This theater is about to have a FILM NOIR FESTIVAL on June 2-5…
I recommend a call to the theater the day of the event to confirm guest appearances. Some of these films are being shown on one of only 1 or 2 prints remaining. It is not to be missed if you are in the area.
Thursday June 2nd 7:30 pm – OPENING NIGHT with actress Salome Jens
SECONDS (1966)
Friday June 3rd 10:00 am
BLONDE ICE (1948)
Friday June 3rd 1:00 pm w/ Special guest Paul Picerni
I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE F.B.I. (1951)
Friday June 3rd 4:00 pm
with special guest James MacArthur & Ray Bradbury book signing
CRIME WITHOUT PASSION (1934)
Friday June 3rd 7:30 pm
an evening with Mamie Van Doren on stage
GUNS, GIRLS, AND GANGSTERS (1959)
Saturday June 4th 10:00 am
TRY AND GET ME (1950)
Saturday June 4th 1:00 pm
THE GLASS WEB (1953)
Saturday June 4th 4:00 pm w/ Special guest Stanley Rubin
THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)
Saturday June 4th 7:30 pm w/ Special guest Robert Forster
JACKIE BROWN (1997)
Sunday June 5th 10:00 am
GUILTY BYSTANDER (1950)
Sunday June 5th 1:00 pm
Actress Nancy Coleman in a special guest appearance.
SUDDENLY (1954)
Sunday June 5th 4:00 pm
DESTINY (1944)
Sunday June 5th 7:30 pm – Special Guest director George Englund
THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY (1969)
This was a beautiful theater, as Joe so beautifully points out. It was far ahead of it’s time architecurally. I found a great photo of the theater in 1921 here… http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014859.jpg
As Joe points out, the theater was very badly damaged in the 1933 earthquake and was pretty much beyond repair looking at the photo of the aftermath here…. http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014858.jpg
Patsy, YES, the marquee is fully intact, just as they are at the Bookstar in San Diego at the old Loma theater and in Studio City, California. The marquees are all in great shape, if not restored at all 3 theaters.
KenRoe, I had no idea they were doing that extensive of renovations! That’s great news. I am very interested to see the pagoda over the door and the replica doors, as well.
Although I have not yet seen the movie, I noticed in a still from the film “The Aviator”, they have replicated the entrance of the Chinese as it looked with specially built neon signs for the movie “Hell’s Angels” in 1929. I believe the neon signs were red, and were 2 sided on both sides of the forecourt. I also found a photo of the signs at the following links. Does anyone know what other real neon signs were made just for a film title shown at the Chinese Theater? http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015760.jpg http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014618.jpg
Here is another view of the Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr signature blocks … again, notice her HUGE “and I” in comparision to his “The King” … below is another unusual “non-star” set of prints, which was Donald O'Connors mother in his block…. http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014585.jpg
Hi William and sonke … Here is a photo of the marquee of the “Egyptian Theater” just down the block in 1955. As you can see, the movie “Oklahoma” was the feature, and, as William says, the film title is in NEON and looks almost permanent. Since this was expensive to do, it was reserved for features the studios and theaters thought were monumental and would play at the theater for a while.
In the new film “The Aviator”, there is a scene at the 1929 premier of “Hells Angels” and there are huge neon signs of the film title on the 2 sides at the entrance of Graumans Chinese. This is not fiction. There truly were huge signs made and installed just as shown at the entrance of the forecourt (By the way, the film “Hells Angels” is amazing for it’s time and is well worth a look). Here is a photo of those signs…
Joe, it seems you are absolutely correct. I am sure this theater was there when I atended Virgil Junior High School in 1962-1965. Does anyone know when it was knocked down?
The bookstore has been there for many years and is a great place for browsing. I had no idea this was a theater at one time, but it makes sense. It’s a great space. Thanks for posting this one.
Hey Bill… Thanks for posting… the photo is great! I think the story of those blocks rate among the best stories of the forecourt. I have a book all about the prints at the theater somewhere in storage. I will try to find it and post some of the other legendary stories. The book also gives the dates and ceremony info. It is long out of print. Has anyone else seen the book?
Hi Gustavelifting… I understood it was Norma Talmadge who was being given the tour by Sid Grauman and it was poor Norma who made the mis-step. Her square is very prominant in front of the entrance doorway.
William, that is great information! I also have another tidbit concerning Yul Brynner’s square. At the time of the premier for “The King and I”, which also starred Deborah Kerr, it was said the 2 were not on speaking terms and quite angry with each other because each thought they deserved top billing in the film. Yul apparently was asked to come to place his prints first, so he had his ceremony and wrote “THE KING” along the top of his square in huge letters. When Deborah placed her prints in the cement in a separate ceremony a short time later next to his, she wrote “AND I” in letters that were even larger than Yul’s. If that is a true story, it sure is a good one, because after seeing their squares in person, it looks like it could have happend that way. Her “AND I” is absolutely gigantic! Have you heard that one?
Patsy, One of my favorite things about this theater is that the cashiers are in the old lobby, but the old stairways are still beautiful on either side going up, and they put small book rooms with the art, music and architecture books in them, so some of the best books in the entire building are off the stairways going up to the balcony.
brucec…. Just wanted to say that I own the DVD of the restored “A Star is Born” and even though still shots were used, the movie shows what an enormous talent Judy Garland was. The range of emotions and her singing and dancing run through the entire picture. Vic and Ron did a great job and the film is as much a tribute to them as it is to Judy. She must be smiling in heaven with them. Thanks for the note.
GrauMann, thanks for the details. I think Rhonda Fleming, who was Mr. Mann’s wife, is still there, but I cannot be sure. She sure was a fine actress, however, and don’t think her name should be removed. Her square was just to the left hand side of the main doorway. She is still on the unofficial map of the forecourt.
William, I recall “The Egyptian”. It was a magnificent technicolor epic which also starred Jean Simmons and Victor Mature. The name of the star was “Edmund Purdom” (who replaced Marlon Brando when he turned down the role). If they took his name away, that’s a real shame. He is still alive and well in Europe and has been living in Rome and has been making films in that country for the last few decades. He will be 80 years old this year. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get him to come back and re-do his slab? “The Egyptian” is available on DVD and even the soundtrack co-written by Bernard Hermann and Alfred Newman is available on Amazon. It’s an incredible score.
Hi Jim and RobertR, As far as I know, no names have been removed to make way for someone else (although it is possible for another reason) and we have never run out of room in the forecourt yet.
If memory serves me, 1 or 2 of the stars did put their prints in the cement, and because it was not prepared correctly those squares crumbled in a short while, so those stars were asked back to put their prints in cement once more, although I don’t believe with a second ceremony. Although there are a couple of hundred stars whos names are imprinted, there is still cement left in the forecourt for more, but the ceremony is now only reserved for major movie stars only (although I am not sure how they judge that criteria).
When the Chinese Theater was restored 3 or 4 years ago, they removed a long awning that ran for many years from the sidewalk to the main entrance… that opened up some concrete patches, then they also removed some palm trees. In these areas, there is new space to add future names.
There is a page that has a map of the forecourt and where to find the stars…. if you look at the map, you will see a light blue area around the footprint squares… that is aprox. how much room is left. Perhaps 2/3 to ¾ of the space has been used so far. It should last a little while longer ….. View link
Hi scottfavareille and lostmemory… I did not know the Eureka Theater Company had such an ambitious schedule. I could not find their website, and glad to see you found it. Great! I saw the first run of Woody Allen’s “Bullets Over Broadway” at this theater in 1994, and was told that Woody loved having his films shown at this cinema. I have not been back to S.F. in a few years and must make a point to see a live production here. Thanks.
I don’t think the place is haunted…. it ran for many years just fine. It’s a great venue if someone were to put a little into cleaning it up. It’s in a great location with lots of drive-by traffic.
The new owners are Chuck and Leona Borough and the Chamber of Commerce or City Directory will have them listed. If you need more info, perhaps I can help a bit more.
I found a wonderful photograph of the “Etude Ethiopian Chorus” onstage at Grauman’s Chinese theater performing a live musical prologue that came just before the showing of the movie “TRADER HORN”… the photo is dated 1931….
There is a movie about a company that performs prologues for movie theaters… and it contains some great muscial numbers by Busby Berkeley that could not possibly be performed on a real stage. The movie is called “Footlight Parade” and starred James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, and Ruby Keeler from 1933. Future stars Dorothy LaMour and Ann Southern played chorus girls and were not credited in the titles.
Does anyone know other prologues that were performed at the Chinese Theater or any other theater and perhaps how common they were?
Hi Quixote… The theater had 2 war movies in a double feature on November 22, 1963 when Oswald was captured … “Cry of Battle” with Van Heflin and “War is Hell.” Both were first run films and made in 1963.
I have posted a photo of Hollywood Boulevard taken around 1947 of the Vine Street Theater (then called THE ADMIRAL). The view looks like it was taken from an upper floor of the Pacific 1,2,3 (then the Warners Theater) building just to the west and looking down towards Hollywood and Vine Streets…
The movies on the marquee of the Admiral are “The Razors Edge” with Tyrone Power (1946) and “Housekeepers Daughter” with Joan Bennett and Adolph Menjou (made a few years earlier in 1939).
