Alex Theatre
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The Alex Theatre is a historic landmark located at 216 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale, California of the United States of America. It is currently owned by the City of Glendale and operated by the Alex Regional Theatre Board.
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[edit] Architecture
The Alexander, as it was known until 1940, was designed by the architecture firm of Arthur G. Lindley and Charles R. Selkirk, who also designed the Hotel Glendale. The unique interior has distinct neo-classic Greek and Egyptian architectural elements, similar to the Greco-Egyptian period of Ptolemaic Egypt. A long walkway and courtyard separating the ticket booth from the lobby was inspired after the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
In 1940, notable theater architect S. Charles Lee was commissioned to redesign the exterior of the Alexander. Lee's portfolio included the Tower Theatre and The Los Angeles Theatre, both in Los Angeles, the Academy Theatre in Inglewood, as well as the Tujunga Theatre in Tujunga. His contributions included a 100 foot tall art-deco column with neon lights, topped by a spiked, neon sphere that gave it a "starburst" appearance. A neon, angled marquee emblazoned the theater's new name, the Alex, which was shortened to fit the larger letters.
[edit] History
The Alexander officially opened its doors on September 4th, 1925. It was operated by the West Coast-Langley Theatre Circuit and featured vaudeville performances, plays and silent movies on a single screen. It was named after Alexander Langley, the son of C.L. Langley, owner of the West Coast chain that included the Raymond Theater in Pasadena, and the Orange Theatre in the city of Orange. In addition to the lavish architecture, a huge Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. A regular organist supplied improvised accompaniment during the silent picture era. Several movies had their preview screening at The Alex, inviting celebrities such as Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Elizabeth Taylor for National Velvet and Bing Crosby for Going My Way (both 1944). A backstage fire in 1948 caused $150,000 in damages.
Starting in the 1950s, the Alex showed blockbuster films such as Ben-Hur (1959) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). A wide aspect ratio screen was installed in 1954, along with a surround sound system to accommodate the new Cinemascope pictures.
The Alex underwent an extensive renovation in 1993 which restored much of the original wall-painting and decorations, as well as the neon spire added by S. Charles Lee.
[edit] The Alex today
The calendar of events hosts a multitude of performing arts; ballet, dance, concerts, poetry readings, stand-up comedy and even vaudeville revivals. The Alex Film Society regularly schedules classic films, often accompanied with special guests (e.g., the annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition 'Three Stooges Big Screen Event,' which children, grandchildren, and other relatives of the Stooges often attend), live musical performances of the films soundtrack and vintage photos. Tours are available that take you backstage and cover the entire history of the Alex.
