First appearing in city directories in 1968, the Cinema Carriage Square Theatre (at 111 West Gonzales Road) was a two-screen theatre for a long time until the 1980s, at which point the three screens (and extra concession stand) in the rear of the building were built. Went to the final evening last night (Sunday) to see “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” and everything was proceeding as if the next day promised more screenings. The very simple crackerbox five-plex has some very large auditoriums and I’d been going there for 20 years (not continuously, of course). The managers retained their jobs (it was a Regency Theatre) but their surly tones (which could have been stress), graffitied walls and general overall state of the theatre was sad. A small sparrow flew into the lobby and vanished. It was not a good sign.
The actual screens and concession stand / projection booth are still standing; it can be seen off the 217 Freeway as one drives west to the University of California at Santa Barbara campus.
A very confusing history. Appearing in the city listings in 1926, the Moorpark Theatre (at 115 East High Street) is referred to as such through 1952, but an El Rancho Theatre is listed at the same address from 1938 through 1952. In 1957, an El Rancho Theatre appears at 43 High Street through 1960, renamed the following year as the Park Theatre and operating as a cinema for the next few years. The theatre (which still presents live theatre and music, albeit sporadically) has a website which is equally unrevealing…
Theatre still stands, with its imperial crown and Imperial logo on the peeling tower facade outside – the only patrons these days being errant flocks of pigeons…
This theatre was called the Aztec Theatre at one point in the 1940s. The Smell (an all-ages club situated directly next door) was planning to expand into the Linda Lea space but perhaps this is not the case now. Rather it be a theatre, though!
Over in the post for the Cozy, Tillmany wrote:
“‘The Killer That Stalked New York’ is a 1950 film about a woman with the bubonic plague loose in New York City. Much of it was filmed there. But the finale, in which the woman, played by Evelyn Keyes, is out on the ledge of a building, threatening to jump, was filmed on South Broadway in Los Angeles, right above the Central Theatre, and in the same block as the Cozy. Although the Central is not easy to identify, the flashing neon of the Cozy is unmistakenly visible in several scenes."
posted by Tillmany on May 15, 2004 at 8:43am
I went by there recently and it’s now an All in Bridal & Tuxedo shop.
Vertical “Teatro Broadway” theatre sign still there, above the Hierbas Medicinales / Alvarado Clothing stores. This was also Tally’s New Broadway Theatre (1919 – 1925), and the New Broadway (1930). Mr. Tally also had a theatre in Santa Barbara in 1911 or so – the theatre that eventually became The Rose.
Apart from the Convervancy’s tours on weekends, this theatre is closed. It use to host loads of live actions and but Gilmore (the developer who owns the building) purportedly didn’t think it was making money quickly enough. It has ceiling murals similar to those of the Los Angeles, and a second (very steep) balcony with separate entrances / washrooms / concession stand for he “coloreds” (closed for a very long time, obviously). A huge, impressive cinema…
Very likely demolished, the estimable establishment of E&G Sewing resides here, possibly haunted by the happiness of all those people enjoying a day at The Mission…
As of July 4, this theatre (which had been closed for several years), became the new home of the Actor’s Studio. At least they didn’t tear it down!
First appearing in city directories in 1968, the Cinema Carriage Square Theatre (at 111 West Gonzales Road) was a two-screen theatre for a long time until the 1980s, at which point the three screens (and extra concession stand) in the rear of the building were built. Went to the final evening last night (Sunday) to see “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” and everything was proceeding as if the next day promised more screenings. The very simple crackerbox five-plex has some very large auditoriums and I’d been going there for 20 years (not continuously, of course). The managers retained their jobs (it was a Regency Theatre) but their surly tones (which could have been stress), graffitied walls and general overall state of the theatre was sad. A small sparrow flew into the lobby and vanished. It was not a good sign.
There’s a very nice black-and-white photograph of the Esquire posted on the wall at the back of Canter’s.
The actual screens and concession stand / projection booth are still standing; it can be seen off the 217 Freeway as one drives west to the University of California at Santa Barbara campus.
A very confusing history. Appearing in the city listings in 1926, the Moorpark Theatre (at 115 East High Street) is referred to as such through 1952, but an El Rancho Theatre is listed at the same address from 1938 through 1952. In 1957, an El Rancho Theatre appears at 43 High Street through 1960, renamed the following year as the Park Theatre and operating as a cinema for the next few years. The theatre (which still presents live theatre and music, albeit sporadically) has a website which is equally unrevealing…
The theatre has been demolished. A Blockbuster Video store stands on the spot now.
Theatre still stands, with its imperial crown and Imperial logo on the peeling tower facade outside – the only patrons these days being errant flocks of pigeons…
Theatre still stands, used currently as some kind of retail outlet.
This theatre was called the Aztec Theatre at one point in the 1940s. The Smell (an all-ages club situated directly next door) was planning to expand into the Linda Lea space but perhaps this is not the case now. Rather it be a theatre, though!
A series of parking lots / garages currently occupies this address.
Is it possible that the spire atop the theatre is just a cover / enclosure for the Fox logo – that it was never actually taken down after all?
The address is completely obliterated. A government office building sits on the site now.
Over in the post for the Cozy, Tillmany wrote:
“‘The Killer That Stalked New York’ is a 1950 film about a woman with the bubonic plague loose in New York City. Much of it was filmed there. But the finale, in which the woman, played by Evelyn Keyes, is out on the ledge of a building, threatening to jump, was filmed on South Broadway in Los Angeles, right above the Central Theatre, and in the same block as the Cozy. Although the Central is not easy to identify, the flashing neon of the Cozy is unmistakenly visible in several scenes."
posted by Tillmany on May 15, 2004 at 8:43am
I went by there recently and it’s now an All in Bridal & Tuxedo shop.
It’s now a Tu Musica record shop.
Vertical “Teatro Broadway” theatre sign still there, above the Hierbas Medicinales / Alvarado Clothing stores. This was also Tally’s New Broadway Theatre (1919 – 1925), and the New Broadway (1930). Mr. Tally also had a theatre in Santa Barbara in 1911 or so – the theatre that eventually became The Rose.
Also known as the Telenews Theatre (1942) and the Teleview Theatre (1940 – 1945).
I seem to recall some narrative on the old board saying that there was previously a Garrick Theatre on this site which burnt down.
Apart from the Convervancy’s tours on weekends, this theatre is closed. It use to host loads of live actions and but Gilmore (the developer who owns the building) purportedly didn’t think it was making money quickly enough. It has ceiling murals similar to those of the Los Angeles, and a second (very steep) balcony with separate entrances / washrooms / concession stand for he “coloreds” (closed for a very long time, obviously). A huge, impressive cinema…
I also have records of this being referred to (in 1942) as the Newsreel Theatre.
The marquee is still there but the interior is entirely gutted and there’s new construction going on inside.
This theatre may also have been the Music Hall Downtown (1950 – 1955).
There’s a really nice Burger King there now.
Very likely demolished, the estimable establishment of E&G Sewing resides here, possibly haunted by the happiness of all those people enjoying a day at The Mission…
A mini-mall (key repair, etc.) is what currently takes up the space in which the American Theatre formerly inhabited.
Now, only a parking lot is all that remains of the Kiva’s remains.