This 1910 Pantages vaudeville theatre, along with the Orpheum (now the Palace), made Broadway a serious contender as the main theatrical street in Los Angeles.
After these two buildings opened, the action started rapidly shifting west from Main Street. Now the lobby is being used for retail, the auditorium, relatively untouched since 1910, is being used for storage
.
Terrazzo on the sidewalk--dating from the 1930's. Typical of many Broadway buildings, not just theatres.
Note at right the original Pantages lettering remaining on the building after many name changes for this theatre.
Arcade stagehouse at left, Cameo Theatre in the center, Roxie (with a stagehouse!) at the right.
area under the balcony
looking back at the balcony rail
stage right
proscenium
More sources for information about the Arcade Theatre...
The thumbnail images below are generally from searches on either Google Images, Yahoo! or other databases. Click on the image to see how it was found in context.
We also give you a link to the site itself (or sometimes a specific article) for your further research.
All images are subject to copyright.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us Here's an exterior of the Arcade by William Reagh in the State Library collection. Now playing: "Villa Rides" plus Keno every night at 8 pm! full size image
Also in the State Library Collection: street view - prior to 1920
laasB on Flickr
flickr.com/photos/nicholasb LaasB's Dead Cinemas, Downtown Los Angeles set has 50 interesting photos including this view from the Arcade Theatre balcony. full size view
Los Angeles Conservancy
www.laconservancy.org Here's an early interior photo of the Arcade Theatre from the Conservancy's wonderful photo gallery of the Broadway Historic Theatre District. The photo is from the Theatre Historical Society of America.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
From the Library's great collection comes this early view of the Arcade Theatre when it was the Pantages.
1928 view showing the building
with a "Dalton's Theatre" sign painted on the north side.
Note the roof signs for the Cameo and Quinn's Superba to the left of the Dalton's/Arcade building.
The Quinn's site later became the location of the Roxie. full size view
Also in the Library collection: | Pantages sign on the side of the building | 1983 street scene |
L.A. Time Machines
www.latimemachines.com This photo of the Arcade Theatre proscenium is on this interesting site's Los Angeles Movie Palaces page. full size image
Also: looking up into the balcony
Retro Traveler on Flickr
Here's an interior view by Retro Traveller. See his page for more downtown Los Angeles theatre photos taken on an LA Conservancy tour. full size image
You Are There
www.you-are-here.com. Here's a great shot of the Arcade by Martin. This is a dazzling website. Martin lives in Germany and it seems is mapping LA building by building during his visits. This is part of his Broadway Corridor spread. Note the visibility of the Pantages name in the photo. full size image
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A view of the Arcade marquee in 1929 from the USC archives.
Zilf's Old Los Angeles Postcards on Flicker
www.flickr.com/photos/zilf Zilf's Old Los Angeles Postcard collection has a number of theatre pictures including this 20's view of the Arcade Building and Dalton's Theatre beyond. It's no longer the Pantages but not yet the Arcade. Beyond Dalton's are Clune's Broadway (laterthe Cameo) and Quinn's Superba. full size view
For more information on downtown Los Angeles theaters near the Arcade see the Los Angeles Broadway Theaters page.
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