"Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre"

A look into the forecourt of Grauman's Egyptian that appears in Angus Wall's eleven minute documentary "Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre" (Netflix, 2023). We're looking toward a dinosaur that was there to promote a run of the 1923 Cecil B. DeMille film "Adam's Rib" at Grauman's Rialto Theatre downtown. Thanks to April Wright for spotting a post of the image on a "What's New on Netflix" page on the site Tribute.ca. Visit April's Going Attractions... page on Facebook.

 

Checking out a "Pharoah's Chariot" used in Cecil B. DeMille's "Ten Commandments." It was the third film to play the Egyptian, opening December 4, 1923. The image is one that appears in the trailer for "Temple of Film." It's on YouTube. The short doc was screened along with David Fincher's "The Killer" at the theatre's November 9, 2023 reopening.  

 

"Positively No Free List." It's a c.1925 promotional photo featuring actors Estelle Taylor and Noah Beery that's on display in the Egyptian's lobby. It's also in "Temple of Film." The photo is from the Cecil B. DeMille Photographs collection at the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

 

A fine c.1925 view of the original entrance doors appearing in the film.

 

The Egyptian was the first Los Angeles theatre to be wired for Vitaphone and hosted the 1926 west coast premiere of Warner's feature "Don Juan," opening August 20 for about a three month run. Initially they ran the silent version, then did a second premiere on October 27 for the one with an added Vitaphone sound and effects track. Thanks to Pat Saperstein for including this shot in her November 2023 Variety portfolio "Photos: Hollywood's Stunning Egyptian Theatre Renovation."

 

 

A shot from a c.1928 film clip. Benny Rubin was the bandleader at the time. Note the heads on top of the marquee and entrance pylon promoting whatever feature they were playing. Thanks to Pat Saperstein for including this in her November 2023 Variety portfolio.

The December 22, 1953 premiere for "Knights of the Round Table" starring Robert Taylor and Ava Gardner. This shot, as well as other premiere clips, can also be seen in "How Netflix saved iconic Grauman's Egyptian in Hollywood," a November 2023 segment from the Today Show. Thanks to Paul Rayton for spotting it on YouTube.

Looking down the forecourt's covered walkway toward the entrance doors in a 1960s premiere view.

 

Debbie Reynolds arriving for the June 1964 premiere of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

An October 28, 1964 "My Fair Lady" premiere view. 

A 1990s post-closing view of the D-150 screen. 

See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for many photos and a discussion of the theatre's history. The theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., a block east of Highland Ave.

On IMdb: "Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre"