El Rey Theatre

The El Rey theatre is located on Wilshire Blvd. about 3 blocks west of La Brea. The El Rey is a little Art Deco gem. The El Rey seated around 900 people. Currently this theatre used as a night club for concerts. If you see or have seen the movies "Night of the Comet" or "Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back" you can see the marquee and front of the house. The area where the El Rey is located had three other theatres. (Fox Ritz [razed], UA Four Star [church], Fox La Brea [church]. The El Rey was a Fox house and finally the last chain to run it was Mann Theatres in the late 70's. In the late 70's Mann theatres dropped a lot of it's single screen theatres. (El Rey, Fairfax, Rialto, Highland, Wilshire, Academy [Pasadena], Loyola, Criterion. The El Rey spent the early 80's as a 3rd. run house, before closing.

The marquee is one of the highlights of the Miracle Mile area. It's far more colorful now than it was in the theater's final days as a last-run house and Filmex venue. When the theater was being renovated for a nightclub, the owners razed the original ticket booth. I'm not sure if they were forced to by preservation laws or what, but they did realize their mistake and build a new booth. This is a nice place to see a rock show, if you don't mind standing and are tall enough to overcome sightline problems posed by the flat floor. A small balcony is usually open to VIPs only.

The El Rey Theatre opened in 1928 and it's architect was W. Cliff Balch. It was a small, angular Art Deco Moderne gem with a marvelous box office and original signage, a king's head etched in neon. A long time Fox house located on the Miracle Mile area in Los Angeles.

Saw a concert here the other night. Really cool looking from the outside, not so much from the inside. But it's a great place to see a rock show, the acoustics are fantastic!

El Rey means The King in Spanish.
This theatre is one of some 200 that could be described as "Skouras-ized For Showmanship" which is the title of the ANNUAL of 1987 of the Theatre Historical Soc. of America. In the late 1930s through the 1950s, there occurred on the west coast of the United States a phenomenon known as the 'Skouras style' in recognition of the oversight of the Skouras brothers in their management of several cinema chains. They employed a designer by the name of Carl G. Moeller to render their cinemas/theatres in a new style best described as 'Art Moderne meets Streamlined Rococo.' The then new availability of aluminum sheeting at low cost was the principal material difference to this style allowing for sweeping, 3-dimensional shapes of scrolls to adorn walls and facades in an expression that would have been much more expensive and not at all the same in plaster. With the use of hand tinted and etched aluminum forms, the designers could make ornaments in mass production that allowed much greater economies of scale. The ANNUAL also shows in its 44 pages how some 20 theatres were good examples of this combining of aluminum forms with sweeping draperies heavily hung with large tassels, and with box offices and facades richly treated with neon within the aluminum forms. Few of these examples survive today, but it was a glorious era while it lasted, and this collection of crisp b/w photos is a fitting epitaph by the late Preston Kaufmann.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either "Marquee" or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on their first page the link "PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List" and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. The "Marquee" magazine is 8-1/2x11 inches tall ('portrait') format, and the ANNUALS are also soft cover in the same size, but in the long ('landscape') format, and are anywhere from 26 to 44 pages. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to lend it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]

Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.

Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at: execdir@historictheatres.org
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)

Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM--4PM, CT)

When this theatre was the site of the 1974 Filmex/LACMA Great American Films Marathon, Groucho Marx made what must have been one of his last public appearances. When Duck Soup (I think)was shown, he walked down the aisle and everyone stood and applauded. At the same event, when All About Eve was shown, there were loud, prolonged hisses when Bette Davis delivers the speech in the car about just a woman and her man. Another very peculair incident involving this theatre. One afternoon, when seeing a movie there (perhaps Zandy's Bride, I was sitting in the back row right by the entrance. The guy who was doing double duty as ticket taker/candy counter person stuck his head through the curtains, saw me there, and said he had to go out for a little while and would I watch the candy counter and send anyone with tickets right on in...there weren't a lot of patrons that day, but I had never been asked to do that before.

