"Vice Squad"

"On the street the real trick is staying alive." Season Hubley is a single mom working as a prostitute who reluctantly becomes a police informant in "Vice Squad" (Avco Embassy, 1982). On the right it's the Vogue Theatre, 6675 Hollywood Blvd. That's Las Palmas Ave. beyond.

The film also features Gary Swanson, Wings Hauser, Pepe Serna, Beverly Todd, Nina Blackwood and Sudana Bobatoon. Gary Sherman directed. The cinematography was by John Alcott. 

A view east across Las Palmas with Musso and Frank at the far right. The Vogue, now used as a church, was a 1935 design by S. Charles Lee.

Looking for action near the Cinema Theatre, 1122 N. Western Ave. It's a bit north of Santa Monica Blvd. The building survives but it's been churched. 

 

 

 

A bit of the Tiffany Theatre is seen in this late night view. It was at 8532 Sunset Blvd., west of La Cienega. It's been demolished. 

 

 

 

Back on Hollywood Blvd. This shot looks across toward the Pussycat Theatre, 6656 Hollywood Blvd., on the south side of the street between Cherokee and Las Palmas. It opened in 1940 as a newsreel house called the News-View. Later it was the New-View and, after its Pussycat era, was a revival house called the Ritz. 

 

 

 

Down the street across from the Fox Theatre, 6523 Hollywood Blvd. This over-exposed view made it into the trailer but not the finished film. At the time of the shoot they were running "The Fan" with Lauren Bacall and James Garner. 

 

A look west toward the Hollywood Pacific, the theatre that debuted in 1928 as the Warner Hollywood. 

 

Closer to Cahuenga for another Hollywood Pacific shot. 

 

A view east from El Centro toward the Pix, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. It opened in 1926 as a legit house called the Music Box and has also been called the Fox, Guild and Henry Fonda. It's now a music venue called the Fonda Theatre. They were running John Carpenter's "Escape From New York," a June 1981 release.

For more information about the theatres that are seen in the film see the Los Angeles Theatres pages about the Vogue, Cinema Theatre, Tiffany, New-View/Pussycat, Fox, Warner/Hollywood Pacific and the Music Box/Pix. 

On IMDb: "Vice Squad"   

Thanks to Ray Ottulich for the nudge about the Hollywood Blvd. footage in this film. He included a shot of the Vogue in his post about the film for The World of Noir Facebook group.  Elizabeth Pearce notes that the full film can be seen on a Russian website: https://ok.ru/video/1246674291455

"Aloha, Bobby and Rose"

Footage used for the title sequence of "Aloha, Bobby and Rose" (Columbia Pictures, 1975) includes this view of the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd. On the marquee it's "Don't Look in the Basement" along with "The Last House on the Left." This bill opened November 7, 1973 at the Pantages as well as over 30 other theatres in the area.  

 

The film features Paul Le Mat, Dianne Hull, Tim McIntyre, Leigh French, Noble Willingham, Martine Bartlett and Robert Carradine. Floyd Mutrux directed. The cinematography was by William A. Fraker.  

 

 

We get this shot when they zoom in during the credits. Way down the street it's the vertical for Loew's, 6838 Hollywood Blvd. It's the theatre that opened in 1926 as the El Capitan. Loew's got it in 1967 but at the time this footage was shot it was run by General Cinema Corporation. They never got around to re-doing the vertical although they were calling the theatre the Cinema on Hollywood Blvd. or the Hollywood Cinema. Before and after Loew's and General Cinema had the theatre it was called the Paramount. 

 

 

 

Paul Le Mat owes some guys money from a game of pool that didn't go his way. Hoping to borrow $75, he stops in to see a relative working at a used car lot at Hollywood Blvd. and Gower. The brown building on the left is the east side of the Pix Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. The Pantages is a bit farther down the street.

 

 

Paul works at a car repair place in the Valley where he fixes the Volkswagon of a girl played by Dianne Hull. Later they go out on a date and take a drive east on Hollywood Blvd. We get this shot as they approach the Egyptian I-II-III, 6712 Hollywood Blvd.  

 

The panel below the marquee is advertising "Hello, Dolly!" It was on the bottom half of a double bill that opened October 31, 1973 at the Egyptian as well as 30 other area theatres. "Cabaret" was on the top of the bill. The initial 40 week 70mm roadshow engagement of "Hello, Dolly!" had been at the Chinese from December 19, 1969 until September 24, 1970.  

 

 

Continuing east we get a quick look down Las Palmas Ave. toward the pizza sign of Micelli's Restaurant and, just beyond, the Las Palmas Theatre.  

 

In the next block we get a murky glimpse of the New-View Theatre at 6656 Hollywood Blvd. It opened in 1940 as a newsreel house called the News-View. Later it was the Pussycat Theatre and then became a revival house called the Ritz.  

Paul and Dianne stop at a convenience store and, not being the sharpest guy, he plays around pretending to hold up the store. It ends badly and they go on the run.  

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Pantages, Loew's/El Capitan, Music Box/Pix, Egyptian, Las Palmas and New View/Pussycat/Ritz for more information about these historic Hollywood show houses.

