News

The latest from the LAHTF

Hollywood Goes Legit: 26th September

Hollywood Goes Legit: 26th September

Our next Coffee & Conversation webinar will be Saturday 26th September at 10am (pacific timezone).

The virtual conversation will be all about Hollywood's legitimate theatre boom in 1926-1927. Join us on Saturday as we explore Avalon Hollywood, The Montalban, and Fonda Theatre. Don’t forget your coffee and questions!

As usual the webinar is free and open to all, however pre-registration is required. You can pre-register any time up until the webinar starts by clicking here.

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

In August 2020 the City of San Gabriel announced that, in light of the current economic environment, they will review future operating scenarios for the Mission Playhouse.

One of the potential scenarios is the full closure of the Mission Playhouse in September 2020, which would see all staff terminated, regular maintenance eliminated, and all future events canceled.

LAHTF is in full support of the scenario which focuses on staff retention and keeping the Playhouse open in a limited capacity allowing for live streaming and filming events to continue.

Click here to read more.

LAHTF Annual Meeting 2020

LAHTF Annual Meeting 2020

Our annual meeting was held 8th March at the historic Globe Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

LAHTF members and other interested supporters met our Board of Directors, mingled with other supporters, got an update on LAHTF's activities for the year, and were treated to the in-depth history of the Globe Theatre before embarking on mini tours around the theatre.

Hollywood

Hollywood's Biggest Night 2020

Hollywood's Biggest Night

LAHTF returned to the historic Chaplin Theater on the lot of the 104-year-old Raleigh Studios in Hollywood in February 2020 to celebrate the biggest awards show of the year!

Click here to read more and see photos.

ALL ABOUT the TCL Chinese Theatre

ALL ABOUT the TCL Chinese Theatre

LAHTF returned to Hollywood's world famous TCL CHINESE THEATRE in October 2019 with our signature ALL ABOUT behind-the-scenes tour.

Patrons were treated to exclusive backstage access, insight into historic preservation techniques, and even a Q&A with top experts from IMAX!

Click here to read more.

Earl Carroll Theatre

Earl Carroll Theatre

The legendary Earl Carroll Theatre announces a new tenant and lease on life.

LAHTF is thrilled to see a new tenant announced for the historic Earl Carroll Theatre. After working with the property owners behind the scenes for the last 18 months to secure a new tenant for the legendary venue, we couldn’t be more excited to see the tradition of entertainment continuing upon completion of the planned restoration. In the coming weeks, we look forward to hearing more and seeing a broader scope of plans for the restoration work being laid out by their team.

Click here to read more.

Advocacy

(most recent updates first)

Earl Carroll Theatre Updated: 18th September 2020 Developer Essex Property Trust presented their plans for the façade restoration of the theatre to the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission today. Click here to see a copy of the presentation and read LAHTF

Earl Carroll Theatre

Updated: 18th September 2020

Developer Essex Property Trust presented their plans for the façade restoration of the theatre to the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission today. Click here to see a copy of the presentation and read LAHTF's statement on it.

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse Updated: 19th August 2020 The City of San Gabriel is considering several options for the future of the Mission Playhouse, including full closure. Click here for more info.

San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

Updated: 19th August 2020

The City of San Gabriel is considering several options for the future of the Mission Playhouse, including full closure.

Click here for more info.

Tower Theatre Updated: 15th August 2020 After an absence of just short of 50 years, we

Tower Theatre

Updated: 15th August 2020

After an absence of just short of 50 years, we're delighted to share the news that a replica tower cap has been fitted to the top of the clock tower!

Click here for more info.

Grand Theater Updated: August 2019 The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) determined in August that reuse of the theatre is infeasible and inconsistent with LACCD

Grand Theater

Updated: August 2019

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) determined in August that reuse of the theatre is infeasible and inconsistent with LACCD's programming and educational goals for the campus, and is proposing that the theatre building be demolished.

Click here for more info.

Eagle Theatre, Eagle Rock Updated: 28th July 2020 Vidiots, new long-term lessees of the Eagle Theatre in Eagle Rock, opened in 1929 as the Yosemite Theatre, have been crafting plans for the theatre and adjoining spaces. The non-profit is also currently fundraising for renovations and operations. Click here for the latest news.

Eagle Theatre, Eagle Rock

Updated: 28th July 2020

Vidiots, new long-term lessees of the Eagle Theatre in Eagle Rock, opened in 1929 as the Yosemite Theatre, have been crafting plans for the theatre and adjoining spaces. The non-profit is also currently fundraising for renovations and operations.

Click here for the latest news.

Rialto Theatre, South Pasadena Updated: July 2020 Owners of the Rialto Theatre have been working on an exterior makeover, including restoration of the vertical sign and 1940s marquee. Click here for more info.

Rialto Theatre, South Pasadena

Updated: July 2020

Owners of the Rialto Theatre have been working on an exterior makeover, including restoration of the vertical sign and 1940s marquee.

Click here for more info.

Crest Westwood Theatre Updated: 26th June 2020 In late June it came to LAHTF

Crest Westwood Theatre

Updated: 26th June 2020

In late June it came to LAHTF's attention that urban explorers had gained access to Crest Theatre. Prompt communication by ourselves with UCLA ensured that the property is now once again secure.

