Los Angeles Theatres: Rampart Theatre

2625 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 | map |

Opened: The Rampart Theatre opened on November 11, 1924 with Constance Talmadge in "Her Night of Romance." Initailly they were only offering vaudeville on the program on Thursday nights. The theatre, on Temple a block west of Rampart Blvd., was initially operated by W.A. Sobelman and John Balk. The owners of the building were L.J. Smith and Fred J. Tabor.

This fine 1936 view by Peerless Photo Service is now in the Ronald W. Mahan Collection. At one time the photo was owned by Johnny Bresnik and had also been in the B'hend-Kaufmann collection. It had remained unidentified with the "R" above the boxoffice as one of the few clues. Theatre sleuth and man-about-town Bruce Kimmel solved the mystery. To a query posted on the Los Angeles Theatres Facebook page he responded:

"Solved. The Rampart. The only time this double bill played. In May of 1936. What do I win?"

When asked what he wanted as a prize, he replied:

"A time machine. This one was super time consuming because 'A Voice for Bugle Ann' had only a brief run at the 4-Star and then disappeared for an entire month, played a half-week at the Belmont, and then the next sighting was finally the Rampart a full two months after its exclusive engagement. And it never had a wider release like most of the films in that period. I was so happy to finally find it - was about to give up. But this was the only time this double bill happened."

Architect: Lewellyn J. Smith was architect, builder and a partner in owning the building. Decoration was by the Robert E. Power Studios. The cost of the building was about $125,000.

The owners boasted of "the only completely square auditorium in the West" as well as an advanced bowl shape for the rake of the floor. The sides were a bit higher, and we got an upward slope at the front -- something that became popular in the 40s as the "reverse curve."

Seating: 900

An item in the October 15, 1924 issue of the L.A. Times

The theatre's opening was profiled in the November 11, 1924 issue of the L.A. Times.

Images of the "Men Who Put It Over" from the November 11 Times.

The lead story about the theatre in the November 11, 1924 Times.

The November 11 opening night ad in the L.A. Times. Also see "Connie's Latest Opening Bill," an article in the issue about the initial film.

A few ads from contractors that appeared along with the theatre's opening day coverage in the Times.

"Famous actress" Yvonne Chappelle, making "her first appearance in months before a Los Angeles audience." It's a November 11 article located by Ken McIntyre, one of many items seen here that he included in his 2025 post about the theatre on the Ken's Movie Page Facebook group. Also see Ken's 2018 thread about the theatre on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.

"Chronicles of America" for a kiddie matinee. It's a November 21, 1924 blurb located by Ken.

A December 1924 ad located by Ken McIntyre noting that the theatre still had storefronts to lease.

Roofmen grab $5,000 from the safe. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding this September 14, 1928 article.

"Be Mine Tonight" playing the Rampart for a week in 1933. The film, which had a 17 week run at the Filmarte in Hollywood, featured featured Polish opera singer Jan Kiepura. Thanks to Ken for locating this September 16 ad.

A December 8, 1934 ad for "One Night of Love" plus a cartoon, Technicolor short and a newsreel. "A 190 Minute Show."

Running Syrian films in September 1948. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding the listing.

Family nights on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thanks to Ken for locating this July 12, 1949 item.

Troubles due to the death of the building owner in 1952. This announcement located by Ken appeared August 3.

Closing date: unknown

The auction in 1953. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this. It's yet another item he included in his 2025 post about the theatre on the Ken's Movie Page Facebook group. That New Opera House and Civic Center never got built.

In the 60s the auditorium was used as a movie studio for making commercials.

Status: The building is still there -- it's now used as a church.

Interior views:

An undated photo of the front of the Rampart's auditorium from the Los Angeles Public Library collection. Note the reverse curve of the floor for the front rows.

The rear of the auditorium. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.

Recent exterior views:

That's Benton Way on the left. The blue doors at the back of the house are used as the entrance by the church that has the building. On the right we're looking east on Temple with Rampart the next intersection off to the right. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

A closer look at the entrance. The marquee is the same one we see in the 30s photo at the top of the page, although stripped of all ornamentation and with plywood panels where the readerboards had once been. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

Ornament above one of the 2nd floor apartment windows. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

A look up the alley at the screen end of the building. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

The view down Benton Way toward Temple St. On the right it's the booth end of the building. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

On the right we're looking east on Temple St. Image: Google Maps - 2025

A closer look at the entrance. The 'For Lease" sign just refers to the storefront that had once been the theatre's entrance. Image: Google Maps - 2025