Broadway was the place to be after 1910 with the opening of the Pantages (now Arcade) and the Orpheum (now the Palace). For Los Angeles movie palaces, mid-sized movie theatres, vaudeville and legitimate theatre, Broadway became the sparkling street downtown.
Our exploration of Broadway theatres starts at the north end of the street and works south as you scroll down the page. Pictures and theatre names on the right are for theatres on the east side of the street, on the left are those on the west.
The thumbnail images below are generally from searches on 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.
Most of the surviving theatres have lots of information available from a variety of sources. Our links try to steer you to some of the most interesting. Also see our main Downtown Los Angeles Theatres page for more sources to explore.
The best single source for facts about Los Angeles theatres that have vanished is Cinema Treasures. Check out the postings postings of many diligent researchers.
Tom Bradley Blvd. [West 1st Street]
<< west to Hill St. < > east to 100 S. Spring St. >>
Mason
127 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Opened: 1903 as the Mason Opera House. Operated for years by Frank Fouce showing Mexican films as Fouce's Mason Theatre.
Architect: Benjamin Marshall. A 1927 renovation was by Meyer & Holler.
Seating: 1650 seats--2 balconies
Status: Demolished 1955.
More information: For more on the Mason see the Cinema Treasures page.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us Here's an exterior view c. 1950 by Arnold Hylen from the State Library's collection.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This interior photo is from the Library's collection.
A 1941 interior view with the ladies helping out on a renovation.
More interior views from the LAPL: lobby in 1945 - looking toward auditorium | lobby in 1945 - looking toward Broadway | exit doors 1945 | backstage 1945 | auditorium rear 1945 | screen 1945 | lobby fountain 1932 | interior drawing 1924 |
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A 1914 view looking east from Olive Street shows the hulking bulk of the side of the Mason Theater. We're looking at the side of the auditorium and (to the right) the stagehouse.
Far in the distance (left of Mason's) one can spy the Grand Theater on Main Street. full size view
A Visit to Old Los Angeles
www.csulb.edu An early postcard view of the facade of the Mason Opera House from Brent Dickerson's tour of Broadway (Part 2).
Also on this site is this view looking south on Broadway.
The Mason Opera House building is at the extreme right of the picture.
West 2nd Street
<< west to Hill St. <
Lyceum > east to 200 block of S. Spring St. >>
Royal
246 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
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The Royal Theatre on Broadway was listed in the 1908 city directory and was running as the Cecil Theatre in 1910. That's all we know.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page. They have this one listed as the Cecil Theatre.
West 3rd Street
<< west to 300 block of S. Hill St. <
Empress > east to 300 block of S. Spring St. >>
Million
Dollar
307 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Architect: Albert C. Martin did the building, William Woollett was the theatre architect.
< click on image to enlarge
This was the first Los Angeles Broadway theatre to be opulent and large enough to be classes as a movie palace.
Opened: 1918 as Grauman's Million Dollar.
Seating: 2345
Status: Now open again for live events.
More Information: See our page on the Million Dollar Theatre.
Central
314 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Seating: 562
Status: Demolished prior to 1960. The current single story building on the site is recent.
More information: The Central Theatre page on Cinema Treasures has all the known information about this theatre.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This 1940 from the Library collection shows the Bradbury Building, 304 S. Broadway, with the shorter Central Theatre building just beyond. The taller building farther south is the Cozy Theatre building. full size view
Cozy
320 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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The Cozy was in a building dating from 1905 across the street from the Million Dollar. In the 60's it was renamed the Astro and was running Spanish language films into the 80's.
Seating: 350
Status: Currently a retail space.
More information: Head to the Cozy Theatre page on Cinema Treasures for research by Joe Vogel and other contributors.
A map from the 50's on Tom Wetzel's Uncanny website shows the shows the Cozy and it's neighbor the Central Theatre.
Ken McIntyre on Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org Ken's photo from 2007 shows the "Tu Musica" retail use of the former Cozy Theatre space. full size view
Los Angeles Fire Department Archives
www.lafire.com Here's a view of the 300 block in 1939 during the Gray Building Fire that was unearthed by Joe Vogel.
