For the 100+ that weren't so lucky, and some newer ones, see these pages: Hill St. and farther west | Broadway theatres | Spring St. theatres | Main St. and farther east | downtown theatres by address | downtown theatres alphabetical list - with alternate names |
A look south on Broadway with the Globe, Tower, Rialto and Orpheum Theatres in view. Thanks to Glenn Primm for his January 2015 photo, one originally appearing on the Bringing Back Broadway Facebook page.
Downtown L.A. offers a wonderfully diverse collection ranging from some of the finest Los Angeles movie palaces to smaller theatres largely unchanged from 1910. The district is unique both in terms of the number of surviving structures, their state of preservation, and the amazing variety of architectural styles. As the money and business left downtown for Hollywood and other suburban areas in the 20s and 30s, there was little incentive to modernize the downtown theatres. Many of the buildings are quite unchanged from when they opened.
Sure, we've got retail stores in the lobbies and auditoria of several of the theatres but look beyond that and it's an architectural wonderland. I've wandered around and taken a few pictures and done a bit of research. I hope to point you in the direction of more investigations of historic Los Angeles theatres using the sources I've detailed in the listings. This page has a brief rundown of the surviving theatres in the Broadway corridor. The links with each theater's description will take you to more information. Have fun exploring!
-- Bill Counter
534 S. Broadway | map |
This 1,400 seat theatre opened September 26, 1910 as the Pantages, a vaudeville house. The architects were Morgan & Walls. It closed as a film house in 1992. It's a photo by Hunter Kerhart.
For decades the lobby was used for retail with the relatively intact auditorium as storage. The office building floors got an upgrade in 2020. The theatre is currently vacant. See the Arcade Theatre pages for lots more information and photos: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | lobby areas | auditorium | stage | basement | office building |
1050 S. Hill St. | map |
This theatre, a design of Morgan, Walls & Clements, opened November 1, 1926 as a home for legitimate drama. Seating capacity was originally 1,061. It closed in 1950 and was later used as a church.
After decades of sporadic use, it got a multi-million dollar makeover in 2011. It's now alive again as a club and special events venue operated by Live Nation. For more information see the Belasco Theatre pages: history | early exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | lobbies - lounges - ballroom | early auditorium views | recent auditorium views | backstage | basement support areas |
Cameo Theatre
528 S. Broadway | map |
What is now the Cameo opened in October 1910 as Clune's Broadway. It is a design by Alfred F. Rosenheim. Originally with 900 seats, it ended up with about 600 in later years, all on a single level.
It closed as a film house in 1991 with the auditorium essentially unchanged since 1910. It currently has a jewelry store as a tenant in the lobby and storage in the auditorium. For more information and photos see the pages on the Cameo Theatre: history | exterior views | interior views
744 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in January 1913 as the Morosco, a 1,300 seat legit house for producer Oliver Morosco. Morgan, Walls & Morgan designed the Garland Bldg. that it's part of with Alfred Rosenheim doing the theatre itself. It closed as a film theatre in 1986.
The
auditorium and stage areas had a later life as a nightclub (ending in
2011) using the alley as the entrance. The theatre reopened in July 2015 after a major refurbishment by new operator Erik
Chol. Work included reopening the Broadway entrance, used since 1987
for retail. The Globe was a multipurpose space for music and other events until a late 2023 closure. The owners are looking for a new operator. For more information see our pages on the Globe: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | lobby areas | recent auditorium views | earlier auditorium views | attic | backstage | basement | garland building |
251 S. Main St. | map |
This 222 seat house opened in 2007 as new construction except for reusing the sidewalls and part of the roof structure of the 1925 vintage Arrow / Linda Lea Theatre. Called the ImaginAsian when it opened, it soon morphed into a home for indie films, documentaries and cult favorites. It closed as the Downtown Independent in 2020. In 2024 it was reborn as a film/theatre/events space called The Kult. For more information see the page on the Linda Lea / Downtown Independent / Kult.
615 S. Broadway | map |
S. Charles Lee along with associate architect with S. Tilden Norton designed this French Baroque fantasia, considered by many to be the grandest movie palace on Broadway. The opening was January 30, 1931 with Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein in attendance for Chaplin's "City Lights." Current seating capacity is 1,937. Photo by Hunter Kerhart.
It's currently closed except for film shoots, tours and special events including occasional film screenings. For more information and hundreds of photos visit the Los Angeles Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | entrance | grand lobby | inner lobby - main floor | lobby - 1st balcony level | basement - intermediate lounge | basement - main lounge | ladies room and nursery | men's room | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | stage | booth | retail and support areas |
1038 S. Hill St. | map |
Morgan, Walls & Clements designed this 1,491 seat theatre as a home for musical comedies. It opened on August 14, 1927 and dabbled with running movies occasionally as early as 1929.
