Here’s a list of theaters on Main Street from a Paramount ad from September 2, 1923. They could have printed wrong addresses, but they match from week to week.
Banner Theater, 456 S. Main Street
Burbank Theater, 548 S. Main Street
Electric Theater, 212 N. Main Street
Estella Theater, 515 N. Main Street
Grand Theater, 110 S. Main Street
Lark Theater, 613 S. Main Street
Moon Theater, 523 S. Main Street
Novelty Theater, 136 S. Main Street
Optic Theater, 533 S. Main Street
Picture Theater, 545 S. Main Street
Principal Theater, 223 N. Main Street
Regent No. 1, 448 S. Main Street
Republic Theater, 629 ½ S. Main Street
Were there two Gem’s in Los Angeles? This is from the LA Times:
(March 26, 1930)
…Identified by Shea, according to the detectives, the youths readily confessed and implicated themselves voluntarily in the other robberies. The theater hold-up was that of H.H. Hicks in the Gem Theater at 2488 West Washington Boulevard on the 16th inst….
I thought this might be under Culver City, but I don’t see it on this site.
This article mentions the Follies and also confirms Joe’s correct address. Plus, it gave me a good laugh. I would give my left arm to have been in that courtroom that day. I want to meet Ili Ili!
(Oct. 29, 1927)
HOT MAMMA CHORUS HAS COURT SKIT
Institution of a campaign to sweep Main street clear of questionable shows brought forty-six persons into Municipal Court yesterday on charges of violating city ordinances.
Among the congregation which thronged the courtrooms were twenty-seven girls of the ‘Hot Mamma’ chorus, somewhat more completely clad than when they were arrested Thursday night by Sergt. Sweetnam in the Follies Theater at 337 South Main street, twelve chorus men, arrested at the same time, four tattooed women, wearing their working clothes, and last, but not least, Ili Ili, and untamed tree-climbing South African pygmy. The last group was arrested late yesterday at 530 South Main street on a charge of advertising on the street, by Chief Investigator Vail of the City Prosecutor’s office.
The group arrested at the Follies Theater on a charge of giving an indecent exhibition, including Dorothy Walton, leading-woman, and T.B. Dalton, manager, all pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Municipal Judge Georgia Bullock and demanded a jury trial. They were ordered to appear monday at 10 a.m. before Municipal Judge Blake to have a date set for trial, and were released on $50 bail each.
The four tattooed women, appearing before Judge Bullock, and the barkers and Ili Ili, appearing before Municipal Judge Wilson, also pleaded not guilty. Their trial will be set next week. The defendants were represented by Attorneys R. Lee Heath and Charles B. Hazelhurst.
It’s strange, but I can’t find anything about an actual building called the Gaiety Theater. I find things about the Gaiety Theater company performing at the Morosco Theater and it’s spelled both ‘Gaiety’ and ‘Gayety’. There was definitely a Gayety Theater at 2407 S. Central Ave. that showed movies in the 20’s, but I don’t see it on CT. Maybe it has a different name before or later.
It’s not flippant….I thought the same thing, but I’m glad you said it. I’m going to look for an ad for the Omar. I’ve found ads for the Moon Theater starting around 1924 that say it showed movies, but not the Omar yet.
Has anyone heard of the Moon Theater? It’s the same address as the Omar, but I don’t know if it was a new theater since the Omar had a fire in 1918. One advertisement from 1924 lists the Moon theater at 525 South Main, but later it is 523 South Main.
(Apr. 30, 1918)
Fire of unknown origin threatened the entire structure which houses the Omar Theater at No 523 South Main street, early yesterday morning. The blaze started in the back of the theater stage and had caused an estimated damage of $500 before it could be mastered by the fire department.
(May 14, 1918)
Earl McDonald, charged with arson in connection with a fire in the Omar Theater, No. 523 South Main street, on April 29, was arraigned in $2500 bail yesterday and his preliminary examination set for Thursday morning before Justice Summerfield.
John C. Gerlach similarly charged with McDonald, will appear for arraignment this afternoon before Justice Hanby. Gerlach has submitted a confession to the District Attorneys' office, according to Deputy District Attorney Heinecke.
The preliminary examinations of both men, it is declared, will reveal some startling facts concerning the purchase of motion picture theaters for the alleged purpose of destroying them in order to secure the insurance money.
(Dec. 26, 1930)
James H. Grayson, 53, of 1712 Harriman avenue, died at Moon Theater, 523 South Main street, of heart failure.
