Tuesday, March 12, 2024

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The Chinese in Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" (Warner Bros., 1974).

Monday, March 11, 2024

"Tales of Ordinary Madness"

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:

"Masterful vision of a man enslaved by sexual and alcoholic gluttony -- Spectacularly sleazy, beautiful, boisterous and sexy, this is the real Bukowski deal, a booze-fueled erotic odyssey by the adventurous Ferreri with the perfectly cast Ben Gazzara as Charles Serking (Bukowski).

"Ornella Muti, as Serking's sexual muse, is Venus incarnate and turns in a powerhouse performance as Cass, an emotionally damaged whore with a penchant for pain. The scenes of Gazzara swaggering in and out of LA's fleapit bars, apartments and hotel rooms convey a filthy, delirious ambiance that is vividly captured by Tonino Delli Colli's superb cinematography and Dante Ferretti's exquisitely oily production design. This is such an amazing looking film with a thick, steamy, anything-goes atmosphere of lust-ridden anarchy.

"Much grittier than the accomplished 'Barfly' and more watchable than 'Love Is A Dog From Hell,' the entire affair has an emotional, raw resonance that slavishly captures the Bukowski sensibility and remains consistently perverse in its singular vision of a man enslaved by alcoholic and sexual gluttony. Phillipe Sarde's score is moody and rich, as is Gazzara's breathy voice-over. A masterpiece."

On IMDb: "Tales of Ordinary Madness"

"Night Patrol"

During one of the many misguided adventures of the under-qualified police officers Pat Paulson and Murray Langston in "Night Patrol" (New World Pictures, 1984) we get this quick view north toward the Globe Theatre, 744 S. Broadway. 
 
Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre and getting the screenshot. The film also features Billy Barty, Linda Blair, Jaye P. Morgan, Jack Riley, Lori Sutton, Pat Morita and Andrew Dice Clay. Jackie Kong tried to direct. The cinematography was by Hanania Baer and Jürg V. Walther.

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"

Sunday, February 11, 2024

'Candy"

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. 

Buck Henry wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Terry Southern and Mason Hoffenberg. Ewa Aulin stars as the title character. Also featured are Richard Burton, Charles Aznavour, Marlon Brando, James Coburn, John Huston, Walter Matthau, Ringo Starr, Elsa Martinelli and Anita Pallenberg. Christian Marquand directed. The cinematography was by Giuseppe Rotunno. 
 

A bit of the Palace marquee is then seen as the the car comes back north on Broadway. Candy is in the front seat with policemen played by Joey Forman and Fabian Dean. 
 
See the pages about the Palace Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It opened in 1911 as the Orpheum.  
 
 

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.   

Head to the Cameo Theatre pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the 1910 vintage film house. It opened as Clune'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"

Monday, February 5, 2024

"Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot"

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). 

He's playing John Callahan, paralyzed in a car accident, who overcomes a drinking problem and becomes a cartoonist. We see this shot several more times in the film. Also featured are Rooney Mara, Jonah Hill, Jack Black and Beth Ditto. The cinematography was by Christopher Blauvelt. 
 
 
 
A look toward the stage. 
 

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"

Sunday, January 28, 2024

"Salsa"

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.

It's an East LA story of a car mechanic trying to win a dance competition amid romantic complications for himself as well as an entanglement between his little sister and best friend.  Also featured in the film are Draco Rosa, Miranda Garrison, Moon Orona, Angela Alvarado and Loyda Ramos. Boaz Davidson directed, Kenny Ortega did the choreography. The cinematography was by David Gurfinkel. 

She only takes a moment to get the cones but the crowd at the theatre has all gone inside. 

See the pages about the Pantages Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres website for a history of this 1930 vintage showplace along with hundreds of photos.
 

Later many of the gang go to the movies at the Westlake Theatre, 638 S. Alvarado St. 
 

Draco Rosa and Rodney Harvey just inside the front doors.
 

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"

Thursday, January 11, 2024

"Showdown at the Grand"

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."

The film stars Terrence Howard, Dolph Lundgren, Amanda Righetti, John Savage and Piper Curda. Christian de Gallegos was the producer. The cinematography was by Noah Rosenthal, filmed in obloVision. 
 
 
 
Piper Curda, the friendly ticket taker. As theatre owner Terrence Howard says: "Here at the Warner Grand we operate three hundred and sixty-five days a year. We got a little somethin' for everybody..."
 
