In this photo from 1933, we’re looking east along Wilshire Blvd from La Cienega Blvd. That theater was the Fox Wilshire, which opened in 1930 with the premiere of Marx Brothers’ “Animal Crackers” and over the next few decades was Fox’s premier first run venue. I’d never heard of Berk’s before but I’d imagine they did a brisk pre-show trade. In between them is a Sontag drug store, which is a name you don’t see anymore. But what really catches my eye is the large “20” painted on the road. I assume it’s a speed limit, but I don’t remember noticing it before.
Roughly the same view in December 2020:
Assuming the Fox theater was owned by Fox Studios, it’s curious that it showed a Marx Brothers movie, given that their movies were made by Paramount. In any case, that must have been a grand place to see a movie.
Bill, that’s a very good point. Yes, it was owned by Fox, and yes, the Marx Brothers were with Paramount at the time. Maybe Paramount’s preferred premiere theater wasn’t available on the night they wanted.