Los Angeles Theatres: Palace of Pictures

642 S. Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90014 | map |

Opened: The Palace of Pictures opened in 1914 in the Forrester Building, the second in from the right. The card is a c.1915 view north toward 6th St. The arched entrance to the theatre can be seen in the Forrester's south storefront. The theatre was a conversion from what had been retail space.

The building, dating from 1907, is still on Broadway just south of the Palace Theatre, originally called the Orpheum. Beyond the Palace is a building that would be replaced in 1928 by the Schaber Cafeteria. Next is the Symphony Theatre at 614, and the Story Building on the corner. Down in the next block note the south side of the Pantages, now called the Arcade Theatre. Thanks to Michelle Gerdes for sharing the postcard from her great collection.

A detail from the card. The card's designer highlighted the "PICTURES" of the signage in yellow. "Morley's" was a billiard parlor on the second floor.

Another version of the card with the buildings either side of the Forrester in beige this time around. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating this one for a post on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group.

The photo taken by Brown Brothers of New York that the cards above are based on. It was taken in early 1915 or early 1916. The banner on the streetcar in the foreground is advertising a late January food show. The theatre moved in February 1916.

Thanks to L.A. Magazine senior editor Chris Nichols for spotting this on eBay when it was offered for sale by Evans Archive. Chris is the author of the books "Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling" (with Adriene Biondo) and the Taschen book "Walt Disney's Disneyland."

A detail from the photo. "Here To-Day - Charles Chaplin - His New ..."

Architects: Charles F. Whittlessey designed the building. He also was the architect of the Philharmonic Auditorium. G.F. Costerisan and J.F. Kavanaugh designed the theatre conversion. Their offices were at 205 S. Broadway.

Seating: 500 is one estimate.

The 1914 building permit #1914LA11804, issued June 3, was to remodel the store space "to meet all the requirements of a motion picture theatre." The lessee was Tally Theatre Co. Not the more famous Thomas Tally. This was E.J. Tally, involved at the time in operating the College and Alhambra theatres on Hill St. The permit is online via the ladbsdoc.lacity.org site.

The theatre was later operated by the Palace Amusement Co with Dr. H.B. Breckwedel as secretary and treasurer and C. W. Nouls as president. In the early 20s the firm also operated the Symphony Theatre. Breckwedel was also involved in the Forum Theatre on Pico when it opened in 1924.

An earlier tenant of the space had been something called Magic City. They're listed in the 1909 city directory under "Amusements, places of."

A 1915 Times ad for the theatre. "Houses of Glass" was a May release.

An October 1915 Times ad. Thanks to Ken McIntyre for locating the ads.

Closing: The operation moved in February 1916 to a new location at 318 W. 7th St. and this Broadway space was then leased to Innes Shoe Co. The new location for the theatre dropped the "of Pictures" -- it was just the Palace Theatre.

Status: The space is still being used for retail. From 1939 until the early 70s it was occupied by Bond Clothing.

The Forrester Building in 2018 with a bit of the Palace on the left. Photo: Bill Counter

The cornice of the Forrester Building. Photo: Bill Counter - 2018

More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Palace of Pictures for the nice research by Joe Vogel and Jeff Bridges (aka Vokoban) that provided answers to some of the mysteries surrounding this short-lived theatre.

Los Angeles Theatres

Palace of Pictures

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