Palace Theatre

The Palace opened as The Orpheum theatre in 1911. The new Orpheum opened in 1926 2 block away. The Palace has two balconies. The upper one has been closed off for many years. The Palace seated around 2000 people.

The architect of this theatre was G. Albert Lansburgh.

The Palace has reopened and presented a 36 hour sci-fi marathon over a recent weekend this November. Over a thousand attended.

On the Los Angeles Conservancy's recent Broadway Behind-The-Secenes Tour the Palace Theater was open for view and was periodically screening classic cartoons. The inside is in moderate disrepair. Remnants from its days as a Spanish language theater can be seen throughout with signs painted on the walls in Spanish. Interestingly the balcony has had closeable iron gates added to restrict access.

Apart from the Convervancy's tours on weekends, this theatre is closed. It use to host loads of live actions and but Gilmore (the developer who owns the building) purportedly didn't think it was making money quickly enough. It has ceiling murals similar to those of the Los Angeles, and a second (very steep) balcony with separate entrances / washrooms / concession stand for he "coloreds" (closed for a very long time, obviously). A huge, impressive cinema...

This theater is seen in the opening minutes of Steven Spielberg's "Duel". It goes by fast, but after a lot of freeze-framing I got to see what was playing: a triple feature of "The Possession of Joel Delaney", "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Brotherhood of Satan". And across the street at the Los Angeles Theater: "Buck and the Preacher".

That "Bond" sign in the 1942 photograph above is still there.

I notice that the Blade marquees at each end of this theater say "Newsreels" in the photograph above. An issue of Daily Variety from September of 1939 announced this change in policy with the headline "Palace, Broadway, becomes News Palace." I have a vague memory of a place on Spring Street where a parking lot opened a view of the back of one of the other theaters on Broadway- either the Globe or the Orpheum, I think- and even in the 1960s you could still see there an old, faded sign advertising the News Palace theater.

By the time I began attending movies at the Palace in the early 1960s, the blade marquees simply carried the name "Palace" on them. I remember getting a good look at the interior one night about 1962, when Metropolitan used to run Keno games during intermission, and the house lights would be turned all the way up. Even then, the auditorium was showing its age,
but it was still a splendid sight with its ornate beaux-arts decor. I remember that the orchestra floor had columns to hold up the balcony. (I think that the Million Dollar was the first wide theater in Los Angeles to be built with a clear-span balcony that needed no supporting columns on the ground floor. The Palace was a few years older than the Million Dollar.)

I also recall the rather plain lounge and restrooms in the basement. They extended under the sidewalk of Broadway, and the ceiling was of glass brick. You could hear the pedestrians walking above. It was quite a difference from the plush lower level lounge in the Los Angeles Theatre across the street.

Bad news: water damage to the projection room almost certainly precludes film screenings for the reasonably near future.

In 1926, when the Orpheum Circuit moved to its new theatre further down Broadway, this Orpheum was given the name Broadway Palace, which was displayed on the marquee and used in advertisements for the theatre. The name didn't become simply the Palace Theatre until sometime later. The inclusion of the street name in the theatre's name may have been to distinguish it from an earlier Palace Theatre which had been located nearby on Seventh Street, and which had closed only a few years before.

RENTAL OF THE PALACE THEATRE

We have obtained permission from the owners of the Palace Theatre to post a notice that the theatre is available for movie, television and music video location use, also live entertainment, parties, meetings and other functions. If you are interested, feel free to contact us and we will put you in touch with the owners.

Thank you!

Gina Zamparelli
Phone: (818) 541-9522
Fax: (818) 541-9523
RaymondTheatre@aol.com

On page 38 of Kevin Lynch's book The Image of the City is a photograph of Broadway in Los Angeles. The photo is undated, but the book has a 1960 copyright. The street is lined with tall vertical signs for both theatres and retail stores: in this photo you can see such signs for LEROYS, KRESS, the LOS ANGELES theatre, SWELUDOM (??), HOTEL, DESMONDS, and the PALACE theatre.

The Palace marquee advertises the movie BELL BOOK AND CANDLE, which came out in 1958. A second feature is also listed on the marquee. It looks like ANNA LUCASTA, which was released in 1959.

