Olympic Theatre

The Olympic Theatre is located at 313 W. 8th. Street.

The first theater I had worked at in Los Angeles as a projectionist was the Million Dollar. The second theater was the Olympic. The year was 1978. I ended up marrying a cashier on-loan to the Million Dollar who was a permanent employee at the Olympic. Oddly enough, former Mayor Sam Yorty was a projectionist at the Olympic in his younger years.

As I drove past this theater today it was open and the inside appears to be gutted. I could see the back wall and no seats.

This theatre can be best remembered as being the exterior location for one of the best pieces of dialogue ever captured on film.

The film was 1971's "The Omega Man" with Chuck "Moses" Heston as Robert Neville, scientist/lone non-mutated survivior of bio-warfare.

Neville has just come out the Olympic, smiling after seeing yet another screening of the film Woodstock and has just looked up at the late-afternoon into dusk sky and becomes concerned...

NEVILLE-
"There is no phone ringing! dammit!"
"There is no phone!"

NEVILLE-
"Oh my God its almost dark!"
"They'll be waking up soon!"

This theatre can also be seen at the end of "Daredevil", but the film is set in New York City(!).

The Olympic, in its final years before it closed sometime around 1997, was often the last stop for films within the Metropolitan Theatres downtown circuit, which, at the time, also included the Orpheum, the Palace, and the State.

The exterior of the Olympic is briefly visible in a current TV commercial for the Nissan Altima.

On a recent visit to L.A. I noticed that the facade and marquee of the Olympic had been repaired and looked much better than it has in recent years. I believe this is part of a scheme of the Los Angeles Conservancy to tidy up the Broadway theatre district and many of the old unused theatres have had their marquees and neon signs repaired and are lit up occasionally.

Did you happen to catch a glimpse of the interior, Ken? In a post from March 23rd of last year, 'Manwithnoname' noted that the space appeared to have been gutted, with the back wall visible and all the auditorium seats removed.

No interior viewed unfortunately. I would imagine that the original 1925 (restrained) Chinese styled auditorium which it opened with as Bard's 8th St Theatre is long gone(Probably in 1932 when it was re-named Olympic Theatre to commemorate Los Angeles hosting the Olympic Games in that year).

I drive by this theater daily and it has not had any upgrades done to it in the one year plus I have been doing it. I see it open from time to time and it has in fact been gutted to the 4 plain walls with the entire interior painted an off white. One the back wall there appears to be a curtain type frame where the screen used to be which is red. No carpeting, seating or interior decor of any kind is visible. I have not parked and walked over but perhaps I will. It looks to be used as some sort of storage facility and I have seen vehicles pulling out of what was the main entrance. Film crews are parked in front of it fairly regularly. Marquee upgrades have been done to the Globe and now they may be starting on the Cameo.

The architect was Lewis A. Smith. It was remodeled in 1942 by Charles O. Matcham. Here's a pic showing vehicles parked inside and the front open:

http://you-are-here.com/theatre/olympic.html

Manwithnoname,

Do you know what the 1908 in that photo's caption refers to? According to KenRoe above, it opened in 1925.

1908 does seem a little early for an L.A. Smith designed theatre as most of his work was done in the early 1920's up to his untimely death in late 1926.

Maybe it's when the building was constructed? According to the description, it was a restaurant before it became a theater...

On the Globe, for a while the letters spelling "Globe" had been removed but they're back up now. I thought it was the dastardly doing of the techno club that's in there now but perhaps it was the L.A. Conservancy, cleaning them up.

I am not sure about the 1908 designation. It could be the building or it could be an error. For that reason I didn't quote it in my post. I would guess that Ken is closer to being correct for the theater at least. Perhaps he was closer to right with a 1932 remodel instead of 1942? His posts are always well researched. The GLOBE letters were painted yellow before they were re-installed. I have not seen the marquee lit but the Cameo has been on a couple of times in the past couple of weeks.

By the way, was there ever a theater in the L.A. area that was ever called the Empress?