Sadly, I never saw a movie at the El Rey. I first went to the El Rey in 1988 when it was a night club called "Wall Street." At that time the balcony was open to all and was a great place to hang out. I have recently been again to the El Rey as part of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles's Miracle Mile walking tour. That tour is definitely a must to take.

During the 30's the El Rey would have "Dish Night" on
Tuesday or Wednesday night. Between the double feature the
house lights would come on and the theatre Mgr. would start the drawing for Fiesta type dishes (sets) If you had the right ticket number you went home with a set. This was during the Big Depression
and better that they had a drawing for a ham or a chicken.
On Saturday afternoon I could see a western, cartoon and
a Saturday matinee serial for ten cents, for five cents more I could buy a roll of Necco wafers. And that shot half of my allowance.
R. McLaughlin

The Art Deco-Moderne El Rey Theater still stands proudly on Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile, a monument to good taste in architecture, and a reminder of another era when movie palaces were the centers of every good community.

You can see a shot of the marquee in one of the current T-Mobile cell phone commercials running now.

I worked at the El Rey as a relief projectionist in the late sixties/early seventies. It was part of Mann Theatres chain. The most successful film shown there during my time there was PATTON.
The theatre had a Great Waterfall Curtain. And the opening scene of PATTON with that flag as George C. Scott begins to talk to his troops was a sight to behold as the curtain rose to that scene.
Haven't been back since those days so they had to have changed it quite a bit. As a movie theatre in those days, you went upstairs to a lounge with bathrooms and the manager'a and projection room was also accessible from there.
Anyway, it was great theatre to have worked at and I am glad it still survives.

CALLING ALL THEATRE / MOVIE ENTHUSIASTS!!!

T'he Los Angeles Theatre' on South Broadway, LA is playing host to the UK television show 'Dead Famous LIVE'. We are currently looking for people who would like to come along as part of the studio audience.

'Dead Famous LIVE' is a studio entertainment show all about Hollywood History and the paranormal. We will be welcoming celebrity guests on to the show and investigating famous locations around Hollywood which are rumoured to be haunted including the Los Angeles Theatre itself.

This is an invaluable chance to get access to the Los Angeles Theatre, the place where Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights' premiered in 1931 and to have a thoroughly great day out! (And its free!!)

We're transmitting 'Live' back to the United Kingdom so expect it to be exciting and fun!

We will be filming on three days from 11th - 13th November between 11.30am - 4pm. If you are interested in coming on one or all of these days then email me for tickets!

george.hughes@twofour.co.uk

I look forward to your responses!

In the late 1970s, I lived on Burnside Avenue in the first apartment house north of Wilshire. It’s a beautiful Spanish revival building, which has since been landmarked and rightfully so. The units boasted ornamental fireplaces, beamed ceilings, french doors, and bathrooms with hand-painted tiles of a different color and design in each apartment. My rent was $125 a month.

My place faced the parking lot in back of the buildings along Wilshire, which of course included the El Rey Theater. The Miracle Mile had not yet been rediscovered as a desirable residential location, and the retail stores that gave that originally gave that stretch of Wilshire its name were long in decline (with the exception only of the May Company and Ohrbach’s, both at the corner of Fairfax). The Bond clothing store had already been vacated and had become a discount electronics store called Adrays. Desmond’s and Silverwood’s were clinging to life (though in fairness I believe that their locations on Crenshaw south of Santa Barbara were doing even worse). Silverwood's had an extraordinarily detailed neon sign incorporating the Hart Schaffner Marx logo.

My years in that neighborhood were some of the best of my entire life, even though I witnessed one of the saddest episodes in Los Angeles’ architectural heritage from my windows – the wanton, unforgivable destruction of Coulter’s Department Store (at that time operating as the Broadway Wilshire). Here’s a pic: http://www.usc.edu/dept/architecture/shulman/image_collection/Coulters.html This has got to be L.A.’s second-greatest loss from the art deco period (after the Richfield Building).

It is good to know that some people are doing creative things with the El Rey theatre to make it viable.

A William Reagh photo:

http://helios.library.ca.gov/soca/reagh/1990-0966.jpg

As a young projectionist (22) I was sent to the El Rey in late 1975 to run a double bill, the Hindenburg along with Airport 75. The small booth was entered through the upstairs lobby.

