Comments from vokoban

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vokoban
vokoban commented about Majestic Theatre on Mar 1, 2006 at 5:16 am

From 1926 until 1932, the news is mostly about live shows at the Majestic with a few movies. Then it starts to get a little seedy. I guess this one is before myspace existed:

(June 15, 1932)
MORE LIGHT THROWN ON KIDNAP TALE
Questioning a taxi driver who drove the girl and her supposed abductor away and a companion of the mother and sister, police yesterday expressed the belief that Miss June McLaughlin, 16-year-old dancer known professionally as June DeVon, may have consented in her disappearance from in front of the Majestic Theater last Sunday night. The mother, Mrs. Louise McLaughlin, and sister Violet McLaughlin of 836 Sanborn avenue, originally reported to police that the dancer was forced by a former sailor admirer to accompany him. They declared, according to their report, that the so-called abduction took place immediately after they met the girl at the theater and after she told them the sailor had caused a disturbance which resulted in the loss of her position.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Majestic Theatre on Mar 1, 2006 at 5:03 am

Here’s a few items on the decline and death of this great theater. There are literally hundreds of items in the LA Times about plays and operas put on here all through the 20’s and then it starts becoming more burlesque and finally being razed in 1933 for…of course, a parking structure. At least that’s what one article claims.

Here’s one about a merger:

(June 12, 1926)
The Majestic and Orange Grove theaters were merged into one organization yesterday when a deal was closed by Michael Corper, Ralph Spence, Will Morrissey and Arthur Freed. Corper will officiate as director-general of both theaters, holding a controlling interest over all productions which Spence and Morrissey are to stage at the Majestic. Morrissey, it was announced, will open at the Majestic Sunday evening, the 20th inst., with a new edition of his Music Hall Revue….

vokoban
vokoban commented about Victoria Theatre on Feb 27, 2006 at 9:13 am

Here’s an article from the LA Times about a robbery at this theater:

(Nov. 20, 1936)
While counting the box office receipts of Victoria Theater, Pico Boulevard and Berendo street, last night, G.F. Bromley, manager, was robbed by and armed bandit. The bandit, 25 years of age, entered the theater office, Bromley said, struck a gun in the manager’s ribs, grabbed the bag containing $120 and fled.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Del Mar Theatre on Feb 27, 2006 at 8:49 am

Thanks cnichols, I guess that boat store didn’t last long.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Lido Theatre on Feb 25, 2006 at 2:38 pm

Here is an LA Times article about the beginning of this theater:

(March 21, 1937)
COMBINED STORE, BANK, THEATER BUILDING RISING
Construction is under way on a theater, store and bank building at the northwest corner of Pico and La Cienga Boulevards for Pacific States Theaters, Inc. Contract was awarded to the Wesco Construction Company at $52,000. Architect C.A. Balch designed the structure. The building will contain a theater auditorium with seating capacity of 900, three storerooms and branch banking quarters for the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Del Mar Theatre on Feb 25, 2006 at 2:18 pm

I’ve been trying to find an opening date for this theater, but so far I can only find a seven year window. Does anyone know the date?

(Dec. 3, 1935)
Of good news to boating enthusiasts is the announcement of the Hollycraft Boating and Equipment Company at 5036 West Pico of a new marine engine display.

Here’s the first actual movie listing I could find so far:

(April 7, 1942)
DEL MAR Pico Nr. La Brea CALL THEATRE FOR PROGRAM

So it must be sometime between those two dates, I guess.

S

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 3:28 pm

Here’s a few excerpts from the Stevenson visit:

(Oct. 16, 1952)
….south on Figueroa to Washington Blvd, west on Washington blvd. to the Boulevard Theater, 1609 W. Washington Blvd., where at approximately 3:45 p.m. he(Adlai Stevenson) will give a 15-minute talk to the teamsters convention….

(Oct. 17, 1952)
Central Ave. roared its welcome yesterday to Adlai Stevenson. Crowds thronged the sidewalks as the Democratic nominee’s procession of cars passed the district. Everywhere, store windows carried large pictures of Stevenson and children shouted in carnival spirit. Stevenson’s car halted briefly at the Elks' Temple, 4016 S Central Ave., before continuing to the Boulevard Theater to address the teamsters' convention.

(Oct. 17, 1952)
JAM OF HUMANITY
The motorcade wormed through a jam of humanity surrounding the Boulevard Theater, where Stevenson gave a five-minute talk before the Teamsters Union delegates and conferred briefly with top teamster officials. At the theater, while the capacity audience roared lustily, Stevenson was greeted by Dan Tobin, international president of the teamsters.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 8:37 am

Wow, that’s pretty interesting Patrick. I wondered why the amount was pretty small on both of those robberies. Did your father ever take photographs of the theater? How long did he work there? It would be nice to see some photos that aren’t the regular stock photos on the library’s website.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 8:10 am

I think I found the answer to my own question. Here’s a part of a really long LA Times article:

(July 19, 1966)
…While they wait that out, they(the ICCC) contemplate refurnishing the theater, which still has popcorn on the floor although its last movie played there in August, 1964. This, they say, can go on concurrently with some of their early productions. Use of the theater and other rooms is the gift of the Thriftimart Co., which bought the building, once the seat of the Skouras movie empire, from Fox West Coast Theaters….

