Downtown Los Angeles theatres west of Broadway weren't numerous enough to give Hill Street or streets farther west the feeling of a concentrated theatrical district like on Broadway or, earlier, Main Street.
But we did have a number of interesting theatres in the area including 3 great buildings on Hill St. that have survived: The Warner Bros. Downtown (former Pantages), the Mayan and the Belasco.
Our stroll on Hill Street 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.
Following the Hill St. tour we have a few historic theatres cataloged on our Olive Street theatres, Grand Avenue theatres and Figueroa Street sections. And you can wander between them (or over to the Broadway theatres and beyond) using the lateral links in each section.
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.
Many of our facts about the
buildings come from the various postings of the diligent researchers
posting on Cinema Treasures.
All images are subject to copyright.
Theatres on Hill Street
***
West 3rd Street
<west to 300 S. Olive St. <<
Million Dollar >>east to 300 S. Broadway >
No theatres on the 300 block of S. Hill St.
West 4th Street
<west to 400 S. Olive St. <<
Broadway Theatre >>east to 400 S. Broadway >
Subway Terminal Building<<
417 S. Hill St.
| history |
College
441 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
Opened: Between 1908 and 1914. The College Theatre was so named for its proximity to the nearby State Normal School on the block that is currently the site of the Library.
The proprietors were Mssrs. Prochazka and Hyman. The theatre was later operated as Bard's College Theatre by Lou Bard, who also ran the nearby Hill Street (later Town) and the 8th Street (later the Olympic).
More Information: See the discussion on the Cinema treasures page devoted to the College Theatre.
Status: Demolished
USC Archives
digarc.usc.edu This great view from the USC archives is looking north on the 400 Hill Street in 1928.
Here on the west side of the block we have the ornate facade of the College Theatre and the Subway Terminal Building beyond. full size view
A Visit to Old Los Angeles
www.csulb.edu A view of the boxoffice of the College Theatre.
We assume the floral treatment is for the grand opening. Note the great art glass above the boxoffice. full size view
The California Club dominates this picture but there's an early view of the College Theatre to the right. full size view
Visit Brent Dickerson's Hill Street Part 1 for many more vintage views of Hill Street.
Town
444 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
| map |
Opened: 1920 as Bard's Hill Street Theatre. Lou Bard had a chain that also included the Olympic and the Vista. In the 30's it was renamed the Town and in the 1960's it became the Pussycat.
Architect: Albert C. Martin remodeled an existing one story building to use as a theatre.
Seating: 430
Status: Closed in 1985 and was later demolished.
More Information: See the discussion on the Cinema treasures page devoted to the Town.
Uncanny -- Downtown Tour
www.uncanny.net A great site by Tom Wetzel with period views along different rail lines. Tom's Downtown Walking Tour explores the area of the Subway Terminal Bldg. Here we're going south on Hill St. with the Town Theatre in the background on the right. full size image
West 5th Street
<west toward 5th & Olive St. << Philharmonic, Biltmore
Roxie, Cameo, Arcade >>east to 500 S. Broadway >
Pershing Square<<
w. side of the 500 block
Metropolitan
536 S.Hill St.
and 323 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
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. Shown here is the faded sign on
Broadway pointing back to the location on Hill St. Once, there was a
Broadway entrance through this building.
Seating: 3600
Status: Demolished 1963.
More Information: For more photos and information see our Metropolitan page.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the the proscenium of the Metropolitan Theatre from the Library collection. full size view
West 6th Street
<west to 600 S. Olive St. <<
Los Angeles, Palace >>east to 600 S. Broadway >
Bandbox
608 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
Opened: Around 1911 as a remodel from what had been a store space. It was evidently called the Shamrock until about 1925, when it became the Bandbox. It was operated as the Bandbox by Fox Film Corp.
Status: The building was demolished to make way for the 1931 Wm. Fox Building, which is still on the site.
click on image to enlarge >
More Information: There isn't much. See the Cinema Treasures page on the Shamrock Theatre for a few items of interest.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org Here we're looking south on Hill Street in this view from the LAPL collection.
The corner of the Bandbox Theatre marquee is on the far left of the photo. The photo is probably from the mid-1920's.
Warner Bros
Downtown
401 W. 7th St. @ Hill
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
Opened: 1920 as the Pantages
Architect: B. Marcus Priteca
Seating: 1757
< click on image to enlarge
Status: Closed in 1975 . Themain floor is in use as the Jewelry Mart. Most of the decor is intact.
More Information: See our Warner Downtown page for more data and pics.
West 7th Street
<west to 700 S. Olive St. <<
Loew's State, Globe >>east to 700 S. Broadway >
Alhambra
731 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
Opened: Prior to 1914. In 1915 it was leased to Fred Miller and became Miller's Hill Street Theatre.
