4949 York Blvd. Highland Park (Los Angeles), CA 90042 | map |
Opened: September 18, 1923 as the York Theatre with John Sugar Amusement Co. as the initial operator. He had a partnership deal with West Coast Theatres. It's on the north side of York Blvd. just west of Avenue 50.
The marquee renovation was a 2024 project executed by Signmakers based on designs by Escott O. Norton of Eon Design. It was made
possible by a grant from the Perenchio Foundation. The lighting ceremony, with Jason Segel as MC, was October 6 following a community open house earlier in the day. Photo: Bill Counter
Architect: Richard R.F. Lehman. The building has 7,480 s.f. on the main floor and 2,000 s.f. on the booth level. The renovations for the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre were designed by the firm of Escher GuneWardena.
Seating: 900 was announced as the initial capacity, a bit of an inflated number. It was 700 after a reseating in the 40s. Now it's about 100 plus lots of carpeted floor area. The signage heading into the auditorium says: "Maximum Occupancy 476 people 2219 puppets."
Website: www.bobbakermarionettetheater.com | on Facebook
A permit to add a marquee to the new theatre building was issued in August 1923. This newspaper story from August 29, 1923 noted the involvement of West Coast Theatres:
The proposed initial feature, "Three Ages," was a July release from Metro Pictures. But there was a later change of plans. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for including this item in his extensive thread about the theatre for the
Ken's Movie Page Facebook group.
A September 14, 1923 story about the new house that was located by Ken McIntyre in the Highland Park Mid-Week Herald. "Blinky" with Hoot Gibson was announced as the opening film.
The theatre was mentioned in a November 1923 issue of the Eagle Rock
Sentinel as hosting a meeting of the North Highland Park Women’s Club.
"The Chechahcos" and an apology, two items that Ken found in the September 12, 1924 issue of the Highland Park Mid-Week Herald
The roof sign was added in 1925. It's listed at 4951 York Blvd. in the 1925 and 1929 city directories.
A May 1929 ad. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it for a post on the
Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
A 1932 item located by Ken McIntyre for the York Facebook thread on
Ken's Movie Page.
On the York stage: the world's largest coconut cream pie! Ken McIntyre found this April 1937 article about demonstrations of the joys of all-electric cooking.
The interior got a moderne re-do sometime in the 30s that obliterated nearly all of the original decor.
Another exciting rental. Ken McIntyre found this ad for a May 1943 pension talk. The theatre wouldn't reopen for regular film exhibition until 1944.
"Grover L. Smith's New Family Theatre." He also operated the
Roxy,
Cosmo and
Vogue theatres in Glendale as well as the
Atwater Theatre in Atwater Village. It's a June 1944 ad located by Ken McIntyre.
A July 1944 ad located by Ken McIntyre. See several more 1944 ads in the Facebook thread about the York on
Ken's Movie Page.
Lots going on at the "Finest Neighborhood Theatre" in December 1950. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding the ad.
"Now Open Every Day." It's a March 1952 ad located by Ken McIntyre.
An October 1952 listing in the Times.
Closing as a film house: Evidently the end came in early 1953.
This January 27 listing in the Times was the last one that could be located by Ken McIntyre.
Later uses:
"Tasty Food Samples" were offered at one February 1954 event. The church group that took over the theatre was calling it the
York Lyceum Theatre. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for the ad. See a photo with the "
Health Cooking Demonstration" event on the marquee.
Free admission for "Cannibal to Christianity." And you got some South Seas movies as well! Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding this April 1954 article.
In addition to his free lecture and showing astronomical films in October 1955, Phillip Knox parked a big telescope out front so everyone could have a look at the stars. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ad.
A meeting to discuss bus service in February 1956. Ken McIntyre located the article.
It was still being called the York Lyceum at the time this item about a "Mother-Daughter Cooking School" appeared in May 1957.
By November 1957 it was being called the York Revival Center with a new tenant. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this ad. A December story he found mentioned that "The new church will occupy the old York Theatre building, which recently housed the Lyceum Theatre group."
Later in the 1950s the building was used as an organ building and repair shop and called the Artisan Music Hall. Cat Eby comments:
"My father, Robert Eby of Artisan Organs, owned this theater for a time
in the 1950s. It was a theatre and classical electronic organ showroom.
He also showed silent films from time to time with live organ
accompaniment."
"Build This Organ... Send for free literature or better yet visit the beautiful Artisan Music Hall.." It's an October 1959 ad located by Ken McIntyre.
A show at the Artisan Music Hall in November 1959. Thanks to Ken for locating the article.
A May 1960 ad for an Artisan organ for sale that was spotted by Ken McIntyre.
An ad in the Times for a February 1961 recital by Wilma Jensen at the Artisan Music Hall. Thanks to Ken for locating it.
Artisan was gone in 1962 and yet another church business grabbed the lease. It became the York Blvd. Community Church, with a November 4, 1962 dedication.
The Community Church running movies in 1963. Well, it was the Billy Graham film "Oiltown U.S.A." Note that the Artisan Music Hall name is mentioned. Thanks to Ken for the article. A March 1963 ad for Artisan Organs noted that they were "moving to new quarters" and were showing their products by appointment only.
In 1964 it was called the Fellowship Church of Religious Science. In 1967 it was the Glad Tidings Tabernacle. In 1985 it became the Pyong Kang Korean church. The church was out in 2017 and the building was placed on the market in 2018. The Eastsider had an August 28, 2018 article by Barry Lank about the building. Thanks to Alex Rojas for spotting the story. The building sold in November 2018 for $2.5 million. The Loopnet listing for the property now notes that it's off market.
Marionettes get a new home: In February 2019 it was announced that the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre signed a 10 year lease on the building. They had been in Echo Park for 55 years but were forced to leave in late 2018 due to redevelopment of the site, which had been sold by Bob Baker prior to his death.
A rendering of the proposed 2019 facade upgrade from architects Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena.
The theatre got a digital theatre organ with a console that's a replica of one by Wurlitzer. It's a project of the Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society that was announced in a May 2019 post on the Bob Baker Facebook page. It's a photo by Winona Bechtle, the theatre's Director of Development and Community Partnerships.
Reopening: The group began holding their first public shows on June 8, 2019 with a
preview performance of "Sketchbook Revue." A grand opening celebration
was held in November 2019.
"Drumroll
please... We're excited to announce the restoration of our marquee! As
some of you may have guessed, our marquee features traditional neon,
historic art deco features, and our iconic Toot clown... Made in
partnership with
Signmakers LA and
Escott O. Norton, and made possible
through the generous support of the Perenchio Foundation..."
An image from a short September 2024 BBMT marquee video #1: design that features many of Escott's sketches showing the evolution of the design for the marquee. It's on Facebook.
The can for the marquee's new Toot the Clown figure. This shot as well as the nine that follow are from a
BBMT marquee video #2: fabrication on Facebook that's about the sign's fabrication. When it was shared in a post by
Escott O. Norton he commented: "
Here is some of my behind the scenes footage of the making of the Bob Baker Marionette Theater marquee, brilliantly edited together by the BBMT team!"
A pattern for one side of the clown.
Bending a section of tubing.
More tube bending.
Some of the tubing sections on the pattern.
Wiring up the clown.
Testing the horn's animation.
The BBMT letters for above the readerboards.
Tubing for the "T."
The new marquee was celebrated at an October 6 open house and the sign was lit at a ceremony that evening.
