Comments about American Theatre in Los Angeles, CA

Joe Vogel on July 3, 2019 at 10:21 pm

meheuck: Better later than never. The Fox Ritz wasn’t in Beverly Hills, though. It was on Wilshire between La Brea and Sycamore in Los Angeles.

meheuck on July 3, 2019 at 11:43 am

Ten years later, I finally found an answer – No, it was not this American Theatre, it was the former Fox Ritz in Beverly Hills.

Joe Vogel on March 31, 2014 at 9:19 am

The December 12, 1912, issue of Southwest Contractor & Manufacturer confirms the site of the theater designed by Train & Williams as the northwest corner of 47th Place and Moneta Avenue (South Broadway.)

Joe Vogel on March 27, 2014 at 1:28 am

In the 1915 city directory, this house was listed as the Palace Theatre, and in the 1917 directory as the New Palace Theatre. I think it is pretty likely that this theater was the project noted in the November 16, 1912, issue of Southwest Contractor & Manufacturer:

“THEATER AND STORES—Morris Hurwitz, 212 N. Main St., has been awarded the general contract at $10,500 for the erection of a 1~story brick moving picture theater and store building at Forty-seventh St. and Moneta Ave, for John Borelli. The contract does not include decorating, lighting fixtures or gas heaters. Train & Williams, Archts., 226 Exchange Bldg.”

The theater most likely opened in early 1913. The location was Moneta and 47th Place rather than Moneta and 47th Street. The magazine made a careless mistake.

kencmcintyre on August 20, 2009 at 3:55 pm

Here is a September 1947 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/nojud6

meheuck on May 5, 2009 at 9:27 am

In the 1977 sketch comedy film CAN I DO IT…‘TILL I NEED GLASSES, a theatre marquee is advertising the producers’ previous film IF YOU DON’T STOP IT, YOU’LL GO BLIND. The marquee says, “The American Theatre.” The movie was definitely shot in Los Angeles. Could this be the same place? Was this still standing and/or operating in the ‘70’s?

kencmcintyre on February 5, 2009 at 3:54 am

This is from Boxoffice magazine in May 1943:

LOS ANGELES-The Vinnicof Theater circuit has taken over the American Theater, 500-seat South Broadway showcase, from E.A. Thompson and K.C. Manny.

Joe Vogel on May 10, 2008 at 4:01 am

The whole block is a strip mall now, built in 1990.

leegard on February 8, 2008 at 12:03 am

This was one of my Grandmother’s favorite movie theaters, having grown up within walking distance of 47th and Broadway. She said that it was cheap at a 10-cent admission, but you did have to put up with the silhouettes of rats scampering across the well-polished floor.

kencmcintyre on December 1, 2007 at 11:31 pm

It was just advertised as American Theater.

Jimbo on December 1, 2007 at 10:35 pm

Was this the “All American” theater ????

American Theatre

4727 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90037

4727 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles, CA 90037