During the 1920s and into the 1930s the Los Angeles area got many terrific movie palaces built outside of the historic theatregoing areas covered in the sections of this site dealing with downtown, the westside and down the coast.
In hundreds of far flung neighborhoods there are (or in many cases, were) wonderful Spanish Revival designs such as the Fox Florence and a delightful array of art deco creations including the Leimert in Leimert Park, the Warner in Huntington Park and the Fox Pomona.
All of the studios were interested in having opulent venues in the neighborhoods to show off their movies to the greatest advantage. Sometimes they made booking arrangements with other studios or circuits, sometimes they built their own palaces.
Here in this section you'll find information on just a few of my favorite historic theatres in Los Angeles and surrounding communities.
The criteria for inclusion here have been somewhat random. Of course there's the idea that the buildings of greatest architectural interest should be included. But I've also given weight to those that are just survivors -- still running movies after many of their competitors have dropped.
Of the ones that have vanished, some have merited inclusion due to location, sometimes the availability of historic photos or, occasionally, just curiosity on my part. If you can't find what you're looking for you could also consult the Main Alphabetical List. There is also a main Theatre List by Address as well as separate lists by address for the Westside, Along the Coast, San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley/Pomona/Whittier.
-- Bill Counter
| Alhambra Theatre | Alhambra/Capri Theatre | Garfield Theatre | Temple/El Rey Theatre | Alhambra/Superba Theatre |
Angeles Mesa
| Mesa Theatre |
Arcadia
| Arcadia Theatre | Santa Anita/Cinemaland |
Arlington Heights
| Arlington Theatre | Maynard Theatre | Rimpau / Metro / Ebony Showcase |
| Bellflower Theatre | Nubel / Holiday Theatre |
Belvedere / Belvedere Gardens
| Aztec Theatre | Bijou Theatre | Bonito Theatre | Boulevard Theatre | Garden Theatre |
See the Westside Theatres section.
Boyle Heights
| Aliso Theatre | Bijou Theatre | Brooklyn Theatre | Colonial Theatre | Joy Theatre | Meralta Theatre | Monterey Theatre | National Theatre | Nickelodeon / New Library | Unique Theatre | Vern Theatre | Wabash Theatre |
See the Westwood and Brentwood Theatres section.
Broadway - north of downtown
| Cinemaland | Daly Theatre | Federal Theatre | Starland Theatre |
Broadway downtown
See the Broadway section for the full survey.
Broadway - south of downtown
| AAA Theatre | American Theatre | Century Theatre | Mayfair Theatre | Mission Theatre | World Theatre |
Burbank
| Burbank / Victory Theatre | Coffee Cinema | California Theatre | Cornell Theatre | Loma Theatre | Magnolia Theatre | Major Theatre | Rose Theatre | Twin City Theatre | See the San Fernando Valley survey page for more listings.
Canoga Park
| Baronet / Boulevard Cinema | Holiday Theatre | Canoga / Park / Madrid Theatre |
Avalon Theatre - Catalina |
| Avalon Theatre | El Encanto Playhouse | New Strand/Riviera Theatre | Strand Theatre |
S. Central Avenue
| Casino Theatre | Central Theatre | Centro Theatre | Hub Theatre | Florence Mills Theatre | Lincoln Theatre | Bill Robinson Theatre | Rosebud Theatre | Savoy Theatre |
| AMC Century 14 / Century City 15 | Century Plaza Theatres | Shubert Theatre |
Chatsworth
| Cinema Chatsworth | Pacific Winnetka 20 / 21 / 12 & XD |
Chinatown
| Chinese Theatre | Cinemaland | Cineograph / Chinese | Fuji Kan Theatre | Kim Sing Theatre | King Hing Theatre | Linda Lea Theatre | Mandarin Theatre |
City Terrace
| Terrace Theatre | Wabash Theatre |
Compton
