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"Please Stand By"

Dakota Fanning, a young girl with some developmental issues, makes her way from San Francisco to Los Angeles in Ben Lewin's film "Please Stand By" (Magnolia Pictures, 2017). She's a "Star Trek" fan and has written a script she wants to enter in a contest at Paramount. While trying to find the studio she's seen wandering in front of Disney Hall.

In the next shot she's walking by the Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway. The film also stars Alice Eve as Dakota's sister and Toni Colette as the head of the group home that Dakota wandered off from. Yes, she gets to Paramount but her script doesn't win.

See the many pages about the Los Angeles Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and hundreds of photos.

On IMDb: "Please Stand By"

"Pulp Fiction"

Looking east on Hollywood Blvd. in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" (Miramax, 1994). Note the Pacific neon lit on the former Warner Theatre, 6433 Hollywood Blvd.

Uma Thurman has just overdosed and John Travolta is frantically driving her to Eric Stoltz' house for a shot of adrenaline. With a big syringe. Right in the heart. Also starring in the film are Samuel L. Jackson, Ving Rhames and Bruce Willis. Thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting the shot.

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Warner Hollywood for a history of this 1928 movie palace along with hundreds of photos of various areas of the building.

"You lost all your L.A. privileges." Pasadena's Raymond Theatre, 129 N. Raymond Ave., was used for the exterior of the building for Bruce Willis' boxing match. He was supposed to take a dive in the 5th and didn't. The film also shot scenes nearby in Kendall Alley off of Union Street and Raymond Ave.

See our page on the Raymond Theatre for more about the 1921 vintage building. Much of the decor remains inside but, sadly, the building has been condo-ized and is no longer a theatre.

On IMDb: "Pulp Fiction"

"This Is Spinal Tap"

Although the Raymond Theatre at 129 N. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena was the venue for most of the concert scenes in Rob Reiner's "This is Spinal Tap" (Embassy Pictures, 1984), we never get any good views of the theatre. Here's a shot from the beginning looking offstage right.

The film features Reiner along with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Ed Begley, Jr.

A bit of a look at the auditorium sidewall.  

Another look house right with a glimpse at the murals. 

A peek toward the rear of the house. 

A better look at the booth at the rear of the main floor.

See the page on the Raymond Theatre for more about the 1921 vintage building. Much of the decor remains inside but, sadly, the building has been condo-ized and is no longer a theatre.

Movie-Locations.com has some information about locations used for the film.

On IMDb: "This Is Spinal Tap"

"The Terminator"

We're driving north on Hill St. with a look at the Warner Downtown Theatre at Hill and 7th in James Cameron's "The Terminator" ( Orion Pictures, 1984). The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Michael Biehn. Thanks to Jonathan Raines for the screenshot.

Julian David Segovia comments: "Folks who know DTLA like the back of their hand will know that even though Kyle Reese rescues Sarah Connor from the Tech-noir club, located where the Super-C mini market now or did stand, a couple storefronts southeast of 7th & Hill, it seems that Kyle Reese didn't care and in the pic above seems to recklessly drive back to the scene of the crime on 7th & Hill."

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Warner Downtown and for many photos of the building. The theatre, a design of B. Marcus Priteca, opened in 1920 as the Pantages.

On IMDb: "The Terminator"

"Midnight Frolics"

The interior of the Belasco Theatre, 1050 S. Hill St., is seen in the 1949 film "Midnight Frolics," also known as "Midnight Follies." It's evidently a filmed performance of burlesque and comedy sketches.

Lillian Hunt directed a cast that includes Sunny Knight, Mickey "Ginger" Jones, Wauneta Bates, Helen Cogan, George Rose and Annette Warren.

"Big-Time Burlesque As You Like It." These lobby cards from MovieStillsDB.com appear on IMDb. Clips from the film appear in Frank Henenlotter's 2013 compilation "That's Sexploitation."

Hit the Belasco Theatre pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for photos of the building and a history of its career.

On IMDb: "Midnight Frolics"

"Dolemite Is My Name"

The Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, dressed for shooting the Eddie Murphy movie "Dolemite is My Name" (Netflix, 2018). Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

The film is directed by Craig Brewer and also stars Keegan-Michael Key and Wesley Snipes. Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore, the star of the film "Dolomite," a 1975 release. As the marquee indicates, they're using the Orpheum to film shots of the movie's premiere. 

A look across the entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

One of the poster cases. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

The display on the north side of the ticket lobby. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

The stars of the 1975 film listed on the ticket lobby readerboard. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Looking north at dusk. This was the production's second night of filming at the theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

The Cadillac for Murphy's character. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Waiting with a camera lift. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

The obligatory wetting of the street. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Extras between shots. They were doing a lot of  filming in the lobby and ticket lobby as Murphy's character exited the theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Lots of 1975 vintage hair and clothing. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Waiting around. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Extras across the street. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

More waiting between shots. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

Vintage cars ready for some action. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

See the pages about the Orpheum, Rialto and Tower theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about these Broadway venues.

On IMDb: "Dolemite Is My Name"

"Cheech and Chong's Next Movie"

We get a brief view of the Ritz Theatre, 6656 Hollywood Blvd., in "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie" (Universal, 1980). At the time of the shooting it was called the Pussycat. The film was directed by Tommy Chong. Thanks to Jonathan Raines for the alert about this one.

The theatre opened in 1940 as a newsreel house called the News-View. It's now a venture called Hologram USA. See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Ritz Theatre for more history and photos.

On IMDb: "Cheech and Chong's Next Movie"

"Half Magic"

Heather Graham plays an aspiring screenwriter in "Half Magic," her debut film as a director (Momentum Pictures, 2018). She and her friends Angela Kinsey and Stephanie Beatriz share their tales of woe about work, sex and other issues in Hollywood. Over the end credits we see that Graham has got a film into the Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Blvd.

The ladies in front of the east boxoffice windows.

A pan up to see the title of Ms. Graham's film. 

See the Cinerama Dome page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for many photos and a history of the theatre. It opened in 1963 and is now part of the 14 screen ArcLight Cinemas complex.

On IMDb: "Half Magic"

"He Walked by Night"

We're on top of the Hill St. Tunnel looking south near the beginning of "He Walked by Night" (Eagle-Lion Films, 1948). That's the stagehouse of the Mason Theatre and one of its smoke vents over on the left through the trees. The theatre's entrance is actually at 127 S. Broadway -- it had a very long lobby.

See the page about the Mason Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of this 1903 vintage theatre. It was demolished in 1956 for a state office building that has now also been demolished.

The film, directed by Alfred Werker and an uncredited Anthony Mann, stars Richard Basehart as a quirky killer the LAPD is trying to catch. The ending features a terrific chase through L.A.'s storm drains. On the hunt are Scott Brady, Roy Roberts and Jack Webb.

The Olympic Theatre, on 8th between Hill and Broadway, once had a very colorful marquee that flashed wildly. We see it in several movies but it's always a quick drive-by. And here in our squad car view it's a fuzzy one as well, mostly the fault of the substandard DVD. On film it looks great. At the extreme left edge of the frame is the vertical for the RKO Hillstreet at 8th & Hill.

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the poor Olympic Theatre. It opened in 1927 but is now used as retail space.

On IMDb: "He Walked by Night"

"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" (Sony, 2019) stars Leo DiCaprio and his friend Brad Pitt as an actor and stuntman trying to break into the business in 1969. The Manson murder case also figures into the plot as the guys live next door to Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie.

Theatre locations used include the Cinerama Dome, the Vogue Theatre / Musso & Frank, the Pussycat / Ritz Theatre and Grauman's Chinese. The auditorium at Excelsior High School in Norwalk also got some action with a huge poster for "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970) on the back of the stagehouse.

Filming at the Cinerama Dome: The Cinerama Dome was used as a location with the theatre dressed as if it were running "Krakatoa, East of Java," a May 1969 release.

Jack Sharf's June 13, 2018 Indiewire story noted the filming there: "According to a Cinerama employee who witnessed the shoot but requested anonymity, it was not a full-fledged production but more of a second-unit effort: 'They just wanted to get the sun going down and the lights coming on.'" Thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting the article.

