| Cinerama Dome - June 13, 2018 | Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian - July 13 to July 23 | Grauman's Chinese - July 26 | Excelsior High School, Norwalk - September | Bruin and Fox Westwood Village - October 14 - 15 | Pantages and Vine - October 22 | Van Nuys Drive-In - October 24 | Earl Carroll Theatre - November 2 |
Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" (Sony, 2019) stars Leo DiCaprio and his friend Brad Pitt as an actor and his stuntman trying to get work in the changing film business of 1969. The Manson murder case also figures into the plot as the guys live next door to Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie.
Prep on both sides of the 6600 block of Hollywood Blvd. began in mid-July 2018. The big shoot on the street wouldn't take place until July 23 and 24. There was filming in and behind Musso and Frank before that. Barbara Ling was the production designer. Set decoration was by Nancy Haigh. They both received Oscars for their work on February 9, 2020.
Filming on the north side of the street:
Dusk at the Vogue Theatre, 6675 Hollywood Blvd., with a line of vintage cars for the film in front. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
A closer look at the theatre's entrance. Nice to see the neon turned on above the readerboards. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
Looking east toward the Vogue and Musso and Frank. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
Cabo Cantina next to the Vogue getting disguised. Their thatched awning and some items that were protruding from the facade got removed. Note that nice piece of blue sheet metal and neon added as an extension of the marquee, much as it was in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
A look west along the Vogue's new marquee extension. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
On the lift looking along the newly placed letters on the readerboard in front of Cabo Cantina. Note that the restaurant is still open. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
The Cabo readerboard from across the street. The next day a new facade would be added. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
The storefronts east of Musso & Frank. That's Cherokee Ave. over on the right. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The camera shop at 6365 Hollywood Blvd., the first storefront east of Musso's entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
The camera shop with its neon turned on. Inside these two storefronts it's shop space for the set decorators. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
Working on a TV store in the second storefront east of the Musso & Frank entrance. It's a photo by Jamie Knuckes. Thanks to Alison Martino for posting it on the Facebook page Vintage Los Angeles.
Looking west along the Musso and Frank building storefronts toward the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Looking north on Cherokee Ave. just around the corner from Musso & Frank as posters were getting pasted on any available surface. The storefront at the right was made over into Le Sex Shoppe. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
The corner of the "Le Sex Shoppe." Note the new murals to the right. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
Repainted murals on the side of the storefront on Cherokee Ave., around toward the the rear entrance of Musso & Frank. Thanks to Alison Martino on Vintage Los Angeles for the photo. Her post also includes views of the original posters of various Hollywood stars designed by Elaine Hanelock. They were published by Royal Screen Craft Inc. in 1968.
Shooting behind Musso & Frank. The brick building beyond is the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 16, 2018
New LED panels getting covered with good old white plastic at the Vogue. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine.
Looking west along the Musso and Frank building storefronts toward the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Another TV shop view -- with both of its neon window signs working. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
The "Red Rooster" restaurant. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Window dressing for the restaurant. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for his July 20, 2018 photo. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."
Looking north on Cherokee Ave. just around the corner from Musso & Frank as posters were getting pasted on any available surface. The storefront at the right was made over into Le Sex Shoppe. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
The corner of the "Le Sex Shoppe." Note the new murals to the right. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
Repainted murals on the side of the storefront on Cherokee Ave., around toward the the rear entrance of Musso & Frank. Thanks to Alison Martino on Vintage Los Angeles for the photo. Her post also includes views of the original posters of various Hollywood stars designed by Elaine Hanelock. They were published by Royal Screen Craft Inc. in 1968.
Shooting behind Musso & Frank. The brick building beyond is the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 16, 2018
New LED panels getting covered with good old white plastic at the Vogue. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine.
