THE SCREENING ROOM
A year-by-year, film-by-film history of 70-millimeter wide gauge exhibition in Southern California
Compiled by Michael Coate and William Kallay
70mm Equipped Theatre Pictures
NATIONAL
![](images/LA%20Theatres/National%20Opening%20Ad%20smaller.jpg)
National opened on March 26, 1970 [Enlarge]
![national 2004](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20smaller.jpg)
National in 2004
![national exterior](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20Exterior.jpg)
National in May 2007 (photo by Michael Coate)
![national auditorium](images/LA%20Theatres/National%20Auditorium%201%20smaller.jpg)
The auditorium sat over 1000 patrons. It was similar to the original South Coast Plaza theatre.
![national back rows](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20seats%20smaller.jpg)
The back rows of the large theater
![national screen detail](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20screen.jpg)
Part of the huge screen
![national lobby](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20lobby%202%20smaller.jpg)
The late film historian, Rick Mitchell, walks past the windows of the upper lobby area
![national snackbar](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20lobby%20smaller.jpg)
The snack bar
![national staircase](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20staircase.jpg)
Down the staircase to the lower lobby. National used to book only the top blockbusters. In later years, it booked fodder like "Good Luck Chuck."
![national staircase lower level](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20staircase%202.jpg)
A view from the lower lobby
![national starcase lower level](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20staircase%203.jpg)
Gazing up the staircase
![national staircase to upper level](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20staircase%204.jpg)
Stairs lead up to the upper lobby and theatre
![national doorway](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20doorway.jpg)
Peering through one of the doors into the auditorium
![national lounge](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20lounge.jpg)
A lounge area below the staircase
![national staircase](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20staircase%205.jpg)
Two levels of the lobby
![national lobby](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20Lobby%203%20smaller.jpg)
Looking toward the staircase. The lower and upper lobbies were large.
![national lobby](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20Lobby%204.jpg)
Looking toward Gayley Avenue
![national box office](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20box%20office%20smaller.jpg)
The box office
![national demolition](images/LA%20Theatres/Mann%20National%20Destruction%20smaller.jpg)
National gets demolished during the month of February 2008
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