historic movie theaters in the original theater district of Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles has one of the most amazing collection of historic movie and legitimate theaters in the country. These theaters constitute the largest theater district (and first to be listed) on the National Register.
It's a wonderfully diverse collection ranging from some of the finest Los Angeles movie palaces to cozy nickelodeons largely unchanged from 1910.
At right: Mayan Theater facade detail
The district is unique in both in terms of the number of surviving structures, their state of preservation and the amazing variety of architectural styles. As the money and business left downtown for Hollywood and other suburban areas in the 20's and 30's, there was little incentive to modernize the downtown theaters. Many of the auditoria are quite unchanged from when they opened.
Sure, we've got retail stores in the lobbies of many of the theaters but beyond that it's an architectural wonderland.
We've wandered around and taken a few pictures and done a bit of research. We hope to point you in the direction of more investigations of Los Angeles theaters using the sources we've detailed in our listings.
This page has a brief rundown of the surviving theaters in the Broadway corridor. The links at left or with each theater's description will take you to more information.
At right: Roxie, Cameo and Arcade Theaters
click any of the color photos in this column to enlarge
In addition to checking out the survivors below, also see our pages listing both the existing and vanished theaters of downtown Los Angeles arranged on a street-by street basis:
Visit our Theaters West of Broadway page for a tour of theaters on Hill Street, Olive, Grand and Figueroa.
See the Broadway page for Los Angeles movie palaces, grindhouses and more on the big street.
Our Spring Street Theaters page has interesting tales of theatres just east of Broadway.
And don't miss our Main Street Theaters page for exploration of over 30 theaters on what used to be Los Angeles theater row.
Each of the pages above has an alphabetical directory of alternate names of the theaters on a particuler street. Also see our main Directory below the "surviving theater" listings in this column.
Have fun exploring!
The downtown survivors...
Arcade Theater
534 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opened: September 26,1910 as the Pantages.
Architect: Morgan & Walls
Seating: 1400
Status: Closed since 1992. The lobby is now used for retail.See our Arcade Theater page for more information and photos.
Belasco Theater
1050 S. Hill St. | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Opened: 1926 by noted producer David Belasco. See also our listing for the first Belasco Theater, above.
Architects: Morgan, Walls & Clements.
Seating: 1601
Status: Closed in 1952. Later used as a church. Now occasionally used for events and film shoots.
More Information: See our Belasco Theater page for more information and photos.
Cameo Theater
528 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Architect: Alfred F. Rosenheim
Opened: October 10,1910 as Clune's Broadway.
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 Theater page for more information and photos.
Globe Theater
744 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Architect: Morgan, Walls & Morgan
Opened: January 1913 as the Morosco
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 Theater for more information.
Loew's State Theatre
703 S. Broadway plus an early entrance on 7th Street near Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Architects: Weeks and Day
Opened: 1921
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 Theater page for more data and photos.
Los Angeles Theatre
615 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Website: www.losangelestheatre.com
Architect: S. Charles Lee
Opened: Jan. 30, 1931
Seating: 2190
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 Theater page.
Mayan Theater
1038 S. Hill St. | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Architect: Morgan, Walls & Clements
Opened: 1927 as a legit theatre but was running movies as early as 1929.
Seating: 1400
Status: Closed for movies in 1990 and now thriving as a nightclub.
More information: Visit our Mayan Theater page for more details and photos.
Million Dollar Theater
307 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Architect: Albert C. Martin did the building, William Woollett was the theatre architect.
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 Theater.
Olympic Theater
313 W. 8th St. + in 1930 an entrance on the 700 block of S.Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1927 as Bard's 8th St.
Architect: Lewis A. Smith. Charles O. Matcham did a remodel in 1942.
Seating: 600
Status: Closed around 1997 and has mostly been storage since then.
More Information: See our Olympic Theater page for more information and photos.
Orpheum Theater
842 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1926
Architect: G. Albert Lansburgh
Seating: 2190
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 Theater for more information.
Palace Theater
630 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1911 as the Orpheum
Architects: G. Albert Lansburgh and Robert Brown Young
Seating: 2200
Status: Open for special events only.
More Information: See our Palace Theater page for more information.
Regent Theater
448 S. Main St. | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opened: 1914 as the National and was also called Gore's National. By the early 40's it had become the Regent.
