"Armed and Dangerous"

We get this nice look west on Hollywood Blvd. during the title sequence of Mark Lester's "Armed and Dangerous" (Columbia, 1986). The film was written by Brian Grazer, Harold Ramis and James Keach. It stars John Candy, Eugene Levy and Meg Ryan. The cinematography was by Fred Schuler. 

The vertical sign of the Paramount Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., is seen in the center of the image. The theatre got the El Capitan name back in 1991 after the Disney / Pacific Theatres restoration. Thanks to Sean Ault for spotting the theatres in the film. 

On the right under the green light there's the "..CIF.." of the vertical of the Hollywood Pacific Theatre, 6433 Hollywood Blvd. It had opened in 1928 as the Warner Hollywood. Farther right that "..age.. " in purple script is on the Pantages vertical. It was a neon overlay for "La Cage aux Folles," a show that ran from September 10, 1984 until May 26, 1985. A moment later this was off and the familiar Pantages lettering in turquoise was visible. 

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the El Capitan, the Warner Hollywood and the Pantages for a history of these historic venues. 

 

Candy plays a cop who is setup by a couple of corrupt colleagues and fired from the force. He reinvents himself as a security guard and continues to investigate the case. Here he's driving toward the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. See the pages about the Egyptian Theatre for many photos and a discussion of the theatre's history.

We spend a bit of time at the Cave Theatre, 6315 Hollywood Blvd. Once upon a time the building had been Sardi's Restaurant. See the page about the Cave Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. Off to the left we get a sliver of the marquee of the Vine Theatre.

 

John Candy and his new buddy (and fellow security guard) Eugene Levy enter the Cave in matching blue suits. 

 

 

Problems ensue when the police also arrive. We get a sliver of the Pantages vertical on the right. 

 

A shot inside the Cave. The guys need to get some disguises to escape the police.

 

 

 

The next morning we get this fine postcard-quality look across Westlake Park with a view of the roof sign on the Westlake Theatre, 638 S. Alvarado St. That's Meg Ryan on the bench, Candy in drag and Levy in a black leather getup with his butt cheeks showing. 

 

 

 

A closer look at the three conspirators. Thanks to Sean Ault for getting the screenshot. See the pages about the Westlake Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. The building is still around but now used as a swapmeet. 

 

Of course we have to end with a big chase centering around a thwarted armored car robbery. After a fine tour of the Arts District we get this shot on Bunker Hill that gives us a view up Grand Ave. See the page about the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the theatre.

On the left it's the vacant lot that would later be the location of Frank Gehry's Disney Hall. In the foreground on the right it's the "temporary" parking garage that much later would be the location of The Grand, also designed by Gehry. 

On IMDb: "Armed and Dangerous"