Century Theater

The address for the Century Theatre is 5115 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Ca., 90027

This theatre was named the Hunley. I don't recall going to it. I do
remembering passing it while on the street car going to down town
Los Angeles.The Hollywood Citizen News advertised the showing of the Little Princess ann You Can't Cheat an Honest Man at the Hunley
July 30,1939

I was employed by the Century Theater from June of '84 until April '85. I had just moved to L.A. from my hometown in nowhere TX and a friend of mine was the accountant for the theater. I have very fond memories of that place and at the age of 19 I thought I had arrived when I put on the tux (the dress code at the time). I met many people at that theater and to this day I still have links with several of them. I did not care for the films themselved but this grand old theater had much more history than anyone imagined. There was back room with old creeky steps to offices which evidently had not been used in decades. These offices, which contained posters and marquee letters from heydays past, I was lucky to have been let in to have a look around. I also remember seeing old locked doors on either side of the back of the theater as well as up in the projection room(s). There again, was another life of this theater probably left untouched for many years before. It seems to me the theater was burned some years after I left it. Today I am sad to read that it has been completely demolished.

The original owner of this theater was Otis Hunley. It was designed by Meyer and Holler and erected by the Milwaukee Building Company in 1921-22. The April 21st, 1922, issue of the Hollywood Citizen said that the pipe organ of the Hunley Theater was being enlarged, and named the organist as a Mrs. Gleason.

I found the following document dated 1985. Was Century theaters also known as King theaters? The address is the same as this theater.

"On January 24, 1985 Modernismo Publications, Ltd., and Varsity
Communications, Inc. (aka "Varsity") sued King Theatres aka King
Theatres aka King Theatre dba Century Theatre in a complaint for money.

Advertising was ordered by King Theatre to be placed in the following
mags: Mandate, Honcho, Playguy, Just Men, Studflix and Torso Magazine.
Varsity placed some of the ads. King Theatre did not pay the invoices
for such. Also, King did not run all the ads that were contracted to
be run.

Don Beavers is Vice President for advertising, and signs on behalf of
Torso.

Amount being asked for is $16,477.50 owed to Modernismo, and $5,785 to
Varsity for damages.

On September 23, 1985 a writ of attachment against King Theatres was
approved for $23,820.38 with a bond of $7500.

King Theatres is located at 5115 Hollywood Blvd
LA 90027
(213) 666-1678
President is Monroe Beehler. Agency is Jaguar Productions".

The Century theater was in fact a King theater. When I was employed there, my boss was Mr Beehler, who also had the Century Theater (also King) in San Francisco. Both places were kept in prestine condition.

Jaguar Productions produced a number of male homesexual XXX films in the 1970's and 1980's.

I have noticed countless abandoned theaters on Hollywood Blvd, I am trying to figure out which one was which. Does this building still exsist, and what's in it now if it does. There were a number of theaters that were completely abandoned, another that were sort of "performing arts"-like centers, one that had gay porn, a few that were stores, and then of course the famous ones that are still open, like the Chinese, El Captitan, Pantages, etc.
I wish I had time to photograph them while I was there, but didn't get the time because I was too busy while in the area.

5115 Hollywood Blvd WAS the Century Theater to which I am referring. It was near the corner of Hollywood and Normandie. I lived around the corner from the theater on Normandie when I worked there in 84-85 with 3 other gents who also worked at the Century. The theater burned a couple years later. Somewhere I still have membership cards which were used there as well as photos of myself with friends inside the theater. The theater is gone but the memory of it is still with me.

Monroe Beehler. Someone needs to do some research and write a book on this whole period of gayaciousness pre-pandemic. For whatever anyone says about "fooling around" in this venue, it was regarded as something not to happen, period. Fascinating.

The last few chains to operate the Century Theatre were Statewide Theatres, Century Theatres, Loews. Loews at that time had three theatres on Hollywood Blvd., the Loews (aka: Paramount, El Capitan), Holly (aka: Studio, Music Hall, Academy) and the Century (aka: Hunley).

