Brayton Theatre
2157 Atlantic Boulevard,
Long Beach,
CA
90806
2157 Atlantic Boulevard,
Long Beach,
CA
90806
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William H. and George F. Brayton launched the Brayton Theatre on July 29, 1925. They added sound to stay current. After shutting down in 1950 for films, the Brayton - then owned by Milton Arthur as part of the Cabart Theatre Circuit - was used as a church and a lodge. But the Brayton made an improbable movie comeback thanks to the community in 1966. The Brayton appears to have finished its run as an ultra-discount double-feature house where all double-features cost just 49 cents a ticket. It appears to have ceased operations on February 25, 1971 with Lee Marvin in “Monte Walsh” playing with Jimmy Stewart in “Cheyenne Social Club”.
This opened on July 30th, 1925.
Brayton theatre opening 29 Jul 1925, Wed Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California) Newspapers.com
Since my last post, Oct 6, 2014, I have perused Long Beach newspapers on microfilm through June of 1973. The last advertisement I found for the Brayton Theatre was Tuesday February 16, 1971. Double feature of “Sand Pebbles” and “The Undefeated.” Ad indicated theatre opens M-S 6:30 Sunday 12:30. Since most theatres changed their programs on Wednesday, I presume this would have been the last day of operation for the Brayton.
I’m currently going through several Long Beach newspapers that are on microfilm. The period I have access to covers 1938-1977. I found the “newly opened” Brayton Theatre advertising from approximately Aug 6, 1969 through approximately Sep 16, 1969. At that period of time they were charging adults 99 cents and kids 49 cents. During this short run, they went from family friendly double features to adult only double features and apparently closed down for awhile. Found more advertising running from November 13, 1970 through mid February 1971. Any seat, any time 49 cents, mostly family friendly double features and kid shows on Saturdays that included 10 cartoons. Will post again if I find anything further.
Hello everyone. My grandfather Jack owned this theater before the big earthquake. It was destroyed afterwards and as my dad got older he decided to run it. He ended up selling the property after it went out of business. The thing just wouldnt make enough money. He was born in 1944, so when he was 26, The year would have been 1970. If anyone would like to know more about the theater, i could ask my dad.
-Derek Brayton
I see that Jacob already posted the links in July 2008, so thanks to him for the program.
Here is a program from October 1933:
http://tinyurl.com/y6xt4ep
http://tinyurl.com/y6593ov
My mother took me to the Brayton Theater in the late 1940’s( around 1947 or 1948) We lived a half a block away from it. My recollection is it may have closed as early as 1949. For years it sat vacant. Then in 1966 it opened as a Teen Post. My mother was assistant director there serving under Bob Hunt who was the director. During the summers of 1966 and 1967, I hung out there. One staff member who I only knew as “Brownie” sold pills from there. It was, however, by then in terrible shape. I recall seeing old man Brayton coming by in the summer of 1966 to look things over. The demolition date given above is not correct. I recall that taking place in the earliest during 1975 and at the latest by 1977. As far as the church goes, at first it was African-American, then, by the late 1990’s, Hispanic and only by the turn of the century did it become Phillipino. During the last two years everything on the eastside of Atlantic Avenue from 20th Street to Hill Street was demolished to make way for some units.
View link
In January 1967, the Long Beach Independent reported that a teen theater troupe would use the Brayton for performances:
The Magnolia Theater has completed ts subscription series and does not plan to resume activities until fall; The New Theater, a Teen Post operation of the Office of Economic Opportunities, has opened in the old Brayton Theater on Atlantic.
I have an original theatre program from the 1st theatre in 1933. My grandpa got it before the 2nd theatre was demolished in the early 70’s.
Brayton Theatre Program Side 1: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2694601207_90e6932587_o.jpg
Brayton Theatre Program Side 2: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2694601213_244a9e28ff_o.jpg
2157 is a vacant lot.
There is an ad for the Brayton in this 1948 newspaper:
http://tinyurl.com/ykk4pq
A copy of this photo may be purchased from the Long Beach Public Library (main branch Ocean/Pacific). I think they charge around $30 for each print.
Good luck!
I never knew this existed before finding this site. My husband is a Brayton and works in the film industry, also a huge film fan. I would love to learn A) who the Braytons were that originally opened this theater and B) where I can find a high resolution photo of this theater. Please let me know if you have any information about either or my queries. Thanks!
After closing, the Brayton Theatre was used as a church for a period of time. The name ‘Brayton’ was taken from the surname of the owners. Film Daily Yearbooks, 1950 and 1952 give a seating capacity of 956.
The Brayton was designed by the Long Beach architectural firm Schilling & Schilling. It opened on July 30th, 1925.
the brayton was originally a silent movie house built in early 20’s…the photo shown here with the art deco exterior opened in 1935…after the theater was rebuilt following the 1933 long beach earthquake…I worked for the city of long beach,ca in those days….and walked through the place one last time days before it was leveled in 1972 for an apartment building…it had been vacant for at least 15 years…but the orchestra pit from earlier days was actually still there…doug sarvis
The Brayton Theatre ws located at 2157 Atlantic Blvd..