Whittier Theatre

I remember coming here with my mom and sisters,we lived in Pico Rivera,this was a big deal back then because there were not a lot of walk-ins.One movie that stuck in my head was Halloween and several scary movies were shown here as double features.It was so cool because it was one screen so it packed a large audience, no matter what movie.I remember always looking up above and the ceiling had stars that glittered and the left and rightsides looked like real stairways into spanish homes. It was such a popular theater that they had guys acting like club bouncers picking people to go in by there looks I suppose,they let me and my mom in I guess he thought she looked nice,lol.It was something we did every weekend.None of these modern theaters will never compare to the Whittier Theater and others like it. Nice memories here.

We moved to La Habra in December 1965. I remember going to the Whittier Theater to see the movie The Great Race in the spring of 1966. Coming from the midwest, I was awestruck by the Spanish architecture of the theater. Although I was only 13 at the time, I remember that theater as if it was yesterday – it made that much of an impression. I also went to many movies at the Whitwood Theater and at the Fashion Square Theater in La Habra. Fashion Square was unique for its time as it had four screens under one roof – a novel concept for that time. The Whittier Theater, however, was the most enjoyable theater I have ever attended.

The Whittier was just down the street from what was variously called a reform school, youth correctional facility, and “School for Boys.” Hugh Bruen, who owned the theatre, had special showings before regular hours so boys could be brought in to see movies. Quite a nice excursion, I imagine. The Whittier was the nicest of the three theaters (Wardman and Roxy were the others) and was known around SoCal for its hacienda motif and the stars on the ceiling.

kikibalt, did you ever see the movie The Van, that was filmed in the mid 1970s…it was filmed in the Whittier and La Habra era. One of the scenes is filmed in that carwash as you can see the Whittier Theater in the background. I went to La Habra High School and one scene is filmed at the A&W on Whittier Blvd, across from La Habra High School Do you remember the Bob’s Big Boy on Whittier Blvd, in Whittier? Used to cruise up and down Whittier Blvd and would occasionally stop to eat there.

Whittier Amusements launched the McNees Theatre (no apostrophe in McNees, btw) on July 31, 1929 with Monte Williams and the entire cast of “From Headquarters” in attendance for gala opening. Sound came from an RCA Photophone system. During construction it was apparent that Warner Bros. Circuit would be taking over the venue. That transfer took place just four months later on November 26, 1929 when the theatre was renamed the Warner Bros. Whittier Theatre with Colleen Moore in “Footlights and Fools.”

In September of 1936, Hugh W. Bruen acquired the Whittier, Wardman and Scenic theaters of Whittier and this venue was renamed the Whittier Theatre on October 7, 1936 and often Bruen’s Whittier Theatre.

The theatre was saved a reprieve from the wrecking ball at the 11th hour in January of 1987. However, an earthquake ended the hopes of saving the city’s last atmospheric theatre.