Miracle Theatre

226 S. Market Street,
Inglewood, CA 90301

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Loews, Pussycat Theatres

Functions: Live Performances

Previous Names: Ritz Theatre, Loews Cine, Pussycat Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Loews CINE'

The Ritz Theatre was located in downtown Inglewood on Market Street, just South of the Fox Theatre, U.A. Theatre, and Inglewood Theatre. The Ritz Theatre was built in 1937, and was listed in the independent theatre section of the L.A. Times.

During the 1960’s, the Ritz Theatre presented first and second-run features. In addition, non-mainstream films like "Mondo Cane," "Lolita," and "Dr. Strangelove" played the Ritz Theatre. Here’s something really interesting: Over the period of about a year, the screen was moved forward into the auditorium, then back, then forward again. (I swear, I wasn’t on drugs! This really happened!)

On December 20, 1967 the name was changed to Loews Cine as it was operated by Loews. A new marquee was put in place, the lobby was remodeled, and the auditorium was decorated with blue curtains, including riser curtains for the screen. The opening feature after the remodeling was "The Bible."

When "I Am Curious (Yellow)" played the Loews Cine, the program was shut down. I remember walking by and seeing no letters on the marquee. A few years later, Russ Meyer’s "Vixen" played the theatre without incident. In the early-1970’s, the Loews Cine continued to present mainstream films, but the neighborhood changed and so did the audience. People would attend the theatre and, when the program started, they would jump onto the riser curtains and be pulled up to the top of the screen. This led to the machinery breaking down.

The theatre became a Pussycat Theatre on December 9, 1975. When Pussycat Theatres left, the theatre became an independent, second-run house for a brief period. Then, it became a community center, then a church, which has since move out. By early-2018 it had re-opened as the Miracle Theatre presenting live performances.

Contributed by George Haider

Recent comments (view all 31 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 21, 2009 at 6:39 pm

This is from Boxoffice in June 1958:

LOS ANGELES-Helm-Hoffman Enterprises, in which Phillip Hoffman and Bob Hellman are partners, has purchased Wendell Smith’s Ritz Inglewood Theatre Corp. and will operate the 700-seat theatre on an alternate first-run and seven-day availability schedule.

Mike Tiano
Mike Tiano on September 27, 2009 at 12:20 am

I grew up in Inglewood in the 1960s, and remember the Ritz well. They were a bit clueless about pairing films for their double features—I’ll never forget the double feature of “McHale’s Navy” (the big screen version of the inane TV series) with “Lady in a Cage” (an intense, largely mature-themed thriller).

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on April 21, 2010 at 2:08 pm

Interesting photo of when it was a LOEWS.

MagicLantern
MagicLantern on July 15, 2010 at 12:14 am

Built in 1937, according to that defunct Loopnet listing.

CStefanic
CStefanic on June 10, 2013 at 7:26 am

Is the projection equipment still available?

Alan Bell
Alan Bell on April 30, 2016 at 1:23 pm

The theater is listed for sale by NAI Capital. Listing says 8120 sq. ft. building on 7379 sq. ft. land. 24-26 ft. ceilings throughout theater space. 5 gated parking spaces.

pnelson
pnelson on April 30, 2016 at 7:09 pm

Wow what a double feature. Lady in a Cage is a cult film now and has a great soundtrack. Avantgard in many ways. Theatre had a lot of art deco elements.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 5, 2016 at 5:40 am

December 9th, 1975 grand opening ad as Pussycat in photo section.

meheuck
meheuck on March 24, 2018 at 6:50 pm

The Ritz has reopened as a live venue called The Miracle Theatre, often hashtagged as #MiracleOnMarket. They have hosted events such as the 2nd Season premiere of the HBO series “INSECURE”. Looks very nice.

https://www.themiracleinglewood.com/

rivest266
rivest266 on October 27, 2019 at 3:11 pm

This reopened as the CinĂ© on December 20th, 1967 with “The Bible” by Loew’s Theatres.

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