None of the historic movie palaces on Broadway in Los Angeles still show movies on a regular basis (that may have changed for the Million Dollar Theater - please let me know). There are several ways to see the interiors of some of these palaces.  First, there is the fantastic tour given by the Los Angeles Conservancy on Saturdays.  See the links page to find out more.  Also, these places are occasionally rented out for special shows or events.  I believe the Mayan theater is now a dance club.  The State and the United Artists are now churches, but I would not attempt to see these unless you are sincere in wanting to know about the church itself. One (Warner Bros. on 7th and Hill) can be seen because it is a "jewelry center" (check with guards first).

In other parts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area there are still functioning movie palaces such as the Chinese Theater, the El Capitan, the Alex and the Rialto (Pasadena) The Egyptian has been restored but the interior is substantially remodeled. The movie palace to me represents a painful yet beautiful reminder of how much we have lost in American culture.  How is it that such incredible places were built before the invention of modern technology, yet somehow we cannot create such places today? Why did we have so much appreciation of beauty then and not now? Where is the attention to beauty, detail and quality today? Why is it that generic places abound today? Isn't beauty and detail and craftsmanship profitable in the modern world?  How is it that architecture and interior design has been so dumbed down? Anyone have an answer? Any time you have a chance to check these places out - jump on it! Click on small (thumbnail) pictures to expand. Then hit the "back" button to return.

The Arcade (1910-1911 Morgan and Walls)  534 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	Originally built in the style of an English music theater. It may not be clear from the picture, but this was once a Pantages theater (his first). The Los Angeles Conservancy has pulled a real coup by getting the owner to very generously allow the Conservancy tour group to see the inside. There was no access for many years. This alone is a great reason to take the Conservancy tour! The interior of the Arcade is in pretty bad shape, but you do get a feel for what it was. Note the Cameo theater next door, followed by the Roxie.
Belasco Theater, 1050 S Hill Street, Los Angeles (1926 Morgan Walls and Clements - Churrigueresque)	Next to the Mayan Theater. Does not appear to be in use. Obviously part of the Belasco theater chain. Originally designed as a legitimate theater.
The Cameo (1910 Alfred F. Rosenheim - Beaux Arts and Italian Renaissance) - 528 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	Originally a Nickelodeon. Later it was called Clune's Broadway (and was built by William Clune). It was never terribly ornate. The interior is not in great shape, but the owner of the store in front was very generous in allowing the Los Angeles Conservancy to bring a tour group in. It closed in 1991.
Globe (1913 - Morgan and Walls) - 744 Broadway, Los Angeles	Originally a legitimate theater, previously called the Belasco (and of that chain) It appears the Marquee was recently mysteriously damaged.
Los Angeles (1931  S. Charles Lee - French Renaissance) - 615 S. Broadway, Los Angeles	The premiere of Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" was held here. This was the most luxurious movie palace built by S. Charles Lee (18th Century French style).  He spent $1.2 million dollars on this palace - a princely sum back then.  The interior, amazingly lavish, is said to resemble the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Often in cheaper films when you see a character in a European palace, it's being filmed in this theater lobby.  It was built with a special circus tent-like room for children to play in while their parents watched the movie.  It also has a special mechanism so that the movie could be remotely viewed while standing in the smoking lounge downstairs. This place often opens for special events. Don't pass up a chance to see this place! If you go to an event here, eat at Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's P.E. Buffet or the Yorkshire grill first.
Mayan (1927 Morgan, Walls and Clements - facade by Mexican artist Francisco Cornejo ) - 1038 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA	Originally a legitimate theater. Constructed by the Belasco Theater Chain. Highly ornamented with Mayan cultural details, such as Mayan warriors. The colorful paint you see on the ornamentation was not there until 1960. Before it was a more stark appearance. You can see some of the interior in the movie "Save the Tiger". It also appears in the movie "The Bodyguard".  I believe this might currently be a dance club.
Million Dollar Theater -307 S. Broadway, Los Angeles (Woollett and Albert C. Martin - 1918 or 1917)	This place is currently empty, although it did a long stint as a protestant church.  Apparently the Churrigueresque style was too much for the church because I noticed they had put sheets over some of the designs inside.  Over the years there has been some remodeling of the lobby, but the interior is still in pretty good shape (except the church painted over some very historic murals).  My father, who lived in South Central in the 1940s, tells me he used to see three movies and a live show (one time including Sammy Davis Jr.) for 25 cents. This was Sid Grauman's first theater I believe. The first film shown here was "The Silent Man." Near the Redwood 2nd St. Saloon (now the Pirate Themed "Redwood", Cole's PE Buffet, Philippe's, Clifton's Cafeteria and the Yorkshire Grill.
The Orpheum (G. Albert Lansburgh 1925 or 1926 - closed 2000 for regular movies) - 842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles	French Renaissance interior - one of the last theaters to stop showing regular movies. Huge place with 2000 seats. The Marx brothers appeared here in the Vaudeville days (which at this theater continued up to the 1950s). It has a top of the line Wurlitzer Organ. Recently the try outs for American Idol were held here. Film locations here include Barton Fink, Ed Wood, and "The Doors". The Orpheum and the Los Angeles Theaters are the most magnificent of the Los Angeles Broadway Movie Palaces and the Orpheum is by far in the best condition after a recent restoration.
The Palace  (1911 - Italian Renaissance - Albert Lansburgh & Robert Brown Young with ornamentation by Domingo Mora) - Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	This was originally named the Orpheum and was changed when the newer more lavish Orpheum was built. It was part of the Orpheum vaudeville circuit (and the most ancient surviving theater of the Orpheum chain).  It originally was solely vaudeville and only later became a movie theater. As best as I can recall, the last three theaters to show regulars movies were the Palace, the State, and the Orpheum. This was not quite as ornate as later theaters but still quite sensational.  I saw "the Mask" here before it closed.
The Rialto (1917- Downtown LA) - 812 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	Originally a nickelodeon. It has the longest Marquee of any Broadway theater. Sid Grauman also leased this theater.
The Roxie (1931 - John C. Cooper) - 518 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	This was the last theater constructed on Broadway and the only one in the art deco style. It was one of the few on Broadway actually built for sound pictures.
The State (1921 - Weck and Day)- 702 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	Judy Garland once sang here in 1929. It was part of the MGM chain of theaters. As with many movie palaces, this was also a vaudeville locale. Currently a protestant church with predominantly Hispanic members. It had a very beautiful interior the last time I saw a movie here (but did not smell too well back then!). I recently went in after a very nice man guarding the front said it was ok. There is still much of value in the interior but it also appears much has been remodeled for the church.
Tower (1927 S. Charles Lee) - 802 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA	I was able to get in here while it was being rented to a church group.  The original seats were gone, but there was still much of the interior intact. This was the first theater with something akin to air conditioning. This was sort of a practice run for S. Charles Lee in the style of a Paris Opera House, before he built the even more fabulous Los Angeles Theater. Possibly this was the theater in Mullholland Drive. (silencio - no hay banda!)
United Artists (1926 or 1927 - depending on what source you believe - why do opening dates vary so much between books!!! Walker & Eisen or C. Howard Crane - Spanish Gothic) 933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California	Spanish Gothic interior - originally owned by Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Charlie Chaplin. If you look closely, a mural inside has each actors' face. Now operated as a Church (The Los Angeles University Cathedral Church), but perfectly preserved inside. You might be able to see it on the Los Angeles conservancy tour. Opened with the movie "My Best Girl".
Warner/Pantages - West Seventh St. Los Angeles, CA(B. Marcus Priteca 1920)	You can still see the interior of this incredible theater by walking in the jewelry mart here (ask permission). This is where the alleged rape took place that threw Alexander Pantages' life into the newspaper headlines in 1929.  He was later acquitted of raping the 17 year old school girl. Not far from Clifton's Cafeteria, Cole's PE Buffet, Hank's bar, the Standard Hotel and the Original Pantry Cafe.
BEYOND THE DOWNTOWN THEATER DISTRICT:
CULVER CITY, CA
Culver Theater, 9820 Washington Boulevard,, Culver City, CA  (1947)	Don't know anything about this place yet. Culver City once produced more movies than Hollywood (geographically).