I am curious about the mirror-like sign at the far left that contains three letters (“P”, “U” and “I”) in reverse. Can anyone take a guess at that?
Great William, you’re right, the main feature is “Razors Edge” and it was made in 1946….
I actually figured out the second feature… it was “Housekeepers Daughter” from 1939, with Joan Bennett and Adolph Menjou … I guess that feature was in a second run at the time… it’s a good guess the postcard view is from 1946 or 1947.
Hey, thanks Joe… I appreciate that. Odd that they named it the “Vine” when it’s not on Vine Street and there has been confusion between the Hollywood Playhouse and Ricardo Montalban which are on Vine Street for years. I found another website about the Hollywood Playhouse that talks about the CBS Radio shows held at the Playhouse, which were actually performed at the Montalban (then called the CBS Radio Theater).
I found an interesting photo for you. Above, you wrote “In 1913, the Idyl Hour Theatre was re-located to 6415 Hollywood Blvd and the name changed to Iris Theatre (This location would put it just slightly East of the current Warner Theatre (Pacific 1-2-3) on what is currently an empty piece of land)…. I wonder if the low building just beyond the Warner Theatre building is the former first 1913 built Iris Theatre?”
I actually found a photo, TAKEN FROM A POSTCARD CIRCA 1948, which I have posted below, apparently taken from where the Warners Theater building is… and behold, a theater marquee! I can’t make out the text on it, however… can you? Is this our “mystery theater” at 6415 Hollywood Blvd. in a later incarnation? When I first saw this card, I thought the marquee was the Warners, but realized it looks nothing like the square shaped marquees of the Warner and looks to be lower to the street, as well.
ALSO… I also wonder why the large letters “P U I” are backwards on the oblong mirror-like sign at the extreme left?
This theater is about to have a FILM NOIR FESTIVAL on June 2-5…
I recommend a call to the theater the day of the event to confirm guest appearances. Some of these films are being shown on one of only 1 or 2 prints remaining. It is not to be missed if you are in the area.
Thursday June 2nd 7:30 pm – OPENING NIGHT with actress Salome Jens
SECONDS (1966)
Friday June 3rd 10:00 am
BLONDE ICE (1948)
Friday June 3rd 1:00 pm w/ Special guest Paul Picerni
I WAS A COMMUNIST FOR THE F.B.I. (1951)
Friday June 3rd 4:00 pm
with special guest James MacArthur & Ray Bradbury book signing
CRIME WITHOUT PASSION (1934)
Friday June 3rd 7:30 pm
an evening with Mamie Van Doren on stage
GUNS, GIRLS, AND GANGSTERS (1959)
Saturday June 4th 10:00 am
TRY AND GET ME (1950)
Saturday June 4th 1:00 pm
THE GLASS WEB (1953)
Saturday June 4th 4:00 pm w/ Special guest Stanley Rubin
THE NARROW MARGIN (1952)
Saturday June 4th 7:30 pm w/ Special guest Robert Forster
JACKIE BROWN (1997)
Sunday June 5th 10:00 am
GUILTY BYSTANDER (1950)
Sunday June 5th 1:00 pm
Actress Nancy Coleman in a special guest appearance.
SUDDENLY (1954)
Sunday June 5th 4:00 pm
DESTINY (1944)
Sunday June 5th 7:30 pm – Special Guest director George Englund
THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY (1969)
For complete info on films and prices, go to: http://www.palmspringsfilmnoir.com/
This was a beautiful theater, as Joe so beautifully points out. It was far ahead of it’s time architecurally. I found a great photo of the theater in 1921 here…
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014859.jpg
The theater was very popular… here are 2 scenes taken of the entrance in 1927…
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014860.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014862.jpg
As Joe points out, the theater was very badly damaged in the 1933 earthquake and was pretty much beyond repair looking at the photo of the aftermath here….
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014858.jpg
Patsy, YES, the marquee is fully intact, just as they are at the Bookstar in San Diego at the old Loma theater and in Studio City, California. The marquees are all in great shape, if not restored at all 3 theaters.
KenRoe, I had no idea they were doing that extensive of renovations! That’s great news. I am very interested to see the pagoda over the door and the replica doors, as well.
Although I have not yet seen the movie, I noticed in a still from the film “The Aviator”, they have replicated the entrance of the Chinese as it looked with specially built neon signs for the movie “Hell’s Angels” in 1929. I believe the neon signs were red, and were 2 sided on both sides of the forecourt. I also found a photo of the signs at the following links. Does anyone know what other real neon signs were made just for a film title shown at the Chinese Theater?