An otherwise dreadful, forgettable film from 1977 called "Fire Sale" is on Fox Movie Channel tonight, in NYC at least.

I lived on the block when it was filmed at Wilshire and Burnside. I've never sat through the movie, so I can't say if it has any shots of the El Rey or not ... but might be worth a look.

I haven't had cable for a while. The last movie channel that I used on a regular basis was the Z Channel. I must have taped a thousand movies off of that channel.

The El Rey is down the street a bit in this undated photo from the LA Library:

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics19/00009266.jpg

Here is a nice color photo of the El Rey Theater.

A portion of the illuminated marquee of the El Rey Theatre can very briefly be seen in a new T-Mobile tv commercial.

I only saw a handful of films at the El Rey, but among them was the first run showing of Psycho, so it is forever etched in my memory.

Another photo of the El Rey theater can be seen here.

This photo of the El Rey Theater claims to be from 1999.

From the LAPL:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1161/

Sorry about that:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028703.jpg

Here is a 2007 photo of the El Rey at night.

In the movie Night of the Comet. The begining of the movie takes place at The El Ray. There is even a shot that takes place inside the booth.

The El Rey Theater, still standing, still living. I only know the performing Theater side of the El Rey, never went when they were showing movies. I performed at the El Rey in the late 1980's. It was sort of a reunion for the group that I was a member of. That group, New Birth, aka "Wildflower" "I Can Understand It" "Got to Get a Knutt" etc. Anytime I play a Theater such as the El Rey, it always reminds me of playing the Apollo in New York. I remember that night well, the house was filled with happy fans and we had a good time. The El Rey is in a excellent location, and it a fun place to perform. I have also visted the El Rey for other concerts, and always have a good time there. Keep on Keeping on.... El Rey Theater!

My website: home.earthlink.net/~rrussell007/

Here is a January 1947 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/yt5sll

NIGHT OF THE COMET is simply one of the best 1980s Cheesy Sci-fi. The dialogue in this movie is simply hilarious! Unfortunately, it is NOT on DVD. I paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.

NOT on DVD and you paid $20.00 for a used copy on Amazon.com.

Well "Night of the Comet" was released on DVD from MGM on March 6th, 2007 and the list price is $14.98.

I bought it a few years ago. $20.00 was the CHEAPEST price I found for it anywhere.

This is a recent photo of the El Rey Theater.

El Rey Theater website.

The El Rey looked great last night. I took a batch of pictures with my phone, but this is the only one that turned out:
http://tinyurl.com/34jhc4

I kept thinking that we had a theater in the 5400 block of Wilshire that was now a church. There's a great old Art Deco building at 5410, but that was never a theater as far as I could tell. There was also the Fox Ritz at 5214, which is gone. If I'm imagining this theater, let me know so I can stop looking for it.

Ken: I think the nearest theatre to the 5400 block other than the El Rey and Ritz was the Four Star in the 5100 block. It's been churched.

5410 Wilshire is the Dominguez Building, 1930, by Morgan, Walls & Clements (meaning probably just Stiles Clements, at that date.)

That's it, Joe. I was a block away, too. I'll check it out next time. Thanks for the photo of the Dominguez building as well. The lobby when you first walk in is spectacular. Great murals on the ceiling.

Here is a 1937 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yttc8x

Maid of Salem was released in March of 1937.

From April 4:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/ElReyApr04200803.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/ElReyApr04200805.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/ElReyApr04200808.jpg

I'd be much more interested if these photos were from any April 4th pre 1980.

Does any one know what happened to Phillip Bierley the manager of the El Rey in middle sixties?

I just saw this theatre in a recent Mercedes Benz ad during the O'Reilly Factor on Fox last night! I'm sure many theatre buffs may have seen this same ad as it was the night Hillary was interviewed by Mr. Bill. I had taped the show so when this ad was shown I had to go back and hit the pause button on the remote to get the theatre name!

Lost: Your March 25, 2007 night photo of the marquee is magical. Thanks and check out that MB ad when it airs again as that is their newest advertisement! A very classy ad for a very class car by featuring that art deco theatre!

