The Orpheum Theatre, one of the most opulent of the Los Angeles movie palaces in an October 2007 view.
click on any of these images to enlarge
recently restored roofsign
looking north on Broadway
ticket lobby
The alley behind the Orpheum. The fire stairs at left are for the dressing rooms. Note the roof sign at the Broadway edge of the building.
More sources for information about the Orpheum Theatre...
The thumbnail images below are generally from searches on Yahoo! or Google Images 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.
American Theatre Organ Society
www.atos.org The ATOS has a wonderful website which, in addition to organ matters, has a number of theatre profiles. The Orpheum article also has more photos. full size image
California State Library
www.lib.state.ca.us This 1984 lobby photo by Tom Zimmerman is in the State Library collection.
Cinema Treasures
www.cinematreasures.org A great shot of the Orpheum sidewall on a terrific website. Cinema Treasures is an amazing resource on theatres around the world. full size image
L.A. Conservancy
A nice shot of the balcony level lobby at the Orpheum. The Conservancy featured this image on their site as the owners of the Orpheum had received a preservation award. Visit the Conservancy site for more on the organization's programs, tours and classic film screenings. full size image
A view of the balcony level lobby in 1992 from the Conservancy's wonderful photo gallery of the Broadway Historic Theatre District. full size view
The Berger-Conser photo is from "The Last Remaining Seats: Movie Palaces of Tinseltown" by Robert Berger and Anne Conser. For more by this team head to Robert Berger Photography where there are 16 great images from the book, which is available through Amazon.
A Kleig-lit event at the Orpheum in another image from the Conservancy's photo gallery of the Broadway Historic Theatre District - which features many more Orpheum photos.
This photo is from the Conservancy archives.
Los Angeles Movie Palaces
This site's Los Angeles Movie Palaces page has lots of great theatre pictures.
Here's a sweeping view across the Orpheum auditorium. full size view
Also on this site: proscenium view | rear of the auditorium |
LA Okay
www.laokay.com Here's a recent photo of the Orpheum exterior from this site's Theatres article.
L.A. Public Library Photo Collection
www.lapl.org A 1949 view from the Library's collection. The Orpheum at this late date still hadn't got the memo that vaudeville was dead.
The Orpheum Theatre lobby in 1932.
Here's an undated view of the proscenium in the Library's collection.
Also from the Library's wonderful collection is this undated view of the rear of the auditorium. full size view
More from the LAPL collection: proscenium - 1926 | house left | ticket lobby | ticket lobby -1931 | marquee - 1930 | entrance - 1931 | undated marquee shot | 60's exterior | garment action |
LA Time Machines
This under balcony shot is on this terrific site's Los Angeles Movie Palaces page.
A recent proscenium view. full size image
Also on this site: lobby torchiere | men's lounge panelling | light fixture | stained glass fixture |
Retro Traveler on Flickr
www.flickr.com/photos/kahunna Retro Traveler's 2006 set taken during a LA Conservancy Broadway Tour has a number of great views of the Los Angeles Broadway theaters including this stunning view of the Orpheum Theatre lobby.
A view by Retro Traveler looking across the auditorium.
A great photo of the Orpheum Theatre's ceiling.
Seeing Stars
www.seeing-stars.com This site has an abundance of theatre photos and data. Here's a great main floor Orpheum photo on Seeing Stars' Broadway Theatre District page by renowned architectural photographers Robert Berger and Anne Conser. This photo appears in their book "Last Remaining Seats: Movie Palaces of Tinseltown." full size view
For a color version of this photo head to Robert Berger Photography
Travel Blog
www.travelblog.viator.com This great back of the balcony shot by Berger Conser Photography is on this site's Los Angeles weekends page.
Unique View on Flickr
Unique View's Theatre Set includes some nice shots of the Orpheum in 2006 including this wonderful shot of the Orpheum Theatre ceiling.
USC Geography - Downtown Walking Tour
usc.edu/dept/geography/...tour
This site offers a great stroll through downtown. Here's a shot of the Orpheum marquee at dusk toward the end of its regular movie days. full size image
This is in the site's chapter on the Historic Core. Click on any of the buildings on the map for a view.
USC Archive
The USC Archive has this nice 1937 aerial view down Broadway. The boxy marquee of the Orpheum Theatre is on the right. full size view
Also in the USC Archive: under construction
For more information on downtown Los Angeles theaters near the Orpheum see the Broadway Theaters Los Angeles page.