Apparently, movie premieres were quite the events back in the day, as they still are now. I have an old program from 1924, when The Thief Of Bagdad premiered at Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. You have no doubt heard of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater (with it's well-known movie star handprints and footprints in cement), but perhaps you are unfamiliar with the Egyptian Theater.
My lovely vintage program booklet has 28 pages, including advertisements and a wonderful design:
I cannot even imagine what it must have been like to attend a premiere back in 1924 of a movie starring Douglas Fairbanks!
Here are a couple more images of the Egyptian Theater from old postcards, but you can also click on the highlighted names to see more Google images, or to read more information about the theater from their website, or about the film on IMDB. IMDB shows that this movie premiered in March of that year, so either that is incorrect, or this date in July simply meant the date of it's premiere at THIS theater; I'm not sure which.
Thinking about old movies only serves to remind me how badly I want to see "The Artist", but I don't know if/when it will play here in my town. Sometimes the best movies of the year are never even shown in our theater - it's frustrating! I know it's playing in Sacramento, but I am not likely to be going there. Wish me luck!
I hope you get to see The Artist. Maybe we can see it together! I know Vickie loved it, and also another of my friends saw it and loved it. Enjoyed hearing about the Egyptian theater. Love T
ReplyDeleteThat program is priceless Heidi Ann! You are so lucky to have it (you should see the shade of green I am turning!). I had no idea the theatre was ever called Egyptian. How very glamourous it was. Those were such glam days. I so hope you get to see the Artist at a theatre. It might not have the impact on DVD. And, I just read yesterday it is nominated for best movie, best actor, best actress at the Academy Awards (probably up for other noms too but I just read those). You better hide that program if I'm ever around ;- )
ReplyDelete~Vickie~
Oh my gosh! I have been to Hollywood so many times when I was younger and NEVER even knew this place existed! Of course we all go to the Chinese theatre and step into the footprints, but wouldn't you love to see a film in that Egyptian setting??? Your program finds are surely a treasure!!!
ReplyDeleterosie
I have never heard of this theater!
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing historian.
I am soooo looking forward to seeing The Artist but I know it won't come to my small town. ;0(
Oh I know, most of my theatre friends are holding their breath and praying "The Artist" shows somewhere within a 50 mile/ 2 hr radius! Even more exciting is the Fact the Live perforance theatre where I work as the Set/ designer/ dresser/ props is doing "Singing in the Rain" this season! I know I wont be getting any sleep in Sept, because im plannign for massive sets that hark back to the 20's and the crazy movie people that made Hollywood what it was!
ReplyDelete