Just Put Our Foot In It

Postally Unused:

From back of postcard:
“Footprints of the Stars–Forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where concrete slabs have captured the footprints, handprints and signatures of the movie stars of yesterday and today.”

Postally Unused:

From back of postcard:
“Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hollywood California Motion picture star Doris Day placing her and footprints in this world famous forecourt.”

Ceremonies for Doris Day took place on January 19, 1961.

Postally Unused:

From back of postcard:
“Mann’s Chinese Theatre-Hollywood, CA First opened in 1927, Hollywood’s most famous landmark where the footprints, handprints and signatures of the movie stars are preserved in cement.”

In 1973 Grauman’s was sold to Mann Theatres. Enter the Dragon started an eight week run on  August  24 of that year. It was Bruce Lee’s final completed film before his death on July 20, 1973.

TCL Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre- A Fan Site

Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Private walks also available.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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Los Angeles Aglow

Postmarked September 5, 1944:

On back of postcard:
“Broadway at night, in downtown Los Angeles, is aglow with brilliant lights. The many attractive shops, theatres and cafes afford great interest to visitors of the Southland.”

The Los Angeles Theatre is on the right with the Palace opposites, vertical sign in red. The white verticals of the Loew’s State are in the background just beyond Bullock’s.

Postally Unused:

“Seventh and Broadway is the hub of activity upon whici the City of Los Angeles constantly revolves. Its daily passing parade reflects a true cross section of the population of this metropolis of the West.”

Loew’s State

Postally Unused (1941):

Double feature at the United Artists Theatre: “Smilin’ Through” and “Dr. Kildare’s Wedding Day.”

The Orpheum vertical is on the right.

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Theatre Talks

Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Private walks also available.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Greetings from a World Premiere

Postally Unused, 1956

From back of postcard:
“The Chinese Theatre has been the scene of many gala world premieres. Thousands of cheering fans line the streets and gather outside the theatre, to enthusiastically greet the hundreds of illustrious stars and celebrities that attend.”

TLC Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Forecourt of Stars

 

Postally Unused:

From back of postcard:
“Carthay Circle Theatre, scene of many a gala Premiere, where throngs of movie fns collect to see the celebrities attending.”

Carthay Circle Theatre

Carthay Circle Theatre-Little Known Facts

 

Postally Unused:

 From back of postcard:

“The only theatre of it’s kind in the world. Located in the Cinerama Center, Sunset and Ivar, Hollywood, it is the first geodesic dome in concrete anywhere in the world. It is the first major theatre built in Hollywood in 35 years.

It is an endless network of electronic marvels.  Gold is the dominant color in the richly fabricated carpet and drapes. Striking innovations in lighting and luxurious seating provide unbelievable comfort and beauty.” 

Cinerama Dome

Save the Cinerama Dome 

 

 

Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Private walks also available.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

San Francisco April 18, 1906

The Museum of the City of San Francisco:
“ April 18, 1906
San Francisco was wrecked by a Great Earthquake at 5:13 a.m., and then destroyed by the seventh Great Fire that burned for four days. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of trapped persons died when South-of-Market tenements collapsed as the ground liquefied beneath them. Most of those buildings immediately caught fire, and trapped victims could not be rescued. Reevaluation of the 1906 data, during the 1980s, placed the total earthquake death toll at more than 3,000 from all causes. Damage was estimated at $500,000,000 in 1906 dollars.”

Postally Unused

Majestic Theatre

SMU Libraries

Postmarked July 15, 1907

Written on front of card: “This theatre burned down during the fire after the quake.”

New Chinese Theatre

The San Francisco Chinese Community and Earthquake Damage

 

When the Earth Trembled, what may be the first fictional movie account of the San Francisco earthquake

 

Postcard part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Private walks also available.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Auditorium Theatre, 427 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles

The largest theatre west of Chicago opened its doors on November 7th 1906 with “Aida.”

The Auditorium part of a $350,000 project funded by the Temple Baptist Church and local businessmen to serve the dual purpose of providing facilities for the church and  offering Los Angeles a proper venue for entertainment.

Designed by Charles E. Whittlesey and C. R. Harris the building also  featured two smaller halls and a nine story office block.

 

The  simplified Art Nouveau interior influenced by Louis Sullivan’s Auditorium in Chicago.

From back of postcard dated “8/18/08”:

“This hall has a seating capacity of 4000, and is greatly in demand for local conventions, concerts and meetings.”

The seating is an exaggeration. The actual capacity was 2,670.

Leased to exhibitor Billy Clunes in 1914,  “The  Birth of a Nation” premiered there the following year as “The Clansman.”

 

The Auditorium 

 

Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Loew’s State on Broadway

1921-Early tinted postcard “based on a pre-opening drawing.”

Circa 1959 with “Ben-Hur”, at the Egyptian, advertised on the readerboard.

From Back of postcard:
“The heartbeat of a busy metropolis”

State Theatre

Los Angeles Conservancy

Postcards part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use. At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Editing and updating the third edition of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, Volume I.

AboutMe

Goodreads

Medotcom

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with a Visit to Jackson Street

Postmarked “Jul 15, 1907”

Postcard part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use.
At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice if they did.

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres. The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2015: historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Now selling “vintage” on Etsy.

Seabees on Parade, San Francisco, 1944

Postmarked December 30, 1944

On the back:
“Hi Terrell,
Can you find Ray? He is the fellow with the white hat. Movies and restaurants are open all night in Frisco & many a sailor sleeps in the movies because he can’t get a room.–Mary”

 

Postcard is part of the Theatre Talks Collection, please ask permission to copy and/or use.
At least give credit to source. We know that some people will not honor this but it would be nice of they did.

Cezar Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, chosen 2010 Best Book of the Year by the Theatre Historical Society.

He is available for theatre talks and walks in 2014, historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.