"Remote Control"

The lobby of the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro is turned into a video store in "Remote Control" (Vista, 1988).

 

The aliens are going to take over the planet using a bad 1950s science fiction movie as a vehicle. Those who watch become crazed and start killing the people around them. The film features Kevin Dillon, Deborah Goodrich, Jennifer Tilly, Christopher Wynne and Frank Beddor. Jeff Lieberman directed. The cinematography was by Tim Suhrstedt.

 

 We pan down to the ticket lobby and get a look at a couple of nice aluminum entrance doors. 

 

 

 

Kevin Dillon and Christopher Wynne working on displays. 

 

Following Christopher deeper into the store. 

 

 

 

The new display for "Remote Control," the film planted by aliens.  Note the "To Balcony" signs in the upper left and upper right. But we don't go upstairs, or see anything of the auditorium.

 

 

Jennifer Tilly wants a copy. She'll be sorry. Frank Beddor looks on at the left and later pays Jennifer a visit.

 

 

 

Kevin at the front doors at closing time. 

 

 

 

Realizing that the alien takeover must be thwarted. 

 

 

Kevin and Christopher back at the store with Deborah Goodrich later in the film after several bad adventures. Those tapes of "Remote Control" must be destroyed! Not just at this video store but at all the others nearby. 

See the pages about the Warner Grand on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos. It's currently doing well as a performing arts center owned by the City of Los Angeles.

On IMDb: "Remote Control"