Here is the chronology for the Orpheum as discussed by the LA Library. I know that the original was at 110 S. Main, not 125. This picture is supposed to be Orpheum #3 in 1911, at 630 S. Broadway.
An exterior view of Orpheum Theater #3 as seen from across the street. Includes cards, street car and a building down the street with the name “Mullen & Bluett Clothing Co.” and behind that “Walter P. Story Building.”
There were four theaters named Orpheum. The first at 125 S. Main Street; the second at 227 S. Spring Street; the third at 630 S. Broadway; and the fourth (and present one) at 842 S. Broadway.
Upon further review, it appears that I am contradicting myself as the earlier picture shows the Belasco in 1920. The Library must have the wrong date for the picture directly above.
From the LA Library, the first two are from 1969 and the last is from 1979:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014442.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014441.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater1/00014438.jpg
Two more interior photos from 1928, via the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015342.jpg
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015341.jpg
This is around 1966:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015515.jpg
This is #4:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015529.jpg
This is an undated interior photo from Orpheum #3:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015525.jpg
From the LA Library, circa 1896:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015465.jpg
Here is the aforementioned “Vaudeville 10&20” sign from 1908, via the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015291.jpg
This is another photo from 1911, which again refers to #3 at 630 S. Broadway:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015523.jpg
Here is the chronology for the Orpheum as discussed by the LA Library. I know that the original was at 110 S. Main, not 125. This picture is supposed to be Orpheum #3 in 1911, at 630 S. Broadway.
An exterior view of Orpheum Theater #3 as seen from across the street. Includes cards, street car and a building down the street with the name “Mullen & Bluett Clothing Co.” and behind that “Walter P. Story Building.”
There were four theaters named Orpheum. The first at 125 S. Main Street; the second at 227 S. Spring Street; the third at 630 S. Broadway; and the fourth (and present one) at 842 S. Broadway.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015512.jpg
Proscenium, 1926:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015526.jpg
Another photo, circa 1930:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/spnb2/00017592.jpg
Interior, 1932. The LA Library notes the presence of the “world’s largest handwoven rug”.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater3/00015530.jpg
It was solar powered.
It looks like an airplane hangar.
Sid forgives you.
Look carefully at the left side of the picture. The Optic is showing “Twilight People”, which is a 1975 film:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics09/00014168.jpg
From the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics09/00014172.jpg
1950, from the same viewpoint:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics08/00013783.jpg
1930:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics08/00013798.jpg
I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Here is a picture from 1926:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics49/00044405.jpg
Circa 1940, from the LA Library:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics08/00013701.jpg
Here is an interesting photo from the LA Library, circa 1930. Vaudevill would already be on its last legs as talking pictures began in 1927:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics08/00013704.jpg
This is from the late 1920s. The theater is on the left side of the street:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics09/00014195.jpg
Upon further review, it appears that I am contradicting myself as the earlier picture shows the Belasco in 1920. The Library must have the wrong date for the picture directly above.
The Follies Theater is at the bottom left hand side of the picture. The photo was taken in 1919 and is on the LA Library website:
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics09/00014095.jpg