It closed as a film house in June 1989 with its final two decades as a porno venue. Since 1990 it has been thriving as a nightclub. For more information visit the Mayan Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | main lobby | balcony lobby | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | booth and attic | stage | basement |
420 N. Main St. | map |
The Merced opened January 30, 1871, the oldest surviving theatre building in Los Angeles. The building had shops on the ground floor, the theatre on the second and living space for the owners on the top floor. It was also known as the Teatro Merced and Mercedes Theatre. The 400 seat theatre was designed by Ezra F. Kysor.
It closed as a theatrical venue on New Year's Day 1877. The facade was restored in the 60s and interior work was done in the 80s. It sits just south of the Pico House, a historic hotel. Both are currently owned by the City of Los Angeles. After years of sitting vacant, it's planned that the building will be the home for the city's public access television channel. For more information see the page on the Merced Theatre.
307 S. Broadway | map |
The theatre opened February 1, 1918 as Grauman's Million Dollar due to its reported cost. Albert C. Martin designed the building with William Lee Woollett as the theatre architect. The seating capacity initially was 2,345.
It needs a tenant. Currently it's closed except for occasional special events. It's under the same ownership as Grand Central Market. For more information see the pages on the Million Dollar Theatre: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobbies | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | booth | backstage | orchestra pit | basement areas |
313 W. 8th St. | map |
It opened in 1927 as Bard's 8th St. Theatre. In the early 1930s it also had an additional entrance at 757 S. Broadway through the Merritt Bldg. The architect for the 600 seat house was Lewis A. Smith, doing a remodel of a 1917 building that was previously a restaurant. Charles O. Matcham did a remodel in 1942.
It closed as a theatre around 1997 and has been used storage and retail since then. In 2017 what was left of the theatre interior was gutted in a remodel for a store for the upscale clothing brand COS. It's been vacant since they closed in 2022. For more information and photos see the Olympic Theatre pages: history + exterior views | interior views |
842 S. Broadway | map |
This Orpheum opened in 1926, a move down the street for the circuit from their previous home at what is now called the Palace Theatre. G. Albert Lansburgh designed the theatre, currently with 1,976 seats.
It's alive and in great shape as the home of concerts, film shoots and occasional film screenings. For more information and many photos: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | booth | backstage | lofts |
630 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in 1911 as the Orpheum and became the Palace in 1926. The two balcony house is a design of G. Albert Lansburgh with Robert Brown Young and Son as associate architects. Originally with 1,956 seats, it currently seats 1,068 on main floor and first balcony.
The theatre unveiled a $1 million restoration to celebrate its 100th birthday on June 26, 2011. Palace bookings include concerts, film shoots, occasional film screenings and special events. For more information see the Palace Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | booth | backstage | basement support areas | office building |
448 S. Main St. | map |
The current building is the second theatre on the site, opening as the National in February 1914. It replaced an earlier theatre, also called the National, that had opened in 1911. Both were operated by Bert Lustig. Later the current building was called Gore's National and by 1917 it was the Regent. Photo by Sean Ault.
The theatre reopened in November 2014 as a music venue and restaurant after a big remodel. It had closed in 2000 after decades as a grindhouse and (at the end) an adult venue. After that there was sporadic use as a concert venue. This is the last remaining historic movie theatre on Main St. For more information see the Regent Theatre pages: history + exterior views | interior views
812 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in 1917 as Quinn's Rialto. Oliver P. Dennis designed the building, a rare early example of a stadium-style theatre layout. In 1919 Sid Grauman got it and after a remodel it was called Grauman's Rialto. Originally it had 1,000 seats, down to 840 in later years.
It closed as a theatre in 1987 with the lobby then used for retail. The building reopened in December 2013 as an Urban Outfitters store with a wonderful restoration of the marquee. The 2014 photo is by Hunter Kerhart. For more information and photos see the Rialto Theatre pages: history + exterior views | interior views
518 S. Broadway | map |
The Roxie opened on November 25, 1931. It was the last of the Broadway theaters to open -- and is the only one in the art deco style. The 1,600 seat theatre is a design by John M. Cooper. It was built with a stage that never got any use.
It's been closed since 1989. Retail is currently in the lobby and the adjoining storefronts. For more information see the Roxie pages: history + vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | interior views
703 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in November 1921 as Loew's State and for decades was a major showcase for MGM product. Until 1936 it also used a second entrance at 306 W. 7th St. It's a design by two San Francisco-based firms, Weeks & Day and Reid Brothers. With 2,119 seats, it has the largest capacity on Broadway. Photo by Hunter Kerhart.
It closed as a film house in 1997 and was then leased to a church group for 20 years. It was in the process of getting de-churched and coming back to life as a theatre. But then the church got another lease. It's owned by the Delijani family's Broadway Theatre Group. For more information and many photos see the State Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | recent auditorium views | projection booth | backstage | basement cafeteria |
802 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in 1927, S. Charles Lee's first theatre design. It sat 906 on a lot only 50' wide. The interior remained intact except for no seats on the main floor. They had been removed for a film shoot decades ago and never replaced.
The theatre had been used until late 2017 for many film shoots as well as occasional concerts and special events. It's now an Apple store. See the Tower Theatre pages for lots of photos and details: history | earlier exterior views | recent exterior views | lobby areas | lounges + basement support areas | earlier auditorium views | recent auditorium views | organ chambers | booth level | attic | roof | tower |
855 S. Grand Ave. | map |
The building opened in 1914 and has been used as a hotel, office building and church. The 1,600 seat auditorium, while being used much for of its life as a church, has also been a theatre space. It has also been known as the Embassy Auditorium. The architects were Thornton Fitzhugh, Frank Krucker and Harry Deckbar.
The building was going to reopen a number of times as various hotel operators came and went. The owners, Chetrit Group, had a deal for a late 2018 opening under the management of Journal Hotels. Didn't make it. And several potential operators later announced deals that didn't happen. As of 2024 it was still dormant. The hope is that the auditorium will eventually be revived as a performance space. For more information see the page on the Trinity Auditorium.
933 S. Broadway | map |
It opened in 1927 as the only west coast design of noted Detroit-based theatre architect C. Howard Crane. The local firm of Walker & Eisen designed the office building portion of the project. Originally with 2,214 seats, it's now minus a 300 seat mezzanine as a result of a 1955 TODD-AO remodel.
After closing as a film house it was used as a church for decades. It was rescued and the renovated theatre reopened in early 2014 accompanied by an Ace Hotel in the former office spaces of the building. In 2024 it became the United Theatre on Broadway. For more information and hundreds of photos see the United Artists Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | outer lobby | inner lobby | lounges | upper lobby areas | earlier auditorium views | recent auditorium views | projection | stage and stage basement | other basement areas | attic | office building/hotel interiors | roof |
940 S. Figueroa St. | map |
The theatre opened in 1924 as the Playhouse in the building of the Friday Morning Club, a social and political group for women. The main theatre seats 1,100 and a smaller theatre seats 250. The building, designed by the firm of Allison and Allison, also has a ballroom, lounges and many other public spaces.
It became the Variety Arts in 1977 and later went through a succession of owners trying to figure out what to do with it. It was sold in 2012 to Robhana Management, Inc. In late 2015 a church group signed a long term lease on the building but later defaulted. The future for the building is unknown. For more information see the Variety Arts Theatre pages: history + exterior views | interior views |
401 W. 7th St. | map |
The theatre opened in 1920 as the Pantages. It was a move by the vaudeville circuit from their earlier home on Broadway at a theatre now known as the Arcade. Seattle-based B. Marcus Priteca was the designer. The original capacity was listed as 2,200. Later it was down to 1,757.
It became the Warner in 1929. Later under Metropolitan Theatres management it was known as the Warrens. They closed it in 1975. The main floor is in use as the Jewelry Mart. Most of the decor is intact. For more information see the Warner Downtown pages: | history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | interior views |
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| The Metropolitan/Paramount Theatre, 6th and Hill |
New theatres downtown running movies: Regal Cinemas @ L.A. Live | Alamo Drafthouse |
Tours, events, and movies in historic theatres: The Theatre Tours and Events listings here on this site will keep you posted about screenings and other events. The L.A. Historic Theatre Foundation, Cinespia, Street Food Cinema and the L.A. Conservancy sometimes offer special screenings. The Grand Central Market occasionally co-sponsors films at their adjacent Million Dollar Theatre. The Conservancy's "Last Remaining Seats" series of theatre tours and films in historic theatres runs every June.
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| The Globe Theatre, 740 S. Broadway |
Historic theatres as music venues: Belasco Theatre | Globe Theatre - dark at the moment | Mayan Theatre | Regent Theatre | The photo of the Globe in action is by Wendell Benedetti.
Newer theatres for music and legit: L.A. Music Center: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Disney Hall, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, Redcat | L.A. Theatre Center - Several performance spaces in an old bank building on Spring St.
First film exhibition: Grand Opera House - 1896 | Tally's Phonograph & Vitascope Parlors - 1896 - makeshift theatres in the rear of phonograph parlors | Tally's Electric Theatre - 1902 - L.A.'s first real movie theatre | Cineograph Theatre - 1902 - films and vaudeville |
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| The Grand Opera House, 110 S. Main St. |
Pre-1900 theatres: Teatro Alarcon (1848) - Arcadia @ Calle de los Negroes | Union Theatre (1852) - address not known | Stearns Hall (1858) 300 block N. Main St. | Temple Theatre (1859) 156 N. Spring St. | Merced Theatre (1871) 420 N. Main St. | Turnverein Hall (1872) 1345 S. Figueroa St. | Woods Opera House (1876) 410 N. Main St. | Turnverein / Lyceum Hall (c.1879) 231 S. Spring St. | Child's / Grand Opera House (1884) 110 S. Main St. | Chinese Theatre (1884) Marchessault St. near Alameda | Vienna Theatre (1886) 144 S. Spring St. | Mott's / Armory Hall / Imperial (1886) 133 S. Main St. | Hazard's Pavilion (1887) W. 5th and Olive Sts. | Los Angeles / Orpheum / Lyceum Theatre (1888) 227 S. Spring St. | California Dime Museum & Theatre (1888) 116 N. Main St. | Simpson's Auditorium (1889) 730 S. Hope St. | Tivoli / Cineograph Theatre (1890) 114 Court St. | Burbank Theatre (1893) 548 S. Main St. | Turn Halle / Regal Theatre (1894) 323 S. Main St. | Blanchard Music Hall (1899) 233 S. Broadway | The photo of the Grand Opera House on Main St. comes from the California State Library.
Early use of neon: The prize (tentatively) goes to the Belasco, opening in November 1926 with a neon vertical. The readerboard under the marquee used milk glass letters. The Mayan opened in August 1927 with a neon roof sign. The marquee used channel letters with exposed incandescent bulbs. A readerboard under the marquee used milk glass letters. The Pantages at 7th & Hill (later renamed the Warner) got new verticals in late 1926 or early 1927. It's unknown if those used neon. One photo sort of looks like it had bulbs, the only other was taken from too far away.
The Orpheum opened in February 1926 with an incandescent roof sign. The El Capitan opened May 1926 with an incandescent vertical. There was no neon on the Westlake roof sign when it opened in September 1926. The Music Box sign was all bulbs for its October 1926 opening. Loew's State didn't get around to redoing its verticals with neon until 1929 (1928?) and then was also using changeable neon letters on a readerboard above the marquee.
The National Register district: The National Park Service website has a short page on the Broadway Theater and Commercial District. It became part of the National Register in 1979. Their website has a 32 page pdf of the 1978 application giving a brief summary of each of the included buildings of the district's original boundaries from 3rd St. to 9th St. There's also a 42 page photo gallery.
The boundaries were expanded in 2002 to add the 200 and 900 blocks. There's a 24 page 2001 application and a 30 page photo gallery. Wikipedia also has an article about the district. The Los Angeles Public Library's collection includes a pdf of a 19 page L.A. Conservancy "Broadway Historic Theater District" pamphlet from 1992.
End dates of regular theatrical or film operation:
Majestic 1933
Belasco 1950
Mason 1955
Central c.1955
Paramount 1960
Biltmore 1964
Hillstreet 1964
Philharmonic Auditorium 1964
Burbank 1974
Follies 1974
Warner/Warrens 1975
Cozy 1977
Globe 1986
Broadway 1988
Tower 1988
United Artists 1989
Roxie 1989
Mayan 1989
Cameo 1991
Arcade 1992
Million Dollar 1993
Los Angeles 1994
Olympic 1997
State 1997
Regent 2000
Palace 2000
Orpheum 2000
The DTLA survey pages: back to top - theatre district overview | Hill St. and farther west | Broadway theatres | Spring St. theatres | Main St and farther east | downtown theatres by address | downtown theatres alphabetical list - with alternate names |
| North of downtown and East L.A. | Glendale theatres | San Fernando Valley theatres | Pasadena theatres | San Gabriel Valley, Pomona, Whittier | Westside theatres | Hollywood theatres | Westwood and Brentwood | South, South Central and Southeast theatres | Along the Coast | Long Beach theatres |
| [more] Los Angeles Movie Palaces | Los Angeles theatres - the main alphabetical list | theatre history resources | film and theatre tech resources | theatres in movies | LA Theatres on facebook | contact info | welcome and site navigation guide |
an invaluable resource that will gain in importance as the years go by. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteThis blog is incredible, beautifully archived photos and information.
ReplyDeleteWow—great stories and pix
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing what u do
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame what with all of these beautiful theaters that we don’t have theater like in nyc. We could have had broadway, off broadway and more.
ReplyDelete