630 S. Broadway Los Angeles CA 90014 | map |
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 |
On the Palace history page you'll find floor plans for the main floor, the 1st balcony level, and the 2nd balcony level.
A full house watching "From Russia With Love" in June 2024 as part of the Los Angeles Conservancy's "Last Remaining Seats" series. Thanks to Mike Hume for sharing his photo. Visit the page about the Palacew on his Historic Theatre Photography site.
Main floor views 2006-2024:
A proscenium detail. Thanks to Pleasure
Palate for the 2006 photo, one of 48 shots appearing in their '06 Last Remaining Seats set on Flickr.
Top of the house left aisle. Photo: Pleasure Palate - Flickr - 2006
Cornucopia
ornament above the house left exit. Photo: Pleasure Palate - Flickr - 2006
A bit of the Skouras-era drapery treatment at a side exit. Photo: Pleasure Palate - Flickr
A c.2009 view by Gary Leonard showing the look of the house prior to the 2011 restoration work. Thanks to Broadway Theatre Group for the photo. It's one of many great views in the Palace Theatre website photo gallery's auditorium album.
Ornament on a column near one of the murals. Thanks to Will Campbell for sharing his photo. See his full 2009 A Morning at the Palace Theater set on Flickr.
The rear of the auditorium c.2009. It's a Gary Leonard photo appearing in the auditorium album on the Palace website.
The LAHTF is actively involved in the study and preservation of the
vintage theatres in the Los Angeles area. The group frequently supports
events and offers tours of the buildings. www.lahtf.org | on Facebook
Looking to the rear of the house during the June 25, 2011 "Broadway at 100" event. Photo: Wendell Benedetti - LAHTF Facebook page | hi-res version on Flickr
The house right mural, executed by Anthony Heinsbergen in 1929. The murals replaced an ornate array of proscenium boxes. Photo: Wendell Benedetti - LAHTF Facebook page - 2011. Thanks, Wendell! Also see his photo of the house left mural.
A detail from the house right mural. It's a photo that appeared on the Bringing Back Broadway Facebook page.
The June 26, 2011 100th birthday celebration. The film was "Sunset Boulevard," on 35mm from the booth on the 1st balcony level. The projector you see here on the main floor was for a slide presentation before the feature. This photo by Luis Sinco ran with "Palace Marks 100th Anniversary..," an L.A. Times story by Bob Poole.
The house left mural. Thanks to Stephen Russo for his 2011 photo, originally appearing as a post on the L.A. Conservancy Facebook page.
A detail from the house left mural. Thanks to the Bringing Back Broadway Facebook page for the photo.
The illuminated frosted glass panels under the front edge of the 1st
balcony -- and a ceiling dome beyond. The glass panels came along
later. In 1911 the bulbs were exposed. Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for the photo. Head to her Avoiding Regret
photo essay about the July 2012 LAHTF tour to see the rest of the set
of 28 photos: "Downtown LA's Palace Theatre, Restored (But Not Completely)."
A look up one of the columns. Photo: Leo Quijano II - 2013
A plaster detail house right. Photo: Leo Quijano II - 2013
A look in from the rear of the house before the January 2014 "Night on Broadway." Thanks to Hunter Kerhart for the photo. Keep up with his recent explorations: HunterKerhart.com | on Flickr
The route to backstage from the house left side aisle. The stairs go up behind what used to be the boxes and on to the 1st balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
Looking up the main floor house right aisle from the box area stairs. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
A wide angle view house right. Although the boxes are gone, the stairs still serve as an exit from the front of the 1st balcony. The little doorway goes backstage. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2014
Across the stage into the wings. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2014
The auditorium ready for the January 2014 "Day on Broadway" event. Photo: Hunter Kerhart
A c.2014 look to the stage. Thanks to Broadway Theatre Group for
the photo by August Bradley, one that appears in the Palace Theatre
website photo gallery's stage album.
The ceiling as seen from onstage. Thanks to August Bradley for the 2014 photo, originally appearing on the Palace Facebook page. It's also on the Palace Theatre website, with many other terrific photos.
