Ritz Theater
226 S. Market Street,
Inglewood,
CA
90301
226 S. Market Street,
Inglewood,
CA
90301
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 29 comments found
Built in 1937, according to that defunct Loopnet listing.
Interesting photo of when it was a LOEWS.
I grew up in Inglewood in the 1960s, and remember the Ritz well. They were a bit clueless about pairing films for their double features—I’ll never forget the double feature of “McHale’s Navy” (the big screen version of the inane TV series) with “Lady in a Cage” (an intense, largely mature-themed thriller).
This is from Boxoffice in June 1958:
LOS ANGELES-Helm-Hoffman Enterprises, in which Phillip Hoffman and Bob Hellman are partners, has purchased Wendell Smith’s Ritz Inglewood Theatre Corp. and will operate the 700-seat theatre on an alternate first-run and seven-day availability schedule.
The asking price has dropped to 599K. Here are some June 2009 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/lto72n
http://tinyurl.com/lcedom
http://tinyurl.com/nenh3q
Here is a 1984 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mzcdfc
Here is a 1972 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dl9yan
The Ritz is listed in 1955 with 708 seats.
Let me know when they get down to about 100K. I think I can get that together.
The prices on many of those LoopNet theaters are dropping. If someone is really interested in purchasing the theater they can just click on the link.
No, I think it’s more interesting that they slashed the price so soon. If you listen to the Inglewood city government, Market Street is perpetually a month away from turning the corner, gentrification-wise. This has been going on since I moved to LA in 1984. I’d like to see how much they are asking in a month.
I guess that message is for the people that are to lazy to click on the LoopNet link that I posted.
Attention K Mart shoppers: the price dropped $50,000 in two days. Now $699,000.
For sale on LoopNet. Asking price is $749,000.
New book-length Pussycat Theatre history from the San Diego Reader:
View link
This is a recent photo of the Ritz Theater building which is for lease or sale.
Here is a 1970 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2c9zae
In 1963, the Ritz was operated by Allied Theatres of California. Other Allied theaters at the time were the Nubel in Bellflower, the Compton, the Vogue in South Gate, the Boulevard in Los Angeles, the Arden in Lynwood and the Ritz in Ontario.
It looks like the church is moving out. The building is for sale.
Here are some photos from August 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/3xlrmd
http://tinyurl.com/39gkfn
http://tinyurl.com/352o2z
http://tinyurl.com/37gvwt
http://tinyurl.com/399aov
http://tinyurl.com/2vm66j
http://tinyurl.com/3332jo
http://tinyurl.com/2pfvyc
http://tinyurl.com/2qqnbu
Check out this film that was playing at the Ritz on 2/5/60. I would see it if Lloyd and Chaplin were in it, but the Jr. part makes me a little leery:
An Albert Zugsmith Production
GIRLS TOWN
Starring Mamie Van Doren Mel Torme Maggie Hayes Ray Anthony
Guest Stars Elinor Donahue Sheila Graham Harold Lloyd, Jr.
Charles Chaplin, Jr. and the Platters
The old pussycat theater is now a church. I have an uncle that worked there for a while in the 80’s. Mr. David maybe you can call the city of Inglewood to find out who the current owner is. They may have information on what happened to the marquee.
After moviemanforever’s comment ended on the old board after “…and waited for the movie to start.”, he continued: “Just as I had finished about half of the weenie, I bit into a folded piece of paper – it was the free pass!! I used it a couple of nights later to see – yes – "Good Times” (Sonny & Cher) plus “Ride The Wild Surf” (Fabian, Tab Hunter, and a bleached blonde Shelley Fabares). The Ritz didn’t have the prestige of the UA, Fox, or Academy in Inglewood. However, considering the diversity of films shown there and the conversion into the Cine, it was, without a doubt, the most interesting."
It’s now operating as some kind of community centre.
My Father owned This theater when it was a “Pussycat”. I am trying to find one of the old marquees. You know, the oval with the Ms. Pussycat silouette" That was a silouette of my mom. If you have any infoo about any of the pussycat marquees PLEASE let me know.
Tim David
510 East Durant Ave.
Aspen, Co 81611
970.309.3991