Status: Closed in 2000 after decades as a grindhouse and (at the end) an adult venue. It's now being renovated by developer Tom Gilmore and is being used as a performance venue. The floor is still sloped and the proscenium and most of the original gothic inspired ceiling is intact. This is the last remaining theatre on Main St.
More Information: See our Regent Theater listing on the Main Street Theaters page for more information.
Rialto Theatre
812 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1917. Also known as Grauman's Rialto and Quinn's Rialto.
Architect: Oliver P. Dennis
Seating: 1,000 originally. 840 in later years.
Status: Closed since 1988. The lobby is now being used for retail.
More Information: See our Rialto Theatre page for more information and photos.
Roxie Theater
518 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Opened: November 25, 1931. The Roxie was the last of the Broadway theaters to open -- and was the only one in the art deco style.
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 Theater page.
Tower Theater
802 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1927
Architect: S. Charles Lee
Seating: 906
Status: Available for special events.
More information: See our Tower page for lots of photos and details.
United Artists Theater
933 S. Broadway | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Opened: 1927
Architect: C. Howard Crane
Seating: 2214
Status: In use as a church.
More Information: See our United Artists Theater page for more information and photos.
Variety
Arts
940 S. Figueroa St. | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Opened: 1924 as the Playhouse in the Friday Morning Club,
a social and political group for women.
Architects: Allison and Allison
Seating: The main theatre seats 1,100 and a smaller theatre seats 250. The building also has a ballroom, lounges and many other public spaces.
Status: Currently vacant awaiting renovation by new owner David Houk. Available for special events.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The Library has some great photos of the building c. 1925 from the Mott-Merge collection. Here we're looking at the proscenium in the main theatre. full size view
More Information: See our Variety Arts Theater listing on the Downtown Theaters West of Broadway page for more information.
Warner Bros Downtown Theater
401 W. 7th St. | map |
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Opened: 1920 as the Pantages
Architect: B. Marcus Priteca
Seating: 1757
Status: Closed in 1975 . The main floor is in use as the Jewelry Mart. Most of the decor is intact.
More Information: See our Warner Downtown page for more information and pics.
Downtown Los Angeles Theater Directory
Actor's Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Adolphus see Hippodrome 320 S. Main
Alhambra Theatre 731 S.Hill St.
Alphin Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
American Theatre 452 S. Broadway
Arcade Theatre 534 S. Broadway
Arrow Theatre 801 S. Broadway, 5th Fl.
Arrow Theatre see Linda Lea Theatre 251 S. Main
Art Theatre see La Petite Theatre 508 S. Broadway
Art Theatre 551 S. Main
Astro Theatre see Cozy Theatre 320 S. Broadway
Aztec see Linda Lea Theatre 251 S. Main
Azteca see Linda Lea Theatre 251 S. Main
Bandbox Theatre 608 S. Hill St.
Banner Theatre 456 S. Main
Bard's 8th St. Theatre see Olympic Theatre
751 S. Broadway (1930's) and 313 W. 8th St.
Bard's College Theatre see College Theatre 441 S. Hill St.
Bard's Hill St. Theatre see Town Theatre 444 S.Hill St.
Bear Theatre W. 3rd & Figueroa
Belasco Theatre (1901) see Follies Theatre 337 S. Main
Belasco Theatre (1926) 1050 S. Hill St.
Biltmore Theatre 427 W. 5th St. and 515 S. Olive St.
Broadway Palace see Palace Theatre 630 S. Broadway
Broadway Theatre (1925-1988) 428 S. Broadway
Broadway, Clunes see Cameo Theatre 528 S. Broadway
Broadway Theatre, Tally's see Tally's Broadway
833 S. Broadway
Broadway Theatre, Tally's New see Garnett Theatre
554 S. Broadway
Brooks Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Bijou Theatre see Regal Theatre 323 S. Main
Bijou Theatre 553 S. Main
Biola Hall see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Burbank Theatre 548 S. Main
California Theatre 810 S. Main
California Theatre 238 S. Spring St.
Capitol Theatre see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Casino Theatre see Empress Theatre 344 S. Spring St.
Cecil Theatre see Royal 226 S. Broadway
Central Theatre 314 S. Broadway
Century Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Child's Opera House see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Chinese see Novelty Theatre 136 S. Main
Cineograph Theatre 114 Court St.
