Hollywood tours will usually always include a drive by the Pantages theater. Unless you’re going to a show there, you won’t get to see the opulent interior. And even with tickets you won’t get to explore backstage. Star Track Tours—members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce—get the opportunity to do just that and you can view our video on this page.
Hollywood tour of Pantages Theater website
The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood is one of the most iconic venues in Los Angeles, famous for its history, design, and association with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age. The theater was built in 1930 as part of the grand vision of vaudeville impresario Alexander Pantages, who sought to create a luxurious theater that would stand as a monument to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Central to the theater’s design was architect B. Marcus Priteca, whose vision helped turn the Pantages into one of the most beautiful and notable venues of its time. This essay will explore the history of the Pantages Theatre, its significance in Hollywood, and the life and career of its architect, B. Marcus Priteca, shedding light on the architecture and enduring legacy of this iconic institution.
The Vision of Alexander Pantages
The Pantages Theatre was part of a grand plan by Greek-American theater mogul Alexander Pantages, who had built a successful empire of vaudeville theaters across the United States in the early 20th century. Pantages, who had previously established a string of theaters in major cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, sought to create a theater in Los Angeles that would match the opulence and scale of other major American cities, particularly New York City. Hollywood was quickly becoming the center of the American film industry, and Pantages saw an opportunity to create a venue that could cater to the increasing demand for live entertainment, particularly vaudeville performances, which were a staple of the American theater scene at the time.
In 1929, Pantages purchased a parcel of land on Hollywood Boulevard and began plans to build a new theater. It was to be a part of a chain of theaters that would feature vaudeville acts and movies, making it one of the first “movie palaces” in Hollywood. Pantages spared no expense, enlisting the services of one of the leading architects of the era, B. Marcus Priteca, to bring his vision to life.
- Marcus Priteca: The Architect Behind the Pantages
- Marcus Priteca (born Benjamin Marcus Priteca on May 7, 1889, in Vancouver, Canada) was an architect whose work would become synonymous with the luxurious and ornate theater designs of the 1920s and 1930s. After studying architecture at the University of Washington, Priteca began his career working for various architectural firms in Seattle, and it was here that he first gained recognition for his work on theater designs. Priteca’s architectural style was heavily influenced by the Beaux-Arts and Art Deco movements, which dominated the design world at the time. His ability to merge these styles with practical considerations for acoustics, sightlines, and overall comfort helped make him one of the most sought-after architects for entertainment venues in the country.
Priteca’s approach to theater design was innovative in its blending of form and function. He understood the unique challenges presented by designing for the cinema and vaudeville, where the stage had to accommodate a variety of performances, from live acts to cinematic presentations. His designs were known for their dramatic interiors, featuring lavish materials such as marble, gold leaf, intricate murals, and luxurious carpets. The theaters he designed were meant to create an atmosphere of escapism and fantasy, transporting audiences from their everyday lives into a world of wonder and glamour.
His most famous work is undoubtedly the Pantages Theatre, but Priteca was also responsible for designing a number of other vaudeville theaters and movie palaces across the country. His work on the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood would cement his legacy as one of the preeminent theater architects of the early 20th century.
The Design of the Pantages Theatre
The Pantages Theatre, which opened on June 4, 1930, was a remarkable example of Art Deco architecture, a style that was all the rage during the late 1920s and early 1930s. The theater’s exterior was designed to make a bold statement on Hollywood Boulevard, with its towering, vertical neon marquee, which would later become a defining feature of the Hollywood landscape. The marquee, along with the stylized columns, streamlined curves, and geometric patterns on the facade, made the building a striking example of the Art Deco style.
Inside, Priteca’s vision for the theater was equally stunning. The interior of the Pantages was designed to evoke a sense of opulence and grandeur, and the use of rich, vibrant colors such as gold, red, and blue helped create an atmosphere of luxury. The most striking feature of the theater’s interior is its lush auditorium, which was designed to accommodate over 2,000 people. The auditorium is surrounded by intricate murals, adorned with gold leaf and sculptural details, all of which combine to create an atmosphere of sophistication and glamour.
The theater’s proscenium arch, the frame around the stage, is one of its most defining architectural features. Priteca designed it with a sweeping, curved shape that helped direct the audience’s attention to the stage, creating a sense of intimacy and focus. The acoustics of the theater were also a critical consideration, as Priteca made sure that the space was acoustically balanced to ensure that every word, every note, and every sound effect was clearly heard by the audience. This was especially important for vaudeville acts, where spoken dialogue and live music were integral to the performance.
A particularly innovative feature of the Pantages Theatre was its use of advanced lighting techniques. Priteca designed the lighting system to accentuate the theater’s architectural features, with lights positioned to highlight the murals, columns, and other decorative elements. The lighting was used not only for practical purposes but also as a means to enhance the theatrical experience, creating a dynamic atmosphere that changed throughout the performance.
The Theater’s Role in Hollywood’s Golden Age
Upon its opening, the Pantages Theatre quickly became one of Hollywood’s most important cultural landmarks. It hosted the grandest premieres of the era, as Hollywood’s elite flocked to the theater to witness the latest films and performances. The theater’s elegant design and central location on Hollywood Boulevard made it an ideal venue for the stars and filmmakers who defined the golden age of cinema. The theater’s interior, with its lavish decor and rich detailing, reflected the opulence and glamour of Hollywood at the time.
In addition to film premieres, the Pantages became a hub for live theater and vaudeville performances. The theater’s versatility allowed it to host a wide range of entertainment, from Broadway shows to musical revues, concerts, and even political rallies. For much of its early history, the Pantages was synonymous with vaudeville, offering live performances before the age of television and the rise of the movie industry.
The theater’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1930s and 1940s, though, as the demand for movie theaters grew, the Pantages began to focus more on cinema than live performances. In the 1950s, the theater underwent a period of decline as the vaudeville tradition waned and the building faced the challenges of modernizing to meet the needs of the movie industry.
Restoration and Revival
By the 1970s, the Pantages Theatre had fallen into disrepair, and there were concerns about its survival as a historic landmark. In 1977, the Nederlander Organization purchased the theater and began an extensive restoration process to bring it back to its former glory. This restoration, completed in the early 1980s, helped to revitalize the theater as a venue for Broadway productions, cementing its role as one of Los Angeles’s premier theaters for live performances.
The Pantages Theatre is now a major cultural institution in Los Angeles, and its association with Broadway productions has only strengthened its position as one of the city’s most important entertainment venues. The theater’s design, which remains faithful to Priteca’s original vision, continues to awe visitors with its beauty and elegance.
Legacy of B. Marcus Priteca
- Marcus Priteca’s work on the Pantages Theatre remains his most enduring legacy, but his influence on theater architecture can be seen across the United States. His designs were characterized by a deep understanding of the needs of performance venues, and his work helped to set the standard for theaters built during the golden age of cinema and vaudeville. Priteca’s combination of functional design and artistic expression created spaces that were both beautiful and practical, enhancing the theatergoing experience for audiences and performers alike.
Though Priteca is not as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, his work on the Pantages Theatre has ensured his place in the history of American architecture. The Pantages is a testament to his skill and vision, and it remains one of the finest examples of early 20th-century theater design.
Conclusion
The Pantages Theatre stands as a testament to the vision of both Alexander Pantages and B. Marcus Priteca. The theater’s breathtaking design, its role in Hollywood’s golden age, and its enduring legacy in the world of live theater all reflect the work of an architect who understood the power of architecture to create unforgettable experiences. Today, the Pantages remains one of the most important cultural landmarks in Los Angeles, attracting thousands of visitors and theatergoers each year. As a masterpiece of Art Deco design, it continues to evoke the splendor and excitement of Hollywood’s early years, ensuring that the legacy of both the theater and its architect will live on for generations to come.