On Fairfax, this screen saver is alive and well

ATTENDANCE at multiplexes nationwide may be down, but one Los Angeles theater is bucking the trend. Regency’s Fairfax Cinemas has been gaining momentum over the last six months as a destination theater. The draw? Three-dollar tickets. The theater, at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue -- right near the Pacific Theatres at the Grove’s 14 screens -- was formerly a Laemmle art house.

And when it became available late last year, the Calabasas-based Regency Theatres chain jumped at the opportunity to add an additional three screens to its second-run empire (62 screens in three states).

Since then, cinephiles of all stripes have discovered the joys of seeing second-run films such as “Babel” in a historic Los Angeles theater for less than most pay to park at the ArcLight. Regency co-owner Lyndon Golin is hoping he can keep pulling in thrifty movie buffs, even though he just doubled the price of admission for evening showings (daytime tickets are still $3).

“It’s a [business] model that relies on volume,” Golin says. It’s also a model that’s been tried in that very spot -- Cineplex offered cheap second-run bills in the ‘80s. But Golin, 41, seems to have timing on his side -- along with smart film choices and juicy, loss-leading $1 hot dogs. “It’s a labor of love,” he sighs. “But it’s a great location in a very strong moviegoing area.”

-- CHARLIE AMTER