Here is part of an article in the LA Times dated 1/17/91:
After less than two months as a revival house, the Mayfair Theater has once again shut down. Formerly owned by the Pussycat theater chain and operated as an X-rated movie house, and more recently home to Spanish-language films, the Ventura theater found little success showing cult, art and classic films beginning in November.
“The people who were in there last just weren’t making any money, so they closed it up,” said Ethel Edwards of Walnut Properties, the Los Angeles company that owns and leases the property at 793 E. Santa Clara St. “We’re now trying to lease it out as either a Spanish house or a regular-run house. It’s either for lease or for sale.”
The theater actually had a pretty productive life before being purchased by the Pussycat chain. In the 1950s and ‘60s the building was leased by the family of Ventura resident Trudy Clark. “That was long before the drive-ins and the proliferation of theaters. There were only the two theaters in downtown Ventura … in all of Ventura,” Clark said. “The Mayfair was a regular first-run theater.”
Clark isn’t surprised that the Mayfair failed as a revival theater and questions its future as a movie house. “I didn’t see how it could do very well. You can see old movies on television … regular television, not even cable,” she said. “The theater is a single-screen theater and all the theaters that have been built in the last 15 years are multiple screen. And I don’t see how there would be room to expand.”
Here is an item in the LA Times in September 1926:
Because of the work necessary in preparing the prologue for Rex Ingram’s production “Mare Nostrum” which is to be accorded its premiere performance tomorrow night, it has been found necessary to close the Forum Theater all day today and tomorrow afternoon so that everything will be in complete readiness.
“Mare Nostrum” is the picturization of Blasco Ibanez’s story, with Alice Terry and Antonio Moreno playing the leading roles. These two are supported by a cast of European players. The scenes of the picture are laid in France, Spain and Italy on the locations described by the author in his powerful story.
Charles McBee, 48, and his wife, Mary, 48, of Latham, who operate the Colony Theater in Schenectady, pleaded innocent in Police Court in that city Wednesday to charges of disseminating indecent material to minors. Their cases were adjourned to July 31 and the couple, represented by Atty. Kenneth Hay of Utica, were freed in $200 bail each.
They are charged with allowing two girls, ages 12 and 13, to enter the theater and view a film in connection with which, in its advertisements, the theater had stated that “no one under 18 years will be admitted.”
If it did not survive past this June 23, 1992, “Class Act” would have been the last feature.
DEMISE OF CAPITAL MARKS END OF AN ERA
The Capital Theater in West Philadelphia – the last surviving soldier in a battle between city neighborhood theaters and the big chains – has closed. Unless beleaguered owner Paul Klieman can arrange new business terms with the major movie distributors, the landmark theater at 1237 N. 52nd will have shown its last feature, “Class Act.” If the Capital remains closed – and Klieman said he is not hopeful of recovery – Philadelphia will have said goodbye to an era of…
This is from the San Antonio Express on August 12, 1928:
Victor’s Uptown Theater, recently completed suburban show home at West Ashby and Fredericksburg Road, announces its opening program starting Friday, August 17, at 1 o'clock. A midnight show will begin Thursday night, starting at 11 o'clock.
The Uptown after nearly a year in construction adds another link in the chain of 10 suburban houses to be owned and operated by the Victor Theater. Inc., which has been operating in San Antonio nearly a year. The new theater is acclaimed one of the most beautiful in the Southwest and is said to be the seventh theater of its class erected in Texas. Constructed and designed along lines of Moorish architecture, the Uptown is scheduled to be one of the foremost show places of San Antonio.
Nothing was spared to make it one of the finest suburban theaters in the country. Much interest in the opening has been manifested by the hundreds of phone calls relative to the opening date, and record crowd is expected at the first show. The Uptown will operate on a policy of continuous performance along similarly established lines of downtown deluxe homes, beginning at 1 p.m. and closing at 11 p.m. One of the features of the Uptown is the Victor Reuter organ, with Paul Kinard, organist at the console.
