"God Bless America"

Joel Murray plays Frank, a man who, after losing his job and receiving a brain tumor diagnosis, gets a gun and embarks on a cross country killing spree in Bobcat Goldthwaite's film "God Bless America" (Darko Entertainment, 2012). He's trying to cull a few individuals who lack decency and are not nice to others. Or those who are just plain stupid. He's joined by Roxy, a 16 year old accomplice played by Tara Lynn Barr. The adventure begins in Syracuse. Somewhere in the middle of the country they go to the movies. The theatre used for the scene is the Showcase Theatre, a deco gem at 614 N. La Brea Ave.

Another stylish shot in the ticket lobby. 

Going in, we get a look at the carpet. 

On the screen is the admonition about no talking. Several people will be sorry they didn't heed that. 

Settling in for the feature they chose, "The Graves of My Lai." One guy in front and some teenagers behind them keep making noise and talking on their cell phones. Frank stands up and shoots them. Except for one girl who he praises for not talking or using her phone.  

If this were footage for a typical Alamo pre-show announcement they'd say:"You talk. You Text. We'll send Frank and Roxy after you."

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Showcase Theatre for more about the venue. It opened as the Gordon Theatre in 1938, a design of Clifford Balch.

Frank sends Roxy home after finding out on TV that she actually has loving parents and didn't suffer the abuse she had told him about. He continues west alone. Arriving in Los Angeles, we get a look at Grauman's Chinese during a cruise down Hollywood Blvd.

See the pages about Grauman's Chinese on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of this iconic movie palace.

One subject arousing Fran's ire (other than TV in general) is the talent show "American Superstarz" where the hosts had been making fun of a chubby young guy with no singing talent. The season finale is being staged at the Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.

Another shot of the Music Box, with a look at the Pantages vertical on the right. Rabid fans are greeting the arrivals for the show. Frank is discouraged from going in the front with his gun in a big case as the security guard spots him. He goes around to the stage door.

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Music Box and the Pantages Theatre for some history and many photos.

When we go inside it's not the Music Box at all but the Alex Theatre in Glendale.  

 

Frank scares off a security guard and walks backstage.

Frank onstage as the hosts cower behind the table in the auditorium.  He shoots the hosts. He shoots the untalented kid as well when he reveals that he tried to commit suicide not because they were making fun of him but because they weren't going to let hum back on the show.

Roxy rejoins him for the final shootout. 

Aiming for the police up in the balcony. It's all over soon.

Head to the pages about the Alex Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about this 1925 vintage film/vaudeville house.

On IMDb: "God Bless America"