The premiere of “Spartacus” at the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard on October 19, 1960, was a big night for Hollywood. Not just because the movie went on to earn $60 million on a $12 million budget and four Academy awards, but because Kirk Douglas hiring Dalton Trumbo to write the screenplay brought about the beginning of the end of the Hollywood screenwriter blacklist. Also, I’ve never seen portraits of the stars in the theater’s second-story windows, and the vertical electric sign reads “SPARTACUS.”

Garan G said: “Typical of roadshow engagements which could play exclusively at one theater on a live performance type schedule (only 1 or 2 shows a day, reserved seats) for a year or more. The Pantages blade sign had a neon overlay so the theater name could alternate with the movie title. The Egyptian had similar treatment. Sound of Music was exclusive at the Fox Wilshire for over a year. If you lived in the valley or Orange County you had to drive to LA to see it.”