Comments about Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA

Joe Vogel on August 22, 2009 at 10:44 pm

The Wilshire Theatre is being renamed the Saban Theatre, so I’d surmise the marquee is being rebuilt. No events are scheduled until October, so they might be doing some other renovation work as well.

Here’s a press release about the theater and about Cheryl and Haim Saban, for whom the theater is being renamed.

DonSolosan on August 22, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Anybody know what’s going on with the Wilshire? They’ve boarded up the front and removed the marquee. When I was by there the other day, only the frame of the marquee was left.

ERD on March 10, 2009 at 9:11 am

I am glad to know that this beautiful theatre is being maintained.

EnnisCAdkins on October 15, 2008 at 6:11 pm

I believe it was Christmas day 1963, when my girlfriend and I went to the Fox Wilshire to see THE VICTORS. The Fox was the only theatre in the country playing the film as I think the producers were trying to get it qualified for Oscar. A very nervous man was walking around the lobby when we come in and when we left. Someone said it was Carl Foreman. I remember the picture ran a little over 3 hours with no intermission. I guess the picture didn’t do that well. Several months later, I saw the picture again and almost 35 minutes had been cut out. I wonder what happened to the 35 minutes.

kencmcintyre on October 7, 2008 at 6:04 pm

Sorry, the LAPL captioned that for the Wilshire. Thanks for the correction.

BhillH20 on October 7, 2008 at 6:00 pm

This photo belongs to the Hollywood Pantages photos as it is the upstairs mezzanine hallway outside the upper balcony.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014417.jpg

kencmcintyre on October 7, 2008 at 5:41 pm

vokoban on October 7, 2008 at 5:18 pm

At least its structurally mostly there. I can’t even imagine how much money it would cost to re-leaf all of the silver that nutball painted over in the 80’s. I was there a few months ago and it made me sick to think that silver was under all of that black and maroon paint.

Senorsock on October 7, 2008 at 4:23 pm

Went to the Wilshire to see a taping of a TV pilot. Was very impressed. The inside of the theater is in great shape and surprisingly large. It has a huge balcony, and the proscenium and ornate ceiling looks well cared for. I understand they don’t show movies here anymore, but its good to know the theater is being well kept.

kencmcintyre on April 18, 2008 at 5:09 pm

I actually posted that photo last year. My mistake. This is a back view, probably from around the time of the opening:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014418.jpg

kencmcintyre on April 18, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Here’s an interesting photo from the LAPL, dated 1930. The white building in the foreground has been replaced by the Larry Flynt building.
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics35/00067285.jpg

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Here is the LA Times article about the grand opening:

(September 20, 1930)
NEW HOUSE OF CINEMA DEDICATED
Civic and Film Notables Attend Gala Opening of Fox Wilshire Theater
Dedication of the Fox Wilshire Theater, newest temple of cinema art, was held last night, with klieg lights flashing, motion-picture stars, the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and other notables in attendance.
The new theater is located on Wilshire Boulevard at Hamilton Drive, and is of modern design throughout, with decorations in varying shades of silver, coral and black-a magnificent edifice.
A throng welcomed the new house, and the type of brilliance usually attending a typical Southern California premiere made the occasion a memorable one.
The event took on a civic aspect with the president of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor lending dignity to the proceedings. The film colony was represented by Leon Errol, Anita Page, Robert Montgomery, John Miljan, Joan Marsh, Jeanette MacDonald, Fay Wray, Racquel Torres and many others. Errol acted as master of ceremonies.
A children’s matinee was held in the afternoon, with Betty Bronson as guest of honor.
The feature picture at the new Fox Wilshire was “Animal Crackers,” starring the Four Marx Brothers. A program of short subjects completed the gala evening.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 1:11 pm

(September 19, 1930)
FOX WILSHIRE HOUSE TO HAVE GALA OPENING
Leon Errol, stage and screen player, will be master of ceremonies at the gala opening program tonight of the new Fox Wilshire Theater on Wilshire Boulevard at Hamilton Drive, Beverly Hills.
A civic event, the opening of the new house will be under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce of Beverly Hills. Leaders in civic and social life have made reservations, as well as several motion-picture notables.
The program will include the Marx Brothers in “Animal Crackers,” and several short subjects. In the afternoon a children’s opening will be held with Betty Bronson as guest of honor.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 1:07 pm

