44 E. Huntington Dr. Arcadia, CA 91006 | map |
Opened: 1924 as the Liberty Theatre. In this 1937 photo we're looking east on Huntington Dr. The theatre was on the south side of the street a half block east of Santa Anita Ave. The banner is out for "Thin Ice" with Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power. The end of the marquee has the title of the co-feature, "One Mile From Heaven," starring Claire Trevor and Sally Blane. Thanks to Linda Hammonds for locating this version of the photo.
Seating: 450
Architect: Unknown
A May 10, 1924 L.A. Times article noting a few issues during construction. Thanks to Ron Pierce for locating the article.
It's listed as the Liberty with a 42 1/2 Huntington
Dr. address in the 1925 and 1927 Monrovia/Arcadia city directories. It appears they were a little late with the news on that 1927 listing. It had been renamed the Arcadia Theatre. Jeff Bridges found this item in the September 27, 1925 issue of the L.A. Times:
"Arcadia, Sept. 26 - Brian B. Vivian became the new owner of the Arcadia Theater Thursday and is making extensive improvements to the interior of the building. Vivian, who has been in the theater business twelve years, formerly lived in Los Angeles, but has been in Northern California and Washington for several years."
In 1932 it was being operated by Janet Malbon and the Tindle brothers. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this news from a March 1932 issue of the Arcadia Tribune:
"Attraction at Local Theater - Many Fine Pictures Are Billed for the Playhouse During Coming Week - Those who enjoy talkies have many treats before them this week and next at the Arcadia theater, for Miss Janet Malbon and the Tindle brothers, managers of the local playhouse, promise an excellent bill for each evening of the week. Edward G. Robinson in 'The Hatchet Man' is one of the features for this evening and tomorrow night. Loretta Young, Dudley Digges and Tully Marshall are also in the cast.
"Critics who have seen the film state it is one of the best things seen for a long time, as it is an actual portrayal of life in Chinatown, San Francisco. Fox Movietone News will contribute to the general enjoyment, as will a Charlie Chase comedy. Future bookings into the Arcadia Theater include the following: 'Passionate Plumber,' with Buster Keaton; 'Madelon Claudet,' with Helen Hayes; 'Fireman Save My Child,' with Joe E. Brown; 'Emma,' with Marie Dressier; 'Beau Hunks,' with Laurel and Hardy; 'Prestige,' with Ann Harding; 'The Champ,' with Wallace Berry and Jackie Cooper."
Later in the 30s it was Dean's Arcadia. It was listed as the Arcadia at 44
E. Huntington Dr. in the 1930 through 1939 directories. Joe Vogel notes that it ended up with the Edwards circuit as Edwards
Arcadia but they didn't get to operate it very long.
A lovely 1928 ad with the house running Vitaphone. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this for a post on the
Photos of Los Angeles Facebook page.
Closing: It was destroyed by a fire on February 7, 1942.
Status: There's now a replacement building on the site. Joe Vogel notes that it dates from 1947.
The new building on the site. Off to the left we're headed east on Huntington Dr. Photo: Google Maps - 2019
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page about the Arcadia Theatre. Cinema Tour has the address as 14 E. Huntington Dr.
There were plans for an earlier theatre on the same block but on a corner lot at 1st and Huntington. The architect was to be Stacey Judd, "who has designed many large theatres." The project was never built. This article appeared in the April 22, 1923 issue of the L.A. Times.
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