Raymond Rohauer was an infamous film collector, exhibitor and distributor. During the 1950s Rohauer ran the Coronet Theatre, one of Los Angeles' most popular art house cinemas. Rohauer's work at the Coronet gave him access to important silent and art film prints and helped Rohauer cultivate relationships with Hollywood talent. In 1954 Rohauer became the primary distributor of silent film star Buster Keaton's early works and organized touring programs and various festivals. Rohauer eventually acquired a library of over 700 titles including PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) and SON OF THE SHEIK (1926). Rohauer's acquisition of films occasionally fell under scrutiny and colleagues were suspicious of his business practices.

In September of 1958, following a screening of Kenneth Anger's FIREWORKS (1947) he was subpoenaed by an Assembly subcommittee investigating pornography. Rohauer refused to supply the eight requested films declaring 'The day is not here yet when that which I exhibit at my theater is subject to the whim of self appointed guardians of the public morals.'

After leaving the Coronet Rohauer moved to New York City, where he curated the Huntington Hartford Gallery of Art.