Art Theatre

2025 E. 4th Street,
Long Beach, CA 90814

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Showing 1 - 25 of 50 comments

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on April 15, 2021 at 8:31 pm

Original architect was Robert C. Aldrich in 1924/5 who described the venue as a Spanish architectural theme with a sloped floor with six feet pitch for clear viewing angles. The Style D Wurlitzer organ was said to be the biggest in town.

rivest266
rivest266 on February 21, 2021 at 1:43 pm

Opened as Carter on January 22nd, 1925. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 8, 2012 at 5:57 pm

This was renamed Art on January 15th, 1949. I uploaded its first ad in the photo section.

Robert L. Bradley
Robert L. Bradley on August 6, 2012 at 11:42 pm

I visited this theater today and liked it very much. It even has a curtain, which is rare these days. My only complaint is that the picture was very dark. It looked like the xenon bulb had seen better days. The movie I saw today was flat, and it took up the entire screen. How do they present a scope picture? Is it in the same aspect ratio as the flat picture, or do they have a top masking that can be lowered?

JakeM
JakeM on September 3, 2010 at 12:58 am

Hey, major congratulations to the Art’s 2nd anniversary (since re-opening). This place has really grown to be a centerpiece of Retro Row…I couldn’t imagine Long Beach without the Art!

drb
drb on June 4, 2010 at 2:15 pm

That “Recent exterior view” at the top of the page isn’t so recent anymore… ;–)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 13, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Here is an item from Boxoffice magazine, May 1950:

Art J. Thomas, who recently purchased the Lee in Long Beach and renamed it the Art, appointed Harold Stevert as manager of the house.

markvidor
markvidor on November 6, 2008 at 1:02 pm

BillyG- thanks for the kind words. We need all the word of mouth and dedicated custormers that we can get, as staff costs are keeping us from being profitable at this point.

Simon-we have great pictures on our website: www.arttheatrelongbeach.com Does anyone know how we can put one of those new pictures up on this site to replace the existing picture? THanks

BillGuzik1
BillGuzik1 on November 6, 2008 at 12:06 pm

I went to the theatre last night for a viewing of The Changeling and all I can say is Bravo for the theatre’s wonderful transformation. The sound was great, the seats and space between rows were comfortable, the screen, stage and art deco touches were subtle and elegant! Even the two venues attached were doing a nice business (an extension of a coffee house and wine bar). Great job to the new owners!!!

markvidor
markvidor on November 5, 2008 at 11:53 pm

Simon-I will post those pix asap

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on November 5, 2008 at 11:47 pm

Finally! Congrats to all who slaved. I moved to Oregon one year ago and longed for this classic cinema to be restored before departure.

Any night shots of the facade and interior pics? Pleeeeeeeeze?

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 18, 2008 at 5:33 pm

This article from the Contra Costa Times discusses an Art Deco expert who advised on the restoration of the Art:
http://tinyurl.com/5v2fam

GaryParks
GaryParks on August 23, 2008 at 9:23 pm

It is so gratifying to see Long Beach’s last operating historic movie theatre (and nearly the last one standing) so beautifully restored, updated, cared for, and promoted. With relatives in southern California, hopefully I can manage a trip to the Art one of these days. All the movie palaces that graced downtown Long Beach are gone, but at least this wonderful little gem remains.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 23, 2008 at 10:14 am

Good luck, Mark. I hope you do well.

markvidor
markvidor on August 23, 2008 at 2:04 am

Thanks for all your patience. Visit www.arttheatrelongbeach.com for all the info you need. Please sign up for our mailing list when you visit the site for updates, offers, and special events.

johnbosley
johnbosley on August 22, 2008 at 6:52 pm

Art Theatre starts screenings tonight Aug, 22 I will be there!!

markvidor
markvidor on August 16, 2008 at 9:08 pm

Update: seats are delivered and will be installed by tuesday. Coffee bar is just about done. Our first film will be “Man on a Wire” about the tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers in NYC in ‘74. Looking fwd to see you all there sooner or later!

markvidor
markvidor on August 11, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Thanks for your patience everyone. We hope to be open on Aug 15 if all goes to plan, but construction and utility companies being what they are, our “hard” opening date is Aug 21. Our first film will either be Woody’s latest or the doc “Man on a Wire”, depending on studio policies. I think you will be impressed with our new historic gem of a theatre.

leegard
leegard on August 4, 2008 at 9:56 am

I took some pictures of the renovation last night (the 3rd) on my way home:
http://tinyurl.com/6ngfp5

Doreen90755
Doreen90755 on August 2, 2008 at 12:45 am

The Long Beach Press Telegram stated on July 11, 2008, that The Art Theatre grand re-opening will be on August 15, 2008, with all the new renovations. I am thrilled !