Atlantic Theater

5870 Atlantic Avenue,
Long Beach, CA 90805

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rivest266
rivest266 on March 15, 2021 at 6:53 pm

Reopened on October 31st, 1979 after closing in 1976 showing Mexican movies under the Zacatecas name. It reopened again as Cinema Varidades on October 12th, 1980, and renamed Long Beach Big Screen in 1983, and closed in 1986. Grand opening ads posted.

BobBro
BobBro on July 6, 2018 at 6:08 pm

I remember seeing “Dr. No” at the Atlantic. That was probably 1962 or 63. Also went there for some Saturday matinees when I was younger. It was affiliated with the Lakewood Theater (on East Carson Street) at that time. I grew up in California Heights and my grandparents lived in Bixby Knolls. So the Towne and the Crest were my mainstays. But I have always been fascinated with movie theaters, even when I was a kid, and wanted to go to a movie in every theater in Long Beach.

cabartlvr
cabartlvr on December 25, 2017 at 7:50 pm

Mark Goodrich – Did some research on your question about when the Atlantic stopped showing traditional movies. Last ad I have found for the Atlantic showing traditional movies was December 29, 1972. Double feature, “Greatest Story Ever Told” plus “The Ten Commandments.” Any seat any time, 99 cents, kids 49 cents. Then I find no ads for the Atlantic until June 9, 1973 which stated “Adults only, get acquainted admission $2.00.” Unfortunately I have been unable to find any photos of the Atlantic when it operated as a traditional movie house. Remember attending several “kiddie matinee” programs there back in the 1960’s. A beautiful theater but considered by most as second rate compared to the Towne & Crest Theaters.

Sillyheart55
Sillyheart55 on November 5, 2017 at 6:22 pm

It’s terrible how cities don’t believe in historical value anymore. I remember that The Crest Theater was gone by 1979, then it was The Towne and now it’s the Atlantic Theater. Oh boy! They saved the spire for the new building! Sad … The people making the decisions must be under 40 years old. They think that EVERYTHING over 40 is old. They probably think the same thing of people.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 14, 2017 at 2:49 am

The Atlantic was operating as a Chinese language movie house at least as late as 1983, when this photo was taken. It was pretty shabby by then. I’ve never seen a photo from the period when it was a regular movie house, or from the 1970s when it was running porn movies.

Mark Goodrich
Mark Goodrich on October 14, 2017 at 12:37 am

I also find it sad that I’m unable to see anything in the new library that mentions the theater at all. I expected there to be something about the history of the site…

Mark Goodrich
Mark Goodrich on October 14, 2017 at 12:36 am

I uploaded most of the photos now on the site for this theater and I was wondering if anyone knows approximately when the Atlantic ceased operating as a movie venue. I have looked everywhere and can’t locate a decent photo of the theater when it was in operation. Can any help or direct me? Thanks!

GaryParks
GaryParks on January 20, 2017 at 4:53 am

The top part of the tower was preserved, and mounted onto the new library building, which has been completed. I do not know if any other features of the theatre were incorporated anywhere else in the new building.

lemansblue69
lemansblue69 on February 18, 2016 at 12:01 am

What happened to the tower?

GaryParks
GaryParks on March 29, 2015 at 7:17 am

Several months ago, in mid-2014, I drove out to the site of the Atlantic. Not only is the building gone without a trace, but there seems to be no sign of future development at the site, not even a sign proclaiming the construction of a library, or anything, there. I’m wondering if the neighborhood has become the victim of a development scam of some sort, a promise of a library, and preserved portions of the theatre, only to be left with nothing. I hope not. I’ll be interested to see if anyone has any news.

Mark Goodrich
Mark Goodrich on February 9, 2014 at 3:53 am

I just added a few new photos of the demolition. The auditorium is down.

Mark Goodrich
Mark Goodrich on January 25, 2014 at 11:04 pm

Today, January 25, 2014, a ‘celebration’ was held marking the beginning of this theater’s demolition. The 1941 theater is being destroyed after many years of neglect to make way for a new library. The RKO-like spire, the theater’s terrazo floors, fountain and tile work will be incorporated into the library’s design plan. I will post some photos.

DebraLea
DebraLea on January 20, 2014 at 11:26 pm

Hi Guys, i’ve gone by the Atlantic theater, nothing yet to suggest that the demolish is still scheduled for the 25th. no signs ect. last time i went by there were Edison trucks with crane all in the back of the building working up on the poles. other than that nothing looks like work happening. i make it a habit to go by that way anymore. i’ll let you know if i see anything. i’ve posted the info and all the pictures on a group site of Facebook ‘you know your from LBC when you remember…’ it has raised so many to remembering our days going to the Atlantic, Crest, Towne & LaShell Theaters, many back to the days they opened. they loved the pictures and i included this site so they can also find info of the many other theaters that once were here in LBC and those that still are. thanks again for being here.

DebraLea
DebraLea on January 4, 2014 at 5:42 am

Hi Guys. the date is coming up fast. is anyone suppose to be or going to be on site when they start demo? to point out what is being saved, and instructions of how it’s to be saved? don’t trust the RDA one bit. they write up pretty papers of promises. everything they say their going to do has ten ways of doing it and they choose which way. like the saving of the historical Jergens Trust Building concrete cherubs & moldings. i came across recently in the library’s community data digital archives photo’s of LB a picture of one of the LB salvage yards and there up against the chain link fence was the cherubs and all the moldings stacked up on the ground and the cherub has two foot high weeds growing up out of her bosom and under her chin where they are cracked apart. obviously stacked with a fork lift. nothing has ever gone into the plan of using them again as said they would. once again it’s a case of they promised they would, but never said when.. i’ll mark the date.. the 25th is on a Saturday? i’m betting LB isn’t even doing the razing or the building of the center or library. they hired it out instead of the city doing the job. the city doesn’t work on Saturdays and pay any work of overtime! we’ll see. i’ll go check out the data base LBPL to see if it’s to date. Deb

Neurosturgeon
Neurosturgeon on December 11, 2013 at 7:47 pm

The Press-Telegram is reporting that the date for the Atlantic to be demolished is 1/25/14, but the front of the building is being preserved.

http://www.presstelegram.com/social-affairs/20131207/north-long-beach-library-progress-continues-atlantic-theater-being-demolished-in-january

DebraLea
DebraLea on November 13, 2013 at 12:10 pm

thanks MJ. we moved to 1074 Market in 59 when i was 9. then ironically to the little house south side of the Library. the one they are now saying is old and i forget the word (RDA word)but is what the excuse or reasons of ‘needing’ a new library built once the theater is razed. LB BS! i’m now at Market on Cerritos. across the street from where i started 54 years ago. ha. the new. and the gone. i remember more that’s gone than what’s new. not impressed.

MJuggler
MJuggler on November 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm

Derbralea, check out this site for more info: https://sites.google.com/site/losangelesmoviepalaces/lashell

DebraLea
DebraLea on November 11, 2013 at 7:16 am

out of curiosity why isn’t the Oriental Theater still listed beings it did exist before it was torn down and the La Shell was built in it’s place? just wondering.

DebraLea
DebraLea on November 9, 2013 at 8:33 am

moving my car after the street cleaner went by today i decided to go directly over to the theater to see what there is to see beings the Google imagery above is of April 2011. besides seeing more property that’s been razed and empty with white fencing around it the theater is still untouched. i don’t understand the purpose of removing all eleven houses on the backside of the block? from South st to 59th st on Lime st. westside of the block all that’s left is eleven brand new driveways? i guess it now just a case of wait and see..

DebraLea
DebraLea on November 1, 2013 at 3:56 am

i grew up going to the Atlantic Theater from 1959-1966. i seen many movies there as well as the Towne & Crest. until i seen these pic’s i’d forgotten about the fountain and the beautiful flooring. in the last 54 years i’ve lived within a few blocks of it and now retired i’m only but two blocks away. i drive up and down Atlantic at all times coming and going, but i haven’t gone up & down it seeing anything until i used your street view navigation. what i saw was a property razed street (by the RDA) with what says city now owned white fencing covering all of it. and they say that the property 6.? acres there where the theater stands is needed to build a NLB community center? needed? there’s more property directly across the street running from South st. to 59th st. and twice that two blocks farther down from razing the motel many years back. nothing has been built or used for on any of the land they’ve taken. i know they’ve bullied most out of their properties and yelled blithe, pubic nuisance or anything that enables them to force sale to them. the one person that was in favor of the theater excluded himself from the vote. i don’t know what LBC is up to but i know that all this property condemned and taken has a big retail resale price compared to what they gave the past owners. looking in the LBPL Community info base & history annex their not done yet by a long shot. that’s what my dad said when they razed his favorite bar which was The Back Door behind the Front Door Theater next door. thanks for letting me have my say. i must admit i have’t even gone that way to see if is been taken down yet. i will.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 12, 2011 at 10:10 pm

Is it still in existence? I haven’t been over there in a while.

JDintheOC
JDintheOC on October 2, 2010 at 7:51 pm

I lived in the Carmelitos housing project during my High School Years and would walk past the Atlantic every day on my way to and from Jordan High School. I spent nearly every weekend at the Atlantic (mostly) and Towne and Crest depending on the movie(s) playing at the time. It’s really sad to see it just a shadow of it’s former self. I had many good memories there and even got kicked out once for playing a one inch long harmonica during the movie. Good times.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on May 11, 2010 at 5:18 am

If greed for land and the ultimate decision to destroy the wonderful FOX THEATRE on Atlantic Ave (You really need to see Joseph Musil’s fabulous “Long Beach slide show) for another hotel, then I don’t thing the Atlantic Theatre has a chance in h***.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on May 8, 2010 at 1:56 am

Thanks M Gerges.

MJuggler
MJuggler on May 6, 2010 at 11:42 pm

I have a few photos from outside. Look to the right at the thumbnails for more photos.
View link

I have been told that there may be an appeal filed which can be done but not likely to help matters. No one in North Long Beach wants it to be there. Very sad to say. I will drove by often and let you know if I see anything happening.