Opened: 1925 according to Joe Vogel's research. His report: "Southwest Builder & Contractor issue of January 30 that year announced the plans, describing it as a one-story brick picture theatre and store building, to cost $16,000. It was financed by a Mr. S.P. Offut."
Architect: Unknown. The theatre was on the east side of the street at Windsor Rd. That's three blocks north of Chevy Chase Dr. No exterior photos of the building have surfaced.
Seating: 700 was the reported number in 1928. Ross Melnick notes on Cinema Treasures that it's listed as the Cosmos Theatre in the 1950, 51 and 52 Film Daily Yearbooks with 688 seats.
By the 40s the Cosmo was operated by Grover Smith who also ran the Vogue Theatre, opening across the street in 1941. Smith also had the Roxy Theatre at 417 N. Brand (opening c.1938), and the Atwater Theatre in Atwater Village (opening 1940).
A photo of Smith that appeared with an April 11, 1940 San Fernando Valley Times article about construction beginning on the Atwater Theatre. Thanks to Ron Strong for locating the article. Visit his fine Bijou Memories site for tales of theatres he used to visit in Burbank and Glendale.
Joe Vogel found an item in the Daily Variety issue of July 18, 1941 indicating that Smith planned to close the Cosmo Theatre and build a new theatre nearby. The new theatre was the Vogue across the street. He changed his mind about closing the Cosmo.
A November 1941 ad for the Cosmo along with listings for the three other theatres operated by Grover Smith. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it.
A 1948 listing for the Cosmo and Smith's other theatres spotted by Ken McIntyre.
Joe Vogel found a mention in the August 12, 1950 issue of Boxoffice
saying Smith planned to close the theatre on August 19th. Evidently it
got a reprieve. The Cosmo was still listed in the 1951 Glendale city directory.
Closing: December 17, 1951 was the last day of operation, according to Ron Strong.
Status: It's been demolished.
A 1933 kid's matinee view taken by projectionist Roger Johnston. Thanks to Rick Roessler for sharing it and thanks also to Ken Roe for posting it on the Cinema Treasures page about the Cosmo.
Roger Johnston in the Cosmo booth c.1933. Thanks to Rick and Barbara Johnston Roessler (Roger's son-in-law and daughter) for sharing the photo, a contribution to Cinema Treasures. Johnston was working at the Capitol Theatre when it opened with talkies in November 1930.
Looking south on Brand. The Cosmo was once on the left where the big BMW dealership now is. On the right that red Nissan sign is on the building that was once the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Google Maps - 2019
The Cosmo salvage department:
Thanks to Ron Strong for this marquee shot at the Monrovia High School. His report: "I found out that once the theater had closed, its marquee was given to the Monrovia/ Duarte School District in 1953. The marquee still stands there at the high school." Visit Ron's Bijou Memories site for tales of theatres he used to visit in Glendale and Burbank.
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Cosmo for everything that's known about the building.
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