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Alhambra / Superba / United Theatre

101 E. Main St. Alhambra, CA 91801 | map |

Opened: 1912 as the Alhambra Theatre. The location was the northeast corner of Main and Stoneman Ave.

It was renamed the Superba in 1917 with another theatre opening at 130 W. Main taking the Alhambra name. After several other name changes, that house ended up as the Capri. Just to keep things interesting, there was a third theatre called the Alhambra, opening in 1924 at 702 W. Main.

 
In this 1920 photo we're looking east toward Stoneman. Thanks to Joe Vogel for finding this in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. He notes that the two story building just beyond the intersection was the home of the theatre and adds that the little building with the peaked roof this side of Stoneman was Alhambra's Pacific Electric station. 
 
 

A detail from the Library's photo with the Superba's building seen in the center.
 
In the 1923 city directory the listing for this one at 101 E. Main is United Theatres, a local chain that also had theatres in Anaheim, Eagle Rock {later the Sierra), South L.A. (later called the Maynard) and on Catalina Island (the New Strand / Riviera).
 

An April 14, 1923 ad that appeared in a Pasadena paper. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it for a post on the Ken's Movie Page Facebook page.

Closing: Perhaps the late 20s. 

Status: The building was demolished in the early 30s. Joe notes that the building currently on the site dates from 1934.


A more recent view east on Main. That deco-ish building across Stoneman is on the site of the Superba. Photo: Google Maps - 2019 

More Information: Visit the Cinema Treasures page on the Superba for Joe Vogel's fine research. Thanks, Joe!

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