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 8:02 am

I wonder if they sold the space before the ICCC (Inner City Cultural Center) took over the space or if it was rented to that group.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 7:16 am

Thriftimart must have only used the Fox offices in this theater since there is only a two year span from the time of the last movie until it was converted to a community center/theater in 1966.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 7:13 am

I wonder if Thriftimart is the same as Thrifty Drugs. I know that films were shown here until 1964. At least it wasn’t turned into a drugstore before they tore it down.

(Jan. 24, 1960)
The Thriftimart Co. has purchased the 76,000 sq. ft. Fox West Coast theater building at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Vermont Ave. for use as executive offices. The air-conditioned office building and adjoining parking lots were purchased for a sum reported in excess of $750,000. Harold and Leonard Jaffe, of the Jaffe Realty Co., represented both the buyer and seller.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 7:05 am

Here’s a few LA Times items about robberies at this theater:

(Nov. 8, 1932)
Two taxi bandits armed with revolvers escaped yesterday with $150 cash from the Boulevard Theater, 1615 West Washington Boulevard, after they had bound and gagged the manager, Max Duncan, while he was alone in his office, according to police. Duncan reported the bandits surprised him as he was leaving to make a deposit in a near-by bank. He said they walked from the theater and escaped by a taxi.

(June 4, 1945)
Two men, one armed with a gun, held up the cashier at Fox West Coast’s Boulevard Theater, 1609 W. Washington Blvd., Saturday night and escaped with $148. The cashier was Yvonne Arbuthnot, 809 S. New Hampshire Ave.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Boulevard Theatre on Feb 22, 2006 at 5:41 am

The correct opening date for this theater is May 27, 1925. From looking at more than a few accounts of the opening and the listings up until the late 20’s, the correct opening name was West Coast Boulevard Theater. Every article lists the ‘er’ ending and not the ’re' ending. Here’s a short item on the opening:

(May 16, 1925)
NIBLO TO PRESIDE
Fred Niblo, noted director, whose latest cinema triumph, “Ben Hur,” is nearing completion, will be master of ceremonies at the grand opening of the new West Coast Boulevard Theater at Washington and Vermont the 27th inst. Louis J. Golden, managing director of the new showhouse, is having the neighborhood in the vicinity of Washington and Vermont decorated elaborately in honor of the gala occasion which will mark the grand opening.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 2:40 pm

Here’s a short article from the LA Times from the 80’s about this theater changing hands:

(March 25, 1984)
Laemmle Theaters has purchased the landmark Fine Arts theater, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., for $1.1 million and plans to take over its operation after mann Theaters' present lease expires at the end of 1985. Mann Theaters has operated the Fine Arts since 1973 but had turned down the opportunity to buy it, according to David Lachoff, of Grubb & Ellis Commerical Brokerage Group, who handled the transaction. That paved the way for Laemmle’s purchase, he said. The
Laemmle company operates nearly a dozen theaters in the Los Angeles area.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 2:34 pm

Here’s one more about the name change:

(Dec. 14, 1948)
REGINA WILL BE RENAMED
Southern California’s newest de luxe showcase, the Fine Arts Theater, in which first-run films from studios throughout the world will be presented, will open Dec. 28, it was announced yesterday by Fox West Coast Theaters. Plans are being drafted to launch the first attraction with a typical gala Hollywood premiere. The film is J. Arthur Rank’s dramatic musical, “The Red Shoes,” photographed in Technicolor. Located on Wilshire Blvd. near La Cienega and now known as the Regina, the house is in the process of being remodeled and redecorated. It will have a seating capacity of 700.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 7:17 am

This must be right around when the name changed:

(Dec. 28, 1948)
Tonight at 8 o'clock the pageantry that is a special part of the Hollywood premiere will be on display at the Fine Arts Theater, Wilshire Blvd. near La Cienega, for the benefit showing of J. Arthur Rank’s Technicolor ballet film, “The Red Shoes.” A turnout of stars is expected, among them Susan Hayward, Joan Crawford, Linda Darnell, Edward G. Robinson, Virginia Mayo, Eleanor Powell, Shirley Temple, Glenn Ford, Clifton Webb, Ava Gardener, Cornel Wilde, Jean Hersholt, Pat Knight, Ann Blythe and June Haver. The Fine Arts was formerly the Regina Theater.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 7:04 am

This is kind of funny:

(Nov. 10, 1939)
HEDDA HOPPER’S HOLLYWOOD
Peter Lorre driving by Regina Theater noticed they were playing “M”, the film which won him international fame. So dropped in to see himself again. First he sat through Boris Karloff in the “Black Room.” Then shuddered while Bela Lugosi did “White Zombie.” When “M” finally flashed on Lorre had fallen asleep. Actor or no actor, he couldn’t absorb that much horror. Could you???

