This article doesn’t name the theater, but I assume it is the Muse because of the address:
(March 7, 1937)
Two pistol shots which were not part of the sound effects stopped the running of a motion picture in an all-night theater at 417 South Main street early yesterday morning. Employees of the place investigated and found Jack D. Riley, 58 years of age of 3311 South Grand avenue, behind the screen with two bullet wounds in the head. Still conscious, although one of the bullets had passed through his head, Riley told Detective Lieutenant Bryan he had shot himself because of ill health and financial difficulties, according to Bryan’s report.
Does anyone know if this ‘other’ Normandie Theater was ever built and if so, what it’s name was?
(May 17, 1925)
NORMANDIE THEATER
Plans have been prepared for the erection of a two-story brick theater and store building by W.D. Fleming to be erected at 6602 South Normandie avenue for R.E. McDonald. Plans provide for theater, to seat 800 persons, and two stores and six offices. The structure, to be erected of structural steel with cement and wood floor, will cost $39,800.
I think the address for this theater might be listed incorrectly, unless it moved at some time later. From multiple movie listings in 1924-1925, the Normandie Theater is listed at 4817 S. Normandie Ave.
I went to the address of this theater today and the building is gone. The cafe and bakery that you spoke of is at 511 ½ North Main. Everything to the north of this is demolished up to the church. The building where the bakery was is being held up by supports and has no roof, so I don’t know if it is being repaired or readied for demolition.
From the satellite image on Google maps it looks like there is a 2, 3, or 4 story building where the theater should have been. I’m in San Francisco but I’ll go down there later in the week and look at the buildings. Maybe there is some clue remaining from the exterior.
Thanks Joe…it looks as if someone did catch it and entered the seating capacity. After looking at a later article, it seems that Mr. Tierney did indeed expire from his leap.
This article gives the seating capacity….does anyone know how I enter it?
(March 29, 1925)
Hereafter, when father stays out all night-ish alright, by dear, hic. he’s been sittin' up-not with a dear sick friend, but at the “all-night movies.” Likewise, whenever the milkman is late with his morning delivery or the cook fails to show up for work, each probably has a perfectly good alibi in the newest amusement enterprise, the all-night moving-picture show.
For Los Angeles now has its first all-night cinema palace and can make the boast that the silver sheet is never dark in the film capitol. The film fan’s thanks are due to C.H. Drane, Main-street exhibitor, for, while other theater owners have been content to lock their doors and count up the receipts at midnight, it remained for Drane to meet the demand for longer programs. A sign displayed across the front of his Lark Theater announces to the film public that his is the only all-night theater in the city. “We Never Close” and “We Cater to Ladies and Family Trade,” are additional announcements regarding the policy of the unique house.
That Drane’s idea has met with popular approval here is evidenced by the fact that his house, with seating capacity of 250, always is packed to the doors, even in the small hours of the morning, when one wonders where the crowds come from. The Lark Theater is located in the 600 block in Main street and directly opposite the Pacific Electric station, from which place, with its groups of passengers waiting for early morning trains, Drane draws his heaviest patronage. And, save for a sprinkling of all-night lunch rooms, the Lark, with its lobby illumination and the merry tunes of an electric piano, is the only bright spot on Main street during the dull hours between midnight and dawn.
The audiences are cross-sections of a night life in our cosmopolitan city. Seated in the narrow rows of chairs are representatives of all of the types and races that make up the metropolis-all responding to the common lure of the celluloid drama-either that, or finding it a convenient haven of rest when there is no other place to flop for the night. For the sleepy ones, however, there is not much rest. A special officer in uniform, whose combined office is that of night manager and guardian of the law, walks the aisles at regular intervals and with gentle taps and an occasional poke preserves the peace and dignity of the house.
On the occasion of the writer’s visit he found the audience either especially drowsy or unappreciative of the fine acting of John Barrymore, who was doing his best to keep the customers interested. On this particular morning (it was about 3:30 o'clock) the house was filled mostly with sailors from the visiting fleet at San Pedro…………….
