Opened: c.1939. It makes it into the city directories beginning in 1941. The image looking west across Soto St. toward the theatre is a detail from from a 1941 shot from the Blackstock Negatives Collection at the Los Angeles Public Library. The Monterey was playing "The Boys From Syracuse."
Architects: Permits indicate it was designed by Lyle Nelson Barcume and Harold P. King of the firm Barcume & King. The contractor was Floyd R. Fisher. The marquee was designed by Blaine Noice and built by the Tru-Ad Neon Sign Co. The interior tile work was by the Diato Flooring Co. Thanks to Cinema Treasures contributor Historichomeslatheatre for researching the 1939 permits for the project.
Seating: 890 at one time.
It ran English language product until 1965, according to research by Ken Roe. While still running films its name was changed to La Blanquita, also known as Teatro Blanquita. After closing as a cinema it was a nightclub with Mexican burlesque shows featuring performers imported from Mexico City.
Closing: Sometime in the early 80s.
The building was later used as a church. From 2015 to 2018 it was in use by DromeBox Laboratories as a public-access web production studio.
Status: There's a church group using the space.
Interior views from the theatre's time as a TV facility:
c.1948 - A shot from a clip located by April Wright for a post on her Going Attractions - Entertainment, Amusements, Americana Facebook page. She notes that it's from the 2004 Passport Video DVD set "30 years of Academy Award Winners 1972-2002." It's available on Amazon. In the clip on April's post we also see the Boulevard, Golden Gate and Whittier theatres. Thanks, April!
1970s - Looking west across Soto St. Thanks to Sean Ault for sharing this photo from his collection.
1970s - A detail from Sean's photo. Note the "Monterey" lettering across the top of the facade. They were running a reissue of "La Bestia Magnifica" ("The Magnificent Beast"), a Mexican film from 1952.
1978 - The premiere at the Blanquita of the film "Los Hijos de Sanchez" starring Anthony Quinn and Lupita Ferrer. It's a photo in the Shades of L.A. collection at the Los Angeles Public Library.
1983 - The building after closing as the Teatro Blanquita. Thanks to the now-vanished American Classic Images website for this photo from their collection.
2012 - The building in use as a church. Photo: Bill Counter
2015 - A look east across the facade. Thanks to Sean Ault for his photo.
2015 - A view by Sean Ault from across the street. He notes that the police seem to like the coffee shop in the building.
2015 - Ornament at one of the second floor windows. Photo: Sean Ault
2015 - Another facade detail. Photo: Sean Ault. Thanks, Sean!
2015 - A mural on the side of the building. The photo was a post of DromeBox Labs on Instagram.
2017 - Around the back. Photo: Google Maps
2017 - A look west across the screen end of the building. Photo: Google Maps
2019 - Looking underutilized. Photo: Bill Counter
2021 - A flashy upgrade on the marquee with a new church tenant in the theatre. Thanks to Tony Valdez for sharing this photo he took.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Monterey. The page has links to a number of 2007 and 2009 photos by Ken McIntyre.
There was also a Monterey Theatre in Monterey Park.
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