"Model Shop"

Anouk Aimée drives past the Coronet Theatre in Jacques Demy's "Model Shop" (Columbia Pictures, 1969). She's being followed by Gary Lockwood as she goes north on La Cienega. 

 

Anouk Aimée died in Paris in 2024 at age 92. The film also features Alexandra Hay, Carol Cole, Tom Holland, Severn Darden and Neil Elliot. The cinematography was by Michel Hugo. 

 

A block north of the theatre, located at 366 N. La Cienega Blvd. See the page about the Coronet Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It opened in 1947 and was designated a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2023.

Thanks to Alison Martino for sharing a 3 minute clip of this scene on her Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page. She comments:

"This movie shows Los Angeles in such an intriguing way. Gary Lockwood follows Anouk in his classic MG up La Cienega in 1969 L.A. He plays an unemployed, broke architect who becomes obsessed with an enigmatic French woman named Lola, who works as a model where customers take erotic photos.

"This flick has had a lot of influence on pop culture. It can be seen in an episode of 'Mad Men' (season 7, episode 3) and surely inspired Tarantino for 'Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.' Especially the driving scenes. 

"Anouk Aimee was a captivating screen presence who could hold your attention just by being still. Whether her work with Fellini or this underrated film, Aimee’s dignified poise will be missed. And for you L.A. historians, I’m sure you’ll notice they’re driving north up La Cienega passing a working oil well (where Kiddieland was), Tail ‘o the Pup, and The Islander before approaching Sunset Strip."

 

We get a view of the Tiffany Theatre in the center of the frame as Anouk and Gary turn onto the Strip. Dino's is this side of the theatre. Note the Playboy logo on the 9000 Building.    

Check out the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Tiffany Theatre for more information about this film house at 8535 Sunset Blvd. It opened in 1966.  

 

On one of several drives around Hollywood we get this shot looking north on Wilcox with a view of one of the towers atop the Warner/Hollywood Pacific, 6433 Hollywood Blvd. 

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Warner Hollywood for a history of the theatre, opened in 1928. 

 

Gary is driving around town looking for money so the finance company doesn't repossess his car. Here he's on Melrose stopping in to see a friend who works at an alternative weekly. In the next block it's the Melrose Theatre, at this point still with its roof sign. 

 

See the page about the Melrose Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It opened in 1924 as Jensen's Melrose and is now the Ukranian Culture Center, 4315 Melrose Ave. 

On IMDb: "Model Shop"