Comments about Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, CA

rivest266 on September 7, 2019 at 2:57 pm

Article from May 11th, 1924 Forum theatre opening Sun, May 11, 1924 – 55 · The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Newspapers.com

Joe Vogel on May 3, 2018 at 5:54 pm

The article about the opening of the Forum Theatre that appeared in the August, 1924, issue of Architect and Engineer had this interesting information:

“Eighteen hundred people can be accommodated in the theater, while the roof garden, which has complete cafe service, has a capacity of 200 persons.”

Looking Google’s the aerial view of the building today I see no evidence of this roof garden. The building just has an ordinary roof, with no flat areas. Does anyone know what became of the vanished rooftop cafe?

vokoban on September 10, 2010 at 7:58 am

Here’s a photo of the Forum from 1958. It was part of a term paper I found at an estate sale: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vokoban/4975409891/

kencmcintyre on September 5, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Here is an item in the LA Times in September 1926:

Because of the work necessary in preparing the prologue for Rex Ingram’s production “Mare Nostrum” which is to be accorded its premiere performance tomorrow night, it has been found necessary to close the Forum Theater all day today and tomorrow afternoon so that everything will be in complete readiness.

“Mare Nostrum” is the picturization of Blasco Ibanez’s story, with Alice Terry and Antonio Moreno playing the leading roles. These two are supported by a cast of European players. The scenes of the picture are laid in France, Spain and Italy on the locations described by the author in his powerful story.

kencmcintyre on August 5, 2009 at 3:09 pm

Here is an August 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/n48npq

kencmcintyre on July 16, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Here is a photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/n44mg4

kencmcintyre on February 9, 2009 at 4:25 pm

They used a backlot instead of actually filming the last scenes downtown. I was disappointed.

vokoban on February 9, 2009 at 4:23 pm

This is from June 18, 1954:
THRILLER OPENS AT PARAMOUNTS
Destructive giant creatures who threaten to devastate the world take over the screens of both Paramount Theaters today with the opening of “Them”, science-fiction subject from Warner Bros. Filmed on location in the Mojave Desert and in the maze of storm drains under Los Angeles streets, “Them” stars James Whitmore, Edmund Gwenn, Joan Weldon and James Arness and reaches a climax as a horde of mutant monsters threaten to wipe out the city. Second feature at Paramount Downtown only is “White Hell of Pitz-Palu.”

pmarrone on February 9, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Thanks again. I’ll keep trying.

kencmcintyre on February 9, 2009 at 4:12 pm

I checked under Forum in 1954 and got a few hits, but no movie listings. Maybe you will have better luck.

vokoban on February 9, 2009 at 4:08 pm

I was going to look on the LA Times database….forget google. You’ll drive yourself crazy.

pmarrone on February 9, 2009 at 4:08 pm

Same deal with the classic Picwood Theatre in LA. No info. Nothing. Just when the theatres were opened, the architects, etc. No info. on films of the day playing at the theatres, which is a huge pop cultural element that’s missing.

pmarrone on February 9, 2009 at 4:06 pm

I’ll try it. Thanks. I would have thought one could easily have found out where it played in LA during the 50s somwhere on the Net. I’m quite surprised there’s no info.

pmarrone on February 9, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Ah! Thanks. I checked that too. There would be no way to find out, then? Thanks much. I’ve scoured the Internet and can’t find anything.

kencmcintyre on February 9, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Maybe you could put “them” and also “giant ants'?

kencmcintyre on February 9, 2009 at 4:02 pm

The national release date was 6/19/54. I don’t know about LA.

vokoban on February 9, 2009 at 3:56 pm

If you can tell me what month or better what week the movie premiered I can try to find it. The problem is if you search for the word them there are millions of matches.

pmarrone on February 9, 2009 at 3:41 pm

Does anyone know how I might be able to find some of the movies that screened at this theatre in 1954? I’m wondering if the sci-fi Them! played here. I’m writing a book. Thanks.

kencmcintyre on November 20, 2008 at 6:34 pm

OK, so no AKA. The description should be amended, though. Thanks for clearing that up.

William on November 20, 2008 at 6:28 pm

In Ken mc’s post from March 28th. 2008. My description states that the Forum opened as the Warner. It should have read “Originally opened as a Warner Theatre, the Forum was built…”

johncollings on November 20, 2008 at 5:37 pm

Does anyone know who painted the interior murals?

Englewood on September 28, 2008 at 10:54 pm

From the Los Angeles Times: Tuesday, February 15, 1949. Pg. 20.

Forum Theater
Sale Announced

Purchase of the Forum Theater and Building, 4050 W. Pico Blvd., by Sheriff C. Corwin and Sol Lesser, the latter a veteran producer and showman, was announced yesterday. The purchase price is undisclosed.
Corwin and Lesser will take over the operation of the 1800-seat theater tomorrow. For a number of years the Forum has been operated by Warner Bros. The new owners do not plan any changes in the policy.
A hint of possible television developments at the place was given, with the new owners stating that a large ballroom on the second floor and adjacent studios are suitable for television plans and are definitely in the future plans of the showmen.

Englewood on September 28, 2008 at 10:48 pm

From the Los Angeles Times: Thursday, February 8, 1934.

SHOOTING OF BANDIT
SUSPECT JUSTIFIED

Justifiable homicide was the verdict of a Coroner’s jury yesterday at an inquest into the death of Homer Clyde Johnston, 19 years of age, of 1752 West Fifty-first Street, shot by police officers during an asserted attempted robbery of the Forum Theater at West Pico Boulevard and Norton Avenue January 20, last. The wounds were inflicted by Police Offiers Jackson and Heath in performance of their duties. Lee Angier, 20, asserted Navy deserter, arrested in connection with the attempted robbery, is held in the County Jail pending trial.

kencmcintyre on March 29, 2008 at 9:11 am

Here is a photo, circa 1926:
http://tinyurl.com/3y79bw

kencmcintyre on March 28, 2008 at 11:54 pm

Forum Theatre

4050 W. Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90019

4050 W. Pico Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90019