Cabo Cantina next to the Vogue getting disguised. Their thatched awning and some items that were protruding from the facade got removed. Note that nice piece of blue sheet metal and neon added as an extension of the marquee, much as it was in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
A look west along the Vogue's new marquee extension. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
The rebuilt theatre entrance with display cases added. Later the "Screenbid" signage would come off the doors. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
An east wall detail. Tarantino has the Vogue in triple-feature grindhouse mode running "The Night They Raided Minsky's," "Sam Whiskey" and "African Safari." Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
Marquee work continues. Note the added readerboard panels at the left and along the front of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
Marquee work continues. Note the added readerboard panels at the left and along the front of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
The Vogue lit at night as seen from across the street. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
Another night view with a peek into the redone entrance. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018. Thanks, Brian! For more great views see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."
New signage lit with added neon in the windows as well. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The storefront has been turned into "Club Havana." Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Cabo Cantina's neon signage concealed behind a beige wall. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Looking east toward the Vogue with new "Coffee Shop" neon covering the Rusty Mullet signage on the Hollywood Blvd. side of the building. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
New signage lit with added neon in the windows as well. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A new neon sign going up just west of the Vogue.Note the unfinished area below the new readerboard. That "Arcade" sign on the ground would later go up on the storefront at the NW corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The storefront has been turned into "Club Havana." Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The Vogue gets a Skouras-style boxoffice delivered. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
On the lift looking along the newly placed letters on the readerboard in front of Cabo Cantina. Note that the restaurant is still open. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
The Cabo readerboard from across the street. The next day a new facade would be added. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
The Cabo storefront filled in. And the new readerboard got an outline of red tubing added. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Looking east with the Vogue's sign work completed. Note the Rolls parked in front. Al Pacino arrives in it for a lunch at Musso & Frank. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Club Havana gets lit up. Note the new psychedelic panel. And, yes, of course they lit it with a blacklight. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The Vogue's vertical temporarily hooked up to work for the shoot. It was on perhaps for the first time in 25 years. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Vogue Theatre for more about this house, a 1935 design by S. Charles Lee. It's now a museum / auction display room for the firm Screenbid.
Looking east with the Vogue's sign work completed. Note the Rolls parked in front. Al Pacino arrives in it for a lunch at Musso & Frank. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Club Havana gets lit up. Note the new psychedelic panel. And, yes, of course they lit it with a blacklight. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The entrance ready for the afternoon's shoot. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Another entrance detail. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A closer look at the very shiny boxoffice. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
One of the vintage buses moving into position. We're looking west toward Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Bus #2 in front of the Vogue. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A last minute copy change. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Extras at work on the block between Cherokee and Las Palmas. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
Extras at work on the block between Cherokee and Las Palmas. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
Brad Pitt on Cherokee ready to round the corner onto Hollywood Blvd. Leonardo DiCaprio is in the passenger seat. With the camera is the film's Director of Photography Robert Richardson. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
The camera truck towing a Cadillac with Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in the front seat. Tarantino, to the left of the white-haired Robert Richardson, is bending over to talk to Pitt in the car. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Another take. Tarantino is just to the left of his DP Robert Richardson. At the right with the backpack is Tamara, a hard-working P.A. It was slack at the moment of the photo but most of the evening she was very busy telling the tourists to "Keep moving." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Another take. Tarantino is just to the left of his DP Robert Richardson. At the right with the backpack is Tamara, a hard-working P.A. It was slack at the moment of the photo but most of the evening she was very busy telling the tourists to "Keep moving." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
An earlier establishing shot had Pitt and DiCaprio driving up the street along with lots of traffic and extras coming out of the theatre, moving along the street, etc. The next event of the evening was Pitt by himself in a Karmann Ghia with a camera mounted on the side. The shot was a very fast drive east along the block. There were cheering crowds a block farther west near the Egyptian where the shot began.
Extras east of the theatre's entrance. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018
Quentin Tarantino at the Vogue's new boxoffice. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018
Tarantino with Al Pacino at the Vogue for a shot on July 24. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for the photo, one of many terrific shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."
