None of the historic movie
palaces on Broadway in Los Angeles still show movies
on a regular basis. There are several ways to see
the interiors of some of these palaces. First,
there is the fantastic tour given by the Los Angeles
Conservancy on Saturdays. See the links page to
find out more. Also, these places are occasionally
rented out for special shows or events. I believe
the Mayan theater is now a dance club. The State
and the United Artists are now churches, but I would
not attempt to see these unless you are sincere in
wanting to know about the church itself. One (Warner
Bros. on 7th and Hill) can be seen because it is a
"jewelry center" (check with guards first).
In other parts of the Los
Angeles metropolitan area there are still
functioning movie palaces such as the Chinese
Theater, the El Capitan, the Alex and the Rialto
(Pasadena) The Egyptian has been restored but the
interior is substantially remodeled.
The movie palace to me represents a painful yet
beautiful reminder of how much we have lost in
American culture. How is it that such
incredible places were built before the invention of
modern technology, yet somehow we cannot create such
places today? Why did we have so much appreciation
of beauty then and not now? Where is the attention
to beauty, detail and quality today? Why is it that generic
places abound today? Isn't beauty and detail and
craftsmanship profitable in the modern world?
How is it that architecture and interior design has
been so dumbed down? Anyone have an answer?
Any time you have a chance to check these places
out - jump on it! Click on small (thumbnail)
pictures to expand. Then hit the "back" button to
return.
| The Arcade (1910-1911 Morgan
and Walls) 534 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
|
Originally built in the style of an
English music theater. It may not be clear
from the picture, but this was once a
Pantages theater (his first). The Los
Angeles Conservancy has pulled a real coup
by getting the owner to very generously
allow the Conservancy tour group to see the
inside. There was no access for many years.
This alone is a great reason to take the
Conservancy tour! The interior of the Arcade
is in pretty bad shape, but you do get a
feel for what it was.
|
Belasco Theater, 1050 S Hill Street, Los
Angeles (1926
Morgan Walls and Clements - Churrigueresque)
|
Next to the Mayan Theater. Does not
appear to be in use. Obviously part of the
Belasco theater chain. Originally designed
as a legitimate theater. |
| The Cameo (1910
Alfred F. Rosenheim - Beaux Arts and Italian
Renaissance) - 528 S. Broadway, Los
Angeles
|
Originally a Nickelodeon. Later it was
called Clune's Broadway (and was built by
William Clune). It was never
terribly ornate. The interior is not in
great shape, but the owner of the store in
front was very generous in allowing the Los
Angeles Conservancy to bring a tour group
in. It closed in 1991.
 |
| The Orpheum (G. Albert Lansburgh
1925 or 1926 -
closed 2000 for regular movies) - 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
 
|
French Renaissance interior - one of the
last theaters to stop showing regular
movies. Huge place with 2000 seats. The Marx brothers appeared here in
the Vaudeville days (which at this theater
continued up to the 1950s). It has a top of
the line Wurlitzer Organ. Recently the try
outs for American Idol were held here. Film
locations here include Barton Fink, Ed Wood,
and "The Doors". The Orpheum
and the Los Angeles Theaters are the most
magnificent of the Los Angeles Broadway
Movie Palaces and the Orpheum is by far in
the best condition after a recent
restoration.
 |
The Rialto (1917- Downtown LA) - 812
Broadway, Los Angeles, California
|
Originally a nickelodeon.
It has the longest Marquee of any Broadway
theater. Sid Grauman also leased this
theater.
 |
Tower (1927 S. Charles Lee) - 802
Broadway, Los Angeles, California
|
I was able to get in here while it was
being rented to a church group. The
original seats were gone, but there was
still much of the interior intact. This was
the first theater with something akin to air
conditioning. This was sort of a practice
run for S. Charles Lee in the style of a
Paris Opera House, before he built the
even more fabulous Los Angeles Theater.
Possibly this was the theater in Mullholland
Dr. (silencio - no hay banda!)
 |
Globe (1913 - Morgan
and Walls) - 744 Broadway, Los Angeles
|
Originally a legitimate theater,
previously called the Belasco (and of that
chain) |
The State (1921 -
Weck and Day)- 702 S. Broadway, Los
Angeles
 |
Judy Garland once sang here in
1929. It was part of the MGM chain of
theaters. As with many movie palaces, this
was also a vaudeville locale. Currently
a protestant church with predominantly
Hispanic members. It had a very beautiful
interior the last time I saw a movie here
(but did not smell too well back then!).
I recently went in after a very nice man
guarding the front said it was ok. There is
still much of value in the interior but it
also appears much has been remodeled for the
church. |
Los Angeles (1931 S. Charles Lee
- French Renaissance) - 615
S. Broadway, Los Angeles
, California
|
The premiere of Charlie Chaplin's "City
Lights" was held here. This was the most
luxurious movie palace built by S. Charles
Lee (18th Century French style). He spent
$1.2 million dollars on this palace - a
princely sum back then. The interior,
amazingly lavish, is said to resemble the
Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Often in
cheaper films when you see a character in a
European palace, it's being filmed in this
theater lobby. It was built with a special
circus tent-like room for children to play
in while their parents watched the movie.
It also has a special mechanism so that the
movie could be remotely viewed while
standing in the smoking lounge downstairs.
This place often opens for special events.
Don't pass up a chance to see this place!
Check out "Mad Men" Season One Episode 9
when Betty and Donald are supposed to be at
a musical on Broadway I believe, there are here!If you go to an event here, eat at Clifton's
Cafeteria, Cole's P.E. Buffet or the
Yorkshire grill first.
 |
Mayan (1927 Morgan, Walls and Clements
- facade by Mexican artist Francisco Cornejo )
- 1038 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA
|
Originally a legitimate theater.
Constructed
by the Belasco Theater Chain.
Highly ornamented with Mayan cultural
details, such as Mayan warriors. The
colorful paint you see on the ornamentation
was not there until 1960. Before it was a
more stark appearance. You can
see some of the interior in the movie "Save
the Tiger". It also appears in the movie
"The Bodyguard". I believe this might
currently be a dance club. |
Million Dollar Theater -307 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles (Woollett and Albert C. Martin - 1918 or
1917)
 |
This place is currently empty, although
it did a long stint as a protestant church.
Apparently the Churrigueresque style was too
much for the church because I noticed they
had put sheets over some of the designs
inside. Over the years there has been some
remodeling of the lobby, but the interior is
still in pretty good shape (except the
church painted over some very historic
murals). My father, who
lived in South Central in the 1940s, tells
me he used to see three movies and a live
show (one time including Sammy Davis Jr.)
for 25 cents. This was Sid Grauman's first
theater I believe. The first film shown here
was "The Silent Man."
Near the Redwood 2nd
St. Saloon, Cole's PE Buffet, Philippe's,
Clifton's Cafeteria and the Yorkshire Grill. |
| The Palace
(1911 - Italian Renaissance - Albert
Lansburgh & Robert Brown Young with
ornamentation by Domingo Mora) - Broadway, Los Angeles
|
This was originally named the Orpheum
and was changed when the newer more lavish
Orpheum was built. It was part of the
Orpheum vaudeville circuit (and the most
ancient surviving theater of the Orpheum
chain). It originally was solely
vaudeville and only later became a movie
theater. As best as I
can recall, the last three theaters to show
regulars movies were the Palace, the State,
and the Orpheum. This was not quite
as ornate as later theaters but still quite
sensational. I saw "the Mask" here
before it closed.
|
Pantages/Warner - West Seventh St. (B.