I don’t know if this theater was the Moon, but the address is correct:
(May 9, 1937)
Last night a collection of lithographs showing rotund young women in Gypsy Rose Lee postures but with less habiliments than La Lee customarily wears, lay scattered in a squad room of Central Police Station. The officers there were yawning or reading detective stories. And in the City Jail were three proprietors of Main street burlesque and honky-tonk shows, charged with suspicion of violation of the law governing lewd and indecent display of pictures in theater lobbies. The three are Harold Richards, 35 years of age, propietor of a theater at 431 South Main street; Robert Levy, 21, showman of 523 South Main street, and John Revis, 23, 613 South Main street. The showmen, according to Detective Lieutenant C.M. Buxton, in charge of the vice squad detail raiding the theaters, refused to heed a police warning against displaying the posters. The lithographs over which the officers at Central Station yawned were confiscated in the raid.
I understand the war was on but what I found funny was ‘shapely overalls'and flashlights 'concealed in miniature shovels, spades and hoes’. Plus, you have to admit its a little funny to go on top of a beautiful theater and pick an onion.
I don’t know if this ever came to fruition, but it’s hilarious and Quinn sounds like he might have been a little nutty:
(May 11, 1917)
SKYSCRAPER TOPS MAY BE USED FOR CROPS
The roofs of downtown office buildings, department stores and theaters may be used for home gardens and the sky line of Los Angeles may resemble a well-cultivated farm if business men and owners of property in the downtown district take up the movement started yesterday by J.A. Quinn, who plans to place boxes all over the roof of his new Rialto Theater Building on Broadway, fill these with dirt, and have them planted with onions, potatoes and other vegetables.
Mr. Quinn said last night, he believed the output of vegetables for Los Angeles could be materially increased by this means, and he intends to father a movement of this kind in the business district.
Luther Brown, chairman of the Home Gardens Committee, indorses the project. He also favors the postponement of the home garden benefit from May 14 to May 21, believing that it will give more time to auction off the seats at prices far in advance of the regular admission fees.
Mr. Brown plans to hold several auctions, and have a corps of pretty girls sell the tickets, so that several thousand dollars will be raised for the home gardens funds from the “Garden of Allah” performances on May 21, the gross receipts of which have been donated in the entirety by Mr. Quinn.
In keeping with the home gardens idea, Mr. Quinn plans to have the ushers at the benefit garbed in shapely overalls, and instead of the usual cylindrical flashlights to show patrons their seats the lights will be concealed in miniature shovels, spades and hoes.
Here’s some information about this theater from the LA Times:
(Sep. 11, 1915)
SUPERBA PASSES INTO CONTROL OF QUINN, PIONEER MOTION-PICTURE MAN OF PACIFIC COAST
One of the important realty deals of the month involving Broadway property resulted yesterday in J.A. Quinn, pioneer motion-picture man of the Pacific Coast, securing the Superba Theater, formerly known as Quinn’s Superba Theater, the transfer to take place immediately.
Mr. Quinn built the Superba Theater about a year ago and embodied in it all details of convenience and beauty. Several months ago a local syndicate bought the theater and he retired. Unable to keep out of the theatrical business, however, he began negotiations for his former theater last week, which resulted in the consumation of the deal yesterday. Mr. Quinn will resume active ownership on Monday offering the six-reel feature, “The Blindness of Virtue”.
(Sep. 9, 1917)
With the coming of the fall and winter season, the Superba Theater management is announcing a radical change in policy, which means that Broadway, Los Angeles, will get the big photoplay features within a few days after Broadway, New York.
(Dec. 10, 1922)
When the hands of Los Angeles clocks reach the hour of eleven tomorrow night the Superba Theater will be a matter of history.
For, following the final showing tomorrow evening of Herbert Rawlinson’s latest Universal attraction, “One Wonderful Night,” the keys to the popular Fifth-and-Broadway flicker emporium will be turned over to John Tait, San Francisco restaurateur, who has purchased the lease from the Universal Pictures Corporation.
The Superba Theater is one of the familiar landmarks of the local Rialto. In the early days of Los Angeles theatricals the Superba was considered the leading house of the city. First runs on some of the biggest pictures ever produced have been given at the Superba, and almost from the day the doors of the edifice were thrown open to the public it has been a paying propostition.
(March 29, 1923)
All worth-while enterprises sooner or later find their way to Los Angeles, and it remained for John Tait, well-known restaurateur of San Francisco, to come here to open the first “coffee shop,” and institution that has become decidely popular in the East and North.
The formal opening of the new eating place, which replaces the old Superba Thater, torn out several months ago, will take place on Saturday morning, and the many friends of the former San Francisco cafe man, who has now become and Angeleno, are planning a special pre-Easter breakfast at the “Coffee Shop.”
