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Paradise Theatre

4129 Viking Way Long Beach, CA 90808 | map |

Opened: This venue on a diagonal street west of Bellflower Blvd. and north of Carson St. opened on December 20, 1973 as the Triangle Cinema, a family oriented theatre, with "Paper Moon" and "Harold and Maude." Ron Pierce has researched the house and speculates that the theatre was a remodel from an existing building in the 1951 vintage strip. The building is in a neighborhood shopping area called Parkview Village.
 

In 1975 it adopted an artie policy under the name Coronet Theatre. Thanks to Mike Rivest for locating this October 31, 1975 ad.

It was later the Paradise Theatre, a bargain house that also occasionally featured concerts on its 8' x 32' stage. 

Seating: 360 

Closing: It closed in December 1990.

Status: The building is still there with the former theatre space most recently part of a sports bar called Cirivello's. The space they were using for their main entrance at 4115 is next door, south of the theatre building. They closed in 2019, evidently over a lease dispute. 
 
 
 
A view southwest toward the former Paradise Theatre and Heartwell Park beyond. Photo: Google Maps - 2019
 
 

Around the back. Photo: Google Maps - 2017

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page for the whole story researched by Ron Pierce. There are many photos appearing on Yelp of the building during its sports bar phase. 

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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 4, 2022 at 6:56 PM

    My step dad owned this theatre for quite a few years as part of his theatre company California Cinema Circuit. I was the manger here from about 1978 until the early 80's. I am so glad someone is preserving this part of history of Long Beach and the area. I still remember splicing the small reels together onto platters once we had the platter system installed. What a lot of great memories seeing these pics.

    Thank you
    Bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. B CounterJune 5, 2022 at 10:29 AM

      Thanks, Bob! Nice to hear from you.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 20, 2022 at 2:57 AM

      Hey Bob! Remember me? I was a kid and used to usher for you! Robbi Hardie. I remember you, Chris Denovi etc!

      Delete
    3. Dave FlockMay 16, 2023 at 3:28 PM

      My grandparents lived nearby and everytime we visited, my brother and I would head over to the Triangle, get ice cream at the Thrifty's as I recall and catch a movie... .99 cents as I recall. Great memories of that area including Heartwell Park!

      Delete
  2. James M. TateJanuary 10, 2023 at 9:49 PM

    oh man; I saw Superman ALL DAY at Paradise Theater... we just stayed inside and no one cared, my friend and I... I've been to this bar, and didn't know it was the same place...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 8, 2023 at 9:03 AM

    I worked there when it opened. I'm not sure if Bob is the son that had the cool van with the picture on the side. We had so many "private viewings" of the movies that played when the theater closed for the evening. Great memories of a great time in the 70's.

    ReplyDelete

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