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Magnolia Theatre
4403 W. Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank,
CA
91505
4403 W. Magnolia Boulevard,
Burbank,
CA
91505
3 people
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The Magnolia can be seen in the 1975 Gene Hackman film “Night Moves,” between 8 and 11 minutes into the film. The Cornell is also glimpsed briefly in a drive-by just before this, but a whole scene is played out in front of the Magnolia.
I was an usher at the Magnolia for a couple years while I was in high school. Eventually became assistant manager until I went off to college in 1962. The owner/manager, Jack Grossman, was a good friend of my father, who worked for Columbia Pictures. It was a beautifully run and maintained neighborhood theatre, down to the smallest detail, including excellent sound and projection. A large curved screen was installed while I was working there. The projectionist was fastidious about keeping the picture in focus, an art that seems to have been lost in subsequent decades.
My Mom (85 yr old) did portraits of Yul Brenner, Debbie Rennalds, Elizabeth Taylor and a few others in 1957 that hung in the lobby of a movie theater in Burbank, but can’t remember the name of the theater. Does anyone know what theater this was, or have any info about their whereabouts? I’d love to see them. Thanks!! (949)463-9451
Grew up a couple of blocks from this theater. Only have two specific memories:
1) Seeing “Dr. Strangelove” with my Dad (this would have been during it’s original release), and us being the only two people in the theater laughing.
2) Seeing some cheesy Matt Helm double bill during my early adolescence.
I’d love to have someone set up a tour for theater enthusiasts. I’ve always been curious what the inside looks like (I know it was converted to a recording studio), and what theater features might still exist.
Watched Pushover with Fred McMurray and Kim Novak today – the Magnolia Theater was in it.
Roy,
This is Virgil. I’m sure you remember me? Did you stay in contact with Ron and if so, where is he at these days.
Virgil
The Magnolia Theater, 1944.
http://wesclark.com/burbank/magnolia_theater.jpg
Shawn (Juronimoo), what can you tell us about the building since you’ve acquired it? I have to assume that the floor is leveled and there’s little left to suggest it had been a theatre, but are there any artifacts left? Wall hangings, light fixtures, sconces, anything?
As a resident of Burbank, I would love to see this terrific old theater restored to its former glory and used as a revival house/live venue.
Roy,
I was inquiring about the items that you have for the Magnolia Theatre. I am the new owner of it and would be interested in the items that you have. Could you please contact me at . Thank you…. Shawn
P.S. If anyone has any great pictures of this theatre I would be interested in purchasing those as well…..
The top photo is a still capture from the 1954 Fred MacMurray/Kim Novak film Pushover, which aired a couple days ago on Turner Classic Movies – there was also a nice shot of the original marquee (which was totally different from the one in the ElectraWoman and DynaGirl episode).
I posted back in 2008 that I have the original box office plate glass, four sides, with art deco scrolls from this theatre. I’ve been considering donating the the Burbank historical society, but if someone is interested in making me an offer, contact me. I also have an original art deco mirror from the lobby.
The CSUN photo linked by -DB in May 2010 as the Avenue Theatre “Northeast San Fernando Valley” is actually the Avenue Theatre in Cebu City, Phillipines.
The CSUN photo:
View link
A blog post featuring a Cebu City souvenir booklet:
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The booklet photo showing the Avenue:
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The Magnolia Theater appears in this YouTube clip of an episode of “Electrawoman and Dyna Girl”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PAgr36Fg5o
Now for sale for $6.5 million: View link
-DB: That photo has been posted at Cinema Treasures before, but I can’t remember which page it was on. I don’t think anybody was able to identify the theater.
This old photo of and Avenue Theater that’s vaguely identified as being in “Northeast San Fernando Valley” looks very similar to the Magnolia. Could it have been remodeled in 1940 from an existing theater? Anyone know anything about this one?
View link
Here is a link to the California Index card citing the May 17, 1940, Southwest Builder & Contractor article identifying Clifford Balch as the architect of the new theater to be built at the northwest corner of Magnolia Boulevard and Valley Street. It’s misidentified as the Major Theatre in the caption, but that is the location of the Magnolia Theatre.
I stopped by this theatre for the first time last Friday to see if the terrazzo sidewalk was worth photographing. I was not disappointed. Dispite the fact that the part of it closest to the building has been cut through to make a planting area for some palm trees, there is much fine patternwork remaining. Most of the design is simple striping, with contrasting bands and Moderne curls. In the center part leading to where the theatre entrance and box office once were, there is a fine pattern of curving leaves and—no surprise—a “bouquet” of several magnolia blossoms.
Here is the other photo. I forgot that I took two.
http://tinyurl.com/ykqa3wl
Here is a photo taken yesterday:
http://tinyurl.com/yhqlunr
The L.A. County Tax Assessor lists the address as 4403 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505
This is an image from the Arthur Penn movie NIGHT MOVES. Is this the same Magnolia?
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Thanks Lost memory for the photo of the Magnolia. I always wondered where the original box office had been. When I worked there from 74 to 1979 you could see in the terrazzo floor a shape that seem to indicate the BO was in the center of the entry way but no one who worked there then knew for sure. BTW, the theatre did not close due to lack of patrons as posted by GerryC above. The old man who ran the Magnolia and its sister theatre in Van Nuys called the Airport, lost his lease to the Magnolia from the family who owned the property. They decided in 1979 to sell. We heard even back then that Striesand was was the buyer and the building was to be converted to a recording studio. I found that ironic as I has seen numerous showing of her version of A Star is Born at the Mag. I believe that she and/or other investors were the original buyers as we learned when the studio was first completed it was called Evergreen. man, I sure miss those days!
Is this the same Magnolia theater that was used in a scene from the 1954 movie Pushover with Kim Novak and Fred MacMurray? I saw the movie on TCM last night…….