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Laurel Theatre

8056 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048 | map |


Opened: August 28, 1941. The name of the theatre came from its location at Beverly Blvd. and Laurel Ave. That's four blocks west of Fairfax and a block east of Crescent Heights.

The Julius Shulman photo of the team getting the marquee ready for the opening is in the collection of the Getty Research Institute. Their set of eight 1941 Laurel photos is indexed as Shulman's job #Lee-LT. | Getty data page | the photo set on the Getty site |

Thanks to Noirish Los Angeles contributor Hoss C for finding the photos in the Getty collection. They appear on his post #37326 and post #37339.  Also on the Getty site see their list of other Shulman jobs and a Julius Shulman Resources page.

The Laurel was part of a small, local chain operated by Herb Rosener who also had the Vagabond, Esquire, Studio, and Sunset theatres. In the 50s it was run by the Edwards circuit.

Architect: Unknown

Seating: 850

Status: The closing date is unknown. It's been a synagogue for decades.



In the lobby looking back toward the entrance. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941



Another lobby shot. Note the star autographs etched into the mirror. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941



The Laurel's auditorium. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941. Sorry, there's not a screen view surviving in the set.



The gentleman with a parachute has a sign saying "I bailed out just to see the new Laurel Theatre." Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941



More promotion for the grand opening. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941



A night shot of the Laurel's grand opening. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1941. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding this one. He had it on Photos of Los Angeles back in 2011.



The former Laurel Theatre. That's the auditorium at left with the unrecognizable remodeled facade, covered in brown marble, at the right. Photo: Google Maps - 2016



The screen end of the building on Laurel Ave. Photo: Google Maps - 2016

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Laurel.

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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousDecember 18, 2023 at 11:40 AM

    I went to the Delmar on Pico, West of La Brea, Julie, Really good Movie ! About 1957.

    ReplyDelete

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