California Cinemas & Theaters Photos |
Being the center of the American film industry, film studios erected elaborate flagship theaters in a variety of fantasy styles which pushed the standards for all cinemas. |
| | | |
| See also: Los Angeles Art Deco & Moderne Buildings, Los Angeles & Orange Counties, San Francisco & Bay Area |
| Click photo to enlarge. |
 |  |  |  |
| Los Angeles Theater (1931) (615 South Broadway). Los Angeles, CA Style: Second Empire. Architect: S. Charles Lee. | Palace Theater (1911) (630 South Broadway) was formerly named Orpheum Theater. Los Angeles, CA Style: Second Empire. Architect: G. Albert Landsburgh. | Terra-cotta panel of medieval flute player on Palace Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Terra-cotta panel of medieval string player on Palace Theater. Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Terra-cotta panel of dancing woman on Palace Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Terra-cotta facade details on Palace Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Tower Theater (1925-6) (Broadway at 8th). Los Angeles, CA. Style: Art Deco. Architect: S. Charles Lee. | Orpheum Theater (1928) (842-6 South Broadway) 12 floors. Los Angeles, CA. Architect: G. Albert Landsburgh. |
 |  |  |  |
| Texaco / United Artists Theater Building (1927) (929 South Broadway) 13 floors. Los Angeles, CA Style: Art Deco & Spanish Revival. Architect: Walker & Eisen plus Charles Howard Crane. | Former United Artists Theater entrance. Los Angeles, CA | Carved face above United Artists Theater entrance. Los Angeles, CA | Row of carved figures on United Artists Theater facade. Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Sculpted woman holding globe on United Artists Theater facade. Los Angeles, CA | Contrasting United Artists Theater Spanish revival & Art Deco detail of neighboring building. Los Angeles, CA | Million Dollar Theater (now Grand Central Square) (1917) (307 South Broadway) 12 floors. Los Angeles, CA. Architect: Albert C. Martin, Sr. | Churrigueresque decorations of arch over entry of Million Dollar Theater where actors like Charlie Chaplin, Lillian Gish & Mary Pickford attended premiers. Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Details of entry arch of Million Dollar Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Ibis-headed Egyptian-style figure on Million Dollar Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Sculpted actor carrying masks of comedy & tragedy on Million Dollar Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Sculpted figure carrying thunderbolt & electric motors on Million Dollar Theater. Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
Mann's (formerly Grauman's) Chinese Theatre (1927) (6925 Hollywood Blvd.). Hollywood, CA. Architect: Meyer & Holler.  | Chinese-styled roof over entrance of Mann's Chinese Theatre. Hollywood, CA | Harold Lloyd prints (1927) at Mann's Chinese Theatre. Hollywood, CA | El Capitan Theater facade. Hollywood, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Guinness Museum in former Hollywood Theatre (1919). Hollywood, CA Architect: Clifford A. Balch &, S. Charles Lee. | Pantages Theatre marquee. Hollywood, CA | El Rey Theatre (1928) (5515 Wilshire Blvd.). Los Angeles, CA Style: Art Moderne. Architect: Clifford A. Balch. | Decorative panels of El Rey Theatre (5515 Wilshire Blvd.). Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Broadway Cineplex Theater (3rd Street Promenade). Santa Monica, CA Style: Art Deco. | Bruin Theater (1930s) (925 Broxton Ave., Westwood). Los Angeles, CA. Style: Moderne. Architect: S. Charles Lee. | Fox Westwood Village Theater (1931) (961 Broxton Ave., Westwood). Los Angeles, CA Style: Spanish Colonial Revival & Moderne. Architect: P.O. Lewis. | Tower of Fox Westwood Village Theater. Los Angeles, CA |
 |  |  |  |
| Tower top of Fox Westwood Village Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Winged lions on Fox Westwood Village Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Churrigueresque decorations on Fox Westwood Village Theater. Los Angeles, CA | Pacific Theater (1950s). Culver City, CA Style: Moderne. |
All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart. All rights reserved. Permission required to use. |