“…—"Based upon preliminary research regarding the site, it has been
determined that the Fairfax Theater is not listed on the Federal, State or Local Register of Historic Buildings or Places. The building is not the work product of a master architect nor is it the masterpiece of the architect who designed it. It is a poor example of the architecture of the time and style. No notable events occurred at the theater…”
cnichols
commented about
Mayanon
Nov 18, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I respectfully submit this information in the hopes that the Belasco at 1050 S. Hill can have a separate listing. They definitely screened films there… At least in 1950.
I just read the post referenced above and feel compelled to answer and defend the historic preservation community. I’ve been a volunteer with the Los Angeles Conservancy since 1988. While I can’t speak for the Los Angeles Historical Society, to my knowledge, the Conservancy has never been accused to any of the things patinkin references. There has never been an effort to strip fixtures from a building for profit. That’s ridiculous. In fact, the Conservancy helped locate missing fixtures from Bullocks Wilshire and the Wiltern.
St. Vibiana’s Cathedral was a big victory for the Conservancy. The Catholic archdiocese planned to demolish it and sell the vacant land. The Conservancy helped orchestrate the purchase by developer Tom Gilmore, who owns several historic buildings in the area and restored it with his own money – not taxpayers'. Preservationists cannot dictate the function of a building. A blacksmith shop doesn’t have to remain a blacksmith shop. Even the church is pleased. “We couldn’t be happier that the former cathedral is being put to such a worthy civic use,” said Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. “We’re very pleased with it.” View link
I barely remember the California theater battle, but if the Conservancy was suing to prevent demolition, why are those trying to demolish it the good guys? I agree Needleman did a great job with the Orpheum, but the California is gone.
Volunteering in preservation is a lot of hard work and painful losses and taking flack like this doesn’t make it any easier. ANYBODY can write a landmark nomination, ANYBODY can lobby a city or a foundation or an enlightened developer to purchase endangered properties. I encourage all of you to help – not to berate the hard work of those who care.
I am writing a story on the Chinese forecourt and would be very interested in talking to William (above) or anyone with knowledge of removed hand and footprints. Thank you very much.
In June, 1999 the Los Angeles Conservancy hosted a screening of Sullivan’s Travels at the Million Dollar. The interior was very intact. However, some of the nudes in the plaster work were covered over with cloth by the church. There were seats, a projector, a stage and it looked pretty good. The church has since relocated to the former Loew’s State down the block. The Conservancy tried to go back in subsequent years and was turned away as there had been some falling plaster and ceiling damage that the owners wanted to fix before renting it out again. I don’t know much about Mr. Voskanian, but I hope this is done with more care than the Stock Exchange (1929) where lights and sound equipment are hung from rods that were smashed through the ornate ceiling. That poor place is in a shambles.
Try the B'Hend Kauffmann archive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
oscars.org and Theatre Historical Society http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/
LA Times reported yesterday that the Temple Shalom for the Arts was attempting to purchase the theatre with a 3 year lease back arrangement with Nederlander.
Pasadena has one of the best historic preservation offices in Southern California. I mourn the loss of the State as much as anybody else here, but preservation laws never regulate use. You can’t make an owner keep or convert their building to it’s historic use no matter how significant it is. It might be amusing to see barns and blacksmiths among the Gaps and Starbucks of our various “Olde Towne” areas but for the most part, cities can only have a say in historic facades and then only on surveyed and designated buildings. The VAST majority of cities don’t even have that much protection. The owner of this building submitted a plan to restore the historic 1918 terra cotta facade and the city felt that was an acceptable remodel. He donated the sign to the Museum of Neon Art http://neonmona.org/ and offered the space up for rent. It’s a real bummer that it’s a sandwich shop and a nail salon. Here, look at all the good work the Pasadena preservation office is up to: View link
This issue is still on the newsstands and available all over Los Angeles. However, after March 1 and for all out-of-towners, you can order directly from Los Angeles magazine at $7.50 a copy by sending a check to:
Los Angeles magazine
Attn: Thanh Duong
5900 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Los Angeles Conservancy ( www.laconservancy.org ) has been working with the school on a compromise plan that calls for the retention of the remaining elements to be worked into atheletic fields and student housing. The school wants to rebuild the screen at 50' instead of 80' and relocate it slightly.
In the last 5 or 10 years, they have restored the interior, the facade and neon sign, they show first-run movies and even offer Toblerone at the snack bar… It’s a REALLY nice theater in a rapidly improving neighborhood.
LAPL has this interior photo with a tree.
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics45/00072057.jpg
CURBED
“…—"Based upon preliminary research regarding the site, it has been
determined that the Fairfax Theater is not listed on the Federal, State or Local Register of Historic Buildings or Places. The building is not the work product of a master architect nor is it the masterpiece of the architect who designed it. It is a poor example of the architecture of the time and style. No notable events occurred at the theater…”
View link
I respectfully submit this information in the hopes that the Belasco at 1050 S. Hill can have a separate listing. They definitely screened films there… At least in 1950.
http://tinyurl.com/5h5pwn
http://tinyurl.com/5bwc2d
http://tinyurl.com/6jjobs
http://tinyurl.com/5mtwlu
http://tinyurl.com/6x664l
Re: posted by patinkin on Oct 18, 2007 at 10:59pm
I just read the post referenced above and feel compelled to answer and defend the historic preservation community. I’ve been a volunteer with the Los Angeles Conservancy since 1988. While I can’t speak for the Los Angeles Historical Society, to my knowledge, the Conservancy has never been accused to any of the things patinkin references. There has never been an effort to strip fixtures from a building for profit. That’s ridiculous. In fact, the Conservancy helped locate missing fixtures from Bullocks Wilshire and the Wiltern.
St. Vibiana’s Cathedral was a big victory for the Conservancy. The Catholic archdiocese planned to demolish it and sell the vacant land. The Conservancy helped orchestrate the purchase by developer Tom Gilmore, who owns several historic buildings in the area and restored it with his own money – not taxpayers'. Preservationists cannot dictate the function of a building. A blacksmith shop doesn’t have to remain a blacksmith shop. Even the church is pleased. “We couldn’t be happier that the former cathedral is being put to such a worthy civic use,” said Tod Tamberg, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Archdiocese. “We’re very pleased with it.” View link
I barely remember the California theater battle, but if the Conservancy was suing to prevent demolition, why are those trying to demolish it the good guys? I agree Needleman did a great job with the Orpheum, but the California is gone.
Volunteering in preservation is a lot of hard work and painful losses and taking flack like this doesn’t make it any easier. ANYBODY can write a landmark nomination, ANYBODY can lobby a city or a foundation or an enlightened developer to purchase endangered properties. I encourage all of you to help – not to berate the hard work of those who care.
213.617.3600
I am writing a story on the Chinese forecourt and would be very interested in talking to William (above) or anyone with knowledge of removed hand and footprints. Thank you very much.
A-HA!
(Thursday)
April 6, 1939
DEL MAR
Pico Nr. La Brea
Opening Saturday
“BLONDIE;” ‘You Can’t Take It With You’
May 4, 1939
DEL MAR 25¢
Pico Nr. La Brea
Joe E. Brown “Flirting with Fate”
George Brent – Olivia De Havilland
“WINGS OF THE NAVY”
Silver City makes silver jewelry
http://www.silver-city.com/
In June, 1999 the Los Angeles Conservancy hosted a screening of Sullivan’s Travels at the Million Dollar. The interior was very intact. However, some of the nudes in the plaster work were covered over with cloth by the church. There were seats, a projector, a stage and it looked pretty good. The church has since relocated to the former Loew’s State down the block. The Conservancy tried to go back in subsequent years and was turned away as there had been some falling plaster and ceiling damage that the owners wanted to fix before renting it out again. I don’t know much about Mr. Voskanian, but I hope this is done with more care than the Stock Exchange (1929) where lights and sound equipment are hung from rods that were smashed through the ornate ceiling. That poor place is in a shambles.
Robert Voskanian is converting the Million Dollar into a nightclub according to the Los Angeles Downtown News
View link
Try the B'Hend Kauffmann archive at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
oscars.org and Theatre Historical Society http://www2.hawaii.edu/~angell/thsa/
LA Times reported yesterday that the Temple Shalom for the Arts was attempting to purchase the theatre with a 3 year lease back arrangement with Nederlander.
The Velaslavasay Panorama
http://www.panoramaonview.org/locationhour.html
The Council office for this district just announced plans to seek a new use for this space that has been empty since 1988.
http://www.lacity.org/council/cd3/cd3lett1.htm
Click on the March, 2005 “Zine Line”
Pasadena has one of the best historic preservation offices in Southern California. I mourn the loss of the State as much as anybody else here, but preservation laws never regulate use. You can’t make an owner keep or convert their building to it’s historic use no matter how significant it is. It might be amusing to see barns and blacksmiths among the Gaps and Starbucks of our various “Olde Towne” areas but for the most part, cities can only have a say in historic facades and then only on surveyed and designated buildings. The VAST majority of cities don’t even have that much protection. The owner of this building submitted a plan to restore the historic 1918 terra cotta facade and the city felt that was an acceptable remodel. He donated the sign to the Museum of Neon Art http://neonmona.org/ and offered the space up for rent. It’s a real bummer that it’s a sandwich shop and a nail salon. Here, look at all the good work the Pasadena preservation office is up to: View link
This issue is still on the newsstands and available all over Los Angeles. However, after March 1 and for all out-of-towners, you can order directly from Los Angeles magazine at $7.50 a copy by sending a check to:
Los Angeles magazine
Attn: Thanh Duong
5900 Wilshire Blvd., 10th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
I found a 1934 ad that called this the “Mystic” theatre. Hmm..
The Los Angeles Conservancy ( www.laconservancy.org ) has been working with the school on a compromise plan that calls for the retention of the remaining elements to be worked into atheletic fields and student housing. The school wants to rebuild the screen at 50' instead of 80' and relocate it slightly.
Ukrainian Cultural Center website:
http://www.yko-la.com/
J. Arthur Drielsma consulted with Roland Decker Pierson to design the Azusa Foothill Drive-In theatre.
/theaters/5855/
He also apparently designed the Whittier Drive-In AKA Fiesta Four
/theaters/3822/
Hollywood Galaxy
Originally run by GCC General Cinemas, then by AMC and closed in 2003.
View link
Hollywood Galaxy
Originally run by GCC General Cinemas, then by AMC and closed in 2003.
View link
Are you sure you’re talking about the same Vista?
In the last 5 or 10 years, they have restored the interior, the facade and neon sign, they show first-run movies and even offer Toblerone at the snack bar… It’s a REALLY nice theater in a rapidly improving neighborhood.
86 x 34 ft.