This lovely shot of the rear of the house was used to advertise the November
2015 Cinespia showing of "Rushmore." It appeared on the Cinespia Facebook page.
The crowd waiting for "Tease, If You Please," the burlesque revue offered as part of the January 2018 "Night on Broadway" event. Thanks to Mike Hume for the photo. Visit the Palace Theatre page on his Historic Theatre Photography site for more of his great work.
A 2018 "Night on Broadway" view taken during "Tease, If You Please." Photo: Mike Hume
The cornucopia ornament at one of the side exits. The wallpaper was installed
as part of the 2011 renovations and is based on a swatch of the
original pattern that was located during the project. Thanks to Claudia
Mullins for sharing her photo, one in a set of 26 on Facebook taken at an October 2018 LAHTF tour. Also see a nice cornucopia detail by Albert Domasin, one appearing in LAHTF Tour of the Palace Theatre, his 63 photo set on Flickr from a 2012 event.
The stage in 2024 with a fanciful arrangement of the electric trusses for the April 13 LAHTF "all-about" tour. Thanks to LAHTF board president Mike Hume for sharing this photo and nine others in a Facebook post about the event.
A look up the house left aisle. Photo: Bill Counter - 2024
Checking out the seats. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for sharing this photo. It's one of 32 in her Facebook post about the 2024 LAHTF tour.
Up in the 1st balcony. Views from 2009 to 2024:
A c.2009 Gary Leonard photo showing the look of the house before the 2011 renovations. Thanks to Broadway Theatre Group for the photo. It's one of many great images in the Palace Theatre website's auditorium album.
Another view down c.2009. It's another Gary Leonard photo appearing in the Palace's auditorium album.
The lambrequin and the area above the proscenium. Thanks to Don Solosan for sharing his c.2009 photo.
The mural in the cove above the proscenium. Photo: Don Solosan - Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation - c. 2009
The house left rear ceiling mural. Photo: Floyd Bariscale - 2009. The view appears in Mr. Bariscale's Flickr collection. Don't miss his articles on Los Angeles landmarks that have appeared on his blog Big Orange Landmarks. Thanks, Floyd! Also see a photo of the house right rear mural that appeared on the theatre's Facebook page.
A detail of the area above the house right mural. Photo: Don Solosan - Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation - c.2009
A 2009 pre-restoration look at one of the 40s vintage ceiling fixtures in the upper section. Thanks to Will Campbell for sharing the photo. See his 65 photo A Morning at the Palace Theater set on Flickr.
Along the crossaisle in 2010. Thanks to
Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles for the photo. It's part of their L.A. Historic Theatres Investigation album on Facebook that also includes many shots of the Tower and Los Angeles theatres.
A pre-restoration view of the house right mural. Photo: Bill Counter - 2010
A view across to where the boxes used to be. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for the 2011 photo. See her Palace Theatre set on Flickr for many more interior photos, most of them taken during the theatre's 100th birthday celebration on June 26, 2011.
The top of the proscenium. Photo: Stephen Russo - L.A. Conservancy Facebook page - 2011. Thanks, Stephen! Also see another top of proscenum shot on the Conservancy's page.
The three ceiling coves. It's a 2011 photo by Stephen Russo on the L.A. Conservancy Facebook page. Also see Stephen's center mural photo on the LAHTF Facebook page.
A panoramic view from house left. Photo: Wendell Benedetti - LAHTF Facebook page - 2012
A cleaned-up 40s vintage light fixture above the upper section of seats. Photo: Sandi Hemmerlein - Avoiding Regret - 2012
A detail of the top of the proscenium. Photo: Robert Rosenblum - 2013
A fine ceiling view back toward the balconies. Photo: Robert Rosenblum - 2013
The ceiling from house right. Thanks to Leo Leo Quijano II for
his photo taken at the June 2013 L.A. Conservancy screening of "La
Bamba."
The 1st balcony vomitory house left -- looking back to the lobby stairs. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
The 1st balcony vomitory house right. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014. Take a sharp right before the stairs and you're in the balcony restroom and lounge area. See the lobbies and lounges page for views.
