Million Dollar Theatre

Here is a 1925 photo from the LAPL:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics45/00072367.jpg

Joseph Mora and Jo Mora were indeed one in the same.

Here are some additional images of the Million Dollar Theatre
Facade and marquee
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovernl/2525388454
Archway
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovernl/2376426880/

www.myspace.com/milliondollartheater

Here is a June 1957 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/55f5oa

It looks like there will be two Last Remaining Seats shows at the Million Dollar in June. I’m looking forward to it.

Here is an April 2008 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/5mm6qf

Here is a screen shot from the 1988 film “Colors”:
http://tinyurl.com/28yvf6

I recall the dropped ceiling of the lobby being there in the early 1960s. It was the sort of cheap modernizing job that was done to many old theatres. Most of the original ceiling decor is probably still there in the Million Dollar, as it usually is in the others. The main point of putting in a dropped ceiling is so you won’t have to go to the expense of actually removing a lot of heavy, decorative plasterwork, and you can cheaply run wiring and duct work through the newly concealed space.

My comment was based on the obliteration of the historic elements of the Million Dollar’s lobby by the 1950s modernization that included installation of a false ceiling.

I believe the Hispanic church inherited this space in its modernized, “stripped” state; I haven’t seen any indication that they contributed to that condition. Did they?

Stevebob, that’s what the press reports about the lobby. What’s your version?

I was quite moved when I saw press coverage this week of the Red Carpet Event inaugurating the MD with its legendary Mexican artists of years gone by. It’s revival and commitment to what was such an important landmark in the history of Latin Music is remarkable.

I remember as a child, my Father always would talk about those magical special evenings when he would go and see Pedro Vargas, Amalia Mendoza, Cantinflas, then later Vicente Fernandez, Juan Gabriel, and then Gerardo Reyes. I grew up thinking of this place as a magical place far away in my dreams. In the late 70’s and 80’s when I was finally old enough, Dad with Mom and me in tow, would take me to this place he would always talk about. I lived it first-hand and immediately knew why this place meant so much to Dad.

My parents did not have a lot of money, so going was not only a very special treat and a big deal, it was also a dent in their pocketbooks. As back then a concert would be about $5 a person in his time, and in mine, it would be $20. But you see, the experience was invaluable. Those were concerts at the time where multiple artists would perform – and I don’t mean an opening act and the main artist as is done today. In any given concert, you would have A-listers performing in one concert alone. You would have Gerardo Reyes, followed by el Charro Avitia, followed by VIcente Fernandez, and ending with Angelica Maria. So you would really get a great bang for your buck.

The premiere Red Carpet Event of the Million Dollar Theater this week opened up so many beautiful memories of a common bond Dad and I had in my childhood. It evoked the emotional connection that we developed with that theater. But most importantly, it brought back another memory of my beloved Father who passed away three months ago.

I can’t wait to once again, relive a piece of history, because I know that when I make the line to enter the theater with my wife and share with her that magic; I will take Mom and have her tell my wife first-hand, why that place was so special to us. While Dad won’t be there to drop us off while he parks (his F-150 Ford pick-up truck with a brown and white huge worn-out camper) so that we can get a head start on the line that would wrap around the block in order to secure tickets at the box office – I know he will be smiling because we will both be enjoying a piece of what connected us to each other during my childhood.

Max Gallegos

www.aliciamax.com