Remarkably, none of Figueroa's old cinemas have been demolished, but only the Highland Theatre outlasted the others in business as a movie house. In 1991, it was designated Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. The balcony was boarded up and turned into storage space. Wall curtains were hung and drop ceilings were installed. , Akarakian also, like many theater owners in the 1980s, subdivided the formerly single-screen theater into a triplex. In 1975, it was purchased by Arman Akarakian, who returned mainstream programming and added Spanish-language films and children's matinees on weekends. Highland Park residents mobilized and picketed the theater, which shut down in 1974. The Highland weathered declining fortunes into the 1970s, when the owners resorted to screening content not offered on television, namely, pornographic films. , The growth of television in the 1950s killed off many first-run theaters in Los Angeles. For fifteen years, these four blocks of Figueroa formed a small but thriving theater district. The Sunbeam was purchased from Dorner and Dice by the Highland's owners and closed, but in 1936, new competition arose with the arrival of two smaller theaters: the Franklin Theatre at Figueroa and Avenue 55, and the Park Theatre at Figueroa and Avenue 59. During World War II, the theater hosted benefits to raise money for war bonds and to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. , Changing Times, The Highland Theatre was also a live performance space and in its early days featured vaudeville acts. Some surviving examples are Los Feliz's Vista, North Hollywood's El Portal, Pasadena's Bard's Egyptian, and South Pasadena's Rialto theaters, all of which featured either films or live entertainment. Although many have since been demolished, and most of the rest repurposed, his work was eventually recognized.

He was born in Ohio to German immigrant parents, but by 1910 was living in Los Angeles, where he designed nearly forty movie theaters. Smith, as he was professionally known, was a noted and prolific theater architect. , Theater Architect, Lewis Arthur Smith, L.A. However, the theater's most eye-catching feature has always been its large rooftop sign advertising its presence with hundreds of glowing incandescent bulbs. The interior was extensively decorated with elaborate moldings, large ceiling frescoes, metalwork, and murals. In 1924, Lewis Arthur Smith designed the Highland Theatre, and gave the exterior its fashionable Moorish-inspired look. , The Age of the Movie Palace, In the silent film era, theater archi-tecture was an important aspect of the spectacle and experience.

The first film shown at the theater was one in which Norma Shearer starred, A Lady of the Night. Also in attendance was Canadian-American actress Norma Shearer, who christened the cinema with a sacrificial bottle of champagne. The opening was emceed by popular film actor Gerard Montgomery Bluefeather, better known by his stage name, Monte Blue. With 1,432 seats, it had a larger capacity than the Sunbeam Theatre, located just one block over. Inside the elegant auditorium was a balcony, full orchestra pit, and a working stage for vaudeville acts. , A Grand Opening Night, Highland Park's palatial Highland Theatre opened on Maand quickly became the place of choice for entertainment in the neighborhood.

Highland park theatre