Note: The location I gave on Sept 14, 2002 in that comment was wrong, I got Garfiled confused with Atlantic. The theatre was just east of ATLANTIC, not Garfield.
Okay – here is the story. I have been to the sites and taken pictures as well as reading articles in local papers. The Alhambra and Temple City Historical Societies are listed in the phone books, and can help those who may want to check out the following information. Note must be made, that in the City of Alhambra the divider for east/west is Garfield, which is east of Atlantic Avenue.
The location of the FIRST “Temple” theatre was at 611 West Main Street in the city of Alhambra – this was the entrance. The building is still there. However, now the owners of the building have added another store to the east of that address in the same structure, which has caused them to change the address of the original entrance to 617 West Main Street, and NOW behind plaster above the doorway of that address is the original engraved name of the “Temple Theatre,” which I saw just after the Northridge earthquake that caused the covering to drop away, and has since been replaced. The second location for the “Temple Theatre,” was on the North/East corner of Rosemead Boulevard and Las Tunas Drive in Temple City. About five (5) years ago, the SECOND Temple Theatre was demolished, and on that location was built the current four (4) screen Edwards Temple Cinema, and it’s address is 9021 Las Tunas Drive. Sorry William, someone added a one in front of the address you have.
I was just looking at another theatre I frequented before finding the Golden Gate. That theatre is the Fox Florence Theatre on Florence Avenue just east of Hooper Avenue. While reading the description it hit me how much the Fox Florence and the Golden Gate had in common. The front, then the courtyard, balcony, etc. I wonder if it was the same ARCHITECT, or at least using the same design. The Fox Florence Architect was S. Charles Lee, according to the description. Those of you who actually went to the Golden Gate and or Fox Florence, go to their listings and compare that with your memories. I think they were VERY much alike.
I must make note, LasTunas Drive, going west, turns into Main Street just west of Mission Drive in San Gabriel. It is Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel, and Main Street in Alhambra.
I have no knowledge of the Temple Theatre prior to 1966, anything I relate to I have seen since that time.
While living within a couple blocks of Hooper Avenue and Florence Avenue, I went to the Fox Florence Theatre many times in the 1940’s. As stated above, it had a courtyard, and the doors to the showing part of the theatre were large, I would say at least four of them. There were pillars indoors just below the balcony. I don’t know how many balconies it had, but it was a grand theatre, and had some live acts come on stage at different times. One person told me that Milton Berle was there once in the late 1940’s. This theatre served a much diversified clientele. Saturday was kids day. Serials, give-aways and the like.
To: moviemanforever, your sister told you right, it seemed that it was there, then poof, it was gone. My Wife and I went there when we were dating, then after the kids arrived, we went as a family, I liked the foot long chili-dogs at the snack bar, really good. The folks who went there didn’t mess it up much, not like some drive-ins we went to that were a mess.
The theatre, as mentioned in the previous comment, is closed. The Marquee is still there, it is red and white, with the name ESQUIRE in a red striped area at the top, and the rest is white. The last time I saw anything on this Marquee, I seem to remember that it was foreign language.
This is not only the first theatre that I kissed a girl in, but I also worked here for a short time. Was there really 869 seats, it seemed more like a million when I hot-mopped across all those rows. Fill the bucket with hot water, mop five or six rows, dump the bucket and refill it and so on. The tune used during the intermission for many years was “Bonaparte’s Retreat” by a male vocalist, that I can’t remember his name. the restrooms were upstairs behind and to the side of the projection booth, where the office was behind the booth. I remember in the very late 1940’s or very early 1950’s this was the first theatre I went to which was air conditioned, with the usual banners hanging from the marquee saying it was so many degrees cooler inside. It truly was a neighborhood theatre. At one time the owners were brothers Bill and Harry, I can’t remember their last names, then later the same folks that owned the Sunset Theatre took it over and their Son managed it. Wish I could remember his name, a nice fellow. Yes many memories for me.
This theatre was just west of Van Ness Avenue on the south side of Melrose Avenue, as stated in previous comments the address was 5308 Melrose Avenue. I only had contact with it during the 1940’s and early to mid 1950’s. At which time it went from a Movie house to the place where KTLA Television Channel 5 in Hollywood with the main office at Paramount Studios just north of the theatre. The theatre was used for their musical shows, and the last I saw from there was the Morey Amsterdam Show.
My previous comment was in error, it should have been for the Encore or (Melvan) theatre. I apologize for taking up the space. You may remove that comment and this one, if you can do that.
If this is the theatre I remember, it was just west of Van Ness on the south side of Melrose, near Paramount Studios. I never went to it while used as a movie theatre, but did once when it was used by KTLA Los Angeles television station channel 5, for their musical shows. It was used for the Morey Amsterdam show, in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s.
This is where I saw “War Of The Worlds,” when it first came out. It was on a south/east corner, and on the north/east corner across the street was a Tiny Naylor’s drive in restaurant.
I was by what used to be the theatre today, October 2, 2002 and you would never know that there was a theatre there at one time. It was on the east side of south Garfield Avenue just north of Vallery Boulevard in the 1200 block. Even the large roof sign is gone, the store fronts do look much better than they have in years. But, no theatre. Store fronts take up the front of the whole complex, where once the ticket booth stood.
How do you say you fell in love with a theatre…hehe…well, the first time I saw this place in about 1940, I just could not get enough of it, I could use superlatives all day about it. I was in the “attic” area once, and I swear, you could have put a small one story two bedroom house up there. The one place I always recognize, besides the front, is that long metal ramp at the rear on the west side. In the movie made just a few years back, The Shadow, with Alec Baldwin, I saw that ramp with a 1946 Ford police car by it, and knew it right away. Yes, I will always remember that place, and long may it live.
Whoo, wait just a minute, which Temple Theatre is being talked about? The original Temple Theatre on the north side of Main Street just about two blocks east of Garfield, was not demolished. It was made into stores, and the original name plate is above the doorway of a store, but it is covered over by bricks. I saw this name plate just after the Northridge earthquake. All the plaster had come off the face to reveal Temple Theatre, and having looked at photos of the theatre, as well as reading articles, I have found that a few of these articles say the building was demolished, not true, it was changed, that’s for sure.
There is and was a Temple City theatre, which has been taken over by Edwards, that was demolished and a new multiscreen theatre put in its place. It is located on the north/east corner of Rosemead Boulevard and Las Tunas Boulevard in the city of Temple City.
I agree, it is one fantastic theatre. I think it had two balconies. I guess I can tell this story now, and you all won’t tell – I hope. My Dad worked in the Orpheum Building, which was just south of the theatre. When I would go to visit him, after we had lunch together, I would go to the basement, into the boiler room and go up into the theatre, where I would come out next to the south/east exit door, and I would go to the little front row of seats, and enjoy many a movie. I liked just being in a place with all that history. A fond memory.
What George Haider has said, I agree with, if you went to the Manchester Theatre after 1958. However, the Manchester was on the south side of Manchester between Broadway and Figueroa, and yes in the 1950’s the Harbor Freeway came to town and the on ramp to the Harbor Freeway north, was just about half a block away, maybe three quarters. I worked with a Dave Eisenman at one time, and he was the manager of the Manchester during the 1940’s. He told me many stories of the stage shows and the orchestra pit, which was still there when I went there in the 1940’s. I remember it well, it had pipe railings around it, with black cloth going down to a lower pipe going around the pit. I enjoyed the theatre, and I know that many others also did. Also it did at one time have a pretty nice organ in it. It is truly a shame that it had to go into the state that Mr. Haider mentions.
Located on the south side of a Santa Monica Boulevard. and just a few doors west of Western Avenue. It was a nice neighborhood theatre. I went there in the 1930’s and the 1940’s. The last time I was by there it was a furniture store.
I was in the theatre only about three times, the last time I stood on the stage and looked up at those balconies, wow, what a sight. The time before that was when they had the last Academy Awards there, the night Patty McCormack, Robert Wagner, and others took home the magic statue. I have climbed all over the roof, and those towers. It is a TRUE land mark for Los Angeles and Hollywood.
The Campus Theatre of the 1940’s which is when I went there. Located as “moviemanforever” said at Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard very close to the south/east corner, and across from Los Angeles City College. I went there numerous times in the 1940’s and one time Tom Mix was there giving away “glow in the dark spurs,” hehehehehe…yes that’s true. Wish I knew where mine were.
Located at 8713 South Vermont Avenue, just south of Manchester, the Balboa was a very nice theatre. I don’t know where this photo came from, and it was obviously taken long before the 1950’s, in some ways it does look like the theatre I remember, but in other ways it doesn’t. I worked there as an Usher for about a year. In the picture, where the first row in the balcony ends away from camera, is where I used to stand so that I could see most of the theatre. I do not remember a door there. I also do not remember a bird-cage type seat in the wall. I would guess the door is the entrance to go to that seat. But, I sure don’t think there was a door there in the Balboa Theatre I worked in. One of the last movies I saw there was “The Ten Commandments.” I believe this is a good point to ponder:)
For those who didn’t know, The Garfield Theatre was located a few doors north of Valley Boulevard on Garfield Avenue in the city of Alhambra. I saw the slow decay of this nice theatre, and it really showed me how something that meant so much to some of us, is just – GONE. No fair.
This is where I first saw the original Frankenstein in the 1940’s. It was a clean neighborhood theatre back then.
Note: The location I gave on Sept 14, 2002 in that comment was wrong, I got Garfiled confused with Atlantic. The theatre was just east of ATLANTIC, not Garfield.
Okay – here is the story. I have been to the sites and taken pictures as well as reading articles in local papers. The Alhambra and Temple City Historical Societies are listed in the phone books, and can help those who may want to check out the following information. Note must be made, that in the City of Alhambra the divider for east/west is Garfield, which is east of Atlantic Avenue.
The location of the FIRST “Temple” theatre was at 611 West Main Street in the city of Alhambra – this was the entrance. The building is still there. However, now the owners of the building have added another store to the east of that address in the same structure, which has caused them to change the address of the original entrance to 617 West Main Street, and NOW behind plaster above the doorway of that address is the original engraved name of the “Temple Theatre,” which I saw just after the Northridge earthquake that caused the covering to drop away, and has since been replaced. The second location for the “Temple Theatre,” was on the North/East corner of Rosemead Boulevard and Las Tunas Drive in Temple City. About five (5) years ago, the SECOND Temple Theatre was demolished, and on that location was built the current four (4) screen Edwards Temple Cinema, and it’s address is 9021 Las Tunas Drive. Sorry William, someone added a one in front of the address you have.
I was just looking at another theatre I frequented before finding the Golden Gate. That theatre is the Fox Florence Theatre on Florence Avenue just east of Hooper Avenue. While reading the description it hit me how much the Fox Florence and the Golden Gate had in common. The front, then the courtyard, balcony, etc. I wonder if it was the same ARCHITECT, or at least using the same design. The Fox Florence Architect was S. Charles Lee, according to the description. Those of you who actually went to the Golden Gate and or Fox Florence, go to their listings and compare that with your memories. I think they were VERY much alike.
I must make note, LasTunas Drive, going west, turns into Main Street just west of Mission Drive in San Gabriel. It is Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel, and Main Street in Alhambra.
I have no knowledge of the Temple Theatre prior to 1966, anything I relate to I have seen since that time.
The theatre was located on the south side of Florence Avenue, about a half to three quarters of a block east of Hooper Avenue.
While living within a couple blocks of Hooper Avenue and Florence Avenue, I went to the Fox Florence Theatre many times in the 1940’s. As stated above, it had a courtyard, and the doors to the showing part of the theatre were large, I would say at least four of them. There were pillars indoors just below the balcony. I don’t know how many balconies it had, but it was a grand theatre, and had some live acts come on stage at different times. One person told me that Milton Berle was there once in the late 1940’s. This theatre served a much diversified clientele. Saturday was kids day. Serials, give-aways and the like.
To: moviemanforever, your sister told you right, it seemed that it was there, then poof, it was gone. My Wife and I went there when we were dating, then after the kids arrived, we went as a family, I liked the foot long chili-dogs at the snack bar, really good. The folks who went there didn’t mess it up much, not like some drive-ins we went to that were a mess.
The theatre, as mentioned in the previous comment, is closed. The Marquee is still there, it is red and white, with the name ESQUIRE in a red striped area at the top, and the rest is white. The last time I saw anything on this Marquee, I seem to remember that it was foreign language.
According to Bill the address for this theatre was 7506 South Vermont Avenue, and that sound very right to me.
This is not only the first theatre that I kissed a girl in, but I also worked here for a short time. Was there really 869 seats, it seemed more like a million when I hot-mopped across all those rows. Fill the bucket with hot water, mop five or six rows, dump the bucket and refill it and so on. The tune used during the intermission for many years was “Bonaparte’s Retreat” by a male vocalist, that I can’t remember his name. the restrooms were upstairs behind and to the side of the projection booth, where the office was behind the booth. I remember in the very late 1940’s or very early 1950’s this was the first theatre I went to which was air conditioned, with the usual banners hanging from the marquee saying it was so many degrees cooler inside. It truly was a neighborhood theatre. At one time the owners were brothers Bill and Harry, I can’t remember their last names, then later the same folks that owned the Sunset Theatre took it over and their Son managed it. Wish I could remember his name, a nice fellow. Yes many memories for me.
This theatre was just west of Van Ness Avenue on the south side of Melrose Avenue, as stated in previous comments the address was 5308 Melrose Avenue. I only had contact with it during the 1940’s and early to mid 1950’s. At which time it went from a Movie house to the place where KTLA Television Channel 5 in Hollywood with the main office at Paramount Studios just north of the theatre. The theatre was used for their musical shows, and the last I saw from there was the Morey Amsterdam Show.
My previous comment was in error, it should have been for the Encore or (Melvan) theatre. I apologize for taking up the space. You may remove that comment and this one, if you can do that.
If this is the theatre I remember, it was just west of Van Ness on the south side of Melrose, near Paramount Studios. I never went to it while used as a movie theatre, but did once when it was used by KTLA Los Angeles television station channel 5, for their musical shows. It was used for the Morey Amsterdam show, in the late 1940’s or early 1950’s.
This is where I saw “War Of The Worlds,” when it first came out. It was on a south/east corner, and on the north/east corner across the street was a Tiny Naylor’s drive in restaurant.
I was by what used to be the theatre today, October 2, 2002 and you would never know that there was a theatre there at one time. It was on the east side of south Garfield Avenue just north of Vallery Boulevard in the 1200 block. Even the large roof sign is gone, the store fronts do look much better than they have in years. But, no theatre. Store fronts take up the front of the whole complex, where once the ticket booth stood.
How do you say you fell in love with a theatre…hehe…well, the first time I saw this place in about 1940, I just could not get enough of it, I could use superlatives all day about it. I was in the “attic” area once, and I swear, you could have put a small one story two bedroom house up there. The one place I always recognize, besides the front, is that long metal ramp at the rear on the west side. In the movie made just a few years back, The Shadow, with Alec Baldwin, I saw that ramp with a 1946 Ford police car by it, and knew it right away. Yes, I will always remember that place, and long may it live.
Whoo, wait just a minute, which Temple Theatre is being talked about? The original Temple Theatre on the north side of Main Street just about two blocks east of Garfield, was not demolished. It was made into stores, and the original name plate is above the doorway of a store, but it is covered over by bricks. I saw this name plate just after the Northridge earthquake. All the plaster had come off the face to reveal Temple Theatre, and having looked at photos of the theatre, as well as reading articles, I have found that a few of these articles say the building was demolished, not true, it was changed, that’s for sure.
There is and was a Temple City theatre, which has been taken over by Edwards, that was demolished and a new multiscreen theatre put in its place. It is located on the north/east corner of Rosemead Boulevard and Las Tunas Boulevard in the city of Temple City.
I agree, it is one fantastic theatre. I think it had two balconies. I guess I can tell this story now, and you all won’t tell – I hope. My Dad worked in the Orpheum Building, which was just south of the theatre. When I would go to visit him, after we had lunch together, I would go to the basement, into the boiler room and go up into the theatre, where I would come out next to the south/east exit door, and I would go to the little front row of seats, and enjoy many a movie. I liked just being in a place with all that history. A fond memory.
What George Haider has said, I agree with, if you went to the Manchester Theatre after 1958. However, the Manchester was on the south side of Manchester between Broadway and Figueroa, and yes in the 1950’s the Harbor Freeway came to town and the on ramp to the Harbor Freeway north, was just about half a block away, maybe three quarters. I worked with a Dave Eisenman at one time, and he was the manager of the Manchester during the 1940’s. He told me many stories of the stage shows and the orchestra pit, which was still there when I went there in the 1940’s. I remember it well, it had pipe railings around it, with black cloth going down to a lower pipe going around the pit. I enjoyed the theatre, and I know that many others also did. Also it did at one time have a pretty nice organ in it. It is truly a shame that it had to go into the state that Mr. Haider mentions.
Located on the south side of a Santa Monica Boulevard. and just a few doors west of Western Avenue. It was a nice neighborhood theatre. I went there in the 1930’s and the 1940’s. The last time I was by there it was a furniture store.
I was in the theatre only about three times, the last time I stood on the stage and looked up at those balconies, wow, what a sight. The time before that was when they had the last Academy Awards there, the night Patty McCormack, Robert Wagner, and others took home the magic statue. I have climbed all over the roof, and those towers. It is a TRUE land mark for Los Angeles and Hollywood.
The Campus Theatre of the 1940’s which is when I went there. Located as “moviemanforever” said at Vermont Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard very close to the south/east corner, and across from Los Angeles City College. I went there numerous times in the 1940’s and one time Tom Mix was there giving away “glow in the dark spurs,” hehehehehe…yes that’s true. Wish I knew where mine were.
Located at 8713 South Vermont Avenue, just south of Manchester, the Balboa was a very nice theatre. I don’t know where this photo came from, and it was obviously taken long before the 1950’s, in some ways it does look like the theatre I remember, but in other ways it doesn’t. I worked there as an Usher for about a year. In the picture, where the first row in the balcony ends away from camera, is where I used to stand so that I could see most of the theatre. I do not remember a door there. I also do not remember a bird-cage type seat in the wall. I would guess the door is the entrance to go to that seat. But, I sure don’t think there was a door there in the Balboa Theatre I worked in. One of the last movies I saw there was “The Ten Commandments.” I believe this is a good point to ponder:)
For those who didn’t know, The Garfield Theatre was located a few doors north of Valley Boulevard on Garfield Avenue in the city of Alhambra. I saw the slow decay of this nice theatre, and it really showed me how something that meant so much to some of us, is just – GONE. No fair.