Egyptian Theatre

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Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, 1922

This article is about a genre of US movie theaters. For the original 1922 Hollywood movie palace that inspired the genre - see Grauman's Egyptian Theatre

Egyptian-style theaters are based on the traditional and historic design elements of Ancient Egypt.

The first Egyptian Theatre to be constructed in the US - which inspired many of the identically-named theaters that followed it - was Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California. For several years, Hollywood developer, C.E. Toberman attempted to convince Sid Grauman to locate in Hollywood. During a meeting, Sid told Mr. Toberman of his desire to build a theater of Egyptian design. Mr. Toberman then secured a piece of property on Hollywood Blvd., just east of McCadden Pl.. The architectural firm of Meyer and Holler were hired to design a theater more beautiful and striking than had ever done before. The result was Grauman's Egyptian Theater with a seating of 1770. This magnificent ediface, resembling an Egyptian Temple, would have been the envy of King Cheops. The approach to the theater was through a georgeous courtyard. Inside, the stage was flanked by beautiful carved columns and oustanding models of the Sphinx. The theater was opened on October 19, 1922 with the grand premiere of "Robin Hood" starring Douglas Fairbanks.

Scores of historic photographs of Grauman's Chinese Theater can be seen on the website: hollywoodphotographs.com

Many of the other theaters that copied Grauman's Egyprian Theatre were part of the wave of Egyptian revival architecture that occurred after the November 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter.

Unlike the many theaters that followed in its wake, Grauman's Egyptian Theatre was designed, built, named and opened before the 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb. The news of the tomb's discovery reached the US a few weeks after the theater opened.

Early in the twentieth century, it is estimated that up to 100 of these theater types were constructed across the U.S. Many of them no longer exist, but there are many fine examples of this style still in use today. Conrad Schmitt Studios has played a big part in the restoration of these atmospheric theaters, including Egyptian Theatres in Ogden, Utah, Boise, Idaho, and DeKalb, Illinois.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Theatres in this style

Sorted by date of first opening.

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, California, 1922
Peery's Egyptian Theatre, Ogden, Utah, 1924
Egyptian Theatre, Coos Bay, Oregon, 1925
Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre, Park City, Utah, 1926
The Egyptian Theatre, Boise, Idaho, 1927
Egyptian Theatre, Delta, Colorado, 1928
Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Illinois, 1929

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

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