The Cinerama Dome dressed for the filming. Thanks to Alison Martino for her June 13, 2018 photo on Twitter.

A crew member and some extras at the Dome. Thanks to Preposterous180 for the photo on Instagram.

 
Thanks to Ken McIntryre for finding this view for a post on the Facebook page Photos of Los Angeles.

An evening shot June 13. Thanks to J.S. Lewis on Twitter for the photo. And thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting the tweet. Lewis was there to see "2001" but the screening got bumped to another theatre in the complex.

"Krakatoa" signage above the entrance. Photo: J.S. Lewis on Twitter  -  June 13, 2018  

More 1969 vintage signage. Photo: J.S. Lewis on Twitter  -  June 13, 2018  

See the page about the Cinerama Dome on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the venue and many, many photos.

Filming on the west side of Hollywood Blvd. near the Vogue Theatre and Musso & Frank: 

Dusk at the Vogue Theatre, 6675 Hollywood Blvd., with a line of vintage cars for the film in front. The big shoot on the street wouldn't take place until July 23 and 24. There was filming in and behind Musso and Frank before that. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

A closer look at the theatre's entrance. Nice to see the neon turned on above the readerboards. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

Looking east toward the Vogue and Musso and Frank. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

The storefronts east of Musso & Frank. That's Cherokee Ave. over on the right. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018 

The camera shop at 6365 Hollywood Blvd., the first storefront east of Musso's entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

The camera shop with its neon turned on. Inside these two storefronts it's shop space for the set decorators. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018

 

Working on a TV store in the second storefront east of the Musso & Frank entrance. It's a photo by Jamie Knuckes. Thanks to Alison Martino for posting it on the Facebook page Vintage Los Angeles.

Looking west along the Musso and Frank building storefronts toward the Vogue Theatre.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

Another TV shop view -- with both of its neon window signs working.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

The "Red Rooster" restaurant. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Window dressing for the restaurant. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for his July 20, 2018 photo. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."

Looking north on Cherokee Ave. just around the corner from Musso & Frank as posters were getting pasted on any available surface. The storefront at the right was made over into Le Sex Shoppe. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018

The corner of the "Le Sex Shoppe." Note the new murals to the right.  Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018

Repainted murals on the side of the storefront on Cherokee Ave., around toward the the rear entrance of Musso & Frank. Thanks to Alison Martino on Vintage Los Angeles for the photo. Her post also includes views of the original posters of various Hollywood stars designed by Elaine Hanelock. They were published by Royal Screen Craft Inc. in 1968.  

Shooting behind Musso & Frank. The brick building beyond is the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 16, 2018

New LED panels getting covered with good old white plastic at the Vogue. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine.

 

Cabo Cantina next to the Vogue getting disguised. Their thatched awning and some items that were protruding from the facade got removed. Note that nice piece of blue sheet metal and neon added as an extension of the marquee, much as it was in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018

A look west along the Vogue's new marquee extension. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018

The rebuilt theatre entrance with display cases added. Later the "Screenbid" signage would come off the doors. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018

An east wall detail. Tarantino has the Vogue in triple-feature grindhouse mode running "The Night They Raided Minsky's," "Sam Whiskey" and "African Safari." Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018 

Marquee work continues. Note the added readerboard panels at the left and along the front of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018

The Vogue lit at night as seen from across the street. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018 

 

Another night view with a peek into the redone entrance. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018. Thanks, Brian! For more great views see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."

Cabo Cantina's neon signage concealed behind a beige wall. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018 

Looking east toward the Vogue with new "Coffee Shop" neon covering the Rusty Mullet signage on the Hollywood Blvd. side of the building. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018 

New signage lit with added neon in the windows as well. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

A new neon sign going up just west of the Vogue.Note the unfinished area below the new readerboard. That "Arcade" sign on the ground would later go up on the storefront at the NW corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018  

The storefront has been turned into "Club Havana." Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018  

The Vogue gets a Skouras-style boxoffice delivered. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018  

On the lift looking along the newly placed letters on the readerboard in front of Cabo Cantina. Note that the restaurant is still open. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018 

The Cabo readerboard from across the street. The next day a new facade would be added. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018  