On IMDb: "Aloha, Bobby and Rose"

"Sky Scrappers"

Chester Conklin is out on a beam atop the newly completed Guaranty Bldg. at Hollywood Blvd. and Ivar in the 18 minute short "Sky Scrappers" (Christie / Paramount, December 1930). We see the vertical of the Pantages on the left and the Music Box Theatre further down the street. 

Thanks to Jeff Hamblin for identifying which film the image is from. It was directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom and also features Eddie Baker, Doris Hill and Blanche Payson.

The shot appears on page 35 of the Arcadia Publishing book "Location Filming in Los Angeles" by Karie Bible, Marc Wanamaker and Harry Medved. They have it identified as being from an earlier Conklin film, "Cleaning Up." The page with the photos is included with the book's preview on Google Books. Thanks to Bill Gabel for grabbing the the image for a post on the private Facebook group Photos of Los Angeles.

See the pages about the Pantages Theatre and the Music Box Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres website for hundreds of photos of the buildings.  

 

A still from the film with Chester Conklin, left, and Eddie Baker. Behind Conklin that's the Taft Building on the southeast corner of Hollywood and Vine. 

 

Another shot done on the roof of the Guaranty Building.  

 

We also get a look at the Melrose Theatre, 4315 Melrose Ave. Thanks to Jeff Hamblin for locating these three stills on eBay.  

 

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. 

 

 On IMDb: "Sky Scrappers" 

"Our Blushing Brides"

Joan Crawford, Anita Page and Dorothy Sebastian are three unhappy workers in a New York City department store in "Our Blushing Brides" (MGM, 1930). Harry Beaumont directed. Some scenes were filmed in the May Co. store at Broadway and 8th. Merritt B. Gerstad was the cinematographer.

In this nice shot we see Robert Montgomery coming in to work. He's the department store owner's son who eventually ends up with Joan. We're looking toward Broadway with the marquee of the Rialto Theatre across the street visible out the front doors. They were running the February 1930 United Artists release "Puttin' On The Ritz" with Harry Richman and Joan Bennett. 

 

A moment later we get to see "Broadway" above the doors. See the Los Angeles Theatres pages on the Rialto for a history of the theatre along with many, many photos. 

 

Later in the film Joan is feeling a bit depressed as she walks down a backlot street until she looks up and sees this on a marquee. It's the Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. After being through many names, the Music Box is now a concert venue called the Fonda Theatre. The Los Angeles Theatres pages offer a history of the 1926 vintage building along with many photos. 

"Let Us Be Gay" was a play by Rachel Crothers that played Broadway from February to December 1929. It had two early productions in Los Angeles, but not at the Music Box. It played the Mayan beginning May 10, 1929 in a production starring Edna Hibbard. It was back in town at the El Capitan in March 1930 starring Violet Hemming and Virginia Valli. 

The copy we see on the Music Box marquee was undoubtedly a plug for the MGM film version with Norma Shearer, Rod La Roque and Marie Dressler. It was released in July 1930, the same month as "Our Blushing Brides."

On IMDb: "Our Blushing Brides"

"God Bless America"

Joel Murray plays Frank, a man who, after losing his job and receiving a brain tumor diagnosis, gets a gun and embarks on a cross country killing spree in Bobcat Goldthwaite's film "God Bless America" (Darko Entertainment, 2012). He's trying to cull a few individuals who lack decency and are not nice to others. Or those who are just plain stupid. He's joined by Roxy, a 16 year old accomplice played by Tara Lynn Barr. The adventure begins in Syracuse. Somewhere in the middle of the country they go to the movies. The theatre used for the scene is the Showcase Theatre, a deco gem at 614 N. La Brea Ave.

Another stylish shot in the ticket lobby. 

Going in, we get a look at the carpet. 

On the screen is the admonition about no talking. Several people will be sorry they didn't heed that. 

Settling in for the feature they chose, "The Graves of My Lai." One guy in front and some teenagers behind them keep making noise and talking on their cell phones. Frank stands up and shoots them. Except for one girl who he praises for not talking or using her phone.  

If this were footage for a typical Alamo pre-show announcement they'd say:"You talk. You Text. We'll send Frank and Roxy after you."

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Showcase Theatre for more about the venue. It opened as the Gordon Theatre in 1938, a design of Clifford Balch.

Frank sends Roxy home after finding out on TV that she actually has loving parents and didn't suffer the abuse she had told him about. He continues west alone. Arriving in Los Angeles, we get a look at Grauman's Chinese during a cruise down Hollywood Blvd.

See the pages about Grauman's Chinese on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of this iconic movie palace.

One subject arousing Fran's ire (other than TV in general) is the talent show "American Superstarz" where the hosts had been making fun of a chubby young guy with no singing talent. The season finale is being staged at the Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.

Another shot of the Music Box, with a look at the Pantages vertical on the right. Rabid fans are greeting the arrivals for the show. Frank is discouraged from going in the front with his gun in a big case as the security guard spots him. He goes around to the stage door.

