Vista Theatre in Los Feliz: A 100-Year Movie Night Coloring Page
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Some buildings feel like old friends. The Vista Theatre in Los Feliz is one of them.
With its ornate façade, glowing marquee, and single-screen charm, the Vista has been welcoming Angelenos since 1923. It’s where first dates, cult classics, midnight screenings, and “we-have-to-see-this-on-35mm” nights all live under the same roof.
This coloring page captures that moment right outside the doors: people gathered on the sidewalk, marquee blazing, everyone buzzing with the shared excitement of movie night.
It’s a love letter to cinema, to neighborhood theaters, and to the very specific magic of seeing a film at the Vista.
A Marquee That Tells a Story
Front and center is the iconic marquee:
SINCE 1923
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
TRUE ROMANCE 35MM
In one block of text, you get:
- A sense of the Vista’s history (100 years of movies!)
- A nod to film lovers who still chase 35mm screenings
- That feeling that tonight’s show is a little bit special
Kids might not know what 35mm means yet, but they do understand celebration. This is a building throwing itself a birthday party—with popcorn.
As you color, you can explain:
- How movies used to be shown on film reels
- Why historic theaters feel different from modern multiplexes
- What it’s like to see a movie in a place that’s been around for generations
Ornate Details and Neon Dreams
The illustration is full of character:
- The elaborate architectural flourishes above the entrance
- The bold VISTA sign, repeated and framed in curves and lines
- Tall, elegant doors and windows that hint at the space inside
- Clusters of people on the sidewalk, chatting, checking phones, waiting for showtime
It’s a perfect mix of straight lines (doors, windows, marquee) and decorative curves (signage, trim) that makes coloring satisfying for both kids and adults.
You can invite kids to imagine:
- What color the neon might be
- How bright the marquee bulbs would glow at night
- What movie they’d put on the sign if they were in charge
Crowd on the Sidewalk: Little Human Moments
Look closely at the people gathered out front:
- A group clustered near the center, mid-conversation
- Someone off to the side checking their phone or tickets
- A couple standing close together, maybe on a date night
- Another person waiting alone, lost in thought
They’re small, but they’re the heart of the scene. A theater is just a building without the people who show up for the story.
As you color, try questions like:
- “Who are these people to each other?”
- “Is this before the movie starts, or after it just ended?”
- “Which one is the film nerd who picked the screening?”
- “Is anyone here seeing this movie for the very first time?”
Kids can:
- Add speech bubbles with little bits of dialogue
- Give characters fun outfits or costumes
- Draw popcorn, soda cups, or ticket stubs in their hands
Suddenly, the Vista isn’t just architecture—it’s alive.
Ideas for Color Palettes: Night at the Movies
This page is begging for dramatic color. A few directions:
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Classic Cinema Night
- Deep navy or black sky
- Warm gold and yellow for the marquee lights
- Red accents for doors or trim
- Dark silhouettes with pops of color in clothing
-
Vintage 1920s Vibes
- Muted, slightly sepia tones
- Rich burgundies and forest greens
- Creamy off-white façade
- More subdued outfits, like old movie posters
-
Neon LA Fantasy
- Electric pink and teal neon outlines
- Gradient sky (sunset into night)
- Bold, unexpected building colors—teal, coral, or lavender
- Characters in bright, modern streetwear
Adults might enjoy layering colored pencils for a cinematic, shadowy effect, while kids can go full technicolor.
Make It a Movie Night Ritual at Home
You can build a whole evening around this Vista Theatre coloring page—even if you’re not heading out.
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Color First
- Sit down as a family and color the Vista while talking about favorite movies.
- Ask, “If you could see any movie here tonight, what would it be?”
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Pick a Movie
- Choose a film that matches the mood—maybe something actually shown on 35mm at the Vista at some point, or just a family favorite.
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Create Tickets
- Let kids design “Vista Theatre” tickets on small scraps of paper.
- They can copy the marquee look or invent their own.
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Screening Time
- Dim the lights, serve popcorn, and “scan” tickets at the living-room door.
- If you’re in Los Feliz or nearby, you might even plan to see a movie at the real Vista soon.
The coloring page becomes the opening credits to your own at-home premiere.
Color It, Then Visit It (If You’re Local)
For LA and Los Feliz families, this page is also a great pre-outing activity.
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Before your visit:
Color the Vista and talk about:- Theater etiquette (whispers only, phones off, no kicking seats)
- What treat each person will pick—popcorn, candy, or soda
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At the theater:
Stand across the street and compare:- “How close is your drawing to the real sign?”
- “What details did you add that aren’t actually there?”
- “Do the people outside tonight look like the ones in your picture?”
-
After the movie:
On the back of the coloring page, write:- The movie title
- The date
- Everyone’s favorite scene
Now the page doubles as a keepsake from your Vista night.
Why Theaters Like the Vista Matter
In a world of streaming and giant multiplexes, single-screen neighborhood theaters like the Vista do something different:
- They turn movie-going into an event, not just content.
- They make film history feel alive, not distant.
- They invite you to share gasps, laughs, and quiet moments with strangers in the dark.
For kids, coloring the Vista is a way of saying:
- This place is special.
- Stories are worth gathering for.
- Your own neighborhood holds a bit of Hollywood magic.
One marquee, one sidewalk crowd, one century-old theater—brought to life with crayons, markers, and whatever movie is playing in your imagination.