I don’t think you can differentiate between the two based on the ads alone. You’re right about the first Optic being on Broadway – I overlooked that yesterday.
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times. I don’t know why they were demanding exact change to get into the theater. Maybe the manager used to be a bus driver: http://tinyurl.com/3a5ytm
The Azteca was listed at 249 S. Main in the 1942 city directory, but after thinking about it I don’t believe there were two adjacent theaters. http://tinyurl.com/38wwl6
Here is the 1908 city directory that shows the Peoples Theater at 523 S. Main:
http://tinyurl.com/2bnoph
I don’t think you can differentiate between the two based on the ads alone. You’re right about the first Optic being on Broadway – I overlooked that yesterday.
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/38tzqz
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2kdkrk
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/ypm5gy
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/26e89v
Here a couple of ads from the LA Times, circa 1972:
http://tinyurl.com/yuc5pt
http://tinyurl.com/ynvktu
Here is a 1973 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2seyur
The Vermont was showing adult films in the early 70s, according to this LA Times ad:
http://tinyurl.com/34untd
We kid you not:
http://tinyurl.com/2rp5pz
Here is an early 70s ad from the LA Times. I don’t know why they were demanding exact change to get into the theater. Maybe the manager used to be a bus driver:
http://tinyurl.com/3a5ytm
This as an early seventies ad in the LA Times. Don’t forget your marriage license:
http://tinyurl.com/2mjlv7
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2pfnra
Here is a photo, circa 1920s:
http://tinyurl.com/2fhfe7
Here are the united artists plugging the opening of their theater:
http://tinyurl.com/3x3clv
The Azteca was listed at 249 S. Main in the 1942 city directory, but after thinking about it I don’t believe there were two adjacent theaters.
http://tinyurl.com/38wwl6
Listed in the 1942 city directory:
http://tinyurl.com/2p2vzo
The Daly was listed in the city directory in 1938:
http://tinyurl.com/32txnd
Listed in the 1938 city directory:
http://tinyurl.com/39kgmx
Listed in the city directory as the Owl in 1925:
http://tinyurl.com/3xgjwx
Listed as the Criterion in the 1925 city directory:
http://tinyurl.com/3x5ltc
The Gem was listed in the 1925 city directory:
http://tinyurl.com/34ugc5
No, I was parked on the street at 3:55 p.m. so there was a ptential ticket problem. I had to hustle back to the car.
The Victoria was listed in the city directory in 1914:
http://tinyurl.com/235wvt
Listed at 4260 Moneta in the city directory of 1914:
http://tinyurl.com/2m5dq2
It was advertised in the city directory in 1914:
http://tinyurl.com/2sq8cq