And from the “They Sure Don’t Build ‘Em Like That Anymore” file comes the beautifully ornate Belasco Theater. Operated by Edward Belasco (a brother of the more famous producer David), the Belasco opened on November 1, 1926 at 1050 S. Hill St in downtown Los Angeles at 11th St. Look at the gorgeous filigree work above the columns and that circular pattern across the top. The photo was taken during the run of the theater’s second play, “The Son-Daughter” (which became a movie starring Ramon Novarro and Helen Hays in 1932.) It opened on December 25, 1926, so I’m dating this photo as circa very late 1926 or early 1927.
This clipping is from the Illustrated Daily News, December 7, 1926.
The Belasco still stands today. It became a church around 1950. It has been fully renovated and is now a nightclub. This image is from February 2023. (It’s nice to see the street now has mature shade trees, isn’t it?)
The Belasco and the Mayan were built by Edward Doheney. One for comedy and one for legit dramatical theater. Apparently, Doheney wanted something that was closer to his home than the existing theaters.
https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Belasco-Los-Angeles.aspx
Funny you should mention that. When I found this photo, I immediately thought of the Mayan.
I thought exactly he same thing too. The Mayan is a nightclub/performance space now too I believe.
When I was working for the City of Los Angeles, I would have occasion to go to an office building near to the old Herald Examiner building. From an upper story window, I could see the side of an old theater with a ghost mural of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (the play, not the movie). Reading this entry, I think it might have been the Belasco. I’ve always regretted not taking a photo of that mural, which is long gone now.
I got to see the late great Warren Zevon at the Mayan. A wonderful venue.