Million Dollar Theatre

307 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles, CA 90013

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William L. Coale, Ph.D.
William L. Coale, Ph.D. on January 26, 2022 at 3:19 pm

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

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 8, 2021 at 8:21 pm

Secret Movie Club is screening “It’s A Wonderful Life” on Christmas Eve.
Link below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/35mm-its-a-wonderful-life-the-million-dollar-theater-tickets-206410688927?fbclid=IwAR0pSAl9o98SsIbK24jNv8IJQW0HpTxWcxqGlDw84x-xfMC_GIRle1mMge0

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 8, 2021 at 6:10 pm

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.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on September 4, 2020 at 12:39 am

There is a quick shot of the marquee near the end of movie The Killer that Stalked New York (1950)

artpf
artpf on September 15, 2019 at 3:55 pm

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

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 12, 2017 at 7:38 pm

Update.

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

pnelson
pnelson on November 1, 2015 at 10:18 pm

The exterior of the Million Dollar Theatre is shown in a scene from Blade Runner. The marquee. Great film and other Los Angeles sights are in the movie too.

spectrum
spectrum on April 22, 2015 at 8:26 pm

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!

Robert L. Bradley
Robert L. Bradley on December 14, 2014 at 1:44 am

I was there tonight to see THE GODFATHER. They had an excellent 35mm print but it was very dark and much of the sound was unintelligible due to bad acoustics. They did use the curtain at the beginning and end. I sat in the balcony. There was a very large crowd.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on April 17, 2014 at 12:54 pm

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.”

MJuggler
MJuggler on February 13, 2014 at 2:34 pm

Sunday, March 2 at 5:00pm Doors open: 4:00 pm Tickets: $20; LAHTF Members: $15 Click here to purchase tickets: http://goo.gl/YuvRUO Tickets also on sale at the door on event night (pending availability)

-Enjoy the glamour and spectacle of the most famous awards show of them all – telecast live on the BIG screen of Sid Grauman’s Million Dollar Theatre. Join us in honoring the best movies of 2013, on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles, where Hollywood began! -Come early, have dinner at one of the exciting new eateries or enjoy an old favorite at the Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway. -Walk down Broadway’s Red Carpet, duck the paparazzi and make your grand entrance to the Million Dollar Theatre – right next door. -The ABC broadcast will be projected on the Million Dollar’s big, BIG screen. -Official Red Carpet coverage begins at 5:00 pm -The Main Attraction, the Awards broadcast, begins at 6 pm

Come alone, bring a friend, assemble your own entourage and experience awards night in a grand new way – with a live audience in a legendary theatre.

Participate in games, win prizes, laugh, cry, cheer in triumph, groan in defeat – experience it all in Grauman’s first Los Angeles movie palace – the fantastic Million Dollar!

No-host bar
Attendees are invited to dress in formal attire, vintage clothing or costumes keyed to your favorite contender. Prizes will be awarded.

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, in association with Grand Central Market, presents this special evening open to all.

This event is not sponsored by or affiliated with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

All proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, a 501©3 non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, restoring and sustaining the operation of Southern California’s historic theatres.

Please pass this info on!

HowardBHaas
HowardBHaas on March 4, 2013 at 9:13 pm

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

cclopez123
cclopez123 on January 9, 2013 at 5:07 pm

This theather brings a lot of memories..when I was little ,my mom use to bring me and my brother to see the Mexican stars..beautiful performances..beautiful theather..everybody spent good part of there Sunday afternoon just enjoying life..these days are long gone but the memories live on ..thank you for the memories..they will remain my heart for ever..:)

CTCrouch
CTCrouch on October 20, 2012 at 4:29 pm

The image is of the barbershop located inside the theatre.

silver
silver on July 31, 2012 at 7:46 pm

Bummer development.
The tenant (and apparently a good one at that, who spent $1 million (ironically) in renovations) couldn’t make a go of it.

Too bad the corporation that owns the theater didn’t reduce the rent so that tenant could’ve hung on. Any guesses on its future? Back to being leased again by some fringe church?

“Million Dollar Operator Terminates Lease” (excerpt) “After six years of running the Million Dollar Theater, Robert Voskanian, the 1918 venue’s operator since 2007, terminated his lease on the property in June.

Voskanian said that despite holding events like concerts, a Wednesday night film series in partnership with the UCLA Film Archive and renting the venue for filming, they were still not making enough money to cover their bills.

“I love the place, it’s gorgeous and it really broke my heart but financially it was too difficult,” he said. … When Voskanian took over the property the theater had been vacant for about two years. Before that it had served as the headquarters for two churches and once housed the Metropolitan Water District.“ full article: www.ladowntownnews.com/news/million-dollar-operator-terminates-lease/article_cd24e73e-d81d-11e1-a1d1-0019bb2963f4.html

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin on February 14, 2012 at 4:40 pm

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

jackfmurphy
jackfmurphy on February 14, 2012 at 2:11 am

Re: The projection booth, how about that fancy masking on the window? Two pieces of paper taped to the booth window. Isn’t the masking supposed to be in the film gate? I guess that it works, so why not.

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin on February 14, 2012 at 12:25 am

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

silver
silver on February 12, 2012 at 11:46 pm

An interesting article: “Archive screens film classics in historic downtown movie palace” from UCLA Today Jan 19,2012. http://today.ucla.edu/portal/ut/ucla-film-tv-archive-on-broadway-222412.aspx

Unfortunately it says that they’re only typically getting 200 people in attendance. Hope this weekly UCLA programming series can survive…

silver
silver on January 26, 2012 at 11:26 pm

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

dtrigubetz
dtrigubetz on January 22, 2012 at 5:15 pm

I can’t believe I was one of only about 25-30 attending the 1/11 showing of the 1940 and 1966 One Million Years B.C. movies. I will be there for the 1/25 showing of “Paths of Glory”.

Dining hint: When Angels Flight reopens soon you should take the ride up, turn right(east)and walk two blocks to the Colburn School self-serve cafe for tasty and reasonable food, and then take the Angels Flight back down. FYI, I always take the Metro to Pershing Square and the theater is only two blocks away. Metro now runs every 10 minutes in the evening and is very safe.

milliondollar
milliondollar on December 18, 2011 at 2:05 pm

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

Danny Baldwin
Danny Baldwin on December 16, 2011 at 11:18 pm

However, it should be noted they have allowed people to go up to the balcony before/between shows. You just can’t sit up there, as of now.

MJuggler
MJuggler on December 16, 2011 at 8:49 pm

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.