A Metropolitan Theater shows up at 513 N. Main in the City Directory for 1915 & 1920. The Estella shows up at 513 in 1925 and then 515 in 1930 although the Paramount advertisement lists it at 515 in 1923. I wonder if these are two different theaters side by side or if its just more address shenanigans.
I’d be nervous living there. I was doing research on the Westminster Hotel which also was on that block and couldn’t believe all of suicides in that hotel….I stopped counting at about 20. Here, drink some carbolic acid and go to bed.
(Nov. 17, 1909)
PAYS STIFF FINE.
SMALL BOY WITNESS
A penalty of $50 was imposed by Justice Frederickson on J.A. Browne, proprietor of the Cineograph Theater, No. 114 Court street, yesterday, for having allowed small children to enter his amusement place, unaccompanied.
An officer testified there were thirty-four boys under 10 years of age in the place. Browne disputed him, saying there were only 24. Exhibit A in the case was a little chap, who was placed on a chair so his majesty could see him.
Oh the humanity! Where are the censors when you need them? I’m glad they didn’t have video games back then.
(Nov. 16, 1909)
SHOCKING FOR YOUNG EYES
Moving Picture Proprietor Must Stand Trial
-Charged with entertaining juveniles not accompanied by older persons-Burglary scene fascinates-Police say that’s how youthful bandits are made.
Willful violation of the ordinance prohibiting proprietors of theaters from allowing young children in their places, unless accompanied by a person of mature years, is charged against J.A. Browne, owner of the Cineograph Theater, No. 114 Court street.
The establishment is of the ordinary moving-picture show type. When Patrolman Robert Green entered the house Sunday afternoon, there were sixty persons being entertained. Of this number, he says thirty-four were youngsters, ranging from 5 to 10 years old.
With gaping mouths and staring eyes, the children were literally drinking in a burglary scene. With striking vividness was portrayed before them the entrance of a thief through a window and his subsequent flight with his loot.
It was such scenes as these the police believe, that incited the three young bandits to throw the neighborhood of St. James Park into a turmoil of excitement and terror, Friday night.
Browne was taken before Justice Frederickson yesterday and pleaded not guilty. He said he was unable to determine at that time whether he wished to be tried by the court or by a jury. The magistrate gave him until today to decide.
The arresting officer says that he will subpoena at least ten of the boys, who were in the theater, as witnesses, when the case comes to trial.
(Sept. 7, 1902)
CINEOGRAPH.
The bill this week at the Cineograph Theater will include Leonardo on the flying rings; Frances Brissell, singer; Stanley Raford, dancer; Lucille la Tour, soubrette; Billie and Mamie Robinson, comedians; Harry G. Carter with illustrated songs and a mile of moving pictures on the cineograph.
Here is something about the opening of the Cineograph:
(Aug. 31, 1902)
CINEOGRAPH.
A new moving-picture theater will be opened on Court street between Spring and Main streets on Tuesday evening. The seating capacity is 1200. The place will be devoted to vaudeville and moving picture exhibitions. The manager, Furst, wishes to have his house a rival of the Cineograph Theater in San Francisco. He will present six vaudeville acts for the first week, as well as many new moving pictures. The pictures will be changed every day. No smoking will be allowed, and no drinks will be sold.
I guess the Cineograph was a Chinese theater before it was demolished for City Hall:
(May 31, 1925)
…….Another Chinese theater, not so new or westernized as The Mandarin(323 Jackson street), is maintained at 114 Court street. The Sun Jung Wah Company includes a number of actors whose names are familiar to oriental audiences on the Pacific Coast.
(March 3, 1918)
…..However, despite tragedy, old Chinatown had its lighter moments. The Chinese Theater located at 114 Court street (formerly the Vienna Buffet) offered Chinese plays that dragged on through interminable hours. One customer, paying for an admission, would enter the theater, sit through innumerable scenes and when he had enough, would leave, giving his ticket to a relative or a friend who in turn would enter the theater for his or her share of entertainment. This was an established custom and as many as seven or eight would enjoy themselves on one ticket, nor did the management complain.
