(Sept. 2, 1923)
REPUBLIC THEATER, 629 ½ South Main Street
Sept. 1-3-Jack Holt and Bebe Daniels in “North of the Rio Grande."
Sept. 4-7-William S. Hart in "White Oak."
Sept. 8-10-Douglas Fairbanks in "Arizona.”
Maybe this is a different Republic since this article is under the heading ‘Up and Down Broadway’.
(April 25, 1914)
Another big local vaudeville house joined the ranks of the ten centers yesterday, when Resident Manager Al Matson of the Republic Theater received word from Bert Levey, the head of the circuit bearing his name, which controls the Republic Theater, to slash the price of every seat in the house, boxes and loges included, to 10 cents. This will commence with the matinee on next Monday. The same high standard of vaudeville will be maintained. Seven acts with a headline attraction, two comedy first run-montion pitcures and an orchestral concert will make up the bill. The Republic is the fourth house to inaugurate 10-cent prices. The Hippodrome was the first: the Empress followed with 10-cent matinees, then Alphin did the same: and now comes the Republic with 10-cent prices for any seat, any time.
The Republic wouldn’t have been one of the theaters called Belasco before, would it?
(Dec. 23, 1912)
It is said that the come-on show at the Republic Theater-nee Belasco-is to be great. There’s a lot of new gilt and glittah about the place, anyhow; and it’s safe to say they won’t have to give trading stamps to get a quorum at the first performance.
Here’s a picture of Dave’s Music box ‘then & now’. If you search on usc there are a bunch of pictures showing the stretch between the central building and the building with the griffins on the corners at 7th. It says something about undesirable businesses, I think.
I wonder if one of us should put the Electric Theater on CT. If its not a myth, there are numerous sources claiming it as the first theater in the US and some claiming in the world. If this is true it should have a special place on this site. I wonder if there is a way to see more of the Joe Testagrose collection of photos. Those color photos are beautiful.
Does anyone know the name of a theater at 523 S. Main inside the Waldorf Hotel? I have a graphic of the Sanborn map but want to put it on the correct page if there is one. The map only says ‘movies’ and the theater looks pretty large with a balcony.
I was looking for it last night. The building next to the Farmers & Merchants Bank that is labeled Isaiah Hellman building on the sanborn maps is still standing and the entrance at the far south is 411 S. Main. So I guess 417 would have been 3 places south but I can’t tell from the photos. I don’t even know a name for the theater. It just says moving pictures or movies.
Great photo ken mc….that is the hotel that the undercover FBI agent posing as a Main street hoodlum lives in as he tries to get the confidence of the other hoods on the street in that movie called The Street With No Name. I think they actually filmed it inside the real place. There’s a few scenes where the camera doesn’t cut as he walks under that Leather Jackets sign and up the stairs to his daily squalor. His contact lives across the street above what I think was the Rosslyn and they communicate through lighting matches and pulling their window shades up and down.
Too bad there aren’t Sanborn maps after 1972 or 1973. Do you think the Chaplin reference above refers to the Hollywood Admiral? The name ‘Rector’s Admiral’ shows up in advertisements for an exact year in LA Times movie listings from Dec. 1958-Dec. 1959 but the problem is that they all refer to the Hollywood Admiral. Here’s an example:
(Dec. 31, 1958)
4 Days Only! Today Through Saturday
Rector’s ADMIRAL-Hollywood & Vine
Happy New Year to Everyone!
Doris Day “PAJAMA GAME” color
John Wayne “JET PILOT” color
Here are a few items from the LA Times. Thanks ken mc for directing me to the right page for this theater.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
(Nov. 23, 1966)
Chaplin understood whims and restaurants. He had been walking one night when he discovered a delicatessen where the owner didn’t have enough money for proper refrigeration. So he built a restaurant for him-Henry’s, where the Admiral Theater now is.
(Oct. 2, 1968)
The Vine Theater, at 6321 Hollywood Blvd., will be Hollywood’s newest showplace. The Vine will feature new seating, carpeting, refrigerated air-conditioning, the latest projection and sound systems and a modern building. The Vine occupies the site of the old Admiral Theater.
Here’s one last item about the Admiral in Hollywood:
(Oct. 2, 1968)
The Vine Theater, at 6321 Hollywood Blvd., will be Hollywood’s newest showplace. The Vine will feature new seating, carpeting, refrigerated air-conditioning, the latest projection and sound systems and a modern building. The Vine occupies the site of the old Admiral Theater.
I don’t know if this is in Hollywood, but it mentions an Admiral:
(Nov. 23, 1966)
Chaplin understood whims and restaurants. He had been walking one night when he discovered a delicatessen where the owner didn’t have enough money for proper refrigeration. So he built a restaurant for him-Henry’s, where the Admiral Theater now is.