| Fox Compton | Symphony Theatre | Tower Theatre |
Covina Theatre - Covina |
| Capri Theatre | Covina Theatre | Empress Theatre | Star Theatre |
Crenshaw Boulevard
Culver City
Cypress Park
| Arroyo Theatre | Dayton Theatre |
Downtown
See the Theatre District Overview and these separate survey pages: Hill St. and farther west | Broadway theatres | Spring St. theatres | Main St. and farther east |
| Aliso Theatre | Aztec Theatre | Bell's Theatre | Bijou Theatre | Bonito Theatre | Boulevard Theatre | Brooklyn Theatre | Center Theatre | Colonial Theatre | Crystal Theatre | Family Theatre | Garden Theatre | Golden Gate Theatre | Ivy Theatre | Jewel Theatre | Joy Theatre | Meralta Theatre | Monterey Theatre | National Theatre | Nickelodeon / New Library | Royale Theatre | Star Theatre | Strand Theatre | Terrace Theatre | Unique Theatre | United Artists / Alameda | Vern Theatre | Wabash Theatre |
Fairfax
| Arroyo Theatre | Dayton Theatre | Fox Figueroa Theatre | Franklin Theatre | Highland Theatre | Highland Park Theatre | Kim Sing / Carmen Theatre | Park Theatre | Sunbeam Theatre |
| Castle Theatre | Florencita Theatre | Fox Florence Theatre | Gentry Theatre | Graham Theatre | Kinema Theatre | Nadeau Theatre | Sunbeam Theatre | World Theatre |
Gardena
| Embassy Theatre | Gardena Cinema | Gardena Theatre - 1939-1955 |
Glassell Park
| Division Theatre | Glassell / Dale Theatre |
Alex Theatre - Glendale |
| Alex Theatre | Atwater Theatre | Bard's / Glen Theatre | California Theatre | Capitol Theatre | Cosmo Theatre | Gateway Theatre | Glendale Centre Theatre | Glendale Cinemas | Glendale Civic Auditorium | Glendale Marketplace 4 | Glendale Theatre - 1910 | Glendale Theatre - 1920 | Hearthside Theatre | Hide Away Theatre | Majestic Theatre | Pacific Glendale 18 | Palace Grand | Roxy Theatre | Sands Theatre | Studio Movie Grill | Temple Theatre/Regency 2 | Tuesday Afternoon/Villa Glen Theatre | Vogue Theatre |
Highland Park
| Arroyo Theatre | Dayton Theatre | Franklin Theatre | Highland Theatre | Highland Park Theatre | Park Theatre | Sunbeam Theatre | York / Bob Baker Marionette Theatre |
| California Theatre | Huntington Theatre | Lyric Theatre | Nadeau Theatre | Park Theatre | Warner Huntington Park |
Inglewood Theatre - Inglewood |
| 5th Avenue Theatre | Academy Theatre | Arcade Theatre | Balboa Theatre | Century Drive-In | Fox Inglewood | Granada Theatre | Imperial Theatre | Inglewood Theatre | Ritz/Miracle Theatre | Seville Theatre | United Artists |
| Pacific's / Starlight Lakewood Center Theatres | Lakewood Drive-In | Lakewood Theatre | Paradise Theatre | Plaza Theatre |
Lincoln Heights
| Daly Theatre | Federal Theatre | San Carlos Theatre | Starland Theatre |
Lomita
| Lomita Theatre |
Long Beach
| AMC Marina Pacifica | AMC Pine Square | American | Art - 4th St. | Art - Pike | Atlantic | Bentley | Bijou | Byde-A-Wyle | Cabart | California | Cinemark | Circle Drive-In | Coughran Opera House | Crest | Dale | Ebell | Edison | Egyptian | Fairyland | Fox Belmont | Fox Long Beach | Front Door | Gaiety | Hart | Home | Imperial | Joyland | Kid Mexico's Miracle Block | La Petite | La Shell | Lakewood Center Theatres | Lakewood Drive-In | Lakewood Theatre | Laughlin | Long Beach Drive-In | Long Beach Theatre | Los Altos Drive-In | Lyceum | The Movie | Municipal Auditorium - 1905 | Municipal Auditorium - 1932 | Palace | Paradise | Pastime | Plaza | Queen Mary | Redondo | Regal Edwards Long Beach 26 | Regal UA Long Beach | Rialto | Rivoli | Ritz | Roxy | Santa Fe | Scottish Rite - Borgnine | State | Strand | Tabernacle | Tarrytown | Terrace | Theatorium | Towne | Tracy | United Artists | Victor | West Coast | Also see the Long Beach Theatres survey page.
Long Beach Boulevard
| Arden Theatre | Lynwood Theatre | Rivoli Theatre | Tower Theatre | Vogue Theatre |
Lynwood
| Arden Theatre | Lynwood Theatre |
Los Feliz
See the Westside Theatres section.
MacArthur Park
| Beaux Arts Theatre | Westlake Theatre | Alvarado / Park Theatre | See the Westside Theatres section for more listings.
Main St. - north of downtown
| San Carlos Theatre |
Main St. - downtown
See the survey page on Main St. Theatres.
Main St. - south of downtown
| Chutes / Luna Park Theatre | Dreamland Theatre | Lucia / Crystal Theatre | Princess Theatre | Victor Theatre |
Manhattan Beach
| La Mar Theatre |
Maywood
| Egyptian / Maywood Theatre |
Melrose Avenue
See the Westside Theatres section.
Miracle Mile
| Bing Theatre / LACMA | new theatre / LACMA | El Rey Theatre | Four Star Theatre | Geffen Theatre/Academy Museum | Mann Theatre/Academy Museum | La Brea Theatre | Ritz Theatre |
Monrovia
| Elite Theatre | Lyric / Crest Theatre | Mission Theatre | Colonial/Monrovia Theatre |
Montebello
| Cameo Theatre | Garmar Theatre | Montebello Theatre | Vogue Theatre |
Monterey Park
| Monterey Theatre |
Montrose
| Montrose Theatre |
North Hollywood
| AMC Universal Cinemas | El Portal Theatre | Flicker: Old Time Movies | Lankershim Theatre | Valley / Guild Theatre | Valley Plaza 6 | Victory Drive-In |
North of Downtown
| Arroyo Theatre | Atwater Theatre | Cameo Theatre | Cinemaland | Daly Theatre | Dayton Theatre | Division Theatre | Eagle Theatre | El Sereno Theatre | Elysian / Studio Theatre Playhouse | Federal Theatre | Franklin Theatre | Glassell / Dale Theatre | Granada / Owl Theatre | Highland Theatre | Highland Park Theatre | Kim Sing / Carmen Theatre | King Hing Theatre | Park Theatre | San Carlos Theatre | Sierra Theatre | Starland Theatre | Sunbeam Theatre | York / Bob Baker Marionette Theatre |
Norwalk
| Norwalk Theatre |
Ocean Park
| Bob's Theatre | Brooks Theatre | Crescent Vaudeville Theatre | Dome Theatre - 1916-1924 | Dome Theatre 1924-1969 | Empress Theatre | Family Theatre | Grand Theatre | La Grande Theatre | La Petite Theatre | Ocean Park Auditorium | Ocean Park Casino | Ocean Park Municipal Auditorium | Rosemary - c.1910-1912 | Rosemary - 1912-1913 | Rosemary 1913-c.1919 | Rosemary - c.1919-1924 | Rosemary - 1924-1969 | Seaside Theatre | Shell Theatre | Star Theatre | Starland Theatre | Wonderland Theatre |
Orange County
| Fox Fullerton |
Panorama City
| Panorama Theatre |
Pasadena Civic Auditorium |
| Academy 6 | Colorado Theatre | Esquire Theatre | Fox Pasadena | Landmark Pasadena | Oaks Theatre | Pasadena Civic Auditorium | Pasadena Playhouse | Raymond Theatre | Regal Paseo 14 | Rialto Theatre | State Theatre | Strand Theatre | United Artists | Uptown Theatre | Washington / Cinema 21 | See the Pasadena Theatres survey page for more listings.
Pomona
| Armory / Pomona Opera House / La Pictoria / American | Belvedere Theatre | Fox Pomona | Fraternal Aid Opera House | Lyric Theatre | Pomona Opera House - 3rd & Thomas | State Theatre | Sunkist Theatre | United Artists Theatre | Also see the survey page about San Gabriel Valley, Pomona and Whittier Theatres.
Rampart
| Rampart Theatre |
Redondo Beach
| Art Theatre | Capitol Theatre | Fox Redondo | Redondo Pavilion/Auditorium/Pavilion Theatre | Strand/Surf/Marina 1-2-3 |
Reseda
| Reseda Theatre |
Rosemead
| Rosemead Theatre |
San Fernando
| Azteca / Crest Theatre | Centre / Town Theatre | Cody's / San Fernando |
Studio City Theatre - Studio City |
| Alex Theatre | AMC Universal Cinemas | Art Theatre | Azteca / Crest Theatre | Baronet / Boulevard Cinema | Burbank / Victory Theatre | California Theatre | Canyon Theatre | Centre Theatre | Cody's / San Fernando | Coffee Cinema | Cornell Theatre | El Portal Theatre | Encino Theatre | Flicker: Old Time Movies | Fox Van Nuys | Guild / Valley Theatre | Jewel Theatre | La Reina Theatre | Lankershim Theatre |
San Gabriel
| Feldmiller Theatre | San Gabriel Theatre | San Gabriel Mission Playhouse |
San Gabriel Valley
| Alhambra Theatre | American Theatre | Arcadia Theatre | Armory Opera House | Azusa / State / Village Theatre | Belvedere Theatre | Berry Grand | Capri Theatre | Covina Theatre | El Monte Theatre | El Rey Theatre | Elite Theatre | Empress Theatre | Family Theatre |Feldmiller Theatre | Fox Fullerton | Fox Pomona | Fraternal Aid Opera House | Gale Theatre | Garfield Theatre |
San Pedro
| Alhambra Theatre | Auditorium Theatre | Barton Theatre | Fox Cabrillo | Electric/San Pedro Opera House | Empire Theatre | Fisher's Theatre | Globe Theatre | Lyric Theatre | Majestic Theatre | New Theatre | Royal Playhouse | San Pedro Drive-In | Star Theatre | Strand Theatre | Victoria Theatre | Warner Grand Theatre |
San Pedro St.
| Castle Theatre | Star Theatre |
Santa Monica
| Aero Theatre | AMC Santa Monica 7 | Arclight | Arena Cinelounge | Elmiro/Broadway 4 | Bundy Theatre | Criterion Theatre | Hitching Post | La Petite Theatre | Mayfair Theatre | Monica Film Center | North Beach Auditorium | NuWilshire Theatre | Orpheum Theatre | Pussycat Theatre | Santa Monica Civic Auditorium | Steere Opera House | Also see the Ocean Park listings. Consult the Along the Coast section for more listings up and down the coast.
Santa Monica Blvd.
| Bee Bee Theatre | Carmel/Paris Theatre | Cinematheque Club | Coast Playhouse | Crown Theatre | Loma/Paramount Theatre | Mayfair Theatre | Monica/Pussycat Theatre | Nuart Theatre | Royal Theatre | Tiki Theatre | Also see the Westside Theatres section.
Sawtelle
| Crown Theatre | National Theatre | Nuart Theatre | Royal Theatre | Wadsworth Theatre | Also see the Westside Theatres section.
Sepulveda Boulevard
| Loyola Theatre | Paradise Theatre |
Sherman Oaks
| La Reina Theatre | Sherman Theatre | Sherman Oaks Cinema I-II | Pacific 4 / Galleria 16 / ArcLight / Regal | Pacific Sherman Oaks 5 | Windsor House |
Silver Lake
| Knightsbridge Theatre | Palms/Belmont Theatre |
Nubel Theatre - Bellflower |
South Central
| AAA Theatre | Adams Theatre | Alto Theatre | American Theatre | Avalon Theatre | Balboa Theatre | Baldwin Theatre | Bard's West Adams | Boulevard Theatre | Carlton Theatre | Casino Theatre | Castle Theatre | Centro Theatre | Century Theatre | Chutes / Luna Park Theatre | Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw 15 | Congress Theatre | Crenshaw / Kokusai Theatre | Dixie Theatre | Dreamland Theatre | Ebony Showcase | Florence Mills Theatre | Florencita Theatre | Fox Figueroa Theatre | Fox Florence Theatre | Gentry Theatre |
| Nate Holden PAC | Kinema Theatre | La Tosca Theatre | Leimert / Vision Theatre | Lincoln Theatre | Lucia / Crystal Theatre | Madrid Theatre | Manchester Theatre | Mayfair Theatre | Mesa Theatre | Mission Theatre | Princess Theatre | Rio Theatre | Rivoli Theatre | Bill Robinson Theatre | Rosebud Theatre | Savoy Theatre | Southside Theatre | Star Theatre | Sunbeam Theatre | Temple Theatre | Vermont Theatre | Western Theatre | World Theatre | See the South, South Central & Southeast theatres survey page for more listings.
South Gate
| Allen Theatre | Vogue Theatre |
South Park
| Avalon Theatre |
South Pasadena
| Rialto Theatre | Ritz Theatre | South Pasadena Opera House |
Spring St. - downtown
See the Spring St. Theatres page on the Downtown Theatres site.
Spring St. - north of downtown
| King Hing Theatre |
Studio City
| Nickelodeon | Studio City Theatre |
Sun Valley
| Lankershim Theatre |
Sunset Blvd.
See the Hollywood and Westside Theatres sections.
Temple City
| Temple Theatre |
Temple St.
| Ahmanson Theatre | Granada / Owl Theatre | Palms / Belmont Theatre | Rampart Theatre |
Torrance
| Grand/Torrance Community Theatre | Rolling Hills Theatre | Stadium/Pussycat Theatre | Torrance Theatre | United Artists Torrance |
Tujunga
| Jewel Theatre | Tujunga / Rainbow / Canyon Theatre |
Shrine Auditorium |
| Boulevard Theatre | Deluxe Theatre | Fox Figueroa Theatre | La Tosca Theatre | Lucia / Crystal Theatre | Mission Theatre | Shrine Auditorium | Union Theatre / Velaslavasay Panorama | University / Realart / Trojan | Vermont Theatre |
Van Nuys
| Fox Van Nuys | Rivoli / Capri Theatre | Sepulveda Drive-In | Van Nuys Drive-In |
Venice
| California/Venice Theatre - Ocean Front Walk | Fox Venice Theatre | Neptune Theatre | Unique Theatre | Venice Auditorium | Venice Theatre - on the pier | Venice Theatre/Pacific Resident Theatre |
Vermont Ave. - north of Pico
See the Westside Theatres section.
Vermont Ave. - south of Pico
| Balboa Theatre | Boulevard Theatre | Congress Theatre | La Tosca Theatre | Madrid Theatre | Southside Theatre | Temple Theatre | Vermont Theatre |
Walnut Park
| Lyric Theatre | Nadeau Theatre |
Washington Blvd.
| Arlington Theatre | Boulevard Theatre | Chutes / Luna Park Theatre | Culver Theatre | Ebony Showcase | Nate Holden Performing Arts Center | Maynard Theatre |
Watts
| Largo Theatre | Palace / Sonora Theatre | Yeager / Linda Theatre |
West Adams
| Adams Theatre | Arlin Theatre | Arlington Theatre | Bard's West Adams | Boulevard Theatre | Deluxe Theatre | LaSalle Theatre | Lucia / Crystal Theatre | Luna Theatre | Maynard Theatre | Riviera / Fremont Theatre | Variety Theatre |
West Hollywood
See the Hollywood and Westside Theatres sections.
Westchester
| La Tijera Theatre | Loyola Theatre | Paradise Theatre |
Western Ave. - north of Pico
| Cinema Theatre | Clinton Theatre | Embassy Theatre | Film Festival | Flick | CGV Cinemas | Sunset Theatre | Uptown Theatre | Wilshire Theatre | Wiltern Theatre | Windsor Theatre |
Western Ave. - south of Pico
| Alto Theatre | Carlton Theatre | Rio Theatre | Rivoli Theatre | Western Theatre |
Westside
See the Hollywood and Westside Theatres sections.
Westwood
See the Westwood and Brentwood Theatres section.
Whittier Theatre - Whittier |
Whittier
| Berry Grand Theatre | Gale Theatre | Family Theatre | Optic Theatre | Scenic / Roxy Theatre | Strand Theatre | Wardman / Whittier Village Cinemas | Whittier Theatre |
Whittier Blvd.
| Bell's Theatre | Boulevard Theatre | Cameo Theatre | Center Theatre | Crystal Theatre | Family Theatre | Garmar Theatre | Golden Gate Theatre | Ivy Theatre | Jewel Theatre | Montebello Theatre | Monterey Theatre | Royale Theatre | Star Theatre | Strand Theatre | United Artists / Alameda | Vogue Theatre | Whittier Theatre |
Wilmington
| Avalon Theatre | Granada Theatre | Capitola Theatre |
Wilshire Boulevard corridor
See the Westside Theatres section.
Woodland Hills
| Art Theatre | Topanga Theatre | Valley Music Theatre |
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