Carthay Circle Theatre
6316 San Vicente Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90048
6316 San Vicente Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90048
37 people
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The theater closed down permanently on April 24th 1969. The Shoes of the Fisherman played for 23 weeks
There is some footage outside the Carthay Circle Theatre of the World premiere on the blu-ray of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in the special features section(In Walt’s words: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).
Too bad the fire curtain couldn’t be put on display in Hollywood studios in Orlando. But it’s not like it’s going to generate revenue.
Opening article
Carthay Circle theatre opening Sun, May 16, 1926 – 59 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com
barryinperth: Bill Counter’s Los Angeles Movie Palaces web site has several interior views of the Carthay Circle, including a few shots of the lounge, on this web page. Counter also provides links to additional views at other collections.
barryinperth:I have added a 1926 photograph of the auditorium.
What a crime this extraordinary theatre was demolished! Are there any interior shots available?
Undated photo added courtesy of Doug Simmons. Good shot of the roof mounted signage.
Anybody who saw the 1941 Our Gang short “The Big Premiere” will remember the Carthay Circle was the theater seen in the opening shot, all lit up at night; the gang attends – and then sabotages – the premiere of the film “Gun Boats,” starring “Imra Acacia” (Ethelreda Leopold).
“The Big Premiere” turns up occasionally on Turner Classic Movies as a short subject between films, and it is also available on “The Our Gang Collection” only from the WB Shop, Warner Bros.‘ online store (not available in regular retail outlets).
Two mid `40’s photo added courtesy of Terry Koenig.
A photo of the replica: View link
A replica of the Carthay Circle has been built at Disney’s California Adventure Park adjacent to Disneyland in recognition of the role the theater had in launching some of Disney’s famous films. Unfortunately, the building only houses a restaurant and cocktail lounge (and probably one of the ubiquitous gift shops so characteristic of Disney parks).
Here’s a photo that a friend gave to me. I scanned it before I put it in the frame. I don’t think I’ve seen this one yet: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vokoban/6261222632/in/photostream
In DAVID SELZNICK’S HOLLYWOOD, he states that GONE WITH THE WIND premiered first in Atlanta on 12/15/39 at the Loews Grand (3 continuous shows daily) , then four days later in New York at the Capitol (3 continuous shows daily) and the Astor (reserved seat; 2 performances daily) and finally in Los Angeles at the United Artist Downtown (3 continuous shows daily) and the Carthay Circle (reserved seat; 2 performances daily). The Los Angeles invited premiere was held the day before on 12/27/39 at the Carthay Circle.
@Warren G. Harris: There were many films in Cinemascope and B&W – before Longest Day roadshow was Diary of Anne Frank (1959 – roadshow @ 171 min + intermission).
For the person who wondered on what corner the Picfair was located; it was the NW corner of Pico and Fairfrax.
I grew up in the area and saw many great films at the Carthay Circle Theater. It was just behind my grammar school. I can remember catching pollywogs in the little pound in the tiny park just north of the theater where water from the gold miner’s pan spilled out endlessly. Over the years we often celebrated the Jewish High Holidays at local theaters (our synagogue was too small at that time). The theaters we used were the Wilshire (on Wilshire), the Stadium (on Pico) and the Carthay Circle Theater. Seeing the cantor prostrate himself on the massive Carthay Circle Theater and Wilshire stages on Yom Kipper was truly moving/ impressive.
Here is a February 1953 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/yjjyt54
Lots of cool shots and info on the site.
Check out Wikipedia. There is a new article on this theatre. See: View link
i have alot of ephemera for sale from the old days ,alot from south california —-evog49 @ aol.com
i have a couple “Around the world in 80 days” programs from the carthay circle theatre for sale, along with other ephemera, evog49@ aol.com
Here is a January 1937 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/lkkfsy
I gave them the benefit of the doubt the first time, but when I saw the second caption I had to put the hammer down.
“in the picture” that should say.