Heritage Commission Designates Egyptian Theatre a Landmark

The Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, which stunned moviegoers with its exotic opulence when it opened in 1922 but has recently fallen on hard times, was declared a city landmark Wednesday by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission.

The panel’s unanimous vote, subject to City Council approval, would give the theater some protection from any possible demolition. The movie house closed last year, but is not under any such wrecking threat. In fact, there are plans afoot to restore it and make it the permanent home of the American Cinematheque, a nonprofit center for the appreciation of film and video.

Still, the designation as a historic-cultural monument is important, according to David Cameron, chairman of the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation. The Egyptian revival architecture, complete with its courtyard entrance, “is nothing short of spectacular,” he said. The Egyptian, he added, “symbolizes the emergence of Hollywood as a major entertainment district.”

It was followed five years later by construction of the Chinese Theatre, impresario Sid Grauman’s other showplace on Hollywood Boulevard.