Opened: May 27, 1937. The location is a block north of Beverly Blvd. The theatre opened as an independent owned by
Betty Berkoff. The photo of the theatre's opening from National Theatre Supply appeared with a story in the July 24, 1937 issue of Boxoffice.
The May 27, 1937 opening day ad in the L.A. Times. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating it. Visit his site: Movie-Theatre.org
The story in Boxoffice on July 24, 1937.
Architect: Clifford A. Balch. It was a remodel of an existing building. Joe Vogel found a mention of an item in the March 15, 1937 issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor saying Balch had prepared the plans for the remodel into a movie theatre.
Seating: 500
This 1938 photo of the Esquire appears in Marc Wanamaker's fine Arcadia Publishing book "Hollywood 1940-2008." It's on page 112 and can be viewed on the Google Books preview. The book is available on Amazon.
The Esquire was later operated by Herb Rosener, who
also had other theatres running with art house policies including the Laurel, Sunset, Studio and Grand theatres.
"Fantasia" running in October 1943. Although the ad touted Disney's pioneering stereo system called "Fantasound," it's unlikely any special equipment was installed at the Esquire. The film's initial run, with an elaborate sound installation, had been at the Carthay Circle Theatre, opening January 30, 1941. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ad.
A 1944 ad for "Guadalajara" located by Ken McIntyre who noted that at the time the Esquire and the Grand Theatre downtown were part of the same operation -- and using the same phone number. The ad was part of a post on Photos of Los Angeles.
A 1945 ad located by Ken McIntyre. Thanks, Ken!
The Esquire in the Movies: We get a quick look at the Esquire in the nine minute AMPAS/RKO 1948 short "Let's Go To The Movies," available on the Internet Archive. See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for more shots of theatres seen in the film.
A 1951 ad located by Ken McIntyre.
Status: It's been Canter's Deli since 1953. The marquee, projection booth, second floor restrooms and a photo on the wall are the only remains from its theatre days.
A 2005 photo by David Liu from the Wikipedia article on Canter's.
A look north on Fairfax in 2022. Photo: Bill Counter
Recent interior views:
Looking toward the screen end of the space. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
Back toward the booth. However, the wall with the clock isn't the booth front wall. The upstairs space has been extended forward to allow room for a bakery. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
Stairs to the booth and restrooms. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
The booth door. That's an electrical panel behind the door on the right. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
Looking into what had been the booth. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
A view to house right in the added area in front of the booth. Note the curve of what had been the auditorium ceiling. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
A look to house left in front of what had been the booth. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
A view to house right in the corridor to the restrooms behind the booth. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
A look back to house left and the door to what had been the manager's office. The stairs are around the corner to the right. Photo: Bill Counter- 2022
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Esquire Theatre.
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