(Dec. 22, 1923)
W.F. Tierney, manager of the Northwest Mutual Fire Insurance agency adn of the Martin Insurance Agency, was in a critical condition at the Methodist Hospital last night as the result of a plunge from the window of his office at 822-825 Central Building, Sixth and Main streets.
Tierney crashed through the roof of the Lark Theater, six stories below, while the theater was filled with a motion-picture audience, causing a near-panic in the place. He did not fall clear through the roof, however, his body lodging on some girders. Theater officials hurried to the roof and found Tierney lying unconscious some distance beyond their reach. They called police and Detectives Wild and Blythe on turn called the fire department, which used a ladder to reach Tierney.
The insurance manager was fond to be suffering from a basal skull fracture, which physicians said probably would prove fatal. T.E. Audet, and inspector for the agency, was in the offices at the time and said he believed Tierney had leaped from the window. He said Tierney came into the outer offices, where Audet was at work, talked with him for a time and then said: “Well, I must be going.” A few moments later, Audet said, he heard the noise of the crash and when he attempted to enter the inner office, found the door had been locked from the inside.
(March 26, 1926)
…..The film was produced, it was announced, to offset by a true picture some of the evil and mischief that Mexicans say is being done by certain newspaper interests that give Americans a sordid and distored idea of Lower California as a hotbed of vice, corruption and worthlessness.
The show’s premiere will take place at the Estella Theater, opposite the Plaza, next Sunday, and will continue there through the week. It is appearing here under the direction of the Pacific Coast Theaters, Inc., and was made in Mexico under direction of Rafael Corilla of Mexicali.
Mexican Consul Pesqueira, a number of newspaper men and prominent Latin Americans attended a preview of the film at the Res Theater, Third and Figueroa streets, yesterday and pronounced it a most instructive and educational film intended to show Lower California as it is.
I looked at the photo from your link, but I dont' see the ‘blade’ sign. When I think of ‘blade’ I think of deco, and that wouldn’t be until about 5 years after this. Please educate…..
Here’s a few more concrete dates for the short life of this theater:
(Feb. 21, 1916)
Christening Of The New Palace Theater Auspicious.
On Seventh street between Hill and Broadway there is much traffic both by day and by night, a circumstance which will bring popularity and shekels to the new Palace Theater which opened in that block yesterday, while the painters were still at work on its shining front.
Not because it was new and not because it had something wondrous and enchanting to exhibit, but because it is extraordinarilly located, the Palace was filled all afternoon and evening. Today, tomorrow and for a long time to come it can hope for big crowds on accunt of the quality of “Undine,” the picture used for the christening of the house.
(Aug. 1, 1920)
Through the same realty firm(R.F. and H.K. Huntsberger) a ten-year lease has been secured on the Palace Theater, at 317 West Seventh street by the Vogue Millinery Company and the Model Cloak and Suit House from Otto Thum of Santa Monica. The building will be taken over by the new lessees on Jan. 19 of next year, upon the expiration of the lease held by the Palace Theater. Extensive alterations and imporvements, including a new front to the building, are planeed. The walls of the building will be raised, and the structure will be divided into two storerooms. The total rental of the building for the ten-year period amounts to $450,000, while the improvements which are planned will cost about $50,000.
(Jan. 16, 1921)
“Who’s to Blame?” is to close this evening at the Palace Theater. At the same time the house will be closed permanently, on account of the expiration of the lease, it is announced. “Who’s to Blame?” deals in and unusually frank manner with social problems and point out the injustice toward the wronged woman. The story was written by Wycliffe A. Hill, president of the Photoplaywrights' League of Americal. Edward Coxen and Enid Markey are the featured players.
It seems as though Fischer’s was renamed the Princess and then the Spanish Theater. I don’t know if it had any other names before it was demolished for City Hall. This is from the LA Times:
(Jun 17, 1922)
Nearly 150 patrons of the Spanish Theater, 121 West First street, were in peril at 9 p.m. yesterday, when a motion-picture film became ignited and exploded. The audience and the members of the Spanish company on the stage at the time, terrorized by the noise and the burst of flame, rushed for the exits, and for a short time panic ensued. The motion-picture operator, A.W. Donovan, was slightly burned in an attempt to beat out the flames with his hands. He was soon forced to flee………
The establishment, formerly the Princess Theater, is now a combination house for both the spoken and the silent drama for the benefit of Spanish-speaking people. The flames were extinguished with nominal damage.
