Sunday, January 8, 2017

"Messiah of Evil"

 
Joy Bang makes the mistake of going to a show at the Fox Venice in "Messiah of Evil" (International Cine Film Corporation, 1973). Thanks to Greg Flewin for this screenshot that he shared in a post about the film on the private Facebook group Venice, Ocean Park and Santa Monica.
 
The title on the marquee should have warned her that bad things might happen.It's a tale about a mysterious cult in a strange California seaside town. The film, also known as "Dead People," was directed by Willard Huyck and also stars Michael Greer and Marianna Hill.  
 

A look at the boxoffice. The closed sign went up right after Joy bought her ticket. And then the outside lights were turned off.  Screenshot: Greg Flewin
 
 

At the snackbar. There's no staff present so she reaches over and grabs a popcorn. Screenshot: Greg Flewin
 


We get a look around the auditorium, at the time fully draped. As the show begins, the walking dead start coming in and sitting at the rear of the house. It doesn't go well for Joy. Thanks to Cinema Treasures contributor Cleveland Phil for spotting the theatre in the film.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Fox Venice Theatre for more about the building, now used for retail. It's at 620 Lincoln Blvd in Venice.

On IMDb: "Messiah of Evil"  The six minute long theatre scene featuring Joy Bang is on YouTube

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