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Overview

The United Artists theatre chain competed with Fox West Coast Theatres after the latter's formation in 1929. As part of this competition, United Artists erected a number of theatres across CA, in Long Beach, Inglewood, East Los Angeles, San Francisco, El Centro, Berkeley and Pasadena. all designed by the architectural team of Walker and Eisen and Clifford A. Balch.

Building History

On 05/15/1931, Walker and Eisen and C.A. Balch were creating plans for the United Artists Theatre. At that time, demolition was occurring on the site, to make way for the 900-seat venue. (See United Artists Theatre note, Southwest Builder and Contractor, 05/15/1931, p. 56.)

The theatre became known as the "Four Star" in 1933. According to Bill Counter's authoritative website, Los Angeles Theatres Blogspot.com, "The Four Star was part of an ambitious building program by the UA circuit in the early 30s as a result of a booking war with Fox West Coast. Fox ran the bulk of the theatres in the Los Angeles area and UA, angry with the terms and the bookings they were getting for their pictures, embarked on a building spree." (See Bill Counter, Los Angeles Theatres Blogspot.com, "Four Star Theatre," accessed 11/20/2025..)

PCAD id: 18757