Hollywood Theatre (1935) Neon
The Hollywood Theatre
3123-3129 West Broadway
Harold Cullerne, Architect
Constructed: 1935
Vancouver Heritage Registry: B
Sold, and now closed as of May 2011.
Located at 3123 West Broadway, the Hollywood opened on October 24, 1935. The exuberant stuccoed concrete façade, ticket booth, marquee and neon signage are all original — the small neon sign, “Pick oʼ The Best Plays,” recalls the days when movies were called “photoplays.” At the time of its construction, neighbourhood theatres were much more common than they are today. Typically these theatres were of a modest scale, and often in a mid-block location as they didnʼt require the more expensive corner frontage.
The Hollywood was designed by architect Harold Cullerne (1890-1976), who was born and trained in England. He arrived in Vancouver in 1912, and for many years was in partnership with J.H. Bowman. Upon Bowmanʼs retirement in 1934, Cullerne established his own practice. Cullerne was an accomplished designer who embraced the new modernism of the 1930s, as shown in the sleek lines and stylish decoration of the Hollywood. This is one of his more important surviving works, and it is listed on the City of Vancouver Heritage Register.
At a time when we have lost so many of our small local theatres — or only their façade remains — the Hollywood is a true heritage treasure. It is particularly unusual in that it has survived in a singlescreen format, and is still operated by the family that built it.
heritagevancouver.org/top10-watch-list/2012/2-vancouver-m...