During or around the fall of 1981, I was contracted to promote concerts in this theatre. I assisted with repairing some of the theater’s original lighting and mechanical systems prior to a limited run of concerts. At the time, the auditorium had curtains covering the original murals, which were underwater ocean scenes including a depiction of Neptune.
I do remember carefully examining each section and marveled at the artwork. The lighting used a “3 phase”, atmospheric-type system to illuminate the fantasy-laden murals. The 3 colors were clear, amber and black lenses which covered incandescent bulbs if I recall correctly. Each of the colors were removed, I do remember carefully examining each section and marveled at the artwork that lied behind the. The lighting used a “3 phase”, atmospheric-type system to illuminate the fantasy-laden murals. The 3 colors were clear, amber and black lenses which covered incandescent bulbs if I recall correctly. Each of the colors was controlled by a rheostat in the projection room.
To me, the marquee did not seem original. It was severely damaged by years of neglect.
The lobby used a series of coves for lighting. When I last saw the theater at that time it had a series of bad paint jobs and there’d been minor re-decorating. The auditorium was original and easily restorable. The nursery was used as a storage room for the snack bar supplies. I also remember the tower as it was filled with pigeons and broken neon tubes.
I don’t know what became of the oceanic murals, but I can only hope that someday the tide of curtains will recede and Neptune will rise to his rightful place in the Atlantic once more…
My memories of the theatre date back to late ‘81/early '82 period.
A promoter of punk shows at that time, I once used the Victoria as a venue for a concert. I painted the marquee, helping the owner fix a section of flooring that had deteriorated over the years. What I found interesting was that the wood floor had essentially been laid on dirt as I recall. We removed the section and replaced the joists with railroad ties – then plywood – and reinstalled the seats, which were old and not like the current seats that were popular.
At the time, I also ran the projectors for “ The Great Rock and Roll Swindle ” which was showing there for a limited run. Getting back to the sMy memories of the theatre go back to late ‘81/early '82 period.
A promoter of punk shows at that time, I once used the Victoria as a venue for a concert. I painted the marquee, helping the owner, Robert, fix a section of flooring that had deteriorated over the years. What I found interesting was that the wood floor had essentially been laid on dirt as I recall. We removed the section and replaced the joists with railroad ties – then plywood – and reinstalled the seats, which were old and not like the current seats that were popular at the time.
At the time, I also ran the projectors for “The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle“, which was showing there for a limited run.
Getting back to the show that I promoted there, I booked the notorious Black Flag w/ the
Circle Jerks, Code of Honor, which I managed at the time, and several other bands in support. What was unique about the presentation of the bands was the way the groups played in relation to the theatre. Rather than have the band on stage facing the auditorium in the usual manner, the musicians faced the rear wall of the theatre and each group’s drummer who was at the rear of the formation was actually at the front of the stage at the edge of the ‘orchestra pit’. We took the curtains and used them as the backdrop. Respectful of the theater’s history, my concern was to protect the auditorium from the expected rowdy crowd. The patrons entered at the stage door after traveling between the west wall (alley) and the adjoining building. As the concert-goers had the run of the dressing rooms that were located in the basement, the clean up was fairly simple. The title of the show was, naturally, entitled “Backstage at the Victoria”.
Although monetarily I just broke even w/ this interesting production, the show earned
plaudits in Rolling Stone if I’m not mistaken.
It also left w/ me an incredible memory: Policing the ‘backstage’, I would intermittently take a peek out into the auditorium, catching a view of Victorian serenity which was harshly juxtaposed against the violent West Coast underground.
I saw many movies in the Sherman and always looked at the interior spaces. The interior of this theatre was very much like the Midway in Los Angeles: Built in the same era, both theaters shared a similiar layout and size. On either side of the proscenium were two large murals of one large flower – possibly a magnolia – with a beige background. I feel research may reveal one architect and/or firm was involved in the designing of both these theaters as well as the Nuart, Del Mar and a few others that escape me at this time.
By the way, I always loved seeing The Bogart movies at the Sherman.
The Victoria Theatre was adapted for reuse as a ballroom meeting hall at some point in time – most likely in the 1960’s. Unlike its neighbor, the Midway, which saw no structural changes, the Victoria saw extensive remodeling. The auditorium floors were leveled and a kitchen and bar were installed in the rear of the auditorium under the projection room. The bathrooms were on the first floor and the outer and inner lobbies were combined for a large central lobby. An office was also added on the first floor as well. When you walked down a long hallway it lead to the meeting room. The stage area remained the same through most of the 1980’s. In the fall of 1981 a punk rock concert was thrown in the building with local bands including Circle One.
Though the marquee still proudly declared “VICTORIA”, there was very little left of the theater to remind you of its past.
I was in this theatre in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I recall the interior being all original and somewhat interesting. It was available for rental on an one time event basis. The lobby was small, similar to the Midway, and other local theatres.
The Midway Theatre was built in 1938. It was part of a complex that included a Safeway Market and a small cafe. The original seating was 525 if my memory is correct. It was similar in interior design to that of many small “c” theatres of this era in Los Angeles. ( i.e., the Sherman, Nuart, and the neighboring Victoria Theatre.) The interior was very similar to the Sherman in Sherman Oaks as both theatres were very similar in size and both shared simple murals to each side of the proscenium. The Midway’s murals were of two deer – one at each side which appear to jump and two trees on each side at the back of each deer. The background color was beige. The ceiling was orange with a 20" raised plaster band (grey) that circled the auditorium. The walls were sound absorbing material which were orange in color. Each section was separated by a concrete reinforced column, which was plaster-coated and painted burgundy with a tree in the center, which was painted gold, running from top to bottom. The carpeting was black wool with typical Art Deco bands. The seats were burgundy with gold deco bands on the isles. Originally, the lobby was the same color scheme. The restrooms were upstairs. The booth was in front and a terrazo floor greeted the patrons. Purple glass was under all the lobby posters.
The theatre was sold in 1965. It operated for 3 months after the new owners purchased it. Due to lack of patronage and subsequent non-payment of rent, it was closed and the marquee was then removed. It then began its ‘new life’ as a warehouse.
During this period (1965-1999) nothing changed inside and it remained as it was when it closed – save for the absence of seats, the screen and the projection equipment. The Western Electric amplifiers remained in place. The auditorium doors were painted red, matching the seats and carpets. The front doors were original. Bathrooms had terrazo floors and remained untouched. ( Even the green drinking fountain was in its place! )
Thriftimart had a chain of supermarkets in Southern California as I recall. They were different than Thrifty Drug Stores. At the time I saw the interior in 1980 they were using the auditorium for storage – boxes mainly. Similiarily, the nearby Midway Theatre saw the same usage ‘til around 2000.
I toured this theatre several times when it was used as a warehouse for the Thrifty Mart corporation which had occupied the building, I believe, in the 70’s – early 90’s period. My first tour of it included mostly the offices and theatre which were remodeled in Art Deco, which I assume was a carryover from its Fox West Coast operation days. The office doors were covered with leather. The lighting and decor was very “high Tech Art Deco”. The Lobby had been converted to offices and very little of the original layout could be found.
I was fortunate to tour it again – this time on my own – when the place was being torn down. I was astounded as the demolition had revealed much of the original plaster work hidden by later remodeling. The original theatre plaster work was very ornate and colorful. (The interior pics shown on this page are of the remodeled interior.)
The stage area, which was the equivalent 3 stories, was converted most likely during the 30’s. The remodeling included a ballroom and other office/executive areas. If I’m not mistaken, this was where the elevator was installed. The auditorium was in its remodeled condition. The penthouse was spectacular in its views of Los Angeles and the surrounding mountains. Utilizing the finest materials – marble, colored glass, mirrors – the entire penthouse was original Art Deco in design.
At the time of its demolition, I saw the lobby, which had been gutted, revealing the original layout, staircase, upper lobby, balcony. The former stage area had its floors removed to reveal the ballroom and the aforementioned 30’s renovation.
Without being able to dig up the pictures at this time, I can state from memory that this was truly a magnificant palace.
I first saw the theatre in 1980. Prior to it being turned into a tri-plex, I toured the theater extensively. At that point as I recall, the Baldwin had been closed for a number of years. The auditorium reminded me somewhat of the Hollywood Bowl or Radio City Music Hall in that all of the auditorium lighting was recessed in half circles extending from one side of the auditorium to the other. When designed as a community, Baldwin Park was considered state of the art regional planning as was the theatre. I seem to recall when touring the building that there were special things about the original projection equipment though I don’t recall what the equipment specifically was. I distinctly remember seeing the auditorium for the last time in its original single- screen configuration. Returning from time to time, I saw the walls erected, forever dividing it into a multiplex. The Balwin had a very modern ‘feel’ to it and was typical of the progressive architecture of the era.
The Bard’s Adams Street theatre interior auditorium was mostly intact until the late 90’s in original condition. Archeologist Lou Bard commissioned his flagship theatre which was influenced by his trips to Egypt. It was a full stage house, fully equipped with dressing rooms, prop cables, lighting systems, and all you would expect to find in a house of this nature.
William is right in that the Vista was the baby sister to the Adams Street Theatre.
The facades on both buildings were similar if not matched: The interior spaces were closely matched. The remodeling history was was not too extensive. The exterior, the facade, the marquee and outer lobby were streamlined – most likely in the late 40’s. The lobby, too, saw a similar streamlining. The restrooms had more of a late 30’s art deco feel to them. The only changes to the auditoruim was the addition of sound deadening blocks applied to the walls at some point. (I would say the early 30’s.) By the early 80’s the chandeliers had been removed but the auditorium was intact. The projection equipment was in the building – minus the heads. In the 60’s a large cinemascope screen was installed covering the proscenium, which eliminated the orchestra pit, and thereby reducing the seating. As I recall the original seating was 1325 – with no balcony.
By the early 80’s, the building was in disrepair: The roof leaked badly over the front offices, which destroyed the apartments/offices at the front of the building. The dressing rooms and plumbing were not really functional. The staircase to the orhestra pit was covered over and all organ equipment was gone. All seats had been long removed and a large raised platform was at the rear of the auditorium.
In the summer of 1981 there were a series of Punk Rock concerts staged in the building and it was called Bard’s Apollo. The owners had no operational permits whatsoever and the venue was closed after just half of a summer. Wielding their batons, the LAPD ended the final concert. Subsequently, a riot ensued which damaged neighboring shops.
One of the last times I saw her – in the late 90’s – she was empty and vandalised. Shortly thereafter the building was sold. The new owners gutted the interior and removed all decorative plaster and forever destroyed the magnificent interior, leaving no trace of its former movie palace glory.
During or around the fall of 1981, I was contracted to promote concerts in this theatre. I assisted with repairing some of the theater’s original lighting and mechanical systems prior to a limited run of concerts. At the time, the auditorium had curtains covering the original murals, which were underwater ocean scenes including a depiction of Neptune.
I do remember carefully examining each section and marveled at the artwork. The lighting used a “3 phase”, atmospheric-type system to illuminate the fantasy-laden murals. The 3 colors were clear, amber and black lenses which covered incandescent bulbs if I recall correctly. Each of the colors were removed, I do remember carefully examining each section and marveled at the artwork that lied behind the. The lighting used a “3 phase”, atmospheric-type system to illuminate the fantasy-laden murals. The 3 colors were clear, amber and black lenses which covered incandescent bulbs if I recall correctly. Each of the colors was controlled by a rheostat in the projection room.
To me, the marquee did not seem original. It was severely damaged by years of neglect.
The lobby used a series of coves for lighting. When I last saw the theater at that time it had a series of bad paint jobs and there’d been minor re-decorating. The auditorium was original and easily restorable. The nursery was used as a storage room for the snack bar supplies. I also remember the tower as it was filled with pigeons and broken neon tubes.
I don’t know what became of the oceanic murals, but I can only hope that someday the tide of curtains will recede and Neptune will rise to his rightful place in the Atlantic once more…
My memories of the theatre date back to late ‘81/early '82 period.
A promoter of punk shows at that time, I once used the Victoria as a venue for a concert. I painted the marquee, helping the owner fix a section of flooring that had deteriorated over the years. What I found interesting was that the wood floor had essentially been laid on dirt as I recall. We removed the section and replaced the joists with railroad ties – then plywood – and reinstalled the seats, which were old and not like the current seats that were popular.
At the time, I also ran the projectors for “ The Great Rock and Roll Swindle ” which was showing there for a limited run. Getting back to the sMy memories of the theatre go back to late ‘81/early '82 period.
A promoter of punk shows at that time, I once used the Victoria as a venue for a concert. I painted the marquee, helping the owner, Robert, fix a section of flooring that had deteriorated over the years. What I found interesting was that the wood floor had essentially been laid on dirt as I recall. We removed the section and replaced the joists with railroad ties – then plywood – and reinstalled the seats, which were old and not like the current seats that were popular at the time.
At the time, I also ran the projectors for “The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle“, which was showing there for a limited run.
Getting back to the show that I promoted there, I booked the notorious Black Flag w/ the
Circle Jerks, Code of Honor, which I managed at the time, and several other bands in support. What was unique about the presentation of the bands was the way the groups played in relation to the theatre. Rather than have the band on stage facing the auditorium in the usual manner, the musicians faced the rear wall of the theatre and each group’s drummer who was at the rear of the formation was actually at the front of the stage at the edge of the ‘orchestra pit’. We took the curtains and used them as the backdrop. Respectful of the theater’s history, my concern was to protect the auditorium from the expected rowdy crowd. The patrons entered at the stage door after traveling between the west wall (alley) and the adjoining building. As the concert-goers had the run of the dressing rooms that were located in the basement, the clean up was fairly simple. The title of the show was, naturally, entitled “Backstage at the Victoria”.
Although monetarily I just broke even w/ this interesting production, the show earned
plaudits in Rolling Stone if I’m not mistaken.
It also left w/ me an incredible memory: Policing the ‘backstage’, I would intermittently take a peek out into the auditorium, catching a view of Victorian serenity which was harshly juxtaposed against the violent West Coast underground.
I saw many movies in the Sherman and always looked at the interior spaces. The interior of this theatre was very much like the Midway in Los Angeles: Built in the same era, both theaters shared a similiar layout and size. On either side of the proscenium were two large murals of one large flower – possibly a magnolia – with a beige background. I feel research may reveal one architect and/or firm was involved in the designing of both these theaters as well as the Nuart, Del Mar and a few others that escape me at this time.
By the way, I always loved seeing The Bogart movies at the Sherman.
The Victoria Theatre was adapted for reuse as a ballroom meeting hall at some point in time – most likely in the 1960’s. Unlike its neighbor, the Midway, which saw no structural changes, the Victoria saw extensive remodeling. The auditorium floors were leveled and a kitchen and bar were installed in the rear of the auditorium under the projection room. The bathrooms were on the first floor and the outer and inner lobbies were combined for a large central lobby. An office was also added on the first floor as well. When you walked down a long hallway it lead to the meeting room. The stage area remained the same through most of the 1980’s. In the fall of 1981 a punk rock concert was thrown in the building with local bands including Circle One.
Though the marquee still proudly declared “VICTORIA”, there was very little left of the theater to remind you of its past.
I was in this theatre in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I recall the interior being all original and somewhat interesting. It was available for rental on an one time event basis. The lobby was small, similar to the Midway, and other local theatres.
The Midway Theatre was built in 1938. It was part of a complex that included a Safeway Market and a small cafe. The original seating was 525 if my memory is correct. It was similar in interior design to that of many small “c” theatres of this era in Los Angeles. ( i.e., the Sherman, Nuart, and the neighboring Victoria Theatre.) The interior was very similar to the Sherman in Sherman Oaks as both theatres were very similar in size and both shared simple murals to each side of the proscenium. The Midway’s murals were of two deer – one at each side which appear to jump and two trees on each side at the back of each deer. The background color was beige. The ceiling was orange with a 20" raised plaster band (grey) that circled the auditorium. The walls were sound absorbing material which were orange in color. Each section was separated by a concrete reinforced column, which was plaster-coated and painted burgundy with a tree in the center, which was painted gold, running from top to bottom. The carpeting was black wool with typical Art Deco bands. The seats were burgundy with gold deco bands on the isles. Originally, the lobby was the same color scheme. The restrooms were upstairs. The booth was in front and a terrazo floor greeted the patrons. Purple glass was under all the lobby posters.
The theatre was sold in 1965. It operated for 3 months after the new owners purchased it. Due to lack of patronage and subsequent non-payment of rent, it was closed and the marquee was then removed. It then began its ‘new life’ as a warehouse.
During this period (1965-1999) nothing changed inside and it remained as it was when it closed – save for the absence of seats, the screen and the projection equipment. The Western Electric amplifiers remained in place. The auditorium doors were painted red, matching the seats and carpets. The front doors were original. Bathrooms had terrazo floors and remained untouched. ( Even the green drinking fountain was in its place! )
In 2000 the new owners gutted the building.
Thriftimart had a chain of supermarkets in Southern California as I recall. They were different than Thrifty Drug Stores. At the time I saw the interior in 1980 they were using the auditorium for storage – boxes mainly. Similiarily, the nearby Midway Theatre saw the same usage ‘til around 2000.
I toured this theatre several times when it was used as a warehouse for the Thrifty Mart corporation which had occupied the building, I believe, in the 70’s – early 90’s period. My first tour of it included mostly the offices and theatre which were remodeled in Art Deco, which I assume was a carryover from its Fox West Coast operation days. The office doors were covered with leather. The lighting and decor was very “high Tech Art Deco”. The Lobby had been converted to offices and very little of the original layout could be found.
I was fortunate to tour it again – this time on my own – when the place was being torn down. I was astounded as the demolition had revealed much of the original plaster work hidden by later remodeling. The original theatre plaster work was very ornate and colorful. (The interior pics shown on this page are of the remodeled interior.)
The stage area, which was the equivalent 3 stories, was converted most likely during the 30’s. The remodeling included a ballroom and other office/executive areas. If I’m not mistaken, this was where the elevator was installed. The auditorium was in its remodeled condition. The penthouse was spectacular in its views of Los Angeles and the surrounding mountains. Utilizing the finest materials – marble, colored glass, mirrors – the entire penthouse was original Art Deco in design.
At the time of its demolition, I saw the lobby, which had been gutted, revealing the original layout, staircase, upper lobby, balcony. The former stage area had its floors removed to reveal the ballroom and the aforementioned 30’s renovation.
Without being able to dig up the pictures at this time, I can state from memory that this was truly a magnificant palace.
I first saw the theatre in 1980. Prior to it being turned into a tri-plex, I toured the theater extensively. At that point as I recall, the Baldwin had been closed for a number of years. The auditorium reminded me somewhat of the Hollywood Bowl or Radio City Music Hall in that all of the auditorium lighting was recessed in half circles extending from one side of the auditorium to the other. When designed as a community, Baldwin Park was considered state of the art regional planning as was the theatre. I seem to recall when touring the building that there were special things about the original projection equipment though I don’t recall what the equipment specifically was. I distinctly remember seeing the auditorium for the last time in its original single- screen configuration. Returning from time to time, I saw the walls erected, forever dividing it into a multiplex. The Balwin had a very modern ‘feel’ to it and was typical of the progressive architecture of the era.
The Bard’s Adams Street theatre interior auditorium was mostly intact until the late 90’s in original condition. Archeologist Lou Bard commissioned his flagship theatre which was influenced by his trips to Egypt. It was a full stage house, fully equipped with dressing rooms, prop cables, lighting systems, and all you would expect to find in a house of this nature.
William is right in that the Vista was the baby sister to the Adams Street Theatre.
The facades on both buildings were similar if not matched: The interior spaces were closely matched. The remodeling history was was not too extensive. The exterior, the facade, the marquee and outer lobby were streamlined – most likely in the late 40’s. The lobby, too, saw a similar streamlining. The restrooms had more of a late 30’s art deco feel to them. The only changes to the auditoruim was the addition of sound deadening blocks applied to the walls at some point. (I would say the early 30’s.) By the early 80’s the chandeliers had been removed but the auditorium was intact. The projection equipment was in the building – minus the heads. In the 60’s a large cinemascope screen was installed covering the proscenium, which eliminated the orchestra pit, and thereby reducing the seating. As I recall the original seating was 1325 – with no balcony.
By the early 80’s, the building was in disrepair: The roof leaked badly over the front offices, which destroyed the apartments/offices at the front of the building. The dressing rooms and plumbing were not really functional. The staircase to the orhestra pit was covered over and all organ equipment was gone. All seats had been long removed and a large raised platform was at the rear of the auditorium.
In the summer of 1981 there were a series of Punk Rock concerts staged in the building and it was called Bard’s Apollo. The owners had no operational permits whatsoever and the venue was closed after just half of a summer. Wielding their batons, the LAPD ended the final concert. Subsequently, a riot ensued which damaged neighboring shops.
One of the last times I saw her – in the late 90’s – she was empty and vandalised. Shortly thereafter the building was sold. The new owners gutted the interior and removed all decorative plaster and forever destroyed the magnificent interior, leaving no trace of its former movie palace glory.