Front Door Theater

5832 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90805 | map | 

Opened: 1973. This was a storefront porno venue on the east side of the street between South St. and E. 59th St. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for his 2007 post-closing photo. Cinema Treasures contributor Dallas Movie Theaters has done the historical research. The report: 

"The R & X Mini-Cinema launched with R and X rated films in 1973. It was rebranded later that year as the Atlantic Mini-Cinema celebrating its re-grand opening with a double-feature of 'Charlotte’s Web' and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.' The mini cinema was a sub-run, discount 99 cent and 49 cent (kids) that stumbled out of the gate. On September 14, 1973 it became the Backdoor Cinema with double-features of X-rated films. It switched back to the Atlantic Mini-Cinema with live shows added to the X-rated film content. On January 14, 1974, its policy changed under the name of the Atlantic Mini-Cinema Theatre Club. Under new operators, it rebranded as the Front Door Adult Theater featuring three hours of adult film content. The theatre found its audience and became a mainstay."

Closing: It closed in December 2006.

Status: The building was demolished sometime before 2011. The site is now a garden area south of the entrance to the Michelle Obama branch library. 

 

 

 

An entrance view of the closed theatre. Photo: Ken McIntyre - 2007 

 

A signage detail. Photo: Ken McIntyre - 2008

 

A view south across the facade. photo: Ken McIntyre - 2008 

 

 

A wider view south toward the Auto Zone and South St. beyond. Photo: Google Maps - 2008

 

 Looking north with the Atlantic Theatre on the left. Photo: Google Maps- 2008

A view north across the Front Door's site toward the new library. Its spire is a tribute to that of the Atlantic Theatre formerly on the site. There's no homage to the Front Door Theatre. Photo: Google Maps - 2019

More information: See the Cinema Treasures page about the Front Door. At last look there were 52 comments by former patrons or those who wish they had visited.

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