(June 2, 1918)
Among many other cosmopolitanisms, Los Angeles now harbors a real Mexican theater. Located in the heart of Sonoratown, it is housed in the Teatro Hidalgo, which, translated into plain, unassuming English, means simply the Exalted Theater……With the 3x5 stage of the exalted playhouse at No. 371 North Main street, the Mexican company finds itself somewhat restricted in the presentation of dramatic spectacles…..The house itself is one of the stand-bys of lower Los Angeles, and has seen every variety of service, from burlesque and motion pictures to an animal show and high-class foreign theatricals.
(April 19, 1924)
Up Main street among the business houses patronized by the Mexican population the lenten color persisted. El Teatro Hidalgo, usually given over to motion-picture drama of love or adventure, had a religious picture and the posters depicted the tragedy of the Cross. Beneath a huge cardboard crucifix sat a young man with a megaphone who cried: “Death and passion of Christ.”
I think the Teatro Hidalgo is a different theater and not a different name for the Estella. There are a few references of Teatro Hidalgo at both 371 & 373 N. Main.
(Nov. 8, 1931)
Teresa Bodrero to Teatro Hidalgo, Ltd., 373 North Main street, term 9 years.
(June 6, 1928)
FEED ‘EM FILMS OF WILD WEST, SAY DEFENDANTS
On Third street, downtown, they want westerns. If they get society pictures it is only to be expected that business will fall off. This, according to R.D. Rawson and John Hostetter, explains why Don Thornburg did not make $400 a week out of the Rex Theater they sold him for $20,000. His suit against them to get his money back went to trial before Judge Willis yesterday. Thornberg related that he was living peacefully in Iowa when the defendants persuaded him to buy the theather at 827 West Third street. They say he did not make good because he showed the wrong kind of films. The case may be decided today.
(May 30, 1931)
REX THEATRE, 827 West Third Street, near Figueroa
EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN conducted by DON AND CHARLOTTE McCROSSAN, Seattle, Wn.,…..
It’s strange that I can’t find anything about a Rex on Main street other than the directory listing you found. However, I found some stuff about a Rex Theater at 3rd & Figueroa. It’s on the Estella page. I don’t know if there is a page for it on here already.
The building didn’t move around but the name did. Also, sometimes when there where spaces for other businesses at the street they changed the lobby entrance from one to the other and the address changed and confused everything more.
(June 6, 1928)
FEED ‘EM FILMS OF WILD WEST, SAY DEFENDANTS
On Third street, downtown, they want westerns. If they get society pictures it is only to be expected that business will fall off. This, according to R.D. Rawson and John Hostetter, explains why Don Thornburg did not make $400 a week out of the Rex Theater they sold him for $20,000. His suit against them to get his money back went to trial before Judge Willis yesterday. Thornberg related that he was living peacefully in Iowa when the defendants persuaded him to buy the theather at 827 West Third street. They say he did not make good because he showed the wrong kind of films. The case may be decided today.
I can’t find a page for the Rex Theater for Los Angeles. Maybe it had another name. Here’s the address:
(Jan. 23, 1928)
A film fire in the projection room of the Rex Theater at 827 West Third street late yesterday afternoon sent a small number of spectators rushing into the street. No one was injured. Police reported the only damage was to the film.
The 1942 City Directory lists a Roosevelt at 216 N. Main. I wonder if its a misprint.
A Metropolitan Theater shows up at 513 N. Main in the City Directory for 1915 & 1920. The Estella shows up at 513 in 1925 and then 515 in 1930 although the Paramount advertisement lists it at 515 in 1923. I wonder if these are two different theaters side by side or if its just more address shenanigans.
this might be redundant, but here are some city directory listings for this address:
529 S. Main
Star [1936, 1942 City Directory]
Virginia [1925, 1930 City Directory]
Victoria [1920 City Directory]
Portola [1915 City Directory]
You’re correct….the demolition started on the morning of Jan. 4, 1960.