I don't watch the Fox channel very often Patsy, but I'll look for the Mercedes commercial. This is a recent shot of the El Rey marquee. It looks like an ad for Red Lobster on the marquee. :)

This theatre has quite the marquee in all of its art deco bright color glory! A must-see for anyone living in that area of the Golden State!

Elvis Costello played a free concert at the El Rey on May 28, 2008. I arrived too late to get inside but took a couple shots of the marquee.

http://tinyurl.com/3zf36n

http://tinyurl.com/4cow3p

And again, if anyone gets the opportunity to catch that MB ad filmed at the El Rey it will be worth your time...very classy.

I got to catch the Mercedes ad featuring the El Rey this evening. Narrated by none other than "The Waltons" John-Boy, (Richard Thomas).
Plenty of screen time for the El Rey.

I believe the El Rey was also the location for a Cowsills reunion show about 4 or 5 years ago, called "It's A Family Thing 2". A benefit show for Bill Cowsill who was then facing some health issues. Before both he and Barry passed away.
It featured Shirley Jones and some of the Bangles. The latter related I believe through marriage to the Cowsills. The first "Family Thing" was a 60's TV special featuring them, hosted by Buddy Ebson.

The Mercedes commercial was on during the World Series tonight. Nice.

I saw it.

Here is an October 2008 photo.

Here is a photo taken today, in violation of some new California statutes. I think the ad projected on the office building is for a horror film.
http://tinyurl.com/7edq57

Here is part of an LA Times article dated 9/20/91:

The El Rey is hard to miss; it's a big old movie theater on Wilshire Boulevard, the one with the colorful neon blazing in quasi-Aztec designs. Inside, where the theater once held movie seats, there was a sea of tables set with white linens and wine glasses with cloth napkins sticking out of them. On either side were elevated seating areas, tables with a box-seat feel to them. Between the front row of tables and the stage was a parquet dance floor. Except for one elderly couple, we were the only people there. We ordered drinks and perused the menu, a listing of Russian classics.

Our waitress said she had been working at the El Rey for only a few days, and mostly, she was still mystified and delighted to find herself employed at a Russian restaurant in a movie house with a Spanish name. Weekend nights are when the El Rey fills up, she said. There's dancing and singing with an orchestra and a violinist. In fact, because big parties often book a large number of the tables, it's a good idea to have reservations.

That Wednesday night, however, when we ate in the big empty hall the borscht had no particular character, the lamb shashlik was a kebab of dry meat served with bland rice and steamed carrots, the cabbage rolls were filled with rice and meat that had an off-putting metallic taste. A few more diners, most of whom spoke Russian, wandered in.

We returned to the El Rey the next Saturday night and found an entirely different arrangement. There were valets out front to park cars. Inside, the place was packed with people who were all dressed up. The tables were arranged banquet-style and occupied by what seemed to be a party of family and friends. We were seated above the dance floor with a good view of the stage where a violinist named Sergei was performing. Backed up by a three-piece band, Sergei, in a white tuxedo with red cummerbund, executed fancy footwork and wandered from table to table with his amplified violin. The audience loved him.

Chicken shashlik was well-spiced and juicy and quite delicious. Mostly, the food reminded me of banquet food: bland, easy to mass-produce and not-so-hot for the simple reason that it didn't have to be. It seems that for the moment, the El Rey isn't concerned with serving great Russian food. Rather, it wants to provide a hall for L.A.'s Russian community to assemble and celebrate with gusto, which is exactly what goes on.

Ken,

That building in your photo, with the numbers 5455... Shortly after I moved to L.A., a friend invited me to lunch to celebrate my birthday. She was working in that building, and we had our lunch on the roof. The view was amazing that day.

Here is a February 2009 photo of the El Rey.

The El Rey is on the left in this late 1930s photo from USC. The Fox Ritz can be seen further down the street:
http://tinyurl.com/d26y6f

Here is a 1984 night shot:
http://snipurl.com/hl2x4

1982 Photo

This is a working link for the El Rey website.

Here is an October 2009 photo.