ALL ABOUT THE SABAN FOX WILSHIRE THEATRE
Saban Theatre
Beverly Hills
8440 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
A Brief History of the Saban Fox Wilshire Theatre (1930)
by Ken Roe
(courtesy of Cinema Treasures. http://cinematreasures.org/theater/4/
Saban Theatre
Beverly Hills, CA
8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Seats: 1900
Architect: S. Charles Lee
At the Eastern edge of Beverly Hills sits this elaborate Spanish Art Deco style structure. Designed by noted theatre architect Simeon Charles Lee, this was his 3rd theatre design, after the Tower Theatre and the Los Angeles Theatre, both in Los Angeles. The Fox Wilshire Theatre was also the first of many he designed in an Art Deco style. The Fox Wilshire Theatre was built for and operated by the Fox West Coast Theatres circuit, and it opened on September 19, 1930, with seating for 2,296 in orchestra and balcony levels.
Dominating the exterior is a 6-story corner tower, containing luxurious apartments on the top two floors. It was originally topped by a huge rotating sky sign spelling out the name 'FOX' in large vertically placed letters. The exterior of the building was originally painted in a buff color and had black vertical stripes running up the tower and Deco style decorations painted in silver.
Inside the hexagonal shaped lobby, there is a decorative metal open balcony surrounding the space, where in the early years, there was placed an Estay Minuette portable organ, which had 2 Manuals / 3 Ranks and was contained in a large grand piano case.
The splendid Art Deco style auditorium was a sight to behold. Designed by interior designer Harold B. Franklin, it was painted in black and silver, with coral colored draperies and seats. The rectangular proscenium arch has 'zig-zag' decorations surrounding it, and the anti-proscenium surround contains a highly stylized fretwork design. A full stage was provided, as well as a 'green room' and dressing rooms. The Wurlitzer organ was a regular 2 Manual / 9 Ranks that had been enlarged by Louis Mass and pipe-maker Archie Marsh, especially for this theatre.
During the early years in the 1930's, it was a popular meeting place for lunchtime foyer concerts and occasional midnight matinees which would be attended by film stars who lived in the locality of Beverley Hills. The open lobby on the street front was modernized over the years, losing its street ticket booth and gaining a new marquee, while the exterior of the building was painted plain white, which diminishes the original Spanish Art Deco style of the building. The Fox Wilshire Theatre was the site of numerous premieres, including Walt Disney's "The Sleeping Beauty" (in 70mm) on January 29, 1959. It closed as a movie theatre in 1977, and after laying empty for several years, it was taken over by the Nederlander Theatres Group in October 1981.
The Wilshire Theatre was renovated and redecoration was carried out by architect Benjamin Marcus Priteca's protege, Richard F. McCann. Unfortunately, the original black and silver color scheme was covered in hues of dark red and tan paint, giving a very gloomy look to the auditorium. However, it began housing touring productions of Broadway musicals, and it is reputed to be Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's favourite Los Angeles theatre. It became one of Los Angeles' premiere venues for concerts and other live events.
Over a quarter century later, the newly renamed Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills is still home to numerous concerts and other live performances. It is also used for film and television production. Recent years have seen the theatre 'dark' for long periods and it has been 'let out' to be used as a Jewish synagogue on a regular basis.
In 2009 it was announced that Haim and Cheryl Saban would donate five million dollars for the restoration of the proscenium, orchestra area, and marquee. The marquee will say Saban Theatre.
THE FOX WILSHIRE OPENS! THE MEDIA IS VERY IMPRESSED!
The postings below are a sample of the information available online at cinematreasures.org .
(September 7, 1930)
FOX WILSHIRE TO OPEN SOON
"Art is getting on a more solid basis," according to Jack Shulze, art director of the Fox Studios, whose modern design in interior and furnishing of the new Fox Wilshire Theater, Beverly Hills, is said to establish a new note in theater decoration.
It has only been during the last few years that the modern art has come into general use, and the new Fox Wilshire is said to be the first theater designed completely in the modern motif.
The colors used in the interior of the new theater are coral, black and silver which are varied at will by a new three-way color system of lighting.
One of the interesting departures in design in the new theater, which has its premiere the 19th inst., is its curtain. It opens in three or four phases, as an iris, developing various designs in the opening.
