Architect: Marcus P. Miller
This independent house was constructed by Louis Berkoff, owner of the La Tosca, according to an October 8, 1938 Boxoffice article located by Joe Vogel.
"Lou Berkoff, owner of the La Tosca Theatre here, will start construction immediately on a new 600-seat house at Pico Blvd. and Manhattan Ave. Plans have been approved and Berkoff is awaiting a building permit."
The Berkoff family was also involved in the Coronet, a legit house on La Cienega, the Esquire in the Fairfax district and the Cinema on Western Ave. Hadabob posted a lovely description of the theatre on Cinema Treasures:
"The
Midway Theatre was built in 1938. It was part of a complex that
included a Safeway Market and a small cafe. The original seating was 525
if my memory is correct. It was similar in interior design to that of
many small 'C' theatres of this era in Los Angeles. ( i.e., the Sherman,
Nuart, and the neighboring Victoria Theatre.) The interior was very
similar to the Sherman in Sherman Oaks as both theatres were very
similar in size and both shared simple murals to each side of the
proscenium. The Midway’s murals were of two deer – one at each side
which appear to jump and two trees on each side at the back of each
deer. The background color was beige.
Looking west in a 2010 Google Maps view.
More information: See The Cinema Treasures page on the Midway. Thanks to Joe Vogel for some nice research.
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