Marcus Priteca 1920)
|
You can still see the interior of this
incredible theater by walking in the jewelry
mart here (ask permission). This is where
the alleged rape took place that threw
Alexander Pantages' life into the newspaper
headlines in 1929. He was later acquitted
of raping the 17 year old school girl.
Not
far from Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's PE
Buffet, Hank's bar, the Standard Hotel and the Original Pantry Cafe.
|
The Roxie (1931
- John C. Cooper) - 518 S. Broadway, Los
Angeles
|
This was the last theater constructed on
Broadway and the only one in the art deco
style. It was one of the few on Broadway
actually built for sound pictures. |
United Artists (1926 or 1927
- depending on what source you believe - why
do opening dates vary so much between
books!!! Walker & Eisen or C. Howard Crane
- Spanish Gothic) 933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles,
California
|
Spanish Gothic interior - originally
owned by Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks,
and Charlie Chaplin. If you look closely, a
mural inside has each actors' face. Now
operated as a Church (The Los Angeles
University Cathedral Church), but perfectly
preserved inside. You might be able to see
it on the Los Angeles conservancy tour.
Opened with the movie "My Best Girl".
 |
| BEYOND THE
DOWNTOWN THEATER DISTRICT: |
|
| CULVER CITY |
|
Culver Theater, 9820
Washington Boulevard,, Culver City, CA
(1947)
|
Don't know anything about this place
yet. Culver City once produced more movies
than Hollywood (geographically). |
| PASADENA, CA |
|
The Rialto (S. Pasadena)
|
A kind and knowledgeable person
contributed this:
The Rialto was built in 1924 by LA
Smith, noted theatre architect. It was
used for vaudeville performances as well
as film, from the very start. There are
still dressing rooms in the basement.
Little has been done to it since it was
built. There used to be loge seats
downstairs, big fluffy armchairs but
they have now been moved up to the
balcony which is now closed. There is
an orchestra pit, a greenroom, etc. It
is on the national register of historic
places and is owned by landmark
theatres. The original Wurlitzer which
was in the theatre was sold but was
recently returned by the man who bought
it. It is in the meridian ironworks
museum in South Pasadena (next to the
goldline mission station). It has been
featured in the player and also in
numerous commercials and movies
including, Scream 2 (where they
premiered 'stab')Kentucky fried movie,
Number 23, a diet coke commercial, a Tim
Burton commercial that only aired in
japan, as well as visa stills in
magazines and many other things, its
hard to keep track.
The theatre itself is decorated in a
Spanish/Egyptian style. There was a
fire in the 70s that destroyed the organ
bay and so it is now bricked up to the
left of the stage. There are large
statues of harpies that frame support
the organ bays. Its a gorgeous theatre
and although you wont be allowed to take
photos of the inside, one can come by
during open hours in between movies and
take a look at the auditorium and lobby
though the rest is off limits. There is
a gargoyle at the center of the
proscenium arch whose eyes light up.
 |
| WESTLAKE/MacArthur Park |
|
Westlake Theater, 710
S. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, California
|
I was surprised to find how much
was left of the interior. I hear this place
will be revived as a legitimate theater. |
| SILVERLAKE: |
|
Vista Theater (1923), 4473 Sunset Blvd. Los
Angeles 323-660-6639
.jpg)
|
Small but well preserved old movie
theater. Egyptian interior. Near the Tiki Ti, El Chavo,
El Cid, the Short Stop bar, the Brite Spot and
Millie's |
| WILSHIRE CENTER/KOREATOWN: |
|
Wiltern (1931 Morgan, Walls and Clements
and interior G. Albert Lansburgh), 3780 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
|
First known as the Wiltern-Warner and
the Warner Brothers Western Theater before
the big anti-trust suit that made the
studios divest their theaters. It once
contained the grandest theater pipe organ in
the West of the U.S. It closed not
long after it opened due to the Depression.
