Tally's Electric Theater
The theater (second building from left) in 1906 | |
| Address | 262 South Main Street, Los Angeles, California |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°02′59″N 118°14′44″W / 34.04970°N 118.2456°W |
| Screens | 1 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | April 17, 1902 |
| Architect | Morgan & Walls |
Tally's Electric Theater, also known as Lyric Theatre and Glockner's Automatic Theatre, was a movie theater located at 262 South Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. Opened in 1902, it was likely the world's first permanent theatre specifically designed for the exhibition of movies.
History
Thomas L. Tally opened Tally's Electric Theater opened on April 17, 1902,[1] making it likely the world's first permanent theatre specifically designed for movies.[2][3] The theater originally screened an hour's worth of material, including films such as Capture of the Biddle Brothers and New York City in a Blizzard,[4] for $0.10 ($3.63 in 2024). Following the theater's opening night success, it began showing child matinées at half-price admission the following day.[1]
In June 1903, the theater was renamed Lyric Theatre and started hosting vaudeville in addition to movies.[2][5] The Great Train Robbery also screened at the theater that year, and the film was so successful, it inspired Tally to sell the theater in order to travel with and exhibit the film.[4]
In 1910, the theater was advertised as Glockner’s Automatic Theatre.[2]
According to the memory of a local businessman, the theater was demolished before the advent of talking pictures,[1] however the building housing the theater was not demolished until at least 1998.[2]
Architecture
Tally's Electric Theater was designed by Morgan & Walls and built of brick.[6]
References
- ^ a b c Schumach, Murray (April 17, 1962). "First Film House is Victim of Time; Used Clothing Store Stands on Its Unmarked Site". New York Times.
- ^ a b c d Roe, Ken. "Glockner's Automatic Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ McDowell, Erin (May 26, 2020). "The rise and fall of movie theaters — and how the coronavirus pandemic might change them". Business Insider.
- ^ a b Seiler, Robert M.; Seiler, Tamara P. (June 2008). "Manitoba History: Movie Exhibition in Manitoba: The Case of J. A. Schuberg". Manitoba Historical Society.
- ^ "Lyric Theatre". Los Angeles Times. July 19, 1903.
- ^ Sitton, Tom (2008). "GC 1323 - Historic Sites Surveys" (PDF). Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.