Legendary LA Theater to finally re-open next month
The Egyptian Theatre, a historic Los Angeles movie palace with a 101-year legacy, is primed to reopen its doors on November 9 following an extensive restoration project aimed at returning it to its original grandeur.
This renowned venue, which famously hosted the very first Hollywood premiere for Douglas Fairbanks’ ‘Robin Hood’ in 1922, is planning its grand reopening with a special screening of Netflix’s upcoming thriller, ‘The Killer.’ The event will include a Q&A session with the film’s director, David Fincher, and the film itself is scheduled to be available on the streaming platform on November 10.
This eagerly anticipated reopening marks a significant milestone, occurring three years after Netflix acquired the Egyptian Theatre from the Los Angeles film nonprofit American Cinematheque, which had held ownership since 1996. Over the years, the once opulent theater had changed hands multiple times and suffered from neglect and damage caused by the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In 1993, the theater was officially recognized as a city landmark by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, thereby safeguarding it from potential demolition.
In celebration of the theater’s return, Netflix, which intends to use the venue for showcasing its Oscar contenders and other theatrical releases, will release a short documentary titled ‘Temple of Film: 100 Years of the Egyptian Theatre.’ This documentary will feature interviews with notable filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro and Rian Johnson, along with insights from the theater’s restoration architect, Peyton Hall.
Additionally, the Egyptian Theatre is set to host the American Cinematheque’s annual 70mm festival, known as Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest, from November 10 to 21. This festival will feature classic films from the golden age of wide, high-resolution formats through to their contemporary resurgence. The full lineup for this event will be disclosed on October 24, with ticket information available on the American Cinematheque’s website.