There was an Admiral in Hollywood….but I don’t think Joe could get that one mixed up with the Main street Admiral.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
There was an Admiral in Hollywood….but I don’t Joe could get that one mixed up with the Main street Admiral.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
The Westminster Hotel sounds like a crazy place. From dignitaries and presidents staying there to becoming a flop house. From about the late 20’s until it was demolished in 1960, I’ve found 17 suicides there.
Does anyone know what the Panorama building was used for before it became a skating rink in 1906? There are many references to ‘the Panorama Building’ in the LA Times going back to around 1888, but I can’t figure out if it was a theater or a convention center or what. Lots of history on this spot….too bad its asphalt now.
Here’s an advertisement for the opening as a skating rink:
I’ll Cry Tomorrow is only on vhs so far….but you made me think about ‘Possesed’ with Joan Crawford from 1947 where she goes nuts and is wandering around skid row downtown somewhere. I’ll have to watch it again and get screen shots if any theaters are visible. Also, I Want To Live with Susan Hayward might have some shots. I know this is way off topic, but if you click on the link below, you can see a list of my personal dvd collection. If anyone sees a movie I have that might show theaters, let me know and I’ll create screen shots and post them.
After re-reading the original comments above, I wonder if this theater was converted from another retail/restaurant space in the 50’s or 60’s. There is not much mention or evidence to a theater here before that time. The 1950 Sanborn map doesn’t say anything about a theater there. It just says ’S'. I don’t know what that stand for.
Finally, this theater shows up……
(Sept. 2, 1923)
REPUBLIC THEATER, 629 ½ South Main Street
Sept. 1-3-Jack Holt and Bebe Daniels in “North of the Rio Grande."
Sept. 4-7-William S. Hart in "White Oak."
Sept. 8-10-Douglas Fairbanks in "Arizona.”
Actually, I guess this Republic was the Belasco. It’s the same owner.
(Aug. 1, 1914)
BERT LEVY'S
REPUBLIC THEATER,
Main. Bet. 3rd and 4th.
Continuous 1:20 to 11 p.m.
Maybe this is a different Republic since this article is under the heading ‘Up and Down Broadway’.
(April 25, 1914)
Another big local vaudeville house joined the ranks of the ten centers yesterday, when Resident Manager Al Matson of the Republic Theater received word from Bert Levey, the head of the circuit bearing his name, which controls the Republic Theater, to slash the price of every seat in the house, boxes and loges included, to 10 cents. This will commence with the matinee on next Monday. The same high standard of vaudeville will be maintained. Seven acts with a headline attraction, two comedy first run-montion pitcures and an orchestral concert will make up the bill. The Republic is the fourth house to inaugurate 10-cent prices. The Hippodrome was the first: the Empress followed with 10-cent matinees, then Alphin did the same: and now comes the Republic with 10-cent prices for any seat, any time.
The Republic wouldn’t have been one of the theaters called Belasco before, would it?
(Dec. 23, 1912)
It is said that the come-on show at the Republic Theater-nee Belasco-is to be great. There’s a lot of new gilt and glittah about the place, anyhow; and it’s safe to say they won’t have to give trading stamps to get a quorum at the first performance.
Here’s a picture of Dave’s Music box ‘then & now’. If you search on usc there are a bunch of pictures showing the stretch between the central building and the building with the griffins on the corners at 7th. It says something about undesirable businesses, I think.
View link
Joe, would it have been somewhere near Dave’s Music Box? Does anyone know what Dave’s Music Box was, by the way?
ken, in that photo of the van nuys building, do you know what that place that is now the Farmer’s Merchant’s Bank says? Mehesey’s Free Museum?
I wonder if one of us should put the Electric Theater on CT. If its not a myth, there are numerous sources claiming it as the first theater in the US and some claiming in the world. If this is true it should have a special place on this site. I wonder if there is a way to see more of the Joe Testagrose collection of photos. Those color photos are beautiful.
Does anyone know the name of a theater at 523 S. Main inside the Waldorf Hotel? I have a graphic of the Sanborn map but want to put it on the correct page if there is one. The map only says ‘movies’ and the theater looks pretty large with a balcony.
I was looking for it last night. The building next to the Farmers & Merchants Bank that is labeled Isaiah Hellman building on the sanborn maps is still standing and the entrance at the far south is 411 S. Main. So I guess 417 would have been 3 places south but I can’t tell from the photos. I don’t even know a name for the theater. It just says moving pictures or movies.
