Los Angeles theaters
Palace Theatre
In the period before World War II, downtown Los Angeles was the place to go for movies, with several grand old movie houses lining Broadway. Among them: The Palace Theatre, built in 1911. In addition to movies, it hosted performances by the likes of Houdini, W.C. Fields and the Marx Brothers. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Los Angeles Theatre
It may be hard to believe, but the ornate interior of the Los Angeles Theatre is typical -- typical of theaters built once upon a time. When it opened in 1931, some of the first guests included Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein. (Luis Sinco / LAT)
Orpheum Theatre
The 2,200-seat Orpheum is another of a dozen historic theaters in a six-block area. Jack Benny and George Burns performed here, among others. The L.A. Conservancy has long fought to see the area, and gems like the Orpheum, restored to their former glory. The Conservancy offers Saturday morning tour of downtown theaters. (Alexander Gallardo / LAT)
El Capitan Theatre
Disney’s El Capitan Theater paid homage to the old and the new when it renovated the famous Hollywood boulevard theater: “Citizen Kane” premiered there in 1941, and the marquee nodded toward that prestigious moment -- “Citizen Kane” routinely tops lists of all-time great films -- when the theaters was restored to its original elegance, and reopened in June 1991. (Gary Krueger / El Capitan Theatre)
Majestic Crest Theater
The Majestic Crest Theater in Westwood remains an old favorite -- in no small part because of that glorious marquee. Movie goers who favor it say stepping inside the Majestic is like stepping back in time. (Carlos Chavez / LAT)
The New Landmark Theater was designed to be the ultimate. The best sound system, restaurant quality fare and luxury seating. (Al Seib / LAT)
Extra-wide seats? Check. High-tech sound system? Check. Full-service bar and cafe? Check and check. The ArcLight theater ushered in a new era of movie-going luxury, and it seems there won’t be any turning back. (Lori Shepler / LAT)
