Friday, July 1, 2016

"Xanadu"

The Beverly makes an appearance in Robert Greenwald's 1980 Universal classic "Xanadu" with Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John. Mr. Kelly gets taken shopping to buy some "jazzy" new clothes.  At the time of the filming the theatre had been turned into a Fiorucci store.



Another shot from the "Xanadu" shopping scene at the Beverly. The number is Electric Light Orchestra's "All Over The World."



The windup of the scene.  A clip of the number is on YouTube.

The theatre, demolished for a hotel project in the 80s, was at 206 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. Opened in 1925, it had a long career as a first run venue before being turned into retail space and used as a bank. See the Los Angeles Theatres Beverly Theatre page for photos and more information.



 The best known film role of the Pan Pacific Auditorium was in "Xanadu," in which the decaying ruin is transformed into a nightclub with roller skating patrons operated by Gene Kelly. Somehow roller skating in night clubs just didn't catch on.  The film used only the building's exterior. 



A daytime look from "Xanadu."  

The poor Pan Pacific, at 7600 Beverly Blvd., was neglected and unloved after newer facilities opened. It had opened in 1935, closed in 1972 and was demolished after a spectacular fire in 1989. See the page about the Pan Pacific Auditorium on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more photos.

On IMDb: "Xanadu"

3 comments:

  1. How did it burn down I wish it was still there I loved that bulding.

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    1. The demise of the Pan Pacific was probably arson.

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