Park Theatre
710 S. Alvarado Street,
Los Angeles,
CA
90057
710 S. Alvarado Street,
Los Angeles,
CA
90057
8 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: John C. Austin, Simeon Charles Lee, Woodbury C. Pennell
Functions: Retail
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Alvarado Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened in 1914, the Alvarado Theatre originally had a Neo-Classical style facade and was designed by architects John C. Austin & Woodbury C. Pennell. In 1936, architect S. Charles Lee remodeled the theatre in an Art Moderne style.
Renamed the Park Theatre on April 6, 1966, the theatre switched to porn, and then gay porn. In the 1970’s, the Park Theatre was twinned and returned to mainstream films. The theatre closed in 1986 and was gutted. Today, the building houses a swap meet.
Contributed by
Ken Roe, William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
To Johnny Vegas – would like to learn more about these theaters and the Langleys PLEASE! Contact me directly at Thank you so much!
If I remember correctly the structure that stands at this address has nothing to do with the old Alvarado/Park Theater. The old structure was burned down during the 1992 Riots.
My grandfather was CL Langley, whom I never knew. However, I am anxious to learn more about him, and the various theaters with which he was associated. I am particularly interested in hearing from JohnnyVegas, as I believe we are related. Claude Alexander Langley, for whom the Alex Theater in Glendale is named, is my father. Joseph Langley, mentioned by ken mc, was my great uncle. Am planning a trip from TX to CA soon, and want to tour as many of the West Coast Theaters as possible. Thanks!!
lwmulder, check out www.RialtoSouthPasadena.com to see a picture of ol' grandad! As you find info on him, if any pertains to the Rialto, please drop a line to the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.
Hi Scott! thank you so much for the link! It’s wonderful information – am learning so much through this site! Recently met some of my “long lost” family, and will pass this on to them as well. This is more information than I ever expected! Thanks again – can hardly wait to get to CA for a tour of these theaters, especially the Alex, named after my father.
If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!
April 6th, 1966 grand opening ad in photo section.
The Alvarado Theatre probably opened in 1914 around the time the Times published the drawing Ron Pierce found. This item appeared in Southwest Contractor and Manufacturer of November 8, 1913:
I just saw A PATCH OF BLUE again, and you catch a glimpse of the exterior theater in one of the scenes. The theater you see a lot of in the scenes where Gordon is teaching Salina how to navigate the streets alone is the LAKE.
kencmcintyre on December 12, 2009 at 8:15 pm article below: