The El Capitan Theatre: A Hollywood Legend

Transformed from an agricultural area to the center of cinema, in time, Hollywood tarnished somewhat and became seedy, and is now undergoing a revitalization to become a vibrant place again. Although some of the area boasts impressive new buildings, such as the Hollywood and Highland Center, which features the Kodak Theater--home to the Oscars--there are also lovely original buildings from Hollywood's heyday.

One of the finest examples of Hollywood's past, present, and future glory is the fabulous El Capitan Theatre. Opened in 1926 as a theater for live performances, the El Capitan is mostly known as one of Hollywood's grand movie palaces. One of its notable premieres was Citizen Kane, in 1941. What's a movie palace, you ask? If you have never had the pleasure of this experience, I will be delighted to share it with you. It's a vastly different--wonderful--experience than going to a movie at the local multiplex!

The first impression of the theater comes from its exterior, with a marquee filled with thousands of lights promoting the movie that's currently playing. That's right - THE movie, not 16 or 20 movies! The El Capitan boasts an ornate Spanish Colonial exterior. After purchasing your tickets at the lovely ticket booth that is in the center of the front entryway, you'll be greeted pleasantly, and admitted into the elaborate lobby area.

One of the special pleasures of a movie palace is the choice between seats in the orchestra level, easily accessed through the lobby, or climbing the thickly carpeted stairs to the balcony seating (I highly recommend this area simply because you can't sit in a balcony at your local multiplex). If you decide to sit in the orchestra section, you owe it to yourself to take a walk upstairs to see the photo collection in the upstairs hallway, which shows many memorable moments and notable guests from the El Capitan's distinguished history.

Once inside the theater, find your very comfortable seat and take in your sumptuous surroundings. In the 1920s, the El Capitan Theatre's interior cost $1.2 million dollars, and its elaborate East Indian theme is simply gorgeous. In 1989, the Walt Disney Company began a museum-quality restoration of the El Capitan Theatre and did an amazing job of bringing the theater back to its original splendor. It is ornate and beautiful; you can spend quite a bit of time simply admiring the interior.

Guests queue up for movies at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California