Los Angeles Theatre
615 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles,
CA
90014
615 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles,
CA
90014
66 people
favorited this theater
The Los Angeles Theatre is one of the crown jewels of the downtown Los Angeles corridor of fantasy that is Broadway. Built in homage to Versailles, this palatial structure is now rented by movie studios for film shoots.
After years of hanging on as a Spanish language theater, the Los Angeles finally closed its doors to the public in 1994. The theater has been used for innumerable commercials, music videos and film shoots.
Because of studio filming, this theatre is not often open to the public. A wonderful opportunity to visit the most breathtakingly exquisite Los Angeles movie palace of them all, is at the Los Angeles Conservancy “Last Remaining Seats” summer classic films series, which often has at least one film at this theatre. Tickets tend to sell out in advance.
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 336 comments)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39527581@N07/
Sorry, the above link will take you to my FLICKr photostream which will change. This should take you to the Los Angeles Theatre photo in my album of vintage theaters:
View link
It’s been there for years. It was placed there so people could see what was playing at the Los Angeles Theatre, when you were standing across the street at the Paramount Theatre. I think that was the second verson of that sign of the years.
A Wurlitzer model 216 organ (2/10) was installed in the Los Angeles Theatre for its opening after being moved from the nearby Tower Theatre. There has been some confusion about this Opus 1620 Wurlitzer since records show it was shipped to the Garrick Theatre on Apr 23, 1927. But the Garrick had already been demolished by then to make way for the Tower, which opened on Oct 27 of that year. Original plans for the Los Angeles called for installation of a larger Wurlitzer, and chamber space was provided to accommodate it, but the owner ran out of funds and was forced to move the organ from the Tower instead.
The organ had been in the Tower for only a couple of years. After its move to the Los Angeles, it was played for only a short time before being allowed to fall into disrepair. It was restored to playing condition in the early ‘60s, and organist Ann Leaf performed to a full house on Aug 23, 1963. She also recorded tracks for an LP on it (Concert Recording #CR-0083). The organ was eventually sold or, as some reports have it, stolen from the Los Angeles. It’s now known to be part of a larger organ that is in private hands.
A photo of the neon sign along the side of the theatre, from June 2009:
View link
Corey, the link goes to a Fox Theater sign in the Las Vegas boneyard…
The LOS ANGELES' lobby, the lobby ceiling, chandeliers and candy counter are seen early on in the 1970 Paul Mazursky film ‘Alex in Wonderland’ as part of the storyline. (Later on, there are exterior scenes of the VOGUE and NEW VIEW as well.)
January 30th marked the 80th anniversary of the grand opening of the Los Angeles Theatre, which had Charles Chaplin’s “City Lights” as the inaugural attraction. Advertised as “The World’s Finest Theatre,” it accompanied the B&W serio-comedy with a stage presentation featuring a symphony-sized orchestra. Performances were continuous from 10:00am daily. On weekdays, general admission was 50 cents until 1:00pm, 65 cents to 5:30pm, and 75 cents to closing. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the price was 65 cents until noon and 75 cents the rest of the day and night. Children were 25 cents at all times. All performances had reserved-seat sections at higher prices of $1 and $1.50, depending on time of day.
The theatre was shown in the latest NCIS: Los Angeles episode.
What a thrill to see this theater highlighted in the Lifetime reality series Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition. Great views of the theater, despite the overwrought drama of the show itself. LA theater friends tell me that the show used the theater almost all summer long. BRAVO to Lifetime for using an historic theater as a backdrop for their show!