Los Angeles’ version of Broadway may not quite match the original, but in the prewar days it was the Big Orange’s commercial and entertainment thoroughfare. Portions of the street are still a main shopping drag for the Latino community and other ethnic groups, where local colour and bargain stores intertwine with historic architecture and provocative memories.

The historic theatre district runs along Broadway between Third Street and Ninth Street. Though archival photos chronicle the early movie palaces, with their fabulous marquees and equally fabulous moviegoers, many of the theatres now show hardcore movies or Spanish language films and have a less fashionably dressed clientele.

Some of the cinemas are still in normal operation, while others can be seen only on a tour or at certain times. One of the best ways to get a glimpse of the high points and recapture the glory days of the theatre strip is to take a guided tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy.