Palm Springs, CA

The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation will present a free community presentation called Hollywood Meets the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre: A Multimedia Journey on Sunday, April 27 at 11 AM at the Palm Springs Convention Center (located at 277 North Avenida Caballeros in Palm Springs). Showbiz expert, historian, and Foundation Board Member Jim Cook will offer an extraordinary presentation about the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs that will transport attendees back to the golden age of Hollywood and reveal the remarkable story of how the theatre helped shape this iconic desert getaway. Attendees will also learn about the ongoing restoration of this iconic building and its promising future when it opens in December 2025. There is no cost to attend the event, but participants are asked to RSVP at bit.ly/PlazaApr27. (URL is Case Sensitive)

This presentation is an engaging journey through the rich history of the theatre, illustrating how Palm Springs earned its reputation as the ultimate “Playground of the Stars.” Event highlights include a visually stunning presentation with rarely seen videos, exclusive interviews, and captivating photographs; insightful explorations of the intriguing ties between Hollywood and Palm Springs, uncovering the factors that transformed both into entertainment hubs; behind-the-scenes glimpses into the glamorous lifestyles and residences that brought Hollywood to the desert. This unique experience has been enriched by archives from the Palm Springs Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, California Library System and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

The Plaza Theatre opened to the public in 1936 with the world premiere of the Oscar-winning George Cukor film, Camille, with its legendary star, Greta Garbo, who allegedly slipped into the back of the theatre after the lights went down. As a special treat, renowned photographer Michael Childers will be honored for his recent gift to the Plaza Theatre’s future museum. Childers, in conjunction with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, donated some exquisite black and white promotional images of Greta Garbo, co-star Robert Taylor, and the film’s director George Cukor from that period. Six of the photos will be displayed in the room.

Following the presentation will be a post-show discussion about the exciting progress of the Plaza Theatre’s restoration and the City’s vision for the future as a centerpiece of downtown entertainment.