La Reina Theatre

I recall those wonderful times I went to the La Reina in the 1960s and 1970s, and enjoyed this Art Deco Picture Palace so much. It is truly one of the most beautiful Deco Neon showplaces in the world.

I am so glad that it was restored and not destroyed, although sadly, it is no longer a theater.

I was fortunate enough that just before the La Reina closed in the mid-1980s my stepfather wanted to see one last movie there so I went with him and was able to see a movie here. However I do not remember the movie.

The La Reina Theatre was located at 14626 Ventura Blvd..

The spelling on the listing is incorrect, it reads Le and should be La. The address for the La Reina Theatre is 12101 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, Ca.

The correct address to the La Reina Theatre is 14626 Ventura Blvd.. The address Charles places the theatre west of the 405 freeway at Firmament Ave. The theatre was one long block west of Van Nuys Blvd. across the street from Tower Records. And having worked at the nearby GCC Sherman Oaks Theatre, I passed it La Reina everyday.

William, sorry about that I must have copied something incorrectly when I was doing my backround on this theatre. I have corrected my data also. Now we have the address added and the Le changed to La.

Aloha Everyone,

During the summer vacations in the 1960's, we would buy discount coupons for the matinees at the La Reina. We could go to double features with cartoons for 35 cents. Loved that theater with the big stage and balconys.

The La Reina Theatre did not have a stage or balcony. Only a few theatres in the valley had stages. One being the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

This is a photo of the La Reina Theater.

Lee David spearheaded the effort to save the La Reina theatre. A native and long time resident of Sherman Oaks, the La Reina theatre was in his "backyard" growing up. Devastated that a piece of historically significant architecture as well an icon of old LA, was slated to be razed, he led the fight against demolition. Such a stand out for preserving what was once was, he was able to get the developers, at minimum, to keep the facade in tact -- as much as a developer could. The fact that as the fight to preserve the La Reina ensued, the trend was for small theatres in multiplexes. Ironically, the trend in the 21st century is a return to the grandeur of the old single screen theatres, like the La Reina. Lee David had the passion and the forsight to fight to save the La Reina theatre.

This article was in the LA Times on 1/4/85. It turned out OK, at least:

La Reina Theatre Developer's Ax Poised Over Landmark Movie House

The news saddened Encino resident Anna Tulanian Boyajian, 61, who grew up with La Reina. She recalled that her parents used to take her there to see Shirley Temple films and that a beau escorted her to a matinee on her first date.

If La Reina is demolished, it would leave only two other single-screen theaters in the Valley showing English-language pictures-the Studio in Studio City and the Holiday in Canoga Park. Seven other large Valley theaters have featured Spanish-language films since the late 1970s. It was then that theater chains began vacating single-screen theaters because they were too difficult to keep filled.

Dennis Bass said he sympathizes with members of the community who would like to see La Reina stay, but added, "It's totally impractical. From the standpoint of the theater in today's marketplace, you cannot operate with one screen."

This should be listed as closed but not demolished.

Here is a 1939 photo from the LAPL:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics46/00042589.jpg

This bar was next to the theater in 1951. You could park for free, but poachers going to the La Reina had to pay a quarter:
http://tinyurl.com/3237nk

Here is an October 1957 ad.

ken mc, it's listed as demolished because the main part of the theatre is long gone, only the marquee facade was saved. The vertical sign was removed after the Northridge earthquake.

I get it. Thanks.

Here are some November 2008 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/682tcq
http://tinyurl.com/5rbnls
http://tinyurl.com/5byozo
http://tinyurl.com/5vv2jr

Here is a 1938 photo of the La Reina Theater. Photo comes from the book "Theatres in Los Angeles".

Here are some 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/oc9ztk
http://tinyurl.com/qlv49l

The year given for the second photo link in the above comment is 1983.

1984 Photo

Here the theater is being used for retail, before the spa:
http://tinyurl.com/rx6s6x

Here are some more 1982 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/lqeoff
http://tinyurl.com/luc785
http://tinyurl.com/mek6d8