Opened: 1922 as the Circle Theatre with an address of 6013 S. Moneta Ave. It made it into the 1923 city directory. The entrance is on the west side of the street mid-block between 60th and 61st. The Aloha Theatre, now a church, is directly across the street. The 2020 view of the entrance to the former theatre is from Google Maps.
Seating: 900
Architect: Lewis A. Smith
The project was announced in the August 26, 1921 issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor. The top theatre listing turned into the Circle. The lower one was the Tivoli, a house later known as the Bill Robinson Theatre.
An item in the the August 29 issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor noted that it would be:
"...a 1-story brick store and theater building at 60th and Moneta av for West Coast Theaters, Inc. Theater auditorium to seat 900, six stores...$80,000. Plans by L.A. Smith."
An August 1924 listing for the Circle in an ad for Paramount Week that year. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it.
In the late 20s the street got renamed S. Broadway. By the time of the
1927 city directory the theatre was shown with a new Broadway address,
that particular year listed as at 6015. The theatre location is due west of
Huntington Park. Broadway at this point is two
blocks east of the 110.
It's listed as the Circle in this March 1933 column of ads located by Ken McIntyre.
By 1936 it had been renamed the Century Theatre. This July 1936 ad appeared in The Southwest Wave, a paper for the areas's African-American community. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it.
There's no listing for the theatre in the 1937 city directory. It's in the 1938 directory as the Century.
A 1938 ad for the Century and Princess Theatre appearing in The Southwest Wave. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it for a
post on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook page.
An April 1941 Southwest Wave ad located by Ken McIntyre.
A March 1954 reopening ad. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for including it in a thread about the theatre on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook page.
An art exhibit in the lobby of works by Wiley Willis and others. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this October 1955 story.
A November 1955 fashion show featuring designs of Rubye Garrett is announced for the Century. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this news item for a post on the Facebook page Photos of Los Angeles.
An appearance by Frank Sinatra in 1955. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the December 8 newspaper item for a post on Photos of Los Angeles.
A mural from an arch in the theatre. Thanks to Fredy for posting it on Cinema Treasures.
Closing: The Century was running at least until 1955. The closing date is unknown
Status: In 2007 it was an upholstery supply company, from 2010 until 2017 it was a karate studio with a textile supply company in the storefronts. As of 2020 both the theatre and the storefronts are vacant and for lease.
2007 - A facade detail from Ken McIntyre. Joe Vogel calls our attention to the two brightly painted Oriental style lamps in the upper corners of the facade.
2015 - Thanks to Laurie Avocado for this look at the terrazzo. Her photo was a post on Cinema Treasures.
2017 - Around back looking at the auditorium side of the building. Photo: Google Maps
2020 - The view south along the former storefronts toward the theatre entrance. Over on the right it's the stage end of the building. Hey, that's the loading door. Photo: Google Maps
2020 - Looking north along the facade of the theatre entrance and what used to be six storefronts, also part of the building. Photo: Google Maps
2020 - While we're here, rotating 180 degrees it's the former Wigwam / May / Aloha Theatre across the street at 6010 S. Broadway. Still with its marquee but now churched. Photo: Google Maps
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page about the Century Theatre.
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