What is expected to be the outstanding feature of the theater policy is the sale of a family ticket, which will admit an entire family to the theater for the four complete changes at a very nominal cost. It is the first of its kind ever offered the public here.
The screen feature for the first three days will be a Clara Bow special “My Lady of Whims” which has been given much favorable comment in the advance notices. In this photoplay Clara is co-starred with Donald Keith, who also teamed with her in “The Plastic Ageâ€. Clara has been heralded as "always getting her man”, and a shining example of “it”, but in “My Lady of "Whims” this supposedly subtle quality fails for once, seemingly to make the exception, and Clara is somewhat extensively manhandled. Besides the screen feature a comedy, news reel and scenic will be shown.
It is announced that Sunday. August 18, at 6:30 p.m. John Victor, president of the theater corporation, who besides being a showman also is the leader of the Third Symphony Orchestra of Texas, will conduct the Uptown Theater Orchestra in a “Twilight Musical Concert" playing the William Tell Overture, augmented by special scenic and lighting effects.
Here is part of an April 1958 article in the Marysville Journal-Tribune:
A form of entertainment which people have enjoyed in this community for nearly a half-century will cease to exist in Marysville when the Avalon Theater closes for good on April 28. F.E. Price, of Newark, owner of the Avalon, said lack of business is forcing him to close the theater “indefinitely” after the last performance that date. The final picture will be Walt Disney’s “Perri”. Mr. Price said he had no idea what the future of the theater building might be. “I have no plans to dispose of the building or the equipment in it. We’ll just turn off the electricity and other utilities and let it set.”
As far as attempting to rent it for some other type of business is concerned, Mr. Price said he had no plans along that line either. “I’ll listen to any proposition,“ he declared, "but really I have nothing at all in mind as to what to do with the place.” Clair Jarvis, manager of the theater since 1940, indicated he has no plans for the future either. Mr. Price has offered him a job in Newark, where he operates two drive-in theaters, but Mr. Jarvis prefers to remain in Marysville and will seek employment here.
“Operating the theater had been a losing proposition for some time, Mr. Price said. “I’ve had it.” “I regret terribly having to do this,” he continued. “Marysville has been good to us in the past and I hate to see the town without a theater. “I realize the townâ€"any town-needs a theater; that people must have a place to go.”
Closing of the Avalon, Mr. Price said, is part of a trend that is happening all over the country. He feels, however, that Marysville may be one of the largest cities in Ohio without a theater after next week.
In 1935, Mr. Price bought the old Factory store building on S. Main St. from Mrs. Robinson, and built the Avalon Theater on the site. The Avalon was opened August 4, 1936 and has operated continuously since then, except for a few brief periods when it was closed by epidemics.
This was in the Greeley Daily Tribune in January 1930. Robards was the father of the more well known actor Jason Robards Jr.
“The Flying Marine,” the Columbia production, synchronized with music and sound effects is scheduled to play at the Park Theatre, today and Tuesday. Thousands of people stood fascinated in the vicinity of the California Aerial Transport company, as they watched a burning plane flashing like a meteor through the sky dipping and nose diving in sensational stunt flying.
Spectators said that never in their experience had they seen such a thrilling sight. This spectacular stunt and others of flying that is known is featured in “The Flying Marine,” the story of brotherly sacrifice with Ben Lyon, Shirley Mason and Jason Robards. Albert S. Rogell directed.
Here is part of an article in the LA Times dated 1/17/91:
After less than two months as a revival house, the Mayfair Theater has once again shut down. Formerly owned by the Pussycat theater chain and operated as an X-rated movie house, and more recently home to Spanish-language films, the Ventura theater found little success showing cult, art and classic films beginning in November.
“The people who were in there last just weren’t making any money, so they closed it up,” said Ethel Edwards of Walnut Properties, the Los Angeles company that owns and leases the property at 793 E. Santa Clara St. “We’re now trying to lease it out as either a Spanish house or a regular-run house. It’s either for lease or for sale.”
