FILM & ENTERTAINMENT 

The El Capitan Theatre:

Recently restored to its former glory by the Walt Disney Company, the El Capitan Theatre is once again a classic movie palace of exquisite beauty, including a grand and glittering marquee out front bringing back the glory days of Hollywood's finest hours. In 1926, the theater boasted a 120-foot stage and featured plays with stars like Clark Cable, Will Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Henry Fonda, and Lon Chaney. A legitimate theater until 1941, it was the site of the world premier of "Citizen Kane." Today the theater shows first run movies from the Walt Disney/Touchstone studios. Buy a movie ticket and experience the glamour and glory of old Hollywood right down to the live organist for pre-show entertainment and the ushers who wear gold braids on colorful uniforms. This is a must see. Location: 6838 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA. Phone (323) 467-7674

The Egyptian Theatre:

On Tinseltown's main thoroughfare, Hollywood Boulevard, stands the historic Egyptian Theatre, built in 1922 and inspired by the discovery of King Tut's tomb the same year. With an open courtyard in front to draw pedestrians off the street, the courtyard featured massive, four-foot wide Egyptian-style columns, hieroglyphics, murals, a tiled fountain, large pots filled with exotic plants, and even a 12-foot figure of a dog-headed Egyptian god guarding the portico. The theater premiered "Robin Hood" starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.and Wallace Beery and featured search lights and a red carpet to add to the gala event. The auditorium seated 1,760 people. In 1992, after the earthquake the movie house was closed after suffering extensive damage. The newly restored theater re-opened in 1998 with a re-premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" 75-years later. 14 million were spent in refurbishing this jewel in the crown of theaters. Independent films, classic film revivals and premieres are shown in the 650-seat auditorium and the smaller 80-seat screening room. The architecture alone is well-worth the trip. Location: 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA. Phone (323) 466-FILM

Mann's Chinese Theatre:

Probably the most famous movie theater in the world, drawing visitors at all hours of the day and night, lurid by its legendary footprints of the stars and the prospect of spying an in-the-flesh movie idol. The premiere in 1927 featured the silent version of "King of Kings" produced by Cecil B. DeMille. "The Wizard of Oz" played here in 1939 with over 10,000 spectators showing up to gaze at the stars. Built by legendary showman Sid Grauman, who also built the Egyptian Theatre, the theater was renamed "Mann's Chinese Theatre" in 1973 after Ted Mann, the owner of Mann's Theatre chain, purchased the theater. Resembling a giant, red Chinese pagoda, the theater features a dragon snaking across the front, two stone lion-dogs guarding the main entrance and a smaller dragon on the ornate copper roof. The interior is an exotic motif of Asian décor, well-preserved for its age and history. The lobby displays huge wall murals of the Orient, bold red and gold columns and a magnificent chandelier. In the main auditorium the 2,200 seat are bright red with red carpeting wandering up the isles. There are a large number of Asian statues, gongs, vases, and shields to add to the exotic favor. Location: 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA. (323) 464-8111

Pacific's Cinerama Dome:

Housed in a giant, 72 foot high white geodesic dome, the Cinerama is a circular auditorium featuring a curving screen, 937 plush seats, an upstairs balcony, and has one of the best sound systems in town. Built in 1963 to accommodate special "Cinerama" movies using three separate 35mm projectors to view realistic travelogues, the cinerama craze faded from popularity but this unique movie theater remains, today screening standard Hollywood blockbusters in standard film format. It's claim to fame is the fact that it is the only geodesic dome in the world built entirely of concrete, 316 interlocking concrete hexagons, so come for the architecture. The best seating in the house is on the floor of the theater in the center section. Renovation on the theater began in the summer of 1999 and will reopen in the summer of 2000. Location: 6360 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA. Phone: (323) 466-3401