Archiving Angeles (AA): Warner Brothers Theater
It served as the backdrop for many a Hollywood spectacle. One such night, was the premiere of “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex,” starring Bette Davis and Errol Flynn.
It was the Warner Brothers Theater. The year was 1939.
Photo from the USC Digital Library
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Was this on Hollywood Blvd, or….?
If I’m not mistaken, there were 3 different Warner theaters in Los Angeles. Downtown on 7th Street, the Wiltern, and the Hollywood Blvd. location now known as the Pacific. I think this one is the Pacific.
I think San Pedro has a Warner too
The Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro is the only one of the Warner Theatres still operating. It’s currently a Department of Cultural Affairs-run facility. All the Warner Theatres were done in a similar architectural style, but I’m pretty sure that this is an image of the Warner Beverly Hills.
This immaculate Warner Theater was located at the corner of Wilshire Blvd. and Canon Dr. in Beverly Hills. It had one of the most beautifully carved ceilings I have ever seen. I grew up around the corner and this building was a big part of my life. Sadly it is now a parking lot.
Sammy’s right: Beverly Hills. I’d like to say it was demolished in the 60s or 70s, but this marvelous movie palace stood until it was shameless destroyed in 1988.
I just received confirmation from our resident historian here at Warner Bros. that this one is now the Wiltern. Here’s what else he has to say about the now defunct WB theaters:
“That IS the Wiltern! It was a WB theater, as was the (now-closed) PACIFIC on Hollywood Blvd. There was a WB movie palace in downtown as well. The building is still there, but it’s now an indoor swap meet. However, the carved WB shields are still visible on wall mouldings.”
Please have your historian look again. The entrance of the Wiltern was and is open to the corner of Western and Wilshire. The entrance to the Beverly Hills Warner was fronting only Wilshire as the picture shows. The storefront on the left along with the flagpole are also distinctive clues as to this theater’s true identity. A longer shot can be found at http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics01/00020224.jpg.
That link does not seem to like being posted, but shots of the Warner Beverly Hills are available at lapl.org.
I agree with Sammy that this is the Warner Beverly, and not the Wiltern.