Magnolia Theatre

4403 W. Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank, CA 91505

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Additional Info

Architects: Clifford A. Balch

Functions: Recording Studio

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Box Office and Entryway

The Magnolia Theatre was opened on October 9, 1940. It had a rather ordinary Art Moderne façade and a very well maintained auditorium. It closed in 1979 and has been used most recently as a recording studio.

Contributed by William Gabel

Recent comments (view all 30 comments)

Juronimoo
Juronimoo on January 27, 2012 at 2:42 pm

Roy,

I was inquiring about the items that you have for the Magnolia Theatre. I am the new owner of it and would be interested in the items that you have. Could you please contact me at . Thank you…. Shawn

P.S. If anyone has any great pictures of this theatre I would be interested in purchasing those as well…..

2bloto
2bloto on February 29, 2012 at 1:56 pm

As a resident of Burbank, I would love to see this terrific old theater restored to its former glory and used as a revival house/live venue.

meheuck
meheuck on March 2, 2012 at 3:45 am

Shawn (Juronimoo), what can you tell us about the building since you’ve acquired it? I have to assume that the floor is leveled and there’s little left to suggest it had been a theatre, but are there any artifacts left? Wall hangings, light fixtures, sconces, anything?

2bloto
2bloto on March 5, 2012 at 12:41 pm

The Magnolia Theater, 1944.

http://wesclark.com/burbank/magnolia_theater.jpg

Virgil
Virgil on October 16, 2014 at 8:44 pm

Roy,

This is Virgil. I’m sure you remember me? Did you stay in contact with Ron and if so, where is he at these days.

Virgil

wsasser
wsasser on February 28, 2015 at 5:30 pm

Watched Pushover with Fred McMurray and Kim Novak today – the Magnolia Theater was in it.

wilberfan
wilberfan on June 26, 2016 at 5:54 pm

Grew up a couple of blocks from this theater. Only have two specific memories:

1) Seeing “Dr. Strangelove” with my Dad (this would have been during it’s original release), and us being the only two people in the theater laughing.

2) Seeing some cheesy Matt Helm double bill during my early adolescence.

I’d love to have someone set up a tour for theater enthusiasts. I’ve always been curious what the inside looks like (I know it was converted to a recording studio), and what theater features might still exist.

Susannahmitchell
Susannahmitchell on August 10, 2016 at 7:36 pm

My Mom (85 yr old) did portraits of Yul Brenner, Debbie Rennalds, Elizabeth Taylor and a few others in 1957 that hung in the lobby of a movie theater in Burbank, but can’t remember the name of the theater. Does anyone know what theater this was, or have any info about their whereabouts? I’d love to see them. Thanks!! (949)463-9451

evidonr
evidonr on August 8, 2020 at 2:20 pm

I was an usher at the Magnolia for a couple years while I was in high school. Eventually became assistant manager until I went off to college in 1962. The owner/manager, Jack Grossman, was a good friend of my father, who worked for Columbia Pictures. It was a beautifully run and maintained neighborhood theatre, down to the smallest detail, including excellent sound and projection. A large curved screen was installed while I was working there. The projectionist was fastidious about keeping the picture in focus, an art that seems to have been lost in subsequent decades.

superbu
superbu on December 17, 2021 at 3:59 pm

The Magnolia can be seen in the 1975 Gene Hackman film “Night Moves,” between 8 and 11 minutes into the film. The Cornell is also glimpsed briefly in a drive-by just before this, but a whole scene is played out in front of the Magnolia.

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