This is a Theatre!

 Motion Picture Herald, December 9, 1939:

Tumbleweed Theatre

...yes, and a fetching one to the city-farmers of Five Points [California], who gather here for mental and emotional subsistence-plus. 

He Operates It

James Edwards, Jr.

The theatre operator's problem was to build a low-cost theatre, as the size of the community would not justify a large expenditure.  

He Designed It

S. Charles Lee

Analysis of the budget and the and the area to be covered by the building left the architect--S. Charles Lee of Los Angeles--with funds to build a shell which appeared to be nothing more than a barn. A barn? 

The idea crystallized. Why not build a barn project that would be 'artistic,' and clever, and would afford more entertainment by reason of its novelty than a cheap 'modernistic' or similar type of building, where the price would reflects itself in weak substitution of materials? Thus came the idea of the Tumbleweed Theatre.

And here is the town for which it was built (theatre in right foreground).

The wishing well in the 'barnyard.'

The foyer-lounge, done in the farmhouse style.

General view of the auditorium. 

Los Angeles Theatres

Richard's History of El Monte 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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