Alpha Theatre

4065 Gage Avenue,
Bell, CA 90201

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Far West Theatres Inc., Fox West Coast Theatres

Architects: Simeon Charles Lee, Julian T. Zeller

Functions: Banquet Hall

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Maybell Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Fox Alpha Theatre exterior

The Maybell Theatre was opened in 1922 by the L. Lou Bard chain Far West Theatres Inc. It was designed by architect Julian T. Zeller, It was remodeled in 1937 to the plans of architect S. Charles Lee and renamed Alpha Theatre. This former Fox movie house has been used as a banquet hall since closing as a theatre.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 30, 2008 at 5:52 pm

The L.A. County Assessor’s office gives 1922 as the original construction date for this building. With the other evidence in comments above, that should confirm that this theater was the Maybell, opened in 1922, and remodeled by S. Charles Lee in 1937.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on January 21, 2009 at 3:50 pm

The re-opening of the remodeled Maybell Theatre took place early in 1938. Here’s something from Boxoffice Magazine, February 5, 1938: “With the opening last week of Frank Valuskus' new Bell Theatre in Bell, Fox West Coast is rushing work on its new Bell house, now almost completed. Valuskus, operating at ten cents, will have two FWC houses as competition, the circuit’s Alcazar also coming in that zone.”

(Note: The correct spelling of the name of the owner of the Bell Theatre was Valuskis.)

JasonEVega
JasonEVega on August 4, 2009 at 9:30 pm

UPDATE: The theater has been sold. A public notice of ownership application has been posted outside. The new owner plans to turn the theater into a Family Mexican Restaurant. The previous owners renovated and preserved the Art Deco interior. No word on whether the new owners will reatin the architectural significance of the building.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 4, 2009 at 9:44 pm

I note that S. Charles Lee has not been added as the architect. Is that because he may have only done the remodel in 1938?

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 4, 2009 at 10:00 pm

The remodeling was quite extensive, so Lee should be credited. Also the aka Maybell Theatre should be added.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 24, 2010 at 3:18 pm

Thanks KenMC for the pictures.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on August 23, 2014 at 12:30 am

This theater for which the May 21, 1921, issue of Building & Engineering News said plans were being prepared was probably the Maybell Theatre, but it turned out that the original architect didn’t design the house after all:

“BELL, Los Angeles Co., Cal.

“One and two-story brick and terra cotta theatre, store and office bldg. Owner — Dr. T. G. De Vaugh and J. V. De Vaugh. Architect — J. T. Payne. 426 Western Mutual Life Bldg. Los Angeles.”

The item got the names of the clients wrong (it was supposed to be T. G. De Vaughn and J. V. Spaugh) according to the documents generated by a court case that ensued. De Vaughn and Spaugh found that Payne was not a licensed architect, and so they had a Mr. Zeller prepare new plans for their theater and supervise its construction, much to the displeasure of Payne, who subsequently sued.

The upshot is that the Maybell Theatre as built was designed by architect Julian T. Zeller, who a few years later also designed the Alcazar (aka Liberty) Theatre a couple of blocks east.

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