Civic Theatre see Linda Lea Theatre 251 S. Main
Clune's Auditorium see Philharmonic Auditorium
427 W. 5th St. @ Olive
Clune's Broadway Theatre see Cameo 528 S. Broadway
Clune's Grand Theatre see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Clune's Grand Avenue Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Clune's Theatre NW cor 5th & Main
Clune's Theatre Beautiful see Philharmonic Auditorium
427 W. 5th St. @ Olive
College Theatre 441 S. Hill St.
Cozy Theatre 320 S. Broadway
Criterion Theatre 642 S.Grand Ave.
Criterion Theatre, Talley's see Criterion 642 S.Grand Ave.
Dalton's Theatre see Arcade 534 S. Broadway
Denver Theatre 238 S. Main
Downtown Music Hall see Tower Theatre 802 S. Broadway
Downtown Palace Theatre see Palace Theatre
630 S. Broadway
Downtown Paramount see Metropolitan Theatre
551 S. Broadway, 323 W. 6th St. and 536 S. Hill St.
Eden Musee 430 S. Broadway
Edison Theatre 236 S. Spring St.
Electric see Roosevelt 212 N. Main
Electric 262 S. Main
El Teatro Mexico see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Empire Theatre 128 E. 3rd St
Empress Theatre 344 S. Spring St.
Erlanger's Biltmore see Biltmore Theatre 427 W. 5th St.
Estella Theatre 515 N.Main
Fischer's Lyceum Theatre see Lyceum Theatre 227 S. Spring
Fischer's Theatre 121 W. 1st St.
Fine Arts Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Follies Theatre 337 S. Main
Fouce's Mason Theatre see Mason Theatre 127 S. Broadway
Fox Criterion Theatre see Criterion 642 S.Grand Ave.
Fox Palace Theatre see Palace Theatre 630 S. Broadway
Friday Morning Club see Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Gaiety Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Gaumont Chronophone 473 S. Spring St.
Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Galway Theatre 518 S. Main
Garrick Theatre 802 S. Broadway
Garnett Theatre 554 S. Broadway
Gem Theatre 649 S. Main
Globe Theatre 744 S. Broadway
Glockner's Automatic Theatre see Electric 262 S. Main
Gore's Capitol see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Gore's National Theatre see Regent Theatre 448 S. Main
Gore's Regent Theatre see Regent Theatre 447 S. Spring St.
Grand Avenue Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Grand Avenue Theatre, Clune's see Grand Theatre
730 S.Grand Ave.
Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Grand Playhouse see Grand Theatre 730 S. Grand Ave.
Grand International see Grand Theatre 730 S. Grand Ave.
Grand Theatre see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Grand Theatre 730 S. Grand Ave.
Grand Wilshire Theatre see Criterion 642 S.Grand Ave.
Grande Theatre, Laemmle's see Laemmle's Grande345 S. Figueroa St.
Grauman's Mayan Theatre see Mayan 1038 S. Hill St.
Grauman's Metropolitan see Metropolitan Theatre
551 S. Broadway, 323 W. 6th St. and 536 S. Hill St.
Grauman's Million Dollar see Million Dollar Theatre
307 S. Broadway
Grauman's Rialto see Rialto Theatre 812 S. Broadway
Grauman's Theatre see Million Dollar Theatre
307 S. Broadway
Grauman's United Artists see United Artists Theatre
933 S. Broadway
Hamburger's Arrow see Arrow Theatre
801 S. Broadway, 5th Fl.
Hamburger's Majestic see Majestic Theatre 845 S. Broadway
Hidalgo see Teatro Hidalgo 373 N. Main
Hillstreet see RKO Hillstreet 801 S.Hill St.
Hill Street Theatre, Bard's see Town Theatre 444 S.Hill St.
Hill Street Theatre, Miller's see Alhambra 731 S.Hill St.Hippodrome Theatre 320 S. Main
Horne's Big Show 423 S. Spring St.
Hotchkiss Theatre see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Hyman Theatre see Garrick 802 S. Broadway
Ideal Theatre 134 S. Spring St.
ImaginAsian Theatre 251 S. Main
Jade Theatre 315 S. Main
Kinemacolor Theatre see Tally's Broadway 833 S. Broadway
Kinema Theatre see Criterion 642 S.Grand Ave.
Laemmle's Grande Theatre 345 S. Figueroa St.
