La Shell Theatre

 5384 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90805 | map |

Opened: 1924 as the Oriental Theatre, soon known as Murray's Theatre and Murray's Oriental. In this c.1926 Winstead photo the side of the stagehouse says "Murray's Theatre - Pictures - Vaudeville - Attractions." "Murray's Big Revue" is on the marquee. On the front of the stagehouse the signage touts the "Oriental Theatre Stock Players." It's a photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

In the 1924 city directory its address is given as "Oriental Theatre Long Beach Blvd. at Market, Virginia City." In the 1925 through 1929 editions the Oriental is listed with the 5384 Long Beach Blvd. address. 

Architects: The building's original architect isn't known. Charles L. Haynes was the architect for the 1933 repairs and redecoration. An item in the April 21, 1933 issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor: 

"Theater repairs -- George E. Bartlett...has the contract for repairing the theater building at 5384 Long Beach Blvd. for Mrs. George M. La Shell. Plans were prepared by Francis H. Gentry, engineer and Charles L. Haynes, architect...Rebuild rear end of stage and scenery house of brick and concrete...painting and decorating."

Seating: 450 in later years.  

 

An ad that appeared in the Long Beach Daily Telegram on April 27, 1924. Thanks to the Ronald W. Mahan Collection for sharing it.

 

The theatre got a deco remodel as a result of the 1933 earthquake and emerged as the La Shell Theatre, named for its owner at the time, Laura La Shell. As the La Shell it ended up without a stagehouse. In the 1933 city directory it's listed as the La Shell.

The theatre evidently stopped running films around 1955. Later it was being used as a church, a period that ended in 1958. It had another chapter as a theatre as a home for the La Shell Players beginning in May 1959. Doug Sarvis notes that as a legit venue it only had 275 seats.

Closing: The theatre's legit era ended sometime around 1960. Afterward it was turned into a furniture store.

Status: It's currently used as a store called Furniture Warehouse.

1947 - A look at the La Shell from the Los Angeles Public Library collection. "The Trouble With Women" with Teresa Wright and Ray Milland was a June release. "Cry Wolf" with Erroll Flynn and Barbara Stanwyck was out in August.

 

 

 

2007 - Thanks to Ken McIntyre for this look at what was once the theatre's entrance. 

 

 

 

2010 - A view south across the facade. Photo: Michelle Gerdes

 

 

 

2010 - A detail of the colored concrete at the entrance. Photo: Michelle Gerdes. Thanks! These two photos are included in her wonderful Theatres - California album on Flickr. 

 

 

 

2011 - Looking south toward what had been the entrance of the La Shell Theatre. Photo: Google Maps

 

 

 

2018 - A view south on Long Beach Blvd. That's Market St. on the left. Photo: Google Maps

 

 

2019 - The former theatre entrance. Photo: Google Maps

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page about the La Shell for many comments. The Cinema Tour page on the La Shell has several 2008 exterior views by Ron Pierce.

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