Los Angeles Theatre

That documentary was available in two versions. The long version was around 30 minutes and the short version was 8-9 minutes. The long version turns up sometimes on the PBS stations. I taped the long version from PBS and was able to get the short version in 35mm, which I show every so often at special screenings.

The book “The Show Starts on the Sidewalk” is a very good book about the works of Mr. Lee.

A post script to the previous: for those wanting a to see Mr. Lee shortly before his death, he can be seen speaking lucidly in the 1987 documentary “The Movie Palaces” by the Smithsonian Instution (a division of the federal government), not available for many years, but still to be found in some libraries. Feel free to copy the video tape, since title 17, section 205 of the US Code says that the government has no legal right to make copyright what it publishes, aside from legal or classified documents which this historical tape is not. Thus, the copyright warning at opening is bogus and designed to deceive those ignorant of law. I state this because the video tape is valuable to history, and should not be allowed to disappear from use as the copies in libraries deteriorate. IF repeatedly copied in multiple formats, it may survive for the generations to come. (yes, the Smithsonian has been approached repeatedly to reissue the title, but they have no interest, as befits bureaucrats already paid handsome salaries to do as little as they wish.)

We spent afew hours talking for the interview. I have to start looking for the video materials.

That’s all they have because a few years before his death. A lot of the original materials were stolen. A friend of mine interviewed him about his theatre designs. The interview took place at his home in Beverly Hills. I have a video transfer of the interview somewhere.

Thanks, but why isnt the Los Angeles theater listed there?

Oops, I meant to say south of the Palace Theatre.

Paul

Hello,

I work as researcher for a UK production company called Twofour Productions who produce a series called Dead Famous which is a biographical look into the lives of Hollywood’s most glittering stars we are in our third series and have covered the lives of John Lennon, Grace Kelly, Alfred Hitchcock, Buddy Holly and Howard Hughes to name a few. Our programme is aired on the Biography and A&E channels over in the US and is made for Living TV here in the UK. We are filming in Los Angeles in our next visit in the next few weeks and we are investigating Rita Hayworth and her performance with her family the Dancing Cansinos at the Downtown Palace Theatre (previously called the Orpheum I believe), it is 630 S Broadway and is opposite the Los Angeles Theatre.

Therefore I am emailing Cinema Treasures to see if anyone knows anymore about the history of the theatre in connection with Rita Hayworth, whether anyone worked there in the past and whether anyone experienced or has heard of any accounts of ghosts being at the theatre as we look at the paranormal side of the theatre as we also will be looking for the spirit of Rita Hayworth too.

If anyone would like to provide any information please contact me at my email .uk I would be happy to hear from you.

All the Best.

I wonder what the genesis of two balconies in these two movie palaces is? In most cases of such, it was in the Olde South where there was racial discrimination and the upper balcony therefore was the only place that Black people could sit. These were often referred to as “Jim Crowe” balconies, usually having their own entrances, box offices, and staircases separate from the others. This is in distinction, of course, from the many theatres that had a mezzanine below the balcony, and in distinction from the many legit theatres around the world having galleries as opposed to the model of the lone, vast balcony of the movie palace. Since there was no overt segregation in the Los Angeles area that I am aware of, perhaps the additional upper balcony was merely for more general seating?

I’m curious, what other theaters in downtown L.A. have 2 balconies?

Back in 1987, a friend of mine worked in the concession stand. Just about every week I would go watch a movie there. He showed me the entire movie theatre, including the crying room and both balconies. He told me that there was undergroung tunnels that connected some of the theatres together. I can’t confirm that being true, but I thought I’d share it since it sounds interesting. There use to be a private screening room on the basement level, where the bathrooms are. Last year I attended the LA conservancy “last remaning seats” movie viewing and noticed that the private screening room was empty. The room was just adjacent to the ladies restroom. Now the room is a standing lounge area.

Anyone have any info on the old Matrix theater?
Pam

I hope the program will be picked up by some Cable network here. Let us know. I’d love to see the interior of this theater.