On Wednesday, October 18, the 101st anniversary of the opening of the iconic Egyptian Theatre was commemorated. In celebration of this milestone, Netflix and the American Cinematheque jointly announce the grand reopening of the theater on Thursday, November 9. The reopening will feature a screening of “The Killer” followed by a Q&A session with director David Fincher.
The Egyptian Theatre, which opened its doors on October 18, 1922, is hailed for revolutionizing the world of cinema, offering audiences a lavish and immersive movie experience. According to Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, “The Egyptian is this classic movie house, it is the home of the very first Hollywood premiere. I think it is as important to the history of Hollywood as the Hollywood Sign.” The theatre, an iconic piece of Los Angeles’ cultural heritage, played a pivotal role in transforming the presentation of movies and introducing the concept of the red carpet.
Constructed in 1922 during the silent film era, the Egyptian hosted significant premieres, including the first Hollywood movie premiere of “Robin Hood” starring Douglas Fairbanks. Other notable silent-era premieres included Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” (1923), Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” (1925), “Don Juan” (1926) starring John Barrymore and Mary Astor, and “The Jazz Singer” (1927). Reflecting on the nostalgia of that era, Sarandos notes, “I think about how many of the fans made a pilgrimage to Hollywood to see a movie star and to be part of that excitement.”
In the 1950s, the Egyptian Theatre evolved into a venue for screening art house films and hosting special events, becoming a hub for cinephiles. In 1998, the American Cinematheque re-opened the Egyptian Theatre, organizing numerous film events, including in-person tributes, conversations, retrospectives, premieres, and festivals. Sarandos emphasizes, “the fact that we can preserve that excitement and contribute back to the entertainment community, back to the city of Los Angeles, back to Hollywood, in the form of this investment, in the Egyptian Theatre, and ensure that this classic movie house, that’s been there for 100 years, will be there for another 100 years. It makes me incredibly proud of the fact that Netflix made that happen.”
Acknowledged as a National Register of Historic Places listing, the Egyptian Theatre holds significance as a contributor to the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District. The Historic Cultural Monument (HCM) designation affords it a high level of protection, with Sarandos crediting the city of Los Angeles, the City of Hollywood, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their instrumental role in preserving this architectural gem.
The upcoming 2023 programming for the theatre includes a special event screening of “The Killer” on November 9, followed by the Ultra Cinematheque 70 Fest 2023 from November 10 to November 21.
- Tuesday, November 14
- The Master 7:30pm
- 70mm Screening
- Wednesday, November 15
- Playtime at 7:30pm
- American Cinematheque Members Only
- Screening in 70mm Encore
- Thursday, November 16
- The Wild Bunch 7:30pm
- 70mm Screening
- Friday, November 17
- 2001: A Space Odyssey at 7:30pm
- American Cinematheque’s Personal
- 70mm Print
- Saturday, November 18
- Nope at 3:00pm
- 70mm Screening
- Aliens at 7:00pm
- Rare 70mm Screening Courtesy of Fox Archives
- Not Screened in 70mm at the American Cinematheque Since May 29, 2009
- Originally Played at the Egyptian July 14, 1986
- Sunday, November 19
- Lawrence of Arabia at 5:00pm
- American Cinematheque’s Personal 70mm Print
- Introduction by Jeremy Arnold
- Monday, November 20
- Aliens at 7:30pm
- American Cinematheque Members Only Screening
- Tuesday, November 21
- 2001: A Space Odyssey at 7:30pm
- American Cinematheque’s Personal 70mm Print
- November 22 to December 7
- Bradley Cooper’s Maestro in Dolby Atmos
- December 5
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Other Short Films by Wes Anderson
- A big screen spotlight on Anderson’s triumphant Henry Sugar and some of his favorite one-reelers from 1995-2021
- December 8 to 14
- The Los Angeles premieres of the two brand new restorations: Days Of Heaven (Paramount Pictures) and L’amour Fou (Janus Films)
- The 50th Anniversary of Don’t Look Now
- 35mm IB Tech print courtesy of the British Film Institute
- A 35mm presentation of Douglas Sirk’s 1959 film Imitation Of Life followed by a Q&A with actress Susan Kohner with a book signing by Foster Hirsch in celebration of ‘Hollywood and the Movies of the Fifties.’
- The world premiere of the new 4K restoration of Lone Star + Q&A with John Sayles, courtesy of Warner Bros. and the Criterion Collection.
- December 15 to December 21
- Exclusive 70mm engagement of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child Of Fire Tickets will be available November 15, details to come.
- December 22 to 24
- 35mm presentations of It’s A Wonderful Life
In a notable development within the entertainment sphere, the Egyptian Theatre is poised to maintain its status as the official home of the American Cinematheque. The esteemed programming team of the American Cinematheque is set to continue curating an impressive lineup of features independently, captivating audiences every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Throughout the week, from Monday through Thursday, Netflix will take center stage in the revamped venue, utilizing it for exclusive events, screenings, and premieres. This collaboration will extend further as the theater opens its doors to the public for select theatrical runs of Netflix films. The revitalized role of the Egyptian Theatre as a shared space for both independent programming and high-profile streaming events marks an exciting evolution in its cultural significance.
The world of Netflix comes to life inside the Netflix Store at the Egyptian. With colorful photo-ready vignettes, it becomes a fun experience for the entire family, allowing them to step into the worlds of some of Netflix’s biggest titles, including Rebel Moon, Squid Game, and more! Guests visiting the newly renovated Egyptian Theatre will be invited to experience a one-of-a-kind retail opportunity featuring a wide range of limited edition items from some of Netflix’s most popular titles, including apparel, tote bags, accessories, souvenirs, and more.
Website: https://www.egyptiantheatre.com/
