This shot of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is about as early as it gets. Past those palm trees in the forecourt we can just see a large banner for the first movie shown at the Chinese: Cecil B. DeMille’s “THE KING OF KINGS.” It premiered on May 18, 1927 ahead of a 24-week run. That was a very long run—the next four pictures ran between 7 and 14 weeks. Ticket prices started at 50 cents for matinees, and 75 cents for evenings. But when this photo was taken, the banner advertising it wasn’t even strung up yet. It’s sitting on the ground leaning against the front doors, so I’m guessing this photo was taken during the second week in May 1927.

The photo below was taken at the same time but you can see the sign more clearly:

Program for the dedication of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood, 1927, featuring Cecil B. DeMille’s “The King of Kings”: