Million Dollar Theatre

Regarding the “million dollar” moniker, I have a March 1919 newspaper advertisement where that has already been added to the theatre’s name.

The Million Dollar is being operated as an event venue and filming location. Apparently it no longer has a dedicated web site, or the monthly movie screenings. It has this page at the web site of the operating company, the Piovra Group, which also manages 22 other Los Angeles area venues. There are some photos, mostly of the auditorium.

This theatre is features briefly in the 1949 classic Film Noir, D.O.A.

Update.

https://la.curbed.com/2017/11/9/16631298/downtown-la-million-dollar-theatre-historic-complex-cobird

The Million Dollar Theatre is again available for rental, for events, private functions and film shoots. It is also showing classic movies recently on a more or less monthly basis. Website is http://www.milliondollar.la/. It is run as part of the “Grand Central Square Project” which includes the apartments above the theatre, the adjacent Grand Central Market, and Grand Central Square and adjacent parking garage. Good to see it is still in use!

For those interested in construction, here is an interesting article about the reinforced concrete arch supporting the balcony (called the gallery in the article) of the Million Dollar Theatre, published in the September 14, 1917, issue of Southwest Builder and Contractor:

“SEVERE TEST FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURE

“The reinforced concrete arch, and the reinforced concrete cantilever gallery which it carries, in the theater building at Third and Broadway, now being erected for the Stability Building Company, was given a severe test by the city building department, acting under instructions from the Board of Public Works, and the results show that the structure is without a flaw either from a theoretical or constructive standpoint. The structure, including the arch and gallery and side supports are monolithic and constitute what builders and technical men consider a bold piece of engineering. The idea of designing the structure in reinforced concrete was conceived by Albert C. Martin, the architect and engineer, when it was found that structural steel for the gallery as originally planned could not be obtained without unreasonable delay.

“The cantilever gallery is carried on an arch 10 ft. wide, with a clear span of 104 ft., so as to give an unobstructed view of the stage from all parts of the ground floor. A three-hinged arch was first considered, being the simplest and easiest type of construction, but it was found that the hinges alone would cost $15,000 and to eliminate this excessive item Mr. Martin decided upon a bow-spring arch with a segmental curve. The arch, which has a maximum rise of eleven feet, is tied at the haunches with steel rods aggregating 154 sq. inches in area, which are anchored at either end in steel plates with nuts and encased in concrete. Great care was taken also in designing the cantilever trusses for the gallery, plates and nuts being used at the juncture of various members. The gallery has a maximum overhang of about forty feet, the structure being evenly balanced upon the arch.

“Under the requirements of the city building ordinance the gallery was designed to carry a weight of 125 pounds per square foot and the test was made by placing upon it a load of double that amount, 250 pounds per square foot. A total of 1,400,000 pounds of cement in sacks, bricks and sand was placed on the gallery extending the entire length and covering that portion which is carried directly by the arch. A week was consumed in placing the great mass of material, all of which is to be used in the building, and the full load was allowed to remain for a period of about 48 hours.

“The greatest deflection in the arch under this tremendous strain was only one-quarter of an inch and the greatest deflection in the cantilever gallery was three-eighths of an inch. The greatest deflection at the haunches of the arch was one-eighth of an inch on each end, making a total spread of only one-fourth of an inch. Theoretically, the spread of the arch should have been greater as the 104 feet of steel, under a load of 16,000 lbs. per square inch, which it was figured to carry, would stretch five-eighths of an inch. With double the load figured the steel should, theoretically, have stretched twice five-eighths of an inch, or one and one quarter inches. The actual small deflection is explained on the theory that a part of the load which would have been borne directly by the arch is, in reality, taken up by the vertical arches on the exterior of the structure.

“The test, besides proving satisfactorily the calculations of the engineer, demonstrated the thorough character of the construction. Greatest care was exercised in pouring the concrete for the arch and gallery and it was permitted to stand for sixty days before being stripped of the forms. The. R. H. Arnold Company is the general contractor on the building.”

These members get 1st purchase opportunity to March 23 rare screening of director’s print of Blade Runner: http://www.lahtf.org/

The image is of the barbershop located inside the theatre.

Pretty common trick when the aperture plate doesn’t stop some light from spilling onto the screen masking…

200 is significantly more than the crowds when I’ve gone…

Here’s a blog post with a photo taken from inside the Million Dollar projection booth during the 1/25 Paths of Glory show. Way off, you can see Kirk Douglas on the screen www.laobserved.com/archive/2012/01/million_dollar_theater_pr.php

Dear friends, on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21th @ 7:30pm the Million Dollar Theater will showcase two great musical films: Norman Jewison’s JESUSCHRIST SUPERSTAR (1973) and Ken Russell’s TOMMY (1975). For ticket info. visit: http://tiny.cc/ipqyl

Here is the list of new movies! http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/sites/default/files/Broadway-JanFebMarch2012.pdf

Howard: the balcony has not been opened yet. Management told me that the floor really needs work and is only opened for very large groups. (over 1,000) As far as the curtains go, no I am sorry, we do not us them, but they are manually done and we don’t have the staff. But that is something to think about.

hollywood90038: Thanks! You got lucky and came to the only show that had a Q&A, Superman. That was scheduled only 2 or 3 days before the event.