Thanks for the terraserver tip. I tried google maps satellite for our mysterious Estella, and there is a building there, but google might be wrong with the exact address pointer. I’ll probably have to go down there and look for myself.
This theater at 6107 S. Main street is still listed as the Princess Theater in an Independent Theaters advertisement in 1949. I wonder if the building exists now?
(Nov. 14, 1949)
PRINCESS, 6107 S. Main-PL.27869-25 cents
Chicken Every Sunday; Call Northside 777
Joe, have you heard of another Princess Theater on 1st street? It changed it’s name to the Spanish Theater I think, but I don’t see that one on CT either.
(Jun 17, 1922)
Nearly 150 patrons of the Spanish Theater, 121 West First street, were in peril at 9 p.m. yesterday, when a motion-picture film became ignited and exploded. The audience and the members of the Spanish company on the stage at the time, terrorized by the noise and the burst of flame, rushed for the exits, and for a short time panic ensued. The motion-picture operator, A.W. Donovan, was slightly burned in an attempt to beat out the flames with his hands. He was soon forced to flee………
The establishment, formerly the Princess Theater, is now a combination house for both the spoken and the silent drama for the benefit of Spanish-speaking people. The flames were extinguished with nominal damage.
It’s the Estella, no R….I added the theater on CT, but I guess it takes a few days to show up. I’ve only found one other mention of it other than the 1923 advertisement. This was in 1926, so the theater must have been around for at least 3 years. Here’s the (abridged) article:
(March 26, 1926)
…..The film was produced, it was announced, to offset by a true picture some of the evil and mischief that Mexicans say is being done by certain newspaper interests that give Americans a sordid and distored idea of Lower California as a hotbed of vice, corruption and worthlessness.
The show’s premiere will take place at the Estella Theater, opposite the Plaza, next Sunday, and will continue there through the week. It is appearing here under the direction of the Pacific Coast Theaters, Inc., and was made in Mexico under direction of Rafael Corilla of Mexicali.
Mexican Consul Pesqueira, a number of newspaper men and prominent Latin Americans attended a preview of the film at the Res Theater, Third and Figueroa streets, yesterday and pronounced it a most instructive and educational film intended to show Lower California as it is.
I was confused because I didn’t realize that Miller also owned the California Theater.
(June 11, 1919)
California
Miller’s New Theater
Main at Eighth
Wm.S.Hart in “The Money Corral”
Miller’s Theater must have closed for a short time, but I don’t know why….
(Nov. 27, 1919)
Two more picture theaters are to be added to the Rialto’s houses of the cinema. One of these is, of course, Miller’s Theater, that is to have its reopening Saturday afternoon, with the first feature of the new Mary Miles Minter Realart series, “Anne of the Green Gables.”
(Dec. 8, 1919)
The appearance of stars under a new management and the reopening of theaters, are always occasions fraught with thrill, and when Mary Miles Minter and Roy Miller got away together in the picture race, last Saturday, with Miss Minter’s first Realart feature, “Anne of Green Gables,” serving to reopen Miller’s Theater, on Main street, that getaway was an exception to the rule of thrills. And that it was an auspicious opening for both was proven by the crowds which packed the house both afternoon and evening, and who evinced the greatest delight at the performance. Mr. Miller and his friends likewise did honor to the lovely little star, the former by the manner of the presentation of the picture, with the house redecorated a new organ installed and the latter with floral decorations, enught to smother the young lady, if handed out to her personally when she appeared in person to make her brilliant little speech.
(Jul 12, 1924)
Another theater passed into control of Loew’s Inc., and the Metro-Goldwyn Distributing corporation yesterday in Miller’s Theater, of which the controlling interest has been purchased by the new consolidation. Miller’s will be operated in connection with the California Theater, it is announched, which was taken over when the combination was formed.
