The theatre began running adult films in 1971. By 1972 it was an automated gay porno house -- you'd put a $5 bill in the slot and go through a turnstyle.

Ralph Tribbey, VP of the theatre chain that took over the Las Palmas in 1974, tells the story of Divine making a personal appearance at the premiere of John Waters' Female Trouble. An attempt to have the star — escorted by a guard of honour of eight "cycle sluts" — leave her handprints in freshly poured cement outside the theatre entrance, ended with Divine accidentally walking through the cement on her way into the theatre.