Facade of the Los Angeles Theatre - S. Charles Lee, architect. This theatre is arguably the most ornate of all the Los Angeles movie palaces.
click on any of these images to enlarge
At left: Sign in the alley north of the theatre. At right, terrazzo pattern in the sidewalk.
South wall of the theatre. Uneven form work shows the haste of construction. The construction schedule was about 90 days. Stage is at left.
Detail of the stage end of the building. The slight jut above the top of the picture is the proscenium wall. Note that there is only about 15 feet of fly space. The rear of the stage is just a bustle as can be seen above the loading doors.
More sources for information about the Los Angeles Theatre...
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.
Auroraa on Flickr
Auroraa's Los Angeles Theatre set includes this detail of the ladies lounge. full size view
Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org Lots of information about all of LA's historic Theatres.
This is from an article about re-lighting of the Los Angeles and Palace Theatre marquees February 2004.
Flying Enchilada on Flickr
flickr.com/photos/36429573@N00
The Flying Enchilada's interesting Last Remaining Seats at the Los Angeles 24 photo set from May 2006 includes this view of a Los Angeles Theatre cherub.
A detail shot of some of the auditorium sidewall plasterwork by the Flying Enchilada.
A more wide angle view of the auditorium sidewall.
Jerical Cat on Flickr
flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00
The terrific Los Angeles Theatres set has great views of some seldom seen areas including this shot of the children's playroom. full size view
See also Jerical Cat's photos of: fountain painting detail | shoe shine stand | elevator | women's sinks | women's toilet rooms | women's lounge | ... plus over 200 more great photos of other Los Angeles theaters.
Los Angeles Conservancy
www.laconservancy.org The conservancy is a leading player in the conservation of the downtown theatre district. Tours, screenings and more.
This wonderful1993 lobby view of the Los Angeles Theatre is by Berger Conser Architectural Photography and is featured on the Conservancy's photo spread on the Broadway Historic Theatre District. full size view
A majestic view of the Los Angeles Theatre's auditorium, again by Berger Conser Photography.
Both images are from "The Last Remaining Seats: Palaces of Tinseltown" by Robert Berger and Anne Conser, available through Amazon.
See also the website for Robert Berger Photography
Los Angeles Movie Palaces
geocities/...movie_palaces A nice survey of the downtown theatres. Below the text there's an array of photos from many sources including this great view across the auditorium of the Los Angeles Theatre. full size view
A nice fish-eye view from the upper balcony.
LA Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org This view of the 1931 opening with "City Lights" on the marquee is in the Library's collection.
A view of the proscenium in 1931. Note the many narrow sections of seats -- later redone.
A view of the main basement lounge.
More auditorium views in the Library Collection: fire curtain - 1931 | grand drape - 1931 | later proscenium view | asbestos curtain - later view | sidewall left | left boxes | organ grille house left | house right | organ grille house right | ceiling detail | top of proscenium | looking toward booth | looking across auditorium | another view
Lobby and inner foyer photos: crystal fountain | ceiling in lobby | grand staircase | another staicase view | top of stairs | fountain | looking down the stairs | lobby drawing | mezzanine | mezzanine foyer | lobby chandeliers | chandelier detail |
Lounges: lounge entrance | lounge | lounge drawing | restaurant |
Exteriors: exterior drawing | 1932 exterior | column detail |
marquee - "Viva Zapata" |
L.A. Time Machines
This more recent Los Angeles Theatre exterior is on the site's Los Angeles Movie Palaces page which contains photos of Broadway theatres as well as many of interest elsewhere.
A lobby view of the Los Angeles Theatre on LA Time Machines' fun website.
Leonard Maltin
A photo of lobby fountain from a July 2006 visit Leonard talks about on his website.
Not Goth on Flickr
The May 2007 Los Angeles Theatre set by Not Goth includes this nice detail of the fire curtain. full size view
Skyscraper City
www.skyscrapercity.com Here's a lovely view of the Los Angeles Theatre for a premiere in 1931. Part of a discussion group on historical Los Angeles.
There are more vintage images (if you scroll down a bit).
Tales of an LA Addict on Flickr
The '06 Last Remaining Seats at the Los Angeles set by Tales of an LA Addict has 24 nice views including this detail of the lobby ceiling.
