United Artists Pasadena Theater
| Address | 600-606 East Colorado Boulevard Pasadena, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°08′45″N 118°08′16″W / 34.14573°N 118.13791°W |
| Capacity | 912 at opening |
| Screens | 1 |
| Current use | Retail |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 21, 1931 |
| Renovated | 1960, 1997 |
| Closed | 1990 |
| Architect | Clifford A. Balch Walker & Eisen |
United Artists Pasadena Theater is a historic former movie theater at 600-606 East Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California.
History
Clifford A. Balch and Walker & Eisen worked together to design United Artists Pasadena Theater,[1] one of four Art Deco theaters designed for United Artists in 1931 by the trio, the others located in East Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Long Beach.[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]
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[2][5] 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,[6] however United Artists Pasadena Theater was deemed a non-contributing property due to its 1960 remodel.[5] 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.[5]
References
- ^ Michelson, Alan. "United Artists Pasadena Theatre, Old Pasadena, Pasadena, CA (1931-1932)". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "United Artists Theater, East Los Angeles". Los Angeles Public Library Digital Collections. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Gabel, William; manwithnoname. "United Artists Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "United Artists Theater/Angels School Supply Historic Designation Supplemental Application" (PDF). City of Pasadena. April 2011.
- ^ a b c "California Historical Resources Inventory Database - Resource Summary". City of Pasadena. August 24, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
- ^ "Pasadena Playhouse Historic District". State of California. May 19, 1994.