I don’t know why Miller’s Theater isn’t listed, because there are over 400 articles about it in the LA Times. Here are a few that establish the address and also stir up some confusion, at least for me. This theater should definitely be on CT since it showed moving pictures very early.
(Nov. 13, 1913)
A change of policy brought a new show to Miller’s Theater yesterday instead of later in the week, and by way of introducing the change, a programme replete with thrills and laughter has been provided for today and tomorrow. The big sensational feature is called “The Raid of the Human Tigers.”……The second big feature is serio-comic and is entitled “Her Secretariew.” The big ton and a half glass screen continues to be town talk, and pretty Betty Stokes has already built up a regular clientele which is the envy of every other moving-picture house songbird in the city.
{What are they talking about a glass screen? Did they have a glass screen in the theater? vokoban}
(Apr. 5, 1914)
FREE 5000 Tickets to Miller’s Theater
We have purchased 5000 tickets for Miller’s Moving Picture Theater just a few doors from our store. These will be issued FREE OF CHARGE to those visiting our great Fire Sale.
Arnold Furniture Company
830-832 South Main Street
(Oct. 11, 1914)
Miller’s Theater-One Week Starting Tomorrow
“Hearts Of Oak” with Ralph Stuart and Violet Horner
842 South Main St.
Near Marsh-Strong Bldg.
Thanks Joe, I’m going to try to find something on Miller’s Theater. The list I posted is not in any way comprehensive for the theaters on Main on that date. That is just from an advertisement listing theaters showing Paramount pictures for that week. I’m sure there are many others, but Paramount seems to have spent a lot of money on full page ads listing all of the theater showing their pictures with complete addresses and not just cross streets.
I think the Banner Theater played leap frog. It sounds as though 456 South Main was the final address.
(Jul 18, 1918)
Launching a vigorous campaign to eliminate indecent motion pictures from Los Angeles theaters, representatives of the City Prosecutor’s office last night stopped the exhibition of ‘Purity’ a seven-reel film at the Banner Theater, No. 446 South Main street, seized the film, locked it up as evidence at Central Police Station and cited the manager of the theater to appear in court this morning on a charge of showing a lewd and indecent picture.
(Dec. 6, 1922)
Investigation into the mysterious fire at the Banner Theater, 452 South Main street, yesterday afternoon, where a panic among the men, women and children in the show was narrowly averted, was started last night by the police arson squad.
(Dec. 19, 1922)
When Mrs. Julia A. Campbell sued Robert M. Campbell, owner of the Banner Theater, for divorce she named Agnes Rolfus as correspondent. Moreover, she asked for and accounting of the profits of the Banner Theater, 456 South Main street, and the appointment of a receiver.
(Sep. 2, 1923)
Banner Theater, 456 S. Main Street
Sept. 2-5—Douglas Fairbanks In “He Comes Up Smiling.”
(Oct 10, 1925)
Following what police term to be a most novel method of picketing, William Dermondy, 27 years of age, living at the Davis Hotel, was arrested last night by Officer hynes of the police intelligence division in front of the Banner Theater, 456 South Main street, and lodged in City Jail.
(Jan 1, 1937)
Harry E. Ransome, who opertated the Banner Theater at Fifth and Main streets up to 1913, asserted that Los Angeles had grown so that if he had been dropped somewhere without anybody to show him around that he would have become lost.
(March 27, 1955)
Workmen uncovered the relic when a new front was constructed on the Banner Building in 1952. The machine (1 ½ ton music box organ) was in sad condition. Rats had made a home in it, hundreds of feet of rubber tubing had disintegrated, moths had eaten the felt, and the electric motor, colored lights and other parts had vanished.
This building permit suggests that this theater was built from an existing building, unless a later theater was built on the same spot:
(Apr. 9, 1911)
Alter store-room into theater, No. 608 South Hill, Central Broadway Building Company, $3681.
This article doesn’t name the theater, but I assume it is the Muse because of the address:
(March 7, 1937)
Two pistol shots which were not part of the sound effects stopped the running of a motion picture in an all-night theater at 417 South Main street early yesterday morning. Employees of the place investigated and found Jack D. Riley, 58 years of age of 3311 South Grand avenue, behind the screen with two bullet wounds in the head. Still conscious, although one of the bullets had passed through his head, Riley told Detective Lieutenant Bryan he had shot himself because of ill health and financial difficulties, according to Bryan’s report.
Does anyone know if this ‘other’ Normandie Theater was ever built and if so, what it’s name was?
(May 17, 1925)
NORMANDIE THEATER
Plans have been prepared for the erection of a two-story brick theater and store building by W.D. Fleming to be erected at 6602 South Normandie avenue for R.E. McDonald. Plans provide for theater, to seat 800 persons, and two stores and six offices. The structure, to be erected of structural steel with cement and wood floor, will cost $39,800.
I think the address for this theater might be listed incorrectly, unless it moved at some time later. From multiple movie listings in 1924-1925, the Normandie Theater is listed at 4817 S. Normandie Ave.
I went to the address of this theater today and the building is gone. The cafe and bakery that you spoke of is at 511 ½ North Main. Everything to the north of this is demolished up to the church. The building where the bakery was is being held up by supports and has no roof, so I don’t know if it is being repaired or readied for demolition.
From the satellite image on Google maps it looks like there is a 2, 3, or 4 story building where the theater should have been. I’m in San Francisco but I’ll go down there later in the week and look at the buildings. Maybe there is some clue remaining from the exterior.
Thanks Joe…it looks as if someone did catch it and entered the seating capacity. After looking at a later article, it seems that Mr. Tierney did indeed expire from his leap.
This article gives the seating capacity….does anyone know how I enter it?
(March 29, 1925)
Hereafter, when father stays out all night-ish alright, by dear, hic. he’s been sittin' up-not with a dear sick friend, but at the “all-night movies.” Likewise, whenever the milkman is late with his morning delivery or the cook fails to show up for work, each probably has a perfectly good alibi in the newest amusement enterprise, the all-night moving-picture show.
For Los Angeles now has its first all-night cinema palace and can make the boast that the silver sheet is never dark in the film capitol. The film fan’s thanks are due to C.H. Drane, Main-street exhibitor, for, while other theater owners have been content to lock their doors and count up the receipts at midnight, it remained for Drane to meet the demand for longer programs. A sign displayed across the front of his Lark Theater announces to the film public that his is the only all-night theater in the city. “We Never Close” and “We Cater to Ladies and Family Trade,” are additional announcements regarding the policy of the unique house.
That Drane’s idea has met with popular approval here is evidenced by the fact that his house, with seating capacity of 250, always is packed to the doors, even in the small hours of the morning, when one wonders where the crowds come from. The Lark Theater is located in the 600 block in Main street and directly opposite the Pacific Electric station, from which place, with its groups of passengers waiting for early morning trains, Drane draws his heaviest patronage. And, save for a sprinkling of all-night lunch rooms, the Lark, with its lobby illumination and the merry tunes of an electric piano, is the only bright spot on Main street during the dull hours between midnight and dawn.
The audiences are cross-sections of a night life in our cosmopolitan city. Seated in the narrow rows of chairs are representatives of all of the types and races that make up the metropolis-all responding to the common lure of the celluloid drama-either that, or finding it a convenient haven of rest when there is no other place to flop for the night. For the sleepy ones, however, there is not much rest. A special officer in uniform, whose combined office is that of night manager and guardian of the law, walks the aisles at regular intervals and with gentle taps and an occasional poke preserves the peace and dignity of the house.
On the occasion of the writer’s visit he found the audience either especially drowsy or unappreciative of the fine acting of John Barrymore, who was doing his best to keep the customers interested. On this particular morning (it was about 3:30 o'clock) the house was filled mostly with sailors from the visiting fleet at San Pedro…………….
Strange, but true, I think…..
