Magazine

Imagine it’s the ’70s in the San Fernando Valley — known to many simply as the Valley — a 345-square-mile suburban region within the city of Los Angeles. Picture the intersection of a heavily populated boulevard: Scores of people stroll along massive sidewalks, dozens of automobiles drive down the main drag. Young people, suited up in their evening’s best, rush to gain access to an exclusive nightclub. Central to this scene is the flashing marquee of a theater, its massive neon letters spell R-E-S-E-D-A above the street.

I’ve just described the opening sequence of the ’90s film, Boogie Nights. The movie realistically presents the hustle and bustle environment that was endemic to the Valley during this era. Today, the Reseda Theater and the surrounding streets are virtually empty at night. The theater’s massive blue-and- white marquee, in a notable state of disrepair, is the only remaining icon for the community.