(Erlanger's) Biltmore Theatre

520 W. 5th St. / Los Angeles, CA 90013

Seating: 1,654

Opened: March 3, 1924
with a production of Sally, Irene and Mary.
(Will Rogers was the emcee and tickets were $10.00.)

          

(Above: The same box, redecorated.)

The souvenir brass tickets for the opening said:

BILTMORE THEATRE
LOS ANGELES
A.L. Erlanger, Joe Toplitzky, Owners
Edward D. Smith, Manager
March 3, 1924
Monday Night
ORCHESTRA
INAUGURAL PERFORMANCE
THIS ENTIRE TICKET MAY BE RETAINED AS A
SOUVENIR OF THE OPENING PERFORMANCE

It was still part of the Erlanger circuit during the 30's and 40's.
The entire downtown LA area was a major venue for Broadway shows playing Los Angeles.

(Above: 1962 marquee.)

Architects: Renowned New York hotel architects Leonard Schultze and S. Fullerton Weaver
designed both the Biltmore Hotel and the adjacent Biltmore Theatre.

          

(Above: Biltmore balcony and lobby.)

Interior decoration was by John B. Smeraldi.
Anthony Heinsbergen was one of Mr. Smeraldi's apprentices.

(Above: Looking East on 5th Street.)

The theatre was connected to the hotel via an arcade and also had the entrance on 5th St.

(Above: Being demolished in 1964.)

For more information on LA theatres see Bill Counter's Excellent Website!

Programs available from this theatre:

The Shanghai Gesture (1927)

George White's Scandals (1940)