(Dec. 22, 1923)
W.F. Tierney, manager of the Northwest Mutual Fire Insurance agency adn of the Martin Insurance Agency, was in a critical condition at the Methodist Hospital last night as the result of a plunge from the window of his office at 822-825 Central Building, Sixth and Main streets.
Tierney crashed through the roof of the Lark Theater, six stories below, while the theater was filled with a motion-picture audience, causing a near-panic in the place. He did not fall clear through the roof, however, his body lodging on some girders. Theater officials hurried to the roof and found Tierney lying unconscious some distance beyond their reach. They called police and Detectives Wild and Blythe on turn called the fire department, which used a ladder to reach Tierney.
The insurance manager was fond to be suffering from a basal skull fracture, which physicians said probably would prove fatal. T.E. Audet, and inspector for the agency, was in the offices at the time and said he believed Tierney had leaped from the window. He said Tierney came into the outer offices, where Audet was at work, talked with him for a time and then said: “Well, I must be going.” A few moments later, Audet said, he heard the noise of the crash and when he attempted to enter the inner office, found the door had been locked from the inside.
From the Los Angeles Times:
(March 26, 1926)
…..The film was produced, it was announced, to offset by a true picture some of the evil and mischief that Mexicans say is being done by certain newspaper interests that give Americans a sordid and distored idea of Lower California as a hotbed of vice, corruption and worthlessness.
The show’s premiere will take place at the Estella Theater, opposite the Plaza, next Sunday, and will continue there through the week. It is appearing here under the direction of the Pacific Coast Theaters, Inc., and was made in Mexico under direction of Rafael Corilla of Mexicali.
Mexican Consul Pesqueira, a number of newspaper men and prominent Latin Americans attended a preview of the film at the Res Theater, Third and Figueroa streets, yesterday and pronounced it a most instructive and educational film intended to show Lower California as it is.
I looked at the photo from your link, but I dont' see the ‘blade’ sign. When I think of ‘blade’ I think of deco, and that wouldn’t be until about 5 years after this. Please educate…..
Here’s a few more concrete dates for the short life of this theater:
(Feb. 21, 1916)
Christening Of The New Palace Theater Auspicious.
On Seventh street between Hill and Broadway there is much traffic both by day and by night, a circumstance which will bring popularity and shekels to the new Palace Theater which opened in that block yesterday, while the painters were still at work on its shining front.
Not because it was new and not because it had something wondrous and enchanting to exhibit, but because it is extraordinarilly located, the Palace was filled all afternoon and evening. Today, tomorrow and for a long time to come it can hope for big crowds on accunt of the quality of “Undine,” the picture used for the christening of the house.
(Aug. 1, 1920)
Through the same realty firm(R.F. and H.K. Huntsberger) a ten-year lease has been secured on the Palace Theater, at 317 West Seventh street by the Vogue Millinery Company and the Model Cloak and Suit House from Otto Thum of Santa Monica. The building will be taken over by the new lessees on Jan. 19 of next year, upon the expiration of the lease held by the Palace Theater. Extensive alterations and imporvements, including a new front to the building, are planeed. The walls of the building will be raised, and the structure will be divided into two storerooms. The total rental of the building for the ten-year period amounts to $450,000, while the improvements which are planned will cost about $50,000.
(Jan. 16, 1921)
“Who’s to Blame?” is to close this evening at the Palace Theater. At the same time the house will be closed permanently, on account of the expiration of the lease, it is announced. “Who’s to Blame?” deals in and unusually frank manner with social problems and point out the injustice toward the wronged woman. The story was written by Wycliffe A. Hill, president of the Photoplaywrights' League of Americal. Edward Coxen and Enid Markey are the featured players.
It seems as though Fischer’s was renamed the Princess and then the Spanish Theater. I don’t know if it had any other names before it was demolished for City Hall. This is from the LA Times:
(Jun 17, 1922)
Nearly 150 patrons of the Spanish Theater, 121 West First street, were in peril at 9 p.m. yesterday, when a motion-picture film became ignited and exploded. The audience and the members of the Spanish company on the stage at the time, terrorized by the noise and the burst of flame, rushed for the exits, and for a short time panic ensued. The motion-picture operator, A.W. Donovan, was slightly burned in an attempt to beat out the flames with his hands. He was soon forced to flee………
The establishment, formerly the Princess Theater, is now a combination house for both the spoken and the silent drama for the benefit of Spanish-speaking people. The flames were extinguished with nominal damage.
Thanks for the terraserver tip. I tried google maps satellite for our mysterious Estella, and there is a building there, but google might be wrong with the exact address pointer. I’ll probably have to go down there and look for myself.
This theater at 6107 S. Main street is still listed as the Princess Theater in an Independent Theaters advertisement in 1949. I wonder if the building exists now?
(Nov. 14, 1949)
PRINCESS, 6107 S. Main-PL.27869-25 cents
Chicken Every Sunday; Call Northside 777
Joe, have you heard of another Princess Theater on 1st street? It changed it’s name to the Spanish Theater I think, but I don’t see that one on CT either.
(Jun 17, 1922)
Nearly 150 patrons of the Spanish Theater, 121 West First street, were in peril at 9 p.m. yesterday, when a motion-picture film became ignited and exploded. The audience and the members of the Spanish company on the stage at the time, terrorized by the noise and the burst of flame, rushed for the exits, and for a short time panic ensued. The motion-picture operator, A.W. Donovan, was slightly burned in an attempt to beat out the flames with his hands. He was soon forced to flee………
The establishment, formerly the Princess Theater, is now a combination house for both the spoken and the silent drama for the benefit of Spanish-speaking people. The flames were extinguished with nominal damage.
Sorry, that article should have said ‘Rex Theater’, not ‘Res Theater’.
It’s the Estella, no R….I added the theater on CT, but I guess it takes a few days to show up. I’ve only found one other mention of it other than the 1923 advertisement. This was in 1926, so the theater must have been around for at least 3 years. Here’s the (abridged) article:
(March 26, 1926)
…..The film was produced, it was announced, to offset by a true picture some of the evil and mischief that Mexicans say is being done by certain newspaper interests that give Americans a sordid and distored idea of Lower California as a hotbed of vice, corruption and worthlessness.
The show’s premiere will take place at the Estella Theater, opposite the Plaza, next Sunday, and will continue there through the week. It is appearing here under the direction of the Pacific Coast Theaters, Inc., and was made in Mexico under direction of Rafael Corilla of Mexicali.
Mexican Consul Pesqueira, a number of newspaper men and prominent Latin Americans attended a preview of the film at the Res Theater, Third and Figueroa streets, yesterday and pronounced it a most instructive and educational film intended to show Lower California as it is.
I wonder if I should add the Gem Theater on Washington Blvd. and the Gayety Theater on Central Ave. There is plenty of evidence that both existed.
I’ve never added a theater on here….I’ll read the instructions and do it.
I was confused because I didn’t realize that Miller also owned the California Theater.
(June 11, 1919)
California
Miller’s New Theater
Main at Eighth
Wm.S.Hart in “The Money Corral”
Miller’s Theater must have closed for a short time, but I don’t know why….
(Nov. 27, 1919)
Two more picture theaters are to be added to the Rialto’s houses of the cinema. One of these is, of course, Miller’s Theater, that is to have its reopening Saturday afternoon, with the first feature of the new Mary Miles Minter Realart series, “Anne of the Green Gables.”
(Dec. 8, 1919)
The appearance of stars under a new management and the reopening of theaters, are always occasions fraught with thrill, and when Mary Miles Minter and Roy Miller got away together in the picture race, last Saturday, with Miss Minter’s first Realart feature, “Anne of Green Gables,” serving to reopen Miller’s Theater, on Main street, that getaway was an exception to the rule of thrills. And that it was an auspicious opening for both was proven by the crowds which packed the house both afternoon and evening, and who evinced the greatest delight at the performance. Mr. Miller and his friends likewise did honor to the lovely little star, the former by the manner of the presentation of the picture, with the house redecorated a new organ installed and the latter with floral decorations, enught to smother the young lady, if handed out to her personally when she appeared in person to make her brilliant little speech.
