The name on the door says “Front Door Theatre and Bookstore”. There is no marquee and ladies are free with male escort; the ceiling is caved in at points – possibly from water damage – blacklights illuminate most of the room so one can see everything (ahem) that people are doing while they watch the films, which are digitally projected from a machine in the ceiling. An electronic ticker machine on the wall of the auditorium repeatedly warns patrons not to expose themselves and keep their hands to themselves. Nerve-jangling buzzers of different tones usher one into the theatre and the auditorium, there’s a security guard at the door to the theatre and it can best be described as “an experience”. The ticket taker said that the theatre had been showing adult films for 30 years.
Also not to be confused with the College Theatre that was located across the street from the Vista Theatre, possibly where a Blockbuster Video now sits. That College Theatre was in business in 1925.
I found the information originally in an old theatre directory at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library, and am still researching locations of about 50 more mystery theatres in Los Angeles. Sorry about missing you in Los Angeles, Ken – looks like you followed up on a lot of mysteries yourself!
An interesting fact unveiled in the documentary “Inside Deep Throat” (2005) was that, by 1990, the amount of porn theatres in America had dwindled from 1500 to 250.
What isn’t often admitted is that churches and pornography – ironically working together on this one – have kept little neighborhood theatres from being destroyed for many years. They’re just “keeping the seat warm”, as it were.
Of course we don’t judge! We’re theatre nerds. We have no place to judge!
Awesome – thanks for the tip, Jeff! I’m going in there next weekend.
The name on the door says “Front Door Theatre and Bookstore”. There is no marquee and ladies are free with male escort; the ceiling is caved in at points – possibly from water damage – blacklights illuminate most of the room so one can see everything (ahem) that people are doing while they watch the films, which are digitally projected from a machine in the ceiling. An electronic ticker machine on the wall of the auditorium repeatedly warns patrons not to expose themselves and keep their hands to themselves. Nerve-jangling buzzers of different tones usher one into the theatre and the auditorium, there’s a security guard at the door to the theatre and it can best be described as “an experience”. The ticket taker said that the theatre had been showing adult films for 30 years.
Also not to be confused with the College Theatre that was located across the street from the Vista Theatre, possibly where a Blockbuster Video now sits. That College Theatre was in business in 1925.
Did you take the Broadway theatre tour on the weekends? Thanks for the offer of help – let me know your email address and I’ll shoot you some names.
I found the information originally in an old theatre directory at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library, and am still researching locations of about 50 more mystery theatres in Los Angeles. Sorry about missing you in Los Angeles, Ken – looks like you followed up on a lot of mysteries yourself!
The day the porn drive-ins in Texas close will be a sad day indeed.
An interesting fact unveiled in the documentary “Inside Deep Throat” (2005) was that, by 1990, the amount of porn theatres in America had dwindled from 1500 to 250.
This theatre was located at 518 South Main Street, actually.
Yes, this is a rather extensive segment of “Inside Deep Throat” (2005) – highly recommended for fans of old theatres and their marquees in the 1970s.
What isn’t often admitted is that churches and pornography – ironically working together on this one – have kept little neighborhood theatres from being destroyed for many years. They’re just “keeping the seat warm”, as it were.
Likely this was the Cinema West 4 (1968 – 1969, single screen; 1974 – 1975, fourplex) later renamed Mall Cinemas 4 (1979 â€" 1990).
This theatre was located at 125 West Huntington Drive (at Parsons).
This is the site for showtimes:
View link
Thus, it should be listed as Open.
The former Coronet Theatre was located at 130 West Main.
Was there ever a Capri Theatre in Alhambra in the 1960s?
There’s a few shots of this theatre showing “Deep Throat” in the very recent “Inside Deep Throat” documentary.
Any relation to the Rosslyn Hotel down the road a piece?
This theatre is now for rent as a “restaurant / juice bar” (!).
Iglesia Universal has moved out and the theatre is now empty and for rent / lease; the real estate agency sign notes that it’s “for church”.
There’s some footage of this closed theatre in the recent documentary, “Inside Deep Throat” (2005).
Its address was 7901 Trask Avenue.
Lost in a big fire in 1949.
Was this known as the Centinela Theatre at some point?
Hope the restoration goes well – it’s in kind of a dodgy neighborhood, though.