Alex Theatre

216 N. Brand Boulevard,
Glendale, CA 91203

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Related Websites

The Alex Theatre (Official), Alex Film Society

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fox West Coast Theatres, Mann Theatres

Architects: Simeon Charles Lee, Arthur George Lindley, Charles R. Selkirk

Firms: Lindley & Selkirk

Functions: Live Theater, Movies (Classic), Stage Shows

Styles: Atmospheric, Egyptian, Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: Alexander Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 818.243.2539
Manager: 818.243.2539

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Alex Theatre - 2001

Opened by the West Coast Theatres chain on September 4, 1925 with Jay Hunt in John Ford’s “Lightnin” plus vaudeville on the stage. The Alexander Theatre had a seating capacity for 1,460 and was modeled after the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, having an open courtyard in front. It was designed by architects Arthur George Lindley and Charles R. Selkirk in a Greco-Egyptian style, with the auditorium designed in a Greek Atmospheric style.

By June 1938 it was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres. In 1940, noted theatre architect S. Charles Lee was commissioned to update the look of the Alex Theatre and the result was a complete overhaul of the marquee including the addition of a fabulous neon pole that illuminates this street in downtown Glendale.

In 1993, the theatre was renovated again to become a live performance hall and has been used almost exclusively for shows and live theatre.

It did, however, host the opening extravanganza for Disney’s “Mulan”, in place of their usual venue (the El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood). The Alex Film Society hosts classic film screenings inside the Alex from time to time.

Recent comments (view all 48 comments)

lwmulder
lwmulder on March 12, 2010 at 10:34 pm

I am Linda Gayle Langley. My father was Claude Alexander Langley, for whom the Alexander (Alex) theater was named in Glendale CA. I would very much like to hear from the person who posted as Johnny Vegas – I believe he is my cousin! Please send any further information about the theater and my father and grandfather that you have. Thank you so much!!
Linda

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 8, 2010 at 7:17 pm

Hope it can stay open.Great theatre,you guys should be proud of it.

drb
drb on August 1, 2010 at 9:25 am

There’s a great video documentary that airs now and then on the local cable access channel GTV6. I can’t get the MS Silverlight plugin to work right now, but it might be found somewhere here. You might have to wait for the next time “Exploring Historic Glendale: Alex Theatre” comes up on the schedule and watch it off the live feed:

View link
http://www.ci.glendale.ca.us/stream.asp

Ross Care
Ross Care on January 16, 2011 at 12:53 pm

Alex neon and marquee for a live performance of IRMA LA DOUCE:
View link

Ross Care
Ross Care on January 16, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Please feel free to visit my FLICKr album of vintage theater photos, ads, and memorabilia. Mostly includes theaters in Pennsylvania and Los Angeles but also a few international cinemas. Thank you.
View link

brianalexderek
brianalexderek on June 18, 2012 at 10:24 pm

In early 2012 the State of California ‘took back’ the ability of cities to use Redevelopment to withhold property tax increases from the State.

Cities across the State sued and lost in Court. Now the State is threatening to seize projects and sell off for a one time cash infusion.

Glendale used the RD process to buy, restore and operate the Alex as a performing arts center (music, dance and occasional film screenings by the Alex Film Society).

In a few weeks the Alex’s fate may be known.

mrquisp
mrquisp on August 14, 2012 at 4:47 pm

I worked there in the summer of 78 and it was perhaps the job that I had the most fun at. I remember how lonely it was to work the ticket booth, especially on those slow nights when a stinker of a film was showing, and how busy it got when you had a first rate film (we had the rerelease of Star Wars and I remember dealing with the long ticket lines). It also got really hot in there when the sun shined on it. It had a safe in there and always wondered why we never got held up in there, being so isolated.

I remember the manager getting really paranoid whenever she got word that Ted Mann might drop in to see how the theatre was doing (since it was owned by Mann Theatres).

One of the best perks was able to get in to any of the movie theatres in Glendale, Eagle Rock or Hollywood for free!

DavidT
DavidT on June 3, 2013 at 7:09 am

Here is a very interesting (and lengthy) video on the history of the Alex Theater.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyEFu4wd-qo

DocWatson
DocWatson on May 14, 2015 at 7:01 am

Korkis, Jim (May 13, 2015). “Disney’s Preview Palace: The Alex Theater” [sic]. Cartoon Research. http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-alex-theater/

itscjsspot7
itscjsspot7 on March 28, 2017 at 12:02 am

This was a West Coast Theater when it opened. The West Coast Theaters were owned and operated by the Gore Bros. Mike and Abe Gore ran the company and also hired their relatives to manage and run other parts of the business. Mike Gore has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for West Coast Theaters. Theaters were named after friends, family, etc. They were the largest theater owners until they sold to Fox.

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