请输入您要查询的百科知识:

 

词条 Alex Theatre
释义

  1. Architecture

  2. History

  3. The Alex today

  4. See also

  5. External links

  6. References

{{refimprove|date=August 2014}}{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Alex Theatre
| nrhp_type =
| image = Alex Theater.jpg
| caption = The Alex Theatre in 2006
| location= 216 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, California
| coordinates = {{coord|34|8|55.62|N|118|15|17.20|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = USA Los Angeles Metropolitan Area#California#USA
| area =
| built =1925
| architect= Lindley & Selkirk Associates; Et al.
| architecture= Classical Revival, Art Deco, Moderne
| added = February 16, 1996
| governing_body = Local
| refnum=96000102 [1]
}}

The Alex Theatre is a landmark located at 216 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale, California, United States. It is currently owned by the city of Glendale and operated by Glendale Arts.

Architecture

The architectural design of the original 1925 Alexander (as it was known until about 1939) was attributed to the architectural firm of Meyer & Holler;[2] the front addition in 1939 was attributed to Arthur G. Lindley and Charles R. Selkirk,[2] who also designed the Hotel Glendale. The unique interior has distinct neo-classic Greek and Egyptian architectural elements, similar to the Greco-Egyptian period of Ptolemaic Egypt. A long walkway and courtyard separating the ticket booth from the lobby was inspired after the famous Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

In 1940, notable theater architect S. Charles Lee was commissioned to redesign the exterior of the Alexander. Lee's portfolio included the Tower Theatre and the Los Angeles Theatre, both in Downtown Los Angeles, the Academy Theatre in Inglewood, as well as the Tujunga Theatre in Tujunga. His contributions included a {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} art-deco column with neon lights, topped by a spiked, neon sphere that gave it a starburst appearance. A neon, angled marquee emblazoned the theater's new name, the Alex, which was shortened to fit the larger letters.

History

The Alexander officially opened its doors on September 4, 1925. It was operated by the West Coast-Langley Theatre Circuit and featured vaudeville performances, plays and silent movies on a single screen. It was named after Alexander Langley, the son of C.L. Langley, owner of the West Coast chain that included the Raymond Theater in Pasadena, and the Orange Theatre in the city of Orange. In addition to the lavish architecture, a huge Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. A regular organist supplied improvised accompaniment during the silent picture era.

Located only a few miles from Walt Disney's Hyperion studio, the theater was Disney's favorite place to preview his cartoons to see how they would play to audiences. [3] Several movies had their preview screening at The Alex, inviting celebrities such as Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Elizabeth Taylor for National Velvet and Bing Crosby for Going My Way (both 1944). A backstage fire in 1948 caused $150,000 in damages.

Starting in the 1950s, the Alex showed blockbuster films such as Ben-Hur (1959) and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). A wide aspect ratio screen was installed in 1954, along with a surround sound system to accommodate the new Cinemascope pictures.

The Alex underwent an extensive renovation in 1993 which restored much of the original wall-painting and decorations, as well as the neon spire added by S. Charles Lee.

The Alex today

The Alex Theatre Performing Arts and Entertainment Center has been the centerpiece of the Glendale's arts, culture and community events since it originally opened. It is managed by Glendale Arts, a non-profit organization. The theater's diverse schedule boasts roughly 250 events per year and attracts more than 100,000 patrons annually. Programs range from classical and contemporary concerts, theatre, dance, comedy, fundraising and special events as well as TV and film productions and industry related award presentations.

Resident companies include the Alex Film Society, Glendale Youth Orchestra, Musical Theatre Guild, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

The Alex Film Society regularly schedules classic films, often accompanied with special guests (e.g., the annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition "Three Stooges Big Screen Event," which children, grandchildren, and other relatives of the Stooges often attend), live musical performances of the films soundtrack and vintage photos.

Backstage tours covering the entire history of the Alex are available through the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100613064001/http://alextheatre.org/about/backstagetour.php Alex Theatre website].

{{Gallery
|title=The Alex Theatre
|width=280px
|height=300px
|align=center
|lines=4
|File:Glendale, Ca.-Alex Theatre-1925-1.jpg| The Alex Theatre (2014).
|File:Glendale, Ca.-Alex Theatre-1925-2.JPG | Side view of the Alex Theatre and the 100-foot-tall (30 m) art-deco column with neon lights, topped by a spiked, neon sphere that gave it a "starburst" appearance (2014).
|File:Glendale, Ca.-Alex Theatre-1925-4.jpg |The courtyard of the Alex Theatre.
|File:Glendale, Ca.-Alex Theatre-1925-5.jpg |The Alex Theatre ticket booth.
}}

See also

  • List of National Historic Landmarks by state
  • List of threatened historic sites in the United States
  • History of the National Register of Historic Places

External links

{{commons category|Alex Theatre}}
  • The Alex Theatre online
  • The Alex Film Society

References

1. ^{{NRISref|2007a}}
2. ^{{cite book |title=The City Observed: Los Angeles; A Guide to its Architecture and Landscapes |last1=Moore |first1=Charles |last2=Becker |first2=Peter |last3=Campbell |first3=Regula |year=1984 |publisher=Vintage Books, a division of Random House |edition=trade paperback|location=New York |isbn=0-394-72388-0 |oclc= |page=303 |pages= |url=}}
3. ^http://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/the-alex-theater/
{{Glendale, California}}{{National Register of Historic Places in California}}

15 : Cinemas and movie theaters in Los Angeles County, California|Buildings and structures in Glendale, California|Theatres in Los Angeles County, California|Concert halls in California|Music venues in Los Angeles|Landmarks in Los Angeles|Towers in California|Cinema of Southern California|Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles County, California|National Register of Historic Places in the San Fernando Valley|Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in California|Theatres completed in 1925|1925 establishments in California|Tourist attractions in Glendale, California|Art Deco architecture in California

随便看

 

开放百科全书收录14589846条英语、德语、日语等多语种百科知识,基本涵盖了大多数领域的百科知识,是一部内容自由、开放的电子版国际百科全书。

 

Copyright © 2023 OENC.NET All Rights Reserved
京ICP备2021023879号 更新时间:2024/11/12 2:51:18