PASADENA, CA
The Rialto (S. Pasadena)	A kind and knowledgeable person contributed this: The Rialto was built in 1924 by LA Smith, noted theatre architect.  It was used for vaudeville performances as well as film, from the very start.  There are still dressing rooms in the basement.  Little has been done to it since it was built.  There used to be loge seats downstairs, big fluffy armchairs but they have now been moved up to the balcony which is now closed.  There is an orchestra pit, a greenroom, etc.  It is on the national register of historic places and is owned by landmark theatres.  The original Wurlitzer which was in the theatre was sold but was recently returned by the man who bought it.  It is in the meridian ironworks museum in South Pasadena (next to the goldline mission station).  It has been featured in the player and  also in numerous commercials and movies including, Scream 2 (where they premiered 'stab')Kentucky fried movie, Number 23, a diet coke commercial, a Tim Burton commercial that only aired in japan, as well as visa stills in magazines and many other things, its hard to keep track.   The theatre itself is decorated in a Spanish/Egyptian style.  There was a fire in the 70s that destroyed the organ bay and so it is now bricked up to the left of the stage.  There are large statues of harpies that frame support the organ bays.  Its a gorgeous theatre and although you wont be allowed to take photos of the inside, one can come by during open hours in between movies and take a look at the auditorium and lobby though the rest is off limits.  There is a gargoyle at the center of the proscenium arch whose eyes light up.
WESTLAKE/MacArthur Park
Westlake Theater, 710 S. Alvarado Street, Los Angeles, CA	I don't recommend going here. It's a high crime area. However, for negligent souls like myself, I was surprised to find how much was left of the interior (now used as a swap meet - "flea market" to you East Coast types!) It so strange to see how much this area has changed.  I hope this place is protected from further decay.
SILVERLAKE:
Vista Theater (1923),  4473 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles 323-660-6639	Small but well preserved old movie theater. Egyptian interior. If I'm not mistaken, this was approximately the location of the great Babylonian set from the movie Intolerance that served as the inspiration for the Hollywood and Vine Mall. Near the Tiki Ti, El Chavo, El Cid, the Short Stop bar, the Brite Spot and Millie's
WILSHIRE CENTER/KOREATOWN:
Wiltern (1931 Morgan, Walls and Clements and interior G. Albert Lansburgh), 3780 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA	First known as the Wiltern-Warner and the Warner Brothers Western Theater before the big anti-trust suit that made the studios divest their theaters. It once contained the grandest theater pipe organ in the West of the U.S. It closed not long after it opened due to the Depression.  It did not stay closed long however. Almost torn down in the 80s - an art deco masterpiece. Parts of "La Bamba" and "Barton Fink" were filmed here. Not far from Frank n' Hanks, the Prince, the HMS Bounty and the Brass Monkey.
HOLLYWOOD MOVIE PALACES:
Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Boulevard., Los Angeles (since 1963)	Strictly speaking not a movie palace, it certainly looks very impressive inside the dome and it is a wonderful place to see a movie, especially with its state of the art sound system. It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World premiered here in 1963. If a movie is worth seeing, see it at the ArcLight Theaters which are attached here. Not cheap, but great sound systems, screens, reserved seats and other improvements over conventional theaters (323) 464-4226 .
El Capitan (1926 G. Albert Lansburgh) - 6838 Hollywood Blvd. - Open and restored.	This started out as a legitimate theater in 1926 with an East Indian design inside . It was converted to a movie theater in the early 1940s and renamed the Paramount. This is when it presumably lost its original interior design.  It was "restored" in 1991 by Disney. While the restoration did not return the theater to its exact original interior, they did a great job of recreating the feel of the original. The new design was done by Musil, Weil and Reed. Extreme purists may not be happy - but look what happened to the interior of the Egyptian.  The El Capitan proves that movie palaces can be brought back to life and succeed.  The theater now has a Wurlitzer organ with an excellent staff musician.  This was brought in from a movie palace in San Francisco. The Orpheum is the only other movie palace in the area I know of that has a Wurlitzer. There may be one in Santa Barbara.  Citizen Kane premiered here in 1941. If you go to a movie here, eat at Musso and Franks (the Musso and Frank Grill), Miceli's Italian Restaurant , Boardner's Bar or the Pig 'n Whistle Restaurant.
Chinese Theater (1927 Meyer and Holler architects - built by C.E. Toberman) - Open - 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA	Still in perfect condition, inside and out, with a state of the art sound system. Fantastic place to see a movie and $2 underground parking. It was dedicated on 5-18-27 (or alternatively 5-27-27)  supposedly with a 5 million dollar event (impossible to believe).  The first film shown here was Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings. The academy awards were held here for a few years in the mid 1940s. It is rumored that the footprints started with Norma Talmage accidentally stepping in wet cement (or alternatively falling hands first). Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were the first stars to officially put their footprints here. This theater appears in "Star Dust", "Variety Girl" and "Singing in the Rain" among many other films.
