A Hollywood Journey

16. The Egyptian Theatre

Hollywood, CA

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The Egyptian Theatre opened in 1922 and hosted the first Hollywood premiere. Sid Grauman wanted to build a Moorish palace, but decided to alter the Moorish style to an Egyptian theme to capitalize on the international mania from the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb by an English archeologist. Grauman enhanced the Moorish style theatre and added a fake-stone forecourt depicting scenes from Egyptian mythology. Everything inside and out somehow related to King Tut's tomb, like the decorative ceiling with its gilded sunburst, muted reliefs of pharaohs and phoenixes, and a man dressed in mock Egyptian garb pacing the roof. As Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks, rocked the screen for a mere $1.50, noted as big money in those days, a scent specially concocted for Grauman enhanced the theatrical experience. The scent was sold in small bottles only in the theatre's lobby. In 1998, the American Cinematheque renovated the theatre's exterior and added new audio and visual technology. The nonprofit independent film organization presents many of programs here at the Egyptian Theatre.