El Capitan Theatre

6838 Hollywood Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90028

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Showing 126 - 150 of 318 comments

AdoraKiaOra
AdoraKiaOra on October 14, 2008 at 8:52 am

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

AdoraKiaOra
AdoraKiaOra on October 12, 2008 at 11:14 am

I walked past yesterday and took a few pics of the rear of ‘El Capitain’, I will post on my return to the UK.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 12, 2008 at 3:45 am

The El Capitan in its original incarnation can be seen in this 1928 USC photo:
http://tinyurl.com/44thlq

haineshisway
haineshisway on October 7, 2008 at 7:17 pm

I also saw two Doctors there – Dr. Zhivago and Doctor Dolittle.

William
William on October 7, 2008 at 7:16 pm

I mean steamed Hot Dogs.

William
William on October 7, 2008 at 7:09 pm

I would say Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 70MM. During the SRO days that incredible waterfall curtain and the streamed Hot Dogs and a Dr. Pepper.
Midnight Express, China Syndrome played well in this large theatre.

Ok this is from it’s El Capitan days, running Snow White for a week.

haineshisway
haineshisway on October 7, 2008 at 6:48 pm

Here’s something that’s pertinent and maybe fun: What are your most favorite memories of attending movies at the Paramount in Hollywood? What are your favorite films you saw there? I’ll start –

Pardners – not so good as a film, but as a kid I loved it, plus I really loved the Paramount – that was my first visit there and I could not believe they had two sets of curtains – the first set went UP while the second set parted. That’s showmanship. And after the film I had my first C.C. Brown’s experience, one repeated hundreds of times right up until the day they closed (I was at their final private party).

The Music Man – saw it opening day, went back with my parents opening night – Pert Kelton was there. Thrilling film, and incredible stereo sound

Bye Bye Birdie – saw it about five times at the Paramount

unihikid
unihikid on October 7, 2008 at 6:42 pm

i know it said email,but the blue line(mta train) to the 6th street terminal,then get on the red line(subway) to hollywood.

AdoraKiaOra
AdoraKiaOra on October 7, 2008 at 6:36 pm

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!

William
William on October 7, 2008 at 6:25 pm

That’s right Bruce.

haineshisway
haineshisway on October 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm

Boys, this isn’t a chat board – e-mail is a wonderful thing. And so is the Paramount/El Capitan, which is what this is supposed to be about.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on October 7, 2008 at 6:15 pm

William; When in NYC about 15 years ago, I took a couple of shots of an off-Broadway theater which was functioning as a black church. A service was underway in the auditorium but invited to only peek inside. Bottle green curtains, in bad shape, dressed the stage.
The lobby had off-white Gothic columns accented with pink or mauve along with gold waterfall drapes and a tall 5/tier slender chandelier.
I’d like to put a name to this place. Can you assist me, please?

William
William on October 7, 2008 at 5:06 pm

I lived next the Hellinger for 6 years, on the dressing room side of the building. It looks like the church is going to hold on to that gem for a long time.

roxy1927
roxy1927 on October 7, 2008 at 4:49 pm

But it won’t be a great movie palace like the Hellinger with stage facilities!
Just look at the Marquee, Minskoff and Gershwin.
Ugh! And architects were paid money for these things.
Can you imagine?

William
William on October 7, 2008 at 4:36 pm

Well the Nederlander Organization were fools to sell the theatre to the church for $17 million. Well next year marks the 20th. anniversary of the sale. There is a new complex going up on 8th Ave. which will include a new Broadway theatre.

roxy1927
roxy1927 on October 7, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Too bad Disney won’t buy the Mark Hellinger back from the church and turn it into the El Capitan of New York.
One of the most beautiful theaters in NY.
It’s sale was criminal.

Giles
Giles on October 7, 2008 at 3:24 pm

did anyone see the Sleeping Beauty presentation? I would assume it was in the new wider 2.55:1 aspect ratio that the dvd/bluray has

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 6, 2008 at 12:20 am

This undated ad was on the restroom wall at the Hollywood & Highland complex:
http://tinyurl.com/4bdqmd

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 2, 2008 at 8:18 pm

I’d like to know how Placido Domingo’s agent pitched his role as the voice of a dog in this film. Maybe La Scala was booked.
http://tinyurl.com/5x5ffh

KramSacul
KramSacul on September 6, 2008 at 7:51 pm

The El Capitan has a top notch DLP setup so I don’t think you’ll miss much.

Giles
Giles on August 19, 2008 at 2:32 pm

yes that would be the more ideal way to experience this film.

KJB2012
KJB2012 on August 19, 2008 at 2:20 pm

Actually one would hope that it screens in it’s original 70MM.

Giles
Giles on August 19, 2008 at 1:13 pm

is the upcoming engagement of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ digital projection or 35mm?

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 7, 2008 at 11:54 pm

I don’t think anything remains from the 1942 renovation.