Lobby areas:
The lobby and former boxoffice area before renovations. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
Terrazzo revealed upon removal of the carpet. Photo: Bill Counter - March 2019
A peek out to the street. The poster case swings out to reveal electrical panels and a safe. The original entrance doors were in the openings below the exit signs. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
New tile in the lobby. Photo: Winona Bechtle - May 2019
The outer lobby after renovations. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
The inner lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
A look to house right during a break from the chaos of the October 6, 2024 open house and marquee lighting ceremony. Photo: Bill Counter
The auditorium:
A look to the front when the building was still churched. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
A view after a bit of demolition work had been done. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019
A 20s end standard with a "YT" design. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019
A closer look at the old screen. Photo: Bill Counter - March 2019
The rear of the auditorium before work began. Note the cry rooms on either side. The added room in the center was used as a choir rehearsal room. The window we see upstairs is in an added room out in front of the projection booth. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
Another view to the rear. Photo: Bill Counter - March 2019
Ceylon Baginski and Natalie Hadland repainting the corridor at the head of the house left aisle. There's a control booth on the left and a cry room on the right. It's a photo
by Winona Bechtle that appears
with "
Bob Baker Marionette Theatre is Already Hosting Shows...," the June 2019 Los Angeles Magazine article by Chris Nichols.
Looking into the auditorium with the house ready for a preview performance. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for her June 2019 photo. It's one in a set of 14 she posted on
Facebook.
A closer view of the new false proscenium. Photo: Michelle Gerdes - June 2019
Performers on stage. Photo: Michelle Gerdes - 2019
A look across the house at the new side wall murals. Photo: Michelle Gerdes - 2019
The rear of the house during a preview performance. It's a photo by Peter Sattler that appears with Chris Nichols' June 2019 Los Angeles Magazine article.
A bit of the plasterwork surviving from the 1923 proscenium that's on display at the theatre. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for her 2019 photo.
Looking in during the November 29, 2019 grand opening celebration. Photo: Bill Counter
The organ in use between shows. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
A view through to the original proscenium location. The woman in red is a marionette handler. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
A view off right. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
Part of the proscenium from the moderne re-do. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
The rear of the house. Photo: Bill Counter - November 2019
Looking down the house right aisle during the October 6, 2024 open house. Photo: Bill Counter
Exhibits across the back of the house. Photo: Bill Counter - October 2024
The back corner house right. Photo: Bill Counter - October 2024
Across to the organ niche on the house left side the proscenium. Photo: Bill Counter - October 2024
The rear of the auditorium. Photo: Bill Counter - October 2024
Upstairs:
A former office or apartment area at the front of the second floor. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019
In the former projection booth. That doorway in the booth front wall was added by the church for access to an area they added out in front of the booth. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019
Looking toward house left in the added area out in front of the projection booth. Note the booth ports on the left. The stairway we see in front of the booth was added by the church. The original access to the upstairs spaces was a door on the street just west of the theatre entrance. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
A Corinthian column capitol from the 20s that survived the moderne remodel. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019
A view down from the area in front of the booth when the building was still churched. Photo: Loopnet - 2018
A view down during a preview performance. It's a photo by Peter Sattler that appears with "
Bob Baker Marionette Theatre is Already Hosting Shows...," the June 2019 Los Angeles Magazine article by Chris Nichols.
More exterior views:
1946 - A view west. Thanks to Sean Ault for locating the shot when it was offered for sale online. Also see
the original much wider image this detail was taken from.
1951 - A Christmas view from the Paul Ayers collection with the theatre hiding behind the streetcar. He shared this one in a
Facebook post but had no data about who had given it the date.
1954 - A show to extol the virtues of healthy cooking. Note the new marquee. Thanks to
Winona Bechtle of the Bob Baker organization for the photo. It's one
they uncovered doing research on the building for their renovation
project. The shot was featured in a
Facebook post by the theatre where they reported that the image appeared in a
1954 issue of a regional church paper called the "Pacific Union Recorder." Mary Morelli was the one who tracked it down. The church was calling the theatre their "York Street Center."
1950s - A view west on York. Behind the streetcar
there's a partial view of the theatre's roof sign. Thanks to Sean Ault for
sharing the photo from his collection.
