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| 1926, via LAPL |
One of my promises to myself is that I am going to do many more posts on this blog and a series I want to focus on is Egyptian influences in buildings.
The grand daddy of these is Grauman's Egyptian theatre in Los Angeles. Built a full 5 years before its more famous neighbour, the Chinese Theatre, it is a magnificent example of the influence of Egypt in twentieth century architecture.
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| 1922 mural in progress |
Originally conceived of as a Spanish style building the theatre was built in 18 months opening on October 18 1922 with Robin Hood starring the gorgeous Douglas Fairbanks. Interestingly for those interested in the beginnings of Hollywood this was also the first premier of a film featuring many of the things we associate with opening nights now - big stars in attendance, red carpet and glamour.
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| October 1922, Egyptian Theatre opening night |
The theatre itself was, in terms of our experience of cinemas these days, massive and had a capacity of 1,771 seats in its main auditorium.
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| 1920s via LAPL |
The screen was framed by a magnificent temple scene flanked with four pillars decorated like papyrus plants.
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| 1920s via LAPL |
The Egyptian influences are definitely not subtle and, as the theatre opened mere days before Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamen's tomb, it slightly pre-dates the mania for Egypt that held sway in the 1920s.
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| Tinted postcard, own collection |
And it wasn't just the architecture that had an Egyptian theme - usherettes were dressed up in Egyptian costume, men walked the parapets dressed as Egyptian guards shouting the times of the next screening and exotic animals were housed in cages in the forecourt transporting the theatre goer to another world.
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| 1922, via cinelog.org |
A forward, penned by Sid Grauman, in a souvenir programme for the opening of the theatre draws some interesting parallels with America.
"Springing from the cradle of civilization in the Valley of the Nile, where romance first reared its head as a halo to mankind, the art of the Pharoahs has been transplanted to these alien shores, where it finds its kin in the hierogylphics of the Indians. The same picture writing that we discovered in Egypt, graven on the walls of the new Hollywood Theatre, finds its similarity in the records left on the rocks and walls by the aborigines of America."
Although the 1920s saw many theatres in the US being built in this style (and I have seen reference to over 50 of these having being built) this wasn't the first time that Hollywood had been drawn to the mysteries of Egypt with 5 features about Cleopatra being filmed between 1908-1918 alone. The world of Egypt was perfect for the newly emerging industry giving them legends with long pedigrees, mysterious and exotic worlds to film and (perhaps) crucially helping to establish an impression of longevity, prestige and seriousness to this fledgling town.
The history of the Egyptian theatre could have been similar to many of the other Egyptian themed theatres (hint: not a good ending) but after years of under funding and neglect it was given Cultural Monument designation but the City of Los Angeles and purchased by them in order to protect it. A year later it's ownership was transferred to American Cinematheque for the pricely sum of $1.00 on the basis that it would be restored and protected for the future.
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| 1994, via LAPL |
In 1994 an earthquake caused significant damage to the fabric of the building but a multi-million dollar renovation meant that in 1998 it was reopened to the public - restored to its former glory.
