Broadway's Historic Theater District
South Broadway between Third and Ninth Street is the first and largest Historic Theater District in the country. Some of the 1920's style movie palaces have been turned into swap-meet-style retail outlets, many still show films and most will let you look inside. Metropolitan Theaters operates most of these palaces, Los Angeles Conservancy provides walking tours of the district, (213) 623-2489, and to help preserve these treasures, contact the LA Historic-Theater Foundation, (213) 426-9868.

Arcade Theatre
534 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1910

English music hall style, this was the first Alexander Pantages vaudeville house in Los Angeles

Cameo Theatre
528 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1910

This theatre was closed in 1991 making it one of the longest operating movie theaters in California.

Lowe's State Theatre
703 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1921

This was part of the vast chain of Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer's theaters. They offered both film and vaudeville enhanced by its own orchestra and chorus line. Judy Garland mad hjer Los Angeles debut here as one of the Gumm Sisters in 1929.

Los Angeles Theatre
615 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1931, S. Charles Lee, architect

Downtown Los Angeles is home to one of the most beautiful historical movie theatres in the state, the Los Angeles Theatre. It was built at a cost of more than $1 million in 1931. It is the most lavish and the last of the great movie palaces built in downtown LA. It's central staircase and gold brocaded drapes (Versailles style) recall the glories of the French Baroque. It opened with the gala premiere of Chaplin's City Lights. It's glorious splendor can still be seen once a year when its portals are opened during the LA Downtown Conservancy's fund-raising sponsorship of old films in vintage theatres.

Million Dollar Theatre
310 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1918

This flamboyant house launched the career of Sid Grauman. It is now used for Latino stage entertainment.

Orpheum Theatre
842 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1926

This theater became the fourth and final home of the famous Orpheum vaudeville circuit in Los Angeles. Acts included Pavlova, Will Rogers, and a young Bob Hope. It includes a French Baroque auditorium, opulent marble lobby, a gold gilt ceiling, a fine neon marquee and the last originally installed theater organ in LA.

Palace Theatre
630 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1911

This was the third home of the Orpheum vaudeville circuit and is now the oldest remainign original Orpheum theatre in the country. Vaudeville performers filled the stage for 15 yers then the theater was converted for silent films and eventually for "talking pictures." This is styled after a Florentine palazzo designed by G. Albert Lansburg. Its distinguishing characteristics are its terra-cotta reliefs.

Rialto Theatre
812 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1917

This was built as a nickelodeon, remodeled for Sid Grauman and its best feature is its 1930s neon marquee.

Roxie Theatre
518 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1932

This was the last major theater built downtown.

Tower Theatre
802 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1927

This was S. Charles Lee's first theatre. It provided 1,000 seats on a tiny site.

United Artists Theatre
933 South Broadway
Los Angeles, California
1927

This theater has a Spanish Gothic tower designed by Walker & Eisen. It was financed by the original partners of United Artists: Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin who are pictured in the auditorium murals. This cathedral-like theater is now the University Cathedral, owned and restored (including the murals) by Dr. Gene Scott.

Mayan Theatre
1038 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California

Although not on Broadway, it is part of the historic theater district. It is currently a nightclub.

Belasco Theatre
1050 South Hill Street
Los Angeles, California

This is also a historic theater and has been partially restored. It is now used as a film and video location.