If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
LOS ANGELES-Carthay Circle Theater here is to get the roadshow run of Fox’s “Can-Can”. “Porgy and Bess” closes a 26-week engagement at the house next week. National Theaters' chief film buyer, M.A. Lundgren, will go to New York with Gordon Hewitt to conclude arrangements for the booking, following the world premiere at New York’s Rivoli in March.
This is a photo from Life magazine, 1951. I think they are telling people to go to the Ventura, which was still open, as opposed to this photo being of the Ventura itself. If you disagree let me know. http://tinyurl.com/d4ql7h
A Downey Theater was advertised in the LA Times in October 1934. Frank Valuskis may have been involved with this theater as well: http://tinyurl.com/dcy4l5
Given the appearance of the church building, I wondered when I was out there if the addresses were changed over the years and this was actually the Valuskis. Unfortunately this style building is very common, so there’s no way to tell without more information.
Is this like Sensurround?
The current retail business is a day spa and salon:
http://tinyurl.com/cqwnrw
The Capitol is now a bridal shop:
http://tinyurl.com/bgd4a2
An exterior photo can be seen on this site:
http://tinyurl.com/dfvdqm
Here is a May 2008 article that discusses the renovation:
http://tinyurl.com/cdaohc
The Mecca has been converted to condos. Here is their website:
http://www.meccacondos.com/index.html
Here is a December 2008 article about landmark designation:
http://tinyurl.com/a2dc2p
If you put 420 N. Fairfax in the Google search, you will be in the right spot. If you put in 419 N., it shows you a location several miles away, for unknown reasons.
Here is a Wiki photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cojcz3
Story here:
http://tinyurl.com/atzywu
Here is a report of the fire from a local news station
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1193020
I didn’t think the theater was in LA, as Life alleged. It wouldn’t make sense to tell someone to go to Ventura if they were somewhere in Los Angeles. Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the research, Joe.
On a cheerier note, I saw the French film “My New Partner” at the Royal in 1985. Unfortunately I haven’t been back since, so I can’t comment on the current condition of the theater and amenities.
This is part of an article in the LA Times on 4/6/80:
LOS ANGELES-A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was charged with felony drunk driving, four hours after he plowed his car backwards into a Friday night theater crowd, injuring 16 people.
Police say Bradley Jacobs got into an argument with an attendant at a gas station across the street from the Royal Theater, 11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, shortly before 10 p.m. Friday. Witnesses told police that the attendant refused to sell gasoline to Jacobs because he thought Jacobs was drunk.
Jacobs then reportedly accelerated his car backward and then broadside into a line of about 100 people waiting to see the film “Clair de Femme”. Eight ambulances and nine fire companies were called to the scene.
I read this in Boxoffice magazine, Jan. 1960. I never heard of an usher at a drive-in, though. What does he do, show you to your parking spot?
LOS ANGELES-Ed Cassas, former head usher at the Vermont Drive-In, was upped to manager trainee in the southwest area.
That one works. Nice color photo.
This is from Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:
LOS ANGELES-Carthay Circle Theater here is to get the roadshow run of Fox’s “Can-Can”. “Porgy and Bess” closes a 26-week engagement at the house next week. National Theaters' chief film buyer, M.A. Lundgren, will go to New York with Gordon Hewitt to conclude arrangements for the booking, following the world premiere at New York’s Rivoli in March.
I can’t access that one.
Here is another 1951 photo from Life magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/amyzv6
This is a photo from Life magazine, 1951. I think they are telling people to go to the Ventura, which was still open, as opposed to this photo being of the Ventura itself. If you disagree let me know.
http://tinyurl.com/d4ql7h
A Downey Theater was advertised in the LA Times in October 1934. Frank Valuskis may have been involved with this theater as well:
http://tinyurl.com/dcy4l5
Unfortunately the neighborhood is not conducive to a return trip, or I would ask someone in the church.
Here is a photo circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/cuzmpd
Given the appearance of the church building, I wondered when I was out there if the addresses were changed over the years and this was actually the Valuskis. Unfortunately this style building is very common, so there’s no way to tell without more information.