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015760.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014618.jpg
Here is another view of the Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr signature blocks … again, notice her HUGE “and I” in comparision to his “The King” … below is another unusual “non-star” set of prints, which was Donald O'Connors mother in his block….
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014585.jpg
Hi William and sonke … Here is a photo of the marquee of the “Egyptian Theater” just down the block in 1955. As you can see, the movie “Oklahoma” was the feature, and, as William says, the film title is in NEON and looks almost permanent. Since this was expensive to do, it was reserved for features the studios and theaters thought were monumental and would play at the theater for a while.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014528.jpg
In the new film “The Aviator”, there is a scene at the 1929 premier of “Hells Angels” and there are huge neon signs of the film title on the 2 sides at the entrance of Graumans Chinese. This is not fiction. There truly were huge signs made and installed just as shown at the entrance of the forecourt (By the way, the film “Hells Angels” is amazing for it’s time and is well worth a look). Here is a photo of those signs…
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014682.jpg
Joe, it seems you are absolutely correct. I am sure this theater was there when I atended Virgil Junior High School in 1962-1965. Does anyone know when it was knocked down?
The bookstore has been there for many years and is a great place for browsing. I had no idea this was a theater at one time, but it makes sense. It’s a great space. Thanks for posting this one.
Hey Bill… Thanks for posting… the photo is great! I think the story of those blocks rate among the best stories of the forecourt. I have a book all about the prints at the theater somewhere in storage. I will try to find it and post some of the other legendary stories. The book also gives the dates and ceremony info. It is long out of print. Has anyone else seen the book?
Hi Gustavelifting… I understood it was Norma Talmadge who was being given the tour by Sid Grauman and it was poor Norma who made the mis-step. Her square is very prominant in front of the entrance doorway.
William, that is great information! I also have another tidbit concerning Yul Brynner’s square. At the time of the premier for “The King and I”, which also starred Deborah Kerr, it was said the 2 were not on speaking terms and quite angry with each other because each thought they deserved top billing in the film. Yul apparently was asked to come to place his prints first, so he had his ceremony and wrote “THE KING” along the top of his square in huge letters. When Deborah placed her prints in the cement in a separate ceremony a short time later next to his, she wrote “AND I” in letters that were even larger than Yul’s. If that is a true story, it sure is a good one, because after seeing their squares in person, it looks like it could have happend that way. Her “AND I” is absolutely gigantic! Have you heard that one?
Patsy, One of my favorite things about this theater is that the cashiers are in the old lobby, but the old stairways are still beautiful on either side going up, and they put small book rooms with the art, music and architecture books in them, so some of the best books in the entire building are off the stairways going up to the balcony.
brucec…. Just wanted to say that I own the DVD of the restored “A Star is Born” and even though still shots were used, the movie shows what an enormous talent Judy Garland was. The range of emotions and her singing and dancing run through the entire picture. Vic and Ron did a great job and the film is as much a tribute to them as it is to Judy. She must be smiling in heaven with them. Thanks for the note.
GrauMann, thanks for the details. I think Rhonda Fleming, who was Mr. Mann’s wife, is still there, but I cannot be sure. She sure was a fine actress, however, and don’t think her name should be removed. Her square was just to the left hand side of the main doorway. She is still on the unofficial map of the forecourt.
William, I recall “The Egyptian”. It was a magnificent technicolor epic which also starred Jean Simmons and Victor Mature. The name of the star was “Edmund Purdom” (who replaced Marlon Brando when he turned down the role). If they took his name away, that’s a real shame. He is still alive and well in Europe and has been living in Rome and has been making films in that country for the last few decades. He will be 80 years old this year. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get him to come back and re-do his slab? “The Egyptian” is available on DVD and even the soundtrack co-written by Bernard Hermann and Alfred Newman is available on Amazon. It’s an incredible score.
Hi Jim and RobertR, As far as I know, no names have been removed to make way for someone else (although it is possible for another reason) and we have never run out of room in the forecourt yet.
If memory serves me, 1 or 2 of the stars did put their prints in the cement, and because it was not prepared correctly those squares crumbled in a short while, so those stars were asked back to put their prints in cement once more, although I don’t believe with a second ceremony. Although there are a couple of hundred stars whos names are imprinted, there is still cement left in the forecourt for more, but the ceremony is now only reserved for major movie stars only (although I am not sure how they judge that criteria).
When the Chinese Theater was restored 3 or 4 years ago, they removed a long awning that ran for many years from the sidewalk to the main entrance… that opened up some concrete patches, then they also removed some palm trees. In these areas, there is new space to add future names.
