Million Dollar Theater, Movie palace in Downtown Los Angeles, United States
The Million Dollar Theatre occupies 307 South Broadway and ranks among the city's historic movie palaces with a capacity for over 2000 viewers. The interior preserves the character of early cinema architecture with a sweeping balcony and detailed ornamentation across walls and ceiling.
Sid Grauman opened the house on February 1, 1918 with a premiere attended by well-known stars of the silent film era. The construction marked the beginning of the Broadway theater era in Downtown Los Angeles.
The name reflects the high construction costs at the time and the ambition of its founder to create something grand. Visitors notice the mix of Spanish and American motifs on the facade, where cowboys and classical muses appear side by side.
The theater now serves as an event venue and filming location but opens to visitors only occasionally. The Los Angeles Conservancy sometimes organizes tours that allow access to the interior.
The sweeping balcony rests on a concrete girder that was considered an engineering novelty at the opening. This construction allowed unobstructed views for all viewers without support columns interrupting the hall.
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