Mayfair Theatre

The Mayfair Theatre is located at 214 Santa Monica Blvd., it seated 602 people when it was a movie theatre.

Does anyone know about what decade this theatre opened as the Majestic? A relative of my spouse lived in a house across the street from this location as late as 1919.

Does anyone know who owns this theater? Af in SM

It was a gem. With a balcony. I vividly remember the two life size masques on either side of the proscenium arch, Comedy and Tragedy. It was tiny as movie theaters go, but it had the architectural details of the big ones.

"J. Euclid Miles, a prominent realtor and civic leader was one of the creators of the Mayfair Theatre (214 Santa Monica Blvd., originally called the Majestic Theatre), which was made uninhabitable by the Northridge earthquake and remains condemned."
Is this theatre still abandoned?

In response to "Bob by the SF Bay"; The Majestic was built in 1912.

Theatre still abandoned - stuck behind lots of plywood boards currently and unless one does one's Human Fly thing, impossible to see into.

I am currently working in the building directly across the street, at 201 Santa Monica Blvd. I will try to get some pics from the 2nd and 3rd story overlooking the Mayfair (Majestic). If anyone would like copies of the pics (providing I can get them), please email me.

stng955@cs.com

Does anyone know if this theatre was part of the insipration for the movie, "The Majestic"? I know that part of the movie was filmed in Santa Monica, but the movie website does not state any connection between the (fictional?) theatre, and the "real" Majestic.

It's an interesting question. There may not be evidence of a direct connection, but both screenwriter Michael Sloane and director Frank Darabont were long-time locals, so it wouldn't be out of the question that some inspiration may have occurred. Was Sloane aware of The Mayfair/Majestic? Sloane was actually a boyhood friend of Darabont. Both graduated from Hollywood High School, are almost exactly the same age (having been born only one day apart in the same year) and worked as theater ushers on Hollywood Boulevard at the Egyptian and Paramount movie houses during their student years.**

Any inspiration, if it indeed occurred, would have been solely in the realm of imagery, memories and ideas at best, as the screenplay doesn't parallel the history of the Mayfair/Majestic.

Set in 1951 the Majestic of the film’s title is the name of an aging, neglected movie palace in the fictional California community of Lawson that is resurrected and restored to its former glory when this screenwriter fatefully arrives there after his accident. His appearance in the town touches the hearts of many of the local residents, who presume Appleton to be Luke Trimble, one of the their long-lost (and feared dead) WWII heroes. Darabont does not shy away from confessing his devotion to one of Hollywood’s early masters, and you could say his new film recalls Capra’s 1946 masterpiece, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” in its sensibilities and small-town setting.**

** http://movies.warnerbros.com/themajestic/journal/index.shtml

Thanks for the info Bob. I loved the movie, and I hope it will go down as one of Jim Carrey's best dramatic roles.

Direct connection or not, just looking at this old theater one can imagine that story line happening here in Santa Monica (in immediate post WW2 days of course!).

I hope this great building will be restored. It belongs here.

Prior to its renovation as The Mayfair, The Majestic hosted the Westside's rowdiest group of teens and pre-teens for Saturday matinees during the late '50s and early '60s. Particularly when horror films were screened, flattened popcorn boxes filled the air, and soda pop and other liquids fell from the balcony onto the unfortunates seated below. The place had a dumpy, raunchy feel, and was considered inferior to the Criterion, Fox Venice, Picwood, Culver, even lower than the Meralta, Palms, or Bundy. I remember The Majestic with fondness.

We've been waiting for you, thanks. You're proof that the Majestic Theater was indeed; "all things to all people", a lovable ol' gal who pleased everyone.

I frequented the Majestic/Mayfair Theatre from the mid-60's to early 70's, the theatre would show a lot of the standard Hollywood fare when it hit neighborhood theatres after it's initial first run engagement in Hollywood or Beverly Hills. I recall seeing a variety of films there, from the mainstream such as BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID and THE LOVE BUG to more exploitation type films like NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and THE CORPSE GRINDERS. Don Knotts comedies always seemed to open here for some reason or other. The posting by rigoldst above is accurate, there did tend to be a seedier/rowdy crowd attending the Mayfair than the more upmarket crowd at the Criterion and El Miro. Occasionally the theatre would put on a special all night show that began at midnight and I remember going to see an all-nighter of 200 MOTELS, WATTSTAX, GIMME SHELTER and one other rock type of film of which title I can't recall in 1972. The theatre was absolutely packed and they served some kind of breakfast at the end of the marathon. I guess I was too tired to recall what was on the menu but it must have been something quite minimal.
I worked briefly as an usher at the Mayfair just prior to it closing down as a movie theatre in 1973. I recall changing the marquee for double features like HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER and PLAY MISTY FOR ME, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE and PERFORMANCE, to name a couple. The theatre was still in pretty good condition and there were kind of spooky corridors that would run along the outside of the auditorium to the back stage area that only staff had access to. The projection booth was a tiny room at the very top of the steeply inclined balcony that would be quite a chore to carry film cans up to. The balcony had little alcoves on either side of it with about 8 seats in each alcove, sort of like Royal Boxes. But no royalty ever used these seats to my knowledge, so they were open to the public. When the theatre closed in the summer of '73 I was transferred to the nearby Nuart Theatre in West Los Angeles to continue my usher duties (both theatres were then owned by the Sales (sp?) Brothers, who also had a side business in adult films.)

Sometime in Spring 1975, I took my fiancee to the Mayfair. They had a live production. It was an English music hall production, complete with a pompous master-of-ceremonies. I remember the theater being pretty small but quite clean.

This is Stinger again - Back in December one of you requested my pics of the theatre. I had sent some, but had intended to send more of the Santa Monica beach and surrounding area. My computer crashed late in Dec. and I lost all my old email info.

If any of you are the persons whose mother once lived on SM Blvd., please email me at stng955@aol.com so that I can send you the pictures.

Thanks, Stinger (Dennis)

BTW rlgoldst, mv, and GerryC, those are some very informative stories. Thanks for the bit of history.

The building is very much damaged and held up by large steel supports on the outside. It was sad to see, and given the rate of "improvement" in that whole area, I would be very surprised if there was any way to save it. If it were at all possible though, I think it could serve a very valid purpose as a venue for performances (God knows there are enough of them on the streets there, of all shapes and sizes).

The Majestic Theater opened on December 12th, 1911, as a live theater and opera house. The architect was Henry C. Hollwedel.

The Spanish colonial revival style of the theatre's current facade was very rare prior to its popularization by architect Bertram Goodhue, who used it for many of the buildings (some still extant) at the California Pacific Exposition of 1915 in San Diego's Balboa Park. I suspect that the Mayfair's facade may be the result of a later remodeling, perhaps done at the time it was converted into a movie house.

The Fox Belmont Theatre in Los Angeles was damaged by a fire in 1973 (and subsequently demolished), and some of the surviving movable decorations of that theater were used by Milt Larsen when he renovated the Majestic and converted it into the Mayfair Music Hall that same year.

Does anyone know who owns this theatre now and if it will reopen sometime soon? I just happened to walk by it the other day and it caught my eye.
Thanks,
Carlo

One of the greatest comedy moments ever filmed must be Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle tap-dancing to "Puttin' on the Ritz" in "Young Frankenstein." This classic scene was filmed at the Mayfair.

geebump: i had also heard a rumor that YF's "Puttin' on the Ritz" number was shot at the Mayfair...i'm curious to know your source for this info, as i've been hoping to confirm it as fact.

locationfan: Mel Brooks says it was the Mayfair in his commentary track on the DVD. Hopefully that puts the rumour to rest!

Only time I'd been here was around 1987 for a taping of an HBO special featuring the talents of Rich Hall (yup, the Sniglet guy, hehe).

From the Santa Monica Library website:

http://www.smpl.org/archive/0259/IMG0053.JPG

Not very majestic looking in this photo.

This website has some history and photos of the Mayfair Theater.

The dear little MAYFAIR looks so forlorn with ivy creeping over her lovely facade and the pidgeons dumping their drops everywhere.

If this historic property has been condemned, because of the long-ago earth-quake, why not demolish the unsafe auditorium but RESTORE AND SAVE THE BEAUTIFUL FACADE as part Santa Monica's early building boom? Now this makes sense! Yes?

Simon...I think the Mayfair needs Joe to work his magic on her..what do you think?

Yes indeed, John but life is too short and there are so many "old ladies" awaiting his personal touch.
Right now, JOSEPH MUSIL.com is bubbling with new energy at taking-on the FOX POMONA planned restoration... and I can't wait to look over his big shoulders to see what Joe's magical brain is sending down his sketching pencil onto paper!

Simon..I took a look at the FOX POMONA on the website Cinematour.com(more pictures). It's a beautiful building. I am sure when Joe gets done it's going to be FANTASTIC!!!!

Here is a 2007 photo of the Mayfair Theater.

I would like to sell the actual Program (prop?) given to the
actors/extras sitting in the Mayfair Theater during the dance
sequence in the film Young Frankenstein. I am not sure if the
Program is visable in the film or not. Grandmajan62@Yahoo.com

Lost Memory - Thank you for posting that outstanding, extra large and crystal clear photo of the old Majestic. She'll be 100 yrs old in 2012 (only 5 years from now). It's a shame Santa Monica (or all of L.A. for that matter) doesn't understood the lure of a preserved artifact/structure; that brings the old back to remember and the young to discover the beauty and grace that once was. I pray that I'm wrong, but like so many old landmarks in L.A., I have a feeling this grand old theater will be replaced by an urgently needed high-end sports bar.

A great 1974 episode of the Rockford Files "Backlash of the Hunter" (second of a two part series) shows Jim Rockford alluding a follower in there, and shows extensive views of the bar, and hall - there was a small animal circus act performing in there; great shot in both episodes of the front marquee.

In fact, forgot to mention, it was the show's pilot.

Thanks for the info ExVeniceRube.

Does anyone know the current status of the theater's future?

Here are some July 2007 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/2hwtd9
http://tinyurl.com/yr42lf

Here is a 1979 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/35g2eu

Hey guys, I'm visting from London and walked past the Mayfair theatre a couple of days ago. I too was amazed to see such a beautiful jem of a theatre in such a sorry state. Seems to me like I'm not the only person to feel this way. And I just can't help thinking with such a collective wish to see it restored why not start it here?

Does anyone have any information on a Frank Williams, he was the assistant manager for the Majestic in Santa Monica.

Sorry the year was 1960-1961 for Frank Williams at the Majestic in Santa Monica.

A Robert-Morton theater organ size 3/7 was installed in the Majestic (MayFair) Theater in 1929.

From October 8:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/smMayfairOct82007002.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/smMayfairOct82007007.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/smMayfairOct820070011.jpg

I remember watching that Northridge earthquake on tv.Any chance that they are reinforcing the foudation?

The Dead Can Dance "Toward the Within" album was recorded here sometime in 1994, so they were hosting live events at least until then.

Also, there's a DVD of that performance that came out in 2001, if anyone's curious as to the inside of the theatre at that point in time. On the DVD cover it says "Filmed and recorded live at the Mayfair Theatre, Santa Monica, California - may it rest in peace."

This is a 2008 photo.

Thank you L.M. for the big crisp photo, it was taken in the afternoon--I know because I grew up in W.L.A. Wonderful memories from the 50's watching Titanic, Beau Brummel, War of the Worlds even a re-issued G.W.T.W. We can never have too many good memories, thanks again.

I used to work there in the mid 80's as a cook in the restaurant which was on the second floor. The window just to the left of the marquee (second floor) is a kitchen. We only did about 60 dinners a night on the weekends. During the week it was pretty dead.

At that time the Mayfair was running plays. The restaurant, which was called The Strand was placed in the space that used to be the projection room. There was enough room for a small bar and a dozen tables. The place had red velvet wallpaper and lots of 8x10s on the wall—just what you'd expect.

There's a bunch of pictures of the outside but I'm not sure how many people saw the inside before the earthquake. It was absolutely amazing in there; a real turn of the century gem. It's horrible for me to think of just the facade being saved. I'll be so bummed if this turns into office space with retail downstairs. I wish the city could chip in to bring it back to life. I just don't understand why it's been sitting for 14 years.

Save the Mayfair!

According to the Santa Monica Daily Press, the Mayfair is ready to be turned into...

-- have you guessed it? --

... a facade!

Yes, like the Criterion and El Miro theaters before it, like the Llo-Da-Mar bowling alley, and soon, the NuWilshire theater, the Mayfair's front is to be preserved while behind it is constructed a modern monstrosity of 38 apartment units, ground floor retail, and underground parking. Santa Monica will continue its winning streak of destroying history in favor of ever-increasing density.

The lawyer representing the property owner is quoted as saying, "It's a good example of adaptive reuse of a landmark property where landmarking doesn't impede responsible redevelopment of the site." I interpret this to mean "we're throwing the public a bone here, now get out of our way."

Interestingly, Carol Lemlein, president of the Santa Monica Conservancy, is quoted that "It's a difficult compromise but at the same time it still gives us a sense of history in a way that certain other buildings where the facade appears to have been pasted onto a modern building (don't). Those are called 'Walls of Shame' by people in preservation." Well, I imagine she should know, since that seems to be all that happens in this city.

Part of an LA Times article dated 11/30/54:

A couple of determined women, one a theater cashier and the other a waitress, brought a one-man robbery spree to an ignominious halt in Santa Monica last night. The waitress added the crushing blow when she took the man's gun away from him.

Booked at Santa Monica jail for investigation of armed robbery was David Ott, 25, of Ocean Park, who told police he tried two robberies, armed with a cap pistol, because he lost his job last week and wanted his wife and baby to have a good Christmas.

Detectives said the first holdup try occurred at the Majestic Theater, 214 Santa Monica Boulevard, when a man pointed a gun at the cashier, Miss Nancy Pollock, 16, and told her to put all the money in a paper bag. She looked over her shoulder and then replied, "Just a minute. Here comes the manager". The would-be bandit then ran away.

About an hour later and a block away a man answering the same description ordered a cup of coffee in the Broadway Steak House at 119 Broadway, then poked a pistol across the counter at the waitress, Mrs. Claire Irene Ray, 24, and again demanded that all the money be put into a paper bag.

Mrs. Ray said she tried to stall him by saying she'd go out back to get a bag, but he told her "never mind" and put some money on the counter. "When he looked down at the money, I grabbed the gun", she told police. "He let go of the gun, snatched up a roll of nickels and ran".

Is every article crime related?

This is a circa 1929 photo.

I haven't really been following what's going on with this theatre, but I know they've been debating over future use. Took some photos of it in February. Walked by it today and the scaffolding was down, there was a chain link fence across the front, but the face of the building was exposed. I could see the old "Alumni Bar" sign and entry on the right, and the old "Box Office" sign on the left of the marquee. You could see the underside of the marquee with its recessed can light fixtures (probably dating from the 70's.) You could see a pigeon-poop-stained poster case with the remains of a poster for a movie titled "The Wild Wild West." The guys behind the fence said they were salvaging the facade but demolishing the rest of the building.

Having problems posting, so I'll continue. The guys said the building was damaged and dangerous, even the facade, but they were committed to salvaging at least that. The stagehouse has been swathed in blue tarps for several years; today they were removing them and revealing huge gaping holes at the top of the walls. I have some photos, and will go take more tomorrow if I can.

GWaterman;

Thank God someone's paying attention! Thank you so much for taking the time to inform us, I'm greatly looking forward to seeing your photos.

I only wish I were there to pick up some memento, the "Majestic" ranks high in my childhood memories from the early 50's. Yes, it was small and off of the main avenue, but it presented great movies on their second run. It's where I first saw GWTW, Titanic, African Queen and War of the Worlds! I remember during intermissions I studied its ornate interior, the mysterious box seats with its maroon velvet drapes that no one ever occupied and the two bas relief faces that stared down from the proscenium high above the stage; Drama & Comedy.

Fortunately, I never entered the Majestic during its downhill slide. After it failed as a music hall in the 70's, I understand
that its decomposing began in earnest and the earthquake proved to be the final knell. I'm glad to hear that the beautiful façade is being preserved--its better than nothing.

Reminds me of the Warner Theater in Atlantic City-first they knocked down the building but kept the facade, then they knocked down the facade and put up a fake facade that looked like the old one, sort of.

A photo of the Mayfair is in the Santa Monica Daily Press today.

http://www.smdp.com/pdf/032009.pdf

There's an article and photo of the NuWilshire rehab on the front page. I'm on my way over now to see if I can get some photos of the Mayfair; it's the first time the facade has been visible since I moved to Santa Monica.

By the way, the description above mentions the Mayfair as "one of four theaters in downtown Santa Monica (Fox Criterion, The El Miro, The Hitching Post, Majestic)."

Doesn't Laemmle's count?

Just got back from taking pictures of the Mayfair; too bad it's a grey, overcast day. Right this instant, the fencing and plywood barrier that they put up after the earthquake is down. You can see everything down to the terrazzo sidewalk. No telling how long this will last...

Someone with a large format camera was taking photos to document the building. A couple of guys who are working on restoring the facade were looking around. Lots of interest from passersby on the building.

Love your update details Don, they close the miles between Santa Monica and Seattle.

Don, I must have been there while you were, I took some photos of the guy taking photos!

We should have been wearing our Cinema Treasures beanies...

Here is a 1980 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/c2n3cp

1983 Photo

What is the current status of this property?

The last time I was down there, they had boarded up not only the theater, but also the retail space to the west, which is basically Angelo's Pawn Shop. It didn't look like they were working on it though.

There's some kinda restoration in progress, pretty much everything else is demolished but the facade.

I was the GM of the Mayfair Theatre in the 80s. It was a fantastic theatre We played musical theatre, straight plays and great musical and comedy acts. It was a wonderful place to work and spend time. We had a great bar in the lobby and a restaurant upstairs, that was always changing. I was there for the show in the 1983 photo, my office was behind the windows under the Restaurant sign. I as devastated when I heard about the earthquake destruction. It was a great place and a great time.

Here is a photo taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/yjeor43

I took these today. I can't imagine this being called anything other than a demolition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vokoban/sets/72157623159646241/

It looks like they removed the slanted roofs on either side. As for the top, it suffered quite a bit of earthquake damage. It's possible they've only removed the parts that are too damaged to repair. But it's worth keeping an eye on...

Maybe they removed the top to restore it and replace later...who knows.

This article dates the name change from Majestic to Mayfair:
LA Times(September 30, 1967)
Double Bill Will Open Mayfair Theater
------------
The Mayfair Theater, formerly the Majestic, in Santa Monica, will have its grand opening Friday at 7 p.m. The opening attraction is "The Long Duel" starring Yul Brynner and Trevor Howard, together with Otto Preminger's "Hurry Sundown" with Jane Fonda and Michael Caine.

If he came to Santa Monica in 1920, he would be the 2nd or 3rd owner of the theater since it was built in 1911.
(October 16, 1934)
Robert Armour Is Dead at Home
------------
SANTA MONICA, Oct. 15.-Robert Armour, 71 years of age, owner of the Majestic, Santa Monica's oldest theater, died today at his home, 25 Alta avenue, after a lingering illness. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he came to the United States in 1906. He formerly was in business in Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Butte and Spokane and came to Santa Monica in 1920. Besides his widow he leaves one brother and one sister in Australia. Funeral services will be Thursday.