Los Angeles Theatres: Cornell Theatre

1212 N. San Fernando Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504 | map |

Opened: November 18, 1949 with "Pinky" with Jeanne Crain plus a studio preview. The theatre was on the east side of the street between Cornell Dr. and Bethany Rd. The Cornell was once the most prestigious first run house in Burbank.

The 1949 photo by Julius Shulman is one in a set of seven in the Getty Research Institute collection. They have it indexed as Shulman's Job #619, done for the architect. Also see more Shulman photos in the Getty collection. Thanks to Noirish Los Angeles contributor Hoss C for finding these photos in the Getty collection and posting them on his Noirish post #31926.

Seating: 1,468 -- all on a single level.

Architect: Clarence J. Smale

A rendering of the new theatre from Smale's office. Thanks to Ron Strong for locating the drawing for his Bijou Memories page about the Cornell. It's from the collection of the Burbank Historical Society. E. Caswell Perry in his 1987 book "Burbank - An Illustrated History" notes that construction began in March 1949.

The project got mentioned in this item from the April 16, 1949 issue of Boxoffice. It's unknown how long the combine of Malouf Realty and Wright-Becker-Franz owned the building or what the tenure was of Harry Reckas, the original operator.

A 1953 ad for the Cornell and the Major, presumably at the time both were operated by Sterling Theatres, Inc., a firm headed by William J. Kupper, Jr. The firm was no relation to the Seattle-based Sterling Theatres. Sterling had also operated the California Theatre when it opened in 1950 but they had bailed on that project in 1952. The Major was one of three theatres once operated by Charles Minor and his mother Minnie. Sterling later decided they had no use for the other two, the Loma and the Magnolia.

A 1955 Valley Times ad. The assumption is that by this time Principal Theatres Corp. of America was the owner of both theatres with Mike Blumberg as the major shareholder. Many of the theatres of this company were at the time operated by Fox West Coast. By 1957 they had switched their allegiance to Pacific Theatres as the operator of their houses. The California Theatre, Burbank's largest, had opened in December 1950.

A 1957 Valley Times ad. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ads.

Cinema Treasures contributor Almmm recalls:

"As for the Cornell Theater, in the early 1960’s you could buy a Burgundy Soda Pop from a cup dispensing machine as a non-alcohol substitute for sophisticates, or a comb, a hankerchief or a cigarette holder from the vending machine inside the Men’s Room. The cigarette machine was within easy access of any teen and the tough kids were always around on a Saturday night in the mid-late 1960’s."

Noirish Los Angeles contributor Oldstuff has some recollections on his Noirish post #31928:

"Ah, Yes, The Cornell. Named for the side street, which, in turn was named for Cornell University. I had never seen it looking new and pristine. By the time I was old enough to go to movies, you took your life in your hands going there and not getting stuck to the floor. The same carpet seen in the lobby shots was by then (mid to late 60's) so covered in soda, candy gunk, popcorn 'butter' and other detritus that it was slick in spots and very sticky (like a tar pit) in others. It was all uniformly black except in some untraveled spots in the lobby. We all wore old grungy shoes so our good ones would not get ruined going there.

"All seats were 50 cents. The roof had leaked and there were odd brownish patches between the stars on the ceiling like clouds of radioactive waste. I also recall that there was a 'thing' that was projected on the screen when there was not actually a movie or preview running. It looked like some sort of metal Jello mold, that rotated and changed colors. It also looked kind of grungy. We (all the people who went to Burbank High, anyway) learned to drive in the parking lot. When they finally took it down, they had also closed the other theaters in Burbank and we had to go to Glendale to go to the movies, even though a lot of them were made right in Burbank. This lasted for a very long time, until they finally put in the AMC multiplex..."

Closing: The last day of operation was January 13, 1977. Pacific Theatres was the final operator.

Status: The theatre was demolished in 1979. There's now a strip mall (of course) on the site. Pocket Player noted on Cinema Treasures:

"When the Cornell closed Burbank had five movie studios and no movie theaters. How ironic is that!

Interior views:

A lobby view. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1949. A trade magazine article located by Bill Gabel noted: "The plain green walls of the lobby and foyer blend effectively with the red, yellow and gray circular pattern of the carpeting. Indirect lighting and conditioned air emanate from a huge ceiling oval. Red couches are situated at either side of the doors to the men’s and ladies lounges."

The ladies lounge. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1949

Looking toward the screen in the Skouras-style auditorium. Yes, there were twinkling stars in the ceiling for a semi-atmospheric effect. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1949

A sidewall view. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute - 1949. A trade magazine article located by Bill Gabel noted: "Scattered stars twinkle in the blue ceiling of the auditorium, while ornate scroll work decorates side and front walls. Loge seats are blue, the others red."

The scope screen that was installed in 1955. It required the rearrangement of the ornament at the proscenium. Thanks to Ron Strong for the c.1967 photo. It appeared as a post on the All Movie Theatres Facebook page.

More exterior views:

1949 - The rear of the building. Photo: Julius Shulman - Getty Research Institute

1953 - Burbank noir. A lovely night shot by an unknown photographer. Thanks to Wes Clark's site Bubankia for locating the photo. It's in their San Fernando Road album on Google Photos.

1954 - "Burbank On Parade" in front of the Cornell. The photo appears in the Burbankia San Fernando Road album on Google Photos. The writing on the bottom of the image notes that it's a Walker Bulldog tank. Bruce Kimmel comments: "A five-day event, with the actual parade happening on May 21. Playing at the Cornell is 'Hell and High Water' and 'The Golden Mask' in case anyone wants to go."

1963 - The theatre running "The Big Circus" (1959) with Victor Mature and Red Buttons. It was a kiddie matinee sponsored by the Burbank Citizens Movie Committee. Thanks to Cinema Treasures contributor Senorsock for finding the Burbank Daily Review photo.

1960s - A look north on San Fernando Blvd. toward the distant signage of the Cornell, at center. Thanks to Deanna Bayless for spotting the photo on Wes Clark's Bubankia site. The Zody's at the right beyond Denny's later became a K Mart.

1970s? - A view south from the Shakey's at 1300 N. San Fernando. Yes, they're still in business at this location. Thanks to Jason Vega for spotting the shot on a Facebook post from Shakey's U.S.A.

1972 - A photo that was shared by Rich Morrison on the private Facebook group Burbank High School Class of 1973. Thanks to Robert Juzefski for spotting it and David Zornig for sharing it on Cinema Treasures. Bruce Kimmel notes: "This double bill began a one-week engagement on October 11."

1977 - "The re Closed For Remodeling." Thanks to Ron Strong for locating the Burbank Leader photo for his Bijou Memories page about the Cornell.

c.1978 - The side of the closed theatre. Thanks to Ron Strong for locating the photo.

1979 - A view in January just prior to demolition. The marquee had been used to advertise a Christmas Tree lot in the theatre's former parking lot. Thanks to Ron Strong for locating the Burbank Daily Review photo.

The Cornell in the Movies:

We get a brief view of the Cornell in Arthur Penn's "Night Moves" (Warner Bros., 1975). Gene Hackman is headed to the Magnolia Theatre to see what his wife is up to. See the Historic L.A. Theatres In Movies post for several shots featuring the Magnolia.

Cornell Theatre

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