I can remember very clearly, well, mostly clearly the Statewide/Century/Lowes Ownership of the Century. I worked for Loews in 1972 when they decided to get out of the California market and sold out to General Cinema (Bought out by AMC in late 2001 or early 2002). At the time I was assistant manager of the Holly theatre (AKA Studio, Music Hall, etc.) at the time. When GCC bought Loews, I can remember the district manager (of GCC) making snide comments about the new owners of the Century (a theatre that they did not want, and they sold seperately), saying he hopes he doesn't have to kiss the guy to close the deal for the sale (It became a gay male movie theatre). I moved out of the Hollywood area in 1976 and did not realize that it did no longer exist, but then again, we will never see a day like we had at that time when a theatre meant ONE theatre, not 30 under one roof.

My first job in Hollywood in 1981.
Nice theatre, also before going porn, it had also been run by General Cinema, there was boxes and boxes of envelopes behind the screen, I still have some.
Premiered Pacific Coast Highway / Class of 84. Wanted with the God of porn, Al Parker. He was present got to meet him, he was such a great guy. Met some other stars too. Big spot lights just like a big Hollywood premiere, only for a gay porn film. :)
Monroe Beehler was the owner, and old man Woody( manager if you can say that) sat at the concession stand puffing on packs and packs of Marlboro lights. I was the cashier and had a stand alone box office out on the sidewalk under the marquee. Later i was day manager concession and projectionest. It at this time was run under King theatres, a private ownership. They also had a theatre in SFO.

The theatre ran films in 16mm, but were scoped out to fill a wide screen, so imagine seeing a hot, steamy, sexy porn in a wide- screen format. pretty wild !!!!!
I often think of the people I worked with, Greg Cervantez, Bruce, James, and sometimes fill in, Rob Alexander, and Steve Koppe. It has been over 20 years now, I'm still standing, and I hope they are too. They have never been forgotten, the laughs, the fun, the buzz, always in my heart, Century Theatre.
I think i have a few pictures of the marquee, ill look for them and post them here.

Be Supreme>>>>>>>>>>>>

A Century Theatre thought. Brian King who made many of the jaguar films for Monroe Beehler passed away last week.

I REMEMBER HIM COMING INTO THE THEATRE TO MEET WITH MONROE. IS MONROE STILL ALIVE? HIS MOTHER WAS A GEM :)

Hello Folks. I worked at The Hollywood Century Theater from around 1976 until around 1978. Yes, I remember Woody sitting on his perch by the concession counter although I'm not certain he spent more time in the men's room. He always took his Nitroglycerin pills to help himself stay alive. God, he must have died many years ago as he was probably in his 60's even then. I don't know the names of any of the posters to this site as I think I pre-date even them. Does anyone remember Kusuma, a (straight) Thai Woman who worked as a cashier in that little glass cage out on the boulevard? I know she left in the late 70's as well, but wonder if she ever came back? I know I never did. I'd heard the place burned down as a result of the riots in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdicts back in the early 90's. I'm not certain if this is rumor or fact, just what I was told through a third-party. I still have vivid memories of the place as an adult theater, before it became a private club. And the numerous, vicious beatings of the audience members by the LAPD vice-squad, from time to time!
I also fondly recall the opening of The San Francisco Century Theater even before it became the The Century, when it was still The Larkin Theater and there was a parking lot across the street which was turned into a small park. Fond memories of The San Francisco Property. Worked there from it's inception until it's change of hands around 1988 or 89; can't recall the exact year it went to a new owner and venue. Still have numerous photos of the place and even some 'home videos' of the employees in San Francisco during a 'regular day of business'. Those were good times.
Sad to read the above posting of the death of Brian King. I knew Brian well both in Los Angeles and in S.F. and his friend Ted. Brian was a jolly fellow who truly enjoyed life and his life's work - film. My condolances to his friends and family.
Is Monroe dead or alive, anyone? He must have been in his 50's in 1980 and could still be alive in Southern California but he'd be very old now.

