If I remember correctly, the executive offices and conference room wwere on the 4th floor facing east to Vermont Avenue. This is the side with windows. There were no windows of any consequence on the other three sides of the building above the first floor. The largest office shown was probably that of Charles Skouras, President of FWC Theaters. The medical facility, showers and steam room, etc. were also on the 4th floor. Skouras suffered from heart disease; hence, the closeness of the medical facilities to the executive area.
I just looked at the pictures of the Fox West Coast Theater Co. offices located in the building housing the Boulevard Theater, posted by ken mc. They brought back a lot of memories for me as my father, Manager of the Boulevard from 1945-57, often took me to the offices with him when he attended manager staff meetings, when I was 5-7 years old. If I recall correctly, the Division Manager, a Mr. Bowser(?),held the meetings in his office, which looked similar to the offices shown in the pictures. I remember his secretary’s name was Mrs. Scofield, as I was left in her charge while the meetings were held. My father would also often take me to the in-house barber for my haircuts. The offices were very palatial by the standards of the day. a lot of wood paneling and large conference rooms.
One additional observation. Several times the offices are listed by commentators as being in the sub-basement of the building. I don’t think this is correct,as one would use the elevator to access the offices on the buildings 2-4 floors, with the penthouse occupying the 5th floor. The only FWC facilities I ever saw on the first floor was the the FWC cafeteria bordering Washington Blvd. and the 50 seat screening room used to preview motion pictures on the Vermont Ave side. The theater and commercial spaces occupied the rest. My father’s office was just off the second landing of the stairs leading to the theater’s balcony. One could access the FWC offices from both sides of the first landing and opposite my father’s office on the second landing. The only spaces I ever saw below ground (basement area) was the theater’s heating and a/c control room.
Interesting, as I was working there at the time. Do not remember my father mentioning a fire. Must have been a minor blaze. Would have thought my dad would mention anything significant, especially if it involved the theater. I remember the janitor of the theater at that time. Really nice European gentleman, always accomnpanied by his dog. This was a Chow dog that could retrieve a bottle cap thrown into the dark auditorium. It was pitch dark in there and that dog would invariably retieve a thrown bottle cap. This was back when we poured Coke/Pepsi colas from bottles, just prior to the conversion to soda fountain type dispensers.
If there remains any confusion, the Mesa was located at Crenshaw and Slauson. I lived above it as described in previous commnts regarding this theater, dated 1/10/2004 above.
BOULEVARD THEATER PENTHOUSE
One of the above commentators mentions knowing of the penthouse, but had never had the opportunity to see it. I was in it many times when my father was managing the Boulevard. I, also, was assigned to operate the elevator serving the penthouse(nothing like knowing the boss) when I was working as an usher (1952-57) for several of Mr. Skouras' parties.
The penthouse was on the fifth floor and the elevator opened onto a fairly good sized rooftop patio with numerous planters. A 20' walk led directly into the penthouse, although a side path took one to the stairs to the upper level full sized projection booth that provided movies to the main penthouse living room.
Once inside the penthouse entryway, you could either step down a stair or two into a very large, white carpeted living room or walk up to another level with a full bar. The living room had a very high ceiling, to accomodate the higher bar level. This also enabled a large, but scaled down Cinemascope screen to electrically descend from the ceiling for the screening of movies. When lowered this screen covered the room’s large fireplace and mantle. The decor was mostly light colored furniture and blonde wood, typical of 1950’s style furnishings. An interesting item, to me at least, was a small box that contained an old fashioned rotary telephone dial that, instead of numerals, allowed one to dial any one of a number of radio stations to automatically tune in the AM radio. Primitive by today’s electronic standards, but very high tech for that time. Not surprisingly, I do not recall a television set, as this was during the height of the TV vs Motion Pictures war.
The upper bar level also contained two, floor to ceiling, glass enclosed, lighted shotgun display cases with several dozen shotguns.
Mr Skouras was an avid duck hunter, and my father periodically brought home various cooked duck based entrees made from fowl bagged by Mr. Skouras.I do not recall ever going into any of the bedrooms, so I do not know how many the penthouse contained. I do recall being impressed by it’s luxuriousness. My impression of Mr. Skouras, on the one or two occasions I saw him, was that of a rather short, stout and pleasant individual, whose presence was not overly intimidating, despite his iconic stature in the industry. My father always spoke well of him.
As a side note, I soon learned that although the Skouras family was wealthy and powerful, and lived in a world far from mine, all was not well in paradise. My father, from the adjacent parking lot, witnessed Mr Skouras' daughter’s suicide, when she jumped from the penthouse garden patio. She impacted the street below close by the entrance to the small lobby area where the penthouse elevator was located.
Thanks for asking. I referred back to my Jan 10, 2004 entry where I stated my Dad worked there from 1946 to 1957. I was in error by a year as he obviously was there in 1945. My mistake, but I was only five years old in ‘45 so my memory is a little scanty. He previously managed the Carleton in 1943-44. Before that the Princess Theater in Milwaukee from 1934 to our departure for California in 1943. I worked the Boulevard from 1952-57 as an usher, as did my brother before me. The only picture we have is my Dad leading Adlai Stevenson to the stage at the Teamsters Convention held at the Boulevard during the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential campaign. The picture also includes my brother in his gold braided usher’s uniform.
My father, Leonard J. Howard, was the Manager of the Boulevard at the time of the 1945 robbery. I recall him telling me he was in the cashier’s booth at the time and advised Ms. Arbuthnot to quietly hand over all the money she had in the cash drawer. He figured no amount was worth anyone getting shot. Besides, as with most theaters, cash was routinely (hourly?) deposited in the double drop safe in the booth and was not retrievable until it was removed by the manager with a separate key.
Great interior photos. Do you have any more, as these brought back great memories? I worked there in the 1950’s when my father was the manager.I appreciate your taking the time to post these. Patrick Howard
I have attempted to contact you by email with no results. Your email address is apparently incorrect in the member listing. I have tried to add mine to my ID page with no luck. Any suggestions?
Valerie,
I just read your comment. My father was the Manager of the Culver during the early 1960’s. I have several black and white, 35mm, photographs of the candy counter, staffed by young ladies and decorated to publicize various fledgling actors of that era, e.g Stuart Whitman, Patricia Owens, etc. If you are interested in them for your project, please contact me. Patrick Howard
With regard to the one or two balcony controversy, the Boulevard Theater, at Washington and Vermont, was an Orpheum type theater, as my father who managed it from 1946-1957 often described it. As such, it was always referred to as having two balconies. One main staircase let you enter the balcony at mid-level. From there you went down aisle stairs to the lower balcony with its loge, leatherette seating. If you took the upper aisles from the mid-level entry point you reached the upper balcony with its regular folding type theater seats.Hence, two balconies.I worked there from 1953-57 as an usher and we always referred to the two balcony areas as separate and distinct balconies. The 2300 seat Boulevard had a bit larger seating capacity than the Orpheum.
I lived with my parents and siblings in the apartments above the Mesa Theater in 1944-45. The apartments were on the second floor and faced Crenshaw Boulevard. Our unit is just out of the frame on the left or southerly side of the photograph. Crenshaw Boulevard was a major thoroughfare even in those days and had two sets of streetcar tracks running down the center. St. Mary’s Aademy for Girls was directly across the street. I remember the alley behind the theater very well, as a source of film strips, as previously noted by Mr. Blumberg, and where I severly lacerated my hand rooting through the Theater trash. I was five years old at the time. I also recall the candy store, the old fashioned drug store on the corner and the cleaners located in the southerly most first floor commercial unit. My father managed other Fox West Coast Theaters, primarily the Boulevard, Carlton, Stadium and Culver Theaters. My uncle was briefly an assistant manager of the Mesa upon returning from World War II. He later managed the Leimert Theater further north on Crenshaw Boulevard. The neighborhood around the Mesa, at that time, was a really fun, safe place for a kid to live and play
The Boulevard Theater,as already noted, was co-located with the corporate offices of the Fox West Coast Theater chain. In addition to Charles P. Skouras' fifth floor penthouse, with private elevator and full film projection facilities, the corporate offices also contained an employee cafeteria, barber shop, complete medical and steamroom facilities, as well as a 50 seat screening room. The Boulevard was the first theater in Los Angeles to have a Cinemascope wide-screen installed for the initial screening for the industry of the moton picture “The Robe” starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. It was subsequently used to privately screen other films, such as “The Egyptian” and “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.” It was also used, on occasion, as a convention location for groups such as the Teamsters Union in the early ‘50’s. Although located in a declining neighborhood, the Boulevard attracted a regular clientele of movie star patrons, such as Marlon Brando. It was managed by Leonard J. Howard from 1946 to 1957. I was priveleged to work at this Los Angeles landmark as an usher from 1953-1957.
