Comments from kencmcintyre

Here is part of an article in the 6/5/85 edition of the LA Times, on the passing of Vincent Miranda:

Vincent Miranda, a one-time busboy and waiter who founded the controversial chain of Pussycat adult theaters nearly 25 years ago, died Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of cancer. He was 52.

Miranda, who bought his first theater in Huntington Park in 1961 to boost business at his adjacent restaurant, rapidly expanded his chain when he discovered that it cost no more to advertise several theaters than one.

He was arrested more than 60 times over the years on obscenity charges, but was convicted only once, in 1977 in San Bernardino for a film called “Sex Freaks”.

Boxoffice magazine reported in January 1940 that the fire previously mentioned started when a boiler exploded in the theater building. At the time the temperature outside was thirteen degrees below zero.

A recent internet search shows the Lulu business which Ken Roe mentioned as well as another pet business called Fins, Feathers & Paws. Both businesses are at 117 E. Washington.

From Boxoffice magazine, January 1940:

CHICAGO-The newest Yiddish production of G.L. Motion Picture Corp., “Overture to Glory”, starring Moishe Oysher, is having its world premiere at the Sonotone. Irving Franklin is handling the picture in the Chicago territory.

Here is part of an LA Times article dated 10/10/76:

PASADENA-The Board of City Directors on October 12 will hear an appeal by the owner of an adult theater against denial of his application for zoning exception that would require him to relocate his theater with less than required number of off-street parking spaces.

The Oaks Theater, 85 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, owned by Harold E. Wenzler, is situated in an area earmarked for expansion of the Parsons Engineering Co. world headquarters. The Pasadena Redevelopment Agency (PRA) which is responsible for acquiring and clearing properties for the expansion project, has been working with Wenzler to try and get the theater relocated in a building at 35 S. Raymond Avenue. However the city’s zoning board denied Wenzler’s application for a zoning exception to the parking requirements.

Wenzler’s Oak Theater was the center of controversy during the 1960s, when he first began showing adult films. When law enforcement agencies attempted to block the showing of the films, Wenzler retained attorney Stanley Fleischman to fight a succession of charges all the way from the Pasadena Municipal Court to the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite the court cases, Wenzler’s theater has remained open.

Here is part of a July 1956 article in the Chicago Tribune. I assume the theater was already closed, it they were trying to turn it into a warehouse.

ZONING BOARD OK’s THEATER AS WAREHOUSE
Neighbors Complain of Noise

A zoning variation to allow a plastic toy warehouse to operate in a former theater building at 4380 Elston Avenue was approved last week by the city zoning board of appeals.

This November 1948 Time story did not identify the theater, but presumably it was the Comet:

When a movie theater in Angier, N.C. (pop. 1,028) scheduled a sex picture called Mom and Dad (“Bold! Shocking! The Secrets of Sensible Sex”), it was overrun by an unmanageable crowd. Firemen had to wet down the crowd with a hose before the picture could be shown to an all-male audience.

Here is part of an LA Times article dated 10/26/76:

The old Brea Theater apparently will be transformed from an adult movie house into a house of worship. Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa and the lessee have worked out preliminary arrangements by which the church will acquire the building lease next Monday.

Calvary Chapel would require a conditional use permit to use the theater for church services. However, the use permit probably would be granted by the city, even though the chapel would be next door to the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Here is part of an Inquirer article in May 1984:

AN OLD MOVIE THEATER HAS NEW PURPOSE – CAMDEN’S STAR NOW A COMMUNITY CENTER

The old Star Theater in Camden returned to life yesterday, even though its days as a movie house are over. It now has a new, more important role in the community. The theater, at 1840 S. Broadway, dates back to the turn of the century. It was there for the birth of the motion-picture industry, starting with the silent films, and served as a movie house until the late 1950s, when the theater was taken over by the Sacred Heart Church, which used the theater as a special-events hall.

Here is a 1945 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/a8spds

Here is an update of the updated link of 8/11/07:
http://tinyurl.com/9d2kv5

This December 2008 article states that events are being held at the Pitman, but seating is limited to 300 and there’s no way to control the temperature. A recent Google photo showed a weddding announcement on the marquee, so there must be a few intrepid souls who have booked the Pitman for their affair.
http://tinyurl.com/7uacsp

It looks like the theater is also used for live performances, according to this site:
http://www.covelive.com/

From Boxoffice magazine, October 1947:

NASHUA, IOWA-Mrs. Tesse Hansen, Nashua Theater owner and operator for the past seven years, has sold the theater to Sidney Hale of Dallas. Possession was taken October 1. The theater has all new equipment and is being redecorated.