This is a photo from the Bruce Torrence collection:

http://www.hollywoodphotographs.com/detail.asp?im=%2D1&cat=43&offset=8&ID=4153

I am happy to report Monroe is alive and well in Southern California. He is retired and currently working on a project related to the Jaguar films. I spoke with him after Brian's death and he was saddened by the loss of an old friend.

When the Century played this matinee in 1972 "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't" was being distributed by MGM as part of their matinee series.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a13/ChmnofBrd/Movie%20Ads/ChristmasThatAlmostWasnt.jpg

kjc, you mentioned that Monroe Beehler is currently working on a project related to the Jaguar films. Did Mr. Beehler elaborate on what the project was about? I would like to contact him to ask if he has any plans to release the Jaguar films on DVD. Would it be all right if I request for Mr. Beehler's e-mail address?

I am sorry to have to post this message publicly, because you do not have an e-mail address. You can contact me via e-mail, which is listed in my user profile. Thank you.

The Century was a fun theatre, nicely kept, with a teensy men's room where extracurricular activities did happen, legal or not. I remember going to a strip show once and sitting next to Dave Kopay, who was just past the first fame of having come out in print. He said he was a very visual person, and we both enjoyed the show a lot. I also appeared once on its little stage, as a member of the Gay Men's Chorus of L.A., when we opened a gay beauty contest held there. After the theatre burned down there was an empty lot there for years.

For: KJC: I'll never forget Beehler with that scar over his eye. We were friends in the late 60's-early 70's. At that time he still worked for Shaun Sayles and Alex Cooperman of the Continental Theater chain. I made many movies for Monroe back in those days.
I sure would love to talk to him. We had a lot of history between us. Monroe was one of the nicest people I've ever met. Sure would like to hear from him or be able to contact him.
My name is Jack Gen_ _ _.    
email: jack619@aol.com

I found a pad of Century Theatre paper I had. http://www.flickr.com/photos/twistr54/115561043/

I, too, worked for Monroe in the mid-70's. He was a great boss. It was a fun place to work. I'll never forget the times I would go upstairs to the projection room to change films and would often find the film (that was showing) broken and piling up on the floor. I was there when Kusuma went "crazy". I was there when Elvis died. I was there when Paul Lynde would come in. I was there when Roger C. Carmel came in. I was there during the '70s remodeling of the interior of the theater. I remember the popcorn maker. And, I remember Woody. He has a cameo in one of Monroe's movies, dancing, so yo can never forget him. I still have my old CENTURY badge and a copy of the old "titles" that were shown on screen and the original invitation to the sister theater in San Francisco when it opened. Seems like just yesterday.

Misccellaneous pictures:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/misccenturybadge.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/misccenturyprograms.jpg

The Hunley was listed as seating 750 people from the FDY.

Picture of 2 original reels used at The Century Theater; 1 for the 16mm projector and 1 for the 35mm projector:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/centuryreels.jpg

The theatre was located on the north west corner of Hollywood Blvd at Normandie. The address was 5115 Hollywood Blvd.

It wasn't the corner, even the address shows that. The number on that corner is 5501. It was the middle of the block. For awhile after it burned there was an empty lot there, between the other buildings.

Pardon me! for being SO incorrect. Let me take a step back and bow to the all knowing. It has been 26 years since I have laid eyes on that intersection, so pick a finger.

Nothing personal, friend. This is a website celebrating old theaters and where they are or used to be. Don't you think it should be as accurate as all of us, working together, can make it? If I get something wrong, I'd like it to be corrected. It's about the information, right?

I agree with mujerado. Facts must be facts. This is about theater history. It's not horseshoes.

I am currently looking for any Old Theatres in which to lease or possibly buy in Reseda, Van Nuys, Hollywood or North Hollywood. It has been my Long life Dream to renevate and own my own Theatre/ Venue. Please e-mail me at richardwarrington@hotmail.com or call me at 310-597-9398 if you live here!! Thanks.Rick

P.S. If you also live in the areas in which I am looking and want to help please contact me as well!!

Richard, this theatre has been gone for many years now.

While taking summer courses at UCLA in 1984 I went over to Hollywood to see a movie at the Century Theatre. It had recently been remodeled and looked nice, lots of burnt orange tile, chrome, and orange draperies...
After purchasing a membership the cashier advised that plain clothes vice squad frequently staked out the auditorium and warned against making any type of physical contact with other patrons.
There were no dark back rooms, no gay activity inside rest rooms, and definitely no cruising inside that auditorium. Everyone seemed afraid to even look at each other, sexual tension was thick! I stuck around fifteen minutes or so, then headed toward West Hollywood

5115 Hollywood Bouldvard, site of the former Century/Hunley Theater as seen today. The theater stood in the space behind the yellow fence, now a parking lot:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/hwdCenturysitejan212007004.jpg

Lobby of the Century Theater after the 1977 remodel:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/hwdCenturylobby1977.jpg

Original sign that hung on both restroom doors inside the Century theater. During my tour of duty in the 70's, we NEVER threw anyone out:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/CenturyTheatersign.jpg

Old ad for Jack Wrangler's live stage show in 1977:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/miscWrangleratCENTURY1977.jpg

I worked at the Century in the early 80s. Monroe was so wonderful and kind to me. He used to "voice" all the outgoing messages on the answering machine. Great to hear he is doing well.

To correct my earlier post, Woody's "cameo" was not in one of Monroe's films. It was in William Higgins The Boys Of Venice.

A long article in the LA Times dated 9/7/77 mentions this theater:

"Landlord Ben Mohi, who ran the operation from 1948 to 1965 as a straight movie house, claims the rental is his sole income."

There are pages more, mostly from porn guys boohoing about the government, but I can't reproduce all that here.

A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Hunley Theater in 1921.

Lobby after the 1977 remodel:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/hwdCenturylobby1977.jpg
5115 Hollywood Blvd, site of the Century Theater, is where the yellow fence sits:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/hwdCenturysitejan212007001.jpg

Anybody know where Ken is now. Tommy from Texaco looking for him. That's where they shot Grease Monkeys.

This is for "hollywood90038".

Sorry to do this publically since there's no private email.

Above you mentioned an ad for Jack Wrangler's stage show. Any chance you still have that around?

I ask due to the fact that a movie about Jack Wrangler will be showing as part of the Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival next month. They sometimes bring the stars to the screenings, so it might be neat to be able to show him this if he doesn't have it.

Jack Wrangler's ONE MAN SHOW:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/JackWranglerAug251977.jpg

Does anyone out there know where I might find a movie poster for The Grease Monkeys and for The Rivermen, both films made by Jaguar Films? Thank you, Grand Canyon Rob

Adult film movie posters were limited printed items for the films. The run could be as high as 1000 or as low as a few hundred posters, depending on the company releasing it. E-bay or if there is a current video version relesed of it. There the video company might have poster artwork for it.

Here is a 1982 photo. For the people that were discussing Jack Wrangler, his obituary was in the paper the other day.
http://tinyurl.com/c984tr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twistr54/3516052467/in/set-72157602175101468/

This should take you to a photo of AL Parker in front of the theatre, for his premiere Flashback.

Here is an April 1969 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/pp7ux9

Great 1980's photos!

Here is a January 1974 ad from the LAT:
http://tinyurl.com/mxgtmw

Here is a January 1977 ad:
http://tinyurl.com/klwthm

This was in the LAT in August 1935:
http://tinyurl.com/ngp4ub

Circa 1978
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/Centurymatchbook.jpg

MB sold Grease Monkeys teeshirts at the premiere. Looking at the photos posted above, its strange to see photos of the theatre without Woody or MB's Cadillacs parked in front. For an adult theatre, MB really did have showmanship. I loved timing the dimming of the lights, the lowerering of the intermission music and the opening of the curtain with the start of every show.
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/GMPremiere.jpg