Egyptian Theatre

Egyptian Theatre Review

Hieroglypics in Hollywood? Why not? Impresario Sid Grauman built Hollywood's first movie palace in 1922; the Egyptian-theme theater hosted many premieres in its early heyday. In 1992 it closed—with an uncertain future. Six years later it reopened with its Tinseltown shine restored.

The nonprofit American Cinematheque now hosts special screenings and discussions with notable filmmakers, and on weekends you can watch a documentary about Hollywood history (Forever Hollywood, $7). Walk past giant palm trees to the theater's forecourt and entrance. Backstage tours, which detail the theater's Old Hollywood legacy, take place twice a month (the schedule's on their Web site). Films, primarily classics and independents, are shown in the evening.