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Alex Theatre: auditorium

216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203 | map |

The Alex Theatre pages:  history + street views | forecourt | lobby areas | auditorium | booth + atticbackstage |


Vintage auditorium photos:  


A great look at the Alexander's original house curtain that appeared with a February 18, 1928 Motion Picture News story about the theatre decorating work of the Robert E. Power Studio. It's on Internet Archive. A cropped version of the photo also appeared on page 36 of the December 28, 1929 Motion Picture News. The page featuring Fox theatres that had been decorated by the Power Studio was part of the issue's extensive "Theatre Building & Equipment Buyers Guide."



A c.1937 photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. Note the original lambrequin at the top of the proscenium and the painted traveler still in use.



A 40s look in from the back of the house at what appears to be some sort of event honoring nurses.
Note the steps covering the orchestra pit. It's a photo that appears with the theatre's 1996 application for inclusion on the National Register. It's available on the National Archives website. Thanks to Mike Hume for locating a link to the document. 



A 40s view to the rear of the house that was included with the National Register application. 



The proscenium in 1948 after a Skouras-style redecoration following a backstage fire. Note the new carvings each side of the proscenium that were a replacement for the urns. The photo from John Miller is in the LAHTF collection. It's on display in the inner lobby.



A c.1992 photo taken for the Walt Disney Company that appears with the theatre's 1996 National Register application. Thanks to Mike Hume for locating it. 

 

Another 1992 view from the balcony. It's a photo from the Glendale Arts collection that appeared on the Alex website when that organization was operating the theatre.



The rear of the balcony as restoration work was beginning. Photo: Glendale Arts collection



A c.1992 look at the 1948 decorative scheme. Or, rather, part of it. Much of the draping had been taken down in the intervening decades. It's a photo from the Walt Disney Company used with the National Register application. It can be viewed on the National Archives website. Thanks to Mike Hume for locating it.



The rear of the house prior to the 1992-1993 restoration. Photo: Glendale Arts collection


Recent main floor photos:


Across the rear of the main floor. It was once a gentle slope all the way from the front row to the lobby. The rear of the seating area was sacrificed to provide handicap seating and create space for main floor restrooms. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



The empty stage from the rear of the house. Thanks to Wendell Benedetti for his photo taken at a 2014 open house. The shot originally appeared on the LAHTF Facebook page.

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is active in promoting awareness of the historic theatres of Los Angeles and works toward their preservation. They frequently offer tours and sponsor other events related to historic preservation. www.lahtf.org | group Facebook page | official Facebook page



A main floor view with the fire curtain in. The design was painted by Grosh Scenic Studios in the 1940s. Photo: Don Solosan - LAHTF - c.2009

 

Across from house left. Photo: Wendell Benedetti - LAHTF Facebook page - 2014



The exit passageway on the house left side of the main floor. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



Looking back toward the lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



In the house left exit passage along side the stage. Behind us are exits onto Maryland Ave. The open doorway leads to the house left organ chamber. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



In the organ chamber. The plaster grille is behind the canvas. Production manager / stage supervisor Rafael Posada and master electrician Jazzy Birdsong are troubleshooting the striplight that lights the grille. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019  



The top of the proscenium. Photo: Shellie Winkler - Photos of Los Angeles - 2018



The proscenium with a bit of the fire curtain. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019


 
The fire curtain all the way in. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



Looking across from house right. Photo: Shellie Winkler - Photos of Los Angeles - 2018



In the house right exit passageway along the side of the auditorium. We're looking back toward the lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



The rear of the main floor. Photo: Shellie Winkler - Photos of Los Angeles - 2018. Thanks, Shellie!


 
Another look to the rear. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



The rear of the house from stage right. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



A view from centerstage. It's a photo from the Glendale Arts collection that appeared on the Alex website when that organization was operating the theatre.



The theatre by ghost light during the Coronavirus shutdown. The photo was a March 2020 post by the theatre on Instagram. Thanks to Donavan S. Moye for spotting it.


Recent views up in the balcony:


A look down onto the empty stage. Note the earlier center cluster speaker system, now replaced with line arrays left and right. Photo: Don Solosan - LAHTF - c.2009



A balcony view with the curtain closed. Thanks to Stephen Russo for his 2014 photo on the LAHTF Facebook page.



A proscenium shot included in Brian T. Meacham's 2007 "Last Remaining Seats: The Alex Theatre" album on Flickr.



 The proscenium ornament. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



A closer look. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



Looking down from house left. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



A peek at the cold cathode lighting in one of the house left coves. The piece that's not lit is red, no longer working but once used to simulate a sunrise as intermission approached. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



A view to house right. Photo: Brian T. Meacham - Flickr - 2007. Thanks, Brian!



Looking down from house right. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



Across to house left. Photo: Glendale Arts collection



A detail of the ornament between the two columns house left. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



A closer look at the big urn. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



The stage from the front of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



A wide view of the balcony from house right. There's no top access to relamp that ceiling cove. Photo: Glendale Arts collection



A detail of the Greek shield fixture at the house left end of the crossaisle. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



The upper section. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018



The post renovation look of the top of the balcony. That porthole off to the right is the lighting control booth. Photo: Bill Counter - 2019



Way in the back corner. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography - 2018

The Alex Theatre pages:  history + street views | forecourt | lobby areas | back to top - auditorium | booth + attic | backstage |

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