United Artists Pasadena Theater

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United Artists Pasadena Theater
United Artists Pasadena Theater
Address600-606 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, California
Coordinates 34°08′45″N118°08′16″W / 34.14573°N 118.13791°W / 34.14573; -118.13791
Capacity 912 at opening
Screens1
Current useRetail
Construction
OpenedOctober 21, 1931
Renovated1960, 1997
Closed1990
Architect Clifford A. Balch
Walker & Eisen

United Artists Pasadena Theater is a historic former movie theater located at 600-606 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California.

Contents

History

Clifford A. Balch and Walker & Eisen worked together to design United Artists Pasadena Theater, [1] one of thirteen Art Deco theaters designed for United Artists by the trio. [2] This theater opened on October 21, 1931 with a screening of New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford . The capacity at opening was 912. [3] Construction was budgeted at $70,000 ($1.45 million in 2024). [2]

The theater was used as a preview house during its early years, [4] and by June 1938, the theater was operated by Fox West Coast Theaters. [3]

United Artists retook ownership of the theater in 1990 and the theater closed later that year. [3] The building remained empty until 1997, when the interior was converted to retail. The original facade was also restored during this remodel. [4] A school supply store, gym, and restaurant have occupied the building since. [3]

Architecture

United Artists Pasadena Theater features an Art Deco design [5] [6] with a facade that includes twin artwork on either side of a central spire. [4]

In 1960, a metal panel facade was added to the building. The original marquee and a portion of the original Art Deco facade were also removed during this remodel, however, the facade was later returned to its original design. [4]

Historic designation

On May 19, 1994, the state of California designated the Pasadena Playhouse Historic District, [7] however United Artists Pasadena Theater was deemed a non-contributing property due to its 1960 remodel. [6] The building's exterior was later returned to its original design, after which it was nominated for historic designation in 2011 [4] and designated as an individual resource on August 24, 2015. The listing also states that should the Pasadena Playhouse Historic District be re-evaluated, United Artists Pasadena Theater would be re-classified as contributing. [6]

References

  1. ↑ Michelson, Alan. "United Artists Pasadena Theatre, Old Pasadena, Pasadena, CA (1931-1932)". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database . Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  2. 1 2 "A Group of Small Theatres". Motion Picture Herald. 105. Quigley Publishing Co.: 1242 1931.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gabel, William; manwithnoname. "United Artists Theatre". Cinema Treasures . Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "United Artists Theater/Angels School Supply Historic Designation Supplemental Application" (PDF). City of Pasadena. April 2011.
  5. ↑ "United Artists Theater, East Los Angeles". Los Angeles Public Library Digital Collections. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "California Historical Resources Inventory Database - Resource Summary". City of Pasadena. August 24, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Pasadena Playhouse Historic District". State of California. May 19, 1994.
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