Subject: motion picture theaters / Genre: Black-and-white photographs and Architectural photographs / Resource Type: still image / Date: 1936 - UCLA Library Digital Collections Search Results

Tower Theatre, Fresno, lobby

Description:: The curves in the design of the terrazzo floor are repeated in the curves of the neon tubing on the ceiling. The neon would have been especially effective at night.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, foyer

Description:: Lee uses curved walls and a curved staircase accentuated by the curved ceiling panels that conceal the indirect lighting.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, fluorescent painted panel, detail

Description:: A close-up of the glowing panels reveals that they are not just organic leaf forms. The shapes depict a female nude facing a serpent spiraling up the leaves.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Photographer:: Lee, S. Charles, 1899-1990
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, exterior, night

Description:: Leeýs use of neon was especially effective in this tower with its starburst top, similar to the one at the Alex Theatre in Glendale (10301). Probably the starburst flashed on and off in different colors, creating a beacon for moviegoers.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, exterior, day

Description:: The streamlined form of the building accented by a tall tower is similar to concepts for the De Anza in Riverside and the Linda Vista in Mexico City.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, etched glass panel

Description:: The etched glass panel depicts a hunter with bow and arrow, a wounded stag and a hunting dog. Lee used this motif in other theatres, such as the Miami Theatre, although the motif seems to bear no relationship to any particular wider theme. The depiction itself, however, suggests a moving picture, with several exposures or frames overlaid on each other.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, auditorium, proscenium

Description:: Note on reverse: "Decorations in fluorescent paint, when illuminated by black light, concealed in fixtures, are visible with main lights turned off. Graded shades of blue; ceiling, blue; panels, silver field, fluorescent black ýlighted panels."
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, auditorium entrance

Description:: The etched glass panel depicts a hunter with bow and arrow, a wounded stag and a hunting dog. Lee used this motif in other theatres, such as the Miami Theatre, although the motif seems to bear no relationship to any particular wider theme. The depiction itself, however, suggests a moving picture, with several exposures or frames overlaid on each other.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Fresno, auditorium

Description:: The auditorium walls curve to enclose the audience. Horizontal lines along the wall accentuate the curves.
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, ticket booth

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, lounge, entry

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton - foyer

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, façade, night

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, façade, day

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, auditorium, rear, side view

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Tower Theatre, Compton, auditorium, front

Description:: Designed for a working class community in Los Angeles, the Tower Theater is a modest design which presents a stylish black and white Deco exterior (62701). The night view shows the effective use of neon and spotlighting to illuminate the fluted Moderne tower (62702). The box office is surrounded by circles of light bulbs on the lobby ceiling and a sunburst design on the lobbyýs terrazzo floor (62703). Poster cases are framed by scrolled pediments and simulated columns. The interior uses exaggerated columns, mirrors, white traditional-style furniture, and gilt to suggest a palatial elegance that is distant from the lives of the theatreýs clientele (62704-62705). Hanging lanterns and striped upholstery in the auditorium impart a subdued elegance (62706-62707).
Date:: 1935-36
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

State Theatre, Stockton, marquee before remodel

Description:: These photographs of the State Theatre in Stockton show a early twentieth-century theatre that was used for stage acts and movies. These photographs were in Leeýs collection , because he was asked to submit a proposal for remodeling. The collection contains no records of his remodeling concepts.
Date:: 1936
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Hollywood Theatre, façade and surrounding storefronts

Description:: Now Guiness Book of World Records.
Date:: 1936
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Grand Theatre, Arizona, verso of the exterior view

Description:: Verso of the exterior view, bearing a note complimenting Lee by the manager of the Grand Theatre. Two ceiling fans, some benches painted red and a crying room were all features added to this little theatre.
Date:: 1936
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Grand Theatre, Arizona, collage of interior and exterior views

Description:: Probably Lee's simplest design and smallest commission was this 250 seat theatre for the United Verde Copper company in Clarkdale, Arizona. The crowd of people in front of the theatre, the handwritten note on the reverse of the picture, and the letter from the theatre manager all attest to the appreciation of this small theatre in a remote town in northern Arizona
Date:: 1936
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Follies Theatre, lobby entrance

Description:: The Lee collection contains a number of photographs of theatres that Lee was charged with remodeling. This series of photos of a turn-of-the-century vaudeville theatre illustrates by contrast the innovations developed by architects for motion picture theatres. The entry to these older theatres was often off the street, through a long hallway. Advertising displays were merely cardboard signs.
Date:: [between 1930-1940]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Follies Theatre, foyer

Description:: The foyer was a small cramped space, used only for collecting tickets.
Date:: [between 1930-1940]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962

Follies Theatre, auditorium, proscenium

Description:: All design attention and expense were focussed on the elaborate Beaux Arts-style auditorium, which featured a proscenium flanked by protruding boxes.
Date:: [between 1930-1940]
Resource Type:: still image
Collection:: S. Charles Lee Papers, 1919-1962