"Death Becomes Her"

This over-the-top Broadway show number titled "Me" happens at the top of "Death Becomes Her" (Universal, 1992). The signage on the backlot theatre exterior said we were at the Fairbanks Theatre. Meryl Streep plays aging star Madeline Ashton in "Songbird," a musical adaptation of "Sweet Bird of Youth." The number was filmed at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4400 Wilshire Blvd.

The film also stars Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis and Isabella Rossellini. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Martin Donovan and David Koepp. The cinematography was by Dean Cundey. 

 

Thanks to Mike Hume for spotting the theatre in the film. Visit his Historic Theatre Photography site for tech details, history, and thousands of great photos of the many theatres he's explored.  

 

 

 

A look over to house left. Yes, the show is so bad that customers are leaving. Mike notes that although they added a city skyline piece in the area under the organ chamber, the four protruding brackets are a giveaway that we're at the Ebell.    

 

 

 

Although looking rather uncertain in this shot, plastic surgeon Bruce Willis is wildly enthusiastic about the performance. His fiancée Goldie Hawn is less so. She's known Madeline Ashton from way back and has had problems with getting her boyfriends stolen.  

 

"She's sensational." A look to the rear of the house as Bruce gives the show a standing ovation. 

See the page about the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos. The bottom of the page also has a rundown of the many films that have used the theatre.

On IMDb: "Death Becomes Her"