Ravenna Theatre

233 N. Vermont Avenue,
Los Angeles, CA 90004

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres

Architects: Richard D. King

Previous Names: Chotiner's Ravenna Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Ravenna Theatre, Los Angeles in 1927

Chotiner’s Ravenna Theatre was opened in 1925. It was a single screen neighborhood movie house that was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres by June 1938. It has been demolished.

Contributed by John Chappell

Recent comments (view all 12 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 4, 2004 at 4:29 am

Southwest builder and contractor of 2/13/1925 says that Richard D. King was the architect for the Ravenna Theatre, and that it was being built for Chotiner Theaters.

trooperboots
trooperboots on January 8, 2005 at 9:19 am

The address for this theater is listed for

Vermont GM Certified Used Cars
233 N. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (213) 251-1414

Not sure if the theater building is still there and used by the dealership or not.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 8, 2005 at 1:02 pm

A search on 233 N. Vermont at Terraserver fetches a recent aerial view of the area, and there are no buildings that resemble a theater (at least from directly above) there today. The shadow of that pitched roof on the front of the building would surely show in an aerial view. I think that this theatre must have been demolished.

trooperboots
trooperboots on March 5, 2005 at 7:36 pm

Joe, it seems you are absolutely correct. I am sure this theater was there when I atended Virgil Junior High School in 1962-1965. Does anyone know when it was knocked down?

jmarellano
jmarellano on March 6, 2005 at 5:47 pm

Im pretty sure that the empty lot is where this theatre would have been if you look on terraserver.

BOBBAKER
BOBBAKER on April 23, 2005 at 12:25 am

I worked there as a young adult..ushering…I watched in sadness as it was demolished ca.1985….(Had been used as a church for a few years) It is indeed a parking lot for GM new/used cars…I live on NH ave..almost at the same address …I could see it from my porch.

trooperboots
trooperboots on May 26, 2005 at 6:15 am

Virgil Junior High School (now called VIrgil Middle School) is only a block or so away from this site. Former students were Marilyn Monroe, Carole Lombard, and Richard Crenna. It is said all 3 used to go to movies in this theater and also at the El Capitan a few blocks to the south. Both are gone now.

arriano
arriano on November 13, 2005 at 4:25 am

I have letterhead for “Chotiner’s Theatre” that shows it located at Vermont and 8th. I assume this is the same theater. The letter is dated Sept. 19, 1922, and signed by M.C. Chotiner.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 13, 2005 at 10:26 am

Arian: There were several Los Angeles area theatres owned by the Chotiner circuit. The one at 8th and Vermont was Chotiner’s Parisian, later operated as the Fox Parisian.

Incidentally, Max Chotiner was married to silent movie actress Alice Calhoun, who was herself half-owner of the Marcal Theatre (listed here under its final name, the World Theatre) in Hollywood.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 22, 2008 at 7:16 pm

Here is part of an LA Times story dated 9/20/51:

Two San Quentin escapees were sought by police yesterday in connection with two daylight hold-ups within a couple of hours, which involved an estimated $5,000 cash loot.

The pair have been identified sa the ones who held up the Ravenna Theater at 233 N. Vermont Ave. Tuesday evening and escaped with $130 after threatening with a shotgun John Bish, assistant manager, and Frances Lavelle, cashier.

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