The New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, owned by Quentin Tarantino, is reopening its doors to a variety of 1970s pornographic films this February, reconnecting with its original identity as The Eros. This revival aims to honor the cinema’s roots in erotic cinema during its early years, highlighting Quentin Tarantino erotic cinema’s influence on preserving this unique film history.
Historical Background of The New Beverly Cinema’s Erotic Beginnings
When it opened in 1971, the venue was called The Eros and focused primarily on screening erotic films. In 1978, Sherman Torgan acquired the cinema, and the programming gradually shifted toward a more conventional arthouse selection. Later, after Tarantino’s purchase in 2010, the theater continued this arthouse tradition until now, when it returns briefly to its provocative origins as a tribute marking nearly fifty years since those initial screenings.
February Programme Celebrates Classic Erotic Cinema
Throughout February, the New Beverly Cinema will showcase a mix of well-known and rarer adult films from the 1970s. Among the highlights is a midnight screening scheduled for February 21st of “The Fireworks Woman,” a hardcore erotic movie directed by Wes Craven under the alias Abe Snake. This film debuted in 1975, during a peak period in Craven’s career when he had notable success with horror classics such as
“The Last House on the Left”
and “The Hills Have Eyes.”
Another significant night will be Valentine’s Day, February 14th, featuring a double bill of Russ Meyer’s “Vixen” and “Up.” These films showcase contrasting facets of erotic cinema, blending playful and serious tones that define Meyer’s distinctive style.
Quentin Tarantino’s Admiration for 1970s Erotic Films
Although Tarantino has never directed an erotic film himself, he has expressed a deep appreciation for this genre, especially the pioneering works of the 1970s. Reflecting on the era and director Russ Meyer, Tarantino once remarked,
“There were a lot of promises made. Some of them were kept and fulfilled, and some of them weren’t. One of the promises that unfortunately existed that year [1970] and a couple years after that was never fulfilled was the promise of a new, erotic cinema.”
— Quentin Tarantino, filmmaker
Significance of the Program and What to Expect Next
This month-long presentation, running from February 2nd through March 1st, 2026, emphasizes the cultural and cinematic importance of erotic film heritage embedded in the New Beverly Cinema’s history. By reviving Quentin Tarantino erotic cinema’s foundational influences, the series not only offers audiences a rare glimpse into a distinctive film legacy but also cements Tarantino’s role in preserving and celebrating this niche of American cinema history.