Egyptian Theater (1922 Meyer and Holler) - 6712 Hollywood Boulevard , Hollywood, CA	Sid Grauman's first Hollywood theater, which opened with the premiere of "Robin Hood". At a cost of $800,000, it took 18 months to complete.  It was actually first planned to have a Spanish theme (see the red tiled roof) but was changed while building was in progress because of the discovery of King Tut's tomb. The Ten commandments also premiered here. Open and restored in 1998. Wonderful job on the exterior, but not much left of the interior.  I'm sure there is a good explanation and I'm speaking in complete ignorance, but it is hard to understand why so much of the interior had to be destroyed in "restoring" it (apparently it was for acoustical reasons, but that does not explain the lobby).  In any event, American Cinematheque, which runs the place, has certainly done much to bring Hollywood Boulevard back. Very close to Boardner's bar, Miceli's Italian Restaurant and the Musso & Frank Grill (Musso & Frank's)
Pantages (1929-1930 B. Marcus Priteca)- Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA	This was actually first a Fox theater, since Alexander Pantages was in "the joint" and accused of rape when it opened. An Art Deco masterpiece. Howard Hughes acquired it in 1949 and the academy awards were held here for 10 years after that (1949 to 1959).  Al Jolson was the Master of Ceremonies the night it opened. Batman Forever was filmed here. The Frolic Room is in the same building, and it used to be the bar for the theater long ago.  This place is worth going to a show you don't even like, just to see the interior.  Unfortunately they do not let you take pictures inside. Why do places do that??? Check out the Frolic Room while you are there, as well as Boardner's bar, the Powerhouse bar, Miceli's Italian Restaurant and Musso and Frank Grill.
The Hollywood Pacific / Warner Brothers Hollywood Theater,  6433 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.  (1927 G. Albert Lansburgh - Moorish) - closed 1994)	Opened in 1927 (or 1928 - I don't know why sources vary so much) with the movie "The Glorious Betsy". Art Deco,  and Italianate in design (also described as Spanish-Moorish - another fact -the architectural style- that every source seems to change for every building - I guess it's somewhat subjective). Designed by the same man who did the Palace and the Orpheum downtown. It was a Cinerama in the 50's. At one point there was talk of making it into a museum for Hollywood. The last movie I saw here was either Bingo or  Beethoven the St. Bernard. One way or another, it was about a dog. Much of the interior was still in pretty good shape when it closed, although some of it was hidden behind curtains. Carol Burnett worked here in the 1940s. The Los Angeles Conservancy is showing a film here this year for its "Last Remaining Seats", an incredible opportunity to see the interior of this closed theater.  Update:  I went to the showing there and the interior is in great shape.  Even the main part of the theater, long hidden by curtains has much of the ornamentation left and could definitely be restored. Vintage Postcard of Hollywood Blvd. with the Warner on the left.
GLENDALE
The Alex Theater, 216 North Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA (1925 Arthur G. Lindley and Charles R. Selkirt )	Very nicely restored. Sort of a cross between Egyptian and Greek styling. Near Damon's - so eat there before and after shows. The art deco neon sign out front was designed as a later remodel by the great S. Charles Lee in 1940, along with the beautiful marquee and terrazzo flooring.
INGLEWOOD
Academy Theater/Cathedral (S. Charles Lee - 1939),  3100 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305	Incredible Streamline Moderne with one 125 foot tower. I guess it's a church now.
SANTA MONICA
Aero Theater, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, 323-466-FILM.	This was apparently built for the Aircraft workers in what was then a nearby aircraft plant. It was originally open 24 hours as a perk to the workers.
SAN PEDRO
The Warner Grand, 478 West 6th Street in San Pedro, CA	A wonderfully preserved movie palace that has become the center piece of the San Pedro community. Finally, a city that appreciates its treasures!
WESTWOOD
Fox Village Theater, 945 Broxton, Westwood, CA (P. Lewis - Spanish Revival 1931)	Very impressive exterior. Don't know much yet about either of these Westwood movie palaces. I went into one of the two (can't remember which - about 10 or 15 years ago and I was disappointed as to how little of the original interior was left). When I first fell in love with Los Angeles (as a visitor from San Diego) - I used to almost exclusively hang out in Westwood.  On a recent return after many years, it did not seem nearly as lively as it once was (but it may have just been a bad night).  I guess it used to be just about the only thing going for a stroll at night, but now with the Universal City Walk and the Grove, among other places, it no longer holds a monopoly.
Bruin Theater, 948 Broxton, Westwood (S. Charles Lee 1937)	See comments for the Fox Village Theater.