(Jul 12, 1924)
Another theater passed into control of Loew’s Inc., and the Metro-Goldwyn Distributing corporation yesterday in Miller’s Theater, of which the controlling interest has been purchased by the new consolidation. Miller’s will be operated in connection with the California Theater, it is announched, which was taken over when the combination was formed.
I don’t know why Miller’s Theater isn’t listed, because there are over 400 articles about it in the LA Times. Here are a few that establish the address and also stir up some confusion, at least for me. This theater should definitely be on CT since it showed moving pictures very early.
(Nov. 13, 1913)
A change of policy brought a new show to Miller’s Theater yesterday instead of later in the week, and by way of introducing the change, a programme replete with thrills and laughter has been provided for today and tomorrow. The big sensational feature is called “The Raid of the Human Tigers.”……The second big feature is serio-comic and is entitled “Her Secretariew.” The big ton and a half glass screen continues to be town talk, and pretty Betty Stokes has already built up a regular clientele which is the envy of every other moving-picture house songbird in the city.
{What are they talking about a glass screen? Did they have a glass screen in the theater? vokoban}
(Apr. 5, 1914)
FREE 5000 Tickets to Miller’s Theater
We have purchased 5000 tickets for Miller’s Moving Picture Theater just a few doors from our store. These will be issued FREE OF CHARGE to those visiting our great Fire Sale.
Arnold Furniture Company
830-832 South Main Street
(Oct. 11, 1914)
Miller’s Theater-One Week Starting Tomorrow
“Hearts Of Oak” with Ralph Stuart and Violet Horner
842 South Main St.
Near Marsh-Strong Bldg.
Thanks Joe, I’m going to try to find something on Miller’s Theater. The list I posted is not in any way comprehensive for the theaters on Main on that date. That is just from an advertisement listing theaters showing Paramount pictures for that week. I’m sure there are many others, but Paramount seems to have spent a lot of money on full page ads listing all of the theater showing their pictures with complete addresses and not just cross streets.
I think the Banner Theater played leap frog. It sounds as though 456 South Main was the final address.
(Jul 18, 1918)
Launching a vigorous campaign to eliminate indecent motion pictures from Los Angeles theaters, representatives of the City Prosecutor’s office last night stopped the exhibition of ‘Purity’ a seven-reel film at the Banner Theater, No. 446 South Main street, seized the film, locked it up as evidence at Central Police Station and cited the manager of the theater to appear in court this morning on a charge of showing a lewd and indecent picture.
(Dec. 6, 1922)
Investigation into the mysterious fire at the Banner Theater, 452 South Main street, yesterday afternoon, where a panic among the men, women and children in the show was narrowly averted, was started last night by the police arson squad.
(Dec. 19, 1922)
When Mrs. Julia A. Campbell sued Robert M. Campbell, owner of the Banner Theater, for divorce she named Agnes Rolfus as correspondent. Moreover, she asked for and accounting of the profits of the Banner Theater, 456 South Main street, and the appointment of a receiver.
(Sep. 2, 1923)
Banner Theater, 456 S. Main Street
Sept. 2-5—Douglas Fairbanks In “He Comes Up Smiling.”
(Oct 10, 1925)
Following what police term to be a most novel method of picketing, William Dermondy, 27 years of age, living at the Davis Hotel, was arrested last night by Officer hynes of the police intelligence division in front of the Banner Theater, 456 South Main street, and lodged in City Jail.
(Jan 1, 1937)
Harry E. Ransome, who opertated the Banner Theater at Fifth and Main streets up to 1913, asserted that Los Angeles had grown so that if he had been dropped somewhere without anybody to show him around that he would have become lost.
(March 27, 1955)
Workmen uncovered the relic when a new front was constructed on the Banner Building in 1952. The machine (1 ½ ton music box organ) was in sad condition. Rats had made a home in it, hundreds of feet of rubber tubing had disintegrated, moths had eaten the felt, and the electric motor, colored lights and other parts had vanished.
Was Ili Ili an actual human being? I guess so if he/she was arrested, but the ‘untamed’ part makes me nervous.