Opened: 1913 as the University Theater, operated by J.O. Canfield and C.J. Wagner. It was on the north side of the street a half block west of Hoover St. The photo appeared with an article on the new theatre in the November 22, 1913 issue of Moving Picture World. Thanks to Joe Vogel for spotting it on Google Books. From the article:
"The Inhabitants of the Southern part of California, especially the part near Los Angeles, are particularly proud of the University Theater, located at 931 West Jefferson Street, that city, for the simple reason that it is a moving picture theater of the first order, according to data furnished by the managers, Messrs. J.O. Canfield and C. J. Wagner. A feature of the house is its large mirror screen installed in the latter part of last April at an expense of $1,000. The measurements of the screen are 12 feet by 16 feet, and the managers claim that it is a result [sic] of the large increase in patronage...
"The University is the only theater in the Southern part of California to exploit a mirror screen, and the managers deserve credit for being the first in that part of the state to recognize the efficiency of this projection surface. Another device that helps to give better projection at the University is the Mercury Arc Rectifier. The operating room, which is large, is built entirely of fire-proof material. In addition to the Mercury Arc Rectifier the projection battery consists of an Edison Model B and a Motiograph machine. On one side of the projection chamber there has been allotted space for a little workshop where all tools and appurtenances pertaining to such a room are carefully laid way and within easy access in case of emergency.
"The auditorium, which is 48 feet by 104 feet in measurement, has a seating capacity of 600 persons. There is a stage 6 feet by 20 feet, with a singers booth on each side. There is a five foot aisle on each side of the auditorium and a wide one running across the center. The exits are large and conveniently arranged. Fresh air constantly permeates the auditorium for the ventilating system is perfect. Entertainments are given only in the evenings with the exception of the first Saturday of each month when the managers put on a free show for the children in the vicinity. The University is the only house in Southern California to employ uniformed ushers. Moving pictures and songs constitute each entertainment."
"The University is the only theater in the Southern part of California to exploit a mirror screen, and the managers deserve credit for being the first in that part of the state to recognize the efficiency of this projection surface. Another device that helps to give better projection at the University is the Mercury Arc Rectifier. The operating room, which is large, is built entirely of fire-proof material. In addition to the Mercury Arc Rectifier the projection battery consists of an Edison Model B and a Motiograph machine. On one side of the projection chamber there has been allotted space for a little workshop where all tools and appurtenances pertaining to such a room are carefully laid way and within easy access in case of emergency.
"The auditorium, which is 48 feet by 104 feet in measurement, has a seating capacity of 600 persons. There is a stage 6 feet by 20 feet, with a singers booth on each side. There is a five foot aisle on each side of the auditorium and a wide one running across the center. The exits are large and conveniently arranged. Fresh air constantly permeates the auditorium for the ventilating system is perfect. Entertainments are given only in the evenings with the exception of the first Saturday of each month when the managers put on a free show for the children in the vicinity. The University is the only house in Southern California to employ uniformed ushers. Moving pictures and songs constitute each entertainment."
Seating: 600 initially, later down to 453.
The theatre is in the 1913 city directory as the University, in the 1914 directory as "Canfield & Wagner." In the 1915 through 1921 directories it's still the University. In the 1922, 1923 and 1925 editions it's listed as the Realart Theatre, named for that film studio.
A 1922 ad for the Realart. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for including this and the other newspaper items below in a thread about the Sun and Trojan/Realart theatres on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook page.
A September 1923 ad for Paramount Week listed the Realart as running that studio's product.
A church rental in 1923.
More religion at the Realart in 1924. Free showings of a faith-based film.
The Realart name was gone by 1926. In the 1926, 1927 and 1928 directories it's the New University Theatre. In 1929 the "New" was getting old and it's back to just being the University Theatre.
A 1931 ad for the University Theatre.
It's not in the 1934 directory. By the time the 1935 directory was compiled, the house had reopened as the Trojan Theatre.
A 1949 L.A. Times listing for the Trojan. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for the research!
Closing: The Trojan closed in December 1952.
"Watch for Reopening." A January 1953 ad located by Ken McIntyre.
At the time of the closing it was run by Bess Midnick, who also had the La Tosca Theatre nearby on Vermont. The late Fred Beall noted that he was partially responsible for the closing. He commented on Cinema Treasures:
"I worked part time at this theatre while attending USC, and I was chief chef and bottle washer till it closed in December 1952. I was partially responsible for the closure as I wanted to go home to Honolulu for the holidays. The owner, Bess Midnick (who also owned the La Tosca) didn’t want to work the boxoffice, etc. for the two weeks and decided to close till I came back. When I returned she told me she was renting the space out to a dental supply company. It was used for commercial purposes till finally being torn down – probably in the 80’s. It was very plain, and resembled many other small LA nabes."
Status: It's been demolished. Later there was a strip mall on the site. The area is now part of the USC Village project. The location is about 2 1/2 blocks west of the Shrine Auditorium.
1936 - Quite a different look for the theatre. It's a screenshot from footage shot by Philip W. Sanford that's included in Rick Prelinger's "Lost Landscapes of Los Angeles - 2016," an hour and twenty minutes of wonderful footage from various sources that was originally presented in a program at the Los Angeles Public Library.
Also see "Lost Landscapes of Los Angeles - 2019." This second installment was presented at the Library by the organization Photo Friends as part of the series L.A. in Focus. Both compilations are on Vimeo.
2009 - That's Hoover St. on the right. The theatre was a half block down on the left, on Jefferson between Hoover and McClintock Ave. That building down there about where the theatre was is a fire station, now relocated. Photo: Google Maps - 2009
2020 - The USC Village project now on the site. Photo: Google Maps - 2020
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Trojan. The site also has a page on the University Village 3, a triplex on Hoover St. that was running from 1978 until 2014.
Cezar Del Valle's Theatre Talks blog has the 1913 Motion Picture World article as the subject of a 2012 post.
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