GOING, GOING, GONE
Los Angeles' magnificent movie palaces are being converted to exciting new uses, swap meets, jewelry marts, office structures, parking lots.
Beautiful, architecturally important, irreplaceable structures are disappearing in a city whose lifeblood is the entertainment industry. The Broadway Historic Theater District, the nation's oldest and largest collection of multiple-use stages, has lost two of its 12 theaters - and several more are in danger. Ironically, Los Angeles is in the midst of an economic, population and cultural expansion which heralds major growth in stage, fine arts and concert productions. Yet throughout Southern California, never-to-be-seen-agai n theater structures are facing the wrecker's ball.
Fox Manchester (1925) -
L.A. Smith, Arch., demo mid 1960s
The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is an advocacy group formed to fight this trend. We work to revitalize, rehabilitate, and find feasible ways to re-use these spectacular buildings. Where the world's greatest entertainers once performed, vital, exciting entertainment can flourish again.
Throughout the nation, more than 200 former movie and vaudeville palaces have been revived, and in every case they have improved the cultural and economic life of their cities. With your help, it can happen here, too!
Whether you become an active volunteer, attend our events, or support us with your contribution, you will be part of an important constituency dedicated to saving our theaters.
As an LAHTF Member, You'll
BE I NVOLVED with vital, hard-working, effective people dedicated to preservation and re-use of Southern California's historic theaters.
TAKE PART in special theater events, screenings, public meetings, and fund-raisers.
SAVE MONEY - members receive discounts on all LAHTF events and on our soon-to-be-classic tees and sweatshirts.
BE INFORMED - our newsletter will give you up-to-date information on the status of the endangered as well as the saved theaters.
GET THE CHANCE to explore the fascinating world of theaters backstage from the dressing rooms and traps to the organ screens, riggings and grids as you help return these wonderful structures to their full potential.