The theater actually had a pretty productive life before being purchased by the Pussycat chain. In the 1950s and ‘60s the building was leased by the family of Ventura resident Trudy Clark. “That was long before the drive-ins and the proliferation of theaters. There were only the two theaters in downtown Ventura … in all of Ventura,” Clark said. “The Mayfair was a regular first-run theater.”
Clark isn’t surprised that the Mayfair failed as a revival theater and questions its future as a movie house. “I didn’t see how it could do very well. You can see old movies on television … regular television, not even cable,” she said. “The theater is a single-screen theater and all the theaters that have been built in the last 15 years are multiple screen. And I don’t see how there would be room to expand.”
Here is an item in the LA Times in September 1926:
Because of the work necessary in preparing the prologue for Rex Ingram’s production “Mare Nostrum” which is to be accorded its premiere performance tomorrow night, it has been found necessary to close the Forum Theater all day today and tomorrow afternoon so that everything will be in complete readiness.
“Mare Nostrum” is the picturization of Blasco Ibanez’s story, with Alice Terry and Antonio Moreno playing the leading roles. These two are supported by a cast of European players. The scenes of the picture are laid in France, Spain and Italy on the locations described by the author in his powerful story.
This is the theater website:
http://www.princesscinemas.com/
Here is another photo of the Walgreens:
http://tinyurl.com/ko7a55
It’s a kitchen store if you use the 7456 address that was in the LA Times. The theater is listed at 7554 La Jolla on CT.
Here is a September 2009 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mcxcru
Here is a better version of the 1973 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lzsc4k
Here is a July 1968 item in the Troy Record:
Charles McBee, 48, and his wife, Mary, 48, of Latham, who operate the Colony Theater in Schenectady, pleaded innocent in Police Court in that city Wednesday to charges of disseminating indecent material to minors. Their cases were adjourned to July 31 and the couple, represented by Atty. Kenneth Hay of Utica, were freed in $200 bail each.
They are charged with allowing two girls, ages 12 and 13, to enter the theater and view a film in connection with which, in its advertisements, the theater had stated that “no one under 18 years will be admitted.”
If it did not survive past this June 23, 1992, “Class Act” would have been the last feature.
DEMISE OF CAPITAL MARKS END OF AN ERA
The Capital Theater in West Philadelphia – the last surviving soldier in a battle between city neighborhood theaters and the big chains – has closed. Unless beleaguered owner Paul Klieman can arrange new business terms with the major movie distributors, the landmark theater at 1237 N. 52nd will have shown its last feature, “Class Act.” If the Capital remains closed – and Klieman said he is not hopeful of recovery – Philadelphia will have said goodbye to an era of…
Here is a photo:
http://tinyurl.com/m4qn7l
I could be wrong, but I think “Solaris” was the inspiration for the Kirk Douglas-Farrah Fawcett film “Saturn 3”. Don’t ask me why I remember that.
This is from the San Antonio Express on August 12, 1928:
Victor’s Uptown Theater, recently completed suburban show home at West Ashby and Fredericksburg Road, announces its opening program starting Friday, August 17, at 1 o'clock. A midnight show will begin Thursday night, starting at 11 o'clock.
The Uptown after nearly a year in construction adds another link in the chain of 10 suburban houses to be owned and operated by the Victor Theater. Inc., which has been operating in San Antonio nearly a year. The new theater is acclaimed one of the most beautiful in the Southwest and is said to be the seventh theater of its class erected in Texas. Constructed and designed along lines of Moorish architecture, the Uptown is scheduled to be one of the foremost show places of San Antonio.
Nothing was spared to make it one of the finest suburban theaters in the country. Much interest in the opening has been manifested by the hundreds of phone calls relative to the opening date, and record crowd is expected at the first show. The Uptown will operate on a policy of continuous performance along similarly established lines of downtown deluxe homes, beginning at 1 p.m. and closing at 11 p.m. One of the features of the Uptown is the Victor Reuter organ, with Paul Kinard, organist at the console.
What is expected to be the outstanding feature of the theater policy is the sale of a family ticket, which will admit an entire family to the theater for the four complete changes at a very nominal cost. It is the first of its kind ever offered the public here.
The screen feature for the first three days will be a Clara Bow special “My Lady of Whims” which has been given much favorable comment in the advance notices. In this photoplay Clara is co-starred with Donald Keith, who also teamed with her in “The Plastic Ageâ€. Clara has been heralded as "always getting her man”, and a shining example of “it”, but in “My Lady of "Whims” this supposedly subtle quality fails for once, seemingly to make the exception, and Clara is somewhat extensively manhandled. Besides the screen feature a comedy, news reel and scenic will be shown.
It is announced that Sunday. August 18, at 6:30 p.m. John Victor, president of the theater corporation, who besides being a showman also is the leader of the Third Symphony Orchestra of Texas, will conduct the Uptown Theater Orchestra in a “Twilight Musical Concert" playing the William Tell Overture, augmented by special scenic and lighting effects.
Here is a photo from 1979 and two from 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/mwltp6
http://tinyurl.com/nauufr
http://tinyurl.com/lfjmn3
There was a photo of the Avalon in the issue referred to above:
http://tinyurl.com/lxte25
Here is part of an April 1958 article in the Marysville Journal-Tribune:
A form of entertainment which people have enjoyed in this community for nearly a half-century will cease to exist in Marysville when the Avalon Theater closes for good on April 28. F.E. Price, of Newark, owner of the Avalon, said lack of business is forcing him to close the theater “indefinitely” after the last performance that date. The final picture will be Walt Disney’s “Perri”. Mr. Price said he had no idea what the future of the theater building might be. “I have no plans to dispose of the building or the equipment in it. We’ll just turn off the electricity and other utilities and let it set.”
As far as attempting to rent it for some other type of business is concerned, Mr. Price said he had no plans along that line either. “I’ll listen to any proposition,“ he declared, "but really I have nothing at all in mind as to what to do with the place.” Clair Jarvis, manager of the theater since 1940, indicated he has no plans for the future either. Mr. Price has offered him a job in Newark, where he operates two drive-in theaters, but Mr. Jarvis prefers to remain in Marysville and will seek employment here.
“Operating the theater had been a losing proposition for some time, Mr. Price said. “I’ve had it.” “I regret terribly having to do this,” he continued. “Marysville has been good to us in the past and I hate to see the town without a theater. “I realize the townâ€"any town-needs a theater; that people must have a place to go.”
Closing of the Avalon, Mr. Price said, is part of a trend that is happening all over the country. He feels, however, that Marysville may be one of the largest cities in Ohio without a theater after next week.
In 1935, Mr. Price bought the old Factory store building on S. Main St. from Mrs. Robinson, and built the Avalon Theater on the site. The Avalon was opened August 4, 1936 and has operated continuously since then, except for a few brief periods when it was closed by epidemics.
This was in the Greeley Daily Tribune in January 1930. Robards was the father of the more well known actor Jason Robards Jr.
“The Flying Marine,” the Columbia production, synchronized with music and sound effects is scheduled to play at the Park Theatre, today and Tuesday. Thousands of people stood fascinated in the vicinity of the California Aerial Transport company, as they watched a burning plane flashing like a meteor through the sky dipping and nose diving in sensational stunt flying.
Spectators said that never in their experience had they seen such a thrilling sight. This spectacular stunt and others of flying that is known is featured in “The Flying Marine,” the story of brotherly sacrifice with Ben Lyon, Shirley Mason and Jason Robards. Albert S. Rogell directed.
Here is some additional information:
http://tinyurl.com/n6p4xy
Here is some information about the feasibility study:
http://www.mckissickassociates.com/News/
Here is a 1980 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/m2oknx
The second photo from the top is a night shot from the 1950s:
http://tinyurl.com/kjbk4h
Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/leebs3
There is a small photo on the store website:
http://tinyurl.com/lkm74h
Here is another 1986 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ma7po3
Here is another photo of the Royal:
http://tinyurl.com/nwws53
The State and Paramount can be seen in this photo:
http://tinyurl.com/nrua3u