Egyptian Theatre facts for kids
Egyptian-style theatres are movie theaters and performance halls designed to look like ancient Egyptian buildings. They often feature cool decorations like sphinxes, pyramids, and hieroglyphics. These unique buildings became popular in the United States in the early 1900s, bringing a touch of ancient mystery to movie-going.
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The First Egyptian Theatre
The very first Egyptian Theatre in the US was Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California. It opened in 1922 and inspired many others. A Hollywood developer named Charles E. Toberman wanted Sid Grauman to build a theater in Hollywood. Sid Grauman shared his idea of an Egyptian-themed theater.
Designing a Landmark
Mr. Toberman found a perfect spot on Hollywood Boulevard. The architects Meyer & Holler designed the theater. It could seat 1770 people. The entrance had a fancy courtyard that looked like ancient Egypt. Inside, the stage had carved columns and models of the Sphinx.
Opening Night and Legacy
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre opened on October 19, 1922. The first movie shown was "Robin Hood," starring Douglas Fairbanks. People saw the Egyptian as a symbol of Hollywood's golden age. It reminded everyone of the glamour that once made Hollywood Boulevard famous. The American Cinematheque later bought the theater. They promised to restore this historic building. Their goal was to bring it back to its original beauty.
The Rise of Egyptian Theatres
Many other theaters copied Grauman's Egyptian style. This happened during a time called Egyptian Revival architecture. This style became very popular after Howard Carter discovered King Tut's tomb in November 1922.
Before King Tut's Tomb
It's interesting to note that Grauman's Egyptian Theatre was designed and opened before King Tut's tomb was discovered. News of the tomb's discovery reached the US a few weeks after the theater opened. So, Grauman's was ahead of the trend!
The Spread Across the US
In the early 1900s, about 100 Egyptian-style theaters were built across the US. Many of these old theaters no longer exist. However, some beautiful examples are still in use today. Companies like Conrad Schmitt Studios have helped restore many of these special theaters. This includes Egyptian Theatres in Park City, Utah; Ogden, Utah; Boise, Idaho; Delta, Colorado; and DeKalb, Illinois.
Famous Egyptian-Style Theatres
(view as a 360° interactive panorama)
Here is a list of some notable Egyptian-style theaters, sorted by when they first opened:
- Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood, California, 1922 – Still active today.
- Bush Egyptian Theatre, San Diego, California, 1923 – Demolished in 2003.
- Peery's Egyptian Theatre, Ogden, Utah, 1924 – Still active.
- Egyptian Theatre, Coos Bay, Oregon, 1925 – Still active.
- Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre, Park City, Utah, 1926 – Still active.
- Bala Theatre, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, 1926 – Closed in 2014.
- Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord, New Hampshire, 1927 – Still active.
- The Egyptian Theatre, Boise, Idaho, 1927 – Still active.
- Empress Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1927 – Closed in 1992.
- Egyptian Theatre, Delta, Colorado, 1928 – Still active.
- Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb, Illinois, 1929 – Still active.
- The Moore Egyptian, Seattle, Washington, 1975 – Operated until 1980.
- SIFF Cinema Egyptian, Seattle, Washington, 1981 – Still active.
- Cinemark Egyptian 24 and XD, Hanover, Maryland, 2000 – Still active.
See also
- Egyptomania
