"The Last Married Couple in America"

The Plitt Century Plaza Theatres are in the background of this shot from "The Last Married Couple in America" (Universal, 1980). That's Natalie Wood and George Segal on the bridge. The film also featured Richard Benjamin, Dom DeLuise and Valerie Harper. Gilbert Cates directed. The cinematography was by Ralph Woolsey. Thanks to Alison Martino for noting the film's use of this location.  

 

 

A shot of the fighting couple on the bridge, headed down to the lower level of the shopping center.  

 

 

On the lower level with some of the Shubert Theatre seen in the upper right.  

 

The couple in a happier mood in a promotional shot. Thanks to Alison Martino for sharing this in a post on her Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page. She comments: 

"Natalie Wood and George Segal at Century City during production of 'The Last Married Couple in America' in 1980. This entire film was shot on location showing many L.A. destinations such as The Saloon, Beverly Gardens, Butterfields, Tommy’s Burgers, Yamato, the Big Blue Whale, the Moonlight Roller Rink, & The ABC Entertainment Center. This rare promotional photo is courtesy of @mptv." 

Ray Ramos commented: 

"I remember the Friday night when this movie opened at The Village Theater in Westwood. Natalie. Wood, Robert Wagner and their kids pulled up in front of the theater box-office, and RJ got out of the car to check on the movie’s ticket sales. Things sure were different back then. "

See the pages about the Century Plaza Theatres and the Shubert Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. Both buildings were demolished in 2004.    

On IMDb: "The Last Married Couple in America"  The trailer is on YouTube. Also the full film. 

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"Whore"

A fine view of the Million Dollar Theatre, 3rd and Broadway, in Ken Russell's film "Whore" (Trimark Pictures, 1991). This was supposedly his answer to the glamorous life portrayed in "Pretty Woman." The film stars Teresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton, Antonio Fargas and Elizabeth Morehead. Amir Mokri was the cinematographer.

 

A look at the Cameo and Arcade in the 500 block of Broadway. On this side of the Cameo's marquee Ken has "Lair of the White Worm," a film of his from 1988.  Maybe "Space Sluts" was something that he was considering for his next project. 

 

 

Another shot of the Cameo with their regular programming seen on the south side of the marquee. 

 

 

A closer look at the Arcade Theatre. "Crimes of Passion" was a Ken Russell film from 1984. Kathleen Turner played the China Blue character. 

 

 

A look at the Century Plaza Theatres in Century City. At the time they were operated by Cineplex Odeon.

Many thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatres in the film and getting the screenshots. See the pages about the Million Dollar Theatre, Cameo Theatre, Arcade Theatre and the Century Plaza Theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of these buildings along with many photos. 

On IMDb: "Whore"

"Oh, God! Book II"

Eleven year old Louanne (Tracy Richards) goes to the movies at the Century Plaza Theatres in the Gilbert Cates film "Oh, God! Book II" (Warner Bros., 1980). The film stars George Burns, Suzanne Pleshette and David Birney.

A look toward the Avenue of the Stars.

The complex as seen from across the pond in the film. "Evita" is at the Shubert.

Thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting this one -- and sending along the screenshots.  For more information see the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Century Plaza Theatres. The complex was demolished in 2002.

On IMDb: "Oh, God! Book II"