Holly Cinema

Holly Cinema, also known as Studio Theatre, Colony Theatre, Music Hall, Academy Theatre, and Loew's Holly Theatre, is a historic former movie theater located at 6523 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It is best known for exhibiting Caligula exclusively for over a year in 1980–1981.

History
Originally built in 1920, S. Charles Lee converted what would become Holly Cinema to the 303-seat Studio Theatre for operators Harold B. Franklin and Howard Hughes. Billed as the "World’s Most Unique Theatre", this was Hollywood's first "automatic" theater, as it had no ushers, with the theater doors opening automatically as the patrons passed through turnstiles. Additionally, candy, cigarettes, and drinks were sold via coin operated slot machines. The theater opened on July 31, 1931, with a screening of Charles Starrett's The Viking.

In 1936, the theater was renamed Colony Theatre, in 1945 it was renamed again, to Music Hall, and by the mid-1950s, it was known as Academy Theatre. As part of these changes, the theater capacity increased to 488.

Loews bought the theater in 1970, at which point they added a false ceiling, curtained over the art deco interior, and renamed the theater Loew's Holly Theatre. The theater became know as Holly Cinema soon after.

In 1980–1981, Holly Cinema exhibited the Penthouse production Caligula exclusively for over a year, breaking several box office records.

In 1984, the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District was added to the National Register of Historic Places, with Holly Cinema listed as a contributing property in the district. Specifically noted were the building's French Chateauesque style as well as its steep hipped roof and stucco coverings.

In 1986, the theater, owned by Pacific Theaters, was shut down, with the building converted to retail use, and in the years since, all traces of the buildings cinematic past have either been removed or covered over. In 2018, the building was sold for $2.45 million.