(September 14, 1930)
FOX WILSHIRE TO OPEN DOORS
Something new in the way of luxurious seating accomodations will be introduced to the picture-going public when the new Fox Wilshire Theater, Wilshire at Hamilton, Beverly Hills, has its gala opening Friday evening.
The opening festivites of the theater are under the sponsorship and direction of the Chamber of Commerce of Beverly Hills, which organization is planning many unusual features.
The opening screen piece will bring the Marx Brothers in "Animal Crackers." In the afternoon, a children's premiere, which will be attended by child stars from the studios, will mark the initial showing of "The Break Up," Alaskan adventure-travel picture, featuring Capt. Jack Robertson and his pal "Scooter."
Scores of reservations for the opening night of the new theater have been received from the Beverly Hills motion-picture colony.
(September 17, 1930)
EQUIPMENT AT FOX WILSHIRE HOUSE LAUDED
The faintest note of Harp's harp will sound clearly in every part of the new Fox Wilshire Theater, when the Marx Brothers' act, "Animal Crackers," comes to the screen at the gala premiere of the new house Friday evening, according to reports.
This is the promise of sound experts, who, following extensive tests, pronounced the new theater one of the best in point of sound projection and design of auditorium for audience reception.
The auditorium of the new theater, seating 2500 persons, was designed in the shape of a large horn, which begins at the stage and develops outward. The covering on the upholstered chairs is a new material which enhances the carrying of sound waves, it is said.
With motion-picture celebrities participating, the opening program for the new theater will be under the direction of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Here is the LA Times article about the grand opening:
(September 20, 1930)
NEW HOUSE OF CINEMA DEDICATED
Civic and Film Notables Attend Gala Opening of Fox Wilshire Theater
Dedication of the Fox Wilshire Theater, newest temple of cinema art, was held last night, with klieg lights flashing, motion-picture stars, the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and other notables in attendance.
The new theater is located on Wilshire Boulevard at Hamilton Drive, and is of modern design throughout, with decorations in varying shades of silver, coral and black-a magnificent edifice.
A throng welcomed the new house, and the type of brilliance usually attending a typical Southern California premiere made the occasion a memorable one.
The event took on a civic aspect with the president of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor lending dignity to the proceedings. The film colony was represented by Leon Errol, Anita Page, Robert Montgomery, John Miljan, Joan Marsh, Jeanette MacDonald, Fay Wray, Racquel Torres and many others. Errol acted as master of ceremonies.
A children's matinee was held in the afternoon, with Betty Bronson as guest of honor.
The feature picture at the new Fox Wilshire was "Animal Crackers," starring the Four Marx Brothers. A program of short subjects completed the gala evening.
70mm Engagements at the Fox Wilshire:
(Courtesy of Cinema Terasures)
Source: http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/70mm_in_los_angeles_main_page.htm
Title (Premiere Date)
RSE = Reserved Seat Engagement
Sleeping Beauty (Jan. 29, 1959)
Solomon And Sheba (Dec. 26, 1959)
Exodus (Dec. 21, 1960; RSE)
The Sound Of Music (Mar. 10, 1965; RSE)
The Sand Pebbles (Dec. 28, 1966; RSE)
Far From The Madding Crowd (Oct. 19, 1967; RSE)
Star! (Oct. 31, 1968; RSE)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Nov. 7, 1969; RSE)
Woodstock (Mar. 26, 1970; 70mm presentation unconfirmed)
Fiddler On The Roof (Nov. 5, 1971; RSE)
Man Of La Mancha (Dec. 13, 1972; RSE)
Re-Issue/second run/return/move-over engagements include:
Ben-Hur (1969; RSE)
The Sound Of Music (1969)
South Pacific (1969)
Doctor Zhivago (1970)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1971, 1975)
Around The World In 80 Days (1971)
MGM Fabulous Three (1971)
My Fair Lady (1971)
West Side Story(1971)
Camelot (1973, 1974, 1976, 1977)
Fiddler On The Roof (1973)
Man Of La Mancha (1973)
This Is Cinerama (1973)
Oliver! (1974)
Hello, Dolly! (1975, 1976, 1977)
Gone With The Wind (1976)
Logan's Run (1976)
A Star Is Born (1977)
Attend to learn more about the Academy and Fox Inglewood!
Interior Saban Fox Wilshire
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