American Cinematheque Preserves Film History
Egyptian Theatre Is Home To Hollywood Movie Conservation
Jul 14, 2009
In 1996, Cinematheque and a local Los Angeles redevelopment group launched a campaign to restore the grand lady to her original beauty. When the project was completed in 1998 it became the permanent home of the seventeen year-old film group. The stationary base allows Cinematheque to present daily films and events in the same manner as the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York.
Egyptian Theatre
Honored by the National Register as a landmark building, the theater was built in 1922 and managed by Sid Grauman (who later built the famous Chinese Theatre). One legendary story attributes that Grauman came up with the idea for an Egyptian theme because of archeological discoveries from the tombs of the Pharohs that occurred around this time. Some historians have alleged that the opening of the theater was so impressive that a local developer was inspired to build another Hollywood landmark nearby - the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
The first Hollywood movie premiere was held here to launch Douglas Fairbanks' film Robin Hood in October of that year. Other famous premieres have included My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, and Ten Commandments.
After various modernization projects through the years, the movie house was refurbished to look exactly as it originally appeared. The complex contains a 618 seat theater, a Wurlitzer organ, courtyard, and retail space. Tours are available to the public.
To celebrate the history of Hollywood and inaugurate their new tenant, a special film was commissioned to run exclusively at the Egyptian.
Hollywood Forever (not to be confused with the famous Hollywood cemetery with the same name) is a one hour film that highlights Los Angeles' most famous industry. The story is told through film clips, celebrity interviews, and backlot footage from various studios. The film screens several times each day.
In 2004, American Cinematheque purchased the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. The venue was built in the 1940's and it now also runs Cinematheque programs.
Vitagraph Films
In a effort to reach audiences outside L.A., Cinematheque launched a distribution group called Vitagraph films which releases vintage films on DVD. The group also initiated a cooperative program to screen forgotten or classic films in various theaters across the U.S.
American Cinematheque Award
Each year this special award in given to a major contributor to the continuing history of cinema. While the honoree is normally an actor, any artist is open for consideration. Director Steven Spielberg was recognized in 1989.
The ceremony is broadcast on American Movie Classics channel.
