The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles
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Its monstrous ugliness followed East Los Angeles like a storm cloud. At least, that’s what I thought growing up. There it sat, quietly looming, as we Garfield High students spilled onto Whittier Boulevard each afternoon after final bell. The dilapidated building was a daily reminder of the disrepair our community seemed to be sliding into.
My mom once told me in passing that the building had been a lively theater. It was hard to believe. I was 18 and preoccupied with being an angsty teenager. The Golden Gate Theater, hollow and in disrepair, embodied the reason I wanted to leave Los Angeles. I was tired of East L.A. and all of its moles. Nothing that big is ever benign. I wanted out.
I was also wrong.
The Golden Gate Theater, built in 1927, had in fact played a huge role in forming community in East Los Angeles. Like many theaters during the 1920s and 1930s, it played silent films and filled the gaps with organ and orchestra music. By the 1960s, films shared the stage with live acts, rock concerts, and even amateur variety acts, according to the National Register of Historic Places. By the 1970s, many immigrants from Mexico called East L.A. home, and the theater reflected the changes in demographic, showing films with Spanish subtitles. Later, it closed.
It opened to the public again just recently, in late 2012, in the form of a CVS Pharmacy. Its original architectural vision, capped by an entrance modeled on the portal of the University of Salamanca in Spain, has been modified by the mundane reality of automatic sliding glass doors. But while the building no longer serves its original purpose, it’s found a second act with residents.
The Golden Gate Theater is East L.A.’s Polaris. To the south, a small shop where I spent my weekly allowance on baseball cards; to the east, the Regency Theaters where I saw my first movie, Backdraft, in 1991. To the north, the Starbucks I never tell anyone I go to. I’m never lost.
The Churrigueresque detailing at its top seems its as pristine today as back in 1927. Maybe one day it will show films again. For now, you can find toothpaste on Aisle 7.
I remember seeing E.T. and Purple Rain in that theatre. I don’t remember when it closed down, but for the early part of my childhood it was a functioning movie theatre.
That’s great Iris! I never saw any films there myself. I walked a few blocks down on Whittier and went to the Commerce theater. How would you compare The Golden Gate Theater to some of the more modern day ones of today?
I remember going there with my parents when I a kid. After the earthquake they closed it down. Every time I see this building it brings back to good memories as a kid. I grew up a block away from The Golden Gate Theater.
That’s great, Rafael. Even though it’s no longer in operation, I’m glad it’s still there so future generations will discover some of the gems in East L.A. Do you know of any others? I think the Whittler Boulevard arch is another great architectural treasure.
I remember seeing The Keep, The Thing and the one movie that is still one of my favorites of all time, Conan the Barbarian. The theatre was ominous. It was HUGE to a young lad of 5-6 years of age. But it was beautiful with its small stiff seats, sticky floors and dimly lit passageways. I remember the Golden Gate had a carved frame around the screen itself. It frightened me because I only ever noticed as soon as the movies were about to begin. I’m sure the staff there hated me for getting my straw off of my soda, grabbing extra napkins and making spitwads that I’d shoot at my brother and friends.
I miss those times. It was always an event with us getting ready for the movies. We’d get all dressed up and walk down Atlantic to get to it and then back to our apartment by Belvedere Park. East LA became my home and that theatre was one of my preferred landmarks.
Those are the memories you never forget Nicholas! Thank you for sharing! I really think East LA needs a movie theater like this again. Maybe it’s not even about the films they show, but who you see them with that really matters. That carved frame sounds interesting. I wonder what happened to it?
I was lucky to experience the Golden Gate as a teen in the 60’s. I’d always catch a weekend matinee and sometimes catch a live band performance. After the ‘show’ we’d go grab seomthing to eat before jumping on the “Kern” bus home; and as long as I was home before dark I was allowed to go each weekend. Now ask about the Battle of the Bands at ELAC or the dances at the Kennedy Hall or St. Alphonsus! I was one very lucky teen growing up in ELA! To this day I feel a tug of the heartstrings towards ELA when I think of my teens!
What beautiful memories Alice! When I talk to people about The Golden Gate Theater, the conversation often grows into all the activities before and after the shows, and the celebrations around the immediate area. I can only imagine what it was like back in the 60s!
My found memories go back to the late 60’s when I saw my first movie, “Planet of the Apes.” I have been hooked on movies ever since my mom took me that day. Many in the neighborhood wished it was restored back to its original purpose, as other cities have done to their old gems.
I friend and I snuck over the fence at night and went into the spooky old building about ten years ago to shoot footage of the old interior and architecture. It was a Scooby Doo mystery, even the old clam shell confectionary prop, and the old gutted out projectors were still there. I always wanted to see what was behind the curtains, and stage area since I was a kid… I got my wish!
See related article on Golden Gate Theater…
http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2012/08/former-east-l-a-movie-palace-debuts-in-new-role-as-drug-store/
i saw back to the future part 1 there back in the 1980’s , it was a good fully functioning movie theater with good snacks :), sucks that the county has done nothing to preserve or encourage cultural development in east los angeles.
I have so many memories of seeing movies here as a kid. I can’t quite place when it closed, and when the only option for the area became Commerce, but it was certainly my first movie theater.
I remember going to all four theatres on Whittier Blvd during the 60’s as a kid. I lived in Maravilla Projects at the time and money was tight. We’d go to the Boulevard when we had little money. Entrance fee was 35 cents. The Center theatre was 50 cents. The spanish speaking theatre that I can’t remember the name was an occasional stop with my mom. The gem of course was the Golden Gate which cost 75 cents to get in. The architecture was equal to none. I remember getting my popcorn from the shell concession stand and going up to the balcony to watch the movie and older kids make out. Those were the days of simple pleasures and family living in E.L.A.
Hi Bob! I had no idea there were four theatres on Whittier Blvd. What were the locations? While 75 cents must have been tough in those days; I would love to see those prices in movie theaters now! 30 dollars for a couple of movie tickets before I even ordered popcorn. I’m glad you have those memories in East Los.
Steve,
I read your question to Bob regarding the four movie theatres in East Los Angeles and here’s your answer.
1, Boulevard Theatre was just east of Ford Blvd. 2. Kern theatre was just east of Kern avenue on Whittier Blvd.3. Alameda theatre the Spanish theatres was about three blocks West of Atlantic avenue
3. The Golden Gate theatre was smack in the corner of Whittier and Atlantic avenue. And if I can recall right movies use to be 25 cents on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Thanks Raul!
Anybody remember the Huggie Boy shows from 12am-5am! Those were the good times when all of the original singer’s performed Live! (NO LIP SINKING)
Would love to here from someone who had the same memories as a teenager.”
My mom took me and my sister to see ‘The Ten Commandments’ back in 1958, there at the Golden Gate Theater:) I also remember the shops that used to be on both sides of the entrance. It was a beautiful place that I’ll always have fond memories of.”
The Golden Gate was more than a “movie” palace. It’s facade housed John The Tailor who made stage clothing for many of the Bands from East L.A., Orange County and the SanFernando Valley. After getting fitted you could see a movie or go bowling, have your publicity photos done, buy records at the Record Rack or go upstairs where Thee Midniters had offices and a rehearsal studio. We were ways glad to receive fans and chat about current events. The iconic landmark was a gathering place for families who after watching a good movie could stand on the Whittier Blvd. side and watch the endless parade of cars that filled the Blvd. more details coming in my Biok and Movie “Dreaming Casually”. Thank you for this forum.
Thanks Little Willie G! Great to know it was more than just a place to watch a movie. There seemed to be more going on outside of the theater than in it! I wonder if East LA still has places to meet and talk now. Those places are rare now. Thanks for your comment!
I just came across this article. It’s great to hear someone recognizing such a big part of my life growing up. I spent many Saturday’s at The Golden Gate. Seeing so many movies and just hanging out. My friends and I would sneak in an out of different movies all day with breaks in between to catch a smoke. Well, more like a choke. We were just acting cool. I remember looking around thinking about how beautiful this place really is. Like a Palace in the middle of a Jungle. Those memories mean so much to me. It’s sad we have lost this theater. Hopefully someday it will stand again. As beautiful as it once was. Thank you for this article. It has brought back so many great memories and make me realize just how blessed I was to have spent time there.