An article from UK newspaper ‘The Independent’ printed on Oct 11th 2008.
‘HOLLYWEIRD- EL CAPITAN THEATRE'
Jamie Merrill.
For Sale: The El Capitan Theatre, a unique piece of Hollywood history and a bargain at just $31M. The sale of this splendiferous gilded theatre is a rare chance for one wealthy individual to own a slice of Hollywood history.
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, alongside the historic Hollywood Walk Of Fame, the El Capitan was built in 1926 by Charles Toberman, the real estate developer many called the ’‘Father Of Hollywood’‘ (he put up 36 stylish buildings in the heart of Hollywood). On its debut on 3rd May 1926, when it launched as ’‘Hollywood’s First Home Of Spoken Drama’‘, stars of stage and screen attended its first show, 'Charlots Revue’, starring Jack Buchanan, Gertrude Lawrence and Beatrice Lillie.
The value of the cinema and playhouse (opposite the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are presented) can only be boosted by the fact t hat it was where ‘Citizen Kane’ had its world premiere. From 1926 to 1936, more than 120 live shows were produced there, including ‘No,No, Nanette’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Ah Wilderness’. Its stage was graced by such stars as Will Rogers, Clark Gable and Joan Fontaine.
Tom Bower, the realtor selling the six-storey theatre, office building and retail store, unimaginatively described the opportunity to buy the El Capitan as chance to take advantage of ‘'a stable occupancy history and an opportunity for an investor to capitalise on long-term rent and absorption of Hollywood’‘. But he has a point. Entrepreneurs take note: as well as being a piece of Hollywood history, the El Capitan is a profitable business and is reportedly the highest-grossing single screen theatre in America, with more than 100 seats, state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, a refurbished 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ and a screen that rises to reveal a 50ft stage for live shows.
Not too shabby for $31M
Now you L.A guys are here could one of you tell me how I would get from Long Beach to Hollywood with public transport -train,bus etc, the El Capitain etc! I’m in L.A this weekend and want to see as many of the palaces as possible while taking in ‘9To 5-The Musical’ at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Thanks!
xIanx
drop me an email if you could-journey time would be most helpful!
Today, Sept 29th, The Yprkshire Post reports that on Monday next week Sheffield Council are to pass plans for a £4.5M restoration of Tudor Square. It will include new paving, new seating and greater landscaping of the area to make the square a much more accessible space. The new square will only enhance the charm of visiting the Lyceum and Crucible theatres.
(maybe someone can post the link to the article here!)
A classic case of ‘give a city back its old theatres and the audiences will come’. The Lyceum now takes in almost every major touring show that has either just left the West End or is on its way.
I agree with you both, I made many, many visits to the Odeon Marble arch in the 80s and early 90s, while it still had that huge screen and feeling of being in a true cinema, for such ‘Special Engagements’ as ‘Mary Poppins’ etc- THE place to see a movie. I always used to enjoy movies there more so than at the Odeon Leicester Sq or Empire.
The Theatres Trust have now have the application for demolition!
Such a shame its gone to look so neglected since that 1986 picture was taken.
It would be great to get some interior pics before it disappears.
From next Feb, yes.
I was wondering about pics from the 50s.
Will that continue in the future or not. It looked to be in pretty good condition in general when I walked past last Saturday
An article from UK newspaper ‘The Independent’ printed on Oct 11th 2008.
‘HOLLYWEIRD- EL CAPITAN THEATRE'
Jamie Merrill.
For Sale: The El Capitan Theatre, a unique piece of Hollywood history and a bargain at just $31M. The sale of this splendiferous gilded theatre is a rare chance for one wealthy individual to own a slice of Hollywood history.
Located on Hollywood Boulevard, alongside the historic Hollywood Walk Of Fame, the El Capitan was built in 1926 by Charles Toberman, the real estate developer many called the ’‘Father Of Hollywood’‘ (he put up 36 stylish buildings in the heart of Hollywood). On its debut on 3rd May 1926, when it launched as ’‘Hollywood’s First Home Of Spoken Drama’‘, stars of stage and screen attended its first show, 'Charlots Revue’, starring Jack Buchanan, Gertrude Lawrence and Beatrice Lillie.
The value of the cinema and playhouse (opposite the Kodak Theatre where the Oscars are presented) can only be boosted by the fact t hat it was where ‘Citizen Kane’ had its world premiere. From 1926 to 1936, more than 120 live shows were produced there, including ‘No,No, Nanette’, ‘Anything Goes’ and ‘Ah Wilderness’. Its stage was graced by such stars as Will Rogers, Clark Gable and Joan Fontaine.
Tom Bower, the realtor selling the six-storey theatre, office building and retail store, unimaginatively described the opportunity to buy the El Capitan as chance to take advantage of ‘'a stable occupancy history and an opportunity for an investor to capitalise on long-term rent and absorption of Hollywood’‘. But he has a point. Entrepreneurs take note: as well as being a piece of Hollywood history, the El Capitan is a profitable business and is reportedly the highest-grossing single screen theatre in America, with more than 100 seats, state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, a refurbished 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ and a screen that rises to reveal a 50ft stage for live shows.
Not too shabby for $31M
I walked past yesterday and took a few pics of the rear of ‘El Capitain’, I will post on my return to the UK.
OFF TOPIC!
Now you L.A guys are here could one of you tell me how I would get from Long Beach to Hollywood with public transport -train,bus etc, the El Capitain etc! I’m in L.A this weekend and want to see as many of the palaces as possible while taking in ‘9To 5-The Musical’ at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Thanks!
xIanx
drop me an email if you could-journey time would be most helpful!
Today, Sept 29th, The Yprkshire Post reports that on Monday next week Sheffield Council are to pass plans for a £4.5M restoration of Tudor Square. It will include new paving, new seating and greater landscaping of the area to make the square a much more accessible space. The new square will only enhance the charm of visiting the Lyceum and Crucible theatres.
(maybe someone can post the link to the article here!)
A classic case of ‘give a city back its old theatres and the audiences will come’. The Lyceum now takes in almost every major touring show that has either just left the West End or is on its way.
Simply beautiful, a real gem. Thank God they saved it.
Cheers!
Are there any photos of the original auditorium before it was demolished?
I agree with you both, I made many, many visits to the Odeon Marble arch in the 80s and early 90s, while it still had that huge screen and feeling of being in a true cinema, for such ‘Special Engagements’ as ‘Mary Poppins’ etc- THE place to see a movie. I always used to enjoy movies there more so than at the Odeon Leicester Sq or Empire.
Cheers!
Is this the big cinema behind The Empire Theatre. If not what is the huge place i see on Google maps?
Yea thats what i had heard but my eyes nearly popped out when i saw that hoarding! Ah well!
Clapham could do with a screen that area.
The Theatres Trust have now have the application for demolition!
Such a shame its gone to look so neglected since that 1986 picture was taken.
It would be great to get some interior pics before it disappears.
Are Lumiere planing a screen here?
No prob, I look forward to them.
Is the building due to come down soon then?
Cheers Ken, its been a number of years since i went to this Screen.
Is that the actual original entrance to the Odeon?
Is this the great looking building that can be seen in the photos for the new theatre complex in Leicester named ‘The Curve’?
What multiplexes are in the area of Dadeland Mall that caused the closure?
So they did a good job then!
The building is now gutted and the hotel windows are beginning to appear all over the walls. What a shame to loose such a great cinema.