Clarkus,
I remember two brothers, first names Billy and Clark, who lived up the street. Would that be you? If not, please let me know who. You can email me at
Patrick
If I remember correctly, the executive offices and conference room wwere on the 4th floor facing east to Vermont Avenue. This is the side with windows. There were no windows of any consequence on the other three sides of the building above the first floor. The largest office shown was probably that of Charles Skouras, President of FWC Theaters. The medical facility, showers and steam room, etc. were also on the 4th floor. Skouras suffered from heart disease; hence, the closeness of the medical facilities to the executive area.
I just looked at the pictures of the Fox West Coast Theater Co. offices located in the building housing the Boulevard Theater, posted by ken mc. They brought back a lot of memories for me as my father, Manager of the Boulevard from 1945-57, often took me to the offices with him when he attended manager staff meetings, when I was 5-7 years old. If I recall correctly, the Division Manager, a Mr. Bowser(?),held the meetings in his office, which looked similar to the offices shown in the pictures. I remember his secretary’s name was Mrs. Scofield, as I was left in her charge while the meetings were held. My father would also often take me to the in-house barber for my haircuts. The offices were very palatial by the standards of the day. a lot of wood paneling and large conference rooms.
One additional observation. Several times the offices are listed by commentators as being in the sub-basement of the building. I don’t think this is correct,as one would use the elevator to access the offices on the buildings 2-4 floors, with the penthouse occupying the 5th floor. The only FWC facilities I ever saw on the first floor was the the FWC cafeteria bordering Washington Blvd. and the 50 seat screening room used to preview motion pictures on the Vermont Ave side. The theater and commercial spaces occupied the rest. My father’s office was just off the second landing of the stairs leading to the theater’s balcony. One could access the FWC offices from both sides of the first landing and opposite my father’s office on the second landing. The only spaces I ever saw below ground (basement area) was the theater’s heating and a/c control room.
Interesting, as I was working there at the time. Do not remember my father mentioning a fire. Must have been a minor blaze. Would have thought my dad would mention anything significant, especially if it involved the theater. I remember the janitor of the theater at that time. Really nice European gentleman, always accomnpanied by his dog. This was a Chow dog that could retrieve a bottle cap thrown into the dark auditorium. It was pitch dark in there and that dog would invariably retieve a thrown bottle cap. This was back when we poured Coke/Pepsi colas from bottles, just prior to the conversion to soda fountain type dispensers.
If there remains any confusion, the Mesa was located at Crenshaw and Slauson. I lived above it as described in previous commnts regarding this theater, dated 1/10/2004 above.
BOULEVARD THEATER PENTHOUSE
One of the above commentators mentions knowing of the penthouse, but had never had the opportunity to see it. I was in it many times when my father was managing the Boulevard. I, also, was assigned to operate the elevator serving the penthouse(nothing like knowing the boss) when I was working as an usher (1952-57) for several of Mr. Skouras' parties.
The penthouse was on the fifth floor and the elevator opened onto a fairly good sized rooftop patio with numerous planters. A 20' walk led directly into the penthouse, although a side path took one to the stairs to the upper level full sized projection booth that provided movies to the main penthouse living room.
Once inside the penthouse entryway, you could either step down a stair or two into a very large, white carpeted living room or walk up to another level with a full bar. The living room had a very high ceiling, to accomodate the higher bar level. This also enabled a large, but scaled down Cinemascope screen to electrically descend from the ceiling for the screening of movies. When lowered this screen covered the room’s large fireplace and mantle. The decor was mostly light colored furniture and blonde wood, typical of 1950’s style furnishings. An interesting item, to me at least, was a small box that contained an old fashioned rotary telephone dial that, instead of numerals, allowed one to dial any one of a number of radio stations to automatically tune in the AM radio. Primitive by today’s electronic standards, but very high tech for that time. Not surprisingly, I do not recall a television set, as this was during the height of the TV vs Motion Pictures war.
The upper bar level also contained two, floor to ceiling, glass enclosed, lighted shotgun display cases with several dozen shotguns.
Mr Skouras was an avid duck hunter, and my father periodically brought home various cooked duck based entrees made from fowl bagged by Mr. Skouras.I do not recall ever going into any of the bedrooms, so I do not know how many the penthouse contained. I do recall being impressed by it’s luxuriousness. My impression of Mr. Skouras, on the one or two occasions I saw him, was that of a rather short, stout and pleasant individual, whose presence was not overly intimidating, despite his iconic stature in the industry. My father always spoke well of him.
