ALBANY-The new 1,060-seat Hellman Theater on Upper Washington Avenue which Neil Hellman is building at a cost estimated at $500,000, will open April 27 with the first upstate New York showing of “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”.
The Hellman, constructed as a memorial to Neil’s father, the late Harry Hellman, a pioneer Albany exhibitor, will have a 52-foot wall-to-wall screen, eight stage and 12 wall speakers and the most modern design and deluxe equipment. Designed by Sidney Schenker, Paterson NJ architect, the house will “represent the new concept of a motion picture theater’s functions”, according to general manager Alan Iselin. Mannie Friedman, whose exhibition experience covers 23 years, will be the house manager.
A contributor has suggested that this 1994 photo, identified only as being on Western Avenue, is the Sunset. Any feedback would be welcome. http://tinyurl.com/25jhk7
If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
LOS ANGELES-Carthay Circle Theater here is to get the roadshow run of Fox’s “Can-Can”. “Porgy and Bess” closes a 26-week engagement at the house next week. National Theaters' chief film buyer, M.A. Lundgren, will go to New York with Gordon Hewitt to conclude arrangements for the booking, following the world premiere at New York’s Rivoli in March.
Here is some more information about the theater and its eventual demolition:
http://theprimarycareinstitute.com/History.htm
This is from Boxoffice magazine in April 1960:
ALBANY-The new 1,060-seat Hellman Theater on Upper Washington Avenue which Neil Hellman is building at a cost estimated at $500,000, will open April 27 with the first upstate New York showing of “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”.
The Hellman, constructed as a memorial to Neil’s father, the late Harry Hellman, a pioneer Albany exhibitor, will have a 52-foot wall-to-wall screen, eight stage and 12 wall speakers and the most modern design and deluxe equipment. Designed by Sidney Schenker, Paterson NJ architect, the house will “represent the new concept of a motion picture theater’s functions”, according to general manager Alan Iselin. Mannie Friedman, whose exhibition experience covers 23 years, will be the house manager.
Here is another late-70s view from the LAPL:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics50/00059968.jpg
A contributor has suggested that this 1994 photo, identified only as being on Western Avenue, is the Sunset. Any feedback would be welcome.
http://tinyurl.com/25jhk7
Thanks. I will post the photo over on that page.
Is this like Sensurround?
The current retail business is a day spa and salon:
http://tinyurl.com/cqwnrw
The Capitol is now a bridal shop:
http://tinyurl.com/bgd4a2
An exterior photo can be seen on this site:
http://tinyurl.com/dfvdqm
Here is a May 2008 article that discusses the renovation:
http://tinyurl.com/cdaohc
The Mecca has been converted to condos. Here is their website:
http://www.meccacondos.com/index.html
Here is a December 2008 article about landmark designation:
http://tinyurl.com/a2dc2p
If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
Here is a Wiki photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cojcz3
Story here:
http://tinyurl.com/atzywu
Here is a report of the fire from a local news station
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1193020
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the research, Joe.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
I read this in Boxoffice magazine, Jan. 1960. I never heard of an usher at a drive-in, though. What does he do, show you to your parking spot?
LOS ANGELES-Ed Cassas, former head usher at the Vermont Drive-In, was upped to manager trainee in the southwest area.
That one works. Nice color photo.
This is from Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:
LOS ANGELES-Carthay Circle Theater here is to get the roadshow run of Fox’s “Can-Can”. “Porgy and Bess” closes a 26-week engagement at the house next week. National Theaters' chief film buyer, M.A. Lundgren, will go to New York with Gordon Hewitt to conclude arrangements for the booking, following the world premiere at New York’s Rivoli in March.
I can’t access that one.
Here is another 1951 photo from Life magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/amyzv6