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The Chinese in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" (Warner Bros., 1974).
Missing the navigation bar?
Go to the bottom of any post and click on "view web version" to see the list of films/theatres in the right hand column.
The Chinese in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" (Warner Bros., 1974).
A view east on Hollywood Blvd. toward the Century Theatre from "Tales of Ordinary Madness" (Fred Baker Films, 1983). Vermont Ave. is another seven blocks down the street. The Century was at 5115 Hollywood Blvd.
A poet played by Ben Gazzara gets sober enough to hop a bus to Los Angeles where he descends into a swirl of drugs and sexual escapades. It's a film by Marco Ferreri that had the title "Storie di ordinaria follia" for its initial theatrical release in Italy in 1981. The writing is credited to Sergio Amidei, Charles Bukowski and Mr. Ferreri. Also featured in the cast are Ornella Muti, Susan Tyrell, Tanya Lopert, Roy Brocksmith and Katya Berger. The cinematography was by Tonino Delli Colli.
Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre and getting the screenshot.
See the page about the Century Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It had opened in 1922 as Hunley's Theatre.
A review on IMDb from FertileCelluloid:
See the pages about the Globe Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of this 1913 vintage legit house that later went to movies. At the time of the shoot for this film it was running Spanish language product. It closed as a film house in 1986.
On IMDb: "Night Patrol"
Although we're supposedly in something resembling New York, 80 minutes into "Candy" (Cinerama Releasing, 1968) there's a shot of the red lights of a police car approaching the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway. The theatre was running "Counterpoint," a 1967 release with Charlton Heston and Maximilian Schell, along with "Grand Slam," starring Janet Leigh and Klaus Kinski.
As they drive up Broadway, the two guys get increasingly excited by Candy's presence. Here we're driving by the yellow marquee of the Cameo Theatre, 528 S. Broadway.
As they go by the Broadway Theatre, 428 S. Broadway, things get erratic as the boys in blue get distracted by the prospect of frisking their suspect. They lose control of the car and crash as we cut to a street shot looking more like New York. The scene ends in an interior studio set as the car comes through the front of a building.
See the page on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the poor Broadway Theatre. It opened in 1925 as a conversion from retail space. It's now been converted back.
On IMdb: "Candy"
Although it's set in Portland, Joaquin Phoenix is onstage in a wheelchair at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena at the beginning of Gus Van Sant's film "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" (Amazon, 2018).
Out into the house. Like the first shot, we come back to this view several times.
See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave. Since 2017 it has been used as a church.
On IMDb: "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot"
Rodney Harvey and Magali Alvarado stop for an ice cream in "Salsa" (Golan-Globus/Cannon, 1988). In the background it's the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. Note the big crowd for "Me and My Girl" starring Tim Curry. The production played from January 12 until March 5.
She only takes a moment to get the cones but the crowd at the theatre has all gone inside.
Looking toward the front doors from behind the snackbar.
See the pages about the Westlake Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. The building is still around but now used as a swapmeet.
On IMdb: "Salsa"
The Warner Grand in San Pedro has a major part in Orson Oblowitz's film "Showdown at the Grand" (Shout! Studios, 2023). It's about a theatre owner trying to save his vintage movie palace from the hands of greedy developers. "Some folks they'll rob you with six-shooters, and others with a fountain pen."
Terrence defending his property by any means necessary: "Stay away from my friends, my theater, and my neighborhood." Some of the images seen here are from the film's trailer. Others were furnished by the director. Thanks, Orson!
See the Warner Grand pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos.
On IMDb: "Showdown at the Grand" The trailer is on YouTube.
We look across Hollywood Blvd. in the TV movie "Intimate Stranger" (South Gate Entertainment, 1991). It got a 1992 theatrical release in some countries. Allan Holzman directed. The cinematography was by Ilan Rosenberg.
The Egyptian was running "The Krays," a November 1990 release starring Gary Kemp, Martin Kemp and Billie Whitelaw. Richard DuVal comments: "A banner poster for 'Marked For Death' starring Steven Seagal is directly below the marquee."
Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre and getting the screenshot. He comments:
"The protagonist played by Deborah Harry lives in The Outpost Building. In this shot Paige French is standing in the lobby with the Egyptian across the street. There are some other shots of L.A. here and there, including a quick blur of the Los Feliz marquee."
See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for many photos and a discussion of the theatre's history. The theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., a block east of Highland Ave.
On IMDb: "Intimate Stranger"
The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena was used for Michael Landon's film "Sam's Son" (Invictus Entyertainment, 1984). It's the story of Landon's troubles as a teenager and eventual success on a high school track team. Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson and Timothy Patrick Murphy starred. The cinematography was by Ted Voigtlander.
Thanks to Rick Rische for mentioning that the film shot at the theatre when he was working there.
See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith. Since 2017 it has been used as a church.
On IMDb: "Sam's Son"
Heading to get Arnold, who's going to throw a telephone booth at them.
See the page about the Pacific 4 Theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site. There's also information on the replacement 16 screen complex that opened in the mall in 2001. It was later rebranded as an ArcLight and in 2021 became the Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria.
There's a two-and-a-half minute clip of the mall brawl scene on YouTube. Thanks to Whiteberry for sharing it as part of his great post on Blu-ray.com that gives a rundown of the mall's appearances in various movies and TV shows.
On IMDb: "Commando"
The film also features Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Kelli Maroney, Eric Stoltz and Forest Whitaker. Cameron Crowe did the screenplay based on his book. The cinematography was by Matthew F. Leonetti. Marty Glassman comments:
Rat waves back. Stacy beckons him over and they kiss. The end credits advise that they're in a passionate romatic relationship but they haven't yet gone all the way.
See the page about the Pacific 4 Theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site. There's also information on the replacement 16 screen complex that opened in the mall in 2001. It was later rebranded as an ArcLight and in 2021 became the Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria.
Todd Tarpley analyzes the
mall layout and has a number of shots from the film in a post on his
site The Tarp Report. The mall exterior we see in the opening credits was shot at Santa Monica Place. The school they used was located in Van Nuys.
A production shot of Brian Backer at the theatre entrance. Thanks to Whiteberry for sharing this image in his superb 2021 post about the mall's movie appearances on Blu-ray.com.
Yes, there's levitation going on in the basement lounge of the Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway. It's seen as the headquarters of the titular organization in "The American Society of Magical Negroes" (Focus Features, March 2024). Here were looking toward the stairs. The production added several wall panels to fill in the openings.
Another shot in the lounge. Here we're looking toward the former restaurant space, where we also get a number of scenes. The film also uses the men's restroom, the ladies cosmetics room and the intermediate level lounge, up one floor from the main lounge.
We get one scene walking up the house right side aisle of the auditorium and out an exit door. Outside we're in a field looking at Monticello. There are several scenes in the apartment of the character played by Justice Smith. For this they used the second floor area over the south retail space. We get some shots with the Desmond Building visible out the big windows and in one scene have a view of some of the Palace Theatre signage.
See the pages about the Los Angeles Theatre on the L.A. Theatres site for a history of the 1931 vintage movie palace along with hundreds of photos.
On IMDb: "The American Society of Magical Negroes"
Although Pat says he's swamped with work at the office he really has other plans. The scene ends with him whistling for a cab.
The film also features Dick Powell, Arthur Byron, Hugh Herbert, Donald Meek and Berton Churchill. William A. Wellman directed. The cinematography was by Arthur L. Todd.
See the page about the South Pasadena Opera House on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building.
On IMDb: "College Coach"
A door card for the film that appears on IMDb.