That article on Main Street was in the LA Times in 1930. If you have an LA library card, you can access the Times archives online. I don’t have a specific date in 1930 for the article, though.
Here is an Associated Press story dated 9/29/08. The related sites link at the top of the page is defunct.
EVANSTON, WYOMING – The owners of the historic Strand Theater in Evanston are donating the building to a local agency.
A fire destroyed much of the 90-year-old building in May 2007. In March, the Evanston Urban Renewal Agency made an offer to buy the property from Kim and Kendra West. The deal fell through but the agency now says the Wests are donating the theater.
The agency plans to clean up the theater and stabilize the building. An attempt will then be made to raise money for renovations. One proposal is to renovate the Strand Theater as a performing arts center.
I went to the UA in Old Town a few times in the 1980s. Nothing to write home about. That part of Pasadena had not yet turned into Gap Paradise as it is today.
This photo of the Columbia accompanied a 9/30/58 story in the Warren (PA) Times-Mirror about the sale of the theater to the Knights of Columbus: http://tinyurl.com/dfusr9
Is the UA Marketplace even listed on CT? I drove by yesterday and there was a Tiffany’s at that spot, but I wasn’t sure if that was a new building or a remodel.
This is a December 2002 article about the Strand. When the Googlemobile went by, perhaps last year, the building was covered with scaffolding and tarps. No clue as to what is going on inside. http://tinyurl.com/cz2u5n
Here is part of a 1937 lawsuit concerning the Bush Theater:
The appellant owns a building in San Diego in which are located a theater, certain stores and an office. A previous owner had leased the entire building for twenty-five years from January 1, 1911, to January 1, 1936. On December 29, 1930, Alice N. Bush acquired this lease which had theretofore been assigned several times. For some years before 1930 the Pacific National Theater Company had been operating the theater in this building. It continued to operate the theater as a subtenant of Alice N. Bush until October 8, 1934, when it gave up its lease on the theater and transferred the theater equipment to her. On October 20, 1934, she conveyed the theater equipment by bill of sale to the respondent in this action. On the same day she transferred the lease on the building to G. A. Bush and K. G. Bush, who were her father-in-law and husband, respectively. G. A. Bush operated the theater from the time the Pacific National Theater Company ceased to operate it until some time in December, 1934. Thereafter the theater was operated by one Hartman until May 20, 1935. On that day the personal property involved in this action was removed by the respondent to a warehouse. The appellant attached this property at the warehouse for unpaid rent on the building from February to May, 1935, inclusive. The respondent put in a third party claim, the appellant put up a bond and held the property and this action followed.
The defendant, Trenton-New Brunswick Theatres Company, owns and operates a moving picture theater at 17 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, N.J. Immediately adjoining the public sidewalk is an outer vestibule about 12 feet in length covered with rubber matting. At the end of this vestibule there are six transparent glass doors through which entrance is made to the inner lobby. The dimensions of this interior lobby are not given but the picture introduced in evidence shows it to be a quite sizeable one. It is carpeted from wall to wall. The walls are tiled and judging from the picture contain some posters relating to current or future pictures. On he right side for one entering, a glass windowed box office is located. At the end of this lobby are six solid doors which lead into a portion of the theater where the seats are located and the picture is shown.
The plaintiff, Mrs. Ruth A. Barnard, who was 76 years of age at the time of the accident, January 14, 1953, resided at 116 Livingston Avenue, apparently a short distance from the theater. She had been attending moving picture performances there for many years and had been in the lobby “many, many times.” She preferred the afternoon performances over those of the evening. The afternoon shows did not start at the same time; she said that they begin irregularly at 11:55 A.M., 12:00, and sometimes 12:15 P.M.
On January 14, 1953, at about 11:15 or 11:30 A.M., she entered the main or interior lobby through one of the glass doors for the purpose of inquiring as to the time the matinee began that day. Before entering she saw three men in the interior lobby near the solid doors already described, and she thought they might be able to give her the desired information. She knew that the picture was not on at that time.
She walked through the glass door which was open, up to the three men and made the inquiry she had in mind. One of the men answered, saying they were just workmen and were unable to tell her. At this, she turned to her right to leave and her left foot struck a five foot ladder which was lying on the lobby floor and which she had not seen. As a result she fell and suffered the injuries for which the suit was brought. She did not remember whether there were lights on, but it was a bright, sunny day and there was sufficient light from the outside to enable her to see where she was going.
