"Targets"

Early in Peter Bogdanovich's film "Targets" (Paramount, 1968) we get a look at the Sepulveda Drive-In, 6161 Sepulveda Blvd. The shooter, played by Tim O'Kelly, is driving by on the 405. He's been buying a new gun and stocking up on ammo. The film stars Boris Karloff as an aging Hollywood star, Nancy Hsueh as his assistant and Bogdanovich, of course, as the director of Karloff's last several films. The cinematography was by László Kovács.

See the page about the Sepulveda Drive-In on the Los Angeles Theatres site for information about the venue and more photos. 

 

The next morning Tim drives by the Reseda Drive-In, 18441 Vanowen St. in Reseda.  

 

 

A closer look at the signage. Byron Orlock, Karloff's character is doing an appearance.

 

 

 

A look back at the Reseda's sign. Tim's already shot several family members. 

 

A screen tower view a moment later.  

 

 

 

Heading to the top of a Chevron tank at Sepulveda and Oxnard St. to pick off people on the 405. That's a bit of the Sepulveda Drive-in's screen in the upper left. 

 

 

 

After the shootings from the tank, cops are everywhere. He's back near the Reseda. He had seen Karloff's character the day before out the windows of a gun shop on Sunset Blvd. and had planned on being here for the personal appearance.

 

 

 

A bit early for the show. But good for avoiding the police. Note the Pacific Theatres blue and yellow. 

 

The Reseda's box office.  

 

Finding a spot. But he's not going to stay in the car anyway. 

 

A look over to the booth. It'll later be one of the targets.

 

He's seen a manager come out of the screen tower so takes his bag of guns and goes in. 

 

 

 

We get to see the sign as it lights up. 

 

The operator in the booth checking his Strong arc lamps. 

 

Threading one of the Simplex XLs. 

 

The Motiograph soundhead. 

 

 

 

The Reseda's snackbar. There are rumors of a shooter but the film keeps running.

 

 

 

Up in the tower picking people off with a gun pointed out through a hole in the screen. 

 

 

 

Time for Karloff and his assistant to arrive. 

 

 

 

Greeted as they approach the boxoffice. People are dying, the show is still running, Karloff goes in. 

 

 

The man in the booth is the next target. 

The shooter slips, knocks his bag of guns and ammo down through the tower's structure. He climbs down, grabs another gun and comes out. Karloff is on the screen in "The Terror" and also approaching him in person. The shooter looks back and forth at the two and, totally confused, crumples to the ground as the police arrive. 

 

The next morning. The only car on the field is the shooter's. For lots more about the Reseda Drive-In see the Cinema Treasures page.

On IMDb: "Targets"