I thought I’d post this for the benefit of the people who follow this page, but who don’t or haven’t lived in LA and been able to experience the glory of the Pantages Theatre for themselves. From this photo, you can only begin to appreciate the Art Deco detail that went into building the Pantages, which opened in June 1930. Had Alexander Pantages known the Great Depression was coming he probably wouldn’t have sunk so much money into it, but we modern-day Angelenos are sure glad he did. Pantages sold his landmark theater in 1932 to Fox West Coast Theaters. In 1949, Howard Hughes acquired it for his RKO Theatre Circuit and moved his personal offices to the building’s second floor. From 1949 through 1959, the theater hosted the annual Academy Award Ceremonies.
A circa 1929 shot of of lounging chairs at the Pantages Theatre:
Oh Martin – so many memories of the Pantages Theatre; thanks for posting this great picture. Because it was so near our Y&R offices, we held various events there.
The first one that comes to mind is the “Unbirthday Cake” party (for a film) and ladies showed up in droves with their “Unbirthday Cakes” and we gave out prizes.
More later, happy Funday – L
Ladies by the droves showed up with their Unbirthday Cakes &
we gave out various prizes. That’s all I remember about it.
The other one that comes to mind is the premiere of the Judy Garland version of
Seventh Heaven (I think that was the film). Anyway, I had previously seen the earlier version with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and thought then (and now) that the Garland-James Mason version was a real stinker. Poor Judy – such a sad life.
I thought I’d post this for the benefit of the people who follow this page, but who don’t or haven’t lived in LA and been able to experience the glory of the Pantages Theatre for themselves. From this photo, you can only begin to appreciate the Art Deco detail that went into building the Pantages, which opened in June 1930. Had Alexander Pantages known the Great Depression was coming he probably wouldn’t have sunk so much money into it, but we modern-day Angelenos are sure glad he did. Pantages sold his landmark theater in 1932 to Fox West Coast Theaters. In 1949, Howard Hughes acquired it for his RKO Theatre Circuit and moved his personal offices to the building’s second floor. From 1949 through 1959, the theater hosted the annual Academy Award Ceremonies.
Oh Martin – so many memories of the Pantages Theatre; thanks for posting this great picture. Because it was so near our Y&R offices, we held various events there.
The first one that comes to mind is the “Unbirthday Cake” party (for a film) and ladies showed up in droves with their “Unbirthday Cakes” and we gave out prizes.
More later, happy Funday – L
Ladies by the droves showed up with their Unbirthday Cakes &
we gave out various prizes. That’s all I remember about it.
The other one that comes to mind is the premiere of the Judy Garland version of
Seventh Heaven (I think that was the film). Anyway, I had previously seen the earlier version with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March and thought then (and now) that the Garland-James Mason version was a real stinker. Poor Judy – such a sad life.
Dear Martin – I meant the 1954 version called “A Star Is Born” – and still think it a stinker. Fondly, L