This ground floor plan for the Hillstreet was included with "Recent Theatres Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, Architect," an article in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer. It's on Internet Archive. That's Hill St. on the left side with 175' of frontage and 8th St. at the bottom with 159' of frontage. The lot was 27,825 s.f. Note the asymmetrical layout and lack of lobby space. While the exterior ticket lobby was impressive, the interior lobby spaces were minimal. The goal was to get as many seats in as possible.
Seating: 2,916. This was the second largest movie theatre constructed in the L.A. area. Only the Metropolitan was larger. 2,752 was the number used in a 1963 L.A. Times article.
Stage: Proscenium width: 51' Stage depth stage left @ proscenium: 34' Depth stage right @ proscenium: 44' Stage wall-to-wall halfway upstage: 88' Dimmerboard location: off right
Pipe organ: The theatre opened with a Moller 3/13 (opus #3128) and then in 1928 installed a Wurlitzer (opus #1972) style 240. Thanks to Bill Gabel for the data.
We get a rare look offstage right at the Peter Clark counterweight system in this ad that appeared in the June 2, 1922 issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor.
An auditorium view was featured in this June 30, 1922 ad in Southwest Builder and Contractor. It's on Google Books. Thanks to Bob Foreman for finding the Peter Clark ads. Visit his site Vintage Theatre Catalogs for a wealth of historic tech data. Don't miss his article "The Legacy of Peter Clark" for an extensively researched history of the company and their installations.
History: This was initially on a "Junior Orpheum" policy with 5 act
vaudeville shows and films continuous throughout the day. It might have been called the Hill-8th St. Theatre.
Martin Beck, general manager of the circuit, discussed his theatre
naming philosophy in an article on page 29 of the April 9, 1920 issue of
the L.A. Evening Express:
"Plans for the new Orpheum Theater, to be erected at the southwest corner of Eighth and Hill streets have been completed, the general contracts for the work have been awarded and the construction of the building will be started in the near future, according to a statement made yeaterday by G. Albert Landsburgh [sic] of San Francisco, architect for the structure... It will be an eight-story office and loft building of class A construction, and the arrangement of the upper floors will be planned so as to suit the convenience of the tenants. On the first floor there will be ten stores, five on the Hill-street frontage, and five on Eighth street, and the main lobby will be accessible from the corner, at the base of the tower.
"This lobby, 40 x 80 feet, and finished in polychrome terra cotta, will lead to an interior foyer, through which access will be had to the auditorium and to the mezzanine floor, which will contain the ladies' parlors, children's playroom, smoking rooms and other conveniences for the use of patrons. Modern Equipment - The auditorium, stated Mr. Lansburgh, will be finished in a novel manner, the entire architectural plan, both exterior and interior, following the Spanish plateresque style. A modern air-cooling and heating system will be installed, and a fine pipe organ has been ordered by Martin Beck, president of the Orpheum circuit, for installation as soon as the building is completed.
Selling mortgage bonds to finance the new theatre in a November 24, 1920 L.A. Times ad. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook page.
This construction view of the "Los Angeles Junior Orpheum Theatre" was featured in an ad for the L.A. Pressed Brick Co. It appeared in the Architectural Digest 1922 survey issue of noteworthy Southern California buildings. It's from the Stanford Library and on Google Books.
The March 19, 1922 L.A. Times had a story about the opening:
"Junior
House To Open - Tomorrow afternoon the new Hillstreet Theater of the
Junior Orpheum Circuit at Eighth and Hill will open its doors to the
public without any formal ceremonies. The new theater is a model of the
most advanced ideas in theater construction, and embodies many new
features for the comfort and pleasure of the patrons. Continuous
vaudeville and exclusive photoplay showings will comprise the
entertainment offered, with excellent musical programs rendered by a
large orchestra, with Allen Hall directing and Charles Hayes O'Haver presiding at the mammoth three-manual Moller organ.
"The
opening bill gives an excellent idea of the class of the attractions to
be offered at the Hillstreet Theater and is sure to appeal to every
taste. Gladys Buckridge and Billy Casey, the Ziegfeld stars, with one of
the season’s most elaborate productions entitled 'Ornamental Song
Hits,' hold the headline position. They will be assisted by the clever
Trado Twins, dancers, and Jack Thomas at the piano."
Thanks to Cinema
Treasures researcher Jeff Bridges for finding the article.