Along the crossaisle from house right. The three theatre explorers are Stephen Russo, Hunter Kerhart and Katie
Kerhart. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
The wide-angle view with the stage set up for a film screening. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2014
The view toward the booth. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2014
Top of the balcony house right. That fire door gets you into the office building where you can access the house right stairs to the 2nd balcony. The boxed-in area to the left is the area above the stairs coming up to the balcony from the main floor. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
Down toward the stage from the back row. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
The stairs down house right at the front of the balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
The upper landing on the stairs down from house
right. Note the trim to the left of the coat hooks -- it's where you
would have walked out into the box seating area. Photo: Bill Counter -
2014
The lower landing from the front of the balcony
house right. Down the stairs and you're in the house right side aisle.
Photo: Bill Counter - 2014
A lovely view across from house left. "America's Vanishing Historic Movie Theatres," a July 2014 Slate article by David Rosenberg, profiled various theatres across the country using photographs by Stephanie Klavens. The Palace and the Alex in Glendale were those featured from the Los Angeles area.
The bare stage. Thanks to August Bradley for the 2014 photo, one appearing on the Palace Theatre Facebook page.
Another look at the main ceiling mural. It's a 2014 photo from the Palace Theatre that appeared on the Palace Theatre Facebook page. Also see a slightly wider photo of the area on the theatre's Facebook page.
The acrobatic young lady appearing in the house right rear ceiling mural. Thanks to the Palace Theatre for the 2014 photo. It originally appeared on the Palace Theatre Facebook page.
During the 2015 "Night on Broadway." Photo: Mike
Hume - Historic Theatre Photography. Thanks, Mike! The photo is part of
his Night on Broadway set on Flickr.
A December 2015 view across the packed house with "Gremlins" on the big screen. It's a photo that's appeared on the Cinespia Facebook page and also on the Palace Theatre Facebook page.
A 2017 "Night on Broadway" view. Photo: Mike Hume - Historic Theatre Photography
The 2018 "Night On Broadway" crowd starting to fill the house for a "Tease, If You Please" burlesque show. Photo: Mike Hume
The "muse" above the proscenium. Photo: Mike Hume - 2018
"Tease, If You Please" about to begin. Photo: Mike Hume. He calls our attention to the interesting texture along the front of the balcony.
A shot during "Tease, If You Please" with Dita Von Teese onstage at the January 2018 "Night On Broadway." Photo: Mike Hume
Up in the 2nd balcony:
Top of the house right stairs to the 2nd balcony. Yes, there would have been a railing where the cone and tape are. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
The upper section, still with its original bench seating. Thanks to Claudia Mullins for this 2024 photo. Also see a 2012 Sandi Hemmerlein photo of the same area that she included with her photo essay "Downtown LA's Palace Theatre, Restored (But Not Completely)" about a July 2012 LAHTF tour.
From the 2nd balcony lobby, a look up through one of one of the four vomitories leading to the upper section of seats. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
The wide angle view from the top. Look at the matching sets of double doors on each side of front of the balcony. The ones on the right get you down a dedicated stairway straight to the alley. The ones at the left are not exit doors at all -- they lead to the attic. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
The upper corner house left. Thanks to Will Campbell for the photo. See his full 2009 A Morning at the Palace Theater set on Flickr.
One of the sets of stairs from the upper section of seating down into the 2nd balcony lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
A stage view from house left. Thanks to LAHTF board member April Wright for sharing this 2024 photo and four others in a Facebook post about the organization's April 13 "all-about" tour.
In the attic via the double doors at the front of the 2nd balcony house left. The plank walkway gets you up around the proscenium cove. The concrete wall at the left is the front of the stagehouse. Note the front of the 2nd balcony seating section through the doors at the right. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
Note the hole in the plaster in the lower left in the photo above. This is the view through the hole. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016. Thanks, Hunter! Keep up with his latest explorations explorations: HunterKerhart.com | on Flickr
The Palace Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | back to top - recent auditorium views | booth | backstage | basement support areas | office building |
A row A end standard. Photo: Claudia Mullins - 2018. Thanks, Claudia!
