History

Originally opened as the Carter Theater in 1925, the building was designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style by engineer Robert C. Aldrich. It featured a stucco façade, Spanish clay roof tiles, and a grand cupola topped with a revolving light.

Built during the golden era of American cinema, the Carter was one of eight new theatres established in Long Beach at the time. It was equipped with a Style D special Wurlitzer organ — one of the largest in the city — and a full orchestra pit to accompany silent films.

The Theatre’s early years were defined by silent film screenings, live performances, and a vibrant streetscape of adjacent storefront businesses. Notable early tenants included Bennett’s Canary Fountain Lunch and Seibel’s Radio Service.

After sustaining significant damage in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, the Theatre was rebuilt in 1934 in the Streamline Moderne style by architects Cecil and Arthur Schilling. It reopened in 1935 as the Lee Theatre, continuing to screen first-run films. By 1949, it had adopted a new identity as the Art Theatre, with a focus on American and European art films.

During the 1970s, under the ownership of Howard Linn, the Theatre expanded its offerings to include foreign and cult films, hosting a diverse mix of programming multiple times a week. Despite challenges during the rise of home entertainment in the 1980s, the Theatre endured, supported by a loyal community and preservation advocates.

In 1992, the Art Theatre was designated a Long Beach Historical Landmark in recognition of its cultural and architectural significance.

In 2008, the V-Squared Group of Long Beach acquired the Theatre and restored it to its 1933 Schilling and Schilling design. In 2013, the Theatre transitioned to nonprofit status under a mission to preserve and celebrate the cinematic arts.