles, Bob Laemmle proudly points to a wall of glass-encased photos and letters from cinema luminaries of the last half-century.

"This is one of Ingmar Bergman," he says proudly, gesturing to a photo of the Swedish director, his arm around the shoulder of Bob's father, Max, taken during the 1972 premiere of "Cries and Whispers."

Next to it is a letter from the director and actor Andre Gregory, thanking Max for a party he hosted in support of the 1981 movie "My Dinner With Andre."

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Also on the wall is a chilling letter, dated Dec. 5 1935, from Kurt Laemmle to his brother Max, in which he urges his brother and parents to flee the Nazis and move to America, where their famous cousin, Carl Laemmle, had founded Universal Studios. Max followed his brother's advice and the German-born brothers launched their theater chain in 1938.

Seventy-five years later, the family-owned chain has not only survived but thrived in an increasingly competitive climate, while retaining its reputation as one of the premier art house theaters in the country.

"If you look at the track record of family businesses that have made it, to have survived this many generations is quite a remarkable achievement," said Greg Laemmle, the chief executive and third generation of his family to run the Los Angeles-based chain. "Not only are we still here, but we are in fact growing and committed to this business and this form of entertainment."

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Laemmle operates seven theaters with 34 screens in Beverly Hills, Claremont, Encino, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Santa Monica and West L.A. The chain has plans to open new venues in the next two years in Glendale, Newhall and Inglewood, where the company is in early discussions to renovate the historic Inglewood Fox Theatre as part of the city's revival efforts.

In Glendale, city officials recently approved a $12.8-million mixed-used project called the Laemmle Lofts that includes a five-screen theater, 42 apartments and 6,000 square feet of commercial space. The Laemmle in Santa Monica is also being remodeled and is expected to open by year's end.

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At 75, Laemmle family's theaters look to the future