1921 State Theater


Occupying the lower floors of what is now the 12-story Union Building on Seventh and Broadway, the 1921 State Theater is a Los Angeles landmark featuring an eclectic mix of medieval, classical, and Spanish design. It was originally created by Marcus Loew, owner of Hollywood's Metro Pictures, and it opened as Loew's State Theater in 1921. Just three years later, the film maker merged his company with Goldwyn Pictures and Louis B. Mayer Productions to create MGM.

With 2,450 seats, the 1921 State Theater was the largest of all the theaters on Broadway. It served not only as a cinema for Metro premiers, but also as a vaudeville venue. It was here that Judy Garland performed on stage with her two older siblings, the Gumm Sisters, in the 1930s.

Many changes followed those halcyon early days. The theater had two entrances until 1936, when the one on Seventh Street was closed. Fox Coast Theaters took over management in the 1940s, followed by United Artists in the 1950s. Then, in 1963, it was acquired by Sherill Corwin's Metropolitan Theatres. Today, it is used as a church, with offices and light manufacturing located on the floors above. The address is 703 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90014.

Review, comment, or add new information about this topic:

Discuss Los Angeles, California (CA) on our hugely popular California forum.


City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site.  Use at your own risk.
Some parts © 2024 Advameg, Inc.