Distributed by Jones Syndicate, 1939.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Fine Arts Theatre on Feb 20, 2006 at 6:55 am

The theater group I belong to (HTC-Historic Theater Commitee) is going to have a meeting at this theater on Feb. 28. I’ll see if they will let me take a few interior photos. Here is a short item from the LA Times. I guess they showed different types of films from the start at this theater.

(July 26, 1937)
Angelenos interested in Mexican affairs may view two official Mexican sound films depicting the progress and development of the southern republic under the leadership of President Cardenas at the Regina Theater, Wilshire Boulevard and Stanley avenue, Wednesday evening, beginning at 8 p.m., according to Renato Cantu Lara, Mexican Consul in Los Angeles.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Cutler Majestic Theatre on Feb 7, 2006 at 7:49 am

There is a streaming video of a seminar given by David Lynch in this theater at this link:

View link

Whether or not you are interested in hearing David Lynch talk about transcendental meditation, there are many shots of the audience and the interior of the theater.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Forum Theatre on Feb 5, 2006 at 11:04 am

I bribed my Chinese friend with breakfast and asked her to try to pass for Korean to get into this building today. The exterior is pretty much intact, but the auditorium is destroyed. It looks as though a new building was built inside of the theater, so the original might be above the very strange A-frame ceiling of the auditorium. I cannot imagine why anyone would spend the money to construct an A-frame ceiling underneath the huge original ceiling. The building is massive on the outside and when you see the interior space now, it feels as though you are in a tiny church. Most of the detail in the lobby and stairs going up on the sides is still there, although it has been painted over with white and beige glossy paint. I imagine it would have been gold originally. There is no sign of any murals left unless they are behind walls or above the wierd ceiling.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Broadway Theatre on Jan 24, 2006 at 5:31 am

I realize that this theater only had 400 seats, but it must have been quite a makeover to turn a shoe store into a theater. Although, the article from 1908 describes the space as a ‘fine large storeroom’.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Broadway Theatre on Jan 22, 2006 at 6:49 pm

To fill in a gap in the my posting above, Hollander & Funke Shoes moved into 428 S. Broadway for a third time in 1918. From 1919 until 1922 the space seems to have been occupied by Young’s Shoes For Men.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Broadway Theatre on Jan 22, 2006 at 6:28 pm

This is the first mention of a theater, so the opening date should be sometime not too long after this advertisement for the Wurlitzer Company. There are a few of these ads for December.

(Dec. 9, 1924)
Listen to the new Wurlitzer Organ in the New Broadway Theater, which will open soon at 428 S. Broadway.

(March 15, 1926)
As scores of pedestrians and motorists passed in front, three armed bandits held up the Broadway Theater, 428 South Broadway, and obtained $400 in cash from the cashier and manager, according to police reports yesterday. The hold-up occurred late Saturday night shortly after theater crowds began pouring into the streets.

vokoban
vokoban commented about Broadway Theatre on Jan 22, 2006 at 6:21 pm

I’ve been doing a little searching and I’ve found a close time to the opening, but not the actual date. Here’s a little about what was at this address:

(Nov. 3, 1906)
Trustee Property No. 2
Located at 424-428 South Broadway. Ground Area 59x155 Feet.

(March 5, 1907)
One of the properties in which these Unit-Interests are offered is the new ten-story steel-frame, fire-proof, office building under construction at 426-428-430 South Broadway. This property is valued at $525,000 and is divided into 525 Units, which are being sold at the price of $1000 per Unit.

(July 19, 1908)
The fine large storeroom, 428 South Broadway, in the Trustee building, has been rented by a party of New York importers of oriental rugs,…..

(Dec. 28, 1908)
Wiley B. Allen Co. Formerly at 416-418 South Broadway Re-Opens at 428 So. Broadway Temporarily {Piano Store}

There are consistent ads for Hollander & Funke The Family Shoe Store at 428 S. Broadway from May 1908-October 1910.

General Agency New Home Sewing Machine Store occupied this address from 1913-1914.

Apparently, Hollander & Funke Shoe Store returned to this address for another year in 1915.

(Feb. 17, 1916)
When in a Hurry for Breakfast eat at Boos Bros.
BOOS BROS. Where Quality Never Varies
428 South Broadway

(May 24, 1921)
BUYS BROADWAY BUILDING.
….in the sale of the Broadway Central Building, a ten-story and basement class A structure at 424-428 South Broadway, by the Trustee Company to Oscar Gumbinsky, prominent paper pulp manufacturer of Chicago, for a consideration of $500,000…The building, erected in 1906, is one of the best constructed in the city, being of steel frame with concrete filler walls……