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More sources for information about the El Capitan Theatre...
The thumbnail images below are as shown by Google Images, Yahoo! or other databases for image searches on this theatre. 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.
About.com
Here's a nice night shot of the Disney-restored El Capitan marquee and vertical on the Hollywood at night page of this site.
American Theatre Organ Society
www.atos.org This interior shot is from a great article on the Renaissance of the El Capitan on the ATOS website.
The article has a nice history of the theatre along with several other photos. full size image
Also from the same article, here's a shot of the draping and corrugated plasterwork when the original decor was concealed for the Paramount remodeling.
Also on the ATOS site:
auditorium with scaffolding
Cinema Tour
www.cinematour.com The El Capitan Theatre page of this site has the best selection of photos of the El Capitan after the Disney restoration on the web. Shown here is a lobby view by Brad Miller. full size view
A look toward the rear of the house in 2005 by Brad Miller. full size view
Other Brad Miller photos include: outer lobby | another lobby view | inner lobby | organ console/ante-proscenium | view from rear of main floor | balcony foyer | another balcony foyer view | foyer light fixture | proscenium from balcony | from upper balcony | proscenium bathed in blue | prelude on stage | booth sound rack | projection equipment | porthole view--main floor booth | century 35/70mm projector | another view showing penthouse soundheads
Here we're at the stairs going up to the balcony in a 2006 photo by Adam Martin.
Also on this site by Adam Martin: lobby | balcony foyer | looking across main floor | organ console and organ grille area | balcony sidewall | balcony ceiling/booth
By Scott Neff: proscenium view
Also on this site from the William French Jr. collection:
This view of the marquee when the theatre was the Paramount.
Jon W on Flickr
An auditorium view by Jon W.
Also in Jon's Hollywood collection: proscenium and organ console
Jim Hill Media
www.jimhillmedia.com This Jim Hill photo shows the El Capitan stage as dressed for "Chronicles of Narnia" in 2005.
This article by Dale Ward has a nice history of the El Capitan. This blog is about the entertainment industry, particularly happenings concerning Disney Studios. full size image
Hollywood Photographs
A view from under the balcony in 1942 from the Bruce Torrence Collection.
The Bruce Torrance Hollywood Photograph Collection has numerous photos of the El Capitan to browse. This site has the best collection of photos on the web of the theatre after the Paramount /Fanchon and Marco remodel of 1942.
Start with 2 pages of 20's photos of the El Capitan. Scroll to the bottom of Theatres page 22 (and go on to pages 23 and 24) of this site for 1940's photos of the Paramount.
The tropical "coconut milk bar." Check out the carpeting pattern.
Other views include: 1944 exterior | marquee at night | boxoffice | inner lobby | another lobby view | snack bar | balcony foyer with tropical furniture | proscenium |
Later exterior views: 1959 "Imitation of Life" | 1972 "Valachi Papers" | 1974 "American Grafitti"
Mr. Torrence is the author of "Hollywood: The First 100 Years, " Zoetrope, 1982.
Life Magazine
www.life.com This famous Life magazine photo by J.R. Eyerman of the audience watching "Bwana Devil" in 3-D was taken in 1952 at the Paramount in Hollywood. This is on Life's Images of the Century page.
More Life images are available to view (and purchase) on the Life Photographers page at www.monroegallery.com, a Santa Fe gallery representing many photographers of note.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org Here from the Library's collection is a 1926 view of the proscenium.
A view of the area at the rear of the main floor.
Looking toward the rear of the house from the stage in 1926.
More interior views from the library collection: standee area -1935 | under balcony - 1934 | house left box - 1935 | toward booth - 1934 | lounge - 1935 |
Exteriors from the Library's collection: marquee detail - 1926 Mott Studios | doorway detail | 1927 exterior - from the east | 1927 exterior - from the west | facade detail - 1935 | facade and marquee - 1926 | another facade view ticket lobby - 1926 | price sign - 1935 | marquee after Paramount remodel | "Paramount" vertical - Tom LaBonge | exterior with "Loew's" vertical
Note that many of the Library's El Capitan photos are present in multiple versions with conflicting dates. 1926 and 1935 frequently show up to identify the same photo.
Bill Heulbig on Photobucket
A nice proscenium shot of the El Capitan during an organ concert by Bill Huelbig.
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