(June 14, 1931)
BUILDING COMING DOWN $130,000.00 RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT
Tait’s Coffee Shop
518 South Broadway, Los Angeles
All to be sold piece or in lots to suit those prestent, without limit or reserve and to be removed from premises immediately after. Tait’s is one of the largest restaurants in Souther California. You will find in this sale almost every kind of furnishing and equipment known in an up-to-date cafe-including in this sale large store room full of groceries!-With lot of case goods.
Here’s a little about the Roxie from the LA Times, June 21, 1931:
Constuction work on a theater and store building at 516 South Broadway (maybe the address was changed later) began last week, the playhouse to be known as the Roxie and the building to contain four storerooms. The cost is estimated at $100,000.
Announcement of the project was made by G.A. Metzger and Harry Srere, who, with associates, are the lessees. The contract for construction has been awarded the J.M. Cooper Company. G.Y. Ridenbaugh of the Charles G. Andrews Company, realty broker, and P.L. corrigan represented the lessor and lessees.
The structure will have a frontage on North Broadway of eighty-one feet. The depth of the property is in excess of 165 feet. The theater will have a seating capacity of 1600.
I’m not going to give a Kong review as I haven’t seen the new one. I’m going to see it at the Orinda, so if I don’t like it, I can look at the theater instead. I just wanted to remind fans of the original 1933 film, that the interior of the theater that is supposed to be in New York was shot at the amazing Shrine Auditorium here in Los Angeles. If you have the new restored dvd, it warrants some slow motion and frame by frame viewing!
I’ve been told on a few occasions that the Million Dollar Mermaid on the marquee is from when the exterior was used for a set on a movie called The Mambo Kings. The movie people never removed the letters, apparently. I don’t have any proof of this. Has anyone seen The Mambo Kings?
I believe this is explains the theater marquee on the Broadway face of the Merritt Building in the postcard image:
(Nov. 30, 1930) LA Times
The ground floor of the Merritt Building, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Eighth streets, will be divided into two stores and a theater salon and lobby, as a result of a series of leases consumated through the W. Ross Campbell Company……
The north section of the property will be converted into a theater salon and lobby which will provide a Broadway entrance to Bard’s Eighth-street Theater. The lease was drawn for a term of sixteen years. The Windsor Corporation, owners of the Bard Theater Chain, are the lessees in this instance. Store fronts and interiors are being installed on the premises now.
I don’t know how long this Bard’s Eighth street entrance existed, but it seems unlikely that the postcard company would spend the money to have an artist add the marquee, unless they just wanted the image to appear more packed with theaters since it is a picture of Broadway.
I think the original Tally’s Broadway was at 6th & Broadway and then there were two subsequent theaters called Tally’s New Broadway. Does this sound correct? Here’s a few newspaper quotes:
(Nov. 28, 1909)abridged
…the property which now faces Broadway for sixty feet adjoining the Hamburger store immediately to the south….Yesterday Judge Hutton acted as attorney for the Lang Estate in the drawing of a lease to T.L. Tally for the term of fifty years for the same property….Through its terms T.L. Tally acquires for half a century the use of the valuable ground area specified, the depth of which is 165 feet. It is Mr. Tally’s intention to at once begin the erection of a theater building on the site. This structure will be of a height not yet determined, although both two-story and eight-story buildings are being considered. The ground floor of the building will be given over entirely to the Tally Broadway Theater, which is at present located on the east side of South Broadway, just off Sixth street.
I find this part pretty amazing:
(May 1, 1910)
TALLEY ERECTS $45,000 THEATER IN THIRTY DAYS-WILL OPEN TOMORROW NIGHT
The opening of Tally’s New Broadway Theater tomorrow night at No. 833 South Broadway will celebrate a record-breaking incident in the history of rapid building in Los Angeles. Mr. Tally has constructed in thirty days a two-story brick building, costing between $40,000 and $45,000. For a part of the last month he has had 150 men working night and day to complete the structure. The theater seats nearly 900 persons.
T.L. Tally was the first man to bring moving pictures to Los Angeles, and has been in the front rank of the business for fifteen years. He will make music a prominent feature of entertainment in his new theater. He has engaged several fine musicians for his orchestra, and will make a specialty of illustrated songs.
I think the original Tally’s Broadway was at 6th & Broadway and then there were two subsequent theaters called Tally’s New Broadway. Does this sound correct? Here’s a few newspaper quotes:
(Nov. 28, 1909)abridged
…the property which now faces Broadway for sixty feet adjoining the Hamburger store immediately to the south….Yesterday Judge Hutton acted as attorney for the Lang Estate in the drawing of a lease to T.L. Tally for the term of fifty years for the same property….Through its terms T.L. Tally acquires for half a century the use of the valuable ground area specified, the depth of which is 165 feet. It is Mr. Tally’s intention to at once begin the erection of a theater building on the site. This structure will be of a height not yet determined, although both two-story and eight-story buildings are being considered. The ground floor of the building will be given over entirely to the Tally Broadway Theater, which is at present located on the east side of South Broadway, just off Sixth street.