La Petite Theatre 508 S. Broadway
Lark Theatre 613 S. Main
Liberty see Novelty Theatre 136 S. Main
Liberty Theatre 266 S. Main
Linda Lea Theatre 251 S. Main
Loew's State Theatre 703 S. Broadway
Loew's Empress see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles Theatre (1888) see Lyceum Theatre
227 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles Theatre (1909) see Empress Theatre
344 S. Spring St.
Los Angeles Theatre (1931 -present) 615 S. Broadway
Lux Theatre 827 W. 3rd St.
Lyceum Hall 229 S. Spring St.
Lyceum Theatre 227 S. Spring St.
Lyric see Electric 262 S. Main
Main Theatre 438 S. Main
Majestic Theatre 845 S. Broadway
Major Theatre see Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Mason Opera House see Mason Theatre 127 S. Broadway
Mason Theatre 127 S. Broadway
Mayan Theatre 1038 S. Hill St.
Metropolitan (c.1915) see Estella Theatre 515 N. Main
Metropolitan Theatre (1924-1963)
551 S. Broadway, 323 W. 6th St. and 536 S. Hill St.
Mexico Theatre see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Million Dollar Theatre 307 S. Broadway
Miller's California Theatre see California 810 S. Main
Miller's Hill Street Theatre see Alhambra 731 S.Hill St.
Miller's Theatre 842 S. Main
Mission Theatre 838 S. Broadway
Moon Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Morosco Theatre see Globe 744 S. Broadway
Morosco's Burbank see Burbank Theatre 548 S. Main
Morosco's Majestic see Majestic Theatre 845 S. Broadway
Mozart Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Muse Theatre 417 S. Main
Music Hall Theatre see Tower Theatre 802 S. Broadway
National Theatre see Regent 448 S. Main
Navarro Theatre see Pico Theatre 736 W. Pico Blvd.
New Broadway Theatre see Broadway 428 S. Broadway
New Broadway, Talley's see Garnett 554 S. Broadway
New Follies Theatre see Follies Theatre 337 S. Main
New Peoples Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
News Palace Theatre see Palace Theatre 630 S. Broadway
Newsreel Theatre see Palace Theatre 630 S. Broadway
Newsreel Theatre see Globe 744 S. Broadway
Newsreel Theatre (40's) see Tower Theatre 802 S. Broadway
New Star Vaudeville Theatre see Regal Theatre 323 S. Main
New Symphony Theatre see Symphony Theatre
614 S. Broadway
New West Pico Theatre see Pico Theatre 736 W. Pico Blvd.
Neilson Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
New York Theatre see Union Theatre 255 S. Main
Novel see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Novelty Theatre 136 S. Main
Novelty Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Olympic Theatre 313 W. 8th St. and 751 S. Broadway (30's)
Olympic Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Omar Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Optic Theatre 446 1/2 S. Broadway
Optic Theatre 533 S. Main
Orange Grove Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Orchestrion Theatre 527 S. Spring St.
Orpheum (1894) see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Orpheum (1903) see Lyceum 227 S. Spring St.
Orpheum Theatre (1911) see Palace 630 S. Broadway
Orpheum Theatre (1926-present) 842 S. Broadway
Peoples Theatre see Gayety Theatre 523 S. Main
Pico Theatre 736 W. Pico Blvd.
Palace Newsreel Theatre (40's) see Palace Theatre
630 S. Broadway
Palace of Pictures (1914-16) 642 S. Broadway
Palace of Pictures (1916-21) see Palace Theatre
318 W. 7th St.
Palace Theatre 630 S. Broadway
Palace Theatre (1916-21) 318 W. 7th St.
Pantages Theatre (1910) see Arcade 534 S. Broadway
Pantages (1920) see Warner Bros Downtown 401 W. 7th St.
Paramount Theatre see Metropolitan Theatre
551 S. Broadway, 323 W. 6th St. and 536 S. Hill St.
Picture Theatre 545 S. Main
Playhouse see Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Plaza Theatre 349 N. Main
Plaza Theatre 224 N. Main
President Theatre see Globe 744 S. Broadway
Princess Theatre see Fischer's Theatre 121 W. 1st St.
Principal Theatre 423 N. Main
Principal Theatre 233 N. Main
Pussycat Theatre see California Theatre 810 S. Main
Pussycat see Town Theatre 444 S.Hill St.