Ron: The store was called "Swelldom," and I believe it sold clothing. I never went inside, but it was there for ages. If I recall correctly, Leroy's was a jewelery store. Desmond's was also a clothing shop by the 1960s, but I think it began as a department store. I recently found that the five story 1920s era Spanish Colonial style building up Broadway from the Palace (and almost directly across the street from the Los Angeles) was originally Desmond's Department Store. By the 1960s, that building housed a cafeteria, and Desmond's had moved to a nearby building.

In this photo, the right side of the street has, from front to back: a Nunn-Bush store, a jewelry store, the Palace theatre, the Forum(?) Cafeteria, Desmonds, something else that looks like a large department store but has no identifable sign, then the Broadway Arcade building (with a large radio antenna on top labelled KRKU or maybe KRRU), and then a hotel.

The left side has Leroys, some store beginning with Ch, Kress, the Los Angeles theatre, and Swelldom (and then lots of other buildings that don't have identifying signs.)

If the Forum Cafeteria was already there, and Desmond's still there as well, then I must have misremembered the Forum being in Desmond's old building. It was apparently next door.

The radio station with its tower on top of the Arcade Building was KRKD (a clever pun- K-arcade-e.)

Here is an old postcard of Broadway in the 1930s showing Loew's State on the left and the Palace on the right.

The Palace Theatre opened on June 26th, 1911.

You can see alittle of the marquee and box office in the opening credits of the film "The Last Shot".

Nice color photo of the Palace blade signs and the marquee.
http://you-are-here.com/theatre/palace2.html

Circa 1995 close up of the marquee:
http://www.gmrnet.com/graphics/theatr1a.jpg

A recent photo, courtesy of you-are-here.com:

http://www.you-are-here.com/theatre/palace2.html

The Palace can be seen in Ed Wood's "GLEN OR GLENDA" in an opening scene with a superimposed Bela Lugosi, that a features a very busy South Broadway on a chilly LA day with thousands of pedestrians, heavy traffic and a few streetcars. "PULL THE STRING!"

Here are two pictures from 1928, courtesy of the LA Library:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015244.jpg

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015245.jpg

To me, an important part of any streetscape is the lighting. The old ornamental two- and three-headed lamps were beautiful; the plain hanging-acorn-style ones that replaced them on Broadway are not.

Funny that the nice ones were maintained on other streets decades after they were removed from Broadway. Now I'm certainly not saying this caused or hastened the decline of the street as a middle-class shopping and entertainment destination, but, really, what were the city planners thinking by taking such an action?

This is an interesting color photo from yesterdayla.com:

http://www.yesterdayla.com/Graphics/broadway2.jpg

Ken, that shot is one of my favorites. It's actually a postcard, and occasionally comes up for auction on eBay.

I've never seen that shot before, but I remember seeing Broadway that bright, with all the signs lit up and lots of traffic, and pedestrians (who I'm sure would show in this picture had they not been made ghosts by the time lapse photograph.) It still looked like that by night into the mid-1960s (though this picture appears to be from the early 1950s.) One thing seems odd, though. Didn't the Globe have a blade sign? It ought to be there on the left, in between the signs of the Lankershim Hotel and the Newsreel Theatre. But maybe I've misremembered, and the Globe had only its marquee.

What a great place the Palace Theatre used to be, and still is. So many interesting stories and the pics on this page are great. Does anyone know of any former employees of the Palace Theatre?

With such a rich history, does anyone know if the Downtown Palace Theatre is haunted?

CALLING ALL THEATRE / MOVIE ENTHUSIASTS!!!

T'he Los Angeles Theatre' on South Broadway, LA is playing host to the UK television show 'Dead Famous LIVE'. We are currently looking for people who would like to come along as part of the studio audience.

'Dead Famous LIVE' is a studio entertainment show all about Hollywood History and the paranormal. We will be welcoming celebrity guests on to the show and investigating famous locations around Hollywood which are rumoured to be haunted including the Los Angeles Theatre itself.

This is an invaluable chance to get access to the Los Angeles Theatre, the place where Charlie Chaplin's 'City Lights' premiered in 1931 and to have a thoroughly great day out! (And its free!!)

We're transmitting 'Live' back to the United Kingdom so expect it to be exciting and fun!

We will be filming on three days from 11th - 13th November between 11.30am - 4pm. If you are interested in coming on one or all of these days then email me for tickets!

george.hughes@twofour.co.uk

I look forward to your responses!

From the California State Library:

http://helios.library.ca.gov/soca/laci/2004-0320.jpg

1945 postcard, from the Pomona Public Library:

http://www.oac.cdlib.org/affiliates/images/cpom/kt6s2019xp/hi-res/F/F4240.jpg

1988, from the LA Public Library:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics27/00048409.jpg

Interior, from the LA Library:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015246.jpg

What is the inevitable fate of an forgotten theater?

1) Third rate horror movies

2) Adult films

3) Church

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028715.jpg

ken mc, I don't think you posted this link yet. I will, since I think it's one of the best pictures of the Palace's auditorium that I've seen:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015523.jpg

In regards to the "inevitable fate" of the forgotten theater, how can cause-and-effect best be dissected when it comes to the middle-class flight and decay that so many of our downtowns suffered post-War and especially by the 1960s and 1970s?

I was a teenager in Los Angeles in the 1970s and was acutely aware of the changes that had taken place in Los Angeles in the prior decade and the way that Broadway and Spring Street continued to be reshaped by them. I honestly felt angry at Metropolitan Theaters because I believed the films they were booking into their palaces (specifically Spanish-language and action/blaxplotation) were driving away the middle-class retail and finance that had driven Broadway and Spring as the nexus of the Los Angeles business district for decades.

After all, every major retailer's main branch was still on Broadway in addition to the mall stores it might have had by then. The Broadway even had a sign that proudly said "Through The Broadway to Broadway."

In 1973 The Broadway moved to the Broadway Plaza. The May Company and Bullocks came to refer to their locations as as Eighth & Hill and Seventh & Hill, respectively, and while they hung on for a few years longer they no longer even bothered to light their vertical signs in the evening. Likewise with all the other stores and theaters. (It was blamed on the energy crisis.) Soon Desmonds, Silverwoods, Harris & Frank, Bond, plus every single bank branch on the entire strip was a thing of the past.

Of course, the demographics might have changed anyway, just as they did on Market Street in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago and so many other downtowns big and small.

And Spring Street was probably doomed by its proximity to Main Street, the seemingly permanent skid row of Los Angeles, and the fact that Bunker Hill redevelopment was already well underway.

But, really, what caused what with the dramatic slide of our collective downtowns? I guess it's nothing profound to wonder about and books been written on the topic, but it's certainly of great interest to movie palace geeks. After all, the palaces were in business districts, and their fortunes rose and fell together -- and continue to do so where they are lucky enough to have survived together in some fashion.

You have to look at the migration to the suburbs after WWII. If the movie theater was in the neighborhood, why go all the way to downtown at night, where parking and crime are a problem? The movie palaces were built for a pre-war urban population that disappeared after the Second World War.

BTW, the picture that Stevebob posted of the interior is outstanding.
Too bad it isn't in color.

As of last night, the Palace name has been removed from the marquee and the theater has been re-named the Detroit. The new name is very much in the same style as the old. The marquee further says "local talent revue". The blade signs still read "Palace". This appears to be the first name change for this theater in 80 years.

The theater was renamed the "Detroit"? Are you sure that's not temp for a movie being filmed that is set in Detroit?

That does seem more than a bit odd.

The installation of the new name looks permanent. It is on all 3 sides of the marquee and is fully functional. I have seen no film crews there but I only go by in the mornings. If I learn more I will post it.

Thank you for questioning me on this as I apparently jumped the gun. The name change is in fact temporary for a film shoot. "Dream Girls" is shooting there and the Palace name will be replaced sometime next week. The benefit to the theater, according to the manager, for allowing them to do this is that when the Palace name returns they will have a fully functional restored marquee. Pretty cool.

Now, that's wonderful news! I've been in the Palace, even saw movies there, before it closed. Glad to hear it keeps its historic name, and thrilled to hear about the marquee.

Confirming recent posts. Was out shooting theatres and the crew member reported they were also replacing bulbs underneath sign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/someonewalksinla/89783688/

Saw this marquee change, too. Looks like they were wrapping up filming this weekend; the job they did on changing it to the Detroit was amazingly seamless.