2007 - Thanks to prolific photographer Waltarrr for this look at the York. That's Avenue 50 on the right. He notes that the corner building used to be the local roller rink.
2007 - A closer view by Waltarrr. Both of his photos used to be on Flickr but have vanished from that platform.
2017 - The facade painted church white. Photo: Google Maps
2018 - Cleaned up for sale. Photo:
Loopnet
2019 - Looking very white. Photo: Bill Counter
2019 - A view after the facade repainting project was completed. Thanks to the theatre's Winona Bechtle for the May photo.
2019 - Signage installed and the new organ console on display out front in May. Photo: Winona Bechtle - Bob Baker Marionette Theatre
2019 - The balloons were for the theatre's day-long grand opening celebration on November 29. Photo: Bill Counter
2024 - Painting done and ready for new additions. Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for sharing this early September photo in a
Facebook post along with 24 others she took at the show "Choo Choo Revue."
2024 - The Signmakers team installing a new can with LEDs for the east readerboard.
Image: BBMT marquee video #3 on Facebook
2024 - A piece of tubing for the panel adjacent to the "BBMT" letters. Image: BBMT marquee video #3 on Facebook
2024 - The staff and volunteers with the neon figure of Toot the Clown before he goes on the marquee.
Winona Bechtle, the theatre's Director of Development and Community Partnerships, is on the right with the dog. The guy in the hat above Toot's horn is the sign's designer, Escott O. Norton of
Eon Design. Photo:
Bob Baker Facebook page - September 9
2024 - Painting some of the trim. Photo: Bill Counter - September 13
2024 - A view from the east as the work by Signmakers continued. Photo: Bill Counter - September 13
2024 - A closer look at the new readerboard faces and neon. Photo: Bill Counter - September 13
2024 - The new Toot figure and neon work at the front of the marquee. Photo: Bill Counter - September 13
2024 - The first copy on the marquee. Photo: Bill Counter - September 25
2024 - A shot by Angel Origgi of the BBMT that appeared with Fiona Ng's September 29 story for LAist titled "If you haven't noticed, Bob Baker Marionette Theater is 'in LA to stay.'" Thanks to LAHTF board member April Wright for spotting the story.
More information: Don't miss "Bob Baker Marionette Theater Grand Opening...," Sandi Hemmerlein's December 2019 Avoiding Regret photo essay about the festivities. She paid a return visit in July 2021 on the occasion of the theatre's reopening: "Bob Baker Marionette Theater Brings Enchantment back..."
See the Cinema Treasures page on the Bob Baker for a few comments about the building.
The Eastsider's February 2019 story "Puppets on York..." discussed the organization's move to the York Theatre. LAist also had a story about the new location: "Bob Baker Marionette Theater Moves to Highland Park."
Ken McIntyre compiled an extensive Facebook thread about the theatre for Ken's Movie Page.
Gwynned
Stuart covered the story for Los Angeles Magazine with the February 2019 article "Bob Baker Marionette Theater is Moving into an Old Movie House in Highland Park." Chris Nichols June 2019 LA Magazine article "Bob Baker Marionette Theatre is Already Hosting Shows...," discussed the renovation project and features many photos.
Deborah Netburn's February 19, 2019 story for the L.A. Times, "L.A.'s historic Bob Baker Marionette Theater is moving to Highland Park"
included photos from productions at the company's old location.
Thanks to Winona Bechtle, the company's Director of Development, for graciously allowing access to explore the theatre.
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My father, Robert Eby of Artisan Organs, owned this theater for a time in the 1950s. It was a theater and classical electronic organ showroom. He also showed silent films from time to time with live organ accompaniment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information, Cat.
DeleteHey Cat, we're in the process of moving into the old Artisan Organ Hall and we've been looking for information on its time as the York Theater and Electric Organ Arts. Do you have any old photos or articles about the location?
ReplyDelete