Main Street Los Angeles was awash in nickelodeons and legit theaters that converted to movie operation during the first decade of the twentieth century. Even after Broadway became the Los Angeles movie palace row, Main Street theaters continued to prosper.
Most of these buildings don't qualify as great Los Angeles movie palaces, and many of them were around for only a few years. But Main Street represents the densest concentration of downtown Los Angeles theatres. Of all of these movie and legit theaters, the Regent is the only survivor.
Our stroll on Main starts at the north end of the street and works south as you scroll down the page. Pictures and theater names on the right are for theaters on the east side of the street, on the left are those on the west.
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.
Much of our data about the buildings come from the various postings of the many diligent researchers posting on Cinema Treasures.
Estella
513-515. N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: Prior to 1915 as the Metropolitan. By 1923 it had changed its name to Estella. It evidently survived at least until 1930.
More Information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Estella for lots of discussion about this location and the Teatro Hidalgo at 373 N. Main St.
Hew High Street
Principal
423 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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A 1928 news story unearthed by Cinema Treasures researcher Ken MC lists the Principal as 423 N. Main.
The Principal Theatre was at 233 N. Main in 1923, according to an ad for Paramount pictures. Perhaps the business moved for City Hall construction.
See the Cinema treasures page on the Principal Theatre for more speculations by Joe Vogel.
Mercedes
420 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: 1871 --the first theater in Los Angeles. Also known as the Teatro Merced.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us This 1910 view of the Theatre Mercedes is in the State's collection.
A 1950 view of the Mercedes by Arnold Hylen.
Arcadia Street
101 Freeway
Aliso Street
Teatro Hidalgo
373 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: Prior to 1915
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Teatro Hidalgo.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the Teatro Hidalgo in the 1920's from the Library's collection. full size view
The band at the Teatro Hidalgo.
Also in the Library's collection: undated facade photo |
Plaza
349 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Listed in the 1908 city directory but no other information is available. See also a Plaza Theatre at 224 N. Main St.
There was also a Plaza Theatre listed at 423 N. Main in the 1914 city directory.
Temple Street
Principal
233 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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The Principal Theatre was at this address in 1923, according to an ad for Paramount pictures. A 1928 news story unearthed by Cinema Treasures researcher Ken MC lists the address as 423 N. Main, indicating that the business moved for the City Hall construction.
See the Cinema treasures page on the Principal Theatre for more speculations.
Plaza
224 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Listed in the 1929 city directory but no other information is available. See also a Plaza Theatre at 347 N. Main St.
Status: Demolished
Roosevelt
Opened: 1915 or earlier as the Electric Theatre, not to be confused with the Tally's Electric of 1902 at 262 S. Main. It was evidently a conversion from retail space in an existing building.
By 1942 it was running as the Roosevelt, a name that had been used earlier by Miller's Theatre at 842 S. Main. It was still running in the 50's as the Roosevelt.
Seating: Estimates range from 800 to 340
Status: Demolished for an eastward extension of Temple Street in 1960.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page for lots of interesting comments.
Jeff Bridges on Cinema Treasures
flickr.com/photos/vokoban Here from the 1954 movie "Crime Wave" is a screen shot of the Roosevelt Theatre taken by the tireless researcher Jeff (aka vokoban). full size view
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A view of the facade of the Roosevelt Theatre from across the street in 1936. Temple Street was later extended east through the lot where the theatre is shown. full size view
Also from the USC archives: A 1935 view of the block . We're looking at the east side of Main Street with the U.S. Hotel at center. The theatre is up in the next block.
Court Street
Cineograph
114 Court St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
|map | (approximate)
Opened: October 18, 1890 as the Tivoli Theatre, 12,14,16 Court Street. With the renumbering of the streets around 1900, these old numbers probably represent the later 114 designation. The theatre was between Main and Spring on a vanished block of Court Street that would now be in the middle of the 1926 City Hall.
