Alameda Theater (East Los Angeles)

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Alameda Theater
Alameda Theater (East Los Angeles)
Address5136 Whittier Boulevard
East Los Angeles, California
Coordinates 34°01′14″N118°09′32″W / 34.0206°N 118.1589°W / 34.0206; -118.1589
Capacity 916
Screens1
Construction
Opened1931
Closed1986
Architect Clifford A. Balch
Walker & Eisen

Alameda Theater, also known as United Artists Theater, East Los Angeles, is a historic former movie theater located at 5136 Whittier Boulevard in East Los Angeles, California.

Contents

History

Clifford A. Balch and Walker & Eisen worked together to design Alameda Theater, one of thirteen Art Deco theaters designed for United Artists by the trio. [1] The theater, which sat 916, [1] [2] was built for United Artists but was operated by Fox West Coast Theaters soon after completion. [3] Construction was budgeted at $57,500 ($1.19 million in 2024). [1]

Alameda Theater screened Spanish language films from 1972 until the theater closed in 1986. [4] [5] An auto stereo store occupied the building c.2010. [2]

Architecture

Alameda Theater features a vertical Art Deco facade [2] that Los Angeles County considers to be characteristic of the Art Deco style. [6]

Alameda Theater was featured in Boulevard Nights . [7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A Group of Small Theatres". Motion Picture Herald. 105. Quigley Publishing Co.: 1242 1931.
  2. 1 2 3 Michelson, Alan. "Alameda Theatre, East Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA". Pacific Coast Architecture Database . University of Washington . Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  3. "United Artists Theater, East Los Angeles". Los Angeles Public Library Digital Collections. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  4. Gabel, William. "Alameda Theatre". Cinema Treasures . Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  5. Baker, William (December 9, 2021). "The lost and found theaters of Eastside LA". University Times. California State University Los Angeles.
  6. "Los Angeles County Metro Area Plan Project — Historic Context Statement" (PDF). Dudek. September 2022. p. 185.
  7. "A reminder of Whittier Boulevard's movie-house past is up for sale". The Eastsider. November 4, 2014.