It did not stay closed long however. Almost
torn down in the 80s - an art deco
masterpiece. Parts of "La Bamba" and "Barton
Fink" were filmed here. Not far from Frank
n' Hanks, the Prince, the HMS Bounty and the
Brass Monkey. |
| HOLLYWOOD MOVIE PALACES: |
|
Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Boulevard.,
Los Angeles
(since 1963)
 |
Strictly speaking not a movie palace, it
certainly looks very impressive inside the
dome and it is a wonderful place to see a
movie, especially with its state of the art
sound system. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World
premiered here in 1963. If a movie is
worth seeing, see it at the ArcLight
Theaters which are attached here. Not cheap,
but great sound systems, screens, reserved
seats and other improvements over
conventional theaters (323) 464-4226 . |
El Capitan (1926 G. Albert Lansburgh) -
6838 Hollywood Blvd. - Open and restored.
|
This started out as a legitimate theater
in 1926 with an East Indian design inside . It was converted to a movie
theater in the early 1940s and renamed the
Paramount. This is when it presumably lost
its original interior design. It was
"restored" in 1991 by Disney. While the
restoration did not return the theater to
its exact original interior, they did a great job
of recreating the feel of the original.
The new design was done by Musil, Weil and
Reed. Extreme purists may not be happy - but look what
happened to the interior of the Egyptian.
The El Capitan proves that movie palaces can
be brought back to life and succeed. The
theater now has a Wurlitzer organ with an
excellent staff musician. This was brought
in from a movie palace in San Francisco. The
Orpheum is the only other movie palace in
the area I know of that has a Wurlitzer.
There may be one in Santa Barbara. Citizen
Kane premiered here in 1941. If you go to a
movie here, eat at Musso and Franks (the
Musso and Frank Grill),
Miceli's Italian Restaurant , Boardner's Bar or the Pig 'n Whistle
Restaurant.
 |
Chinese Theater (1927 Meyer and Holler
architects - built by C.E. Toberman) - Open
- 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
|
Still in perfect condition, inside and
out, with a state of the art sound system.
Fantastic place to see a movie and $2
underground parking. It was dedicated on 5-18-27 (or
alternatively 5-27-27) supposedly with a 5
million dollar event (impossible to believe). The
first film shown here was Cecil B. DeMille's
King of Kings. The academy awards were held
here for a few years in the mid 1940s. It is
rumored that the footprints started with
Norma Talmage accidentally stepping in wet
cement (or alternatively falling hands
first). Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks
were the first stars to officially put their
footprints here. This theater appears in "Star Dust",
"Variety Girl" and "Singing in the Rain"
among many other films.
|
Egyptian Theater (1922
Meyer and Holler) - 6712 Hollywood
Boulevard, Hollywood, California
|
Sid Grauman's first Hollywood theater,
which opened with the premiere of "Robin
Hood". At a cost of $800,000, it took 18
months to complete. It was actually
first planned to have a Spanish theme (see
the red tiled roof) but was changed while
building was in progress because of the
discovery of King Tut's tomb. The Ten
commandments also premiered here. Open and restored
in 1998.
Wonderful job on the exterior, but not much
left of the interior. I'm sure there is a
good explanation and I'm speaking in
complete ignorance, but it is hard to
understand why so much of the interior had
to be destroyed in "restoring" it
(apparently it was for acoustical reasons,
but that does not explain the lobby). In
any event, American Cinematheque, which runs
the place, has certainly done much to bring
Hollywood Boulevard back. Very close to
Boardner's bar, Miceli's Italian Restaurant
and the Musso & Frank Grill (Musso &
Frank's) |
Pantages (1929-1930
B. Marcus Priteca)- Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA
|
This was actually first a Fox theater,
since Alexander Pantages was in "the joint"
and accused of rape when it opened. An Art
Deco masterpiece. Howard Hughes acquired it
in 1949 and the academy awards were held
here for 10 years after that (1949 to 1959). Al Jolson was
the Master of Ceremonies the night it
opened. Batman Forever was filmed here. The
Frolic Room is in the same building, and it
used to be the bar for the theater long
ago. This place is worth going to a show
you don't even like, just to see the
interior. Unfortunately they do not let you
take pictures inside (why do places do
that???).
