"J. Edgar"

We get a trip to New York in Clint Eastwood's "J. Edgar" (Warner Bros., 2011) and are treated to this view of the signage in a fancifully imagined theatre district. Edgar, played by Leo DiCaprio, is there with his best buddy Clyde Tolson, played by Armie Hammer. Also along, of course, is Judy Dench, playing Edgar's mother.  

 

 

 

The theatre district shot swoops down for a better look at the Strand Theatre, where "G-Men" is playing. The film was an April 1935 release starring Jimmy Cagney. The theatre is on Broadway but not in New York. It's L.A.'s Orpheum, 842 S. Broadway. Note the Broadway Bar signage to the left of the marquee.  

 

The film also features Naomi Watts, Josh Hamilton, Geoff Pierson, Gunner Wright, David A. Cooper and Jessica Hecht. James J. Murakami was the production designer. Tom Stern did the cinematography.

 

 

 

Armie, Leo and Judy watching the show in the Orpheum. The guys are happy that some G-Men are getting adulation rather than gangsters. 

 

 

A look into the lobby after the show. 

 

J. Edgar gets to meet Shirley Temple. 

 

Press hubbub outside. 

 

A look across the street. Clint's design team inserted a theatre playing the "Eltinge Follies" in the hole on Broadway where the Majestic Theatre once was. 

 

A fine look up a mythical Broadway.

See the pages about the Orpheum Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the 1926 vintage vaudeville house.

On IMDb: "J. Edgar"