The Cabo storefront filled in. And the new readerboard got an outline of red tubing added. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

Looking east with the Vogue's sign work completed. Note the Rolls parked in front. Al Pacino arrives in it for a lunch at Musso & Frank. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

Club Havana gets lit up. Note the new psychedelic panel. And, yes, of course they lit it with a blacklight. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

The entrance ready for the afternoon's shoot. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

 

Another entrance detail.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

A closer look at the very shiny boxoffice. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

One of the vintage buses moving into position. We're looking west toward Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Bus #2 in front of the Vogue. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

A last minute copy change. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Extras at work on the block between Cherokee and Las Palmas. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018

Brad Pitt on Cherokee ready to round the corner onto Hollywood Blvd. Leonardo DiCaprio is in the passenger seat. With the camera is the film's Director of Photography Robert Richardson. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018 

The camera truck towing a Cadillac with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in the front seat. Tarantino, to the left of the white-haired Robert Richardson, is bending over to talk to Pitt in the car. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Another take. Tarantino is just to the left of his DP Robert Richardson. At the right with the backpack is Tamara, a hard-working P.A. It was slack at the moment of the photo but most of the evening she was very busy telling the tourists to "Keep moving." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

An earlier establishing shot had Pitt and DiCaprio driving up the street along with lots of traffic and extras coming out of the theatre, moving along the street, etc. The next event of the evening was Pitt by himself in a Karmann Ghia with a camera mounted on the side. The shot was a very fast drive east along the block. There were cheering crowds a block farther west near the Egyptian where the shot began. 

 Extras east of the theatre's entrance. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018

Quentin Tarantino at the Vogue's new boxoffice. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018

Tarantino with Al Pacino at the Vogue for a shot on July 24. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for the photo, one of many terrific shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."

The Vogue's vertical temporarily hooked up to work for the shoot. It was on perhaps for the first time in 25 years.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

Looking west on the last night of the shoot. Photo: Bill Counter - July 24, 2018 

  

 

The new neon removed and Cabo Cantina getting reconstructed. They were open for business again. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018   

A look up toward the Vogue's newly spruced-up vertical. The film crew's temporary cabling can still be seen on the bottom of the "E." Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018  

The theatre entrance with the boxoffice gone and posters stacked along one of the walls. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018  

The entrance after a bit more restoration work to get it back to the Screenbid look. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

The east wall of the entrance area. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018  

Finishing up the restoration of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018 

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Vogue Theatre for more about this house, a 1935 design by S. Charles Lee. It's now a museum / auction display room for the firm Screenbid.   

 

Filming near the New View / Pussycat / Ritz Theatre on the south side of the street: The adherence to period is rather loose. Although Tarantino's film is set in 1969, he turned the theatre back into the Pussycat. In 1969 it was still being run by Pacific Theatres as the New View. It didn't join the Pussycat chain until late 1974. The signage to rebrand it as the Pussycat went up in March 1975, according to a permit search done by Chris Nichols.

A look across the street at facade work. The oval sign at the top of the theatre's facade had been changed out for a bit of Pussycat signage. Here on the north side of the street there was a whole row of vehicles used in the film. Photo: April Clemmer - July 16, 2018.

Join April for her well researched and lively Old Hollywood Walking Tour of the area. The 90 minute adventure, in addition to lots of discussion about theatres, includes stops at various iconic Hollywood office buildings and department stores, and visits the longest operating restaurant and oldest remaining residence on the Boulevard. It's offered on selected Fridays and Saturdays or by special arrangement.

In the truck at the left are the pieces that will cover the hologram signage on the facade.  That red paint job in the theatre's entrance area was done for the film. Previously it had been a rather drab gray. Note the store on the right. The next day it would be transformed into Larry Edmunds bookstore, the location they had in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

A view to the east toward Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

The yet-to-be deployed facade sign. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

Looking up to check out the Pussycat girl in the oval. The four story deco building next door was getting redone with 1969 vintage clothing displays in its windows. Photo: April Clemmer - July 16, 2018. Thanks, April!

A closer look at the Pussycat oval. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018

An early morning view of the completed facade. Note the new Larry Edmunds sign. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2." Thanks, Brian!