I find this part pretty amazing:
(May 1, 1910)
TALLEY ERECTS $45,000 THEATER IN THIRTY DAYS-WILL OPEN TOMORROW NIGHT
The opening of Tally’s New Broadway Theater tomorrow night at No. 833 South Broadway will celebrate a record-breaking incident in the history of rapid building in Los Angeles. Mr. Tally has constructed in thirty days a two-story brick building, costing between $40,000 and $45,000. For a part of the last month he has had 150 men working night and day to complete the structure. The theater seats nearly 900 persons.
T.L. Tally was the first man to bring moving pictures to Los Angeles, and has been in the front rank of the business for fifteen years. He will make music a prominent feature of entertainment in his new theater. He has engaged several fine musicians for his orchestra, and will make a specialty of illustrated songs.
When Tally’s Electric changed it’s name to the Lyric at 262 south Main, was it opened as a vaudeville house? Here’s something from Oct. 11, 1903, but it sounds like the ‘moving pictures’ were more of a special show than the regular fare:
A set of moving pictures called “Fairyland,” shown at the Lyric Theater in this city now, is an interesting exhibit of the limits to which moving picture-making can be carried in the hands of experts equipped with time and money to carry out their devices…….T.L. Tally, manager of the Lyric, claims to have the only film of its kind in the West.
Joe is right for sure. I went to this location yesterday and took the same photo as the usc photo. I guess you can’t post photos on here right now, but I can send it if anyone wants it. When I was looking up at the second floor windows, I was amazed that there is a space of a few inches between the original facade and the remodel covering it. If you look carefully, you can see the original ornate facade underneath.
A panic was narrowly averted in Bard’s Cinema Theater, 444 South Hill street, late yesterday, when a fire, originating in the storeroom of the M. Lowis baker and cafe, next door, raged for nearly an hour, threatening for a time to spread to the theater.
It does seem an awfully short time to build the theater. I’m going to go downtown and look through the microfiche for The Examiner and see if they mention anything for the opening of this theater for April of 1927.
Could Bard’s Hill Street Theater possibly be the theater in the mislabelled USC archive photo, or is it Bard’s Eighth Street for sure? I’d love to find a photo of Bard’s Hill Street (before it became the Town) if anyone has any connections.
Do you still need information about this theater? I have a few articles if you want them. My email is . I think you had trouble finding much about the architect because his name is Balch, not Blach. Let me know if you want these pdf’s.
The correct date for the opening of this theater (Bard’s Eighth Steet & then the Olympic) is 1927. The building that was demolished to build this theater housed Eddie Brandstatter’s Crillon Cafe (closed May 9, 1925) which was the Marcel Cafe (name changed to Crillon in Nov. 1923) before that. Here’s some articles:
(Feb. 3, 1927)
The Eighth and Broadway Corporation, headed by L.L. Bard, has obtained the site of the old Brandstatter {Crillon} Cafe, 315 West Eighth street, and will build a $200,000 theater structure on the premises. Announcement of the transaction was made by Wolfson Bros. Company. Mr. Wolfson declared that the present low building on the property, 50 x 130, will be wrecked immediately and construction on the 600-seat showhouse started.
(Apr. 1, 1927)
Lou Bard, Los Angeles showman announces the opening on Saturday of Bard’s Eighth Street Theater, located on the north side of Eighth between Broadway and Hill streets opposite the May Company. This new picture theater has a distinctly oriental atmosphere totally different from anything else in the city, and, while not the largest of the downtown cinema palaces, has the quality of uniqueness. The opening attraction is the premier showing of Universal’s farce comedy, “Oh, Baby,” starring Madge Kenneday with Creighton Hale in the leading male role.
Last mention before name changed to Olympic:
(Jan. 18, 1932)
More than 250 patrons were driven to the street at Bard’s Theater on Eighth street near Broadway, last night when a stench bomb was dropped to the floor.
I have .pdf’s for any of these articles if anyone wants them. My email is
Here’s a list of theaters on Main Street from a Paramount ad from September 2, 1923. They could have printed wrong addresses, but they match from week to week.
