BACKSTORY: On this page, you'll find photographs that I have taken of many of the famously grand motion picture palaces from all over the United States that have entertained audiences since the early 20th Century. Some have been restored, and some are still in need of a little paint and tender-lovin'-care. Click on the links below to find the theatre you are looking for.
BACKSTORY: The Broadway Historic Theatre District tour explores the social, cinematic, and architectural history of the largest National Register Historic Theatre District in the country. The Broadway Historic Theatre District between Third Street & Olympic Boulevard is home to twelve movie palaces built from 1910–1931. Erected during Broadway’s heyday as the entertainment epicenter of Los Angeles, most of these elaborate theatres could handle crowds of 2,000 people+. The exteriors as well as the interiors of these grand structures reflect the flamboyance and imagination of the entertainment industry. Variously built to showcase vaudeville, film, or stage plays, the theatres today have a variety of uses, including churches, retail, a dance club, filming, and special events.
The Million Dollar Theater was built in 1918 for Sid Grauman on Broadway and featured Spanish Baroque architecture. Grauman followed up next with The Rialto, The Metropolitan (1923), The Egyptian, and The Chinese. The following photos were taken while on this tour.
BACKSTORY: The Pantages Theater opened in 1930, built by Alexander Pantages. He sold The Downtown Los Angeles theater and six of his other principal theaters so that he could build The Pantages as a grand monument to himself. B. Marcus Priteca was the architect. The first feature to play here was “The Floradora Girl” starring Marion Davies.
BACKSTORY: The Egyptian Theater opened on October 18, 1923 with the Douglas Fairbanks movie, “Robin Hood.” It was at this theater that the idea of the Hollywood Premiere was born.