There is a page that has a map of the forecourt and where to find the stars…. if you look at the map, you will see a light blue area around the footprint squares… that is aprox. how much room is left. Perhaps 2/3 to ¾ of the space has been used so far. It should last a little while longer …..
View link
Hi scottfavareille and lostmemory… I did not know the Eureka Theater Company had such an ambitious schedule. I could not find their website, and glad to see you found it. Great! I saw the first run of Woody Allen’s “Bullets Over Broadway” at this theater in 1994, and was told that Woody loved having his films shown at this cinema. I have not been back to S.F. in a few years and must make a point to see a live production here. Thanks.
I found a great current photo of this theater….
http://www.myhollywoodstar.com/Emptyshowx.jpg
Hello DJ,
I don’t think the place is haunted…. it ran for many years just fine. It’s a great venue if someone were to put a little into cleaning it up. It’s in a great location with lots of drive-by traffic.
The new owners are Chuck and Leona Borough and the Chamber of Commerce or City Directory will have them listed. If you need more info, perhaps I can help a bit more.
I found a wonderful photograph of the “Etude Ethiopian Chorus” onstage at Grauman’s Chinese theater performing a live musical prologue that came just before the showing of the movie “TRADER HORN”… the photo is dated 1931….
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics04/00001962.jpg
There is a movie about a company that performs prologues for movie theaters… and it contains some great muscial numbers by Busby Berkeley that could not possibly be performed on a real stage. The movie is called “Footlight Parade” and starred James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, and Ruby Keeler from 1933. Future stars Dorothy LaMour and Ann Southern played chorus girls and were not credited in the titles.
Does anyone know other prologues that were performed at the Chinese Theater or any other theater and perhaps how common they were?
Here is the marquee on April 18, 1935…
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics34/00036960.jpg
I found a great photo of this theater in 1961 when it was the site of the premier of BACK STREET with Susan Hayward, John Gavin and Vera Miles.
View link
Hi Quixote… The theater had 2 war movies in a double feature on November 22, 1963 when Oswald was captured … “Cry of Battle” with Van Heflin and “War is Hell.” Both were first run films and made in 1963.
I found out Jack Benny used to do radio broadcasts from the stage of the Plaza.
I have posted a photo of Hollywood Boulevard taken around 1947 of the Vine Street Theater (then called THE ADMIRAL). The view looks like it was taken from an upper floor of the Pacific 1,2,3 (then the Warners Theater) building just to the west and looking down towards Hollywood and Vine Streets…
http://www.rchristiananderson.com/hollyvine.jpg
The movies on the marquee of the Admiral are “The Razors Edge” with Tyrone Power (1946) and “Housekeepers Daughter” with Joan Bennett and Adolph Menjou (made a few years earlier in 1939).
I am curious about the mirror-like sign at the far left that contains three letters (“P”, “U” and “I”) in reverse. Can anyone take a guess at that?
Great William, you’re right, the main feature is “Razors Edge” and it was made in 1946….
I actually figured out the second feature… it was “Housekeepers Daughter” from 1939, with Joan Bennett and Adolph Menjou … I guess that feature was in a second run at the time… it’s a good guess the postcard view is from 1946 or 1947.
Hey, thanks Joe… I appreciate that. Odd that they named it the “Vine” when it’s not on Vine Street and there has been confusion between the Hollywood Playhouse and Ricardo Montalban which are on Vine Street for years. I found another website about the Hollywood Playhouse that talks about the CBS Radio shows held at the Playhouse, which were actually performed at the Montalban (then called the CBS Radio Theater).
Hi Ken Roe,
I found an interesting photo for you. Above, you wrote “In 1913, the Idyl Hour Theatre was re-located to 6415 Hollywood Blvd and the name changed to Iris Theatre (This location would put it just slightly East of the current Warner Theatre (Pacific 1-2-3) on what is currently an empty piece of land)…. I wonder if the low building just beyond the Warner Theatre building is the former first 1913 built Iris Theatre?”
I actually found a photo, TAKEN FROM A POSTCARD CIRCA 1948, which I have posted below, apparently taken from where the Warners Theater building is… and behold, a theater marquee! I can’t make out the text on it, however… can you? Is this our “mystery theater” at 6415 Hollywood Blvd. in a later incarnation? When I first saw this card, I thought the marquee was the Warners, but realized it looks nothing like the square shaped marquees of the Warner and looks to be lower to the street, as well.
ALSO… I also wonder why the large letters “P U I” are backwards on the oblong mirror-like sign at the extreme left?
Here is the photo… http://www.rchristiananderson.com/hollyvine.jpg