"Tension"

A policeman played by Barry Sullivan walks by the Skouras-style boxoffice of the Culver Theatre in John Berry's "Tension" ( MGM, 1949). The film about a meek pharmacist who plans to murder his wife's lover stars Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter and Cyd Charisse. The cinematography was by Harry Stradling, Sr. 

 

 

 

Sullivan heads in followed by his partner William Conrad. They're checking up on the whereabouts of Baseheart's wife Audrey Totter, stepping out with a new boyfriend. 

 

 

 

At the snackbar talking to theatre manager Ray Bennett on the right. The area is decorated for a circus-themed movie. 

 

 

Conrad getting some popcorn. He offers to pay but the manager says it's on the house. 

Opening the popcorn. Before he gets out the door his partner grabs it and gives it to a kid coming in. Note the brushed aluminum Skouras-style drinking fountain in the background. 

 

 

Heading out the door.

The theatre, at 9820 Washington Blvd. in Culver City, opened in 1946. It's all of two blocks away from the MGM lot, now home to Sony Pictures. The theatre's exterior is fairly intact but the interior has been turned into a smaller legit house, the Kirk Douglas. See the Los Angeles Theatres Culver Theatre page for more photos.

Thanks to Ronald Schwartz for spotting the theatre in movie for a post on the Facebook page Photos of Los Angeles.

On IMDb: "Tension"