Banner Theater, 456 S. Main Street
Burbank Theater, 548 S. Main Street
Electric Theater, 212 N. Main Street
Estella Theater, 515 N. Main Street
Grand Theater, 110 S. Main Street
Lark Theater, 613 S. Main Street
Moon Theater, 523 S. Main Street
Novelty Theater, 136 S. Main Street
Optic Theater, 533 S. Main Street
Picture Theater, 545 S. Main Street
Principal Theater, 223 N. Main Street
Regent No. 1, 448 S. Main Street
Republic Theater, 629 ½ S. Main Street
Were there two Gem’s in Los Angeles? This is from the LA Times:
(March 26, 1930)
…Identified by Shea, according to the detectives, the youths readily confessed and implicated themselves voluntarily in the other robberies. The theater hold-up was that of H.H. Hicks in the Gem Theater at 2488 West Washington Boulevard on the 16th inst….
I thought this might be under Culver City, but I don’t see it on this site.
This article mentions the Follies and also confirms Joe’s correct address. Plus, it gave me a good laugh. I would give my left arm to have been in that courtroom that day. I want to meet Ili Ili!
(Oct. 29, 1927)
HOT MAMMA CHORUS HAS COURT SKIT
Institution of a campaign to sweep Main street clear of questionable shows brought forty-six persons into Municipal Court yesterday on charges of violating city ordinances.
Among the congregation which thronged the courtrooms were twenty-seven girls of the ‘Hot Mamma’ chorus, somewhat more completely clad than when they were arrested Thursday night by Sergt. Sweetnam in the Follies Theater at 337 South Main street, twelve chorus men, arrested at the same time, four tattooed women, wearing their working clothes, and last, but not least, Ili Ili, and untamed tree-climbing South African pygmy. The last group was arrested late yesterday at 530 South Main street on a charge of advertising on the street, by Chief Investigator Vail of the City Prosecutor’s office.
The group arrested at the Follies Theater on a charge of giving an indecent exhibition, including Dorothy Walton, leading-woman, and T.B. Dalton, manager, all pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Municipal Judge Georgia Bullock and demanded a jury trial. They were ordered to appear monday at 10 a.m. before Municipal Judge Blake to have a date set for trial, and were released on $50 bail each.
The four tattooed women, appearing before Judge Bullock, and the barkers and Ili Ili, appearing before Municipal Judge Wilson, also pleaded not guilty. Their trial will be set next week. The defendants were represented by Attorneys R. Lee Heath and Charles B. Hazelhurst.
It’s strange, but I can’t find anything about an actual building called the Gaiety Theater. I find things about the Gaiety Theater company performing at the Morosco Theater and it’s spelled both ‘Gaiety’ and ‘Gayety’. There was definitely a Gayety Theater at 2407 S. Central Ave. that showed movies in the 20’s, but I don’t see it on CT. Maybe it has a different name before or later.
It’s not flippant….I thought the same thing, but I’m glad you said it. I’m going to look for an ad for the Omar. I’ve found ads for the Moon Theater starting around 1924 that say it showed movies, but not the Omar yet.
Has anyone heard of the Moon Theater? It’s the same address as the Omar, but I don’t know if it was a new theater since the Omar had a fire in 1918. One advertisement from 1924 lists the Moon theater at 525 South Main, but later it is 523 South Main.
(Apr. 30, 1918)
Fire of unknown origin threatened the entire structure which houses the Omar Theater at No 523 South Main street, early yesterday morning. The blaze started in the back of the theater stage and had caused an estimated damage of $500 before it could be mastered by the fire department.
(May 14, 1918)
Earl McDonald, charged with arson in connection with a fire in the Omar Theater, No. 523 South Main street, on April 29, was arraigned in $2500 bail yesterday and his preliminary examination set for Thursday morning before Justice Summerfield.
John C. Gerlach similarly charged with McDonald, will appear for arraignment this afternoon before Justice Hanby. Gerlach has submitted a confession to the District Attorneys' office, according to Deputy District Attorney Heinecke.
The preliminary examinations of both men, it is declared, will reveal some startling facts concerning the purchase of motion picture theaters for the alleged purpose of destroying them in order to secure the insurance money.
(Dec. 26, 1930)
James H. Grayson, 53, of 1712 Harriman avenue, died at Moon Theater, 523 South Main street, of heart failure.
I don’t know if this theater was the Moon, but the address is correct:
(May 9, 1937)
Last night a collection of lithographs showing rotund young women in Gypsy Rose Lee postures but with less habiliments than La Lee customarily wears, lay scattered in a squad room of Central Police Station. The officers there were yawning or reading detective stories. And in the City Jail were three proprietors of Main street burlesque and honky-tonk shows, charged with suspicion of violation of the law governing lewd and indecent display of pictures in theater lobbies. The three are Harold Richards, 35 years of age, propietor of a theater at 431 South Main street; Robert Levy, 21, showman of 523 South Main street, and John Revis, 23, 613 South Main street. The showmen, according to Detective Lieutenant C.M. Buxton, in charge of the vice squad detail raiding the theaters, refused to heed a police warning against displaying the posters. The lithographs over which the officers at Central Station yawned were confiscated in the raid.