Great photo ken mc….that is the hotel that the undercover FBI agent posing as a Main street hoodlum lives in as he tries to get the confidence of the other hoods on the street in that movie called The Street With No Name. I think they actually filmed it inside the real place. There’s a few scenes where the camera doesn’t cut as he walks under that Leather Jackets sign and up the stairs to his daily squalor. His contact lives across the street above what I think was the Rosslyn and they communicate through lighting matches and pulling their window shades up and down.
Too bad there aren’t Sanborn maps after 1972 or 1973. Do you think the Chaplin reference above refers to the Hollywood Admiral? The name ‘Rector’s Admiral’ shows up in advertisements for an exact year in LA Times movie listings from Dec. 1958-Dec. 1959 but the problem is that they all refer to the Hollywood Admiral. Here’s an example:
(Dec. 31, 1958)
4 Days Only! Today Through Saturday
Rector’s ADMIRAL-Hollywood & Vine
Happy New Year to Everyone!
Doris Day “PAJAMA GAME” color
John Wayne “JET PILOT” color
Here are a few items from the LA Times. Thanks ken mc for directing me to the right page for this theater.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
(Nov. 23, 1966)
Chaplin understood whims and restaurants. He had been walking one night when he discovered a delicatessen where the owner didn’t have enough money for proper refrigeration. So he built a restaurant for him-Henry’s, where the Admiral Theater now is.
(Oct. 2, 1968)
The Vine Theater, at 6321 Hollywood Blvd., will be Hollywood’s newest showplace. The Vine will feature new seating, carpeting, refrigerated air-conditioning, the latest projection and sound systems and a modern building. The Vine occupies the site of the old Admiral Theater.
Here’s one last item about the Admiral in Hollywood:
(Oct. 2, 1968)
The Vine Theater, at 6321 Hollywood Blvd., will be Hollywood’s newest showplace. The Vine will feature new seating, carpeting, refrigerated air-conditioning, the latest projection and sound systems and a modern building. The Vine occupies the site of the old Admiral Theater.
Joe, do you have any idea of the address of the Admiral you are thinking of?
I don’t know if this is in Hollywood, but it mentions an Admiral:
(Nov. 23, 1966)
Chaplin understood whims and restaurants. He had been walking one night when he discovered a delicatessen where the owner didn’t have enough money for proper refrigeration. So he built a restaurant for him-Henry’s, where the Admiral Theater now is.
There was an Admiral in Hollywood….but I don’t think Joe could get that one mixed up with the Main street Admiral.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
There was an Admiral in Hollywood….but I don’t Joe could get that one mixed up with the Main street Admiral.
(May 14, 1940)
“His Majesty’s Mistress,” starring Danielle Darrieux and John Loder, will open Thursday night at the Admiral Theater in Hollywood. This is the film version of Princess Bibesco’s story, “Katia.”
I don’t know if this has been posted, but i just found it on the new UCLA digital archive website.
View link
The Westminster Hotel sounds like a crazy place. From dignitaries and presidents staying there to becoming a flop house. From about the late 20’s until it was demolished in 1960, I’ve found 17 suicides there.
The Roxy Loan Co. must have played leap frog up and down Main. Here’s something from April 23, 1944:
Roxy’s Loan Office
Clothing-Boots-Shoes-Tools-Musical Instruments-Luggage
Tues., April 25, 10:30 A.M., 244 S. Main St.
There are a bunch of classified ads from 1960 that read:
Men’s Suits $7.95
Out Of Pawn.
Roxy Loan Co., 118 S. Main.
Great photo ken mc….I sized it up a bit and added more contrast to make reading the signs easier…here it is:
View link
Does anyone know what the Panorama building was used for before it became a skating rink in 1906? There are many references to ‘the Panorama Building’ in the LA Times going back to around 1888, but I can’t figure out if it was a theater or a convention center or what. Lots of history on this spot….too bad its asphalt now.
Here’s an advertisement for the opening as a skating rink:
View link
I’ll Cry Tomorrow is only on vhs so far….but you made me think about ‘Possesed’ with Joan Crawford from 1947 where she goes nuts and is wandering around skid row downtown somewhere. I’ll have to watch it again and get screen shots if any theaters are visible. Also, I Want To Live with Susan Hayward might have some shots. I know this is way off topic, but if you click on the link below, you can see a list of my personal dvd collection. If anyone sees a movie I have that might show theaters, let me know and I’ll create screen shots and post them.
http://imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=13961306
After re-reading the original comments above, I wonder if this theater was converted from another retail/restaurant space in the 50’s or 60’s. There is not much mention or evidence to a theater here before that time. The 1950 Sanborn map doesn’t say anything about a theater there. It just says ’S'. I don’t know what that stand for.