Linda Lea Theatre (Gone)
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The “World Famous” billing at the Linda Lea Theatre gave Main Street moviegoers a little extra encouragement to stop and see what was playing. Across from St. Vibiana’s Cathedral, the familiar marquee later lingered above a deserted entrance, recalling a much busier chapter of downtown entertainment. Even without a movie on the bill, the weathered sign gave theatre enthusiasts a reason to pause along the sidewalk.
Dating to the 1920s, the theatre operated under several names before becoming the Linda Lea in 1945. It became especially associated with Japanese-language films, drawing audiences downtown for pictures that weren’t standard fare at most neighborhood cinemas. For those customers, the Linda Lea offered a connection to Japanese filmmaking as well as an evening at the movies.
ImaginAsian Center
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
After closing in the mid-1980s, the theatre spent roughly two decades awaiting its next attraction. The aging marquee and shuttered frontage became reminders of Main Street’s earlier moviegoing days. This photograph catches that quieter chapter, when the Linda Lea name still advertised a theatre whose screen had long been dark.
The "World Famous" Linda Lea Theatre on Main Street
in downtown Los Angeles is located almost directly across the street from
the equally respected St. Vibiana's Cathedral. In its heyday, the Linda
Lea drew throngs of visitors to its lavish accommodations and first-run
international movies. Today, visitors still gawk at the marquee and front
of this now deserted treasure of a bygone theatre era.
ImaginAsian Center
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE: The Linda Lea Theatre was demolished and reborn as the ImaginAsian Center. According to the ImaginAsian website, the center is dedicated to showcasing Asian and Asian American cinema and culture. The theatre opened on December 1, 2007. 04-08
UPDATE: Most of the old theatre was rebuilt in 2006–2007, taking away the familiar Linda Lea facade and marquee. The replacement opened as the ImaginAsian Center and later became the Downtown Independent, bringing movie audiences back to the address. Following another closure in 2020, the property gained a new entertainment use as The Kult event venue. There’s still activity at 251 S. Main Street, but the old “World Famous” welcome belongs to the photographs now. 10-26
Edwards Cinema (Demolished)
Costa Mesa, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Edwards Cinema in Costa Mesa greeted moviegoers with a broad glass entrance and unmistakable mid-century styling. Before sprawling multiplexes, a large single-screen house like this could make the evening’s feature feel like an event. The building itself supplied a little coming-attraction excitement before customers reached the ticket window.
Opened in 1963 at 1534 Adams Avenue, the Cinema was an early Orange County location for the Edwards chain. Movies ended in 2000, and the former theatre later housed a cosmetology school, giving the building a very different daily audience.
UPDATE: The theater has been closed
for a few years now, though the center and theatre building remains. An
effort was made to preserve architectural lines by staying true to the
modern style the entire center was designed in. The theatre is now a Paul
Mitchell training center, and the gobs of glass and exterior supports
remain. Many thanks to Steven Gertsen for update. 07-03
Edwards Cinema (Demolished)
Costa Mesa, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE: The old Cinema you used to be able to see off of Harbor Boulevard in
Costa Mesa was the marquee for the Edwards Cinemas. Unfortunately
this theatre has met the front of the bulldozer head-on. 07-10
UPDATE: The distinctive lobby was demolished around 2013–2014, taking away the familiar entrance and theatre signage. A historical mural depicting the Cinema’s earlier appearance later offered a reminder of its moviegoing years. This photograph preserves the real thing, back when the front of the building was part of the attraction. 10-26
Studio Theatre (Demolished)
San Bernardino, CA Photo courtesy Sal Garcia
The Studio Theatre on San Bernardino’s Base Line Street recalls the neighborhood movie houses that once made an evening out a short trip from home. Even after closing, its familiar sign gave theatre enthusiasts a reason to stop for a look.
Opened in 1936 at 448 W. Base Line Street, the single-screen house later showed Spanish-language films before returning to English-language programming. Its final screenings came in January 1988.
UPDATE: The Studio was demolished around 2006, ending hopes of another opening night. A collector reported acquiring its marquee sign before demolition, offering a little consolation. The building is gone, but part of its roadside identity may have escaped the wrecking equipment. 10-26
Linda Lea Theatre (Gone)
ImaginAsian Center
ImaginAsian Center
Studio Theatre (Demolished)
