Here we have some Hollywood history in the making. It’s a photo of RKO’s Orpheum Theatre at 842 S. Broadway in downtown Los Angeles during the original run of Universal Pictures’ “Frankenstein” in 1932. I love how the marquee dares you to meet the monster in their epic of terror. It worked because the movie cost $262,000 to make and pulled in $12 million at the box office. My guess is that “Frankenstein” had a long run at the Orpheum.
Those triangular motifs at each end of the marquee were neon signs. Here’s a close-up:
Not only is the Orpheum still around, but it’s a thriving theater (pandemics, notwithstanding) which hosts all kind of events. This image is from February 2021.
The official theatrical poster of Universal Picture’s “Frankenstein” (1931)
Thanks to the LA Conservancy, I’ve been able to see movies at the Orpheum, as part of their Last Remaining Seats program. In fact, that was one of the first dates my wife and I went on.
Sounds like a great date to me, Bill. And apparently a very successful one!
I do not like the modern marque on that building. I wish they would have kept the original one. Why is it they never restore these buildings EXACTLY the way they looked back in the 20s and 30s?