Los Angeles Theatres: Belasco Theatre: early auditorium views

1926 - A look across the rear of the main floor. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

The California State Library has over 80 early views of the theatre indexed somewhat haphazardly (and with many repeats) in the following seven sets: set # 001415568 - 16 auditorium photos | set # 001415683 - 17 photos | set # 001415656 - 16 photos | set # 001415584 - 10 photos | set # 01411639 - 3 ticket lobby photos | set # 001378567 - 16 exterior construction photos | set # 001496390 - a rendering and 5 exterior construction views |

1926 - A closer look at the back wall details. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

1926 - Another back wall view. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

1926 - House right near the proscenium. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415656. A version of the photo also appears in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

1926 - A detail from the previous Mott Studios photo.

1926 - Another house right view. No, it's not draperies on the wall. All the wiggly stuff is plaster. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

1926 - A look at the dome from the front of the main floor. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415656

1926 - A view from the front of the balcony. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

1926 - A closer view of the village scene on the asbestos -- and the ferns in the orchestra pit. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415683

1926 - Another proscenium view. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

This photo appeared in the February 1927 Architect and Engineer as part of an ad for Calacoustic sound absorbing plaster. It was one of four photos of the theatre in the August 1927 issue of Architectural Record. It made another appearance, along with an exterior view, in the January 1928 Architect and Engineer. They're on Internet Archive. A version of the photo also shows up in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

1926 - Looking across to the house left wall. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568

1926 - A closer look at the sidewall arches. They were lit by concealed lamps around the edges. When the building got churched, they were cut out to become functional windows. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568. A version of the photo also appears in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

1926 - The rear corner of the balcony house right. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415568. All the conveniences: an exit onto the fire escape, a drinking fountain and a single stall restroom on either side of the balcony. A version of the photo is also in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.

1926 - A closer look at the drinking fountain. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library set # 001415584

c.1937 - A main floor view with a set onstage, probably for a WPA Federal Theatre Project production. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library

c.1937 - Another shot looking onto the stage. Photo: Los Angeles Public Library

2002 - A view across the rear of the main floor. It's unknown when it got leveled. Thanks to Bob Meza for his photo appearing on the Cinema Tour page about the Belasco.

2002 - The house left wall. Photo: Bob Meza - Cinema Tour

2002 - Seats still in the balcony. Photo: Bob Meza - Cinema Tour

2002 - A view back toward the booth. Note the added ladder for easier access. The front wall of the booth was reconfigured as we see it here when film equipment went in. Photo: Bob Meza - Cinema Tour. Thanks, Bob!

c. 2003 - A wide angle shot taken by an unknown photographer after the balcony seats were removed.

2007 - A bit of the proscenium plus a peek up to the grid. Thanks to Dave Bullock for this view and others appearing on these pages. Check out his terrific set of nineteen photos appearing on the Belasco Theatre page of his site Eecue.com.

2007 - A sidewall plaster detail. Photo: Dave Bullock - Eecue

2007 - A dome view as we look back toward the booth. Photo: Dave Bullock - Eecue

2007 - A look toward the stage. Photo: Dave Bullock - Eecue. Thanks, Dave!

2008 - The rear of the main floor as renovations got underway. Thanks to Eric Lynxwiler for the photo, appearing on Flickr. You can start at Eric's first Belasco photo and page through all 12 photos of the theatre in his set. For a real treat start at the beginning of his terrific Los Angeles Theaters set to look at over 500 photos of Los Angeles movie palaces and legit theatres.

2008 - A closer look at the replacement plaster pieces. Thanks to Jeff Bridges for his photos on Flickr. Visit his 33 photo Belasco Theatre set for many fine views.