I like to think that the Chinese holds the distinction for being the last of the 1920s film palaces to still be showing “First Run” commercial releases on a regular basis. “First Run” has become a somewhat slippery term in the last few decades, but the Chinese has always been a “First Run” theatre in the sense that they play films on their initial release.
From 1935 to 1953, the Chinese played many double features it is true, but always day-and-date with other theatres as “First Run” just as they do today.
The Fox Westwood Village Theatre is a very nice (!) neighborhood house, and played “A Free Soul” after the Chinese had the “First Run” in late June, 26, 1931, in a period when Grauman was on the outs with Fox West Coast Theatres, so there was no premiere or prologue:
http://www.graumanschinese.org/1931.html#free
I define 1920s film palace as having a stage, a pipe organ, and more than 2,000 seats. The Chinese had all of these. Hollywood’s Egyptian qualifies under these definitions, but I discount it due to the fact that it was idle for such a long period. How it has been remodeled or what they show there is beside the point. They show movies there still.
However, the Chinese reigns, I think, as the last of the Film Palaces to still be open, and showing commercial releases (however one defines “First Run”) every day. Well, most days.
Kurt Wahlner, Editor,
http://www.graumanschinese.org
Went to the premiere of 3D Oz yesterday. A very different experience, but I think it works. Read my review on my blog: http://graumanschineseorg.blogspot.com/
Do you know whose picture is at the front of the canopy in this picture? I suggest it is Shirley Temple, and that this photo is of her footprinting ceremony in 1935. Any Idea?
Dear Mark in the Dark:
Thank you for the juice. Every great old theatre deserves a web site like this one – but only the Chinese will get one!
Alas, I have no interest in the Chinese Twins or the 6 plex, worthy though they may be. There is only one Maltese Falcon!
I might some day, but I have to construct something on the forecourt first! Projectors are more interesting to me.
I like to think that the Chinese holds the distinction for being the last of the 1920s film palaces to still be showing “First Run” commercial releases on a regular basis. “First Run” has become a somewhat slippery term in the last few decades, but the Chinese has always been a “First Run” theatre in the sense that they play films on their initial release.
From 1935 to 1953, the Chinese played many double features it is true, but always day-and-date with other theatres as “First Run” just as they do today.
The Fox Westwood Village Theatre is a very nice (!) neighborhood house, and played “A Free Soul” after the Chinese had the “First Run” in late June, 26, 1931, in a period when Grauman was on the outs with Fox West Coast Theatres, so there was no premiere or prologue:
http://www.graumanschinese.org/1931.html#free
I define 1920s film palace as having a stage, a pipe organ, and more than 2,000 seats. The Chinese had all of these. Hollywood’s Egyptian qualifies under these definitions, but I discount it due to the fact that it was idle for such a long period. How it has been remodeled or what they show there is beside the point. They show movies there still.
However, the Chinese reigns, I think, as the last of the Film Palaces to still be open, and showing commercial releases (however one defines “First Run”) every day. Well, most days.
Kurt Wahlner, Editor, http://www.graumanschinese.org
Went to the premiere of 3D Oz yesterday. A very different experience, but I think it works. Read my review on my blog: http://graumanschineseorg.blogspot.com/
Incredible picture. Do you own the slide?
Do you know whose picture is at the front of the canopy in this picture? I suggest it is Shirley Temple, and that this photo is of her footprinting ceremony in 1935. Any Idea?