What’s Up With The Miramar?

Out of the Historical Society steps a grassroots committee with the specific purpose of saving the San Clemente Theatre (Miramar) from certain demolition.  It is common knowledge the owner of the theatre has applied to demolish but it has recently been learned that the owner has put to the front of the line of prospective buyers a group with designs on turning the theatre site into restaurants, shops and residences.
       
The FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE (a.k.a. SAVE THE MIRAMAR) committee is tasked with completing the application process for listing the San Clemente Theatre first as a State Historic Landmark and then as a National Historic Landmark.  We have engaged the application-writing talents of a local preservation expert with a successful track record for getting historic properties on the National List of Historic Places.
Just hours after taking on the application assignment, her research revealed that the theatre IS indeed historic.  Our theatre was designed for Pacific Coast Theatres, by renowned theatre architect, C.W. Balch whose theatre designs listed in the National Register include the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, which was converted for use as a live music venue in 1994, and the Fox Theatre in Visalia, California, which was slated for demolition in 1996 but was saved by a grass roots community organization called “FRIENDS OF THE FOX”.  Today it too is a registered national historic landmark and is run by a non-profit organization as a performing arts venue, and is the home of the Tulare County Symphony.  The San Clemente theatre was the only C.W. Balch theatre built in Orange County and the only design built in the Mission Spanish Revival style.  Until then Balch’s theatre designs were mostly Art Deco in style.
    At the 1938 opening day dedication of the San Clemente Theatre Architect Balch explained his theatre design for San Clemente:  “Nestled among the gently rising slopes from the Pacific shores, San Clemente presents a scene of rare beauty unequalled in California.  In such surrounding has been erected the San Clemente Theatre, another unit in this fast growing community.  Carrying out the style of Spanish California architecture adopted for this ‘Spanish City,’ the theatre building is a fitting addition to the group of commercial structures fronting the main thoroughfare.  The exterior treatment is an attempt to embody the informal lines and mass of early California buildings in a modern structure whose shape is generally set.  The use of the typical tile roofs, hewn wood beams and textured-plaster, has created an effect in keeping with the natural setting. The interior treatment likewise has been kept as nearly as possible true to style.
    “The architects are proud to offer the results of their efforts to the community of San Clemente.”
    At that dedication ceremony, the Chamber of Commerce President, Roy R. Divel, Sr. added to the architects sentiments by stating: “We are happy to have the influence and inspiration of this theatre, which has been erected through the insight and faith of the Capital Company to serve a public purpose with the satisfaction that it will contribute to the cultural values of San Clemente and the entire community.”
    Last to speak on that day was the President of Pacific States Theatres, Adolph Ramish.  His hopes for the purpose and future of the San Clemente Theatre ring the most eloquent:
    “Where once the lustrous California Moon threw her limpid beams down on the solitude of the great Creator there now stands man’s mighty contribution to beauty.  The New San Clemente Theatre, woven out of the warp and woof of character and charm into a mantle of hospitality, and entertainment, this gorgeous institution is and will ever be visible evidence of the operators of the San Clemente Theatre’s profound faith in this city.
    “To those who seek the most of life, who naturally yearn for fitting intellectual stimulation, will come an ever increasing warmth of appreciation, as you respond to the moments of joy, hours of delight, nights of glorious romance and adventure in these inspiring surroundings.
    “Let the world move as it may...let crowns fall and governments totter...The San Clemente Theatre will remain an appealing shrine of comfort and luxury, a haven of relaxation.”
    While Mr. Ramish might have been a bit over the top in his sentiments, he made it very clear that a movie theatre need not be a palace to be a shrine in a community such as San Clemente.  Is it not worth saving because it isn’t the Pantages or the Egyptian?  It represents the simple style of San Clemente and represents the Spanish Village at the North Beach Gateway perfectly.
    Would a new mall be worthy of such passionate sentiment?  Would anyone even care to save a strip mall, condo or shopping center?  They come and go daily?  They don’t have time to mark time.
    Armed with information on our newly discovered storied architect, C.W. Balch, and the uniqueness of his San Clemente achievement, The FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE have moved ahead with the application process for listing the Theatre on the National Register of Historic Places.  San Clemente is already represented  four times on the National Register with the Ole Hanson Beach Club in 1981; the Histric City Hall building in 1983; the San Clemente Hotel in 1989; and the Casa Romantica in 1991.
    The San Clemente Theatre does not deserve to be demolished simply because the skin she inhabits has been permitted by her owners, to show age.   
    San Clemente has a theatre.  Many communities wish they did.  Those who do are discovering their worth as homes for film societies, community theatre, high school and college laboratories for the study of performing arts and technologies, large theatre-seating community forums and most of all for entertainment.
    Riff Markowitz, empressario of the Follies show, which occupies the Historic Palm Springs Theatre, told me:
    “Our own theater was purchased then restored by the City of Palm Springs in the early-80s and was then put out to bid. We had NO idea what the Follies was to become, so I certainly hope you pursue the performing arts center as discussed in your proposal. Much success with your project. It definitely sounds like it has potential.”
    Desi Arnaz, Jr. has restored the Boulder Colorado Theatre into a performing Arts venue.  There are many more examples and success stories.  Why is it every 30 years or so San Clemente enters into a new chapter of modernization?  More to the point, why is it there are so many members of the community, some with offices of responsibility and bully pulpits at their disposal, who have lived through past mistakes, championing this community’s systematic architectural demise?
    Like a mother who teaches a child that it takes more face muscles to frown than to smile, why can’t those who have no stake in the demolition of the theatre, side with the positive and upbeat community challenge of restoration and preservation rather than choose the ultimate decision of a wrecking ball. 
    The FRIEND OF THE THEATRE are in contact with The League of Historic American Theatres as we create a resource base of people and organizations in various specialties related to theatre restoration, preservation and operation; The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers for help in locating sources of information for funding and support for our historic preservation project; and finally The Theatre Historical Society of America where we have initiated research in their extensive archives of theatres nationwide, for photos, renderings of exterior and interior, and all other helpful information pertaining to the San Clemente Theatre.
    Failing grades were flying across Los Angeles last month as preservationists issued their first “report cards,” which evaluated local cities’ efforts to save old landmarks.  The Los Angeles Conservancy declared many cities are disregarding history.
    Residents of the “failing cities” should be embarrassed enough to begin pressuring local officials to adopt land-mark protection ordinances, leader of the 25-year-old conservancy said.  “Sometimes ticking people off promotes them to take action,” said Linda Dishman the conservancy’s executive director.
    Orange County doesn’t have such a conservancy.  It is left up to the citizens of a community and groups like our Historical Society, to save the historic fabric of our town.
    The theatre has fallen into the wrong hands and she looks outrageous.  THE FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE are stepping up to help the owner find a friendly buyer who will make use of our research and restore our North Beach Gateway Landmark to it’s opening day dignity and a bright new future.
   
    The FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE welcome comments and suggestions from supporters.  Donations are welcome as well.  Should the theatre fall, all collected donations remaining in the account will be given to the Casa Romantica in the name of the Historical Society.  Petitions signings and rallies will held on behalf of the theatre and are in the planning stages.  Everyone is welcome to drop by the Historical Society Museum and sign a petition showing solidarity with the Theatre’s Preservation.

If you are not for the theatre you’d better stop frowning so hard or your face might freeze that way.

Fred Divel
FRIENDS OF THE THEATRE COMMITTEE

Fred Divel