Olympic Theatre

313 W. 8th Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90014

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rfwebber
rfwebber on May 17, 2020 at 6:45 pm

As I indicated in my comment of October 8, 2006, in the 1940’s the Olympic operated as a “request” theatre' which meant that the programming of the theatre was determined by requests from patrons. As I recall from a personal visit, there was a desk in the lobby with a book in which one could enter suggestions for movies to be shown.

Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez on April 6, 2015 at 9:16 pm

“Olympic Request Theatre” needs to be added to the list of previous names. Very odd name, I know, but I posted a couple picture of some old programs from this theatre when it had that name for reference. By the way, does anyone know the story of how it got that particular name?

northstar16
northstar16 on April 8, 2013 at 9:53 pm

Here is 11 minutes of nighttime process footage from 1946 shot for the Rita Hayworth film “Down to Earth,” which shows the Olympic, the RKO Hill Street and several other theaters.

View Link

Ed Miller
Ed Miller on July 18, 2011 at 10:59 am

Wow, love the recent photos, with the old facade exposed!

NothingDiesWithBlueSkies
NothingDiesWithBlueSkies on August 17, 2010 at 9:56 pm

Here is a photo from 2007 before they painted it black
View link

drb
drb on June 22, 2010 at 7:15 pm

Oh. They uncovered the old façade.

monika
monika on June 22, 2010 at 2:09 pm

Here is a May 2010 night photograph I took of the Olympic: View link

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 27, 2009 at 10:29 pm

Tower is the white building on the next block.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 27, 2009 at 10:21 pm

An older vertical blade can be seen on the left in this late 30s photo, as well as the Tower further down on Broadway:
http://tinyurl.com/djv75x

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm

99 cent films at the Olympic in 1980:
http://tinyurl.com/d9q3qc

drb
drb on April 9, 2009 at 5:51 pm

From the LAHTF’s email flyer:

Contact: Hillsman Wright – 310 403-0865

For immediate release â€" 4/7/09

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation www.lahtf.org
Invites You & Your Friends to Attend
All About the Tower/Rialto/Olympic (Bardâ€\s 8th St.)
Saturday, April 18, 10:30 am â€" Doors open at 10:00 am
Tower Theatre * 802 S. Broadway * Downtown Los Angeles
Special thanks to the Delijani family
FREE ADMISSION

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation (LAHTF) takes its popular All About… series to three theatres near the intersection of Broadway and 8th Street, the Tower (1927), Rialto (1917), and Olympic (Bardâ€\s Eighth Street Theatre, 1927) on Saturday, April 18, 10:30 am. The public is invited to attend.

Show & Tell
Theatre historian Ed Kelsey will present a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation on the storied past of these three very different theatres and relate fascinating tales about the out-sized impresarios â€" Gumbiner, Quinn, Bard, Grauman, Corwin â€" who built and operated them.

Tours
Tours will explore the far reaches of the theatresâ€\ public areas, support spaces, and stages to provide attendees with an insiderâ€\s, behind-the-scenes look at three of Broadwayâ€\s smaller theatres.

Engage
LAHTF volunteers will explain how you can get hands-on experience saving, restoring and programming great theatres in Los Angeles by becoming actively involved with the LAHTF. There will be announcements of a series of exciting events coming to historic theatres on Broadway soon.

Make it a day Downtown.
Join us at Cliftonâ€\s Cafeteria immediately following the event to continue the discussion.
Shop for bargains in the nearby Garment District, Broadwayâ€\s shops and Grand Central Market.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: Save the Dates: May 16, June 13 & 20.

Many people are fascinated by the architecture of fantasy so beautifully on display in Southern Californiaâ€\s great historic theatres. People are also curious about how the theatres work. What does it look like backstage? What do the performers see when they look out across the footlights? Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation’s “All About” series gives the public an insider’s look at these wonderful theatres and share parts of their histories – good and bad – as a way to encourage people to become actively involved in protecting and ensuring their futures.

The LAHTF is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring and supporting the operation of Southern Californiaâ€\s historic theatres. For more information visit www.lahtf.org

drb
drb on October 23, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Here’s the Super Bowl ad showing the Olympic marquee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMmYHGy3Czs

And here’s the updated USC photo links:
View link
View link

Michael Furlinger
Michael Furlinger on August 24, 2008 at 12:48 am

Theater for rent loopnet!

vokoban
vokoban on September 6, 2007 at 5:55 pm

I saw them working on the place on Saturday. Did you go inside? I wonder if there is anything left of the ceiling.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on July 17, 2007 at 6:14 pm

Some kind of renovation is going on inside. The construction guys wouldn’t let me in to take pictures.

vokoban
vokoban on April 1, 2007 at 11:07 am

Thanks Tillmany, I just watched that Boston Blackie movie and took a picture of the tv when they showed the Olympic Theater. It’s not very clear, but here it is:

View link

Tillmany
Tillmany on April 1, 2007 at 1:37 am

You get a nice night shot of the Olympic, its neon, and its 15 cents admission sign about fifteen minutes into Boston Blackie’s Rendezvous (1945), recently shown on Turner Classic Movies.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 5, 2007 at 1:40 pm

Very prominent is an understatement. Wasn’t the guy in the commercial standing on the marquee?

Menutia
Menutia on February 4, 2007 at 8:56 pm

Yes, for King Pharmaceuticals… VERY PROMINENT.

hollister22nh
hollister22nh on February 4, 2007 at 4:39 pm

Was that just in a Superbowl commericial for something?

William
William on January 16, 2007 at 7:28 am

Also in that picture you can see the RKO Hill Street vertical in the background.

rfwebber
rfwebber on January 15, 2007 at 8:22 pm

I just noticed that in the photo posted by vokoban on Dec. 13, 2005, close examination reveals a vertical sign next to the “Olympic” sign which says “Request.” This confirms my recollection of Oct. 8, 2006.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 14, 2006 at 6:30 pm

Here are some scenes from “Fight Club” showing the Olympic:
http://tinyurl.com/yk67dh