The historic Alex Theatre in Glendale will return to its roots as a movie house this week with the start of a three-week engagement of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in 70mm format.
The screenings, scheduled to run from Friday through Aug. 6, coincide with a broader effort by the nearly century-old venue to expand film programming and upgrade its projection and sound capabilities.
The theater, which opened in 1925 and was originally built as a first-run movie palace, has spent much of the last several decades operating primarily as a venue for concerts, dance performances, comedy shows and community events.
Officials said the theater recently installed new sound systems and both 70mm and 35mm film projection equipment as part of an effort to accommodate large-format film presentations.
“We are reclaiming our place as one of L.A.’s premiere venues for cinema,” Alex Theatre Artistic Director Miles Williams said in a statement. “With our new large-format film projectors, new audio systems, and growing community of film curators — we look forward to hosting L.A.’s cinephiles and movie lovers of all ages in our historic theatre.”
“The Odyssey” is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem chronicling Odysseus’ long journey home following the Trojan War.
The Alex Theatre, located at 216 N. Brand Blvd., is one of a limited number of Southern California venues equipped to screen films in 70mm format.
Tickets and additional information are available at the theater’s website, thealex.com.