They're kind of hit-and-miss when it comes to lighting the marquees - the Orpheum is on most of the time, with the Los Angeles marquee lit occasionally and the Palace marquee lit rarely. There's a few letters in the word "State" at Loew's State that seem eternally lit, though.

Yesterday I went inside and the theater has been gutted to the four almost bare walls. The seats are gone and the floor is level. The inside is painted white except for some decorative elements on the ceiling including a large oval area where a chandelier may have once hung. Interestingly, the organ screens are still intact and are the only decorations left on the walls except for a few around the stage area which is far too shallow to house anything but a screen. 2 stairways leading to the auditorium from the lobby have been cemented to make ramps. There is a vehicle oil mat on the floor in the center of the auditorium. It's obvious the lobby and concession area were very small. A worker on site confirmed the building is used for storage.

The exterior of the Olympic is visible in one scene towards the end of the 1999 film 'Fight Club'. (On the marquee, by pure coincidence, I'm sure - 'Seven Years in Tibet'.)

Its marquee can be seen in the "destruction of Los Angeles" sequences at the end of "War of the Worlds" (1953).

I have come across a reference card in the L.A. Public Library database which briefly quotes a newspaper story of 9/23/1917 (the card refers to the "L.A. Times?" with the question mark, so the identifying info was apparently lost.) It says that a "Metropolitan Cafe" was planned for a site on West 8th Street between Broadway and Hill. It was owned by a Mr. Marcell Annechaini, and would be called the Maison Marcell. The article, with an illustration, was supposed to be in the Central Library's California Vertical File, under "Restaurants- Los Angeles- Maison Marcell." I think the cards in the database antedate the library fire of the mid-1980s, and I don't know if this file survived or not. If it still exists, the illustration might help to identify the building.

Since the Olympic is supposed to have been in a building that previously housed a restaurant, this particular establishment seems the most likely candidate, having been large enough to warrant a newspaper article which was then preserved. The restaurant must have been on the north side of the street, as Hamburger's Department store already occupied the south side of the block in 1917.

The card does not say if a new building was being built for the restaurant, or if an existing building was being remodeled. If it was a new building, then it seems likely that it would have been completed in 1918, in which case the date of 1908 on the photograph of the Olympic linked in the comment above by manwithnoname might be no more than a typo, one number off.

Yes, the restaurant space was on the north side of the street. And the information conforms with information about the Bard's chain about the theatre site.

The marquee now sports a "for lease" sign stating it is suitable as a restaurant or retail. Just what L.A. needs.

As Magic Lantern stated earlier the Olympic's exterior is used in "Daredevil" as the arena where The Devil fights John Romita. Romita, by the way, was one of the artists of the comic book. In fact, many L.A. landmarks are recognizable in this film which is set in N.Y. Happens again in "48 Hrs." when Nolte/Murphy are driving in San Francisco at night and pass the Orpheum and the Rialto theaters.

http://www.publicartinla.com/neon_signs/olympic_neon.html

This photo from the USC Digital Archive is supposed to be Seventh and Broadway in 1927, but I believe the location to be in error.

http://digarc.usc.edu:8089/cispubsearch/objectdetails.jsp?objectname=acsc-m854

Is this actually the corner of Eighth and Broadway, and the Bard's theater midblock would then be the future Olympic?

stevebob; I believe you are correct to say that the location given is an error.

The only theatres I know of on 7th Street are the Palace which would be on the left, just out of view and the Pantages (Warners) which would be on the right and would be clearly visible on the above photo you posted(it was built in 1920).

Great find and nice to see how Bard's 8th Street Theatre originally looked.

KenRoe, could you refresh my memory about the theater on Seventh that you call the Palace?

I do recall a discussion on another page about whether or not there had been a theater west of Broadway on the south side of Seventh Street, but of course now I don't remember where I saw that. I didn't know whether its existence had actually been substantiated or that its name was known.

Here is the Palace Theatre, 7th Street, LA page on C.T.:
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/9647

Circa 1940, from the LA Library:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics08/00013701.jpg

Is Cinema Treasures only for theaters that were built for motion pictures? The reason I ask is that there was another Olympic Theater in Los Angeles. I haven't found proof that they showed movies yet, but the owners owned other theaters that did for sure. The Olympic on Main has two people connected with it, R.W. Woodley and Charles Alphin, but I can't figure out who was first. Here are a few quotes from the LA Times:

(Apr. 8, 1914)
It was some years ago that Charley Alphin made Main street famous, and kept his Olympic Theater as brilliant within as its signs were luminous without. Now, although it is the same theater, it is the Alphin, and with his name over the door, and "welcome" on the mat, Charley started in, Monday night, to live up the "rep" he made in them happy days.

(Sep. 25, 1913)
Speaking of Mr. Garratt calls to light a unique feature regarding the new Woodley Theater. Mr. R.W. Woodley, propietor of the new theater, and who also has the Olympic on Main street, put up the new house backwards. Before he knew where he was going to locate he engaged Mr. Garratt. Then, acting on suggestions made by Mr. Garratt, he ordered the organ. Then he had a theater designed to fit the organ, and after this was done he secured the site for his new theater.

(Apr. 14, 1936)
...Mrs. Woodley and her husband, Robert W. Woodley, 2231 Cambridge street, operated the original Optic Theater here on Broadway and then on Main street between Fifth and Sixth streets. Then on Broadway between Eighth and Ninth streets they once operated the Woodley Theater. She leaves her husband, two brothers and two sisters.

To Manwithnoname,
There was an Empress Theater in Los Angeles. I don't see it on this site anywhere, but it was at 338 South Spring Street.

Apparently the Empress closed in 1917 and then was the Capitol for a few years until it shows up as the Yiddish Theater by 1925.

The correct date for the opening of this theater (Bard's Eighth Steet & then the Olympic) is 1927. The building that was demolished to build this theater housed Eddie Brandstatter's Crillon Cafe (closed May 9, 1925) which was the Marcel Cafe (name changed to Crillon in Nov. 1923) before that. Here's some articles:

(Feb. 3, 1927)
The Eighth and Broadway Corporation, headed by L.L. Bard, has obtained the site of the old Brandstatter {Crillon} Cafe, 315 West Eighth street, and will build a $200,000 theater structure on the premises. Announcement of the transaction was made by Wolfson Bros. Company. Mr. Wolfson declared that the present low building on the property, 50 x 130, will be wrecked immediately and construction on the 600-seat showhouse started.

(Apr. 1, 1927)
Lou Bard, Los Angeles showman announces the opening on Saturday of Bard's Eighth Street Theater, located on the north side of Eighth between Broadway and Hill streets opposite the May Company. This new picture theater has a distinctly oriental atmosphere totally different from anything else in the city, and, while not the largest of the downtown cinema palaces, has the quality of uniqueness. The opening attraction is the premier showing of Universal's farce comedy, "Oh, Baby," starring Madge Kenneday with Creighton Hale in the leading male role.

Last mention before name changed to Olympic:
(Jan. 18, 1932)
More than 250 patrons were driven to the street at Bard's Theater on Eighth street near Broadway, last night when a stench bomb was dropped to the floor.

I have .pdf's for any of these articles if anyone wants them. My email is jeff@vokoban.com

Though I know that both demolition and construction could be rapid in those days before complex permit processes and frequent inspections became the norm, that the Times article of February 3 announces the immediate demolition of the existing building on the site, and the article of April 1 announces the opening of the new theatre, means that no more than two months passed between the announcement of the project and the opening of the theatre.

True, Santa Monica's Fox Dome Theatre was rebuilt from scratch in less than two months in 1924, but it was an exception to the rule of construction schedules several months long, even for smaller buildings such as Bard's 8th Street. Does the Times article of April 1 give any confirmation that the theatre was in a new building, constructed from the ground up? Without clear confirmation of that, I'm wondering if maybe William Gabel's information that the building was merely remodeled might be correct after all, despite Lou Bard's intentions for new construction as announced in the first Times article. Maybe Bard changed his mind about building anew, and settled on a quicker and less costly remodeling.

Then there is the photograph of the theatre to which stevebob linked in his comment of Nov. 30 (mislabeled by the USC archive as having been taken from 7th and Broadway, though it is clearly 8th Street that is shown.) The style of the building's facade seems a bit old-fashioned for 1927, but it would have been quite fashionable for 1917.

There is also the problem of the attribution of the building to architect L.A. Smith. He had died by 1926, before Bard's intentions to build this theatre were even announced. There's no way he could have designed the theatre from the grave, but, if this were only a remodeling job, he could have designed the original 1917 restaurant building. If this was entirely new construction, it must not have been designed by Smith.

It does seem an awfully short time to build the theater. I'm going to go downtown and look through the microfiche for The Examiner and see if they mention anything for the opening of this theater for April of 1927.

Could Bard's Hill Street Theater possibly be the theater in the mislabelled USC archive photo, or is it Bard's Eighth Street for sure? I'd love to find a photo of Bard's Hill Street (before it became the Town) if anyone has any connections.

Here's something from Aug. 8, 1922:

A panic was narrowly averted in Bard's Cinema Theater, 444 South Hill street, late yesterday, when a fire, originating in the storeroom of the M. Lowis baker and cafe, next door, raged for nearly an hour, threatening for a time to spread to the theater.

The picture is definitely 8th Street. Hill Street has always been wider, with two traffic lanes each way, and in 1927 it had streetcar tracks. Also, the picture shows a short block. The north-south blocks downtown are almost twice as long as the east-west blocks.

Joe is right for sure. I went to this location yesterday and took the same photo as the usc photo. I guess you can't post photos on here right now, but I can send it if anyone wants it. When I was looking up at the second floor windows, I was amazed that there is a space of a few inches between the original facade and the remodel covering it. If you look carefully, you can see the original ornate facade underneath.

Here is a 1923 photograph of 8th Street, looking east from just west of Hill Street. A corner of the marquee of the Hillstreet Theatre can be seen at the right. On the left side of 8th Street is the site of the Bard's 8th Street/Olympic Theatre.

Though the angle of view is oblique, it does look as though the building, which then still housed a restaurant (the letters "LL" can be seen on the wall, probably the end of the "Maison Marcell" name), is the same building in the opposite view of 8th Street from Broadway in 1927, by which time the site was occupied by Bard's 8th Street Theatre. So it appears that the restaurant building was converted to a theatre, rather than demolished and replaced with new construction.

The facade revealed in these pictures (and perhaps the interior) probably remained largely unchanged until Charles Matcham's 1942 remodeling.

Here's a photo dated 1947 of the Olympic:

http://www.oac.cdlib.org/affiliates/images/cpom/kt6s2019xp/hi-res/F/F4244.jpg

The building is for lease or sale. Unfortunately, while the marquee is still in place, the entire theater has been gutted to the four walls.

I recall that in the 1940s the Olympic was operated as a "request" house. There was a desk in the lobby with a book where patrons could enter the names of films they wished to see.

Here are some scenes from "Fight Club" showing the Olympic:
http://tinyurl.com/yk67dh

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

I just noticed that in the photo posted by vokoban on Dec. 13, 2005, close examination reveals a vertical sign next to the "Olympic" sign which says "Request." This confirms my recollection of Oct. 8, 2006.

Also in that picture you can see the RKO Hill Street vertical in the background.

Was that just in a Superbowl commericial for something?

Yes, for King Pharmaceuticals... VERY PROMINENT.

Very prominent is an understatement. Wasn't the guy in the commercial standing on the marquee?

From March 2006:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k79/hollywood90038/dwntwn0028mar2006Olympic.jpg

You get a nice night shot of the Olympic, its neon, and its 15 cents admission sign about fifteen minutes into Boston Blackie's Rendezvous (1945), recently shown on Turner Classic Movies.

Thanks Tillmany, I just watched that Boston Blackie movie and took a picture of the tv when they showed the Olympic Theater. It's not very clear, but here it is:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/442290526_424e252d08_o.jpg

Some kind of renovation is going on inside. The construction guys wouldn't let me in to take pictures.

Here are some July 2007 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/ytxa9l
http://tinyurl.com/2gbdhb
http://tinyurl.com/2cc3zn

The Olympic is now a furniture/lighting store. Only the marquee remains to remind us this was once a theater.

I saw them working on the place on Saturday. Did you go inside? I wonder if there is anything left of the ceiling.

The theater was gutted to the four walls sometime ago. See my post from March 2005. I haven't been inside since.

Here's a May, 1934 ad for an uncensored documentary that had been smuggled out of Germany by a Vanderbilt heir at risk of his own life:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/olympicla.jpg

Only the blade sign remains to remind us of the Olympic name. The name and Olympic symbols have been removed from the marquee.

Theater for rent loopnet!

Here's the Super Bowl ad showing the Olympic marquee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMmYHGy3Czs

And here's the updated USC photo links:
http://digarc.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/view/acsc-m854
http://digarc.usc.edu/assetserver/controller/view/acsc-m167

$2.9 million on LoopNet.

From the LAHTF's email flyer:

Contact: Hillsman Wright - 310 403-0865
hillsmanwright@hotmail.com
For immediate release – 4/7/09

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation www.lahtf.org
Invites You & Your Friends to Attend
All About the Tower/Rialto/Olympic (Bard’s 8th St.)
Saturday, April 18, 10:30 am – Doors open at 10:00 am
Tower Theatre * 802 S. Broadway * Downtown Los Angeles
Special thanks to the Delijani family
FREE ADMISSION

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (LAHTF) takes its popular All About… series to three theatres near the intersection of Broadway and 8th Street, the Tower (1927), Rialto (1917), and Olympic (Bard’s Eighth Street Theatre, 1927) on Saturday, April 18, 10:30 am. The public is invited to attend.

Show & Tell
Theatre historian Ed Kelsey will present a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on the storied past of these three very different theatres and relate fascinating tales about the out-sized impresarios – Gumbiner, Quinn, Bard, Grauman, Corwin – who built and operated them.

Tours
Tours will explore the far reaches of the theatres’ public areas, support spaces, and stages to provide attendees with an insider’s, behind-the-scenes look at three of Broadway’s smaller theatres.

Engage
LAHTF volunteers will explain how you can get hands-on experience saving, restoring and programming great theatres in Los Angeles by becoming actively involved with the LAHTF. There will be announcements of a series of exciting events coming to historic theatres on Broadway soon.

Make it a day Downtown.
Join us at Clifton’s Cafeteria immediately following the event to continue the discussion.
Shop for bargains in the nearby Garment District, Broadway’s shops and Grand Central Market.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: Save the Dates: May 16, June 13 & 20.

Many people are fascinated by the architecture of fantasy so beautifully on display in Southern California’s great historic theatres. People are also curious about how the theatres work. What does it look like backstage? What do the performers see when they look out across the footlights? Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation's "All About" series gives the public an insider's look at these wonderful theatres and share parts of their histories - good and bad - as a way to encourage people to become actively involved in protecting and ensuring their futures.

The LAHTF is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring and supporting the operation of Southern California’s historic theatres. For more information visit www.lahtf.org

99 cent films at the Olympic in 1980:
http://tinyurl.com/d9q3qc

An older vertical blade can be seen on the left in this late 30s photo, as well as the Tower further down on Broadway:
http://tinyurl.com/djv75x

How many blocks away?

Tower is the white building on the next block.

These photos should not cause any eye strain:

1980 Photo

1981 Photo

1983 Night Photo

Here is another 1983 night photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lweadp