Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Seats (approximate)
1868
ABOUT THIS THEATRE
Description
Originally named the Fox Wilshire, the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills opened its doors on September 19, 1930.
Designed by renowned theater architect Charles S Lee, the Wilshire Theatre building serves as an interesting example of Lee's early Art Deco style. With its rich plaster work and heavy sculpture, the Wilshire is reminiscent of Lee's other early work like the Baroque masterpiece The Los Angeles Theater and the Tower. Lee would later become famous for his clean simple Art Deco lines with theaters like the Bruin and the Academy Theater.
Fox West Coast Theaters built the Wilshire Theater to house their first run feature films. For the first 50 years of its life, the Wilshire served as one of the premiere movie palaces in Los Angeles and has hosted numerous premieres and special events. In November 1953 the Wilshire hosted the premiere of "How to Marry A Millionaire" starring Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. On Christmas Day of that year Walt Disney exhibited its new "Grand Canyonscope" - the first Donald Duck cartoon in Cinemascope which ran with the studio's classic feature "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". Other notable events include 1960's special screening of "GI Blues" starring Elvis and attended by Ronald Regan and the 1970's exclusive engagement of the film "Woodstock".
In 1981 the Wilshire Theater was renovated and converted to a stage venue. Operated for a number of years by Nederlander, the venue has hosted numerous theater productions and concerts including Billy Idol, Laurie Anderson, Mijares, Richard Pryor, Spandau Ballet, Kavert/Poogy, The National Ballet of Spain and A Mighty Wind, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays among others.