The trial court dismissed the action on the ground that no negligence had been shown on the part of any of the defendants. Plaintiff now appeals.
There appears to be no dispute as to the material facts. The Director of Public Safety of the City of Newark has threatened to revoke the license of the Broad Street Theatre if it presents a motion picture film entitled “Mom and Dad.” The license for the operation of the theatre is held by Rayhertz Amusement Corporation, a plaintiff, and the owner and exhibitor of the moving picture film is the plaintiff, Hygienic Productions, Inc. The proposed presentation and exhibition of the picture at the theatre is pursuant to a contract entered into between the plaintiffs.
On October 9, 1948, the plaintiffs, in accordance with practice and for the purpose of advertising the picture, held a preview to which were invited representatives of the City of Newark. The number of persons attending this performance is differently estimated, plaintiffs claiming that 140 persons attended while the defendants' affidavits give the number as 70.
The affidavits and exhibits submitted by the plaintiffs contend that the picture is neither lewd, immoral nor indecent; that it has been shown to audiences in more than 4,000 theatres in more than 40 states; that it has been shown in more than 30 cities in the State of New Jersey; and that it is presently being exhibited in some other municipalities within the state. The letters, photostatic copies of which are attached to the affidavit, include letters of recommendation as to the educational value of the picture, which deals with parental delinquency, and information concerning sex matters. It is alleged that the picture describes and illustrates the conception and delivery of a child at birth, both in a normal manner and by Caesarean operation, and it also depicts the ravages of social diseases.
Since the film under consideration deals with social sex problems, the following remarks of Judge Augustus N. Hand speaking for the United States Circuit Court of Appeals are pertinent: “The old theory that information about sex matters should be left to chance has greatly changed and while there is still a difference of opinion as to just the kind of instruction which ought to be given, it is commonly thought in these days that much was lacking in the old mystery and reticence. This is evident from the current literature on the subject, particularly such pamphlets as ‘Sex Education’ issued by the Treasury Department, U.S. Public Health Service in 1927.” In this case, the plaintiffs allege that the medical sequences in the film were procured from materials furnished by the U.S. Department of Health and filmed under the direction of public health officials.
We are dealing here with the threatened revocation of a license for the conduct of a legitimate business because of such proposed exhibition. The court has not viewed the film and does not make any comment on its merits or demerits, nor on its educational value, but disposes of the matter upon the facts presented and the law applicable.
I conclude that the Commissioner has no authority to interfere with the presentation of the film for the reasons urged. An order with a temporary restraint may be presented in accordance with these conclusions.
This is from a 1936 NJ Supreme Court case. It looks like the parent company ran two theaters in Newark at that time, the Essex and the Congress:
Prosecutor was an employee of Mira Theatres Corporation, which appeared to control two moving picture houses, one called the Essex Theatre, at No. 100 Springfield avenue, Newark, the other called the Congress Theatre on South Orange avenue, also in Newark. The Mira Corporation carried compensation insurance with the Ocean company, defendant above named, covering accidents at the Essex Theatre and that alone, though including in item 6 of the coverage clauses, “all operations necessary, incident or appurtenant thereto, or connected therewith, whether such operations are conducted at the work places defined and described in said declarations or elsewhere in connection with, or in relation to, such work places.”
This item was in Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:
LOS ANGELES-N.P. “Red” Jacobs, president of Favorite Films of California and operator of the local Lake Theater, has purchased the Westlake Theater and building at Alvarado and Wilshire. He assumed active operation as of December 30.
Jacobs acquired the Westlake from Fox West Coast Theaters. The circuit had operated the 1,900-seat film house for many years.
The official site notes the closing date, so status should be changed to closed.
Here is a November 1947 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/cfgcdm
That article on Main Street was in the LA Times in 1930. If you have an LA library card, you can access the Times archives online. I don’t have a specific date in 1930 for the article, though.
I have no idea. It was in the stacks of the history dept at the LAPL, Los Angeles section.
Here is an Associated Press story dated 9/29/08. The related sites link at the top of the page is defunct.
EVANSTON, WYOMING – The owners of the historic Strand Theater in Evanston are donating the building to a local agency.