I understand the war was on but what I found funny was ‘shapely overalls'and flashlights 'concealed in miniature shovels, spades and hoes’. Plus, you have to admit its a little funny to go on top of a beautiful theater and pick an onion.
I don’t know if this ever came to fruition, but it’s hilarious and Quinn sounds like he might have been a little nutty:
(May 11, 1917)
SKYSCRAPER TOPS MAY BE USED FOR CROPS
The roofs of downtown office buildings, department stores and theaters may be used for home gardens and the sky line of Los Angeles may resemble a well-cultivated farm if business men and owners of property in the downtown district take up the movement started yesterday by J.A. Quinn, who plans to place boxes all over the roof of his new Rialto Theater Building on Broadway, fill these with dirt, and have them planted with onions, potatoes and other vegetables.
Mr. Quinn said last night, he believed the output of vegetables for Los Angeles could be materially increased by this means, and he intends to father a movement of this kind in the business district.
Luther Brown, chairman of the Home Gardens Committee, indorses the project. He also favors the postponement of the home garden benefit from May 14 to May 21, believing that it will give more time to auction off the seats at prices far in advance of the regular admission fees.
Mr. Brown plans to hold several auctions, and have a corps of pretty girls sell the tickets, so that several thousand dollars will be raised for the home gardens funds from the “Garden of Allah” performances on May 21, the gross receipts of which have been donated in the entirety by Mr. Quinn.
In keeping with the home gardens idea, Mr. Quinn plans to have the ushers at the benefit garbed in shapely overalls, and instead of the usual cylindrical flashlights to show patrons their seats the lights will be concealed in miniature shovels, spades and hoes.
Here’s some information about this theater from the LA Times:
(Sep. 11, 1915)
SUPERBA PASSES INTO CONTROL OF QUINN, PIONEER MOTION-PICTURE MAN OF PACIFIC COAST
One of the important realty deals of the month involving Broadway property resulted yesterday in J.A. Quinn, pioneer motion-picture man of the Pacific Coast, securing the Superba Theater, formerly known as Quinn’s Superba Theater, the transfer to take place immediately.
Mr. Quinn built the Superba Theater about a year ago and embodied in it all details of convenience and beauty. Several months ago a local syndicate bought the theater and he retired. Unable to keep out of the theatrical business, however, he began negotiations for his former theater last week, which resulted in the consumation of the deal yesterday. Mr. Quinn will resume active ownership on Monday offering the six-reel feature, “The Blindness of Virtue”.
(Sep. 9, 1917)
With the coming of the fall and winter season, the Superba Theater management is announcing a radical change in policy, which means that Broadway, Los Angeles, will get the big photoplay features within a few days after Broadway, New York.
(Dec. 10, 1922)
When the hands of Los Angeles clocks reach the hour of eleven tomorrow night the Superba Theater will be a matter of history.
For, following the final showing tomorrow evening of Herbert Rawlinson’s latest Universal attraction, “One Wonderful Night,” the keys to the popular Fifth-and-Broadway flicker emporium will be turned over to John Tait, San Francisco restaurateur, who has purchased the lease from the Universal Pictures Corporation.
The Superba Theater is one of the familiar landmarks of the local Rialto. In the early days of Los Angeles theatricals the Superba was considered the leading house of the city. First runs on some of the biggest pictures ever produced have been given at the Superba, and almost from the day the doors of the edifice were thrown open to the public it has been a paying propostition.
(March 29, 1923)
All worth-while enterprises sooner or later find their way to Los Angeles, and it remained for John Tait, well-known restaurateur of San Francisco, to come here to open the first “coffee shop,” and institution that has become decidely popular in the East and North.
The formal opening of the new eating place, which replaces the old Superba Thater, torn out several months ago, will take place on Saturday morning, and the many friends of the former San Francisco cafe man, who has now become and Angeleno, are planning a special pre-Easter breakfast at the “Coffee Shop.”
(June 14, 1931)
BUILDING COMING DOWN $130,000.00 RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT
Tait’s Coffee Shop
518 South Broadway, Los Angeles
All to be sold piece or in lots to suit those prestent, without limit or reserve and to be removed from premises immediately after. Tait’s is one of the largest restaurants in Souther California. You will find in this sale almost every kind of furnishing and equipment known in an up-to-date cafe-including in this sale large store room full of groceries!-With lot of case goods.
Here’s a little about the Roxie from the LA Times, June 21, 1931:
Constuction work on a theater and store building at 516 South Broadway (maybe the address was changed later) began last week, the playhouse to be known as the Roxie and the building to contain four storerooms. The cost is estimated at $100,000.
Announcement of the project was made by G.A. Metzger and Harry Srere, who, with associates, are the lessees. The contract for construction has been awarded the J.M. Cooper Company. G.Y. Ridenbaugh of the Charles G. Andrews Company, realty broker, and P.L. corrigan represented the lessor and lessees.
The structure will have a frontage on North Broadway of eighty-one feet. The depth of the property is in excess of 165 feet. The theater will have a seating capacity of 1600.
Is it a typo that the article say North Broadway?
I’m not going to give a Kong review as I haven’t seen the new one. I’m going to see it at the Orinda, so if I don’t like it, I can look at the theater instead. I just wanted to remind fans of the original 1933 film, that the interior of the theater that is supposed to be in New York was shot at the amazing Shrine Auditorium here in Los Angeles. If you have the new restored dvd, it warrants some slow motion and frame by frame viewing!
I’ve been told on a few occasions that the Million Dollar Mermaid on the marquee is from when the exterior was used for a set on a movie called The Mambo Kings. The movie people never removed the letters, apparently. I don’t have any proof of this. Has anyone seen The Mambo Kings?
Now I want to find another photo of the marquee. I’ve been looking through tons of photos of parade’s down Broadway, but nothing yet.
Here’s a photo dated 1947 of the Olympic:
View link
I believe this is explains the theater marquee on the Broadway face of the Merritt Building in the postcard image:
(Nov. 30, 1930) LA Times
The ground floor of the Merritt Building, at the northwest corner of Broadway and Eighth streets, will be divided into two stores and a theater salon and lobby, as a result of a series of leases consumated through the W. Ross Campbell Company……
The north section of the property will be converted into a theater salon and lobby which will provide a Broadway entrance to Bard’s Eighth-street Theater. The lease was drawn for a term of sixteen years. The Windsor Corporation, owners of the Bard Theater Chain, are the lessees in this instance. Store fronts and interiors are being installed on the premises now.
I don’t know how long this Bard’s Eighth street entrance existed, but it seems unlikely that the postcard company would spend the money to have an artist add the marquee, unless they just wanted the image to appear more packed with theaters since it is a picture of Broadway.
That’s a great observation about the letter reuse! I’ve seen businesses do that today.
Does anyone know what theater would have been at 642 South Broadway and also owned by Tally?
(June 7, 1914)
BUILDING PERMITS.
Alterations for picture theater. No.
642 South Broadway; Tally Theater
Company, $4500.
I think the original Tally’s Broadway was at 6th & Broadway and then there were two subsequent theaters called Tally’s New Broadway. Does this sound correct? Here’s a few newspaper quotes:
(Nov. 28, 1909)abridged
…the property which now faces Broadway for sixty feet adjoining the Hamburger store immediately to the south….Yesterday Judge Hutton acted as attorney for the Lang Estate in the drawing of a lease to T.L. Tally for the term of fifty years for the same property….Through its terms T.L. Tally acquires for half a century the use of the valuable ground area specified, the depth of which is 165 feet. It is Mr. Tally’s intention to at once begin the erection of a theater building on the site. This structure will be of a height not yet determined, although both two-story and eight-story buildings are being considered. The ground floor of the building will be given over entirely to the Tally Broadway Theater, which is at present located on the east side of South Broadway, just off Sixth street.
I find this part pretty amazing:
(May 1, 1910)
TALLEY ERECTS $45,000 THEATER IN THIRTY DAYS-WILL OPEN TOMORROW NIGHT
The opening of Tally’s New Broadway Theater tomorrow night at No. 833 South Broadway will celebrate a record-breaking incident in the history of rapid building in Los Angeles. Mr. Tally has constructed in thirty days a two-story brick building, costing between $40,000 and $45,000. For a part of the last month he has had 150 men working night and day to complete the structure. The theater seats nearly 900 persons.
T.L. Tally was the first man to bring moving pictures to Los Angeles, and has been in the front rank of the business for fifteen years. He will make music a prominent feature of entertainment in his new theater. He has engaged several fine musicians for his orchestra, and will make a specialty of illustrated songs.