 

Terrence up in the Warner's booth at one of the Norelcos. These are first-generation TODD-AO machines with two motors, one for 30 frames per second, one for 24. That's the 30 fps motor we see at the bottom of the image.  
 
 

Watching the film go through machine #1. Later in the film we get a fight scene in the booth. 
 
 

Terrence in the booth. Well, a booth anyway. That's not one of the Warner's Norelcos in this shot.
 
 
 
And we also get shots like this one of Terrence watching a film projected from a booth on the main floor, a set piece added for the film.
 
 

A personal appearance by Dolph Lundgren on the Warner's stage.
 

He's going to show the audience that he can still kick.
 

Terrence in the balcony lobby asking Dolph for help in defending the theatre: "You got real combat training, right?"
 
 

Terrence out in front. 
 


The developer's thugs casing the theatre.  
 
 

In the auditorium. 
 

Later mayhem in the balcony lobby. 
 

A shootout at the snackbar. 
 
 

A look toward the Warner's vertical. 
 

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.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

"Intimate Stranger"


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"

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

"Sam's Son"

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"

Thursday, January 4, 2024

"Commando"

 
We get a look at the Pacific 4 Theatres in the Sherman Oaks Galleria in a brawl scene in Mark Lester's film "Commando" (20th Century Fox, 1985). 
 
The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Rae Dawn Chong. Also featured are Dan Hedaya, Vernon Wells, Alyssa Milano, David Patrick Kelly, James Olson and Sharon Wyatt. The cinematography was by Matthew F. Leonetti. This was familiar terrain for Leonetti as he had shot "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" here in 1981. 
 
 

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

Sunday, December 31, 2023

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High"

During the opening credits of Amy Heckerling's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (Universal, 1982) we see ticket taker Mark 'Rat' Ratner, played by Brian Backer, at the Pacific 4 Theatres in the Sherman Oaks Galleria.

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: 

"I was in there watching 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' with a friend, when they showed the scene of the inside of the mall. Everyone started laughing in the theater, and then they showed the kid taking tickets in the theater that we were watching the movie, and then we really started laughing."
 

"Smoking is upstairs and to your left." 
 

Local scalper Mike Damone, played by Robert Romanus, comes by for a chat.
 

 The kids want Van Halen tickets. They're not happy but they pay $20 for the $12 tickets. 
 
 
 
Stacey, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, works at Perry's Pizza. Rat gets brave and asks for her number. 
 
 
 
A look across from Perry's. On the theatre's readerboard: "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas." Thanks to Whiteberry for this screenshot he shared in a great post on Blu-ray.com that gives a rundown of the mall's appearances in various movies and TV shows.
 
 
 
At the end of the film we see Rat closing doors after a show. A new year has begun.
 

Stacy and her co-worker, Phoebe Cates, are on duty at Perry's Pizza. Stacy waves.  
 
 

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.

Thursday, December 28, 2023

"The American Society of Magical Negroes"

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.

In this satire the members are trained to use their magical abilities to make white people happier. When they're happy, black people are safer being around them. The film features Justice Smith, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Nicole Byer and David Alan Grier. Kobi Libii directed. The cinematography was by Doug Emmett.  
 
 

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"

Thursday, December 7, 2023

"College Coach"

Pat O'Brien, as Coach Gore, is waiting for a passenger as the train pulls into the station in "College Coach" (Warner Bros., 1933). The coach has been hired by cash-strapped Calvert College to develop a football team that will sell tickets and ease the school's financial difficulties. 

Thanks to Colleen Connell for identifying the location of this scene and recognizing the South Pasadena Opera House building that we see a minute later. She's an archivist with the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation.
 
 
 
Lyle Talbot is a player coming in on the train and he expected a warmer welcome from Pat. All he gets is "See you at practice."
 
 
 
It turns out that Pat is actually waiting for his wife, Ann Dvorak. Earlier we saw Ann and Lyle having an interaction on the train. 
 

When we head to the car we get a view of the South Pasadena Opera House, 915 Center St. The building dated from 1888 and was demolished in 1939. On the left is Charles C. Wilson, who has come to the station with Pat. The car is a new one that Pat has bought for Ann.
 
 
 
Pat has also found a house. Ann hasn't seen it yet and expects he'll show it to her. But he says that Charlie will show her around and he'll be home for dinner.
 
 

Ann at the wheel of her new car. 
 

 
A better view of the Opera House facade after Ann and Charlie drive away.
 
 

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.