"The Pride of Los Angeles." A 1923 ad for Houdini. Thanks to Mike Hume for locating it.
In 1927 the Orpheum circuit (with theatres mostly in the west) merged
with the Keith-Albee circuit in the east forming KAO, the Keith-Albee-Orpheum circuit.
Some performers evidently didn't think much of the orchestra at the Hillstreet. Katherine Beals, in her book book "Vaudeville Days," quotes a letter she wrote home in March 1927 about dancers rehearsing and killing time between shows in LA at the Hillstreet:
"Fortunately there was plenty of room. That was about the only thing in favor of the Hill Street Theatre, which had the world's worse orchestra. To make matters worse, the theatre was having a birthday celebration -- 100 years of vaudeville. On Sunday night, March 21, just one week after we arrived in Los Angeles, there were a lot of personalities present and we weren't out until midnight. The final Sunday show all the old troupers were in the boxes and in the audience. They were introduced one by one and I recognized a few names."
Ms. Beals was a dancer in her 20s at the time. Thanks to Danni Bayles-Yeager, curator of the Performing Arts Archive for spotting the account.
The theatre got a page in the 1928 Memphis Orpheum opening night program using a 1926 photo. The program is online from Historic Memphis. The copy noted:
"In addition to the land on which the Hillstreet stands the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit owns a large adjoining plot of land on Olive Street. As in many other instances the erection of the Hillstreet Theatre stimulated property development in this vicinity. Since the ground was broken for the Hillstreet Theatre millions of dollars of improvements have been added in this district."
An article in the December 19, 1928 issue of the L.A. Times about RCA Photophone and introducing the new phrase "sound track."
An ad for the December 1928 premiere of Photophone at the Hillstreet. "Captain Swagger" was an October release with a music and effects track on the film. No records. Unlike Vitaphone, Photophone was a sound-on-film process. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ad.
It became the RKO Theatre in 1929. And vaudeville was out in favor of stage revues between the films. "Theater To Change Name," an August 28 L.A. Times article located by Mike Hume, had the news about a redecoration and new policy:
"Hillstreet Will be Redecorated, Called New RKO and Stage Revue Policy Adopted - With the announcement last night by theater officials of plans for the rebirth and reopening of the Hillstreet Theater on the evening of September 11, from which time the playhouse will be known as the New RKO Theater, it was also stated that following the closing of the house for four days it will open with a special premiere of the new Radio picture, "Street Girl." This complete change of policy for the downtown house comes as a result of rapid advancement of talking pictures in the entertainment world.
"New Furnishings - The Eighth and Hill-street house will be furnished and redecorated during the four days prior to its reopening, and though already regarded as one of the city's most beautiful places of entertainment, it is planned to make it one of the outstanding houses of the West. The entire appearance of the theater will be altered and a complete change in its stage dress will be effected, the policy of the new house being to present stage revues.
"The
resources of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum circuit will be brought into play
to produce these stage shows. Under the direction of Marlin Magley, who
will arrive shortly from New York, where he has long held a place as a
producer of stage spectacles, a new type of stage entertainment will be
inaugurated. Outstanding stars of the stage and screen will be presented
weekly. The new RKO Theater will be the home of Radio Pictures...
Following the opening-night performance it is the plan of RKO officials
to maintain a continuous policy at the new house with popular prices
prevailing..."
An October 1930 ad for a film-only policy at the Orpheum and a "9 Feature Show" including RKO vaudeville at the RKO. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for posting this on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
In mid-1930 and early 1931 the Hillstreet was still advertising "the only RKO vaudeville in Southern California." RKO put vaudeville back into the Orpheum for a spell in 1932 before shutting the theatre down at the end of the year.
Another policy change came along in 1933. Thanks to Mike Hume for locating this in a June issue of the L.A. Times. The once-big vaudeville shows were down to "several acts."
By 1934 the stage shows were gone and they were calling the venue the RKO Hillstreet. A Times article in September spotted by Mike Hume had the headline "New Screen Policy Told." They noted:
A section of a 1935 insurance map from the Los Angeles Public Library showing the theatre, here identified as the RKO Theatre. Note the back wall of the stage at an angle to the proscenium. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for photo of the map.
The first three-strip technicolor feature at the Hillstreet, booking day-and-date with the Warner Hollywood. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding the July 10, 1935 L.A. Times ad.
A 1937 L.A. Times article noting that the theatre was running at a loss. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding the item.
The theatre's entrance and some other areas got a remodeling in 1947. Cinema Treasures researcher Joe Vogel reports that the work was reported in the April 26, 1947 issue of Boxoffice. The design was by the Anthony Heinsbergen Co. Thanks to Bill Gabel for tracking down the article describing the renovation:
"The primary aims in remodeling the front and lobby of the RKO Hillstreet Theatre in Los Angeles were two: 1) to eliminate the gothic architecture in the lobby and 2) to open the lobby to the street, so as actually to bring the theatre entrance into the street. The first part was accomplished by designing a dome containing a spiral indirect-lighting cove starting from the center of the dome to the outer rim and continuing at the center down a structural column. The design looks very simple but required extensive study to make it work. The second part was accomplished by demolishing the two side box offices and stripping the column at the entrance down to a minimum, with the result that there is now 60 feet with clear opening from street to lobby against 45 feet before modernization.
"The box office is anchored to the center column and its location is ideal from the standpoint of design and efficient operation. The wall surfaces are polished terrazzo with display frames and mirrors so arranged to get maximum efficiency for displays in keeping with good taste. The ceiling is kept at the same level as the marquee to carry out the idea of bringing the lobby into the street. The lighting of the lobby is accomplished with floodlights recessed into the ceiling showing just sufficient source of light to show an interesting pattern of this lighting.
"The floor is non-slip terrazzo designed in a pattern indicating traffic lanes from sidewalk to entrance doors. Entrance pilasters are streamlined, each containing two standard display frames in simple but effective stainless steel frames. All display frames are illuminated indirectly. Large wall frames are exceptionally deep to permit three dimensional displays. All trim was dispensed with leaving terrazzo returns into the display. This arrangement focuses attention to the display proper. On the opposite side of the large wall frame (20 feet long by 6 feet high) is a wall mirror showing the reflection of the large frame. The large frames are equipped with sectional sliding plate-glass doors.
"Entrance doors are simulating a glass screen giving maximum vision to the inner lobby. The doors are heavy polished plate glass set in narrow nonferrous frames. This type of door screen is known as the Wanhein screen. The inner lobby was recently streamlined and contains some interesting features. The new ceiling contains a seriesof coves and domes, cleverly designed to meet all requirements and unusual conditions. One side wall contains a candy stand reminiscent of a candy box with bold modern baroque outlines, Plexiglas and catchy display of merchandise. The popcorn machine is built in inconspicuously as part of the design.
Josephine Baker backstage at the Hillstreet in July 1951. The photo appears in the Josephine Baker Picture Gallery on the site ThoughtCo. Edwin Schallert reviewed the show in a July 5 article titled "Josephine Baker Captivates First Audiences With Songs, Showmanship" and called her "an international star of the Negro race."
Ms. Baker onstage at the Hillstreet in 1951. The photo by Arnold Hylen appears through the courtesy of Mr. Hylen's grand-neice Greta Gustaffson -- her mother is onstage. Thanks to Steve Gerdes for spotting this.
An ad for "It Came From Outer Space" in 3-D on the giant new "Wide Vision" screens at the Hillstreet and the Pantages in 1953. The ad appears on the Wide Screen Documentation page of 3-D Film Archive, a delightful site curated by Bob Furmanek. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for spotting it for a post for the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
During the final period of operation under Metropolitan Theatres, it was again just called the Hillstreet Theatre. They had leased it from RKO in 1959. The RKO was removed from the verticals so that it in the 60s it initially just said "Theatre." Later "Hill St." was added at the top.
This L.A. Times article about the closing appeared in their April 29 issue.
It reopened again, running films through the summer of 1964. It was demolished in the summer of 1965. Bill Gabel comments:
"This house fell in to the out of the way area. Broadway was the street to be on to make it all work. The old Pantages / Downtown Warner theatre had a better lot. Back in the day Broadway & 7th was the busiest intersection in L.A., people could see it from there. The Hillstreet theatre was one block too far south and too big for Metropolitan to find a good fit to fill it. All the big chains dumped their downtown Los Angeles houses during this time frame. Fox West Coast Theatres, UA Theatres, Stanley Warner Theatres, Paramount Publix Theatres, RKO Theatres all left the downtown market."
