Million Dollar Theatre

Re: The projection booth, how about that fancy masking on the window? Two pieces of paper taped to the booth window. Isn’t the masking supposed to be in the film gate? I guess that it works, so why not.

An interesting article: “Archive screens film classics in historic downtown movie palace” from UCLA Today Jan 19,2012. http://today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/ucla-film-tv-archive-on-broadway-222412.aspx

Unfortunately it says that they’re only typically getting 200 people in attendance. Hope this weekly UCLA programming series can survive…

I can’t believe I was one of only about 25-30 attending the 1/11 showing of the 1940 and 1966 One Million Years B.C. movies. I will be there for the 1/25 showing of “Paths of Glory”.

Dining hint: When Angels Flight reopens soon you should take the ride up, turn right(east)and walk two blocks to the Colburn School self-serve cafe for tasty and reasonable food, and then take the Angels Flight back down. FYI, I always take the Metro to Pershing Square and the theater is only two blocks away. Metro now runs every 10 minutes in the evening and is very safe.

However, it should be noted they have allowed people to go up to the balcony before/between shows. You just can’t sit up there, as of now.

Excellent 35mm prints sounds impressive. At these classics showings, is the balcony open to sit in? Does the curtain open before the movie & close afterwards?

dtrigubetz, BTW it was the Palace Theatre not Rialto and it was it’s 100th Birthday! The Rialto is a reck right now.

I so wish I knew why we can’t get the LRS crowds for the movies. The LAConservancy has told their membership about it in their online newsletter. They even passes out the flyers at their Sat. Theatre tour and @ their Holiday movie last Sunday but only a handle full have said they have come from them. We (the LAHTF) have taken flyers around to area businesses an attendance did increase from 70’s to 100 but more would help pay for the lights being on and other expenses such as the projectionist (Tom, great guy!). If you have any ideas on how to get people to come to Broadway that doesn’t cost much (free even better) please let us know! lahistorictheatrefoundation @ charter.net

Danny, I am going tonight to see “Lawrence of Arabia.” Where are all the patrons that pack the Last Remaing Seats program run by the L A Conservancy(they sold out three shows at the Rialto)?

On 11/2 I attended a live “Day of the Dead” show at the Million Dollar. It was great: three bands, a cast of 50 and great decorations on stage and on Broadway. All for only $10! About 850 were in attendance.

Full list is here — http://www.milliondollartheater.com/Archive_on_Broadway_CAL.pdf

I think I just wet my pants.

Does anyone remember Las Chispitas Del Ritmo ? The first Latin-American Chorus line I believe in the U.S.A. that performed at the MILLION Dollar Theater in approx. 1952-1953 . We would do the background/back-up dancers for the stars that performed there, like Luis Aguilar, Antonio Badu, Pichi Fernandez, Fernando Fernandez, Trio Los Mexicanos, etc..Yes, I was one of them! I am now 74 years old . I would like to know if there are any Chispitas around for a reunion. I also danced solo under the name Cachita, a name given to me by Mr. Fouce, Jr. I can still dance a good Mambo.

Million Dollar facade detail, 3rd St.:
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Recent view of ornate side entrance on 3rd St.:
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On this day in 1947, the Million Dollar Theatre was being advertised as the “New Home of the Big Name Bands,” with Erskine Hawkins & His Orchestra topping the bill. Special guest star was the Oscar-winning actress-singer Hattie McDaniel. The ads made no mention of a movie, but something probably was screened to fill the gaps between stage performances. Possibly an insignficant “B” programmer or a batch of short subjects.