I think it was demolished in 1963. I wonder if the Van Nuys(Barclay) hotel on the northwest corner of 4th & Main will be restored.
I’d be nervous living there. I was doing research on the Westminster Hotel which also was on that block and couldn’t believe all of suicides in that hotel….I stopped counting at about 20. Here, drink some carbolic acid and go to bed.
(Nov. 17, 1909)
PAYS STIFF FINE.
SMALL BOY WITNESS
A penalty of $50 was imposed by Justice Frederickson on J.A. Browne, proprietor of the Cineograph Theater, No. 114 Court street, yesterday, for having allowed small children to enter his amusement place, unaccompanied.
An officer testified there were thirty-four boys under 10 years of age in the place. Browne disputed him, saying there were only 24. Exhibit A in the case was a little chap, who was placed on a chair so his majesty could see him.
Oh the humanity! Where are the censors when you need them? I’m glad they didn’t have video games back then.
(Nov. 16, 1909)
SHOCKING FOR YOUNG EYES
Moving Picture Proprietor Must Stand Trial
-Charged with entertaining juveniles not accompanied by older persons-Burglary scene fascinates-Police say that’s how youthful bandits are made.
Willful violation of the ordinance prohibiting proprietors of theaters from allowing young children in their places, unless accompanied by a person of mature years, is charged against J.A. Browne, owner of the Cineograph Theater, No. 114 Court street.
The establishment is of the ordinary moving-picture show type. When Patrolman Robert Green entered the house Sunday afternoon, there were sixty persons being entertained. Of this number, he says thirty-four were youngsters, ranging from 5 to 10 years old.
With gaping mouths and staring eyes, the children were literally drinking in a burglary scene. With striking vividness was portrayed before them the entrance of a thief through a window and his subsequent flight with his loot.
It was such scenes as these the police believe, that incited the three young bandits to throw the neighborhood of St. James Park into a turmoil of excitement and terror, Friday night.
Browne was taken before Justice Frederickson yesterday and pleaded not guilty. He said he was unable to determine at that time whether he wished to be tried by the court or by a jury. The magistrate gave him until today to decide.
The arresting officer says that he will subpoena at least ten of the boys, who were in the theater, as witnesses, when the case comes to trial.
(Sept. 7, 1902)
CINEOGRAPH.
The bill this week at the Cineograph Theater will include Leonardo on the flying rings; Frances Brissell, singer; Stanley Raford, dancer; Lucille la Tour, soubrette; Billie and Mamie Robinson, comedians; Harry G. Carter with illustrated songs and a mile of moving pictures on the cineograph.
Here is something about the opening of the Cineograph:
(Aug. 31, 1902)
CINEOGRAPH.
A new moving-picture theater will be opened on Court street between Spring and Main streets on Tuesday evening. The seating capacity is 1200. The place will be devoted to vaudeville and moving picture exhibitions. The manager, Furst, wishes to have his house a rival of the Cineograph Theater in San Francisco. He will present six vaudeville acts for the first week, as well as many new moving pictures. The pictures will be changed every day. No smoking will be allowed, and no drinks will be sold.
I guess the Cineograph was a Chinese theater before it was demolished for City Hall:
(May 31, 1925)
…….Another Chinese theater, not so new or westernized as The Mandarin(323 Jackson street), is maintained at 114 Court street. The Sun Jung Wah Company includes a number of actors whose names are familiar to oriental audiences on the Pacific Coast.
(March 3, 1918)
…..However, despite tragedy, old Chinatown had its lighter moments. The Chinese Theater located at 114 Court street (formerly the Vienna Buffet) offered Chinese plays that dragged on through interminable hours. One customer, paying for an admission, would enter the theater, sit through innumerable scenes and when he had enough, would leave, giving his ticket to a relative or a friend who in turn would enter the theater for his or her share of entertainment. This was an established custom and as many as seven or eight would enjoy themselves on one ticket, nor did the management complain.
I guess google gets confused when the street runs through the main hall of City Hall.
(June 2, 1918)
Among many other cosmopolitanisms, Los Angeles now harbors a real Mexican theater. Located in the heart of Sonoratown, it is housed in the Teatro Hidalgo, which, translated into plain, unassuming English, means simply the Exalted Theater……With the 3x5 stage of the exalted playhouse at No. 371 North Main street, the Mexican company finds itself somewhat restricted in the presentation of dramatic spectacles…..The house itself is one of the stand-bys of lower Los Angeles, and has seen every variety of service, from burlesque and motion pictures to an animal show and high-class foreign theatricals.
(April 19, 1924)
Up Main street among the business houses patronized by the Mexican population the lenten color persisted. El Teatro Hidalgo, usually given over to motion-picture drama of love or adventure, had a religious picture and the posters depicted the tragedy of the Cross. Beneath a huge cardboard crucifix sat a young man with a megaphone who cried: “Death and passion of Christ.”
I think the Teatro Hidalgo is a different theater and not a different name for the Estella. There are a few references of Teatro Hidalgo at both 371 & 373 N. Main.
(Nov. 8, 1931)
Teresa Bodrero to Teatro Hidalgo, Ltd., 373 North Main street, term 9 years.
Maybe they hypnotized him.
Here are a few more things from the LA Times:
(June 6, 1928)
FEED ‘EM FILMS OF WILD WEST, SAY DEFENDANTS
On Third street, downtown, they want westerns. If they get society pictures it is only to be expected that business will fall off. This, according to R.D. Rawson and John Hostetter, explains why Don Thornburg did not make $400 a week out of the Rex Theater they sold him for $20,000. His suit against them to get his money back went to trial before Judge Willis yesterday. Thornberg related that he was living peacefully in Iowa when the defendants persuaded him to buy the theather at 827 West Third street. They say he did not make good because he showed the wrong kind of films. The case may be decided today.
(May 30, 1931)
REX THEATRE, 827 West Third Street, near Figueroa
EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN conducted by DON AND CHARLOTTE McCROSSAN, Seattle, Wn.,…..
Thanks
It’s strange that I can’t find anything about a Rex on Main street other than the directory listing you found. However, I found some stuff about a Rex Theater at 3rd & Figueroa. It’s on the Estella page. I don’t know if there is a page for it on here already.
The building didn’t move around but the name did. Also, sometimes when there where spaces for other businesses at the street they changed the lobby entrance from one to the other and the address changed and confused everything more.
Just one more….
(June 6, 1928)
FEED ‘EM FILMS OF WILD WEST, SAY DEFENDANTS
On Third street, downtown, they want westerns. If they get society pictures it is only to be expected that business will fall off. This, according to R.D. Rawson and John Hostetter, explains why Don Thornburg did not make $400 a week out of the Rex Theater they sold him for $20,000. His suit against them to get his money back went to trial before Judge Willis yesterday. Thornberg related that he was living peacefully in Iowa when the defendants persuaded him to buy the theather at 827 West Third street. They say he did not make good because he showed the wrong kind of films. The case may be decided today.
And an address confirmation:
(May 30, 1931)
REX THEATRE, 827 West Third Street, near Figueroa
EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN conducted by DON AND CHARLOTTE McCROSSAN, Seattle, Wn.,…..
I can’t find a page for the Rex Theater for Los Angeles. Maybe it had another name. Here’s the address:
(Jan. 23, 1928)
A film fire in the projection room of the Rex Theater at 827 West Third street late yesterday afternoon sent a small number of spectators rushing into the street. No one was injured. Police reported the only damage was to the film.
I re-checked that article from above and I misspelled the name. It should have been the ‘Rex Theater, Third and Figueroa streets’.
What is MOT?