Pantages Theatre

Hollywood Premiere of Cleopatra

“…seeking entitlement….”: My guess would be that it just means they’re trying to get permission from the city. Completing the original design, which was to include a height limit (150') office building, would probably require some sort of special permit, given that the building as it exists has official landmark status.

To my ear, the phrase reeks of developer pretentiousness, though. Why can’t they just say seeking permission? Developers ought to run the jargon that comes out of their marketing departments past English teachers, so they’ll sound less pompous and self-aggrandizing.

Still, I’d have no objection to seeing the building completed as Priteca originally designed it. If adding office space brings in more revenue for the owners, then the theatre, too, will benefit.

The L.A. Times carried an illustrated article about the Pantages headed “Theater, skyscraper announced” on December 23, 1928, according to this card in the California Index. Maybe somebody could get Larry Harnisch to dig it up and post it in the Daily Mirror weblog?

That’s the North West corner property, afew doors from the Vine Theatre.

Here is a 1959 photo from the UCLA collection:
http://tinyurl.com/6z9usl

Here are some March 2008 photos:
http://tinyurl.com/2cuv2z
http://tinyurl.com/yr4b2z
http://tinyurl.com/2zzvec
http://tinyurl.com/2929fq
http://tinyurl.com/2cpfho
http://tinyurl.com/2gopgc
http://tinyurl.com/yrsk7c
http://tinyurl.com/yt2o6y
http://tinyurl.com/yqspwf

This picture from UCLA’s collection is the exterior during the 1963 roadshow engagement of Cleopatra.

Of particular interest is the modernization that removed the frou frou art deco neon at the sides and bottom edge of the marquee and completely concealed the elaborate soffit behind a dropped ceiling with recessed lighting. (The ticket booth was also relocated from the center of the outer lobby to a side wall.)

The LAPL photos are mostly street scenes. I think the California State Library has interior photos of many theaters, but I don’t recall if the Pantages was one of them.

On July 1, 1963 I sat in the center of the front row of that magnificent balcony and watched the animated opening credits of “Cleopatra.” I was so impressed. What a great place to see the big road show event. Two years later I sat in the same place and watched “The Pawnbroker” and it played just as well as the big films. I went there a number of other times and the Pantages always provided the best film-going experience..

There was a story about the Pantages in the LA Times today. Nederlander has a deal with a developer for a luxury home development on the adjacent property. No community opposition so far.

This is from an interesting blog – author unknown, so thanks to whomever:
http://tinyurl.com/34urw2

i figured it out, that’s the Vine theater.

Here’s an aerial view of the Pantages. It’s vast size is readily aparent:

View link

JSA, The Egyptian is run as a film screening venue. They program the house like AFI venues. There is very little left of the original interior decor left. Most people will remember the Egyptian Theatre as the Home of the Long Running Hits or as their catch line was “Where the Stars See the Movies”. When I was last in the booth, two of them were in running shape and ran well. Someday :)