1940s Marquee

In the 1940s, a permanent canopy was constructed down the middle of the forecourt and a dramatically different marquee was added.  The new facade functioned as a giant signpost to mark the theater, but eliminated the practical role the forecourt had previously served: that of drawing in the curious passerby and setting the scene for the film being screened.  A box office was then located at this threshold, limiting public access to the forecourt to ticket holders only. The new marquee was more effective in attracting the attention of passing cars. It was like a giant scroll, unrolled from its side edges, sitting upright and bridging the sidewalk entrance.  Horizontal stripes of neon followed its curving surface, and giant script letters spread the word "Egyptian" across it.  This streamlined marquee, customized for each film, was devoid of the spirit of the exotic revivals of the 1920s, which by then had fallen out of favor.