Golden Gate Theatre
5176 Whittier Boulevard,
East Los Angeles,
CA
90022
5176 Whittier Boulevard,
East Los Angeles,
CA
90022
22 people
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I lived In East LA and my families business was there. In the last 40’s 50’s and early 60’s I lived in that theatre. I worked there and I loved it. It had beautiful lighting. The consession bar was a hugh clam shell. The first film I ever saw there was “So Dear To My Heart” and the last was “A Raisen in the Sun” In front of the theater in the courtyard was a wonderful drug store and apartments on top. My friends lived there. The Center was down the street along with the United Artist and Boulevard but the Golden Gate was the one we wanted to go to. I went back recently to see it. Just the theatre was there and not the Courtyard. It was sad but it brought back wonderful memories.
The address of the Golden Gate Theatre was 5176 Whittier Blvd.
When the Golden Gate Theatre opened it had a Wurlitzer Theatre organ (opus#1873)style 210, in was installed on 4/26/1928.
I was just looking at another theatre I frequented before finding the Golden Gate. That theatre is the Fox Florence Theatre on Florence Avenue just east of Hooper Avenue. While reading the description it hit me how much the Fox Florence and the Golden Gate had in common. The front, then the courtyard, balcony, etc. I wonder if it was the same ARCHITECT, or at least using the same design. The Fox Florence Architect was S. Charles Lee, according to the description. Those of you who actually went to the Golden Gate and or Fox Florence, go to their listings and compare that with your memories. I think they were VERY much alike.
As the others know, but others may not, this theatre was located on the south/west corner of Atlantic Avenue and Whittier Boulevard. To the right of the marque is an opening, and inside of that was a very nice foyer, when I went there, there was a red carpet on each side of the foyer, and running north/south, under canopies. Truly a very nice theatre.
The person who had the Golden Gate built was Harry M. Sugarman.It was built approx in 1925-26. Mr.Sugarman was an actor in Hollywood in the early twenties.He owned a chain of movie theaters under the name West Coast Junior Theatres. He also attended Los Angeles High School in 1916. It’s sad to see its present condition. As a kid in the early 70’s the Golden Gate was my movie theatre.It was beautiful inside and out and it had a wonderful balcony.
This theatre maybe returning as a Performing Arts Center Theatre. More news to follow soon.