There’s a good view of the old theater building on Google maps, at the intersection of Polk and Milam. Not hard to spot which building was the theater.
Here is a June 1972 item from the Lockhart Post-Register:
The Baker Theater now has the newest thing in sound equipment, says Mrs. Anne Valentine, theater owner. The theater is switching over from the old-fashioned photo-cell method of sound reproduction to the modern and much improved solar cells. Photo-cells depend on electric current to make them run and thus introduce a noise factor in the reproduction of the sound track. The new solar cells depend entirely on the power of the light beam which shines through the sound track on the film, and thus gives a more clearer reproduction with a minimum of distortion.
The new equipment was installed in the theater last Friday by Bill Emerson of Altic Service Co. with the help of projectionists Jesse Garcia, Oscar Hernandez and Salazar TV Service. Another change at the Baker will be removal of the majority of the seats in the balcony. They are being replaced by shag rugs for people to sit on. Mrs. Valentine explained that she saw a similar set-up in Las Vegas on her recent trip and had decided to modify the balcony area in the same way. She added that removing the seats would also be a money-saver, as she would no longer have to repair the constant cuts and tears which appeared in the balcony cushions.
You could be right. I thought it was in May, but it was thirty years ago. I do recall that I saw the film at the Tilton shortly after it opened there, within the first week.
The building is still there, but it was empty when the Google photo was taken. It looks like it was some kind of adult film place or store before it closed.
You have to memorize the numbers-1139 is the NuWilshire, 5 is the Los Angeles and so on. I know most of the theaters that are repeatedly commented on.
The Queen Theater advertised consistently in the Brownsville Herald through the 1940s and up to December 1952, at which time the ads stopped.
There’s a good view of the old theater building on Google maps, at the intersection of Polk and Milam. Not hard to spot which building was the theater.
Here is an undated photo from the USC archive:
http://tinyurl.com/ctx93h
Here is a June 1972 item from the Lockhart Post-Register:
The Baker Theater now has the newest thing in sound equipment, says Mrs. Anne Valentine, theater owner. The theater is switching over from the old-fashioned photo-cell method of sound reproduction to the modern and much improved solar cells. Photo-cells depend on electric current to make them run and thus introduce a noise factor in the reproduction of the sound track. The new solar cells depend entirely on the power of the light beam which shines through the sound track on the film, and thus gives a more clearer reproduction with a minimum of distortion.
The new equipment was installed in the theater last Friday by Bill Emerson of Altic Service Co. with the help of projectionists Jesse Garcia, Oscar Hernandez and Salazar TV Service. Another change at the Baker will be removal of the majority of the seats in the balcony. They are being replaced by shag rugs for people to sit on. Mrs. Valentine explained that she saw a similar set-up in Las Vegas on her recent trip and had decided to modify the balcony area in the same way. She added that removing the seats would also be a money-saver, as she would no longer have to repair the constant cuts and tears which appeared in the balcony cushions.
Here is a 1939 photo from the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015553.jpg
Here is a June 2004 story from the Craig Daily Press:
http://tinyurl.com/cogfel
You could be right. I thought it was in May, but it was thirty years ago. I do recall that I saw the film at the Tilton shortly after it opened there, within the first week.
OK, welcome Shrine Auditorium. Hard to miss this place when you’re on the 110 Freeway by USC. Thanks for the intro, Ken.
The State can be seen in this 1940s postcard:
http://tinyurl.com/dmr8ck
This postcard of uncertain vintage shows the State on Congress Street:
http://tinyurl.com/cytvhc
Here is a postcard circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/dlrhtr
Here is a photo circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/che5j3
The building is still there, but it was empty when the Google photo was taken. It looks like it was some kind of adult film place or store before it closed.
This site mentions the Didsbury Opera House at the same location:
http://tinyurl.com/cb2vqk
This may be the photo posted in October 2005:
http://tinyurl.com/cmjdx4
This article mentions the Nameoki but also discusses a new theater coming to Granite City:
http://tinyurl.com/c85ygg
Here is a recent article about the theater’s marquee:
http://tinyurl.com/azmhx7
Here is another recent article about the Colonial:
http://tinyurl.com/dbo679
Here is another story about the closing:
http://tinyurl.com/czbv2g
Here is an August 1954 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ch2lvj
This is supposed to be the Cabrillo in San Diego, around 1938, but I have my doubts as it doesn’t resemble the other photos:
http://tinyurl.com/cyfv56
Here is a 1961 view of Market Street:
http://tinyurl.com/ckx6o8
Here is a view of Market Street circa 1960:
http://tinyurl.com/ck5m92
OK, Joe, I guess that’s a second opinion. I will add it to the San Pedro theaters. Thanks.