Returning to the scene of the grime, the Palace Theatre marquee is returned after her guest shot as the Detroit Theatre for “Dreamgirls.”. Neon and light bulbs have been repaired and restored. Solid cosmetic - if not complete restoration - of the front lobby is being completed. Small exposed carvings in the corners of the entrance are peeking over Broadway. According to my onsite source, they will again be hidden as they restore the frame of the doorway. Maybe someday they can be seen in a full restoration of the theatre, but because of being within the wall for years, protected from the elements, they are in good shape.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/someonewalksinla/90841574/

They changed the neon in the same manner over at the Wiltern Theatre for the Paramount feature "American Hot Wax". They reneoned the vertical signs and the marquee to read Paramount after the Brooklyn Paramount.

You can find more info on the Palace Theatre and the Los Angeles Theatre at this site.

http://www.losangelestheatre.com/downtownpalace.html

I just watched an episode of the 1989 TV series "Ailen Nation" and there were scenes filmed in the balcony of a "Palace" theatre in LA. Was that this theatre? It appeared to be a rather large balcony and the movie "My Darling Clementine" was playing on the screen.

I think you all became a news source.

“The steep decline of downtown's theaters came in the years after World War II, alongside the rise of the suburbs — and the shopping malls that came with them. Movie theaters sprang up elsewhere, and people had few reasons to drive downtown.

Some of downtown's movie palaces were destroyed in the ensuing years, often to make way for the burgeoning car culture. The Metropolitan Theatre — opened by Sid Grauman in 1923 on 6th Street and later called the Paramount Theatre — was demolished in 1962, replaced with a parking lot and, later, the International Jewelry Center. The RKO Hill Street Theatre, at 8th and Hill, was razed six years later, also for a parking lot.”

From
Movie Tradition Fading to Black
Seventy years after its neon heyday, downtown Los Angeles is struggling to keep its last cinematic venue afloat.
By Cara Mia DiMassa, Times Staff Writer
February 17, 2006

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-movies17feb17,1,3948264.story

The Palace Theatre in 1947 got an Skouras-ized interior remodel.

William, are you sure about the Skouras-ization of the Palace in 1947? When I began going to the theatre in the early 1960's, the auditorium had the same, ornate Renaissance decor seen in old photographs of it (and the style "Renaissance" needs to be added to the theatre's information at the top of the page, buy the way.) I don't remember the lobby as clearly, but I certainly don't recall it having any of the art moderne style for which Skouras was so famous. I do know that the ticket foyer had had its ornate decoration largely covered over by then, but it wasn't particularly art moderne, either- just sort of bland. If Skouras was responsible for that, it wasn't one of his better designs.

The theatre began its life as "Orpheum Theatre" in 1911. In 1926, when the new orpheum was built down the street. The name of the theatre changed to either the "News Palace" or the "Broadway Palace." In the late 1990s, the new owners began to refer to the theatre as the "Downtown Palace Theatre" to distinguish it form the Palace Theatre is Hollywood. Do any of you know (and have written or photographic sources) of any other names used by the theatre. I've heard a rumor that it was called the "Orpheum Palace" for a time though I can't find any verification. I'd appreciate a response, on or offline. Carey Upton, Manager of the Palace Theatre

Carey: The L.A. Public Library's on-line photo database contains at least these two pictures of the Palace, c1928, with the "Broadway Palace" name on it:

Front View

Side View.

The information about the name "News Palace" (adopted in 1939) is covered in my comment of Dec. 8, 2004, near the top of this page. I've never seen the Daily Variety article itself; only the index card displayed in the California Index section of the L.A. Library web site.

I took a Conservancy tour yesterday; we ALMOST got inside the Palace!! When we approached the theatre, we noticed that the roll-up gate was up. Our tour group quickly moved into the outer foyer, which was nice, but I spotted the fact that one of the lobby doors was a little bit ajar!! I actually opened it, and as I did a Security officer was there, smiling. I was ready to let our docent talk our way in, but then a gentleman with a bag over his shoulder came up behind me from the sidewalk --- the security officer let him in (he obviously had an appointment), and when our docent asked if we could tour, he first asked if we had an appointment, and when told No, he turned us away. Then she asked if we could remain in the foyer, and he said No again. We took our own sweet time moving out of the foyer, while our docent described what she knew about the theatre.

She said that the 2nd floor windows that overlook the entry foyer were actually the ladies' room, and that in the day, ladies would peer out to check out who was arriving!

It was a disappointment to get so close but not be allowed to enter. It seems a lot of theatre owners resist the Conservancy's requests. I wish they would allow more access.

