Kirk Douglas Theatre

The Culver Theatre opened on August 13, 1946 with a seating capacity of 1,150(on a stadium plan with no overhanging balcony). The Culver Theatre was located near the Columbia Pictures studio lot (then the lot for MGM). It was built for and operated by Fox West Coast Theatres.

Originally, much like surrounding downtown Culver City, the Culver Theatre was a key part of classic Hollywood’s thriving entertainment community. But, eventually, much of the entertainment industry moved to points north and the theatre grew tired and worn over the years. It was tripled on January 14, 1976. It was closed in 1989.

Following severe damage caused by the Northridge easrthquake in 1994, the theatre’s auditorium, which had been triplexed earlier, was gutted as part of an abestos removal project. In 2002 work began to convert the theatre into a live performance space for the Center Theatre Group. It reopened in 2004.

Now renamed the Kirk Douglas Theatre, it operates as a performing arts center and playhouse. An $8 million restoration project, with a $1.25 million grant from the City of Culver, included the addition of two new stages, one with 100 seats and another with 350 seats. Most of the exterior has been preserved, including the box office and the signature mezzanine tile.

With the rebirth of the Culver/Kirk Douglas Theatre, the downtown area will receive its first legitimate theatre and a much needed shot in the arm.

The building is a Designated Historic-Cultural Monument.

Recent comments (view all 43 comments)

drb on November 3, 2008 at 3:10 pm

New home for the “Culver” script:

View link

kencmcintyre on April 13, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/c62ajk

kencmcintyre on May 16, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Here are additional photos from 1982 and 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/p7gnq7
http://tinyurl.com/qba8ls
http://tinyurl.com/r96m8w

kencmcintyre on May 16, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Here is a January 1950 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/qzmg5h

kencmcintyre on June 14, 2009 at 11:58 pm

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ksxo37

TLSLOEWS on June 4, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Very nice 1947 photo ken mc.

socal09 on June 12, 2011 at 12:48 pm

New photos added, taken November 1995.

davidcoppock on July 21, 2017 at 7:15 am

This theatre was seen in an episode of Baywatch Nights(season 2 – episode 12, Possessed).

davidcoppock on November 14, 2019 at 6:38 am

This theatre(then called CulverTheatre) was seen briefly(up the street from the Freeway Angels building) in an episode of Chips(season 6, episode 11 – Day of the robot).

rivest266 on November 17, 2019 at 10:41 am

Reopened with three screens on January 14th, 1976. Grand opening ad posted.