Architects: Silas Reese Burns and Sumner P. Hunt designed the Alhambra and the attached 5 story Silent Building for owner Edward Silent.
Seating: 878
More Information: See the discussion by Joe Vogel and other researchers on the Cinema treasures page devoted to the Alhambra Theatre.
Status: Demolished
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view of the Silent Building with the Alhambra Theatre entrance on the right.
West 8th Street
Olympic Theatre >>1/2 block east on 8th Street >
RKO Hillstreet
801 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
| map |
Opened: 1922 by the Orpheum circuit.
Architect: G. Albert Lansburg
Seating: 2890
Status: Closed in 1963 and later demolished
More Information: See our RKO Hillstreet Theatre page for more information and photos.
Los Angeles Movie Palaces
www.geocities.com/los_angeles_coast This great site's Los Angeles Movie Palaces page has this nice interior view of the RKO Hillstreet. full size view
West 9th Street
<west to 9th & Olive <<
United Artists >>east to 900 S. Broadway >
No theatres on the 900 block of S. Hill St.
Olympic Blvd.
>>east to 1000 S. Broadway >>
Mayan
1038 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
| map |
Architect: Morgan, Walls & Clements
Opened: 1927 as a legit theatre but was running movies as early as 1929.
click on image to enlarge >
Seating: 1400
Status: Closed for movies in 1990 and now thriving as a nightclub.
More information: Visit our Mayan Theatre page for more details and photos.
Belasco Theatre
1050 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
|map|
Opened: 1926 by noted producer David Belasco. See also our listing for the first Belasco Theatre, above.
Architects: Morgan, Walls & Clements.
click on image to enlarge >
Seating: 1601
Status: Closed in 1952. Later used as a church. Now occasionally used for events and film shoots.
More Information: See our Belasco Theatre page for more information and photos.
West 11th Street
<west to 1100 S. Olive St. <<
Theatres on Olive Street
***
West 3rd Street
<west to 3rd & Grand<<
>>east to 300 block of S. Hill St. >
No theatres on the 300 block of S. Olive St.
West 4th Street
<west to 4th & Grand<<
>>east to 400 block of S. Hill St. >
Philharmonic
Auditorium
Olive near 5th
and 427 W. 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
| map |
Opened: November 7,1906 as the Temple Auditorium
Architects: Charles F. Wittlesey, & Otto H. Neher
Seating: 2700 at the end, 5,000 originally
Status: Demolished in 1985
More Information: See our Philharmonic Auditorium page for more information and photos
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A view back into the dome at the Auditorium in 1966 from the Library's collection. full size view
West 5th Street
<west to 5th & Grand<<
Metropolitan/Paramount >>east to 500 block of S. Hill St. >
Biltmore
520 W. 5th St. and
515 S. Olive St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
| map |
Opened: 1923. It was part of the Erlanger circuit during the 30's and 40's.
Architects: Renowned New York hotel architects Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver designed both the Biltmore Hotel and the adjacent Biltmore Theatre. The theatre was connected to the hotel via an arcade and had an entrance on 5th St.
Seating: 1,700
Status: Demolished in 1964 for a tower addition to the hotel.
Big Orange Landmarks
bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com
Floyd B. Bariscale is investigating Los Angeles landmarks in his
glorious blog.
On his Biltmore Hotel page is this view of the Biltmore Theatre --plus a great tour of the rest of the hotel. In this photo we're on 5th, looking west toward Olive St. The rear of the stage is on the right. full size view
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us Here is a view of the proscenium and boxes from the library collection. full size view
The library has 9 more circa 1924 views of the Biltmore Theatre from the Mott-Merge collection:
exterior view | exterior detail - 5th & Grand | sidewall and marquee | another 5th Street view | looking toward Grand Ave. | lounge | another lounge view | theatre lobby | another lobby view |
This view looking east on 5th is a 1962 view by William Reagh.
Note the Philharmonic Auditorium vertical in the next block on the left.
Also by William Reagh:
The destruction of the Biltmore Theatre in 1964.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A lovely 1924 view of the auditorium of the Biltmore.
Also in the Library's collection: 5th Avenue - 1944 - William Reagh | 1939 crowd at entrance |
e. side of the 500 block
West 6th Street
<west to 6th & Grand<< Criterion
Warner/Pantages >>east to 600 block of S. Hill St. >
No theatres in the 600 block of S. Olive Street
West 7th Street
No theatres in the 700 block of S. Olive Street
<west to 7th & Grand<< Grand Theatre
Alhambra>>east to 700 block of Hill St. >>
West 8th Street
No theatres in the 800 block of S. Olive Street
<west to 8th & Grand<<
RKO Hillstreet>>east to 8th & Hill >>
West 9th Street
No theatres in the 900 block of S. Olive Street
>>east to 9th & Hill >>
Olympic Blvd.
