Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
6233 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles,
CA
90028
60 people
favorited this theater
Showing 126 - 149 of 149 comments
Hi Warren, as far as I know, it has simply been “the Pantages”, however, for some of us who have lived in the Los Angeles area for a while, we often refer to it as the “Hollywood Pantages” to avoid confusion with the “Los Angeles Pantages” at 7th and Hill Streets, later renamed the Warner Theater, which is only a few miles away. In San Diego, there was also a “San Diego Pantages”, as well. They all were operating in the 30s and 40s under the same name from what I can tell…
The story of the Los Angeles Pantages at Cinema Treasures
/theaters/491/
The story of the San Diego Pantages at San Diego Historical Society
View link
Hi GerryC. There are 2 theaters seen in “Ed Wood” . The first theater scene, where the crowd goes wild and is throwing popcorn is where the cast of “Plan 9” exits in a hurry and the film that is on the marquee is “Bride of the Monster”. The theater used for that scene was in Torrance and was called “The Stadium” theater but renamed especially for the film as “The Aurora”. It has since been demolished. The story of that theater is at /theaters/1908/
As you mention, the Pantages was the theater we see Ed and the cast of “Plan 9 from Outer Space” attend the premier of, but only Ed and his bride-to-be exit to the pouring rain at the end of the movie. I am not sure which theater “Plan 9” actually had it’s premier, but I don’t think it was the Pantages… however, the Pantages did give the movie that triumphant feel that Ed Wood actually accomplished his goal of being a movie director to be recognized. One note: Ed meets Orson Welles in a restaurant… that real life place is a few blocks from the Pantages and is called “Musso and Frank Grille” and has been a fixture on the boulevard for about 90 years. A bit of old Hollywood that still looks pretty much the same as it did in the 50s when I first went there as a boy.
Does anyone else know where the Wood films first showed? Do those venues still exsist?
In the 1994 film “Ed Wood,” there is a scene of Ed Wood and his cast from ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’ leaving the Pantages Theater after viewing same. Ironic. “Plan 9 From Outer Space” at the Pantages?
Is the Producers still playing there?
I can’t remember when I first went into the Pantages as a boy
I did see Kitty Foyl there in 1940. As a Citizen News paper boy
I got to know the manager and with a some free papers saw some
free movies. The Pantages and the Warner bros were the ones that
impressed the most. Anyone that was able be on the Blvd in the
1930 and 1940 saw Hollywood at its best. I have seen some musicals
sence they convert it. It can’t compare NYC Broadway but don’t let
stop from going
The Pantages is the most ornate movie palace built in Hollywood. The Pantages is the largest movie palace on Hollywood Blvd,the Pacific Warner was the second largest until being triplexed in the 1970’s,Grauman’s Chinese was the 3rd largest.The Pantages had the second largest stage in LA for many years, only the Shrine was larger.The Pantages would be a great venue to start holding large film premieres again like it did in the past. I still remember seeing the huge premiere of “A Star Is Born” with Judy Garland and all the golden era stars in attendance. The last roadshow film to play the Pantages was “Tora Tora Tora” back in 1970.I loved seeing movies on there big screen,it seemed very large at the time.I only remember the screen as being flat and not curved like the Pacific,Chinese,Egyptian and Cinerama Dome.I remember back in 1967 if my memory serves me correctly, the Pantages was showing Disney’s “The Happiest Millionaire”,the Warner was showing “Thoroughly Modern Millie”,the Egyptian was showing “Hawaii”,the Paramount was showing “The Dirty Dozen”,the Chinese was showing “You Only Live Twice” and the Cinerama Dome was showing “Grand Prix”. We were staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and could see the long lines at the Chinese and Paramount, which were across the street from each other, from our hotel room. I was 14 at the time and I thought this was pretty impressive.The Pantages is still my favorite theatre on Hollywood Blvd after all these years.brucec
The Pantages is a great place to see a show. The area has really improved and there are several great restaurants within walking distance, most notably the aged, but still great Musso and Franks. The Vine Red Line Station is located across the street from the Pantages so it is easy, especially if you live in the Valley, to take the Red Line down to see a show and not worry traffic or about finding parking.
Ne plus ultra!
I may be biased toward my opinion of the Hollywood Pantages by the fact that my mother ushered there in the early 1950s. Working there, she assembled a significant autograph collection in an era when celebrities actually were occasionally to be found at the fabled corner of Hollywood and Vine.
I credit my earliest awareness of movie palaces generally to my mother’s stint at the RKO Pantages. And, though I haven’t been there in the many years since it became a stage venue, I did attend movies there regularly in the 70s and vividly remember it being one of the most sublime examples of art moderne architecture and ornament imaginable. While Los Angeles has many beautiful movie palace survivors, and the Broadway theater corridor will always hold wonderful memories for me, the Pantages is one of the very grandest palaces to be found anywhere.
On a side note, I’ve always been intrigued by the typeface used on the Pantages' vertical sign (as well as that of the Wiltern). (I found out that in typography it’s known as “Hobo”.) Other than those two instances, though, I haven’t seen it used for any other theater signs. Does anyone else know of other examples of its use on a theater?
When I first went to the Hollywood Pantages, in Nov. 1944, as a boy,
the ads in the paper’s movie section called it “RKO Pantages” and, downtown LA, “RKO Hillstreet”, and these two RKO houses screened first-run films from Columbia studio, RKO (of course, but NOT “B” pictures such as “Cat People”, which were shown down the street at the Hawaii theatre), and Universal. The first Hollywood Theatre I went to also in 1944 was the Eygptian, to see MGM’s “Dragon Seed”. It was s dazzling experience to visit this theatre; but that same day/evening when entering the Pantages (“Casanova Brown”, with Gary Cooper), the fantastic lobby with its light grey heavy carpeting and overall magnificence for all time put every other movie house I’ve been in to shame. I would go, regardless of program, for years just to be in this theatre. LarryGardner
This place is incredible. It is so ornate and opulent that it made me feel very, very poor just being there. or maybe it made me feel very, very rich…i dunno, i guess i was just in awe…
In 1973 the late Terry Helgesen wrote perhaps his finest story in the form of the ANNUAL for that year of the Theatre Historical Society of America, titled “The Hollywood Pantages” and in its 26 pages, he produced its whole story to that time. There are dozens of large scale black and white photos to be seen there, as well as a reproduction of the longitudinal cross section from the blueprints, and a full page portrait photo of Alexander Pantages. The 8-1/2x11 inch softbound is Out Of Print, but may be available from the sources listed below.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE:
To obtain any available Back Issue of either “Marquee” or of its ANNUALS, simply go to the web site of the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA at:
www.HistoricTheatres.org
and notice on the sidebar of their first page the link “PUBLICATIONS: Back Issues List” and click on that and you will be taken to their listing where they also give ordering details. Should they indicate that a publication is Out Of Print, then it may still be possible to view it via Inter-Library Loan where you go to the librarian at any public or school library and ask them to locate which library has the item by using the Union List of Serials, and your library can then ask the other library to loan it to them for you to read or photocopy. [Photocopies of most THSA publications are available from University Microforms International (UMI), but their prices are exorbitant.]
Note: Most any photo in any of their publications may be had in large size by purchase; see their ARCHIVE link. You should realize that there was no color still photography in the 1920s, so few theatres were seen in color at that time except by means of hand tinted renderings or post cards, thus all the antique photos from the Society will be in black and white, but it is quite possible that the Society has later color images available; it is best to inquire of them.
Should you not be able to contact them via their web site, you may also contact their Executive Director via E-mail at:
Or you may reach them via phone or snail mail at:
Theatre Historical Soc. of America
152 N. York, 2nd Floor York Theatre Bldg.
Elmhurst, ILL. 60126-2806 (they are about 15 miles west of Chicago)
Phone: 630-782-1800 or via FAX at: 630-782-1802 (Monday through Friday, 9AM—4PM, CT)
I won’t sit there. Besides its a better show at the Winter Garden in NYC.
Robert, Do you think those seats (rowB orchestra) are too close to the stage to see a play? I don’t want to be looing up the actors noses????
These people cant be for real?
I have Row B Orchestra seats 205-207 (a little to the right of center) Do you think those are too close to see Mama Mia at this theater? Thanks LV
Since “Howard Hughes, through RKO Pictures, acquired the [Pantages] theater as part of his national chain of movie houses,” does that mean that any RKO movie release (or premiere) would play there?… like for example “Clash by Night” in 1952?? I would love to see some kind of database whereby you could look up the premieres and movie showings for a particular theater with showing dates. That would be great!… It would be so helpful for historical story research. Great website!… and best wishes for a provocative publication.
The Pantages Theatre is still equipped to run film. It has 4 Norelco DP-70 (70mm/35mm) projectors in it’s booth. It’s been equipped since the mid 90’s. I use to work for Pacific Theatres at the Hollywood Pacific Tri-Plex when they re-equipped the booth. They got some of the booth sound system from the Hollywood Pacific and we got new equipment in the main house.
During the “Spartacus” Road Show Engagement in 1960, the Pantages seating capacity was reduced to 1513 seats. Stanley Kubrick had RKO Theatre drape the far rear side seating on the main floor and the rear half of the balcony seating.
I saw many movies at the Pantagees. The Pantagees went from first run film to broadway theatre. I suggest this theatre be equipped again for film so the studios can have film premieres here since Westwood is not available due to merchant complaints as reported in Variety. The Pantages seats 2700 which would be perfect when the theatre is dark with no stage show. The Pantages is Hollywoods greatest film palace.brucec
I first attended the Pantages Theater in January 1981. I had the privilege of seeing My Fair Lady starring Rex Harrison playing his popular role as Professor Henry Higgins. I was in 8th grade at the time and I have been in love with the theater ever since. I’m glad my very first “broadway” type show was seen there. It is still as beautiful as it was the day I first set foot there. I have seen several shows there since and will be seeing The Producers there in May. Everyone should make every attempt to see a show there. It’s a wonderful venue.
If the above sit is not working try the Nederlander site.
www.nederlander.com/pantages.html
I was in the theatre only about three times, the last time I stood on the stage and looked up at those balconies, wow, what a sight. The time before that was when they had the last Academy Awards there, the night Patty McCormack, Robert Wagner, and others took home the magic statue. I have climbed all over the roof, and those towers. It is a TRUE land mark for Los Angeles and Hollywood.
It is truly the most beautiful art deco palace ever created. Going through the Hollywood Pantages is like walking in the Heavens.
Guided tours of the interior of the Pantages Theatre, the Grand Dame of Hollywood Boulevard, will be available to the public starting August 6, 2001. For information, e-mail me at -lexi@vintage—venues.com or call toll free 866-467-7990.
Any good restaurants in the area?