Los Angeles Theatres: Star Theatre

520 W. Whittier Blvd. Montebello, CA 90640 | map |

Opened: The opening date is unknown. It was running as the Star Theatre in 1924. The location is the north side of the street just east of 6th. Joe Vogel notes that the theatre building with its arched entrance dates from 1915. In this c.1920 view we're looking east along the north side of the 500 block toward 5th St. It's a photo from the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

Thanks to Kelli Shapiro for researching this theatre -- including figuring out what it was named. She covers the Star on page 101 of her fine 2024 Arcadia Publishing book "Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Movie Theatres." She notes that we have that 1924 date because in that year the manager placed an ad in the Montebello High School time capsule.

Seating: 240 was an early number, according to Kelli's research. At the time of an early 30s reopening it was reported as 280.

A c.1927 view of the theatre with the corner lots on this side filled in with a newer addition. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo. The bank building at the end of the block is on the northwest corner of Whittier and 5th. See a shot the Library has of the bank building.

Sharp-eyed Cinema Treasures contributor Montebellodays noted that the brick building on the far right edge of the photo appears to say "Olander" across the top. That family later owned the Vogue and Garmar theatres in Montebello. It's not known what their earlier interests were.

A detail from the c1927 view. Kelli Shapiro notes that the 1926 film "Let's Get Married" is on the marquee. It featured Richard Dix, Lois Wilson and Nat Pendleton.

Closed: The Star closed in 1931, had a brief reopening, then was closed again by 1933. Thanks to Kelli Shapiro for the research. Joe Vogel notes that records show that the building got a major remodel in 1933.

Ron Strong notes that by 1945 it had become a candy store. He located this ad:

Status: It's been remodeled but the building survives.

A 2015 view of the same block as seen in the LAPL photos -- most of it still intact. We're looking east. The lot in the foreground on the corner of 6th & Whittier has lost its building. The theatre building has gained a more exaggerated arch -- it's the brown one we see nearest us, using 520 and 522 W. Whittier addresses. The Security Bank building at the end of the block at 5th is gone and has been replaced with a new lower one. Photo: Google Maps