Bard's Glendale
 The theater in 1925 | |
 | |
| Address | 1012 East Colorado Boulevard, Glendale, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°08′45″N 118°07′47″W / 34.14595°N 118.12967°W |
| Type | Movie theater |
| Capacity | 1,200 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1924—1925 |
| Opened | October 1925 |
| Architect | Kenneth A. Gordon |
Bard's Glendale, also known as Glendale Bard and Glen Theater, was a movie theater located at 1012 E. Colorado Boulevard in Glendale, California.
History
[edit]Bard's Glendale was designed by Kenneth A. Gordon and built by J. H. Woodworth between 1924 and 1925.[1] The theater, operated by Louis L. Bard's Far West Theatres,[2] sat 1,200, cost $150,000 ($2.75 million in 2024) to construct, and was built on land owned by M. G. Khodigian.[1] It opened with a showing of Pathe News, a Felix the Cat cartoon, a comedy short and the feature Speed. Local city council member C. E. Kimlin attended the opening.[3]
The theater changed names to Glen Theater after Bard's lease ended.[2] The theater closed in 1956 or 1957 and was later converted to a bowling alley and then a nightclub and restaurant.[4]
Architecture and design
[edit]Bard's Glendale was located in a two-story building that also contained four 86x170 feet storefronts and additional offices.[1] One office was occupied by Bob Wian, creator of Bob's Big Boy, the first of which was located down the block.[3]
Bard's Glendale featured a Wurlitzer organ[3] and an Egyptian motif.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Michelson, Alan. "Bard's Glendale Theatre, Glendale, CA (1924-1925)". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c Owen, Tom. "Vista Theatre" (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c Yamada, Katherine (October 25, 2013). "Verdugo Views: Remembering an old theater's golden days". Glendale News-Press.
- ^ Gabel, William; Thompson, David. "Glen Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved June 29, 2025.