X 1 & 2 Theatres
5959 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
5959 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 46 comments
July 31st 1970 grand opening as Adam and Eve posted
The building started out as the Holly Food Mart (1937 – c 1950). In the 1950’s and 60’s it served as the offices for Trend Publishing (a precursor to Peterson Publishing). After being converted in to a theatre (late 60’s), it ran as the Adam and Eve for a few years before Carlos Tobalina bought the property in 1974, for $220,000, and rebranded it the X 1&2. Tobalina died in 1989 and his family gradually sold off their adult holdings (the X, Mayan, and Star theatres). Aside from a very brief sublet, for use as a theatre (Johnny Legend’s exploitation film revival series), the building was abandoned/sealed from 1992 until it’s demolition; the property’s value being rental parking and long term development speculation.
The facade is in the process of being demolished.
I drove by just last night – yup. The auditorium is gone. facade indeed still intact. I tried to peek in the auditorium space at one time, and do not believe there was much of it left to begin with but it’s still a sad loss. Moreso, they filled the land in, leveling it so that there would be no room for renovations or use of the original space. Damn shame.
I drove by the theatre this evening (8/20/16). They razed the auditorium, but the facade/lobby has been left intact. I don’t know if they plan on leaving this section of the structure or if it’s simply awaiting a second phase of demolition.
November 11th, 1974 grand opening ad in photo section
What are the phone numbers? I can’t quite make them out from the photo and when I called the 213 number it goes to a woman’s personal voicemail. The 323 number has the tree trunk in the way.
Anyway, I might have a client that needs an old theater but can’t figure out who to contact to find out the condition of the interior.
I believe the banner is just advertising that the theatre’s large parking lot is available for rental as a base camp (i.e. place to park equipment, crew, and talent trailers) for location shoots. Last I checked, the theatre was still boarded up and neglected.
There’s a large banner hanging on its marquee reading “FILM CREW BASE CAMP” and a couple phone numbers, suggesting it’s been gutted and rented. But when I googled the words and the address, as well as the two phone numbers, nothing significant, or more importantly, film-related, came up.
Very interesting history you guys have put together on this theatre,Thanks for the pictures.
Here are a couple of early 80s photos:
http://tinyurl.com/djxpu2
http://tinyurl.com/d3vrsj
I seem to recall that when Legend did his schlock movie programs in the early 90s they shared the parking lot with the Florentine Gardens patrons (I think we showed the parking lot attendants our theater stub or something). Wonder why they can’t do something like this again.
So sad. All that wasted space. Well I’m glad I was there for the Hollywood Gardens screenings at least.
Here is a photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/5y34ko
Can’t the original poster just crop/resize it so the “X” shows? Give me 2 seconds in Photoshop and I can do it.
You cut off the part that shows the X. See post of 11/7/07.
In the February 10, 1971, issue of the Los Angeles Times, this twin theatre was going by the names Adam Theatre and Eve Theatre. In the Independent Theatre listings (the two names were listed individually in the alphabetically arranged Hollywood section, even though they shared both one address and one telephone number), the Adam’s entry says “Latest Adult Sound Films” and the Eve’s says “Adults Movies”, but the same issue of the paper contains a good-sized display ad (two columns and two inches) for the Eve Theatre which gives its current attraction as West Side Story, and the ad is complete with Oscar icon and that movie’s famous fire-escape-motif logo. I’ve searched the theatre section of that issue of The Times for a display ad for the Adam, but found none. Apparently, they did actually run West Side Story on one screen and some ‘70s porn flick on the other.
This theatre is for sale. Real estate broker is Well-Being Realty
Here are a few photos:
http://tinyurl.com/23o33m
http://tinyurl.com/2dpwsl
Macumba is a religion practiced in Brazil, if anyone was wondering. It involves placing offerings of cigars, alcohol and dead poultry on the street to appease the spirits. The ad is from the LA Times in December 1974:
http://tinyurl.com/2sk7fp
Seems interesting — I’ll have to get it for – uh – research. ;]
Seriously though, any films – adult or not, that show this area back in the day are intriguing to me. I’d love to see some footage of Hollywood theaters like the Vine or the Ritz or even downtown L.A. theaters like the Orpheum or the Million dollar back when they were mainstream theaters.
The X 1 & 2…
LOL
That does scream 70’s doesn’t it?
Scott — I have never heard of this film. An “adults only” perhaps? Do you know where one can get it?
In the just released DVD Reflections in Love (Carlos Tobalina, 1971), there is footage of the exterior & the lobby of this theater (you can see the ticket booth, part of the snack bar, and the staircase & door to the projection booth). In that part of the film, there is a re-enactment of a theater raid (for obscenity). The film also has footage of the Mayan & the Las Palmas theaters during this time.
This theater is shown in the film “The Unheard Music”.