Mayan Theatre

LawMann, do you know the general period in which the Belasco ran movies? They surely would have been advertised in the L.A. Times, and somebody who has access to the Times archives at the L.A. Library could probably find some of those ads if they knew where to look.

If the place did run movies for a couple of years, or even a few months, then it certainly deserves a page here. Somehow, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium got a page, and all they ever did was four-wall an occasional surf or ski movie, and a few of the Hollywood beach movies of the 1960s, long after they’d had their theatrical runs. (By those standards, practically every civic auditorium in the country should qualify.)

I think people have tried to list it in the past but it was rejected. I don’t know if anyone has tried lately.

Since the Belasco ran movies regularly for two years and it once had projection equipment up in the booth, this magnificient theatre should be listed in Cinema Treasures.

Here’s some photos of the Mayan from yesterday:
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And some of the Belasco. since it doesn’t have its own page:
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And one showing both:
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The Mayan had a major role this evening on the NBC prime time show “Life”. The theater was the opening scene of the murder of the lead singer of a fictional metal cover band called Hot Lead.

They only utilized tight shots of the marquee sides. But did show the auditorium, stage & suspended mirrored ball. Along with various interior bar shots, and stage door/alley exteriors.

Since it was a new episode, it’s plausible that it was the filming that was taking place the day of ken mc’s Dec. 3rd photo.

I drove by the Belasco this morning. No photos as no place to put them. Alas.

I respectfully submit this information in the hopes that the Belasco at 1050 S. Hill can have a separate listing. They definitely screened films there… At least in 1950.

http://tinyurl.com/5h5pwn
http://tinyurl.com/5bwc2d
http://tinyurl.com/6jjobs
http://tinyurl.com/5mtwlu
http://tinyurl.com/6x664l

also see jericl cat’s – a dozen or so starting with this one:
http://flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00/2810783839

My HTC meeting was held in the Mayan last night…here are some photos. Some are not very good since it was very dark in there:

View link

Interesting about the opening of the Mayan:
(July 31, 1927 LA Times)
NEW THEATER COMPLETED
Mayan of Indian Design, Erected on Hill Street at Cost of $850,000, to Open Soon
The newest Los Angeles theater, the Mayan, erected at a cost of $850,000, is situated on Hill street between Tenth and Eleventh streets, next door to the Belasco, and is the first to follow the earliest-known American mode, the Mayan.
The property, fronting 100 feet on Hill street, with depth of 150 feet, is a Class A reinforced concrete structure, and will be devoted solely to the presentation of musical comedies. The theater will have its premiere August 15, next.
Gerhold O. Davis, who, with Edward Belasco and Fred Butler, is lessee of the new Belasco Theater, has leased the Mayan for twenty years from the owner, N.W. Stowell. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 1500, with 750 chairs on the main floor and 750 in the balcony. Offices are located on the second floor in front.
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
Into the structure, the architects have incorporated the most modern design and equipment architecturally. The exterior is in ornamental stone designed by a young Mexican artist, Francisco Cornejo, who in his interior design and color, has embodied the findings of his extensive research into earliest known American and Mexican art, with a predominance of blue, brown, red and gold tones. Doorways, proscenium arches and the ceilings are of ornamental stone in Mayan design. The selection of the Mayan motif by Gerhold O. Davis was the result of important archeological discoveries in Central America a year ago.
Entrance to the theater is through a large outer lobby, 18 x 32 feet, into the downstairs foyer. This and the mezzanine foyer, running the full width of the building, are decorated and furnished for the comfort of patrons during intermission, and smoking will be permitted in them as a result of the recent removal by the City Council of the ban on smoking in such places. Retiring rooms open off the mezzanine lounge.
Auditorium illumination is by an indirect system. The large figure of the Mayan sun rays, from whose circumference the entire ceiling is lighted in white and amber tones, is in turn lighted by green and blue lights from a pendant fixture.
FIRST CONNECTING STAGE
Of exceptional interest because it is the first time in America such practice has been followed, is the use of a twelve-foot connecting stage, on each side of the main stage, which is thirty-eight feet deep and has a width of forty-two feet.
Space for fifty musicians is provided in the orchestra pit, which is 10 x 38 feet. From tis two stairways lead below stage, to the musicians' room, which is 35 x 11 feet. An interesting innovation in stage lighting is the use of a balcony fifteen feet above stage level for the switchboard panel.
With the exception of the de luxe star quarters just above the stage level, equipped with a suite of three rooms, and a star room on the stage level, all dressing-rooms open off the green room below, which is 45 x 25 feet. These include two star dressing-rooms, three dressing-rooms accommodating three persons each, five chorus rooms-two accommodating twenty-three each, two accommodating eight and one for six persons. On this level are also the wardrobe room and ventilating system. All downstairs rooms are well ventilated. Shower rooms for the convenience of the players are also in the basement.
Ground was broken for the Mayan Theater last August, and the general contract awarded to the Scofield Engineering Company.

Here is an article about the Mayan switching to movies:
(Aug. 16, 1929 LA Times)
MAYAN CHANGES FROM DRAMA TO TALKING FILMS
The Mayan Theater has gone talkie. Commencing Thursday evening, September 5, the Eleventh and Hill street playhouse, hitherto devoted to spoken plays, will inaugurate a policy of talking pictures to be shown twice daily. The opening attraction will be “Marianne,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer screen musical comedy. Gerhold O. Davis, manager of the Mayan, believes that the best entertainment of the future is to be in the form of talking pictures, and he is installing the finest equipment for reproduction, including a new device which he declares to be sensational in its improvement over the present devices. “I am thoroughly convinced that the public has taken the up-to-date talking, singing and dancing picture to its heart and prefers it to all other forms of entertainment,” declared Davis last night. “For that reason I am going to a great expense to equip my theater.” Mr. Davis announces that he will present only the best talkies available. Arrangements are being made for a typical gala premiere.

The same film seems to have been shown with the same stage show which usually lasted a week or two. Who said it mattered if the films were French? I was just describing the fair…not commenting on what qualifies. The Danielle Darrieux movies they showed were from the mid to late 30’s, so its almost like a revival. It’s amazing that she’s still alive and working today!

You could always ask Ken Roe. He was one of the contributors to the Cinematour page for the Belasco.