The Gray Building is at 336 S. Broadway and the marquees of the Cozy and Central Theatres can be seen through the smoke at the left. full size view
West 4th Street
<< west to 400 S. Hill St. < > east to 400 S. Spring St. >>
Muse, Rosslyn, Regent > east 2 blocks to 400 S. Main St. >>
Broadway
428 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1925 by Joseph Corwin of Metropolitan Theatres as the New Broadway in a space formerly a shoe store. The Building, originally called the Broadway Central Building, is a 10 story steel frame structure dating from 1907.
By 1926 it was just the Broadway. In later years it was called the Teatro Broadway and ran Spanish language films.
See also the Garnett Theatre (known as Tally's New Broadway) and Tally's Broadway Theatre listings.
Seating: 400
Status: Closed 1988. Renovated in 2007 back into retail space.
More information: See our Broadway Theatre page for more information and photos.
Eden Musee
430 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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All we know about the Eden Musee is that it was listed in the 1908 city directory.
From the name, we assume it was a collection of curiosites along with a stage for vaudeville attractions.
Optic
446 1/2 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Dates: The Optic was opened prior to 1908 by Robert W. Woodley, who later ran Woodley's Theatre at 838 S. Broadway (later to be Mack Sennett's Mission Theatre ).
This one closed prior to December 1910. In 1911 Woodley opened the Optic Theatre on Main Street, which had a much longer run.
Sources: See the Optic (Main St.) page on Cinema Treasures for a bit of discussion on the Broadway Optic by Joe Vogel and Jeff Bridges. It's tangled in with lots of interesting data about various Main Street theatres.
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A glimpse unearthed by Joe Vogel in the USC archives of this short-lived Broadway theatre. The photo dates from 1908.
American
452 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Dates: Running from about 1910 through at least 1925.
Seating: 500
Status: Demolished (we think) for the Chester Williams Building built on the corner in 1926. The existing one story building just north of this dates from 1908 but doesn't appear to be wide enough to have houses both the theatre and an adjoining store -- see the USC image below.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the American.
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A 1917 view of 5th and Broadway spotted by Nick Bradshaw shows the American Theatre just to the left of the corner building proclaiming "Last Days -Building Coming Down."
West 5th Street
<< west to 500 S. Hill St. < > east to 500 S. Spring St. >>
Optic, Burbank, Art > east 2 blocks to 500 S. Main St. >>
La Petite
508 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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The La Petite Theatre was another of the many nickelodeons that dotted Broadway in the first decade of the 20th century. It was listed in 1908 as the La Petite but had become the Art Theatre by 1910.
Status: Closing date unknown. The Johnson building, currently #510, was built in 1905 and could have contained the theatre. The building on the lot just to the north, where #508 could have been, dates from the 20's.
Sources: See the Art Theatre page on Cinema treasures for a few comments.
Quinn's Superba
518 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: 1910
Status: Closed in 1922 to be turned into a restaurant. Later demolished for construction of the Roxie Theatre.
Los Angeles Conservancy
www.laconservancy.org Here's a great photo of Quinn's Superba from the Conservancy's new Downtown Los Angeles Theatres Photo Gallery.
Note the Cameo and Arcade (then the Pantages) adjacent. full size image
A Stroll Down Old Broadway
www.csulb.edu A postcard view looking north at the east side of the 500 block with the Pantages ("vaudeville") at far right, then Clune's (now the Cameo) and then Quinn's Superba. full size view
Visit Brent Dickerson's Broadway Tour Part 3 for many more vintage Broadway theatre views including visits to the interiors of Clune's (Cameo) and the Palace.
Roxie
518 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: November 25, 1931. The Roxie was the last of the Broadway theatres to open -- and was the only one in the art deco style.
click on image to enlarge >
Architect: John M. Cooper
Seating: Estimates vary from 1335 to 1637
Status: Closed since 1989. Retail is currently in the lobby.
More Information: See our Roxie Theatre page.
Cameo
528 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Architect: Alfred F. Rosenheim
Opened: October 10,1910 as Clune's Broadway.
click on image to enlarge >
Seating: 775 originally, about 600 in later years. No balcony.
Status: Closed 1991. Currently retail in the lobby. The 1910 auditorium decor is pretty much intact.
