6063 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood (Los Angeles), CA 90028 | map |
Opened: April 7, 1934 as a performance space called the Theatre Mystic, a project of Herschel Lander and Henry Seymour. The building, dating from 1926, is on the north side of the street, just east of Gower. Within a matter of months it had been rebranded as the Epic Theatre and then as the Ginger Box Theatre.
Architect: Arthur Siebel designed the building. In 1933 it was listed in the city directory as the location of the Bell Camera Corp. It's unknown who did the alterations to make it a theatre.
Thanks to Lisa Kouza Braddock for researching the venue for a post on the Lost Angeles Facebook page. Her report:
"Originally constructed as an automobile dealership, the building at 6063 Sunset Boulevard opened on February 18, 1926, as Camp Motors Inc., specializing in Paige and Jewett vehicles. A day prior, the Hollywood Evening Citizen-News described it as a 'plasterer’s paradise,' reflecting the ornate architectural trends of the time. Influenced by Spanish, Moorish, and California-style designs, the building exemplified the era’s growing use of plaster and the rising demand for skilled artisans in the craft. The plasterwork was led by architect and contractor Arthur Siebel, whose prior projects included numerous bungalow courts and apartment buildings.
"Adding to the building’s decorative richness were painters R.E. Burge and Ted Olds, both veterans in the theater decoration scene. Their experience proved fitting, as the building transitioned into an entertainment venue. On April 7, 1934, it reopened as the Theater Mystic, a unique spot operated by Herschel Lander that served refreshments—including sourdough biscuits and barbecue—during and after performances. Singing waitresses further enhanced the lively atmosphere. By June 1934, it had been rebranded as the Epic Theater, debuting with the production The People, Inc. Just two months later, in August, it became the Ginger Box Theatre, launching with the Tingel-Tangel revue, attended by none other than Sid Grauman."
An interior view that appeared in the Hollywood Evening Citizen-News on January 27, 1926. Thanks to Lisa Kouza Braddock for locating this. She notes that they had a formal opening on February 17.
Opening as the Theatre Mystic with "The Temple of Mystery." It's an April 6, 1934 ad that Lisa Kouza Braddock located in the Hollywood Citizen-News.
A review of the initial "long program, which featured Valli and his magic crystal, Fraulein X, singing harpist Eleanor Morris, a small orchestra and "The Cat's Claw," a "badly constructed" three-act melodrama. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this for a post about the venue on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
By June 1934 it had become the Epic Theatre. Thanks to Lisa Kouza Beaddock for locating this ad for "The People, Inc." that appeared in the June 20 issue of the Hollywood Citizen-News.
By August 1934 it had become the Ginger Box Theatre. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this item about a moveover of the "Tingel-Tangel Revue."
The Tingel-Tangel Theatre at 8533 Santa Monica Blvd., in what is now West Hollywood, had been the Pom-Pom Night Club in 1931. It was still the Tingle-Tangel in the 1936 city directory, by 1937 it was the Little Theatre and by 1941 had morphed into the Pelican Theatre.
A 1934 pass for the Tingle Tangel Revue at the Ginger Box. Thanks to Lisa Kouza Braddock for spotting this on eBay.
"A Swell Show." October 1934 ads for some of the live shows in town. By then the show they were running at the Ginger Box was called "The Ginger Box Revue." Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this.
A November 1934 item about a show at the Ginger Box for the American Legion. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it.
Closing: 1935 was the end. It's in the 1935 city directory as the Epic Theatre. In 1936 the address was listed as the home of the California Termite Control Co.
An April 18, 1935 Times ad for the termite people. Thanks to Lisa Kouza Braddock for locating this and the three items below.
In the 40s the building housed a carpet and
linoleum business.
It later became a film studio for a company called Rockett Productions, headed by Frederick Rockett.
The October 3, 1958 obit for Mr. Rockett that Lisa found in the Citizen-News.
A May 31, 1964 auction notice in the Times for surplus equipment at Rockett Productions.
Lisa Kouza Braddock notes: "By 1969, it had become
the home of Gerald Schnitzer Productions, a studio space primarily used
for filming commercials."
Status: It's been remodeled several times and later became part of Siren Studios, a rental facility for still photography, video and film work. The current facade remodel dates from 2010. Siren is no more. The building is now part of a complex called Sunset Stage.
A Reddit post from April 2025 noted that one tenant in 6061, the adjacent office building, is Meghan Markle's "As Ever" brand of products. The site has been in the news for redevelopment with a 22 story building designed by Norman Foster + Partners to be called "The Star." See "Office Tower Planned for Hollywood...." a March 2024 L.A. Times story. The property has been owned since 2017 by L.A. investor and developer Maggie Miracle.
More exterior photos:
1926 - A photo Lisa located in the Hollywood Evening Citizen-News issue of March 10. Their caption: "Home of Camp Motors, Inc.,
Paige-Jewett dealers, 6063 Sunset Blvd."
2007 - A Google Maps image. Thanks to Lisa for grabbing it.
2024 - That's the former theatre in the center. To the right is another building in the Siren Studios complex. On the far right it's a bit of the Hollywood Palms Motel. Image: Google Maps
2024 - Looking west with 6063 over on the right. Image: Google Maps
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