Status: There's now a parking garage plus a one-story building on the corner that has been a bank and a nightclub called The Vault and B-52. The corner building was
redeveloped in 2018 for the new tenants Shake Shack, Paris Baguette and Sweetgreen.
Interior views:
The balcony level lobby in 1922. The photo appeared with "Recent Theatres Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, Architect," an article in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer. It's on Internet Archive. This photo is also in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. There was no big main floor lobby. Once inside the doors there was just a small foyer along the back of the main floor and stairs up to the balcony level.
The rear of the auditorium as seen from the stage. It's a 1922 Mott Studios photo in the California State Library collection.
Looking across the house from the front corner of the balcony. The photo is in the Los Angeles Public Library collection. It also appears in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer.
1922 - A construction view appearing in the Architectural Digest 1922 survey issue of noteworthy southern California buildings. It's from the Stanford Library and is on Google Books.
1922 - A photo of the newly completed theatre that appeared with "Recent Theatres Designed by G. Albert Lansburgh, Architect," the article in the November 1922 issue of Architect and Engineer. Other photos with the article include a balcony lobby view and several auditorium photos. Note at the time of the photo there was only one vertical sign on the building.
1922 - A bit of damage but still a great view down on the theatre. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding it for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group. Note the signage on the dome.
c.1924 - Looking north toward the theatre from below 9th St. On the right note the Hill St. addition to the 1908 Hamburger / May Co. building under construction. The photo from the California Historical Society is in the USC Digital Library collection.
c.1925 - A view north on Hill with a sliver of the theatre, and the Orpheum Grill, on the left. On the right it's the Hamburger Co. building with the new addition nearest us. The Broadway side would get an addition in 1929. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
1926 - Still the same marquee but here in this photo we see they've added a second vertical on the 8th St. side of the building. Thanks to Charmaine Zoe for the photo on Flickr. It's included in her fascinating Vintage Cinemas: California album of treasures from various trade magazines. The photo was also used in the 1928 opening night program for the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. The program is online from Historic Memphis.
1920s - A detail from the Stillwell photo giving us a better look at the stagehouse and that lovely ductwork snaking down from the fan room on top of the office building.
1927 - The view from 9th and Grand toward the back of the Hillstreet. The building on the left is the Stillwell Hotel, dating from 1912. One of the billboards is advertising "Don't Tell the Wife" at the Pantages. It was a January release with Irene Rich. The large building in the distance on the right is an expansion of the Hamburger / May Co. building. It's a photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
1927 - We get a view of the smoke vents atop the stagehouse in this view taken at 9th and Olive from the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
1927 - Looking north on Hill from 9th St. The Hillstreet's side wall sign is getting repainted. A block farther in the distance the dome of the Pantages/Warner can be seen at 7th and Hill. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
1928 or 1929 - They're advertising the newly installed RCA Photophone sound system. The feature is Carole Lombard in "Ned McCobb's Daughter," a December 1928 release. It's a photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
1929 - Looking north on Hill on December 5. The vertical for the Warner can be seen a block north at 7th. It's a detail from a larger California Historical Society photo in the USC Digital Library collection.
1930 - Vaudeville girls in front of the theatre's entrance. Note the signage proclaiming this house to be the only RKO Vaudeville in L.A. -- none at the Orpheum at this point. And RKO would leave the Orpheum for good at the end of 1932. The screen portion of the program advertised is Mickey McGuire (Mickey Rooney) in the short "Mickey's Merry Men," a July 1930 release. Thanks to Benny Ballejo for finding the photo for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
c.1931 - A lovely view south on Hill St. from 7th. It's a California Historical Society photo on the USC Digital Library website.
c. 1931 - A detail from the USC photo giving us a closer view of the Alhambra Theatre, at 731 S. Hill St., mid-way between 7th & 8th. The front of the Alhambra's marquee is unreadable but the end panel saying Bill Haines and Marie Dressler would lead one to believe they're running "The Girl Said No," a March 1930 release. The Hillstreet is further along at 8th with its redone signage calling it the RKO Theatre.
1931 - A fine look at the new signage at the renamed RKO Theatre. Note that there was no readerboard at the center of the marquee in this version. The photo from the Marc Wanamaker collection is on the site Hollywood Historic Photos. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for spotting it for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook group.
