Vision Theatre

Interesting.

Thanks for the fast reply Don. I found the pictures and they are great. I doubt that awful burgundy of the interior section was the same back when I was there. I remember it as dark browns and ocre gold. Maybe dark blues too? Could be wrong. Glad some of the originality survived though.

I really remember those golden columns at the side of the stage. I remember the drinking fountain as being here as shown in the corner of the picture: View link

As you can imagine,

there was always a line of kids waiting to use it. Back then, there was a soft serve ice cream station. I can’t remember if it was in what looks like a coat check room in the above picture, or if that was an information booth.

I know I have at least one picture backstage from a convention. I’ll try and find it soon. Looking at the current site on Google maps, I’m not sure where the cafeteria actually sat. I remember walking through the parking lot…

Hopefully they’ll improve the theatre to it’s original luster and improve conditions around the place as well. Even back then it was bad, but I hear it’s gotten much worse.

BTW – the water from the fountain was always cold, which was nice cause the theatre would get hot.

***Don S: I’m so bummed I missed the tour last October. If you have an pictures from the event, and more details, that would be awesome.

I thought I’d leave some memories. I attended Jehovah’s Witness conventions at the theatre for 2 or 3 years way back in the 80’s. It obviously left a mark, as I still think of it today. Back then the place seemed very big.

My brother and I would explore. We’d stand out front and look at the mosaic on the sidewalk.

During the talks, I’d gaze up at the amazing mural on the ceiling. I remember the blues and golds, along with sparkles in it: View link (wish I had a color photo)

The Gold rails you see here: View link Would shock you as you touched them from walking on the plush carpets. The seats were comfortable but often squeaked.

There was a long steep downward walkway on the left side of the auditorium. You’d walk there to go to the cafeteria.

Back then I always assumed the place had been built by the church because so much of it fit into it’s art and architecture imagery.

Is the mural still there? Is the cafeteria? Any way to visit it? Boy I hope they don’t change much if they ever manage to renovate it.

This theater was originally developed by Howard Hughes to show his movies in his theaters. The acoustics in the auditorium are fantastic. I worked with Marla Gibbs as her contractor/friend in the clean up renovation as part of “Rebuild LA”. The movie theater was converted into a playhouse for approximately three weeks. There were continuous live performances in the auditorium. One of the performers was a gospel group called Honey on the Rock. My firm installed the sign “Vision Theater”. Marla had a fantastic vision, unfortunately, the timing was extremely bad for her. It is great that the city is taking the incentive to restore this fantastic landmark.

A big question at yesterday’s All About: where exactly was the fountain with the electric eye? No one can seem to find a photograph showing it. We also examined all the nooks and crannies, trying to figure it out, with no luck.

The renovation is planned to take part in 3 stages. The first involves the entrance/lobby, the second covers the auditorium, the last would involve removing everything beyond the proscenium and creating an entirely new structure that would include dressing rooms and support space. The projected completion date is now 2012.

Doors open at 10 a.m. this Saturday. Here’s an idea of what to expect:

10:00 â€" Doors open â€" register guests
PowerPoint onscreen – LA’s Historic Theatres â€" as guests arrive
10:30 â€" Program Begins in Auditorium
Welcome â€" LAHTF, DCA, & guests
Save the Fairfax â€" Friends of the Fairfax
How the tour works
PowerPoint history by Ed Kelsey of the Leimert/Vision and neighborhood
PowerPoint from design team of Vision’s future
Q&A
Review neighborhood dining & shopping options
Theatre Tour â€"
(self guided, with docents in place to point out areas of interest and historic detail)
12:30-1:00 â€" tour ends â€"

Mike: On your initial search results page, check the box marked “previous names” and hit “search” again. The current name will come up in new results.

Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/qtar7t

I have some fond memories of the Leimert Theatre.I grew up near there and I remember alternating between there and the Baldwin-depending on what was playing. I remember seeing For A Few Dollars More and I Crossed The Colored Line on a double featureI remember when they showed Cool Hand Luke and Wait Until Dark,together. You were lucky if you found a seat. Bonnie And Clyde drew a large crowd as well. The second feature was Point Blank,which would become a cult film. The last movie I saw there was Grand Prix and Sol Madrid with Anzio being the next attraction in 1968. Unfotunately,that double feature was the last movies screened there.The theatre abruptly closed.

Great photos ken mc ! I was wondering if anyone else remembers the record store that was on the corner, before the cleaners was there?
This had to be in the late 50’s early 60’s.

Here are some March 2008 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/2qj7g9
http://tinyurl.com/2lysgb
http://tinyurl.com/2wwpc8
http://tinyurl.com/2s7xqg

Thank you ken mc, I just read the article. It would be a great asset to the community if things went well with the renovation of the Leimert-Vision Theatre. Marla Gibbs, the former owner, deserves a lot of credit for her contributions in the community. And on a similar note, I remember the neighboring historic night club that Mrs. Gibbs owned(s), let us not forget Marla’s “Memory Lane”. Briefly looking back at Memory Lane, I recall performing at Marla’s drumming for Johnny “Guitar” Watson, and Sir Lady Java, I also recall seeing the classic comedy team of Leroy, Skillet, and LaWanda (LaWanda Page aka Aunt Ester of the 1970’s Redd Foxx TV sitcom) performing at Marla’s. Marla’s Memory Lane served as host to scores of some of the worlds greatest Jazz, Blues, R&B and Comedy acts, I could go on and on. With the Leimert-Vision Theatre and Memory Lane, Mrs. Gibbs has had in her possession two of LA’s greatest treasures, thank you Mrs. Gibbs. With it’s bold features, the tower of the Leimert-Vision Theatre stands tall and mighty, as if a symboic gesture of the culture which surrounds it. Best wishes and good luck in regards to the renovation efforts and the neighborhood development plans,long live the Leimert-Vision Theatre.

This is an LA Times story dated September 26, 2007. Maybe its the same one that Ken was referring to.