A fire destroyed much of the 90-year-old building in May 2007. In March, the Evanston Urban Renewal Agency made an offer to buy the property from Kim and Kendra West. The deal fell through but the agency now says the Wests are donating the theater.
The agency plans to clean up the theater and stabilize the building. An attempt will then be made to raise money for renovations. One proposal is to renovate the Strand Theater as a performing arts center.
I went to the UA in Old Town a few times in the 1980s. Nothing to write home about. That part of Pasadena had not yet turned into Gap Paradise as it is today.
Here is an October 2004 article from the Hollywood Reporter:
http://tinyurl.com/ddubmy
Here is a March 2009 article from the Chicago Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/dja574
That was the idea. Joe stole my rimshot by posting his Boxoffice item immediately thereunder.
Just kidding, Joe.
This ad was in the Cedar Rapids Gazette in November 1960:
http://tinyurl.com/dyn5np
This photo of the Columbia accompanied a 9/30/58 story in the Warren (PA) Times-Mirror about the sale of the theater to the Knights of Columbus:
http://tinyurl.com/dfusr9
Is the UA Marketplace even listed on CT? I drove by yesterday and there was a Tiffany’s at that spot, but I wasn’t sure if that was a new building or a remodel.
This is a December 2002 article about the Strand. When the Googlemobile went by, perhaps last year, the building was covered with scaffolding and tarps. No clue as to what is going on inside.
http://tinyurl.com/cz2u5n
Here is part of a 1937 lawsuit concerning the Bush Theater:
The appellant owns a building in San Diego in which are located a theater, certain stores and an office. A previous owner had leased the entire building for twenty-five years from January 1, 1911, to January 1, 1936. On December 29, 1930, Alice N. Bush acquired this lease which had theretofore been assigned several times. For some years before 1930 the Pacific National Theater Company had been operating the theater in this building. It continued to operate the theater as a subtenant of Alice N. Bush until October 8, 1934, when it gave up its lease on the theater and transferred the theater equipment to her. On October 20, 1934, she conveyed the theater equipment by bill of sale to the respondent in this action. On the same day she transferred the lease on the building to G. A. Bush and K. G. Bush, who were her father-in-law and husband, respectively. G. A. Bush operated the theater from the time the Pacific National Theater Company ceased to operate it until some time in December, 1934. Thereafter the theater was operated by one Hartman until May 20, 1935. On that day the personal property involved in this action was removed by the respondent to a warehouse. The appellant attached this property at the warehouse for unpaid rent on the building from February to May, 1935, inclusive. The respondent put in a third party claim, the appellant put up a bond and held the property and this action followed.
This is part of a 1954 personal injury claim:
The defendant, Trenton-New Brunswick Theatres Company, owns and operates a moving picture theater at 17 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, N.J. Immediately adjoining the public sidewalk is an outer vestibule about 12 feet in length covered with rubber matting. At the end of this vestibule there are six transparent glass doors through which entrance is made to the inner lobby. The dimensions of this interior lobby are not given but the picture introduced in evidence shows it to be a quite sizeable one. It is carpeted from wall to wall. The walls are tiled and judging from the picture contain some posters relating to current or future pictures. On he right side for one entering, a glass windowed box office is located. At the end of this lobby are six solid doors which lead into a portion of the theater where the seats are located and the picture is shown.
The plaintiff, Mrs. Ruth A. Barnard, who was 76 years of age at the time of the accident, January 14, 1953, resided at 116 Livingston Avenue, apparently a short distance from the theater. She had been attending moving picture performances there for many years and had been in the lobby “many, many times.” She preferred the afternoon performances over those of the evening. The afternoon shows did not start at the same time; she said that they begin irregularly at 11:55 A.M., 12:00, and sometimes 12:15 P.M.
On January 14, 1953, at about 11:15 or 11:30 A.M., she entered the main or interior lobby through one of the glass doors for the purpose of inquiring as to the time the matinee began that day. Before entering she saw three men in the interior lobby near the solid doors already described, and she thought they might be able to give her the desired information. She knew that the picture was not on at that time.
She walked through the glass door which was open, up to the three men and made the inquiry she had in mind. One of the men answered, saying they were just workmen and were unable to tell her. At this, she turned to her right to leave and her left foot struck a five foot ladder which was lying on the lobby floor and which she had not seen. As a result she fell and suffered the injuries for which the suit was brought. She did not remember whether there were lights on, but it was a bright, sunny day and there was sufficient light from the outside to enable her to see where she was going.
