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Royale Theatre

5123 Whittier Blvd. East Los Angeles, CA 90022 | map |

Opened: It was running by the Spring of 1939. An April 29 item in Boxoffice noted that Dave Cantor and Al Weeder of the Royale had been visiting the exchanges on Film Row. It was noted that they also operated the York and the Park, both located in Highland Park.

The Royale was on the north side of the street two blocks west of Atlantic Blvd. It was across the street from the United Artists/Alameda Theatre. Also nearby was the Golden Gate.  The theatre isn't in the 1938 city directory. The 1939 directory listed 5123 Whittier as a shoe repair shop. The Royale is in the 1940 directory with a 5121 address. 
 

 A November 11, 1939 item in Boxoffice noting a sale to Fox West Coast. 

Jim Lytell comments: "The Royale played mostly Republic and Monogram pictures and was a favorite of the kids who wanted to see Roy Rogers and Gene Autry westerns."

Architect: Unknown

Seating: 694

Closing: Jim Lytell did the research: "It closed in 1953, when CinemaScope was introduced, and the theater could not accommodate a larger screen." Thanks, Jim! 

Status: The former theatre space was used for retail after closing. It's now a laundromat.


The facade in 2007. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for the photo.



The east side of the building in 2007. It's another photo by Ken McIntyre.



A view west in 2019 with a bit of the United Artists on the left and the former Royal Theatre building as a very yellow laundromat. Photo: Google Maps

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Royale.

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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 22, 2025 at 9:40 AM

    Jim Lytell This theater's name had no e on the end, It was the Royal.
    Fox West Coast owned this theater and the Golden Gate a block away,
    The Royal played mostly Republic and Monogram pictures and was a
    favorite of the kids who wanted to see Roy Rogers and Gene Autry westerns.
    It closed in 1953, when CinemaScope was introduced, and the theater
    could not accommodate a larger screen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. B CounterApril 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM

      Thanks for the data, Jim! I'll get the text cleaned up and add your comment. Much appreciated.

      Delete
    2. B CounterApril 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM

      UPDATE: Well, Jim -- it was indeed spelled with an "e" on the end. I found a number of city directory and trade magazine listings with the name as "Royale."

      Delete

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