Variety Theatre
5253 W. Adams Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
5253 W. Adams Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
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There were also two other theatres in the vicinity that are not listed in the archives.
One was called the Riviera and was located on the south side of adams about two blocks past La Brea. It was built before the variety.It later changed it’s name to Fremont.
On or near tge corner of Adams and Crenshaw was a large more upscale theatre called Bards. I understand it was built by the Bards brothers. They had ushers in uniform.(north side of street}
Anyone familiar with La Cienega elementary school on Adams between Orange and Sycamore?
I grew up a few blocks from the theatre and remember it being built. It replaced a market called blue jay I think. The building on the corner which is a club was a bank called Citizens National Trust and Savings Association. We banked there and attended the variety on Sat. Matinee. There was a candy store next door, On Sat you paid 10 cents and got a candy bar or popcorn or an ice cream cone in adittion to the double feature cartoon and serial.
The Fais-Do-Do website gallery has one black and white photo that shows what may be the remains of the proscenium from the original Variety Theater in the background.
According to the club website, they are open. An event is scheduled today, as a matter of fact.
If the style is not Art Deco, it’s Art something. I’m not too clear on the differences. It would fit the 1934 build date.
The L.A. County assessor’s office gives the building at this address a construction date of 1934, with an effective construction date of 1948.
Here are the photos:
http://tinyurl.com/2lg5t9
http://tinyurl.com/2pxtdd
http://tinyurl.com/38r93w
http://tinyurl.com/3cmxkp
http://tinyurl.com/2ssku6
http://tinyurl.com/2u6d7o
http://tinyurl.com/2gr2md
http://tinyurl.com/28l6yc
I was in front today. No way to get inside, though. I took some pictures.
This theatre is located at 5253 W. Adams Blvd. just west of La Brea. I drove by it last week and it is very closed. There is still a marquee out front. Does anyone know what the condition the theatre is in?
LYNNIE
Wow interesting info, lets look into it more
Upon viewing the club’s web site, not only is the Variety Theatre’s marquee shown, but also there is a floor plan of the facility that suggests the front of the auditorium may have survived.
This is actually the location of Club Cafe Fais-Do-Do in Los Angeles – the Fais-Do-Do Ballroom, to be precise. If you look at http://www.faisdodo.com/ and click on Tour, there are some photographs which clearly display an existing marquee. Chances are that that marquee marks the spot of the Variety (not to be confused with the Variety Arts Centre on Figueroa). I’ll drive by and check what the condition of the space is.