Million Dollar Theater
Million Dollar Theater
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The city's first movie theater is now a Hispanic church.
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Neighborhood: Downtown
Downtown Los Angeles is a busy metropolis of towering buildings, bustling streets, and industrial warehouses. There is a distinct multiplicity of cultures here with a growing influx of business professionals and hipsters. Many call the evolution of Downtown over recent years gentrification. New lofts, bars, hotels and restaurants are popping up regularly. Downtown is home to some of the very best restaurants in the city leading the LA foodie scene, plus it is the location of cultural and sports venues including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, and the Coliseum at the University of Southern California.
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- Pershing Square • 5 min walk
- Civic Center/Grand Park • 8 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
16 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
5
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA9,753 contributions
Jan 2020 • Business
Built in 1917, the theatre was designed in an exquisite Californian Churrigueresque style by noted Los Angeles architect Albert C. Martin. It was the first movie palace built by famed Hollywood entrepreneur Sid Grauman, who also founded Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre.
In the 50’s, the theatre became an epicenter of Spanish language entertainment in the country. Today it is one of the last surviving grand movie palaces from the turn of the century.
In the 50’s, the theatre became an epicenter of Spanish language entertainment in the country. Today it is one of the last surviving grand movie palaces from the turn of the century.
Written May 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZumaDawg
Los Angeles, CA1,081 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
The Million Dollar Theater in downtown Los Angeles was built in 1918 and was a grand showcase seating over 2,400 people in it's prime. It's location on Broadway, next to the Grand Central Market was and is a wonderful destination for L.A. History buffs. As part of the L.A. Conservancy, we enjoyed a movie at this historic theater, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho shown to a full house. The interior of this theater is amazing. The wall and ceiling decorations are beautiful as is the theater's old time ambiance. If you do get to attend a movie showing here, just know that the restrooms have not been updated and the lines can be quite long. Eat prior to going as they have a very limited amount of snacks available. We loved going and hope to return and check out more of the theater.
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SilverLake2TheWorld
Los Angeles, CA217 contributions
Try finding a walking tour of downtown L.A. that will give you access to the inside of this place. It is spectacular and well preserved. Worth seeing.
Written September 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoarrrTrip
Rome, Italy580 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
just in front of the Bradbury Building. The front entrance was used in the film Blade Runner as entrance of Sebastian home, expecially for his particular works and sculptures. Nice place where to stop a couple of minutes for some photos.
Written February 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristianHP
Nochistlan, Mexico79 contributions
We could just see the outside, on the day that we went, for me it was a great experience we took a tour and they showed us all the theaters with the LA conservancy and it was really interesting. I would really recommend it to people that like to learn the history of art.
Written September 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland64,937 contributions
Oct 2019
Dating from 1917 this was one of the first movie palaces in the US. In a lovely Spanish Revival style it was also the famous Grauman's first movie palace.
It has had an eventful life down the decades, even being the home of a church for some years. Nowadays it screens particular classic historical movies.
It has served as a location for a number of films, videos and games.
It has had an eventful life down the decades, even being the home of a church for some years. Nowadays it screens particular classic historical movies.
It has served as a location for a number of films, videos and games.
Written December 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cavydad
Camarillo, CA2,136 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
They don’t build buildings this way anymore! Any day you can view the theater from the Bradbury Building. Look across the street and view the detailing on the outside of the building. Beautiful, unique, flamboyant are some of the superlatives that can be bantered about.
On special occasions, such as the Los Angeles Historic Preservation groups film series the theater is open to the public for exploring, gawking, and even viewing a classic film.
The interior is even better than the exterior. Beautiful, classic and shows why over a million dollars, in old dollars, was spent building the theater,
On special occasions, such as the Los Angeles Historic Preservation groups film series the theater is open to the public for exploring, gawking, and even viewing a classic film.
The interior is even better than the exterior. Beautiful, classic and shows why over a million dollars, in old dollars, was spent building the theater,
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy D
Los Angeles, CA1,644 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Evidently many different types of events are staged here. I attended a Los Angeles Food Bowl function where the panel included feisty Diana Kennedy, a 95 year old expert of Mexican cuisine. The event for me was a bit disappointing... but it was cool to spend a couple hours in this old and renovated theater. It is located almost next door to Grand Central Market where we went to grab a bite to eat after the presentation.
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan D
Huntington Beach, CA1,783 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
I recently saw a screening of Laura presented by Last Remaining Seats from the Los Angeles Conservancy. As usual the screening was fabulous and so entertaining. The theatre was built in 1918 and is not totally restored but the history and decor is do interesting. Yes, there are not enough toilets and there is no air conditioning but that's not what it's about. It's the experience of attending a film noir in a historical theatre with all its charm.
Written June 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris M
Penticton, Canada72 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I was lucky enough in the summer of 2014 to attend a screening of Double Indemnity at this great theater! It was a great experience, but unfortunately they don't do this very often. if the chance comes up, make sure you go! It was a great event!
Written May 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If there's no movies playing at the time, are you still able to go inside for a tour?!?
Written January 16, 2017
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