The Vogue's vertical temporarily hooked up to work for the shoot. It was on perhaps for the first time in 25 years. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Looking west on the last night of the shoot. Photo: Bill Counter - July 24, 2018
Tarantino and DP Robert Richardson shooting in front of the Vogue. It's a shot from a featurette appearing on the DVD for the film.
The new neon removed and Cabo Cantina getting reconstructed. They were open for business again. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
A look up toward the Vogue's newly spruced-up vertical. The film crew's temporary cabling can still be seen on the bottom of the "E." Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
A look up toward the Vogue's newly spruced-up vertical. The film crew's temporary cabling can still be seen on the bottom of the "E." Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
The theatre entrance with the boxoffice gone and posters stacked along one of the walls. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
The entrance after a bit more restoration work to get it back to the Screenbid look. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018
The entrance after a bit more restoration work to get it back to the Screenbid look. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018
The east wall of the entrance area. Photo: Bill Counter - July 26, 2018
Finishing up the restoration of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018
Finishing up the restoration of Cabo Cantina. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018
Filming near the New View / Pussycat / Ritz Theatre on the south side of the street:
The adherence to period is rather loose. Although Tarantino's film is set in 1969, he turned the theatre back into the Pussycat. In 1969 it was still being run by Pacific Theatres as the New View. It didn't join the Pussycat chain until late 1974. The signage to rebrand it as the Pussycat went up in March 1975, according to a permit search done by Chris Nichols.
The adherence to period is rather loose. Although Tarantino's film is set in 1969, he turned the theatre back into the Pussycat. In 1969 it was still being run by Pacific Theatres as the New View. It didn't join the Pussycat chain until late 1974. The signage to rebrand it as the Pussycat went up in March 1975, according to a permit search done by Chris Nichols.
A look across the street at facade work. The oval sign at the top of the theatre's facade had been changed out for a bit of Pussycat signage. Here on the north side of the street there was a whole row of vehicles used in the film. Photo: April Clemmer - July 16, 2018.
Join April for her well researched and lively Old Hollywood Walking Tour of the area. The 90
minute adventure, in addition to lots of discussion about theatres,
includes stops at various iconic Hollywood office buildings and
department stores, and visits the longest operating restaurant and
oldest remaining residence on the Boulevard. It's offered on selected Fridays and Saturdays or by special arrangement.
In the truck at the left are the pieces that will cover the hologram signage on the facade. That red paint job in the theatre's entrance area was done for the film. Previously it had been a rather drab gray. Note the store on the right. The next day it would be transformed into Larry Edmunds bookstore, the location they had in the 60s and 70s. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
A view to the east toward Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
The yet-to-be deployed facade sign. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
Looking up to check out the Pussycat girl in the oval. The four story deco building next door was getting redone with 1969 vintage clothing displays in its windows. Photo: April Clemmer - July 16, 2018. Thanks, April!
A closer look at the Pussycat oval. Photo: Bill Counter - July 16, 2018
An early morning view of the completed facade. Note the new Larry Edmunds sign. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2." Thanks, Brian!
Looking west toward the Egyptian. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Another facade view as work continues. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
A peek at the entrance. The red tile finish is an homage to the Pussycat days. Before the film crew came along it was a drab gray with no texture like this at all. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
After the boxoffice got dressed up a bit. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Looking west toward the theatre. The man up in the lift was touching up the brown paint on the theatre facade. The building on the corner was getting its windows dressed with 1969 vintage clothing displays. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Working on the neon at the "Sexy Lingerie" store on the SW corner of Hollywood & Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
A closer look at a piece of neon trim being added to the top of the sign. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Working on the neon at the "Sexy Lingerie" store on the SW corner of Hollywood & Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
A closer look at a piece of neon trim being added to the top of the sign. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Windows along Cherokee Ave. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
At the rear of the building -- working up on the theatre roof. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Across the street from the passage behind the Pussycat. A scenic artist working on a panel at the entrance to Boardners Restaurant, 1652 N. Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Work continues on the panel at Boardners. "Where the rising stars come to earth." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Work continues on the panel at Boardners. "Where the rising stars come to earth." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Buses on Cherokee near Boardners ready for the shoot to begin. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Signage getting covered on the building on the SE corner of Hollywood and Cherokee. The current Larry Edmunds location is off to the left. That's Boardner's restaurant part way down the block on Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
New "Big Star" neon on the Hollywood Blvd. side of the building at Hollywood and Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The restocked newsstand on the west side of Las Palmas Ave. The store we see part of on the right is on the SW corner of Las Palmas and Hollywood Blvd. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."
