A Joyous Return to the Newly Restored Egyptian Theater
Rediscovering a Hollywood Landmark After a Four-Year Absence
As a longtime member of the American Cinematheque—over thirty years—I’ve spent countless hours at its flagship Egyptian Theater watching movies of every description, often in the presence of their actors and directors. There I’ve kept up with contemporary German cinema, re-watched American and Japanese classics, and discovered gems like Kieslowski’s “The Decalogue”. Whatever I watched, I did so in a magnificent venue: the first Egyptian Revival theater in America, built by Sid Grauman in 1922.
Set back from Hollywood Boulevard by a large courtyard decorated with Egyptian figures and hieroglyphs, the theater is the architectural progeny of the Tutankhamun expeditions of 1917-1922, which set off a craze for all things Egyptian. (The British archeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb on November 4th, 2022, two weeks after the theater’s opening.) The Valley of the Kings theme continues inside: the theater boasts a magnificent sunburst ceiling crowned with a giant scarab. I used to admire the scarab from the balcony, my preferred spot because it was closest to the beauty overhead. At the Egyptian, the connection to Hollywood history was palpable and ever present. The night it opened in 1922, Douglas Fairbanks’ “Robin Hood” had its premiere—which was also the first movie premiere in history.
Soon after the start of the pandemic in 2020, Netflix bought the Egyptian and embarked on a massive restoration to return it to its original glory. (Netflix now handles programming during the week, while the Cinematheque gets the weekends.) When the theater reopened in November of 2023, you could see the difference from the street: gone are the palm trees in the courtyard, and a replica of the original lighted Grauman’s Egyptian Theater sign now graces the entrance. Inside, the once shabby lobby has been transformed by an inlaid marble floor and Art Deco furnishings, plus a photo gallery of the theater’s first century.
The theater itself has new seats, a new sound system and projection in 35mm, 70mm and, thrillingly, nitrate. (It’s one of only five theaters in the United States that can show nitrate films.) There’s also a gorgeous new paint job. The Moorish red and yellow stripes on the cornice are a lovely touch, as is the sky blue ceiling, and the restored sunburst and scarab are stunning. Sadly the balcony is gone, though its absence means better acoustics. Although I’ll miss sneaking up there, the effect is a lighter, airier space.
For the past year and a half I’ve waited for a return to pre-pandemic times that never quite arrived. Though I’ve traveled and tried to resurrect my social life, nothing felt like it used to—until last weekend. The Egyptian had a lot to do with this change in mood, since I attended two screenings there in less than forty-eight hours. Those events, bolstered by a party (mine), seemed a harbinger of normality.
Next time: What (and who) I saw at the Egyptian
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I''m so glad to hear that this wonderful theater has been so beautifully restored, and that you and other members of the Cinematique are so happy. I wonder why you never suggested going here on our visits to L. A. in the 90's and 20's?
Keep trying. I’ll join you!!