The Tivoli didn't last long -- by December 1890 it was closed and furniture sold to pay its debts. The Cineograph (presumably in the same space, opened in August 1902 probably with a combination of movies and vaudeville with the movie bill changing daily. It lasted as the Cineograph at least through 1909. Between 1918 and 1925 it was doing Chinese stage shows with the Sun Jung Wah Co. in residence.
Seating: 1200
Status: Demolished for City Hall construction in 1926
Sources: See the work of Joe Vogel and Vokoban on the Cineograph page on Cinema Treasures.
A Visit to Old Los Angeles
www.csulb.edu This early map of the streets of the area prior to the1926 construction of City Hall is on Brent Dickerson's New High Street & Broadway Pt.1.
1st Street
<<west to 100 S. Spring St.<<
Fischer's
121 W. 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: Sometime prior to 1908.
It was later called the Princess Theatre and by 1922 it was the Spanish Theatre offering both movies and stage shows.
Status: Demolished for the 1926 construction of City Hall.
Sources: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Fischer's Theatre.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This 1908 view of Fischer's Theatre advertising vaudeville for 10 and 20 cents is from the LAPL collection.
Grand Opera House
110 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: 1884 as Child's Opera House. Starting in December 1894 this became the Orpheum -- the first home for Orpheum Circuit vaudeville in Los Angeles. Orpheum moved in 1903 to what was later known as the Lyceum Theatre.
On July 6, 1896, the Grand was the site of the first commercial exhibition of motion pictures in Los Angeles. Several films from the Edison studio were projected by Billy porter, who went on to become a noted silent film director. The equipment then went on a tour of other vaudeville houses for several weeks before being set up at the rear of Tally's Phonograph Parlor on Spring St.
In 1912 the theatre was known as Clune's Grand. With increased competition from newer theatres, the Grand became a showplace for Mexican stage shows and movies in the 20's as Teatro Mexico.
Architects: Ezra F. Kysor and Octavius Morgan, whose firm later became Morgan and Walls (Arcade Theatre) and later Morgan, Walls and Clements (Mayan, Belasco and many others).
Seating: 1311
Status: Closed April 5, 1936 and was soon demolished for a parking lot.
More information: A good history of the Grand by Joe Vogel as well as a lively discussion of other early Los Angeles theaters is on Cinema Treasures.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us An 1890 view of the facade of the Grand opera House.
Jeff Bridges on Cinema Treasures
flickr.com/photos/vokoban A nice mapping job by Jeff (aka vokoban) shows the positioning of the Grand Theatre. map
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the facade from the Library's collection.
Another facade view. full size view
More exteriors from the library collection: street view looking south | street view looking north | facade in late 20's -- as Teatro Mexico | facade in the 30's
Interior of the Grand Opera House.
More interiors from the Library collection: interior as the Orpheum | boxes in 1936 | sidewall detail | backstage |
Novelty
136 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Dates: It ran from the 20's through the 50's. Also known as the Chinese. It was known as the Liberty in the 40's and running sex films. In the late 40's it was running Mexican Films.
Not to be confused with another Liberty Theatre at 266 S. Main St.
Seating: 248? 280?
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page for a lively discussion.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This view of the Novelty Theatre circa 1938 is from the Library's collection. full size view
Also in the LAPL collection: another view of the exterior
2nd Street
<<west to 200 S. Spring St.<< The Lyceum
Higgins Building<<
108 W. 2nd St (at Main)
| edison lounge |
Denver
238 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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We don't know anything about the Denver Theatre except it was listed in the 1914 city directory.
Linda Lea
251 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: 1925 as the the Arrow. In the 40's it was the Aztec and the Azteca, sometimes running burlesque as well as films. Apparently at one time it was also called the Civic.
Architect: John Kunst
Seating: 500
Status: This theatre had once been very popular exhibiting Japanese films but had been closed since the 80's. Demolished in 2006 to make way for the new ImaginAsian Theatre, which opened December 2007, once again exhibiting Asian films on the site. See the listing below.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Linda Lea.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The State Library has this view looking north on Main (from Third) with the Linda Lea halfway down the block. The roof sign is advertising Japanese films. full size view
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the Linda Lea facade (in the middle of the block) from the Library's collection. Here the roof sign is advertising "All seats 10 cents."
You Are Here
www.you-are-here.com A shot of the Linda Lea Theatre facade from a dazzling website by Martin of Stuttgart, Germany. full size view
Take a tour through the Theatre+Movie Palace page of this site for lots of other terrific photos.
ImaginAsian
251 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012 (217) 617-1033
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Website: www.iacenterla.com/la
Opened: December 2007 on the site of the Linda Lea (see above).
Status: Running a varied program of Asian films.
Angelenic: Downtown Los Angeles
www.angelenic.com A view from this informative blog during the demolition/reconstructionof the Linda Lea Theatre into the ImaginAsian Center.
Skyscraper City
www.skyscrapercity.com Here's an L.A. Times pic posted in an article about the ImaginAsian Center on this blog about the plans for the new theatre -- the first new movie theatre in downtown Los Angeles in 20 years. full size view
Union
255 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: Prior to 1910. In 1913 and 14 it was called the New York Theatre and in 1915 the Western Theatre.
Status: Demolished. Closing date unknown. Possibly replaced by the Linda Lea building in 1925.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Union.
Electric
Opened: April, 1902 by Thomas Talley as the first purpose-built venue for the movies in Los Angeles. The movie business wasn't wonderful (perhaps due to lack of product) and Tally closed it in June.
Tally reopened it July 18, 1903 as a vaudeville house called the Lyric. By 1910 it was known as Glockner's Automatic Theatre. Closing date is unknown.
Seating: 250
Status: The building survived long after the theatre closed but has now been demolished.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Glockner's Automatic Theatre. Also see the Cinema Treasures page on the Tally's Electric at 311 S. Spring St. for many comments about this Main St. location.
Also see our listing for Tally's first exhibition site on Sporing Street: Tally's Phonograph and Vitascope Parlor
Liberty
266 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Status: Closed by 1930. Part of the building may remain. Part of the property was lost when 3rd St. was pushed through to eliminate a jog at Main St. The theatre sat squarely at the east end of the street.
More information: See the Cinema Treasures discussion on the page for the other Liberty Theatre at 136 S. Main.
CSULB - A Visit to Old Los Angeles
www.csulb.edu An early postcard view of the Liberty Theatre facade on Brent Dickerson's Tour of Main Street.
This is one of many adventures on this site. Details are on the site's index page.
Another view of the Liberty from several blocks west on 3rd St.
At the time of the photo 3rd St. had a jog at Main.
Empire
128 E. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: Prior to 1906. By the early 20's it had ceased being a theatre and was used as a private garage.
Status: Demolished
Sources: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Hippodrome for lots of discussion by Vokoban and other researchers about the Empire Theatre.
Jeff Bridges on Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org A nice 1906 Sanborn fire map unearthed byJeff (aka Vokoban) and posted on his Flicker pages shows the location of the Empire.
Note also around the corner on Main Street the circular Panorama Building, later the site of the Hippodrome Theatre. full size view
The Empire also shows up on the very bottom of a 1909 birds-eye map Vokoban has on his Flickr pages.
3rd Street
<<west to 300 S. Spring St.<<
Jade
315 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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The Jade has also been known as the Wonderland.
Seating: 250
More Information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Jade.
Hippodrome
320 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: November 27, 1911 as the Adolphus, primarily a vaudeville theatre. The theatre was built on the site of the Panorama Building, which in its later days had served as a skating rink. On August 31, 1913 the Adolphus re-opened as the Hippodrome.
Seating: 2100 -- not a great Los Angeles movie palace but it was the largest theatre on Main Street.
Status: Closed in the 40's. The auditorium was demolished in the late 40's for a parking lot. The portion of the building fronting on Main St. remained until 1984.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Hippodrome for lots of discussion.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The Hippodraome photo here from the California State Library collection by William Reagh dates from 1979.
Cinema Treasures
On the Hippodrome Theatre page of this informative site is this 20's view of the Hip from the William Gabel collection.
Jeff Bridges on Flickr
flickr.com/photos/vokoban Another great job of mapping by Jeff (aka vokoban). Here's an overlay of Sanborn fire maps on a satellite image showing the Hippodrome right in the middle of the block. full size view
L.A. Public Library
www.lapl.org From the Library's collection: looking south in 1828 - theatre cis on the left | looking north on main | facade as auto park | another view |
Also from the LAPL: A view of the Panorama Building and others on the block prior to construction of the Hippodrome.
Regal
323 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1894 as as Turn Halle, a German social Hall. By World War I it was changed to the less Germanic sounding Turner Hall.
Active Dates: The auditorium in the building by 1906 was known as the New Star Vaudeville Theatre. It was also known as the Bijou and Theatre Royal. It ceased being a theatrical venue around 1919 and was turned into a gym.
More Information: Lots of research by Jeff Bridges and others appears on the Cinema Treasures page devoted to the Regal.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the facade of the Turn Halle/Regal Theatre.
Follies
337 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1901 by David Belasco as the Belasco Theatre. It was renamed the Follies by 1919.
Seating: 900
Status: Demolished 1974
More information: Visit our Follies Theatre page for more details and photos. Also see our page for the 1926 Belasco Theatre on S. Hill St.
UCLA - Calisphere Photo Collection
www.cdlib.org A view of the Belasco/Follies proscenium and boxes from the UCLA collection's great S. Charles Lee Archive. full size image
The 1947 Project
www.1947project.com Here's a Follies ad from this site that has as its motto "Los Angeles de-mythified."
This is on a nice Burlesque page with lots of ads and clippings about the Follies.
A view showing the side of the auditorium from the same 1947 Project page.
4th Street
<<west to 400 S. Spring St.<<
Muse
417 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Seating: 270
More Information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Muse.
Rosslyn
431 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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More information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Rosslyn.
L.A. Historic Theatre Committee
lahtc.blogspot.com Here's a view of the Rosslyn Theatre facade on a "Main Street Then and Now" page of the Los Angeles Conservancy's Historic Theatre Committee.
Click the link above for a larger view as well as many other interesting period photos of Main Street theatre sites plus modern views by Jeff Bridges.
Main
438 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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The Main was a porno house running from the 60's into the 80's. The theatre was located in a strorefront in the Canadian Building, a 1909 structure by Parkinson and Bergstrom.
Status: The building survives and the theatre space is once again retail.
More Information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Main Theatre.
Ken McIntyre on Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org Here's Ken's photo of the building (now converted back into retail space) in 2007. Many more great photos are on Ken's Photobucket pages. full size view
Regent
448 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1914 as the National and was also called Gore's National. In 1923 it was called the Regent No. 1. Later it was just became the Regent.
click on image to enlarge >
Status: Closed in 2000 after decades as a grindhouse and (at the end) an adult venue. It's now being renovated by developer Tom Gilmore and is being used as a performance venue. The floor is still sloped and the proscenium and most of the original gothic inspired ceiling is intact. This is the last remaining theatre on Main St.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page for the Regent.
L.A. Historic Theatre Committee
lahtc.blogspot.com Here's a view of the Regent Theatre interior on a great page by Jeff Bridges of the Los Angeles Conservancy's Historic Theatre Committee. full size view
Head to his Regent Theatre post for a larger view plus more interesting pictures of the Regent both inside and out. Also see Jeff's Regent Theatre on Flickr page.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A 20's view looking north from 5th Street at the east side of the street . The Regent is just this side of the Canadian Bldg.
You can see the theatre's triangular pediment as well as the auditorium roof.
A more recent version of the same block face with the Regent's later facade just beyond the "Arcade" sign. The Banner Theatre is also there (with no visible sign) just this side of the "Hotel" sign.
Banner
456 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: Prior to 1915. It was still running as the Banner into the 1970's - as a gay porn hous.
Seating: Estimates vary from 350 to 630
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Banner Theatre.
Clune's
N.W. corner Main and 5th
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: May 15, 1909. This early nickelodeon was operated by Los Angeles theatre operator and movie making pioneer Billy Clune.
Clune opened Clune's Broadway (later the Cameo Theatre ) in 1910 and also briefly ran the Auditorium.
Status: Demolished to make way for the Rosslyn Hotel building on the site which opened in 1915.
More information: The Clune's Theatre page on Cinema Treasures has all the known information about this theatre.
Rosslyn Hotel Buildings<<
5th & Main
| neon roof signs |
5th Street
<<west to 500 S. Spring St.<<
Galway
518 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Galway.
Gayety
523 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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The Gayety Theatre opened as the Novelty in 1905. It was also known as the New Peoples (1906), then just as the Peoples through about 1909.
When operated by Charles Alphin, he called it the Olympic. The business was sold to Mr. Robert F. Woodley (of Optic Theatre fame) for awhile, but when Alphin took control again in 1914, he renamed it the Alphin.
It was also known as the Century in 1916 (as a burlesque house) and Omar (1917-20). It was leased to the Gore Brothers in 1922 and became the Moon (1923-36). It was the Gayety from 1938 onward. As the Gayety it was a burlesque house with films. It was located within the Waldorf Hotel building.
Seating: Estimates range as high as 1000. 700 is more likely.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page for the Gaiety.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This undated view shows a bit of the Gayety Theatre marquee on the left.
The Gayety was in the Waldorf Hotel Building. Looking farther north toward 5th are the buildings of the Rosslyn Hotel. full size view
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu From the USC Archives: A 1907 view The Peoples Theatre marquee can be glimpsed on the right side of the photo. We're looking north on Main Street toward 5th.
Star
529 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Also known as the Virginia (1925).
Seating: 300
Status: Demolished
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Star.
Optic
533 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1911 by Robert W. Woodley who had briefly operated the Optic Theatre on Broadway. The Optic ran through the 1970's
Seating: 700
Status: Demolished
More information: See the Optic Theatre page on Cinema Treasures for a great discussion of many of the early Main Street theatres.
Los Angeles Fire Department Archives
www.lafire.com Here from the LAFD collection is a January 1913 shot of the Brennan Hotel fire just north of the theatre.
The Optic is the squat building on the left. Note that the Optic's vertical sign is actually located on the hotel. full size view
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org The interior of the Optic from the Library's collection.
Picture
545 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Dates: The Picture Theatre was operating in 1910 and ran at least through 1923.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Picture Theatre.
Burbank
548 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1893 as a project of dentist Dr. David Burbank (also the namesake of the city). Was known as Morosco's Burbank while Oliver Morosco was operating it.
Architect: Begun in 1897 by James M. Wood and finished by Robert Brown Young.
Seating: 1027
Status: Demolished in 1973.
More information: See our Burbank Theatre page for more photos and details.
L.A. Historic Theatre Committee
lahtc.blogspot.com Here's a view of the Burbank's later moderne facade on a "Main Street Then and Now" page of the Los Angeles Conservancy's Historic Theatre Committee. Click the link above for a larger view as well as many other interesting period photos of Main Street theatre sites plus modern views by Jeff Bridges.
Art
551 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: June 1918 with a policy of art and foreign releases. Later it became a grind house running lots of westerns. In the 80's it changed to a porno policy.
Seating: 350
Status: Demolished - the site is occupied by a parking garage.
More Information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Art Theatre.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us This William Reagh photo from the State Library collection dates from 1967. full size view
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org In the Library's collection is this extterior view of the Art Theatre.
Bijou
553 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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