Looking east toward the Pussycat/Ritz from Las Palmas Ave. Michelli's Restaurant, "the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood," is down the block on the right. Note the new signage for Peaches record store three doors down on the left. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
A closer look at the corner building, redone as a shoe store. The new neon above the door for the film says "Shoe Shop." Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
The marquee from up on the lift. Still to go: neon tubing outlining the Pussycat letters. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018
Work continuing on the Pussycat letters on the facade. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine. At the time of the photo they were adding the neon tubing to outline the Pussycat letters with "Puss" yet to be done.
A view of the west side of the marquee and the Larry Edmunds storefront getting rebuilt. Photo: Chris Nichols - Los Angeles magazine. Thanks, Chris!
Gazing upward at the front of the marquee. Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for her July 19 photo, a post on the LAHTF Facebook page.
Looking west toward the theatre after the poster team hit the area. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018. Thanks again, Brian! For more great views see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook.
See the Ritz Theatre page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the theatre, originally opened as a newsreel house called the News-View. It's currently being used as a hologram theatre called Hologram USA.
The south side of the block as it was dressed for the movie and as it is currently. These great photos, credited to Nathan Shroeder, appeared with the October 31, 2019 L.A. Times Envelope section article "Inside the mind of Tarantino" by Michael Ordoña. The blog version, minus these photos, went by the title "How Tarantino's team made the ultra '60s Hollywood in 'Once Upon a Time'."
Shots of the Egyptian during filming:
Looking west toward the theatre. While the Egyptian wasn't altered for the film, that block was used as a starting point for some shots. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
A look west on the south side of the street toward Las Palmas. Many thanks to Brian Donnelly for his photos. This July 23 view is one of many great shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."
Shooting with the Egyptian in the background. It's a shot from a featurette appearing on the DVD for the film.
We only get a glimpse of the Egyptian in the finished film. See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It was opened in 1922 by Sid Grauman. It's now owned by the American Cinematheque.
The Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian theatres in the film:
DiCaprio and Pitt turning the corner onto Hollywood Blvd. with the Pussycat Theatre across the street. They've just had lunch with Al Pacino's character at Musso and Frank. The theatre facade, as well as that of Larry Edmonds Bookshop and other stores on the block, were creations for the film.
Looking back along the Vogue marquee. And, yes, "Minsky's" did actually have its first-run engagement there.
See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Pussycat/Ritz Theatre for more about the theatre, originally opened as a newsreel house. The Vogue Theatre page has many photos of the 1935 vintage house, a design by S. Charles Lee.
The "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" pages:
| back to top - Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian | Cinerama Dome | Grauman's Chinese | Excelsior High School | Bruin and Fox Westwood Village | Pantages and Vine | Van Nuys Drive-In | Earl Carroll Theatre |
New "Big Star" neon on the Hollywood Blvd. side of the building at Hollywood and Cherokee. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Sign finally lit. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The restocked newsstand on the west side of Las Palmas Ave. The store we see part of on the right is on the SW corner of Las Palmas and Hollywood Blvd. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018. Check out his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook for many more photos of the action. Also see his sequel "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2."
The newsstand in closed-up mode. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Open for business again on the afternoon of a shooting day. The magazines typically were from the 1965-1968 period. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Added neon signage. Photo: Bill Counter - July 24, 2018
Looking east toward the Pussycat/Ritz from Las Palmas Ave. Michelli's Restaurant, "the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood," is down the block on the right. Note the new signage for Peaches record store three doors down on the left. Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
A closer look at the corner building, redone as a shoe store. The new neon above the door for the film says "Shoe Shop." Photo: Bill Counter - July 17, 2018
Work continues on the shoe store. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018
A closer look at Peaches after a bit more set dressing. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The Stop 'N Go grocery store at 6672 Hollywood Blvd., dressed up with some 60s signage and new neon. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
How can you not love lava lamp neon? We're at 6670 Hollywood Blvd., a souvenir shop called Hollywood Stars before the makeover. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The signage for Peaches. Thanks to Alison Martino for her photo, a post on the Facebook page Vintage Los Angeles. She has a closer view on Instagram.
A closer look at Peaches after a bit more set dressing. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
A look at the Supply Sergeant, a longtime Hollywood fixture, after some enhancement. It's at 6664 Hollywood Blvd. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
The view east across the new neon of "Phil's Famous" and the signage for the original Larry Edmunds bookstore location toward the Pussycat. At the time the film is set, the "Phil's" storefront would have been the Bert Wheeler Hollywood Magic Co. Photo: Bill Counter - July 21, 2018
Plastic going up at the Pussycat to hide the LED panels. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 17, 2018
The marquee at night, lit by the LED panels behind. Note the lack of any storefront other than a rolldown gate in the storefront where Larry Edmunds used to be. A replica of the earlier storefront would be recreated there. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018
The marquee from up on the lift. Still to go: neon tubing outlining the Pussycat letters. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018
The view west. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 18, 2018
Work continuing on the Pussycat letters on the facade. Thanks to Chris Nichols for his photo, one of many appearing with "Take a Peek at How Quentin Tarantino Time-Warped Hollywood Boulevard Back to the 1960s," his July 19, 2018 article for Los Angeles magazine. At the time of the photo they were adding the neon tubing to outline the Pussycat letters with "Puss" yet to be done.
A view of the west side of the marquee and the Larry Edmunds storefront getting rebuilt. Photo: Chris Nichols - Los Angeles magazine. Thanks, Chris!
The new display windows at the original Larry Edmunds location. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 19, 2018
Neon outline of the Pussycat letters complete. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
A sign detail. Photo: Bill Counter - July 19, 2018
Gazing upward at the front of the marquee. Thanks to Sandi Hemmerlein for her July 19 photo, a post on the LAHTF Facebook page.
Looking west toward the theatre after the poster team hit the area. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 20, 2018. Thanks again, Brian! For more great views see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1" set on Facebook.
Working on the Pussycat facade letters. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 22, 2018
A bit farther up on Cherokee looking toward Hollywood Blvd. Note the newly installed "Arcade" neon on the left storefront. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The view from Hollywood and Cherokee toward the Pussycat as the crew gets ready for an evening shoot. The replacement readerboard finally got up on the wast side of the marquee. Note the new "Arcade" sign on the corner storefront in the foreground. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A bit farther up on Cherokee looking toward Hollywood Blvd. Note the newly installed "Arcade" neon on the left storefront. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A closer look at the newly installed readerboard face. There were a few LED issues which would later be worked on. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Neon
up in the new windows along with recently added books in the fake Larry Edmunds
storefront. And lots of waiting by Mike and Donavan. Tarantino would be along later this day between shots to go
in for a look around and inspect what was displayed in the storefronts.
Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Note the new banner at the Pussycat: "In Nudescope and Barecolor." Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
Added signage at the Pussycat entrance. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A closer look at the new signage. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The restaurant on the east side of the theatre entrance turned into a snackbar. Two days earlier it had still been open as a restaurant. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
The Pussycat letters lit for evening filming. This evening most of the shots would be involving the other side of the street but the sidewalks were cleared on this side as well for a few takes of a crane shot looking west down the block. Photo: Bill Counter - July 23, 2018
A closer look at the Pussycat during the last night of shooting. Thanks to Stephen Russo for the July 24 photo, one of 53 in his fine "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Set" album on Facebook.