The trial court dismissed the action on the ground that no negligence had been shown on the part of any of the defendants. Plaintiff now appeals.
This is part of a 1948 obscenity case:
There appears to be no dispute as to the material facts. The Director of Public Safety of the City of Newark has threatened to revoke the license of the Broad Street Theatre if it presents a motion picture film entitled “Mom and Dad.” The license for the operation of the theatre is held by Rayhertz Amusement Corporation, a plaintiff, and the owner and exhibitor of the moving picture film is the plaintiff, Hygienic Productions, Inc. The proposed presentation and exhibition of the picture at the theatre is pursuant to a contract entered into between the plaintiffs.
On October 9, 1948, the plaintiffs, in accordance with practice and for the purpose of advertising the picture, held a preview to which were invited representatives of the City of Newark. The number of persons attending this performance is differently estimated, plaintiffs claiming that 140 persons attended while the defendants' affidavits give the number as 70.
The affidavits and exhibits submitted by the plaintiffs contend that the picture is neither lewd, immoral nor indecent; that it has been shown to audiences in more than 4,000 theatres in more than 40 states; that it has been shown in more than 30 cities in the State of New Jersey; and that it is presently being exhibited in some other municipalities within the state. The letters, photostatic copies of which are attached to the affidavit, include letters of recommendation as to the educational value of the picture, which deals with parental delinquency, and information concerning sex matters. It is alleged that the picture describes and illustrates the conception and delivery of a child at birth, both in a normal manner and by Caesarean operation, and it also depicts the ravages of social diseases.
Since the film under consideration deals with social sex problems, the following remarks of Judge Augustus N. Hand speaking for the United States Circuit Court of Appeals are pertinent: “The old theory that information about sex matters should be left to chance has greatly changed and while there is still a difference of opinion as to just the kind of instruction which ought to be given, it is commonly thought in these days that much was lacking in the old mystery and reticence. This is evident from the current literature on the subject, particularly such pamphlets as ‘Sex Education’ issued by the Treasury Department, U.S. Public Health Service in 1927.” In this case, the plaintiffs allege that the medical sequences in the film were procured from materials furnished by the U.S. Department of Health and filmed under the direction of public health officials.
We are dealing here with the threatened revocation of a license for the conduct of a legitimate business because of such proposed exhibition. The court has not viewed the film and does not make any comment on its merits or demerits, nor on its educational value, but disposes of the matter upon the facts presented and the law applicable.
I conclude that the Commissioner has no authority to interfere with the presentation of the film for the reasons urged. An order with a temporary restraint may be presented in accordance with these conclusions.
The theater was presenting burlesque shows in the early 1950s, according to some litigation at that time.
Here is a September 1957 ad from the same source:
http://tinyurl.com/df6lq9
Here is a February 2009 news story:
http://tinyurl.com/cptx8z
A 1936 NJ Supreme Court case mentioned that the Mira Theater Corp. operated the Congress on Orange Avenue and the Essex on Springfield Avenue.
This is from a 1936 NJ Supreme Court case. It looks like the parent company ran two theaters in Newark at that time, the Essex and the Congress:
Prosecutor was an employee of Mira Theatres Corporation, which appeared to control two moving picture houses, one called the Essex Theatre, at No. 100 Springfield avenue, Newark, the other called the Congress Theatre on South Orange avenue, also in Newark. The Mira Corporation carried compensation insurance with the Ocean company, defendant above named, covering accidents at the Essex Theatre and that alone, though including in item 6 of the coverage clauses, “all operations necessary, incident or appurtenant thereto, or connected therewith, whether such operations are conducted at the work places defined and described in said declarations or elsewhere in connection with, or in relation to, such work places.”
This item was in Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:
LOS ANGELES-N.P. “Red” Jacobs, president of Favorite Films of California and operator of the local Lake Theater, has purchased the Westlake Theater and building at Alvarado and Wilshire. He assumed active operation as of December 30.
Jacobs acquired the Westlake from Fox West Coast Theaters. The circuit had operated the 1,900-seat film house for many years.
The CRA discussion was last August. Is there anything new on this one?
Here is a photo from a contemporaneous news story in January 1952:
http://tinyurl.com/cjvwws
The Belasco is an orphan. Thanks for the photos.