You Are Here
Another auditorium view of the Los Angeles from a wonderful website. Take a tour down the Broadway Corridor for lots of terrific photos. Click on any building name for a photo by Martin.
full size photo | more from you-are-here
Pete Wilson on Flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/petewilson
Pete's great Los Angeles Theatre set of 17 photos includes this nice view along one of the sides of the lobby.
A 2007 view up the grand stairs of the Los Angeles Theatre.
A majestic look down a main floor aisle onto the bare stage by Pete Wilson.
A wonderful look at the auditorium ceiling dome.
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us The State Library has lots of great theatre photos -- including this 1984 view of the Los Angeles Theatre grand staircase by Tom Zimmerman. full size image
Here's a view of the auditorium by Tom Zimmerman, also taken in 1984.
Also by Tom Zimmerman is this1982 view looking into the downstairs lounge.
The State Library has an amazing collection of 1931 Mott studio photographs of the Los Angeles Theatre. Items in the Mott-Merge collection include:
Exteriors: night view of street with search lights | closer view of facade at night | daytime view "City Lights" | facade view | marquee and vertical | exterior from the south |
Boxoffice Area: boxoffice | another boxoffice view | terrazzo detail |
Grand Lobby: grand lobby | grand lobby and stairway |
another view toward stairs | closer view of stairs | another grand stair view | stairway and fountain | decorative table and vase | chair in grand lobby | lobby sidewall and chandeliers | another lobby sidewall shot | ceiling and chandelier detail | chandelier | looking toward front doors from top of stairs | inside main doors | stairway and drinking fountain | drinking fountain detail |
Top of Grand Stairs: fountain detail | another fountain detail | base of fountain | fountain basin detail | wall detail left of fountain | mezzanine stairs left of fountain | fountain and stairs to mezzanine | top of grand stairs | another top of stairs view | doorway near top of grand stair | mezzanine wall detail |
Mezzanine Level Foyer: view down the lobby | staircase and drinking fountain | sofa in foyer |
Intermediate Downstairs Lounge: intermediate level lounge | another lounge view | yet another lounge view | lounge furniture detail |
Foyer outside Main Lounge: stairway up to intermediate level | chair and table in the foyer | looking down into main lounge | another view into main lounge |
The periscope in the downstairs lounge is shown in this 1931 view from the State Library's Mott-Merge collection. From here, you could see either the film or action on stage.
Main Downstairs Lounge: lounge from entrance | lounge and furniture | lounge looking toward stairs | another lounge view | furniture in main lounge | another vista of main lounge | lounge - note periscope viewer on right wall | telephone booths in main lounge | lounge sofa | sofa and chair closeup | furniture in main lounge | lounge rug detail | view toward cosmetics room | table with sculpture |
Downstairs Cafe: cafe counter | cafe and dining tables |
Children's Playroom: children's playroom | mural in children's playroom | slide and toys in children's playroom
Women's Lounge: women's toilet rooms | another view - hall of toilet rooms | sinks in the ladies room | women's cosmetic room | women's cosmetic room | women's cosmetic room | women's cosmetic room |
Men's Lounge: men's toilet area | men's urinals | drinking fountain in men's lavatory | shoe shine chairs, mens's lavatory | sinks and drinking fountain in men's lavatory | sinks in men's lavatory
Auditorium: ceiling dome detail | closer dome detail | yet another ceiling detail | proscenium from first balcony | draperies and fire curtain | view from a bit farther back | fire curtain from balcony | proscenium view with main curtain | same from balcony | looking across auditorium from top balcony | house right wall near proscenium | organ grille house right | closer view | organ grille house left |
house left wall from main floor | house left wall from stage | loge seating | rear of main floor | cry room rear of first balcony | sidewall from top balcony | view toward rear of house | another lower view to rear - note narrow seating sections | view to rear at balcony level | upper balcony | mural detail | another ceiling mural detail |
Misc. Details: bench and mirror | furniture and decorative wall | linoleum covered stairs | stairway | rug detail | rug detail | furniture detail | table and vase | another view of table and vase |
For more information on downtown Los Angeles theaters near the Los Angeles see the Los Angeles Broadway Theaters page.
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