The ALEX Theatre Reclaims Its Cinematic Legacy with Nolan's 'Odyssey'

GLENDALE, CA – July 14, 2026

In an era where entertainment is an endless scroll and cinematic universes are consumed on pocket-sized screens, a century-old movie palace in Glendale is making a profoundly counter-intuitive move. The ALEX Theatre, a landmark whose iconic Art Deco spire has pierced the Southern California sky since 1925, is returning to the business of showing first-run studio films. It’s a comeback marked not by a quiet re-entry, but by a thunderous declaration: a three-week exclusive engagement of Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey, presented in the breathtaking, almost mythical format of 70mm film.

This isn't merely a nostalgic gesture. After 35 years of focusing on live performances, the theatre’s pivot back to its cinematic roots represents a calculated, high-stakes strategy. It’s a bet that in the face of digital convenience, the future of public entertainment lies not in accessibility, but in irreplaceability. The ALEX is wagering that the spectacle of true cinema, in all its analog glory, is an experience worth leaving the house for.

A Return to Celluloid Roots

For most of its life, the ALEX was synonymous with Hollywood magic. Opening as a vaudeville house and movie palace, it quickly became a premier venue for major studios, a trusted sneak-preview house where legends like Elizabeth Taylor and Charlie Chaplin would gauge audience reactions. It screened blockbusters from Ben Hur to Star Wars. But as the industry shifted towards sterile multiplexes in the late 20th century, the economics of a single-screen palace became untenable. On September 2, 1991, the projectors went dark after a final showing of Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Following a $6.5 million city-funded restoration, the theatre was reborn in 1993 as a performing arts center, a vital cultural hub for music, dance, and comedy. Yet, its cinematic soul was never fully extinguished, kept alive by the Alex Film Society’s classic movie screenings. The 35-year hiatus from commercial filmmaking was a strategic adaptation to a changing market. Now, this new chapter is an equally strategic response to another market shift—one that craves authenticity and premium, tangible experiences.

"We are reclaiming our place as one of LA's premiere venues for Cinema," said Miles Williams, the Artistic Director at the ALEX. His statement isn't just PR fluff; it's a mission statement. The theatre isn’t just reopening a box office; it’s resurrecting an identity.

The 70mm Gambit

The core of this reclamation project is a significant technological and financial investment in 70mm and 35mm film projection. In a digital world, this commitment to a physical medium is audacious. 70mm film offers a visual experience that even the highest-resolution digital projection struggles to replicate. Its larger frame captures exponentially more detail, resulting in unparalleled clarity, richer color, and a sense of depth that feels truly immersive. It transforms a movie into an event.

This is the crux of the ALEX Theatre's gambit. The leadership understands that competing with streaming on convenience is a losing battle. Instead, they are choosing to compete on quality and experience. The installation of state-of-the-art sound systems and the construction of a new main floor projection booth specifically for this run signal a deep commitment. It’s a move to attract not just the casual moviegoer, but the cinephile, the event-seeker, and a new generation curious about the power of analog presentation.

This strategy taps into a growing post-pandemic trend where audiences are more selective. They are willing to pay a premium for experiences that cannot be duplicated on a living room sofa. By offering one of the largest 70mm-capable auditoriums in Southern California, the ALEX isn’t just showing a film; it’s curating a singular, high-fidelity cultural event.

The Nolan Effect

Launching this new era with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is a masterstroke of strategic alignment. Nolan is more than a director; he is the modern standard-bearer for celluloid film. As a board member of The Film Foundation and a vocal advocate for photochemical preservation, his name is a brand that guarantees a certain kind of cinematic purism. His insistence on shooting and exhibiting on film—with The Odyssey being the first feature shot entirely with IMAX film cameras—has almost single-handedly fueled the 70mm revival.

This creates a powerful symbiosis. The ALEX gets to launch its cinematic rebirth with the most anticipated film of the year, from a director whose involvement inherently validates their technical investment. In return, Nolan's film gets another cathedral of cinema, a historic 1300-seat venue dedicated to presenting his work exactly as he intended. The reports of IMAX 70mm screenings for The Odyssey selling out a year in advance elsewhere confirm the existence of a passionate, dedicated audience willing to travel and pay for this specific experience. The ALEX is perfectly positioned to capture that fervent demand in the Los Angeles area.

This partnership immediately elevates the theatre beyond being just another screen. It becomes a destination, a crucial part of a global cinematic event. It’s a powerful way to announce to a new generation of film lovers that the ALEX is not a museum, but an active and essential part of the future of film exhibition.

Carving a Niche in a Crowded Market

Los Angeles is not short on premium cinema options. From the Academy Museum’s state-of-the-art Geffen Theater to the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre, the competition for the cinephile’s dollar is fierce. The ALEX Theatre's strategy for success hinges on its unique value proposition: the potent combination of historic grandeur, independent spirit, and cutting-edge presentation.

Unlike corporate multiplexes, the ALEX offers a sense of place and history. It provides an experience that begins the moment you see its glowing neon spire. By joining the select group of Southern California venues capable of projecting 70mm, it enters an elite class while retaining its distinct community-focused identity. It’s a place built for spectacle, now re-equipped for the most spectacular format available.

This ambitious return to cinema is a powerful statement about the enduring value of shared cultural experiences. By investing in the past, the ALEX Theatre is making a bold claim on the future, betting that the most compelling technology for bringing people together is still a story told with light on a very, very big screen.