More Information: See our Cameo Theatre page for more information and photos.
Arcade
534 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: September 26,1910 as the Pantages. It was called Dalton's Theatre after the new Pantages Theatre opened at 7th & Hill in 1920.
The current name Arcade is an homage to the nearby Arcade Building.
click on image to enlarge >
Architect: Morgan & Walls
Seating: 1400
Status: Closed since 1992. The lobby is now used for retail.See our Arcade Theatre page for more information and photos.
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 and Quinn's Superba, which closed in 1922. full size view
Shell
547 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Dates: Unknown. This was an early theatre operated by Billy Clune, who later opened the Cameo across the street.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Shell Theatre.
Metropolitan
551 S. Broadway (only into the 30's)
Hill Street @ 6th and 323 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Architect: William Woollett
Opened: January 26, 1923 as Grauman's Metropolitan. It became the Paramount in July 1924 when Sid sold his interest in the theatre and went on to other adventures in Hollywood.
click on image to enlarge
Shown here is the faded sign on Broadway pointing back to the entrance on 6th St. Once upon a time there was an entrance on Broadway through this building.
Seating: 3600
Status: Demolished 1963.
More Information: For more photos and information see our Metropolitan page.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org Here's a rare early 30's view looking north on Broadway. The Los Angeles Theatre marquee is on the left side of the street.
Looking down into the next block, you'll see the Paramount vertical. full size view
Garnett
554 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
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Opened: Before 1908 as Tally's New Broadway--not to be confused with Tally's Broadway (833 S. Broadway) which opened in 1910. This became the Garnett after Talley opened the venue at 833 S. Broadway.
Status: Demolished
More information: See the Cinema Treasures page.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org Here's a photo of the building at 544 S. Broadway when it was still called Tally's New Broadway. full size view
A Stroll Down Old Broadway
www.csulb.edu A postcard view of the east side of the 500 block with Talley's New Broadway showing on the right. Compare this view with the one after 1910 at the Arcade Theatre listing.
Visit Brent Dickerson's Broadway Tour Part 3 for many more vintage views including visits to Clune's (Cameo) and the Palace. full size view
West 6th Street
<< west to 600 S. Hill St. < > east to 600 S. Spring St. >>
Lark, Republic, Gem > east 2 blocks to 600 S. Main St. >>
Symphony
614-616 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: August 1914. The Symphony got a lavish remodel in 1921 (prompting the name New Symphony) including adding 8' of Broadway frontage. It was operated (at the end at least) by the Palace Amusement Co with Dr. H.B. Breckwedel as secretary and treasurer and C. W. Nouls as president.
Status: The building got sold in 1923 and was demolished for construction of Desmond's department store by architect Albert C. Martin. The current facade dates from 1933.
Sources: See the Symphony Theatre page on Cinema Treasures for nice research by Jeff Bridges (aka Vokoban) documenting the short history of this theatre.
Los Angeles
615 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Website: www.losangelestheatre.com
Architect: S. Charles Lee
Opened: Jan. 30, 1931
Seating: 2190
< click on image to enlarge
Status: Closed except for film shoots, tours and special events. Occasional film screenings at the Los Angeles are sponsored by the L.A. Conservancy. The conservancy's walking tours also visit the Los Angeles.
More Information: See our Los Angeles Theatre page.
Other theatres called the Los Angeles...
344 S. Spring St. -- This 1903 theatre opened as the Casino and was called the Los Angeles around 1909-1910. Later it was the Empress Theatre, the Capitol, and many other names.
227 S. Spring St. -- This 1888 building opened as the Los Angeles Theatre. It was known as the Orpheum between 1994 and 1903. It finally became the Lyceum Theatre.
Unique
629 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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The Unique Theatre was listed in the 1908 city directory but we have no other information.
Palace
630 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1911 as the Orpheum. It was later known as the Broadway Palace after the new Orpheum was built.
Architects: G. Albert Lansburgh and Robert Brown Young
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Seating: 2200
Status: Open for special events only.
More Information: See our Palace Theatre page for more information.
Palace of Pictures
642 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1914 as a conversion from retail space in the Forrester Bldg, which dates from 1907. Thomas Talley was evidently involved in the project as the building permit announcement included his name.