Click here to continue reading.

Westlake Theatre Updated: June 2020 Owners of the Westlake Theatre have put the building up for sale or lease again, as part of a listing package with two other properties. Click here for more info.

Westlake Theatre

Updated: June 2020

Owners of the Westlake Theatre have put the building up for sale or lease again, as part of a listing package with two other properties.

Click here for more info.

Avalon Theatre, Catalina Island Updated: March 2020 Following the closure of the Avalon Theatre as a first-run movie house at the start of 2020, and prior to the arrival of the novel coronavirus, the Catalina Island Company and the City of Avalon were in negotiations regarding a City-run monthly community movie night.Click here to continue reading.

Avalon Theatre, Catalina Island

Updated: March 2020

Following the closure of the Avalon Theatre as a first-run movie house at the start of 2020, and prior to the arrival of the novel coronavirus, the Catalina Island Company and the City of Avalon were in negotiations regarding a City-run monthly community movie night.

Click here to continue reading.

Egyptian Theatre Updated: 17th October 2019 LAHTF releases Position Statement on the Egyptian Theatre following media reports of the sale of the historic theatre to Netflix by American Cinematheque. Click here for more info.

Egyptian Theatre

Updated: 17th October 2019

LAHTF releases Position Statement on the Egyptian Theatre following media reports of the sale of the historic theatre to Netflix by American Cinematheque.

Click here for more info.

Fox Theatre, Venice Updated: September 2019 The Fox Venice, long underutilized as a “swap meet”, was sold about a year ago, and a proposal to tear down all but the facade and build a Trader Joes on the location was presented to the city Planning Dept in January 2019. [Photo courtesy Bill Counter] Click here for more info.

Fox Theatre, Venice

Updated: September 2019

The Fox Venice, long underutilized as a “swap meet”, was sold about a year ago, and a proposal to tear down all but the facade and build a Trader Joes on the location was presented to the city Planning Dept in January 2019. [Photo courtesy Bill Counter]

Click here for more info.

Huntington Park Warner Updated: 4th July 2019 The Huntington Park Warner is currently for sale at $12 million, including the 10 year lease on the building. Blink Fitness, the current tenant, has been in operation for less than a year at the converted Huntington Park Warner Theatre. Click here for more info.

Huntington Park Warner

Updated: 4th July 2019

The Huntington Park Warner is currently for sale at $12 million, including the 10 year lease on the building. Blink Fitness, the current tenant, has been in operation for less than a year at the converted Huntington Park Warner Theatre.

Click here for more info.

Million Dollar Theatre Updated: 2nd July 2019 The Million Dollar Theatre was granted Historic-Cultural Monument status by the City Council on 2nd July. At the June 8th Last Remaining Seats screening it was announced that CoBird is no longer the tenant of the Million Dollar Theatre. Click here for more info.

Million Dollar Theatre

Updated: 2nd July 2019

The Million Dollar Theatre was granted Historic-Cultural Monument status by the City Council on 2nd July.

At the June 8th Last Remaining Seats screening it was announced that CoBird is no longer the tenant of the Million Dollar Theatre.

Click here for more info.

Star Theater, La Puente Updated: 17th June 2019 S. Charles Lee’s one-of-a-kind Star Theater was demolished this morning to make way for 22 condos. LAHTF is working behind the scenes to try to save the iconic neon Star sign, but the theatre is gone. Click here for more info.

Star Theater, La Puente

Updated: 17th June 2019

S. Charles Lee’s one-of-a-kind Star Theater was demolished this morning to make way for 22 condos.

LAHTF is working behind the scenes to try to save the iconic neon Star sign, but the theatre is gone. Click here for more info.

York Theatre, Highland Park Updated: February 2019 The former York Theatre in Highland Park, a local movie theatre built in the 1920s, recently became home to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Their first public shows start in July 2019! Click here for more info.

York Theatre, Highland Park

Updated: February 2019

The former York Theatre in Highland Park, a local movie theatre built in the 1920s, recently became home to the Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Their first public shows start in July 2019!

Click here for more info.

Roxie, Cameo, and Arcade Theatres Updated: October 2018 The youngest and oldest historic theatres on Broadway are getting some much needed attention. The owners of the Roxie (November 1931), Cameo (October 1910), and Arcade (September 1910) have pulled building permits to replace and repair the roof areas of all three theatres. Over the years there have been multiple roof leaks, and no further building improvements are likely to take place until the leaks have been fixed, so this is good news for these three underutilized theatres. Click here fore more info.

Roxie, Cameo, and Arcade Theatres

Updated: October 2018

The youngest and oldest historic theatres on Broadway are getting some much needed attention. The owners of the Roxie (November 1931), Cameo (October 1910), and Arcade (September 1910) have pulled building permits to replace and repair the roof areas of all three theatres. Over the years there have been multiple roof leaks, and no further building improvements are likely to take place until the leaks have been fixed, so this is good news for these three underutilized theatres. Click here fore more info.

