Vine Theatre
6321 Hollywood Boulevard,
21 people favorited this theater
Previously operated by: Pacific Theatres
Architects: Simeon Charles Lee
Functions: Movies
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Admiral Theatre, Rector's Admiral Theatre
Cave Theatre
Acme Theatre
Paris Theatre
Pantages Theatre
Montalban Theatre
News About This Theater
Jul 2, 2009 — Laserium takes over Hollywood's Vine Theatre
Originally a restaurant which opened in 1933 as Henry's Restaurant and in March 1934 it was Perry's Brass Rail. In late-1936 it became the Weiss Cafe. It was converted to the plans of architect S. Charles Lee into the Admiral Theatre which opened on May 16, 1940 with Danielle Darrieux & John Loder in "His Majesty's Mistress" & H.B. Warner in "Torpedoed". In the 1960's it was known as Rector's Admiral Theatre. In 1969 following a remodel, it was renamed Vine Theatre and the venerable movie house showed second-run movies at a bargain price. After seventy years, though, the Vine Theatre ended its daily movie programming in October 2007.
The theatre then was used for church services, private screenings, and location shooting. In 2009, it became a Lazerium, which closed in December 2009. The Vine Theatre was then used for special events, for hire and occasional movies.
In May 2015 it reopened as a Dolby showcase theatre and now operates as a private (for hire) movies theatre.
Contributed by Charles D'atri
Recent comments (view all 97 comments)
CTCrouch on October 7, 2014 at 11:32 pm
They had the entryway open for a work crew today. You could see straight through to the back wall of the building (i.e. they've gutted the interior down to studs/bare concrete) and there was the unmistakable sound of a jack-hammer running. Considering the scope of work underway, I would speculate they are re-purposing the space.
terrywade on January 23, 2015 at 3:31 am
I think Dolby has put in a demo of their new Dolby Cinema Vision® Theatre inside the old Vine Theatre. How long the demo will last for theatre owners to check out is hard to find out. Maybe It will show movies again, B movies for the tourist crowd.
rivest266 on August 6, 2016 at 12:01 am
October 11th, 1968 grand opening ad in photo section.
CStefanic on September 7, 2016 at 10:13 pm
Any word lately?
CStefanic on May 3, 2018 at 3:57 pm
I ask again – whoever posted the venue's status as "open" please back this up with evidence. I NEVER see this theatre open – and I am on the blvd a lot.
MichaelDequina on November 19, 2018 at 4:56 am
This theatre is open, just not to the public. Dolby owns it, and it was first prototype for Dolby Cinema auditoriums that you now can see popping up in AMC Theatres. It's since been maintained as a private screening room that they open up for rentals for private screenings, events, and filmmakers who use it to see how their films play in Dolby Cinema. I've been here a few times for some media screenings. (In fact, a press screening for the 25th anniversary of SCHINDLER'S LIST was held here this past Thursday, November 15.) It's kind of smart of them to let it be incognito from the street traffic viewpoint since it's now a private venue.
DavidZornig on June 3, 2019 at 9:10 pm
Shorpy link with an August 1963 photo. Click "View full size" for added detail. Appears to say Rector or Rector's above Admiral on the marquee.
https://www.shorpy.com/node/3773
DavidZornig on September 10, 2019 at 12:48 am
Here is what appears to be the official website.
https://www.dolby.com/us/en/professionals/content-creation/screening-rooms/vine-screening-room.html
rivest266 on September 28, 2019 at 7:48 pm
May 16th, 1940 grand opening ad as Admiral in the photo section.
DavidZornig on December 13, 2019 at 2:17 am
1956 photo in below link. Which sounds like a great event as well.
https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/rick-prelinger-presents-lost-landscapes-los-angeles?fbclid=IwAR3G4YrwwDarVhXv_cCUSEmp4ildGkXL-H4-hT5Eh8Fjz03VZTnLEA_22aQ