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Grauman Papers
988.0.469
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Title: Grauman Papers
Dates: 1918-1949
Collection Number: 988.0.469
Creator/Collector:
Grauman, Sid, 1879-1950
Extent: 2 Boxes. 1 linear foot.
Repository:
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
San Francisco, California 94124
Abstract: Sid Grauman (1879-1950) built several theaters in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In San Francisco, he created the Unique Theater
with his father where artists such as Frank Bacon, Jesse Lasky and his sister, and the Coast Defenders performed. This theater
ran until the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, following which they set up a tent theater. Eventually, this grew into a number
of theaters in San Jose, Sacramento, and Stockton where some of the premiere vaudevillian performers were booked including
Sophie Tucker, Al Jolson, Lou Holtz and Buddy DeSylva. Around 1916, Grauman began moving his business to Los Angeles and involving
himself in the budding movie industry there. In Los Angeles, he operated famous theaters like the Million Dollar, the Metropolitan,
the Rialto, the Egyptian Theater, formed in 1922, and the Chinese Theatre, formed in 1927. He began practices such as the
Prologue, the gala premiere, and the handprints and signatures outside the Chinese Theatre. This collection contains a number
of photographs including those of Grauman’s various theaters, personal moments, and actors over the years. It also includes
some programs, newsclippings, artwork, postcards, and miscellaneous memorabilia from his theatrical endeavors.
Language of Material: English
Entire Collection is open for research.
Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright
varies by item.
[Identification of item]. Grauman Papers. Collection Number: 988.0.469. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts
Library
Biography/Administrative History
Sid Grauman (1879-1950) built several theaters in San Francisco and Los Angeles. In his early life, he traveled across the
United States in search of adventure, including some time in Dawson City, Alaska with his father, David G. Grauman, where
they staged a benefit performance for the miners there. Eventually, they returned to San Francisco to open the Unique Theater
on Market Street where artists such as Frank Bacon, Jesse Lasky and his sister, and the Coast Defenders performed. After the
1906 San Francisco earthquake, the two of them set up a flourishing tent theater which then expanded to multiple operating
theaters in San Jose, Sacramento, and Stockton. At this time, they booked leading vaudevillian performers such as Sophie Tucker,
Al Jolson, Lou Holtz and Buddy DeSylva. In 1916, Sid went on the road with a production to Los Angeles and fell in love with
the city and the budding movie industry. In the next few years, he began moving his business to Los Angeles and operating
theaters in that area. The first was the Million Dollar followed by the Metropolitan (now the downtown Paramount) and the
Rialto. These large, grand theaters became his trademark. In 1922 he constructed the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard
where he developed the Prologue and where Lawrence Tibbett got his start. Sid also was the creator of the gala premiere. In
1927, he opened his crowning achievement, the Chinese Theatre. The theater opened with Cecil B. de Milles's "King of Kings"
and is famous for the autographs and footprints of the stars in cement at the entrance of the theater. In 1929, Grauman lost
all his wealth in the stock market crash. However, he was still able to quickly recover. By the late Thirties he had sold
his interests in all these theaters and had turned to other endeavors, which included the Hollywood Rollerbowl and several
parking lots in Hollywood.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection contains a number of photographs including those of Grauman’s various theaters, personal moments, and actors
over the years. It also includes some programs, newsclippings, artwork, postcards, and miscellaneous memorabilia from his
theatrical endeavors.
Motion picture theaters
Theaters
Vaudeville
Bacon, Frank, 1864-1922
DeSylva, Buddy G., 1896-1950
Grauman, David G.
Holtz, Lou
Jolson, Al, 1886-1950
Lasky, Jesse L., 1880-1958
Tibbett, Lawrence, 1896-1960
Tucker, Sophie, 1884-1966
Chinese Theatre (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Egyptian Theater (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Metropolitan Theatre (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Million Dollar Theatre (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Rialto Theatre (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Unique Theater (San Francisco, Calif.)