Historic Glendale Theatre Becomes Top Spot for Nolan’s New Epic on 70mm Film

The Big News: An Old Theatre Gets a Major Upgrade

Imagine your favorite grandparent’s house getting a brand-new, state-of-the-art entertainment system. That’s basically what happened at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California!

• The theatre is 100 years old — it opened way back in the 1920s.
• It hadn’t shown a brand-new, first-run movie in 35 years. The last one was Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991.
• Six weeks ago, they installed a brand-new 70mm film projection system just in time for the July 17 premiere of Christopher Nolan’s new movie, The Odyssey.
• The result? The Alex Theatre is now the highest-grossing theatre in the entire country for this movie on 70mm film!

IMPORTANT POINT: What is 70mm Film?
Think of 70mm film like a giant, super-high-resolution photo negative. It’s much bigger than standard movie film (35mm) or even most digital files. This means the picture is incredibly sharp, bright, and detailed — the "gold standard" for movie lovers. Christopher Nolan is famous for insisting his movies be shown this way.

Why Is Everyone So Excited?

The "Shared Experience" Magic

The theatre’s artistic director, Miles Williams, put it perfectly: people are craving the feeling of watching a great story together in a beautiful room.

KEY QUOTE

"The response from audiences has been overwhelming and a wonderful reminder of how much people still value the shared experience of seeing a great film together."
— Miles Williams, Artistic Director, Alex Theatre

A Beautiful, Historic Venue

The Alex isn’t just a box with a screen. It’s a 900-seat palace with a mix of Classical Revival and Moderne architecture. It has a stunning marquee and an open-air forecourt. It feels like stepping back in time.

The Projection "Dream Team"

They didn’t just plug in a projector. They invested $500,000 in upgrades, including a brand-new projection booth on the ground floor. They hired Taylor Umphenour, one of the best projectionists in Los Angeles. He’s an IMAX consultant who has personally worked with Christopher Nolan!

BEHIND THE SCENES: The Projectionist’s View
Taylor Umphenour says: "What you have at a cinema like the Alex is a true understanding of the in-person experience of shared narrative. That’s why people are coming — and losing their minds."

By the Numbers: The Movie & The Money

BOX OFFICE BATTLE
The Odyssey was #1 for a while, but it recently lost the top spot to Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The two movies are actually sharing IMAX screens across the country right now.

What’s Next for the Alex Theatre? A Step-by-Step Plan

The success of The Odyssey has completely changed the theatre’s future. Here is their roadmap:

1. Regular Movie Nights: They are now scheduling 8 to 10 nights of movie programming every month.
2. Keep the Live Shows: Their calendar stays packed with ballet, rock concerts, and other live events.
3. Big Holiday Blockbuster (Dec 2026): Special engagement for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three (another huge 70mm release).
4. Winter Family Event (Feb 2027): Special engagement for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew.
5. Periodic Special Engagements: They plan to host other large-format releases as they come out.

Summary: Why This Matters

The Alex Theatre’s story is a heartwarming comeback tale.

1. History Saved: A 100-year-old landmark was fading into a "live events only" venue.
2. Smart Investment: A $500k bet on 70mm film technology paid off instantly.
3. Audience Hunger: People voted with their wallets, proving they still crave the "big screen magic" that streaming at home can’t replicate.
4. Future Secured: The theatre now has a sustainable new life as a premiere destination for cinematic events.

It proves that old theatres + new technology + great movies = a winning formula for everyone.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What exactly is "70mm" and why is Christopher Nolan obsessed with it?

ELI5 Answer: Imagine drawing a picture on a sticky note (standard digital/35mm) vs. drawing it on a giant poster board (70mm). The poster board version has way more detail, brighter colors, and doesn’t get blurry when you blow it up huge. Nolan shoots his movies on special cameras that use this giant film. He believes it looks the best, so he wants theatres to play it that way.

Why hadn’t the Alex Theatre shown a new movie since 1991?

ELI5 Answer: Running a movie theatre is expensive and hard. For decades, the Alex survived by hosting plays, concerts, ballet, and comedy shows (renting out the room). They didn’t have the modern projectors needed for today’s movies, and the business risk of switching back was too high — until Nolan’s movie gave them a guaranteed hit to justify the upgrade cost.

Who is Taylor Umphenour and why does he matter?

ELI5 Answer: He is a projectionist — the person who actually runs the projector and makes sure the image on screen is perfect. He is one of the best in the world. He helps build IMAX theatres and works directly with Christopher Nolan to check the film quality while the movie is being made. Having him set up the Alex means the picture quality is as perfect as humanly possible.

Can I still see The Odyssey in 70mm at the Alex?

ELI5 Answer: Yes! They extended the run by at least two weeks. They play it three times a day. Check the Alex Theatre’s official website for exact showtimes and tickets.

What other big movies are coming to the Alex?

ELI5 Answer: They have two massive ones locked in:

1. December 2026: Dune: Part Three (Director: Denis Villeneuve).
2. February 2027: Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (Director: Greta Gerwig).
   Both are expected to be filmed for giant screens (IMAX/70mm), making the Alex the perfect place to see them.