Tiffany Theater facts for kids
The Tiffany Theater in 1980 and 2011
|
|
| Location | 8532 West Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, California United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°05′38″N 118°22′38″W / 34.093827°N 118.3772356°W |
| Type | Theater |
| Genre(s) | Movie theater, playhouse |
| Construction | |
| Opened | November 2, 1966 |
| Closed | 2004 |
| Demolished | August 8, 2013 |
| Construction cost | $250,000 |
| Architect | Jack Edwards |
The Tiffany Theater was a famous landmark on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. It was the very first theater built on this iconic street. Before it became a theater, the building was famous for something else. It was used as the detectives' office in the popular 1950s and '60s TV show, 77 Sunset Strip.
Contents
History of the Theater
The Tiffany Theater opened on November 2, 1966. It was a movie palace that cost $250,000 to build, which was a lot of money at the time. The theater was designed to give audiences the best view possible.
A Special Design
The Tiffany had a unique design with 400 seats. It featured “Continental Seating,” which meant there were no aisles in the middle of the seats. This gave everyone a clear view of the screen.
The entrance was also unusual. Instead of being at the back, it was on the side, near the screen. This split the audience into a front and back section. The theater's cool design could be seen in movies like the 1967 film Point Blank.
From Movies to Live Shows
By 1968, the Tiffany started hosting live shows. An improv comedy group called The Committee performed there. Some of its members, like Howard Hessman and Rob Reiner, later became famous actors and directors.
For a short time in 1971, the theater had a special deal where you could see two movies for only 49 cents. After a few years, it closed down but reopened in 1977. The new owner, Tommy Cooper, turned it into a revival theater. This meant it showed classic and older films that people wanted to see again.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Era
The Tiffany Theater is perhaps most famous for its midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This period turned the theater into a legendary spot for movie fans.
A Hub for a Cult Classic
Starting on June 10, 1977, the Tiffany began showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday and Saturday at midnight. The movie quickly developed a cult following. A cult following is when a movie becomes incredibly popular with a small but very dedicated group of fans.
This was long before you could easily watch movies at home. The Tiffany became a special place to see not just Rocky Horror, but also other great classic films.
A Unique Movie Experience
Watching Rocky Horror at the Tiffany was not a quiet experience. The audience participated in the movie. They would shout lines, use props, and even act out scenes. The theater's layout, with its low screen and wide aisle, was perfect for this.
Fans would hold up their hands to create shadow puppets on the screen. One famous tradition was when a group of regulars held up giant letters spelling "J-A-N-E-T" at the exact moment the name was sung in the movie. It looked like the letters were part of the film, and the crowd would go wild. Sometimes, someone would even ride a real motorcycle through the theater during one of the songs.
Famous Visitors
The wild and fun atmosphere at the Tiffany attracted a lot of attention. The lines to get into the midnight shows were often as entertaining as the movie itself.
Even celebrities came to see the show. Rocky Horror stars Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick all visited. They signed the movie poster in the lobby. Barry Bostwick even gave the theater a pair of shorts he wore in the movie. Other famous visitors included Jane Fonda and Bob Keeshan, who played Captain Kangaroo.
From Movies to Stage Plays
By 1983, the era of revival movie theaters was ending. The rise of home video meant people could watch classic movies at home. The owner's lease ran out, and the Tiffany closed as a movie house on March 13, 1983.
A New Chapter as a Live Theater
In 1985, the Tiffany reopened as a home for live plays. It was split into two smaller 99-seat theaters. It became a respected venue for new and interesting productions.
Many famous or soon-to-be-famous actors performed on its stage. Some of the well-known stars who appeared in plays at the Tiffany include:
- Courteney Cox (from the TV show Friends)
- Helen Mirren
- Lisa Kudrow (also from Friends)
- Jason Alexander (from the TV show Seinfeld)
- Kyra Sedgwick
- Mary Steenburgen
In 1999, the theater even hosted a live stage version of The Rocky Horror Show, starring actor David Arquette.
The Final Days of the Tiffany
The Tiffany Theater continued as a live theater until 2002. In 2004, it was briefly used by the famous Actors Studio but closed for good at the end of the year. The building stood empty for almost a decade.
In 2013, plans were made to build a new hotel and residential complex on the site. On August 8, 2013, the demolition of the Tiffany Theater began.
A group of history lovers saved the theater's iconic sign letters. Today, the letters are on display at the Valley Relics Museum. The demolition of the theater was finished on August 30, 2013. The only thing left is a marker on the sidewalk, remembering the block as the filming location for the TV show 77 Sunset Strip.
Images for kids