Looking west toward the Egyptian. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

Another facade view as work continues. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

A peek at the entrance. The red tile finish is an homage to the Pussycat days. Before the film crew came along it was a drab gray with no texture like this at all. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

After the boxoffice got dressed up a bit. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Looking west toward the theatre. The man up in the lift was touching up the brown paint on the theatre facade. The building on the corner was getting its windows dressed with 1969 vintage clothing displays. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

Working on the neon at the "Sexy Lingerie" store on the  SW corner of Hollywood & Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

A closer look at a piece of neon trim being added to the top of the sign.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Windows along Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

At the rear of the building -- working up on the theatre roof.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

Across the street from the passage behind the Pussycat. A scenic artist working on a panel at the entrance to Boardners Restaurant, 1652 N. Cherokee.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Work continues on the panel at Boardners. "Where the rising stars come to earth." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

Buses on Cherokee near Boardners ready for the shoot to begin. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018  

Signage getting covered on the building on the SE corner of Hollywood and Cherokee. The current Larry Edmunds location is off to the left. That's Boardner's restaurant part way down the block on Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

New "Big Star" neon on the Hollywood Blvd. side of the building at Hollywood and Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Sign finally lit. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

The restocked newsstand on the west side of Las Palmas Ave. The store we see part of on the right is on the SW corner of Las Palmas and Hollywood Blvd. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."

The newsstand in closed-up mode. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Open for business again on the afternoon of a shooting day. The magazines typically were from the 1965-1968 period. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018  

Added neon signage. Photo: Bill Counter - July 24, 2018 

Looking east toward the Pussycat/Ritz from Las Palmas Ave. Michelli's Restaurant, "the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood," is down the block on the right. Note the new signage for Peaches record store three doors down on the left. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

A closer look at the corner building, redone as a shoe store. The new neon above the door for the film says "Shoe Shop." Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018

Work continues on the shoe store.  Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018

The Stop 'N Go grocery store at 6672 Hollywood Blvd., dressed up with some 60s signage and new neon. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

How can you not love lava lamp neon? We're at 6670 Hollywood Blvd., a souvenir shop called Hollywood Stars before the makeover. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

The signage for Peaches. Thanks to Alison Martino for her photo, a post on the Facebook page Vintage Los Angeles. She has a closer view on Instagram. 

A closer look at Peaches after a bit more set dressing. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

A look at the Supply Sergeant, a longtime Hollywood fixture, after some enhancement. It's at 6664 Hollywood Blvd. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

 

The view east across the new neon of "Phil's Famous" and the signage for the original Larry Edmunds bookstore location toward the Pussycat. At the time the film is set, the "Phil's" storefront would have been the Bert Wheeler Hollywood Magic Co. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018

Plastic going up at the Pussycat to hide the LED panels. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018

The marquee at night, lit by the LED panels behind. Note the lack of any storefront other than a rolldown gate in the storefront where Larry Edmunds used to be. A replica of the earlier storefront would be recreated there. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018 

The marquee from up on the lift. Still to go: neon tubing outlining the Pussycat letters. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018

The view west. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018

Work continuing on the Pussycat letters on the facade. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine. At the time of the photo they were adding the neon tubing to outline the Pussycat letters with "Puss" yet to be done.

A view of the west side of the marquee and the Larry Edmunds storefront getting rebuilt. Photo: Chris Nichols - Los Angeles magazine. Thanks, Chris! 

The new display windows at the original Larry Edmunds location. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 19, 2018

Neon outline of the Pussycat letters complete. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018 

A sign detail. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018

Gazing upward at the front of the marquee.  Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for her July 19 photo, a post on the LAHTF Facebook page.  

Looking west toward the theatre after the poster team hit the area. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018. Thanks again, Brian! For more great views see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook.