Quinn's Empress see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Quinn's Rialto see Rialto Theatre 812 S. Broadway
Quinn's Superba 518 S. Broadway
Regal Theatre 323 S. Main
Regent No. 1 see Regent Theatre 448 S. Main
Regent Theatre 448 S. Main
Regent Theatre 447 S. Spring St.
Republic Theatre 629 1/2 S. Main
Rex Theatre see Lux Theatre 827 W. 3rd St.
Rialto Theatre 812 S. Broadway
RKO Hillstreet Theatre 801 S.Hill St.
RKO Theatre see RKO Hillstreet 801 S.Hill St.
Roosevelt Theatre 212 N. Main
Roosevelt Theatre see Miller's Theatre 842 S. Main
Rose Theatre see Lux Theatre 827 W. 3rd St.
Rosslyn Theatre 431 S. Main
Royal Theatre 246 S. Broadway
Shamrock Theatre see Bandbox Theatre 608 S. Hill St.
Shell Theatre 547 S. Broadway
Spanish Theatre see Fischer's Theatre 121 W. 1st St.
Star Theatre see Regal Theatre 323 S. Main
Star Theatre 529 S. Main
State Theatre 703 S. Broadway
Strand Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Superba Theatre see Quinn's Superba 518 S. Broadway
Symphony Theatre 614 S. Broadway
Tally's Broadway 833 S. Broadway
Talley's Criterion Theatre see Criterion 642 S.Grand Ave.
Tally's Electric see Electric 262 S. Main
Tally's New Broadway see Garnett Theatre 554 S. Broadway
Tally's Theatre (1896) aka Tally's Phonograph and Vitascope Parlor 311 S. Spring St.
Tally's Theatre (1900) aka Tally's Phonograph and Vitascope Parlor 388 S. Spring St.
Tally's Theatre (1910) 833 S. Broadway
Teatro Broadway see Broadway Theatre 428 S. Broadway
Teatro California see California Theatre 810 S. Main
Teatro Hidalgo 373 N. Main
Teatro Mercedes see Mercedes 420 N. Main
Teatro Merced see Mercedes 420 N. Main
Teatro Mexico see Grand Opera House 110 S. Main
Telenews Theatre (40's) see Arcade Theatre 534 S. Broadway
Teleview Theatre (40's) see Arcade Theatre 534 S. Broadway
Temple Auditorium see Philharmonic Auditorium
427 W. 5th St. @ Olive
Theatre Beautiful see Philharmonic Auditorium
427 W. 5th St. @ Olive
Theatre Mercedes see Mercedes 420 N. Main
Theatre Royal see Regal Theatre 323 S. Main
The Playhouse see Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Times Theatre see Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Tivoli Theatre see Cineograph Theatre 114 Court St.
Town Theatre 444 S.Hill St.
Triangle Theatre see Miller's Theatre 842 S. Main
Tunnel Theatre 712 W. 3rd St.
Union Theatre 255 S. Main
United Artists State (50's) see Loew's StateTheatre
703 S. Broadway
United Artists Theatre 933 S. Broadway
Unique Theatre 629 S. Broadway
Unique Theatre 456 S. Spring St.
Variety Arts 940 S. Figueroa St.
Victory Theatre see Mission Theatre 838 S. Broadway
VirginiaTheatre see Star Theatre 529 S. Main
Waldeck's Casino see Empress Theatre 344 S. Spring St.
Walker Auditorium see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Walker Theatre see Grand Theatre 730 S.Grand Ave.
Warner Bros. Theatre see Warner Bros Downtown
401 W. 7th St. @ Hill
Warner's Theatre see Warner Bros Downtown
401 W. 7th St. @ Hill
Warrens see Warner Bros Downtown
401 W. 7th St. @ Hill
Waxman's see Empress 344 S. Spring St.
Waxman's Capitol see Empress Theatre 344 S. Spring St.
Western Theatre see Union Theatre 255 S. Main
Wonderland Theatre see Jade Theatre 315 S. Main
Woodley's Optic see Optic Theatre 446 1/2 S. Broadway
Woodley's Optic see Optic Theatre 533 S. Main
Woodley's Theatre see Mission Theatre 838 S. Broadway
Downtown Los Angeles Theatres by Location
***
1st Street / Tom Bradley Blvd.
121 W. 1st St. Fischer's Theatre also known as the Spanish Theatre and the Princess Theatre