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On Broadway, movie palace intrigue

Volunteers John Swartz, left, and Richard Adkins prepare for visitors to tour the Los Angeles Theatre on Broadway. "This is like discovering treasure in an old tomb," marveled Venice architect Peter Culley as he stepped from the opulent 2,000-seat theater, which opened in 1931.

Volunteers John Swartz, left, and Richard Adkins prepare for visitors to tour the Los Angeles Theatre on Broadway. “This is like discovering treasure in an old tomb,” marveled Venice architect Peter Culley as he stepped from the opulent 2,000-seat theater, which opened in 1931.   (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Six of the street’s ornate movie houses were on display Saturday, and the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation was there to lead tours.
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The Orpheum Theatre

Sabrina Nadlinger takes a break in a seat at the Orpheum Theatre during a self-guided tour on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. The theater was built in 1926.   (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

The Orpheum Theatre

John Koerber, left, plays the Wurlitzer while guests take a tour of the Orpheum. “It’s a big surprise to a lot of people today to see these theaters are still here. A small number of people have known about these for decades,” said Escott Norton, a downtown home designer who’s the executive director of the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation, which led the tours.   (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

The Arcade Theatre

Stores occupy the Arcade Theatre, built in 1910. It wasn’t among the historic movie palaces opened to tours on Saturday.   (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

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The Los Angeles Theatre

Volunteer Richard Adkins prepares for visitors at the Los Angeles Theatre. Among the ornate decorative touches: crystal chandeliers and the marble women’s restrooms in the basement.  (Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

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