It's 1956 and singer Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers are touring with an Alan Freed Rock and Roll show in "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" (Warner Bros., 1998). Frankie, played by Larenz Tate, dies young of a drug
overdose. In this Rashomon-like tale, three women each claim to be his
widow, tell different stories about Frankie and, of course, each want
his estate.
Little Richard is in a courtroom narrating a flashback as we pan across the room and get this image. That's a bit of the courtroom paneling on the left. One look at the terrazzo tells you we're at the Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway. There's signage saying it's the Paramount Theatre. Freed did do lots of shows at the Brooklyn Paramount, as seen in "
American Hot Wax" where the Wiltern was used as a stand-in. But here Richard's narration says that we're on the road somewhere.
Halle Berry plays Zola Taylor, a singer with the Platters. Later Frankie
meets and marries Vivica A. Fox as Elizabeth, who may already be
married. Lela Rochon plays the third wife, schoolteacher Emira Eagle.
Also featured are Paul Mazursky as the manager/music publisher and
Pamela Reed as the Judge. Ben Vereen is also in the
mix. Gregory Nava directed. The cinematography was by Edward Lachman.
"Biggest Show of Stars For '56."
The crowd alongside the boxoffice.
The rush into the lobby. Note that lovely carpet the theatre had at the time.
The inner lobby and snackbar.
Onstage it's the Platters with Halle Berry playing the lead singer.
The Platters coming off. Offstage right in front of the dimmerboard Larenz, playing Frankie, tells Halle how great she was and gives her a kiss. He gets slapped. But then she watches his performance.
Frankie and the Teenagers wowing the crowd.
A view from the 2nd balcony at the end of a number by the Teenagers.
A later scene in the lobby of the Los Angeles Theatre. By this time Halle and Larenz's characters have become a couple. The theatre is being used as the lobby of the Chelsea Hotel. They're about to get on a bus for another tour.
See the pages about the
Los Angeles Theatre on the L.A. Theatres site for a history of the 1931 vintage movie palace along with hundreds of photos.
Another town, another show. Larenz, as Frankie, has been on and off drugs. We're in Philadelphia and Paul Mazursky has given him another chance. But he hasn't shown up yet for this show.
Getting his fix under the fire escapes.
A shot into the auditorium reveals that we're onstage at the State Theatre, 7th and Broadway.
Paul fretting backstage about Frankie's whereabouts. Behind the rigging it's Vivica A. Fox as Elizabeth, with Frankie at the time.
He shows up and goes on but then collapses.
See the pages about the
State Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for information about the history along with many photos.
Vivicas's character becomes a hooker to support Frankie and his drug habit. For this New York shot they used the 500 block of Broadway. Check out the pages about the
Arcade,
Cameo and
Roxie theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more information and photos inside and out.
Years later, swearing he's clean, Larenz's character gets told by Paul Mazursky "You're a junkie. That's why you're not playing the Orpheum tonight." Standing in for a mythical New York Orpheum it's the one in Los Angeles at 842 S. Broadway.
Larenz turns up to see the show. The Platters have dumped Halle Berry's character, Zola, but she now has a solo career.
The obligatory Orpheum ceiling shot.
An enthusiastic audience for Halle's character.
A look into the house while Halle is onstage.
The view from the top as Little Richard and his piano come onstage on a wagon. Larenz, as Frankie, comes out despondent and looks for a fix. Within a week he's dead of an overdose. Thanks to Dean Lent for a nudge about the theatres appearing in the film -- he was on the camera crew for the shoot at the Orpheum.
See the pages about the Orpheum Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of this 1926 vintage vaudeville house.
On IMDb: "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"
