"The Hidden"

We have a wild ride through MacArthur Park early in “The Hidden” (New Line Cinema, 1987). A formerly mild-mannered person has gone on a rampage and is evading the police. His body has, of course, been taken over by an alien creature who will soon migrate to yet another body. Here we're looking east toward the Westlake Theatre on Alvarado St. See the Westlake Theatre pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building.

The film stars Kyle MacLachlan as, supposedly, an FBI agent from San Francisco who is on the hunt for the creature and Michael Nouri as a LAPD detective bewildered by the whole adventure. Jack Sholder directed.

During another part of the chase we're going up Argyle Ave. from Hollywood Blvd. and get a look at the side of the stagehouse of the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd.

Another look at the Pantages as the alien-controlled man drives west on Hollywood Blvd. See the pages about the Pantages Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres page for hundreds of photos of all areas of the building.

The Las Palmas Theatre, 1642 N. Las Palmas Ave., appears as the Harem Room where a stripper played by Claudia Christian is appearing. Yes, she gets taken over by the creature as well. Thanks to Don Solosan for the tip about the appearance of the Las Palmas in the film.

A Harem Room interior view, shot elsewhere.    

Looking north on Las Palmas toward Hollywood Blvd. with the Las Palmas Theatre / Harem Room on the right.

Another shot north on Las Palmas Ave. See the page about the Las Palmas Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building, once a prominent legit venue.

Prior to some downtown rooftop adventures with the stripper/alien on the run we head south on Broadway with a look at the wildly flashing marquee of the Palace Theatre, 630 S. Broadway. See the pages about the Palace Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building. It opened as the Orpheum in 1911. We also get a quick flash of the Rialto Theatre, 812 S. Broadway.

Here we're looking north from Olympic Blvd. with the dark United Artists Theatre on the left.  See the Los Angeles Theatres pages on the United Artists Theatre for a history of the 1927 vintage movie palace along with hundreds of photos.

The film's finale gives us the opportunity to have many views of the Park Plaza Hotel, the former Elks lodge building on the western edge of MacArthur Park. It's now called The MacArthur.

On IMDb: “The Hidden”