Getting ready for the June 2024 L.A. Conservancy "Last Remaining Seats" screenings of "From Russia With Love" and "Mi Vida Loca." Sarah Lann, in charge of the event, is onstage. Several blue-shirted Conservancy volunteers are in the house. Thanks to Mike Hume for sharing his photo.
Up in the 2nd balcony:
Top of the house right stairs to the 2nd balcony. Yes, there would have been a railing where the cone and tape are. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
Down the stairs on the left we see on the landing an open doorway that leads to the 2nd floor of the office building. The stairs turn right at the landing and continue down to the exit passageway south of the theatre with the entrance doors just east of the office building lobby.
The narrow walkway we see to the right goes back to the 2nd balcony "lobby," a corridor leading to the ladies room (behind that lit hole in the wall), vomitories to the upper seating section, and on over to the other side. The 2nd balcony stairs on either side would get you down to street level without connecting to the 1st balcony or main lobby areas.
The narrow walkway we see to the right goes back to the 2nd balcony "lobby," a corridor leading to the ladies room (behind that lit hole in the wall), vomitories to the upper seating section, and on over to the other side. The 2nd balcony stairs on either side would get you down to street level without connecting to the 1st balcony or main lobby areas.
A view across the lower section, originally with regular theatre seats and called the "Family Circle." Thanks to Claudia Mullins for sharing this 2024 photo, one of 28 in a Facebook post about the April 13 Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation "all-about" tour of the theatre. Also from this angle see a 2016 shot by Hunter Kerhart.
The original 2nd balcony seating capacity was 645. It's been closed to the public for decades, perhaps
since 1929. For years, part of the area was occupied by an
air conditioning
system, removed during the 2011 restoration work. At one point, the
building's owners were intending to turn this balcony into a VIP area.
A view to the stage. Thanks to Will Campbell for his 2009 photo on Flickr.
The angle to the stage from near the exit doors at the front of the
balcony house right. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016.
Looking back to the rear domes. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2015
The view down the house right stairs to the alley from the front of the 2nd balcony. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
Along the crossaisle plus a glimpse out to the 2nd balcony
"lobby." Access to seating in
the upper seating section is via four vomitories from that lobby. Photo:
Hunter Kerhart - 2015
A look down the lobby toward house left. Thanks to Wendell Benedetti for sharing
his 2024 photo, one of fifteen in his Facebook post about an April 13 LAHTF "all-about" tour of the theatre.
The ladies room is behind us, the men's facility at the far end. The
openings leading off to the right go to the upper seating section. There's more coverage of this area on the lobbies and lounges page.
From the 2nd balcony lobby, a look up through one of one of the four vomitories leading to the upper section of seats. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
The wide angle view from the top. Look at the matching sets of double doors on each side of front of the balcony. The ones on the right get you down a dedicated stairway straight to the alley. The ones at the left are not exit doors at all -- they lead to the attic. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
The upper corner house left. Thanks to Will Campbell for the photo. See his full 2009 A Morning at the Palace Theater set on Flickr.
One of the sets of stairs from the upper section of seating down into the 2nd balcony lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - 2016
The 2nd balcony entrance house left. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2015
This stair
down (on the right) is blocked just down beyond the first turn. Its exit
onto Broadway had been on the north side of the building, matching the
doorway to the office building on the south side, but that became
expanded retail space. The men's room is back there in the corner right above the
stairs.
The vista across below the crossaisle from this side. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2015
In the attic via the double doors at the front of the 2nd balcony house left. The plank walkway gets you up around the proscenium cove. The concrete wall at the left is the front of the stagehouse. Note the front of the 2nd balcony seating section through the doors at the right. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016
Note the hole in the plaster in the lower left in the photo above. This is the view through the hole. Photo: Hunter Kerhart - 2016. Thanks, Hunter! Keep up with his latest explorations explorations: HunterKerhart.com | on Flickr
The Palace Theatre pages: history | vintage exterior views | recent exterior views | ticket lobby | lobbies and lounges | vintage auditorium views | back to top - recent auditorium views | booth | backstage | basement support areas | office building |
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