Working on the Pussycat facade letters. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018 

The view from Hollywood and Cherokee toward the Pussycat as the crew gets ready for an evening shoot. The replacement readerboard finally got up on the wast side of the marquee.  Note the new "Arcade" sign on the corner storefront in the foreground.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

A bit farther up on Cherokee looking toward Hollywood Blvd. Note the newly installed "Arcade" neon on the left storefront.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

A closer look at the newly installed readerboard face. There were a few LED issues which would later be worked on. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Neon up in the new windows along with recently added books in the fake Larry Edmunds storefront. And lots of waiting by Mike and Donavan. Tarantino would be along later this day between shots to go in for a look around and inspect what was displayed in the storefronts. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018

Note the new banner at the Pussycat: "In Nudescope and Barecolor."  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Added signage at the Pussycat entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018  

A closer look at the new signage. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018  

The restaurant on the east side of the theatre entrance turned into a snackbar. Two days earlier it had still been open as a restaurant.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018  

The Pussycat letters lit for evening filming. This evening most of the shots would be involving the other side of the street but the sidewalks were cleared on this side as well for a few takes of a crane shot looking west down the block. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018 

Quentin Tarantino at the Pussycat. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018 

Extras in place for a shot. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for his July 24, 2018 photo. It's one of many great shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."

A view across toward the Pussycat. Photo: William DeMolee on Instagram - July 24, 2018

A closer look at the Pussycat during the last night of shooting. Thanks to Spephen Russo for the July 24 photo, one of 53 in his fine "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Set" album on Facebook.

The Pussycat getting deconstructed the day after the shoot. The Larry Edmonds storefront for the film is back open selling souvenirs. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018 

What was a snackbar during the shoot is back in business as a restaurant selling crepes. Note a reflection of the Vogue marquee in the glass. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018 

The theatre from across the street. Still lots to do. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018 

The false front removed with the theatre's Hologram signage revealed. The lift at the left was working on restoring the Cabo Cantina adjacent to the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018

See the Ritz Theatre page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the theatre, originally opened as a newsreel house called the News-View. It's currently being used as a hologram theatre called Hologram USA. 



Shots of the Egyptian during filming:

Looking west toward the theatre. While the Egyptian wasn't altered for the film, that block was used as a starting point for some shots. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018

A redone billboard. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018  

Another view of the "Boston Strangler" sign. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018

A look west on the south side of the street toward Las Palmas. Many thanks to Brian Donnelly for his photos. This July 23 view is one of many great shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."

The billboard redone the day after the shoot.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018

See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. The theatre was opened in 1922 by Sid Grauman. It's now owned by the American Cinematheque.


Filming at Grauman's Chinese:

Well, we're actually downtown at 3rd & Spring where the crew has recreated the parking lot that used to be east of the Chinese. The fence that had been around the lot was removed. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

A wider view with a bit of City Hall on the left. Note that the broad stripes of the current style crosswalk have been painted out so it looks more like 1969. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

A closer look at the poster. The film was a February 1969 release -- but it never played the Chinese. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

The sign on the corner. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018  

A closer look at the neon. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

The 3rd St. side of the lot. "Convenient to Grauman's Chinese Theatre - Hollywood Boulevard."  At the time of the photo the guys were putting 60s vintage posters on that electrical box.  Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

An alley view. Note the fake "Chinese Theatre Entrance." Until the Chinese Twin was built in 1979 the doorway from the parking lot got you right into the forecourt. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018 

The set at dusk with a fleet of vintage cars added. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about Grauman's Chinese for a history and many photos. It opened in 1927, Sid Grauman's second theatre in Hollywood.


More pics and data:

Chris Nichols discussed the shoot in "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine.

Olivia Ovenden's "See How Tarantino Time-Warped...," a July 24 article for Esquire, has shots of Pitt, DiCaprio and Tarantino during the July 23 shooting on Hollywood Blvd.  

Alison Martino discussed the shoot in "Hollywood Boulevard is Quentin Tarantino's 60s Playground," a July 25, 2018 article for Curbed L.A.  

Stephen Russo's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Set" album on Facebook includes about 60 photos of the shoot on Hollywood Blvd.  

Alex Cohen's July 27, 2018 article "Truth Squading Quentin Tarantino's Groovy Hollywood Blvd. Makeover" is on LAist. 

Lindsey Romain discussed casting and attempted to piece together the plot in "Everything We Know..." an August 13, 2018 article on the site /Film.  Thanks to Donavan S. Moye for spotting the article. 

On IMDb: "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"