No theatres in the 1000 block of S. Olive Street
<west to Grand & Olympic<<
Mayan, Belasco>>east to Olympic & Hill >>
West 11th Street
No theatres in the 1100 block of S. Olive Street
<west to 11th & Grand<<
>>east to 11th & Hill >>
Theatres on Grand Avenue
West 3rd Street
No theatres in the 300 block of S. Grand Avenue
<2 1/2 blocks west to 3rd near Figueroa << Lux
>>east to 3rd & Olive>
West 4th Street
No theatres in the 400 block of S. Grand Avenue
Philharmonic Auditorium >>east to 400 block of Olive>
West 5th Street
Biltmore
520W. 5th St. @ Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
| map |
Take a stroll down West 5th Street toward Olive for our main Biltmore Theatre listing.
Big Orange Landmarks
bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com On the Biltmore Hotel page of Floyd Bariscale's blog of Los Angeles landmarks is this photo of the Biltmore Theatre.
On the right we're looking at the rear of the stagehouse facing Grand Avenue. The theatre entrance is on the left side of the building, down 5th St. toward Olive. full size view
West 6th Street
Criterion
642 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
| map |
Opening: December 15, 1917 as the Kinema
with Cecil B. BeMille's "The Woman God Forgot" with Geraldine Farrar.
In 1919 Thomas Talley acquired the house and it was known for awhile as
Talley's Criterion.
In 1927 Warner Bros. leased the house (then just the Criterion) for the west coast premiere of "The Jazz Singer" on December 28, 1927. It was expected to run 6 months but lasted only until the end of February 1928, when it moved over 3 blocks to the Tower Theatre.
In 1929 the theatre became the Fox Criterion.
Thomas Talley either had owned the theatre from 1919 to the end or had
lost it and regained ownership. In any case, his name resurfaces in
connection with the theatre from about 1933 onward. The theatre ended
its days as the Grand Wilshire.
Architect: Architect William J. Dodd and engineer William Richards (Dodd and Richards) designed one of the earliest deluxe film houses downtown. And it was specifically for films -- the stage was only 7' deep. Too bad that Grand Ave. never developed into a theatre district.
Seating: 1856
Status: Demolished in 1941 to make room for an office building.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Criterion Theatre for lots of information unearthed by Joe Vogel, Jeff Bridges and a number of other contributors.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org An early view of the theatre still as the Kinema, from the Library collection. full size view
A
nice exterior view of "The House of Hits" adorned with a wreath
supposedly from Joan Crawford, whose 1930 film "Paid" was then
playing. full size view
Also in the Library collection: 1924 aerial view - theatre is at bottom right | 1929 exterior -"Fox Movietone Follies" |
West 7th Street
<3 blocks west to 7th & Figueroa <<
>>east to 7th & Olive>
Grand
730 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
| map |
Opened: December, 1908 as the Walker (built for George Walker) with programs of Sullivan and Considine vaudeville and movies. It was known as the Nielson in 1910 after a remodel for use by a stock company. Then it was back to the Walker name.
From 1912-1916 it was the Mozart, under the direction of Mrs. Anna M. Mozart. Starting in 1916 after Mrs. Mozart's disappearance, it was named the Strand. In 1920 it was the Walker again. In 1923 and 1924 it was the Grand Avenue. At some point it was called Clune's Grand Avenue Theatre. It was also known as the Fine Arts in 1924.
It became the Orange Grove from 1924-29 and the Actor's Theatre from 1929-1935. It was the Grand International Theatre (or Internationale) from 1935 to 1937 and just the Grand Theatre from 1937 to 1946 showing first run foreign films from Russia and Europe.
Architect: Eisen and Sons designed the 6 story building (called the Walker Auditorium Building)
which contained a number of other halls (such as Lincoln Hall,
Roosevelt Hall) and music studios in addition to the main theatre.
Seating: 900
Status: Demolished in 1946 for a parking lot.
Sources: See the Cinema Treasures page for this theatre, listed as the Mozart Theatre, for lots of fascinating research by Joe Vogel and other contributors. Scandals, bigamy and more! Jeff Bridges (aka vokoban) has unearthed many interesting newspaper articles detailing the mysteries of this building and did much of the research on the many names the Grand Theatre has used.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us Here we're looking south on Grand from 7th Street. Note the "Theatre" sign on the north side of the Grand Theatre. The photo is by Martin Behrman, possibly taken around 1912. full size view
LA Public Library Photo Collection
This July, 1946 view from the LAPL collection was taken shortly before demolition.
West 8th Street
No theatres in the 800 block of S. Grand Avenue
>>east to 8th & Olive>
West 9th Street
No theatres in the 900 block of S. Grand Avenue
Olympic Blvd.
No theatres in the 1000 block of S. Grand Avenue
>>east to Olympic & Olive>
West 11th Street
Theatres on Hope Street
No listings for theatres on Hope Street
Just west of Hope Street on 3rd:
Tunnel
712 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
| map |
Dates: Running in 1914. Opening and closing dates unknown.
Seating: 245
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Tunnel Theatre for some speculations about the Tunnel and links to photos of the area. About a block farther west on 3rd was the Lux Theatre.
Theatres on Flower Street
No listings for theatres on Flower Street
Theatres on Figueroa St.
***
West 2nd Street
No theatres in the 200 block of S. Figueroa Street
Just east of Figueroa on 3rd:
Lux
827 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
| map |
This little theatre just east of Figueroa opened prior to 1914 as the Rose. Later as the Rex it had a long career running lots of westerns. By 1940 it was known as the Lux except for a brief fling as the Anita. It was operated in the early 60's by Harold Wenzler, who later ran the Granada on Temple St.
Seating: 500
Status: Demolished as part of the Bunker Hill redevelopment project.
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Lux Theatre for some more history.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A sad photo of the Lux exterior in 1964 from the Library collection. full size view
A lonely 1965 distance view looking west by William Reagh, also from the LAPL. full size view
Also in the Library collection: another facade view | marquee detail |
West 3rd Street
>>east 3 blocks to 3rd & Grand>
Bear
W. 3rd St. and Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90071
| map |
Operating in 1914 but the speculation is that it didn't last long.
Seating: 286
More Information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Bear Theatre for all the known information.
Laemmle's
Grande
345 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 617-0268
| map |
Website: www.laemmle.com
This undistinguished 4 plex opened in the early 80's in the lower level of the Mariott Hotel.
Downtown Los Angeles has cycled through over 100 theatres since the first films were exhibited in 1896. As of 2008 this 4-plex and the ImaginAsianTheatre on Main Street are the only downtown Los Angeles theaters running movies on a regular basis.
click on images to enlarge
Looking down the stairs to the theatre's entrance below the Marriott.
West 4th Street
>>east 3 blocks to 4th & Grand>
No theatres in the 400 block of S. Figueroa Street
West 5th Street
>>east to 5th & Grand>
No theatres in the 500 block of S.Figueroa Street
West 6th Street
Criterion >>east to 6th & Grand>
No theatres in the 600 block of S. Figueroa Street
West 7th Street
Grand Theatre >>east to 7th & Grand>
No theatres in the 700 block of S. Figueroa Street
West 8th Street
>>east 3 blocks to 8th & Grand >>
No theatres in the 800 block of S. Figueroa Street
West 9th Street
>>east to 9th & Grand >>
Variety
Arts
940 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(818) 508-0281 or (818) 508-0963
| map |
Website: www.varietyartscenter.com
Opened: May 5, 1924 as the Friday Morning Club, a social and political group for women that had been founded in 1891. Will Rogers was the toastmaster at the opening and guests included Charlie Chaplin and C.B DeMille.
The
idea was that the main theatre, known as The Playhouse, would generate revenue to support the
building. Speakers included Eleanor Roosevelt and Dorothy Parker. Live
radio shows from the building included performers such as Al Jolson and
Eddie Cantor. In the 1936 city directory, the main theatre was listed as the Major Theatre. By 1941 it was known as the Times Theatre.
William Larsen, of Magic Castle fame, bought and renamed the building the Variety Arts Center
in 1977 and and operated the building until 1989 with programming as a
tribute to variety and vaudeville entertainers. After one additional
owner, it ended up in the hands of Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Architects: Allison and Allison designed the 6 story building.
Seating: The main theatre seats 1,100 and the smaller theatre seats 250. The building also has a ballroom, lounges and many other public spaces.
Variety Arts Theatre in the Movies: The main theatre was the scene for one of John C. Reilly's big concerts in 2007's "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."
Status: Currently vacant awaiting renovation by new owner David Houk, who formerly owned the Pasadena Playhouse. Houk purchased ther building in late 2006 from Anschutz Entertasinment Group, developer of Staples Center, just to the south of the Variety Arts Building. He intends to produce original shows in the main theatre.
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
A view of the house right wall in the main Variety Arts Theatre. full size view
More main theatre views: lobby | another lobby view | proscenium and house left | house left wall | another house left view | ceiling detail | dressing room |
Exteriors from the State Library: facade | signage | facade looking north | center arches - looking south |
Downtown News
www.downtownnews.com This nice photo by Gary Leonard accompanies an article about the Variety Arts Center Sale in a December 2006 posting on Downtown News. The article also has a nice history of the building.