Also see: Warner Beverly Hills - history + exterior views
A 1931 look at the ceiling of the Warner's lobby. Thanks to Bill Housos for sharing these gems from his collection. He notes that he purchased the photos from the Theatre Historical Society decades ago.
The photo also appears in the August 29, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald as part of an article titled "Modern Ceiling Designs." It's on Internet Archive. The article notes that the ceiling "...is in association with a wall treatment of stippled pastel shades, and a decorative theme featuring a gilded fountain and, above it, a golden plaque set in a black marble alcove. Inscribed within this frame is a modernistic modeling of a golden bird flying in front of a large, leafy branch (serving as a background). This feature (rendered in the water-gilding process) has the function of drawing the eye toward the elaborate ceiling above.
"The essential theme of the ceiling pattern is based on the sun-burst, which plays in a continuous design around a series of beams... Between the beams are panels laid entirely in silver leaf, executing a pattern in modern interpretation of Mexican flora growing out of two large leaves on a coral glazed background..."
A detail from the image above. Photo: Bill Housos collection
A chandelier detail. Photo: Bill Housos collection
The Warner lobby -- the auditorium is off to the right. A snack bar later ended up at the fountain location. Photo: Bill Housos collection
A closer look at the drinking fountain on the lobby's south wall. Photo: Bill Housos collection. Thanks, Bill!
A lounge view appearing in the November 21, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald. It's on Internet Archive.
A look at the balcony lobby from the September 26, 1931 "Better Theatres" section of the Motion Picture Herald. It was part of an ad for Mohawk Carpet. The issue is on Internet Archive. "Comfort and quiet for patrons of Warner Brothers' Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, is assured by the use of Mohawk Scotia carpeting."
A detail of an entrance up into the seating area from the balcony lobby. It's one of four photos of the theatre in the August 29, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald as part of an article titled "Modern Ceiling Designs." It's on Internet Archive.
Stanley Warner gave the lobby a remodel in 1961. This photo showing off the simplified decor and the new carpet at the Warner was featured on page 71 of the March 6, 1961 issue of Boxoffice.
A rare view of the lobby in later years. Thanks to Bill Gabel for the photo, a post of his on Cinema Treasures.
A detail of the lobby decorative treatment from Rick Sloane's horror film "Blood
Theatre" (1984). It's a tale of murderous problems encountered by a new
company trying to reopen this old theatre with a tragic past.
A lobby railing detail from "Blood Theatre." See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for 26 more views of the theatre from the film.
In the auditorium:
An early look across the main floor toward the house right organ grille. Thanks to the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation for the photo, one on display by the organization at a 2014 "all-about" tour of another Warner, the one in San Pedro. In addition to the theatres in San Pedro and Beverly Hills, B. Marcus Priteca also designed a similarly sized theatre for Warner Bros. in Huntington Park.
This photo of a balcony soffit fixture is one of four views featured in the August 29, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald with an article titled "Modern Ceiling Designs." They call the treatment "a modern interpretation of Mexican motifs." The issue is on Internet Archive.
The rear of the 1,500 seat auditorium from onstage. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library
The auditorium ceiling as seen from the stage. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library
A detail of the auditorium ceiling featured in the August 29, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald. It's available on Internet Archive. Note that we get a peek at the projection ports at the bottom of the photo.
The article comments: "...The general design of the auditorium is dominated by a series of columns entirely encircling the auditorium until reaching the ante-proscenium features flanking the proscenium arch, and the ceiling similarly sweeps downward toward this portion, making the proscenium continuous with the rest of the auditorium architecturally.
"The ceiling is as a whole of the shape of [a] broad shallow dome, and its relief decoration, executed in composition and silver and gold leaf, has the appearance of being deeply and intricately carved. From an ornamental square in the center, bands of floral and leafy ornamentation, richly colored, radiate toward the walls."
Up in the balcony in 1931. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library
A chandelier and top of the proscenium detail from an otherwise uninteresting article about theatre planning in the July 4, 1931 issue of Motion Picture Herald. It's on Internet Archive.
A fine look across to house left from Rick Sloane's "Blood
Theatre" (1984).
A soffit detail. It's another image from Rick Sloane's "Blood
Theatre" (1984). See the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for many more views of the theatre from the film.
Demolition beginning in 1988. This view from the stage is in the collection of the Grand Vision Foundation, the support organization for the sister theatre, the Warner Grand San Pedro. The photo appeared in the January 2021 issue of "San Pedro Today" that was dedicated to celebrating the 90th birthday of the Warner in San Pedro. It's on the site Issuu. Thanks to Mike Hume for
spotting the coverage.
Looking in from the stage end of the building toward a sidewall and the rear of the auditorium during demolition. Photo: Bill Gabel Collection - Cinema Treasures. Thanks for all these photos, Bill.
A view of a deco column capital during demolition. Photo: Bill Gabel Collection - Cinema Treasures
The booth during the 1988 demolition. The Norelco AAII 35/70s once in use had previously been removed. Photo: Bill Gabel Collection - Cinema Treasures. Thanks, Bill!
Pages on the Warner: back to top - interior views | history + exterior views
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