When the Miralta Theatre burned down in the late ‘40’s or early '50’s, the Culver City Fire Dept. was used as a temporary movie theatre. Then they built the “Culver”. The “Miralta” was right across and down the street from “Frank’s Bar”, where I sold the Herald Examiner paper on the corner as a boy. Both the “Palms” and the “Miralta” did in no way compare to the colorful and inticing grandeur of the “Culver”.
I can’t believe this theatre was built in 1939. It was decorated all in lush redwood inside and the lobby was enclosed with huge panes of glass with a cantilevered trellis that covered the entrance for both cars and pedestrian traffic. I’d say the style was strictly from the 1950’s. The seats, when damaged, were re-covered by “George’s” upholstry at “Vic’s” auto repair shop, located between the Ram’s Horn and “Oskie’s” 19 cent hamburger stand. “The Body Snatchers” (the original), was also a sneak preview there in the ‘50’s. This was a very comfortable and great looking theatre with ample parking in the back, unlike Reseda, La Reina or “The Sherman..?”. The whole “Encino Gang” was allowed in free at “Scrounge-Time” -after 10pm.
When the Miralta Theatre burned down in the late ‘40’s or early '50’s, the Culver City Fire Dept. was used as a temporary movie theatre. Then they built the “Culver”. The “Miralta” was right across and down the street from “Frank’s Bar”, where I sold the Herald Examiner paper on the corner as a boy. Both the “Palms” and the “Miralta” did in no way compare to the colorful and inticing grandeur of the “Culver”.
I can’t believe this theatre was built in 1939. It was decorated all in lush redwood inside and the lobby was enclosed with huge panes of glass with a cantilevered trellis that covered the entrance for both cars and pedestrian traffic. I’d say the style was strictly from the 1950’s. The seats, when damaged, were re-covered by “George’s” upholstry at “Vic’s” auto repair shop, located between the Ram’s Horn and “Oskie’s” 19 cent hamburger stand. “The Body Snatchers” (the original), was also a sneak preview there in the ‘50’s. This was a very comfortable and great looking theatre with ample parking in the back, unlike Reseda, La Reina or “The Sherman..?”. The whole “Encino Gang” was allowed in free at “Scrounge-Time” -after 10pm.