As a side note, I soon learned that although the Skouras family was wealthy and powerful, and lived in a world far from mine, all was not well in paradise. My father, from the adjacent parking lot, witnessed Mr Skouras' daughter’s suicide, when she jumped from the penthouse garden patio. She impacted the street below close by the entrance to the small lobby area where the penthouse elevator was located.
Thanks for asking. I referred back to my Jan 10, 2004 entry where I stated my Dad worked there from 1946 to 1957. I was in error by a year as he obviously was there in 1945. My mistake, but I was only five years old in ‘45 so my memory is a little scanty. He previously managed the Carleton in 1943-44. Before that the Princess Theater in Milwaukee from 1934 to our departure for California in 1943. I worked the Boulevard from 1952-57 as an usher, as did my brother before me. The only picture we have is my Dad leading Adlai Stevenson to the stage at the Teamsters Convention held at the Boulevard during the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential campaign. The picture also includes my brother in his gold braided usher’s uniform.
My father, Leonard J. Howard, was the Manager of the Boulevard at the time of the 1945 robbery. I recall him telling me he was in the cashier’s booth at the time and advised Ms. Arbuthnot to quietly hand over all the money she had in the cash drawer. He figured no amount was worth anyone getting shot. Besides, as with most theaters, cash was routinely (hourly?) deposited in the double drop safe in the booth and was not retrievable until it was removed by the manager with a separate key.
Ken mc,
Great interior photos. Do you have any more, as these brought back great memories? I worked there in the 1950’s when my father was the manager.I appreciate your taking the time to post these. Patrick Howard
Valerie,
I have attempted to contact you by email with no results. Your email address is apparently incorrect in the member listing. I have tried to add mine to my ID page with no luck. Any suggestions?
Valerie,
I just read your comment. My father was the Manager of the Culver during the early 1960’s. I have several black and white, 35mm, photographs of the candy counter, staffed by young ladies and decorated to publicize various fledgling actors of that era, e.g Stuart Whitman, Patricia Owens, etc. If you are interested in them for your project, please contact me. Patrick Howard
With regard to the one or two balcony controversy, the Boulevard Theater, at Washington and Vermont, was an Orpheum type theater, as my father who managed it from 1946-1957 often described it. As such, it was always referred to as having two balconies. One main staircase let you enter the balcony at mid-level. From there you went down aisle stairs to the lower balcony with its loge, leatherette seating. If you took the upper aisles from the mid-level entry point you reached the upper balcony with its regular folding type theater seats.Hence, two balconies.I worked there from 1953-57 as an usher and we always referred to the two balcony areas as separate and distinct balconies. The 2300 seat Boulevard had a bit larger seating capacity than the Orpheum.
I lived with my parents and siblings in the apartments above the Mesa Theater in 1944-45. The apartments were on the second floor and faced Crenshaw Boulevard. Our unit is just out of the frame on the left or southerly side of the photograph. Crenshaw Boulevard was a major thoroughfare even in those days and had two sets of streetcar tracks running down the center. St. Mary’s Aademy for Girls was directly across the street. I remember the alley behind the theater very well, as a source of film strips, as previously noted by Mr. Blumberg, and where I severly lacerated my hand rooting through the Theater trash. I was five years old at the time. I also recall the candy store, the old fashioned drug store on the corner and the cleaners located in the southerly most first floor commercial unit. My father managed other Fox West Coast Theaters, primarily the Boulevard, Carlton, Stadium and Culver Theaters. My uncle was briefly an assistant manager of the Mesa upon returning from World War II. He later managed the Leimert Theater further north on Crenshaw Boulevard. The neighborhood around the Mesa, at that time, was a really fun, safe place for a kid to live and play
The Boulevard Theater,as already noted, was co-located with the corporate offices of the Fox West Coast Theater chain. In addition to Charles P. Skouras' fifth floor penthouse, with private elevator and full film projection facilities, the corporate offices also contained an employee cafeteria, barber shop, complete medical and steamroom facilities, as well as a 50 seat screening room. The Boulevard was the first theater in Los Angeles to have a Cinemascope wide-screen installed for the initial screening for the industry of the moton picture “The Robe” starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons. It was subsequently used to privately screen other films, such as “The Egyptian” and “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers.” It was also used, on occasion, as a convention location for groups such as the Teamsters Union in the early ‘50’s. Although located in a declining neighborhood, the Boulevard attracted a regular clientele of movie star patrons, such as Marlon Brando. It was managed by Leonard J. Howard from 1946 to 1957. I was priveleged to work at this Los Angeles landmark as an usher from 1953-1957.