The Pussycat getting deconstructed the day after the shoot. The Larry Edmonds storefront for the film is back open selling souvenirs. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
What was a snackbar during the shoot is back in business as a restaurant selling crepes. Note a reflection of the Vogue marquee in the glass. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
Quentin Tarantino at the Pussycat. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 24, 2018
Extras in place for a shot. Thanks to Brian Donnelly for his July 24, 2018 photo. It's one of many great shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."
A view across toward the Pussycat. Photo: William DeMolee on Instagram - July 24, 2018
A closer look at the Pussycat during the last night of shooting. Thanks to Stephen Russo for the July 24 photo, one of 53 in his fine "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Set" album on Facebook.
The Pussycat getting deconstructed the day after the shoot. The Larry Edmonds storefront for the film is back open selling souvenirs. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
What was a snackbar during the shoot is back in business as a restaurant selling crepes. Note a reflection of the Vogue marquee in the glass. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
The theatre from across the street. Still lots to do. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
The false front removed with the theatre's Hologram signage revealed. The lift at the left was working on restoring the Cabo Cantina adjacent to the Vogue Theatre. Photo: Bill Counter - July 27, 2018
See the Ritz Theatre page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the theatre, originally opened as a newsreel house called the News-View. It's currently being used as a hologram theatre called Hologram USA.
The south side of the block as it was dressed for the movie and as it is currently. These great photos, credited to Nathan Shroeder, appeared with the October 31, 2019 L.A. Times Envelope section article "Inside the mind of Tarantino" by Michael Ordoña. The blog version, minus these photos, went by the title "How Tarantino's team made the ultra '60s Hollywood in 'Once Upon a Time'."
Shots of the Egyptian during filming:
Looking west toward the theatre. While the Egyptian wasn't altered for the film, that block was used as a starting point for some shots. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
A redone billboard. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
Another view of the "Boston Strangler" sign. Photo: Brian Donnelly - July 23, 2018
A look west on the south side of the street toward Las Palmas. Many thanks to Brian Donnelly for his photos. This July 23 view is one of many great shots in his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 2" set on Facebook. Also see his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Volume 1."
Shooting with the Egyptian in the background. It's a shot from a featurette appearing on the DVD for the film.
The billboard redone the day after the shoot. Photo: Bill Counter - July 25, 2018
We only get a glimpse of the Egyptian in the finished film. See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It was opened in 1922 by Sid Grauman. It's now owned by the American Cinematheque.
The Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian theatres in the film:
DiCaprio and Pitt turning the corner onto Hollywood Blvd. with the Pussycat Theatre across the street. They've just had lunch with Al Pacino's character at Musso and Frank. The theatre facade, as well as that of Larry Edmonds Bookshop and other stores on the block, were creations for the film.
A wider view onto the redecorated stretch of Hollywood Blvd. The vertical of the Egyptian Theatre can be seen in the distance, just to the right of the billboard for "The Boston Strangler."
A view of the Pussycat from the car. This shot is from the film's trailer. In the finished film we get nothing this leisurely. The theatre was
actually still called the New-View in 1969. Later it was the Ritz and
then a church.
The marquee of the Vogue Theatre recreated as it was in the late 60s.
Looking back along the Vogue marquee. And, yes, "Minsky's" did actually have its first-run engagement there.
A night drive-by at the Vogue.
A wider view of the redone Vogue at night.
Brad driving by the Pussycat on the way home.
Another Pussycat view. He's headed to his little trailer adjacent to the Van Nuys Drive-In.
See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Pussycat/Ritz Theatre for more about the theatre, originally opened as a newsreel house. The Vogue Theatre page has many photos of the 1935 vintage house, a design by S. Charles Lee.
The "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" pages:
| back to top - Vogue, Pussycat and Egyptian | Cinerama Dome | Grauman's Chinese | Excelsior High School | Bruin and Fox Westwood Village | Pantages and Vine | Van Nuys Drive-In | Earl Carroll Theatre |
A time tunnel for the Art of Cinema. Thank you.
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