- Egyptian Theatre
"This article is about a genre of US movie theaters. For the original 1922 Hollywood movie palace that inspired the genre - see
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre "Egyptian-style theaters are based on the traditional and historic design elements of
Ancient Egypt .The first Egyptian Theatre to be constructed in the US - which inspired many of the identically-named theaters that followed it - was
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre inHollywood, California . For several years, Hollywood developer, C.E. Toberman attempted to convince Sid Grauman to locate in Hollywood. During a meeting, Sid told Mr. Toberman of his desire to build a theater of Egyptian design. Mr. Toberman then secured a piece of property on Hollywood Blvd., just east of McCadden Pl.. The architectural firm of Meyer and Holler were hired to design a theater more beautiful and striking than had ever done before. The result was Grauman's Egyptian Theater with a seating of 1770. This magnificent edifice, resembling an Egyptian Temple, would have been the envy of King Cheops. The approach to the theater was through a gorgeous courtyard. Inside, the stage was flanked by beautiful carved columns and outstanding models of the Sphinx. The theater was opened on October 19, 1922 with the grand premiere of "Robin Hood" starring Douglas Fairbanks.Scores of historic photographs of Grauman's Chinese Theater can be seen on the website: hollywoodphotographs.com
Many of the other theaters that copied Grauman's Egyptian Theatre were part of the wave of
Egyptian revival architecture that occurred after the November 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb byHoward Carter .Unlike the many theaters that followed in its wake, Grauman's Egyptian Theatre was designed, built, named and opened before the 1922 discovery of King Tut's tomb. The news of the tomb's discovery reached the US a few weeks after the theater opened.
Early in the twentieth century, it is estimated that up to 100 of these theater types were constructed across the U.S. Many of them no longer exist, but there are many fine examples of this style still in use today.
Conrad Schmitt Studios has played a big part in the restoration of these atmospheric theaters, including Egyptian Theatres inOgden, Utah ,Boise, Idaho , andDeKalb, Illinois .Fact|date=June 2007Theatres in this style
"Sorted by date of first opening."
*
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre ,Hollywood, California , 1922
*Peery's Egyptian Theatre ,Ogden, Utah , 1924
*Egyptian Theatre,Coos Bay, Oregon , 1925
*Mary G. Steiner Egyptian Theatre ,Park City, Utah , 1926
*The Egyptian Theatre,Boise, Idaho , 1927
*Egyptian Theatre,Delta, Colorado , 1928
*Egyptian Theatre,DeKalb, Illinois , 1929ee also
*
Egyptian revival
*Egyptomania Notes
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