"Ring Up the Curtain"

We get a look at the outside of the Iris Theatre, 6508 Hollywood Blvd., in "Ring Up the Curtain" (Rolin Films/Pathé, April 1919). Alf Goulding directed the 14 minute film starring Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels and "Snub" Pollard. Here the manager is fuming because his cast hasn't yet appeared and he's frustrated with his somewhat drunk crew.

The Iris opened in 1918. See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Fox Theatre for a history of the building along with many photos. It was renamed the Fox in 1968. In 1916 Lloyd, Daniels and Pollard were seen up the street at the Hollywood Theatre in "Luke's Movie Muddle."

Lloyd chatting up a dancer played by Bebe Daniels backstage. It's unknown where the interiors were filmed.

A roller drop going up. 

Three of the drunk stagehands getting tossed out the door. Those metal-clad doors may have actually been a theatre exit somewhere.

Thanks to silent film detective John Bengtson for spotting the Iris in the film. Check on his latest explorations via the Silent Locations blog "Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd film locations (and more)." 

John's books are available through Amazon or your local bookseller: "Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton" | "Silent Traces: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Charlie Chaplin" | "Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd"

On IMDb: "Ring Up the Curtain"   The film can be viewed on YouTube.