(September 19, 1930)
KMPC offers a treat for premiere lovers at 8 tonight—big opening, stars, etc.. at the Fox Wilshire Theater.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 1:04 pm

(September 17, 1930)
EQUIPMENT AT FOX WILSHIRE HOUSE LAUDED
The faintest note of Harp’s harp will sound clearly in every part of the new Fox Wilshire Theater, when the Marx Brothers' act, “Animal Crackers,” comes to the screen at the gala premiere of the new house Friday evening, according to reports.
This is the promise of sound experts, who, following extensive tests, pronounced the new theater one of the best in point of sound projection and design of auditorium for audience reception.
The auditorium of the new theater, seating 2500 persons, was designed in the shape of a large horn, which begins at the stage and develops outward. The covering on the upholstered chairs is a new material which enhances the carrying of sound waves, it is said.
With motion-picture celebrities participating, the opening program for the new theater will be under the direction of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 12:57 pm

(September 14, 1930)
FOX WILSHIRE TO OPEN DOORS
Something new in the way of luxurious seating accomodations will be introduced to the picture-going public when the new Fox Wilshire Theater, Wilshire at Hamilton, Beverly Hills, has its gala opening Friday evening.
The opening festivites of the theater are under the sponsorship and direction of the Chamber of Commerce of Beverly Hills, which organization is planning many unusual features.
The opening screen piece will bring the Marx Brothers in “Animal Crackers.” In the afternoon, a children’s premiere, which will be attended by child stars from the studios, will mark the initial showing of “The Break Up,” Alaskan adventure-travel picture, featuring Capt. Jack Robertson and his pal “Scooter."
Scores of reservations for the opening night of the new theater have been received from the Beverly Hills motion-picture colony.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 12:48 pm

This is from a few weeks before the opening:

(September 7, 1930)
FOX WILSHIRE TO OPEN SOON
“Art is getting on a more solid basis,” according to Jack Shulze, art director of the Fox Studios, whose modern design in interior and furnishing of the new Fox Wilshire Theater, Beverly Hills, is said to establish a new note in theater decoration.
It has only been during the last few years that the modern art has come into general use, and the new Fox Wilshire is said to be the first theater designed completely in the modern motif.
The colors used in the interior of the new theater are coral, black and silver which are varied at will by a new three-way color system of lighting.
One of the interesting departures in design in the new theater, which has its premiere the 19th inst., is its curtain. It opens in three or four phases, as an iris, developing various designs in the opening.

vokoban on February 26, 2008 at 11:34 am

My HTC (Historic Theater Committee) group is having our meeting at this theater on Thursday this week. I’m really excited since they are going to give a rare tour of the theater before the meeting. Hopefully, they will let us take photos. If so, I’ll be posting them soon.

kencmcintyre on October 31, 2007 at 5:46 pm

Here is a 1931 photo from the LAPL:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014415.jpg

scorseseisgod on October 28, 2007 at 5:15 pm

Two vitage ads: The Fox Wilshire Theatre Now Accepting “Exodus” Reservations by Mail:
View link
View link

kencmcintyre on October 15, 2007 at 7:24 am

Here is a July 4, 1957 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/3bkjbh

kencmcintyre on August 11, 2007 at 9:52 pm

Dr. Clark piles on the sports metaphors in this April 1966 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2mmyup

Neurosturgeon on July 24, 2007 at 11:37 am

My 8th grade English class took a field trip to see “Star!” here in 1968, just about at the same time I saw GWTW over at the Carthay Circle. Only time I was ever at the Fox Wilshire.

I seem to recall an Egyptian motif…

HowardBHaas on July 21, 2007 at 4:06 pm

Restoration of the original Art Deco glamour would sell more tickets, too!

Ron Carlson on July 21, 2007 at 2:42 pm

It’s good that this has survived, although someone should consider restoring the interior decorations. The original colors and painted designs on the walls and cielings were quite fantastic and were a part of the architects original designs. As it now sits it is rather dull. Although better than being demolished.

Saban Theatre

8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

8440 Wilshire Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211