The Palace of Pictures was later operated by the Palace Amusement Co with Dr. H.B. Breckwedel as secretary and treasures and C. W. Nouls as president. They also operated the Symphony Theatre.
Seating: 500 is one estimate
Status: The Palace moved in February 1916 to a new location at 318 W. 7th St. and this Broadway space was leased to a shoe store.
The space is still being used for retail. For many years the space was occupied by Bond Clothing.
Sources: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Palace of Pictures for the nice research by Joe Vogel and Jeff Bridges (aka Vokoban) that unearthed some of the mysteries surrounding this short-lived theatre.
West 7th Street
<west to 7th & Hill << Warner/Pantages
>>east to 700 S. Spring St. >
Palace
318 W. 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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This building is 1/2 block west of Broadway, just across the alley from the 7th Street side of the Loew's State Theatre building.
Opened: February 20, 1916 as the Palace of Pictures and later frequently referred to just as the Palace. This location (previously the Chocolate Den) is just across the alley from the back of the Loew's State Theatre. Previously the Palace of Pictures had a space at 642 S. Broadway.
Seating: 700 was the announced capacity
Status: Closed January 21, 1921 when the lease expired. The building was remodeled for use by the Vogue Millinery Co. and the Model Cloak and Suit House. The building still exists, with a GNC store in one half.
Sources: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Palace Theatre for all the history unearthed by Joe Vogel and Jeff Bridges (aka Vokoban).
Also see: If you're looking for the current Palace Theatre, it's at 630 S. Broadway
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org From the Library collection: looking down 7th St - 1917 Here we get a glancing vew of the Palace facade. Note the "Palace" vertical on the left side of the street partially obscured by a streetlight.
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A view looking west on 7th Street in 1921 from the USC Archives. On the left at 7th and Broadway is the site for the Loew's State Theatre.
Beyond the alley is the marquee of the Palace Theatre. Also in view is a roof sign for the Alhambra theatre on Hill St. but note that the sign is not on the theatre building itself. full size view
You Are Here
www.you-are-here.com A view of the current life of the Palace of Pictures building by Martin on his terrific site.
The reddish building on the east (left) side of the alley is the Loew's State Theatre building. full size view
Loew's
State
703 S. Broadway (plus an early entrance on 7th St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Architects: Weeks and Day
Opened: 1921 as a major showcase for MGM product and was one of the most successful downtown Los Angeles theatres.
< click on image to enlarge
Seating: 2404
Status: Currently it's being used as a church. Note the added stained glass in the organ grille area in this photo.
More Information: See our Loew's State Theatre page for more data and photos.
Globe
744 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Architect: Morgan, Walls & Morgan
Opened: January 1913 as the Morosco. It's also been the President and the Newsreel.
click on image to enlarge >
Seating: 1300
Status: Closed in 1987. Now has retail in the lobby and a nightclub in the auditorium.
More information: See our page on the Globe Theatre for more information.
Olympic Theatre
751 S. Broadway (1930's)
and 313 W. 8th St. (1928-present)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1927 as Bard's 8th St.
Architect: Lewis A. Smith. Charles O. Matcham did a remodel in 1942.
< click on image to enlarge
Seating: 600
Status: Closed around 1997 and has mostly been storage since then.
More Information: See our Olympic Theatre page for more information.
West 8th Street
<west to 800 block of S. Hill Street<< RKO Hillstreet
California, Miller's>>east to 800 S. Main St. >
Arrow
801 S. Broadway 5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: August, 1908. This unique theatre was located on the 5th floor of Hamburger's Department Store (later the May Co.) and was also known as Hamburger's Arrow Theatre.
It offered movies and a wide range of other attractions including minstrel shows, singers, illustrated lectures and meetings. Initial pricing was 5 cents (or 10 cents reserved) -- "Always a good show!"
Architect: Alfred F. Rosenheim, who also designed the Cameo.
Status: Last ads for the theatre appear in 1919. The building still stands but fate of the theatre is unknown.
Sources: See the Talley's Broadway page on Cinema Treasures for lots of great items on the Arrow unearthed by supreme researcher Vokoban (aka Jeff Bridges). Talley's was just around the corner at 833 S. Broadway and was swallowed up by a May Co. expansion in 1929.
Los Angeles in the 1900's
The Hamburger Building page on George Garriques' facinating site has lots of information about the opening of the building. The illistration here is from the Los Angeles Herald of August 9, 1908. larger view
Garrick
802 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: As the Hyman Theatre around 1911 for theatrical producer Arthur Hyman. By 1915 it was running movies as the Garrick.
Architects: Train and Williams. George Edwin Bergstrom did a remodel in 1921.
Seating: 650 on one level
Status: Demolished 1927 to make way for the Tower Theatre.
More information: Everything that is known about this theatre is on the Cinema Treasures page.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us A view from 1924 with the Garrick on the left. Note a later marquee on the Garrick than in the photo below. "Flirting with Love" is playing.
The Rialto Theatre on the right. The Rialto is playing Harold Lloyd's "Hot Water."
The building in the middle is the Southern California Music Co. full size view
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the original facade of the Hyman from the Library's collection.
An interior shot of the Haman/Garrick, also from the LAPL collection.
Also in the Library collection: 1922 exterior - running "Beyond the Rocks." Note the Rialto to the right of the photo.
Tower
802 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1927
Architect: S. Charles Lee did this one at age 27 -- his first theatre.
click on image to enlarge >
Seating: 906
Status: Available for special events.
More information: See our Tower page for lots of photos and details.
Rialto
812 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1917. Also known as Grauman's Rialto and Quinn's Rialto.
Architect: Oliver P. Dennis
Seating: 1,000 originally. 840 in later years.
click on image to enlarge >
Status: Closed since 1988. The lobby is now being used for retail.
More Information: See our Rialto Theatre page for more information and photos.
Tally's Broadway
833 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: May 2, 1910 by Thomas Tally. Constructed in 30 days. In 1911 it was known as the Kinemacolor Theatre while showing color films in the Kinemacolor process but then went back to the Talley's name.
Seating: 900
Status: Demolished for a 1929 expansion for the May Co. department store (originally Hamburger's) just to the north.
More information: See Cinema Treasures page on Tally's. See also our listing for Talley's earlier "New Broadway" venture, later known as the Garnett Theatre.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us A view of Tally's from the State collection.
Ken McIntyre on Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org/theater/10571 Ken has unearthed this shot of Tally's running "King of Kings" in 1928 close to the closing of the theatre. Notice the signs about theimpending May Co. expansion on the building. full size view
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org Here's a later exterior of the Tally's Broadway after closing as a theatre.
An interior view from the LAPL.
Mission
838 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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A vaudeville theatre known as Woodley's Theatre and later as the Victory. Mack Sennett bought it in 1920. and after an expensive Spanish style remodel, he opened it as the Mission.
Status: Demolished to make way for the Orpheum in 1925
More information: See the Cinema treasures page on the Mission.
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu A 1917 view of the roof of the Mission from USC's Title and Trust/C.C. Pierce Photography collection. The Mission Theatre is on the lower left with Talley's Broadway across the street. full size view
Orpheum
842 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: 1926
Architect: G. Albert Lansburgh
Seating: 2190
click on image to enlarge >
Status: Alive and in great shape as the home of concerts, film shoots and occasional film screenings.
More Information: See our page for the Orpheum Theatre for more information.
Earlier Orpheum theatres in downtown Los Angeles.
110 S. Main St. -- Grand Opera House was the home of Orpheum vaudeville from 1894 to 1903.
227 s. Spring St. -- The Los Angeles Theatre, later called Lyceum was known as the Orpheum from 1903 to 1911.
630 S. Broadway -- Now the Palace Theatre -- this was the Orpheum between 1911 and 1926.
Majestic
845 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
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Opened: November 23, 1908 with Oliver Morosco as leesee. The theatre occasionally did movies, but was a legit operation most of its life.
Architects: Edelman & Barnett designed the building for M.A. Hamburger, who owned the department store on the north end of the block (at 8th) that would later became the May Co. The Eastern Columbia building would later rise just south of the Majestic.
Seating: 1700
Status: Demolished in 1933
More Information: