The Fox Wilshire Theatre - one of the great remaining art deco Los Angeles movie palaces.
S. Charles Lee, architect
More sources for information about the Fox Wilshire Theatre...
The thumbnail images below are generally from searches on Google Images, Yahoo! or other databases. Click on the image to see how it was found in context.
We also give you a link to the site itself (or sometimes a specific article) for your further research.
All images are subject to copyright.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The State Library Collection includes a large number of c.1930 photos from the Mott-Merge collection. Here's a view in the grand lobby, looking toward the Wilshire Blvd. exits. full size view
More views of the main lobby: west stairs | west stairs and toward auditorium | chandelier | | lobby chairs and mirror | sofa in foyer | drinking fountain, sofa, view of mezzanine | wall and window detail | stair detail |
Mezzanine foyer: foyer view | sofa and ramp detail |
another ramp detail | another foyer view
A wonderful view of the Fox Wilshire Theatre's proscenium and house right wall. full size view
More proscenium views: proscenium with main drape -curliques | main curtain opening | same view from balcony | exposing more of the act curtain | painted act curtain | screen view | larger screen size |
A view of the dazzling side wall of the balcony from the State Library Collection. WOW! full size view
Other auditorium views: organ grille house right | chandelier detail | rear of main floor | another view - rear of main floor | auditorium rear - from house left front | another view toward rear - toward house right and booth | looking toward rear from stage - centered | front of right wall - from balcony | balcony seats and front of booth | front of balcony seat detail |
Stage: speakers behind screen
Lounges: foyer lounge | foyer lounge | lounge seating | lounge seating | lounge furniture
Booth: booth - looking west | projectors and dimmer board - east end of booth |
Exterior views: exterior at night | night view - from the east | another night view - same angle | daytime view - from the east | from across the street - a bit to the east | another view from the east | daytime view - from the north | view from across the street | from a bit to the west | similar view | closer view - from a bit to the west | sidewall | sidewall detail | another wall detail |
Entrance: boxoffice | entrance vestibule |
Cinema Tour
The Cinema Tour page on the Fox Wilshire features this great view from the Boxoffice Magazine 1949-50 Theatre Catalog Section.
From Script to DVD
www.fromscripttodvd.com This great site's page on the Fox Wilshire has a number of terrific photos of the theatre including this view of the stage by William Kallay. full size view
Jerical Cat on Flickr
flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00
Jerical Cat's terrific Los Angeles Theatres set has great views of some nice views of the Wilshire Theatre including this view of the lobby.
Start on the full size view of this picture and you can page forward to an auditorium view or back to other lobby views.
Kencta on Flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/kencta Here's a nice recent shot of the Fox Wilshire proscenium by Kencta. full size view
A view of the side wall and organ grille area, also by Kencta. full size image
Rear of the auditorium in another nice image by Kencta. full size view
More great photos of the Wilshire Theatre: rear sidewall | sidewall detail | lobby
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org From the Library's collection a view of suburbia in 1931 --lots of free parking at the Fox Wilshire.
Playing that week was "Don't Bet on Women" with Edmund Lowe and Jeanette MacDonald. full size view
Here we're in the ticket vestibule in 1930 about to take a step into the main lobby. full size view
More lobby views from the Library's collection: lobby 1930 - looking toward Wilshire | lobby organ - 1930 | lobby mirror | lobby 1945 |
This enticing view is from the top of the Fox Wilshire balcony. full size view
More auditorium views: proscenium 1930 | proscenium 1930 - curtains closed | toward screen 1942 | orchestra on stage 1931 | organist 1931 | balcony 1942 | looking toward booth 1930 |
Exterior shots from the Library: boxoffice - 1945 | 1931 marquee -"Trader Horn" | 1931 marquee - "Monkey Business" | sidewall |
Scenes of L.A. During WWII
dsl.home.sprynet.com/landmark On the Fox page of this site is this photo by Dennis Lewis Jr. looking east on Wilshire Blvd. toward the Fox Wilshire Theatre during WWII.
UCLA -- S. Charles Lee Archive
digital.library.ucla.edu/sclee Lee's stunning interior for the Fox Wilshire is well exhibited in this photo from his archive. full size image
Also from the S. Charles Lee Archive--ladies room mirrors.
More interiors from the S.C. Lee Archive by Mott Studios: proscenium | another proscenium view |
Construction photos by Mayson Shouler: early construction | form work rising | concrete exposed - May 1930 |
Also by Mr. Shouler: plaster casting
Plus: view at night - credited to S. Charles Lee
The archive also has advertising pieces depicting the Fox Wilshire and drawings of different concepts for the theatre. Lots of other Lee projects are in the archive as well, all searchable.
Also of interest are a number of photos in the archive indexed under "Sheehan Apartments," the penthouse suite atop the Fox Wilshire Theatre Building for Howard Sheehan of 2oth Century Fox.