Here is a 1930 view of the Fox Palace, open continuously 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.:
http://tinyurl.com/gqkgd

I never knew it was called the "Fox" Palace Theatre. And in the 1930s? The marquee read Broadway Palace Theatre when the Orpheum name moved to the new theatre down Broadway in 1928. Later it was called the Palace Newsreel Theatre, based on a mural that remains behind the theatre. But Fox? This will require more exploration.
Thank you for bringing it to light.

During the 30's the Palace Theatre was operated by Fox West Coast Theatres, as was the Los Angeles and Loew's State Theatre.

Marquee, 1972:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015428.jpg

Here is a 2005 photo from the LA Library:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics28/00063879.jpg

Here is a 2007 close-up photo of the Palace Theater.

Here is a January 2007 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ym4vz8

I beat you by 21 minutes. LOL

Ah, but I took the photo myself. Can you say the same? 8-P

Here is a 1954 photo from the LAPL with the Palace in the background:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics43/00041056.jpg

Yup. I took it right from that website myself and posted it here. ;)

Triple A team wins PCL championship, 1988:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics38/00053528.jpg

Maybe the Dodgers should sign those guys. :)

Recent pics (now posted under the correct Palace):
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/dwntwnPalaceMar22200701.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/dwntwnPalaceMar22200702.jpg

Sloshing down Broadway, 1965:
http://tinyurl.com/2xe2es

Here is an undated photo of the Newsreel:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics38/00068773.jpg

Here is a July 2007 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/228ybe

The facade was power washed this week and the building looks AMAZING!!!! I saw Frank this morning and he said that the Los Angeles is next!

This is another recent photo of the Palace Theater.

Notice that I had the original Orpheum sign has been uncovered.

Here is the 1965 photo again:
http://tinyurl.com/2vt2rr

Here is a June 1953 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2sm6zz

I don't think this photo has been posted here yet: This is a ca1930 photo from the California State Library website. It depicts Desmond's clothing store a few doors north of the Palace, but there's an interesting view of the Palace's painted wall sign and its vertical sign, both of which bear the name Fox. Fox West-Coast must have begun operating the Palace within a couple of years of the opening of the new Orpheum down Broadway south of 8th Street.

Here is an LA Times ad for the Fox Palace in November 1929:
http://tinyurl.com/yocnve

They Had to See Paris with Will Rogers and Irene Rich was released in September of 1929.

This is a recent close-up view of the Palace Theater.

It is a prop from a Adam Sandler film.

During the 30's the Palace Theatre was operated by Fox West Coast Thetares. During the 40's it was part of the Principal Theatres Corp. of America chain. And then in the 1950's it became part of the Metropolitan Theatres chain till it closed.

Scan of recent newspaper picture:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/dwntwnlaPalaceTheater.jpg

From yesterday:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/PalaceFeb16200803.jpg

Liz plays the Palace, per an August 1973 ad in the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2seqlx

Night Watch was released on August 10, 1973.

The marquee needs some repair. Some of the neon doesn't work on the other sides:
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff204/hollywood90038/PalaceFeb26200811.jpg

Here is a photo, circa 1970s:
http://tinyurl.com/3bm8pz

Super Fly was released in August of 1972.

Here is a March 2008 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/29amhj

a close up I took of the marquee neon (and another of the terracotta)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anythreewords/2306807686/

Note the old Orpheum signage in the lower picture.

Here is a screen shot from the 1988 film "Colors":
http://tinyurl.com/ys2d5e

Here is a photo taken from Spring Street that Larry Harnisch posted on his LA Times "Daily Mirror" blog:
http://tinyurl.com/5xznuk

Here are three more photos of the Palace from 2008
From Broadway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovernl/2439616709/
Street Scene: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovernl/2394292335/
From Spring the Palace Theatre Newsreel sign: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovernl/2391153633/

I posted a diptych of the Palace and the Roxie on my Flickr page:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenerymovies/2713629883/in/photostream/

Was this theater also known as the Palace Newsreel Theater or was that another theater?

Yes , it was known as the Palace Newsreel at one time. If you you at the picture at the top, you will see Palace on the marquee and Newsreel on the two vertical sign for the theatre.

Thank you William. Another aka name needs to be added above.

Here's a July 2008 photo I took:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/achangeinscenerymovies/2735289745/

Here is a 1945 photo of the Palace Theater. Photo comes from the book "Theatres in Los Angeles".

Here are two February 2009 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/ag5ufo
http://tinyurl.com/b55o3k

I can't find the info on the LAHTF's website yet, but Chris Nichols posts this about their upcoming free tour of the Palace, along with dates of upcoming tours of the Los Angeles, Tower and Rialto.
http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=13988

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation http://www.lahtf.org/
Invites You & Your Friends To Attend
All About the Palace
Saturday, February 28, 10:30 am – Doors open at 10:00 am
Palace Theatre * 630 S. Broadway * Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.losangelestheatre.com
FREE ADMISSION

SEE! – the beautiful 1911 Palace Theatre and a big screen presentation of rare photos of its past
HEAR! – Theatre Historian Ed Kelsey tell the Palace story
TOUR! – get an insider’s look at this amazing theatre – from the Gallery to the Basement
DISCOVER! – how you can become actively involved with the LAHTF
PREVIEW! – a series of exciting events coming to historic theatres soon
LEARN! – how you can get hands-on experience saving, restoring and programming great theatres
EXPLORE! – visit the Palace’s comprehensive website – http://www.losangelestheatre.com
REPAST! – Join us at Clifton’s Cafeteria immediately following the event to continue the discussion.
SHOP! - Look for bargains in the nearby Garment District and in Broadway’s shops.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: ALL ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES, March 21
ALL ABOUT THE TOWER & RIALTO, April 18

Here and here are photos I took of the Palace last week.

http://la.metblogs.com/2009/03/01/saturday-matinee-at-broadways-palace-theater/
Saturday Matinee At Broadway’s Palace Theater
By WILL CAMPBELL

And the photos that accompany the article:
http://flickr.com/photos/wildbell/sets/72157614637860430/

(I still need to Photoshop mine)

Here is a colorful shot from 1980:
http://tinyurl.com/d8rmd6

Here is a night view from 1983:
http://tinyurl.com/c4z5vj

Cute

Great slide show from last week. Let's hope this place can be turned around like the Orpheum.

Which way should it be turned?

Here is a 1939 photo from the USC archive:
http://tinyurl.com/ddm8ul

Here is another late 30s photo from USC:
http://tinyurl.com/csrlpq

Here is a night shot. The Los Angeles marquee is also lit, on the left.
http://tinyurl.com/dgzran

Another 1980 photo is here.

I've just seen the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's page about the Palace. It has a few interesting pictures but also has some errors in the text. It says that the third Orpheum in Los Angeles (the Palace) was built when the second Orpheum burned down, but in fact the second Orpheum didn't burn down, and had a long post-Orpheum life as a movie theater called the Lyceum.

The page also says that the first Orpheum was built in Los Angeles in the 1880s. That's a bit ambiguous, but if it means that the Orpheum Circuit began in Los Angeles it's not quite right. The first theater in what became the Orpheum circuit was opened in San Francisco in 1887, and in 1894 its operator, Gustav Walter, entered a partnership with Martin Lehman, owner of the Grand Opera House on Main Street in Los Angeles, to present vaudeville shows there under the Orpheum banner. As a circuit implies more than one theater, the Grand could be considered one of the first two theaters in the Orpheum Circuit, as it was the first house Walter and Meyerfield operated outside San Francisco, but it was never the flagship of the circuit.

Incidentally, the Wikipedia article about the Orpheum Circuit also contains some errors. Most significantly, it is wrong in saying the company was founded by Martin Beck. Gustav Walter and his assistant Morris Meyerfield started the circuit. Beck, originally a vaudeville troupe manager from Chicago who became another of Walter's assistants, acquired control of the company several years after it was founded.

Here are some photos taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/l9jykr
http://tinyurl.com/n2gyg7
http://tinyurl.com/m2z57b
http://tinyurl.com/nk6w79

It is a beautiful old place but what to do with these old theatres on Broadway? The immigrant Latino population is moving on that once used these places for Spanish films and churches. The young white condo buyers that are moving in are too busy to see live shows and watch movies on their Ipods and flat screen TVs at home. I don't see any commercially viable uses for these places other than for infrequent special events and as filming locations. The new Club Nokia and Nokia theatre at the LA Live complex nearby have a lock on any live performances for halls of this size.