1931 - The ticket lobby with a lot of 8s hanging around to advertise that the show included 8 RKO vaudeville acts -- "The only RKO vaudeville in Southern California." The picture that week was "Behind Office Doors," a March release. It's a Dick Whittington Studio photo in the Huntington Digital Library collection. Thanks to Wendell Benedetti for image enhancement.
1931 - A detail of the upstairs railings from the Dick Whittington photo.
1931 - Ushers on the roof. The photo is one in a set of three by Dick Whittington Studio in the USC Digital Library collection.
1931 - A magic trick in the ticket lobby to promote the Jean Harlow film "Goldie." It's a photo by Dick Whittington Studio in the USC Digital Library collection.
1933 - Ladies with lucky apples to promote Frank Capra's "Lady For a Day" at the Hillstreet. The film was a September release with Warren William, Glenda Farrell, May Robson, Guy Kibbee, Walter Connolly, Ned Sparks and Jean Parker. It's a photo that was offered on eBay. Note the reflection of the theatre's marquee in the window. On the right it's the entrance for the Garfield Building, on the northwest corner of 8th and Hill.
1937 - A fine look at RKO's deco treatment of the the marquee. "The Awful Truth" was an October release. Thanks to Cinema Treasures contributor Comfortably Cool for finding the photo for a post on the site's page about the RKO Hillstreet.
1937 - A November photo from the Los Angeles Public Library collection. The feature was "I'll Take Romance" with Grace Moore and Melvyn Douglas, a November release.
1939 - "2 Great Features." "Son of Frankenstein" was out in January 1939. "Swing Sister Swing" was a December 1938 release. Thanks to Sean Ault for spotting the photo when it was for sale online.
1939 - Looking east on 8th toward the theatre at Hill St. On the near corner at the right it's the Commercial Exchange Building, now the Freehand Hotel with that neon sign (the tallest in the city) nicely restored. It's photo from the Automobile Club of Southern California appearing on the USC Digital Library website.
1939 - North on Hill. It's Dick Whittington Studio photo in the USC Digital Library collection. Also see 1939 views looking north from Olympic and another shot a bit closer from the USC collection.
1939 - A view north on Hill from just below 8th St. It's a Dick Whittington Studio photo in the USC Digital Library collection. The former Alhambra Theatre half way up the next block still has its marquee but it's now a parking garage. The RKO was running "East Side of Heaven," an April release with Bing Crosby and Joan Blondell.
1939 - A detail of the changeable neon letters seen in the previous photo. It's a font called Hobo.
1939 - An "East Side of Heaven" shot looking west on 8th toward Olive St. The Dick Whittington Studio photo is in the USC Digital Library collection.
c.1940 - A view down 8th St. with the Olympic Theatre vertical visible on the right hand side of the street. The RKO is on the left a block away. It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
1940s - A bit of the marquee is seen on the left in this postcard view north on Hill. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating it for a post on the private Facebook group Photos of Los Angeles.
1947 - A fine look at the RKO marquee during the run of "The Other Love," a May release with Barbara Stanwyck. Note that spiffy remodeled entrance and boxoffice. Thanks to Eric Lynxwiler for the photo on Flickr. For a real treat, browse through his L.A. Theatres album on Flickr -- over 500 great shots. And check out his Downtown Los Angeles album as well.
1947 - A detail from the photo in Eric Lynxwiler's collection. Check out "Spectacular Illumination," the superb Angel City Press book he co-wrote with Tom Zimmerman.
1947 - The 8th St. readerboard -- and a fine look into the remodeled ticket lobby. The photo was another find of Ken McIntyre.
1947 - The Heinsbergen-designed spiral dome in the ticket lobby. Thanks to Mr. Comfortably Cool for posting the trade magazine photo on the Cinema Treasures page about the RKO Hillstreet.
1948 - A detail from the Examiner photo.
1951 - "Josephine Baker In Person." On the screen for the rest of the program is "China Corsair." It's a photo in the Los Angeles Public Library collection.
1951 - The theatre being picketed in October against alleged "Reds" appearing in the film "Saturday's Hero." The photo is one in a set of four L.A. Examiner photos in the USC Digital Library collection.
1953 - "3D on giant WIDE VISION screen and directional sound." This photo has kicked around in a number of versions. Thanks to David Zornig for this nice one he found for a post on Cinema Treasures.
1955 - A photo by Richard L. Hay. Thanks to Cinema Treasures contributor Moviejs 1944 for finding the shot for a post on the site's page about the RKO Hillstreet.
c.1956 - Looking north on Hill Street. They were too lazy to change this end of the marquee: "2 TOP HITS." It's a Los Angeles Public Library photo.
1961 - A closer view of the theatre from the footage in the Prelinger compilation. We also get views of the Warrens, the Paramount and the Town. The Hillstreet was running "Homicidal," a June release, along with "Most Dangerous Man Alive," out in July.
1962 - A look south from 7th St. with the Hillstreet on the far left. That "hole" in the block, over the back of the bus, had been the site of the Fred Miller's Alhambra Theatre, 731 S. Hill. Note the Garfield Building signage behind the streetlight. If we could rotate 90 degrees to the right we'd have a view of the Warrens Theatre on the northwest corner. Thanks to Sean Ault for sharing this photo from his collection. On the Hillstreet marquee it was Walt Disney's "Big Red," a film that opened at the theatre in a citywide booking on July 3.
1965 - The end of the line for the Hillstreet. On the marquee: Cleveland Wrecking Co. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for finding the photo for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.
1965 - A final look at the marquee. Thanks to Mark Johnson for sharing this photo he took on the Facebook group Lost Angeles.
1965 - Looking north on Hill toward the Warrens Theatre at 7th St., the former Warner Downtown. On the left where the van is parked we still have a dumpster and some construction fencing from the tail end of the demolition of the Hillstreet. Thanks to Bill Gabel for finding the photo for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles Facebook group.
The Hillstreet in the Movies:
The dome of the theatre is in the background behind actor Conway Tearle as we look up Hill St. in "Day of Reckoning" (MGM, 1933). In this prison drama Richard Dix is sent to a high-rise prison facility in L.A. after a bit of embezzlement. We're on top of the Western Costume Building, 939 S. Broadway. Also see the Historic L.A. Theatres in Movies post for a view of the Trinity Auditorium from the film. Thanks to John Bengtson for the screenshot. It's included in his Silent Locations post "Laurel & Hardy's Liberty Rooftop" where he discusses shots from Western Costume used for the Laurel & Hardy film "Liberty" (1929).
A look at the theatre from "Down To Earth" (Columbia, 1947). For theatre enthusiasts, the high point in this otherwise dreary film starring Rita Hayworth is the process footage we see out the back window of a taxi. Here as we drive east on 8th St. we see the RKO Hillstreet is running another Hayworth film, "Gilda."
The view a bit farther east on 8th St. as we head towards Broadway in
the "Down to Earth" footage. On the tour we get night vistas of 7th and
8th streets as well as (at the end) a look at all the theatres on the
east side of Broadway. See the Historic L.A. Theatres In Movies post for several more shots from the footage including views of the Olympic and Tower theatres.
The eleven minutes of background footage Columbia shot of downtown on May 8, 1946 is on Internet Archive as "Downtown Los Angeles streets." It's a great tour giving us glimpses of lots of vanished storefronts and theatres. There's also a black and white version on Internet Archive as "Downtown Los Angeles..." with some of the same views but also many other
theatres including the Globe, Arcade, Cameo, Roxie and Broadway not
seen in the color footage. It's also on Facebook from Flashbak. Thanks to Torr Leonard for spotting it.
As the Martians get close to the city we get this shot east on 8th St. in "The War of the Worlds" (Paramount, 1953). That's the Hillstreet vertical on the right and the Olympic Theatre down in the block between Hill St. and Broadway. See the Historic L.A. Theatres In Movies post for another shot of the Olympic as well as a glimpse of the Mason Theatre stagehouse.
A frame from "The 25th Man," a 28 minute Los Angeles Police Department video from 1962. It's on the USC Digital Library website, minus its sound. The Hillstreet is playing "Cinderfella" with Jerry Lewis and Ed Wynn, a December 1960 release. Thanks to Noirish Los Angeles contributor Ethereal Reality for spotting finding the video for inclusion in his Noirish post #43128.
More Information: Cinema Treasures has lots of historical information on the RKO Hillstreet contributed by many researchers.
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Why was the theater demolished?
ReplyDeleteWell, like a lot of theatres, it became a losing proposition economically. Too many seats, high operating costs, declining business, changing demographics downtown, major film exhibition areas had started moving west decades earlier, sagging market for older office space.
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