Check out the Frolic
Room while you are there, as well as Boardner's
bar,
the Powerhouse bar, Miceli's Italian
Restaurant and Musso and Frank Grill. |
The Hollywood Pacific / Warner Brothers
Hollywood Theater, 6433 Hollywood Blvd. Los
Angeles, CA. (1927 G. Albert Lansburgh
- Moorish) -
closed 1994)
Great stuff hiding behind the curtains.
|
Opened in 1927 (or 1928 - I don't know
why sources vary so much) with the movie
"The Glorious Betsy". Art Deco, and
Italianate in design (also described as
Spanish-Moorish - another fact -the
architectural style- that every source seems
to change for every building - I guess it's
somewhat subjective). Designed by the same man
who did the Palace and the Orpheum downtown.
It was a Cinerama in the 50's. At one point
there was talk of making it into a museum
for Hollywood. The last movie I saw here was
either Bingo or Beethoven the St. Bernard.
One way or another, it was about a dog. Much
of the interior was still in pretty good
shape when it closed, although some of it
was hidden behind curtains. Carol Burnett
worked here in the 1940s. The Los Angeles
Conservancy is showing a film here this year
for its "Last Remaining Seats", an
incredible opportunity to see the interior
of this closed theater. Update: I went to
the showing there and the interior is in
great shape. Even the main part of the
theater, long hidden by curtains has much of
the ornamentation left and could definitely
be restored.
Vintage postcard of Hollywood Blvd. with
the Warner Brothers Theater on the left from
the collection of Bronwen B.
Not far from the Musso and Frank Grill, or
as most people call it - Musso & Frank's. |
| GLENDALE: |
|
The Alex Theater, 216 North Brand Blvd.,
Glendale, CA (1925 Arthur G. Lindley and
Charles R. Selkirt )
|
Very nicely restored. Sort of a cross
between Egyptian and Greek styling. Near
Damon's - so eat there before and after
shows. The art deco neon sign out front
was designed as a later remodel by the great S. Charles Lee
in 1940, along with the beautiful marquee
and terrazzo flooring.
|
| INGLEWOOD |
|
Academy Theater/Cathedral
(S. Charles Lee - 1939),
3100 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305
|
Incredible Streamline Moderne with one 125
foot tower. I guess it's a church now. |
| SANTA MONICA |
|
Aero Theater, 1328 Montana
Avenue, Santa Monica, 323-466-FILM.
|
This was apparently built for the
Aircraft workers in what was then a nearby
aircraft plant. It was originally open 24
hours as a perk to the workers. |
| SAN PEDRO |
|
The Warner Grand, 478
West 6th Street in San Pedro, CA
|
A wonderfully preserved movie palace
that has become the center piece of the San
Pedro community. Finally, a city that
appreciates its treasures! |
| WESTWOOD |
|
Fox Village
Theater, 945 Broxton, Westwood, CA (P.
Lewis - Spanish Revival 1931)
|
Very impressive exterior.
Don't know much yet about either of these
Westwood movie palaces. I went into one of
the two (can't remember which - about 10 or
15 years ago and I was disappointed as to
how little of the original interior was
left). When I first fell in love with Los
Angeles (as a visitor from San Diego) - I
used to almost exclusively hang out in
Westwood. On a recent return after
many years, it did not seem nearly as lively
as it once was (but it may have just been a
bad night). I guess it used to be just
about the only thing going for a stroll at
night, but now with the Universal City Walk
and the Grove, among other places, it no
longer holds a monopoly. |
Bruin Theater, 948
Broxton, Westwood (S. Charles Lee 1937)
|
See comments for the Fox Village Theater. |
