Los Angeles Theatres: Pantages: balcony lobby and lounge areas

A 1930 Mott Studios view looking back into the main lobby from the mezzanine lounge area house right. It's one of seventeen photos in the California State Library set # 001387249.

A 1930 Mott Studios house right mezzanine lounge photo in the California State Library set # 001387246. We're up one flight of stairs from the main lobby. There's a similar space on the opposite end of the lobby. Stairs up to the balcony are out of the frame to the left.

Another Mott Studios mezzanine lounge view in the California State Library set # 001387246. See the set for several more similar photos.

A mezzanine lounge furniture detail. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250.

More mezzanine lounge furniture. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250.

The view down from the balcony landing house right. Down at the mezzanine level, the stairs to the main lobby are off to the right. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387246.

The balcony promenade as viewed from house right. This is up a flight of stairs from the balcony landing level that has the lounges (men house right, ladies house left) and serves the balcony crossaisle. The doors on the right at this level enter the top of the balcony. Down the promenade there are vistas out to the main lobby through openings on the left. The 1930 Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387246.

The men's smoking lounge at the balcony landing level house right. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250. The photo also appears in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

Another men's lounge view. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250. It's also in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

A men's lounge detail. It's a Mott Studios photo in the California State Library set # 001387214.

A bit of furniture along the balcony promenade. It's a 1930 photo in the collection of the Los Angeles Public Library. The Mott Studios photo also appears in the California State Library set # 001387246.

A 1930 Mott Studios view looking up from the balcony landing house left toward the balcony promenade. It's in the California State Library's set # 001387249.

A peek into the ladies lounge at the balcony landing level on the house left side. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250. The Los Angeles Public Library also has a copy of the photo.

A wider view beyond the curtains into the ladies lounge. The 1930 Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387247. Christopher Jon Lillian comments: "Later, it was closed off and became the female usher’s locker room, and then for the 'Lion King' remodel, it became more toilets."

Another balcony ladies lounge view. The 1930 Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250. The photo also appears in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

The balcony level ladies cosmetics room. The photo is in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. The 1930 Mott Studios photo is also in the California State Library set # 001387214.

A furniture detail in the balcony ladies cosmetics room. The Mott Studios photo is in the California State Library set # 001387250.

Recent balcony lobby and lounge area views:

The lobby from the top of the stairs house right. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The mezzanine level lounge house right. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A detail of one of the wall sconces. Thanks to Mike Hume for the 2016 photo from his Facebook page Historic Theatre Photography. You can see more of his work on the Historic Theatre Photography website.

The stairs up to to the balcony landing. At the top the door to the right gets you into the men's room. Straight ahead is the tunnel to the house right side of the balcony crossaisle. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The tunnel to the house right side of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A look back down to the mezzanine level lounge. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A view from the promenade down to the balcony landing and the men's room entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Into the men's room. This had once been a larger men's smoking lounge. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The men's toilet and sink areas. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

From the house right balcony landing a look up to the promenade at the rear of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

"Eve," a painting by Richard Cromwell, is on the north wall as one goes up the stairs. Originally a different painting was displayed here. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Thanks to Richard Adkins for identifying the artist and discussing him on a post on the Hollywood Heritage Facebook page. Cromwell's companion piece, "Adam," hangs on the house left end of the promenade. Richard comments: "The stylized Deco / Roman-Greco figures are oil on canvas with a faint impasto texture to the foliage, which is also gold-leafed."

A view to the house right end of the lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Looking back to house right from the middle of the promenade. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A view to the stage. Photo: Bill Counter - 2024

A chandelier view. Thanks to Cat Lukaszewski for sharing her 2022 photo.

Another look at the center chandelier. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The promenade from the top of the house left steps. Thanks to Claudia Mullins for sharing her photo. It's one she took during the April 2022 LAHTF "all-about" tour. See her terrific 40 photo Pantages set on Facebook.

The promenade ceiling. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A ceiling detail shared by Albert Domasin on Flickr. It's one of 53 photos in his 2010 LAHTF Pantages Tour set. Thanks, Albert!

Another peek out to the lobby through grillework on the stairs from promenade level down to the balcony landing. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The house left stairs from the balcony landing up to the promenade. The painting we see on the left is by Richard Cromwell. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

A closer look at Cromwell's painting, titled "Adam." Thanks to Richard Adkins for the photo, part of a post on the Hollywood Heritage Facebook page. There was originally a different painting at this location.

A closer look at the railing. Thanks to Cat Lukaszewski for sharing her photo. It's one of 49 great views she has in a Hollywood Pantages album on Facebook that were taken at the April 2022 LAHTF "all-about" tour.

A look at the exit sign treatment. Thanks to Cat Lukaszewski for sharing this 2022 photo.

The ladies room entrance on the balcony landing house left. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

A ceiling detail in the ladies room entry area. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

The ladies cosmetics room. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Another cosmetics room view. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

The original toilet and sink area. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Looking into the original balcony ladies toilet area from an expansion done in 2000. This area, originally a ladies lounge, had been then used as an ushers changing area. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

In the ladies lounge sink area with a peek back out to the cosmetics room. Photo: Bill Counter - 2022

The tunnel to the house left balcony crossaisle. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Thanks to Albert Domasin for sharing this balcony landing fixture detail on Flickr. Check out all 53 photos in his 2010 LAHTF Pantages Tour set.

A look down from the balcony landing toward the mezzanine level lounge house left. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

Another peek into the main lobby. Photo: Claudia Mullins - 2022. Thanks!

A view descending the stairs. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017

The house left stairs up to the balcony landing. The door at left is the ladies room, straight ahead is the tunnel to the house left side of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2017