State Theatre Updated: August 2018 The theatre has been vacant after Cathedral Of Faith (Catedral de la Fe), long term tenants, moved out in early 2018. LAHTF is working with the owners of the State Theatre to find a theatrical tenant for the theatre For more info click here.

State Theatre

Updated: August 2018

The theatre has been vacant after Cathedral Of Faith (Catedral de la Fe), long term tenants, moved out in early 2018. LAHTF is working with the owners of the State Theatre to find a theatrical tenant for the theatre

For more info click here.

Hollywood Warner Theatre Updated: Fall 2017 There has been a lot of attention circling the Hollywood Warner Theatre (Hollywood Pacific), so we would like to take a few minutes to report the current status. After a year of many productive meetings, Robertson Properties agreed to fund a neutral third-party feasibility study, with the reactivation of the theatre as the priority. This agreement was a big step forward from the owner’s starting point, that the theatre had to be demolished. Click here to continue reading.

Hollywood Warner Theatre

Updated: Fall 2017

There has been a lot of attention circling the Hollywood Warner Theatre (Hollywood Pacific), so we would like to take a few minutes to report the current status. After a year of many productive meetings, Robertson Properties agreed to fund a neutral third-party feasibility study, with the reactivation of the theatre as the priority. This agreement was a big step forward from the owner’s starting point, that the theatre had to be demolished. Click here to continue reading.

Fox Inglewood Theatre Updated: September 2017 When opened in 1949 The Fox Inglewood Theatre, at 1,166 seats, was one of the largest theatres build in South L.A. The theatre entertained a number of generations of City residents before welcoming its last movie patron in 1984. Since then, the fate of the Fox Inglewood has been uncertain. Photo by Matt Lambros. Click here for more info.

Fox Inglewood Theatre

Updated: September 2017

When opened in 1949 The Fox Inglewood Theatre, at 1,166 seats, was one of the largest theatres build in South L.A. The theatre entertained a number of generations of City residents before welcoming its last movie patron in 1984. Since then, the fate of the Fox Inglewood has been uncertain. Photo by Matt Lambros. Click here for more info.

Who We Are

Our Mission

Protect, preserve, restore and sustain the operation of historic theatres through advocacy and activism.

Donate

Your tax deductible donations help support our advocacy efforts.


DONATE

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt membership and volunteer-powered organization.

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is a spirited organization pursuing excellence and innovation in the creation of unique arts and entertainment destinations that bring together commercial and non-profit historic theatre enterprises. LAHTF aims to present a thoughtfully curated variety of quality film and performing arts events, advance arts education, and support communities interested in reviving historic theatres as catalysts for the arts, entertainment, new businesses, and residential living. Successful historic theatre projects build community and strengthen economic development and vitality.

Historic theatres are the bricks and mortar legacies of the visionary showmen who built them. Movie palaces, vaudeville houses, legit stages, all showcase something uniquely American, an architectural daring that mixed many styles into an improbably unified whole – a dream palace. The architecture of fantasy transformed audiences, it created an immersive experience that inspired and entertained, transported them from the cares of the day to a magical land where troubles disappear and dreams come true. Within its walls, each historic theatre spans generations of cultural, social and popular American entertainment. In these auditoriums, from these stages and screens, minds were opened, hearts were touched, romances bloomed and lives were changed. Historic theatres are repositories of memories and meaning. LAHTF protects and preserves the few remaining theatres constructed during the first half of the 20th Century. We are determined to ensure that these extraordinary theatres will endure and entertain for generations to come. Join with us. Your contributions and participation makes the LAHTF possible.

The LAHTF Board of Directors includes historians, preservationists, designers, performers, and community stakeholders. Click the button below to learn more about the individuals who form the current Board of Directors and Leadership of LAHTF.

Meet The Team

 

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Our Tax ID is 95-4164089.

Theatres

Help Us

Support the LAHTF

Volunteer

The strength of LAHTF is founded on our volunteer base. There are so many ways to help, from an hour or two a week at home, doing research on a favorite theatre, to becoming an usher or an experienced docent leading theatre tours during our ALL ABOUT Tours. All are welcome.  We will provide all the necessary training and information,  and best of all, you get to work with great people in beautiful historic theatres!

Whether you have a special skill to offer or just want to help but don't know what to do,  please contact us. Click the link below to send us an email.

Volunteer

Be a Member

We offer 5 Membership levels, from the most affordable $35 Basic and the $60 Household level for a family as large as 6, up to the Artist level ($100-$499). The Producer level includes all contribution levels above $500.  Each level offers an increased variety of Member Benefits and all include discounts on LAHTF events and merchandise.   Members who join at $1000 or more are entered into the exclusive Marquee Club, which includes invitations to private functions for Club members only. Click the botton to join online or mail a check to "Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation"   PO BOX 79172,  Los Angeles, California 90079

JOIN or RENEW

Calendar

Get Social

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

 View the latest posts from LAHTF

Twitter

 View the latest tweets from LAHTF

CONTACT US

Mailing Address:
Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation
PO Box 79172
Los Angeles, CA 90079-0172

Email: info@lahtf.org

Telephone: (213) 443-6201

Back to top

Copyright © 2019
The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation