I keep coming up with bakeries at this address. Bond bakery in 1904 and Van de Kamps in 1927. Perhaps the theater was just part of the building at that location.
I know this article just says “A Broadway theater”, but the guy’s name was just too funny to keep to myself. Maybe he gave a fake name to the police? From the LA Times, 12/23/21:
ORGANIST ARRESTED
Asserted failure of C. Sharp Minor, an organist, to appear in court after being accused of driving forty three miles an hour on Lankershim Boulevard, resulted in his arrest yesterday. He was taken at a Broadway theater, where he was playing.
Opened in 1947, robbed in 1949 (from the LA Times):
Feb. 7 – Burglars who forced entrance to the Grove Theater, 276 E. 9th Street, obtained $60 cash from the office of manager Ben Adams, police reported.
There is an ad in the LA Times dated 5/9/20 for a film at Gore’s Regent. The Gore Brothers at that time were the lessors of the Burbank down the street.
T.L. Tally placed an ad in the LA Times on 3/14/41 for the sale of Tally’s Theater, Grand Wilshire formerly Criterion, 642 S. Grand. Cost $200,00 will sell for $275,000. Contact T.L. Tally 1544 W. Eighth, phone FE 9223 or call him at home at CR-60521.
I retyped the whole story here, but it vanished as I forgot to log in. The article states that the old Burbank will be leveled. the new building will be ten stories high reaching back to Los Angeles street, and will cost two million dollars. They describe the features of the new theater in detail. It may be that the owners decided to remodel instead of razing and building from the ground up.
In July 1928, the manager was Jose Ibanez and the projectionist was Guin Milton. Address was 423 N. Main Street. On 7/10/28, a fire broke out in the projection booth. Mr. Milton tossed his pet dog out the window to the street below before making his escape, leaving about 6000 feet of flim to burn into ashes.
An article in the December 1915 LA Times discusses the imminent opening of this theater. The Loewen brothers were the builders, and the theater was to be called the Sherman after General Moses Sherman. I don’t know if the theater opened as the Sherman or the Galway.
Thanks, Joe. The full article about the razing of the old Burbank theater in 1920 confirms that the earlier building was demolished and the new Burbank built in its place. The history above suggests a remodel of the 19th century building, which does not appear to be the case.
Vokoban, I have my LAPL card. I’m at the Central Library right now. I would appreciate the information we discussed if you could e-mail it to me at Thanks.
A December 1915 article in the LA Times discusses the imminent opening of a new motion picture theater on the east side of Main between Fifth and Sixth. It was to be called the Sherman Theater after General Moses Sherman. It may never have been built, or it may be here under another name. It’s not the Burbank as that was already open in 1915. Do we have any other theaters on the east side of the block between Fifth and Sixth?
On 1/22/50, the features were “Story of Molly X” and “Kiss for Corliss”. Address was 825 W. Third. Phone number was MU 5617.
LA Times listed another American theater at 4227 S. Broadway in 1950. If it’s on CT under a different name, let me know.
Open on 1/22/50. Features were “Battleground” and “Bodyhold”. Phone number was PL 15197.
On 1/22/50, address was 125 E. Santa Barbara, which would put it across the street from the address listed above.
On 1/22/50, the features were “And Baby Makes 3”, along with “Restless Moment”. Phone number was PA 3464.
I keep coming up with bakeries at this address. Bond bakery in 1904 and Van de Kamps in 1927. Perhaps the theater was just part of the building at that location.
If so, status should be closed.
Maybe closed/demolished?
Here is the theater line-up per the LA Times on 3/11/13:
Garrick
Clune’s Broadway
Tally’s Broadway
American
Banner
Isis
Picture
Mozart
Lyceum
Optic
College
This formerly barren area has been rehabbed. There’s a PF Changs and some trendy retail stores besides the theater. It’s an improvement.
I know this article just says “A Broadway theater”, but the guy’s name was just too funny to keep to myself. Maybe he gave a fake name to the police? From the LA Times, 12/23/21:
ORGANIST ARRESTED
Asserted failure of C. Sharp Minor, an organist, to appear in court after being accused of driving forty three miles an hour on Lankershim Boulevard, resulted in his arrest yesterday. He was taken at a Broadway theater, where he was playing.
Opened in 1947, robbed in 1949 (from the LA Times):
Feb. 7 – Burglars who forced entrance to the Grove Theater, 276 E. 9th Street, obtained $60 cash from the office of manager Ben Adams, police reported.
The Landmark megaplex opens on June 1.
I concur. I walked by this site today. Status should be closed/demolished.
There is an ad in the LA Times dated 5/9/20 for a film at Gore’s Regent. The Gore Brothers at that time were the lessors of the Burbank down the street.
They didn’t hesitate to waste that electricity once they got it, apparently.
You’re the man. Thanks.
T.L. Tally placed an ad in the LA Times on 3/14/41 for the sale of Tally’s Theater, Grand Wilshire formerly Criterion, 642 S. Grand. Cost $200,00 will sell for $275,000. Contact T.L. Tally 1544 W. Eighth, phone FE 9223 or call him at home at CR-60521.
The theater was demolished in 1952 to make way for the parking lot, as Joe stated above.
I retyped the whole story here, but it vanished as I forgot to log in. The article states that the old Burbank will be leveled. the new building will be ten stories high reaching back to Los Angeles street, and will cost two million dollars. They describe the features of the new theater in detail. It may be that the owners decided to remodel instead of razing and building from the ground up.
In July 1928, the manager was Jose Ibanez and the projectionist was Guin Milton. Address was 423 N. Main Street. On 7/10/28, a fire broke out in the projection booth. Mr. Milton tossed his pet dog out the window to the street below before making his escape, leaving about 6000 feet of flim to burn into ashes.
An article in the December 1915 LA Times discusses the imminent opening of this theater. The Loewen brothers were the builders, and the theater was to be called the Sherman after General Moses Sherman. I don’t know if the theater opened as the Sherman or the Galway.
Thanks, Joe. The full article about the razing of the old Burbank theater in 1920 confirms that the earlier building was demolished and the new Burbank built in its place. The history above suggests a remodel of the 19th century building, which does not appear to be the case.
Vokoban, I have my LAPL card. I’m at the Central Library right now. I would appreciate the information we discussed if you could e-mail it to me at Thanks.
The address was 518 S. Main.
A December 1915 article in the LA Times discusses the imminent opening of a new motion picture theater on the east side of Main between Fifth and Sixth. It was to be called the Sherman Theater after General Moses Sherman. It may never have been built, or it may be here under another name. It’s not the Burbank as that was already open in 1915. Do we have any other theaters on the east side of the block between Fifth and Sixth?