Orpheum Theatre

A masterpiece of cinema…

Art and commerce:
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics18/00028714.jpg

Bway: The particular Tally’s Broadway across from the Orpheum and near the Majestic is listed at Cinema Treasures. Its location is now occupied by a 1929 addition to the former May Company department store.

Ken: not only the Majestic but, a couple of doors farther up, Tally’s Broadway Theatre was still in operation as can be seen by the blade signs above either side of its entrance.

Here is a photo of the Orpheum under construction. The Majestic is across the street:
http://tinyurl.com/ydpzmh

That’s a great view, Bway. Actually, two weeks ago I was on the triangular corner where Spring and Main converge, right behind the Orpheum, and you can clearly see the theatre roof.

I took the LA Conservancy tour yesterday, and we saw this theatre. Because I posted a lengthy description above, I will not repeat myself. Only I have to say that our tour group was lucky enough to have the theatre manager present to open the doors, and he gave us a wonderful talk about the organ. It was certainly nice of him to spend his Saturday waiting to let us in; it was even nicer of him to spend some time answering our questions and talking to us.

We attended the “Last Remaining Seats” event last night, which featured Judy Garland an James Mason in “A Star is Born.” The theatre itself is just a gem, so beautiful. The balcony, where we sat for the film, is quite steeply raked. There are 3 “opera boxes” on either side of the house, reminding me very much of the Orpheum in Memphis, TN. The boxes are accessible from the balcony or from a stairway from the orchestra level. For the event, there was a performance at the organ, which was just wonderful. It was great to sit in the opera box right below the organ pipes and watch/hear them operate. The valance over the main drape as well as those over the organ screens appear to be the original fabric, while the main drape appears new. There are two lighting trusses hung in front of the stage, but they are fortunately high enough to not be too instrusive. There is a balcony-rail lighting position installed that obscures the decoration along the balcony front.

The lobby is in beautiful shape, although there are oddly shaped upholstered banquettes that (although fun) must not be original to the theatre. The upper level of the balcony is also very nice. I assume the carpet is a reproduction, but it’s nicely done. The chandeliers in the auditorium and in the lobby are functioning and nicely restored.

As an event space, the Orpheum is very versatile. The auditorium is lovely, the lobby is spacious, and the foyer is quite nice. The enclosed box office was in use for the event. Adjacent to the lobby is a larger room that housed a bar/concession stand, but was also large enough to serve as a reception area. This room is not ornate, but rather plain-vanilla. There is a lounge space on the basement lower level, all dark wood and tile, with a fireplace and furnishings. There is a well-equipped bar off this space. The lower level ladies' room has been recently updated; lots of stalls and well-functioning.

For the film showing, I am curious whether the projectors were original to the theatre, or brought in. One machine had problems with focus and with the audio. In general, the sound was pretty bad, at least for us in the balcony. There is a modern-looking center cluster hung in front of the stage. I don’t know if this is a “house” system or brought in for the event, but it was not adequate. Also, when the program began with introductory remarks, the speaker’s voice came only through two side speakers, and was almost inaudible in the balcony. Again, I don’t know whether these arrangements were made just for this event or whether this is the usual house set-up.

Still, you have to give the Conservancy a lot of credit for doing this. All in all, a wonderful night.

And a night shot is here.

I believe this is the marquee to the Orpheum you see in the new Coke commercial.

Orpheum #3 is actually the Palace. An oversight on my part.

This is #4:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015529.jpg

This is another photo from 1911, which again refers to #3 at 630 S. Broadway:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015523.jpg

Proscenium, 1926:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015526.jpg