I think the original Tally’s Broadway was at 6th & Broadway and then there were two subsequent theaters called Tally’s New Broadway. Does this sound correct? Here’s a few newspaper quotes:
(Nov. 28, 1909)abridged
…the property which now faces Broadway for sixty feet adjoining the Hamburger store immediately to the south….Yesterday Judge Hutton acted as attorney for the Lang Estate in the drawing of a lease to T.L. Tally for the term of fifty years for the same property….Through its terms T.L. Tally acquires for half a century the use of the valuable ground area specified, the depth of which is 165 feet. It is Mr. Tally’s intention to at once begin the erection of a theater building on the site. This structure will be of a height not yet determined, although both two-story and eight-story buildings are being considered. The ground floor of the building will be given over entirely to the Tally Broadway Theater, which is at present located on the east side of South Broadway, just off Sixth street.
I find this part pretty amazing:
(May 1, 1910)
TALLEY ERECTS $45,000 THEATER IN THIRTY DAYS-WILL OPEN TOMORROW NIGHT
The opening of Tally’s New Broadway Theater tomorrow night at No. 833 South Broadway will celebrate a record-breaking incident in the history of rapid building in Los Angeles. Mr. Tally has constructed in thirty days a two-story brick building, costing between $40,000 and $45,000. For a part of the last month he has had 150 men working night and day to complete the structure. The theater seats nearly 900 persons.
T.L. Tally was the first man to bring moving pictures to Los Angeles, and has been in the front rank of the business for fifteen years. He will make music a prominent feature of entertainment in his new theater. He has engaged several fine musicians for his orchestra, and will make a specialty of illustrated songs.
When Tally’s Electric changed it’s name to the Lyric at 262 south Main, was it opened as a vaudeville house? Here’s something from Oct. 11, 1903, but it sounds like the ‘moving pictures’ were more of a special show than the regular fare:
A set of moving pictures called “Fairyland,” shown at the Lyric Theater in this city now, is an interesting exhibit of the limits to which moving picture-making can be carried in the hands of experts equipped with time and money to carry out their devices…….T.L. Tally, manager of the Lyric, claims to have the only film of its kind in the West.
Joe is right for sure. I went to this location yesterday and took the same photo as the usc photo. I guess you can’t post photos on here right now, but I can send it if anyone wants it. When I was looking up at the second floor windows, I was amazed that there is a space of a few inches between the original facade and the remodel covering it. If you look carefully, you can see the original ornate facade underneath.
Here’s something from Aug. 8, 1922:
A panic was narrowly averted in Bard’s Cinema Theater, 444 South Hill street, late yesterday, when a fire, originating in the storeroom of the M. Lowis baker and cafe, next door, raged for nearly an hour, threatening for a time to spread to the theater.
It does seem an awfully short time to build the theater. I’m going to go downtown and look through the microfiche for The Examiner and see if they mention anything for the opening of this theater for April of 1927.
Could Bard’s Hill Street Theater possibly be the theater in the mislabelled USC archive photo, or is it Bard’s Eighth Street for sure? I’d love to find a photo of Bard’s Hill Street (before it became the Town) if anyone has any connections.
Do you still need information about this theater? I have a few articles if you want them. My email is . I think you had trouble finding much about the architect because his name is Balch, not Blach. Let me know if you want these pdf’s.
The correct date for the opening of this theater (Bard’s Eighth Steet & then the Olympic) is 1927. The building that was demolished to build this theater housed Eddie Brandstatter’s Crillon Cafe (closed May 9, 1925) which was the Marcel Cafe (name changed to Crillon in Nov. 1923) before that. Here’s some articles:
(Feb. 3, 1927)
The Eighth and Broadway Corporation, headed by L.L. Bard, has obtained the site of the old Brandstatter {Crillon} Cafe, 315 West Eighth street, and will build a $200,000 theater structure on the premises. Announcement of the transaction was made by Wolfson Bros. Company. Mr. Wolfson declared that the present low building on the property, 50 x 130, will be wrecked immediately and construction on the 600-seat showhouse started.
(Apr. 1, 1927)
Lou Bard, Los Angeles showman announces the opening on Saturday of Bard’s Eighth Street Theater, located on the north side of Eighth between Broadway and Hill streets opposite the May Company. This new picture theater has a distinctly oriental atmosphere totally different from anything else in the city, and, while not the largest of the downtown cinema palaces, has the quality of uniqueness. The opening attraction is the premier showing of Universal’s farce comedy, “Oh, Baby,” starring Madge Kenneday with Creighton Hale in the leading male role.
Last mention before name changed to Olympic:
(Jan. 18, 1932)
More than 250 patrons were driven to the street at Bard’s Theater on Eighth street near Broadway, last night when a stench bomb was dropped to the floor.
I have .pdf’s for any of these articles if anyone wants them. My email is