"The Janky Promoters"

The Warner Grand in San Pedro stands in for a Modesto theatre called the Mercy in Ice Cube's "The Janky Promoters" (Dimension Films, 2009). Never a good sign when the promoters of a show are running for their lives out of the theatre after a mis-managed concert. That's how the film begins. 

The eponymous promoters are Ice Cube as Russell Redds and Mike Epps as Jellyroll. Also featured are Jeezy, Lahmard J. Tate, Darris Love, Lil J.J., Juanita Jennings and Aloma Wright. Ice wrote the screenplay. Marcus Raboy directed. The cinematography was by Tom Priestly Jr. 

 

Running for the car.  Note the "Mercy" neon."

 

 

The pissed-off star shooting at them. 

 

The vista through the broken rear window. Well, that's how the film starts. Then we back up 18 hours to explain how the mess unfolded.  

 

Much earlier in the day: stopping by to check on the load-in and set up for the "Not Sold Out" show.

 

Cleaning the display cases. 

 

Flipping up the seats -- the Warner's are not self-rising.

 

 

At the mix location. 

 

 Setup on the stage. 

 

 

 

A little conversation with Mike Epps over house right.

 

The basement dressing room corridor. 

 

Almost show time. Nice neon change-out on the marquee but with "Warner Grand" still on the vertical.

 

The slim crowd at the boxoffice. 

 

Ice Cube addressing the small crowd and introducing the opener -- a relative. 

 

A discussion offstage right. 

 

The opening act goes on way too long and the star doesn't appear. The crowd gets restless -- and then starts throwing things. 

 

Oh. This is where we came in. The promoters giving up and running for the doors as they're chased by the crowd and Jeezy. 

 

See the pages about the Warner Grand on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the theatre along with many photos. 

 

The after-party was much more successful than the concert. The star who was supposed to perform at the Mercy Theatre showed up to perform. And the janky promoters were there as well, trying to take credit for a successful evening. We're at the Café-Club Fais Do-Do, the former Variety Theatre, 5253 S. Adams St.

 

A view to the rear of the space. 

 

A closer look toward the booth.  

 

See the page about the Variety Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the venue.

On IMDb: "The Janky Promoters"