Alpha Theatre
4065 Gage Avenue,
Bell,
CA
90201
4065 Gage Avenue,
Bell,
CA
90201
3 people
favorited this theater
This former Fox movie house has been used as a banquet hall since closing as a theater.
Contributed by
William Gabel
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
“Available for corperate events”. I bet the corperations just flock to their door when they see that sign.
The L.A. County Assessor’s office gives 1922 as the original construction date for this building. With the other evidence in comments above, that should confirm that this theater was the Maybell, opened in 1922, and remodeled by S. Charles Lee in 1937.
The re-opening of the remodeled Maybell Theatre took place early in 1938. Here’s something from Boxoffice Magazine, February 5, 1938: “With the opening last week of Frank Valuskus' new Bell Theatre in Bell, Fox West Coast is rushing work on its new Bell house, now almost completed. Valuskus, operating at ten cents, will have two FWC houses as competition, the circuit’s Alcazar also coming in that zone.”
(Note: The correct spelling of the name of the owner of the Bell Theatre was Valuskis.)
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cyuvk5
UPDATE: The theater has been sold. A public notice of ownership application has been posted outside. The new owner plans to turn the theater into a Family Mexican Restaurant. The previous owners renovated and preserved the Art Deco interior. No word on whether the new owners will reatin the architectural significance of the building.
I note that S. Charles Lee has not been added as the architect. Is that because he may have only done the remodel in 1938?
The remodeling was quite extensive, so Lee should be credited. Also the aka Maybell Theatre should be added.
Thanks Joe.
Thanks KenMC for the pictures.
Photo gallery here: Fiesta Mexicana Banquet Hall – Bell Location
Short video tour: Fiesta Mexicana Banquet Hall Bell CA – YouTube