Take a look at these two photos. The first is from 1907, and the second is from 1917. I posted the second one a while ago, but the link expired. The buildings on South Main between 5th and 6th are the same, but the Optic sign has not yet been added to the theater building. Presumably the building pre-existed the theater. There is a sign on the Optic building, but I can’t make out what it says.
I would agree with Simon on this one. To each his own memories, which is really the whole point of the website.
Here is another photo, circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/orw66
If you want to compare the marquees, there are some older photos of the theater on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/gw9lh
It’s the same theater. Here is a photo of the marquee. Perhaps the webmaster can fix or delete my post of last November which screwed up the layout.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014907.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014906.jpg
Here are some interior photos from the 1920s:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014885.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014886.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014887.jpg
Here are some photos from the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014888.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014891.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014890.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014889.jpg
The lobby:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014918.jpg
There are some interior shots on this page, including a color photo:
http://tinyurl.com/zp2tl
Here are some additional photos from the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014834.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014831.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014830.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014839.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014838.jpg
Here is a 1961 photo:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/spnb1/00017154.jpg
Peter Lorre is also listed on the marquee.
Here is an undated color photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lscke
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nvmf4
Here is a 1905 photo from the LA Library. This must have been close to the opening:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015755.jpg
This is V-J Day in 1945, via the LA Library:
http://tinyurl.com/glqhf
Here is a 1938 photo from the LA Library. A dime to park all day isn’t a bad deal:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics48/00058722.jpg
Here is a 1979 photo from the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics50/00059975.jpg
Here is a 1991 photo from the LA Library:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics28/00063837.jpg
Here is an undated photo from the Chula Vista library:
http://tinyurl.com/kjwqu
Here is an undated photo from the Chula Vista Library:
http://tinyurl.com/jdpv7
The proprietor of the buffet lunch at the US Hotel was Max Vogel. Any connection, Joe?
Here are some photos from a website that concerns 70 mm theaters:
http://tinyurl.com/l28n9
I posted the photo on the Roosevelt page. You may want to post your theory about the address on that page as the photo caption says Spring and Temple.
This may be the Roosevelt in 1936:
http://tinyurl.com/zwah2
Take a look at these two photos. The first is from 1907, and the second is from 1917. I posted the second one a while ago, but the link expired. The buildings on South Main between 5th and 6th are the same, but the Optic sign has not yet been added to the theater building. Presumably the building pre-existed the theater. There is a sign on the Optic building, but I can’t make out what it says.
http://tinyurl.com/g6ctx
http://tinyurl.com/mr7fo