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Music Box and the Pantages Theatre for some history and many photos.

When we go inside it's not the Music Box at all but the Alex Theatre in Glendale.  

 

Frank scares off a security guard and walks backstage.

Frank onstage as the hosts cower behind the table in the auditorium.  He shoots the hosts. He shoots the untalented kid as well when he reveals that he tried to commit suicide not because they were making fun of him but because they weren't going to let hum back on the show.

Roxy rejoins him for the final shootout. 

Aiming for the police up in the balcony. It's all over soon.

Head to the pages about the Alex Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about this 1925 vintage film/vaudeville house.

On IMDb: "God Bless America"

"The Outside Man"

We get a fine tour of Los Angeles in Jacques Deray's "The Outside Man" (United Artists, 1973). Jean-Louis Trintignant (coming from France) and Roy Scheider (in from Detroit) are hit men who soon find out they're working for the same guy, a Los Angeles mobster who wants them both dead. Ann-Margret is the former owner of a sleazy bar who gets caught in the middle.

Here we're in West Hollywood looking east on Sunset with Trintignant across the street from the Cinematheque 16, 8818 Sunset Blvd. Note the marquee in the upper right corner.

Trintignant's character is supposed to go back to Paris but feels he won't be safe even there. So he goes hunting for those who set him up. And finds Scheider constantly on his tail. He's trying to get downtown and a bunch of bikers give him an escort, point him west on Hollywood Blvd., and tell him downtown is straight ahead.

Here he's just west of Vine St. stopping to pick up a hitchhiker. In the distance we get the scintillating marquee of the Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. At the time of the shooting it was called the Pix. It's now a music venue called the Fonda Theatre.

A shot back a bit gives us part of the marquee for the Vine Theatre, running "Nicholas and Alexandra." The hitchhiker, who turns out to be a Jesus freak, tells him to do a U-turn. The guy doesn't do well. Scheider, aiming at Truntignant, shoots him.

The film gives us some fine aerial views of the city and shots of downtown, Bunker Hill, and Venice. In addition, we're treated to many views, such as this one, of Scheider and Trintignant trying to elude each other on the pier of Pacific Ocean Park as the remaining buildings are in the middle of demolition.

 

We even make it out to Sherman Oaks. Thanks to Sean Ault for getting the screenshot of this view with the La Reina Theatre in the background. It was an S. Charles Lee design at 14626 Ventura Blvd. that opened in 1938.

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Cinematheque 16, the Music Box, the Vine Theatre and the La Reina Theatre for history of each of these filmhouses and many, many photos.

On IMDb: "The Outside Man"  If you can't find a copy of the film note that Cinefile Video in West L.A. has it in their collection. Glen Norman advises that the film is available in two versions, one of them X-rated.

"Foxes"

Jodie Foster and her teenage friends live in the Valley, yet somehow they end up walking by the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood on their way to school in Adrian Lyne's "Foxes" (United Artists, 1980). The film about drugs, sex and growing up in L.A. also features Cherie Currie, Marilyn Kagan, Kandice Stroh, Scott Baio, Sally Kellerman, Randy Quaid and Lois Smith.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Ivar Theatre for more about the building. It's a small legit house, now used by the L.A. Film School,  that opened in 1951. 

The girls say they're going to a concert at the Shrine Auditorium. We get lots of shots in a parking lot, a lobby area, and of a group performing onstage. But none of it is identifiable as the Shrine. It could have been shot anywhere. See the main page about the Shrine Auditorium on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a list of many films where the building actually appears.

One of the young ladies goes missing later in the film and we go to Hollywood looking for her. In this shot looking west we get a view in the distance of the madly flashing vertical of the Pix Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd. It had opened as a legit house called the Music Box in 1926 and is now a music venue called the Fonda Theatre. See the Music Box page for many photos.

That red X hiding behind the palm trees on the far right is the sign for the X Theatre at 5959 Hollywood Blvd. See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the X Theatre for a bit of history and a few photos.   We only get a sliver of it here but just beyond the X is the vertical for the World Theatre, 6025 Hollywood Blvd.

On IMDb: "Foxes"

"Imitation of Life"

Lana Turner plays aspiring actress Lora Meredith in Douglas Sirk's "Imitation of Life" (Universal-International, 1959). The film, set in the New York area, also stars John Gavin as a long suffering boyfriend, Sandra Dee as Lana's daughter, Juanita Moore as a single black mother who comes to live with them and Susan  Kohner as Juanita's daughter trying to pass for white.

38 minutes into the film we're in a theatre not identified in the film where she's auditioning for a part for stage manager Jack Weston, agent Robert Alda and playwright Dan O'Herlihy. Wendell Benedetti figured out we're at the Music Box, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.

 

IMDb notes that filming for "Imitation" took place between August and October 1958. The film opened in March 1959. The theatre was called the Fox at the time of the shoot  and operated by Fox West Coast. In September 1959 it was taken over by Pacific Theatres and renamed the Pix.

 

 

Another look along the house left wall. Just past the exit door at the top of the aisle there's a drinking fountain with one of the typical Fox West Coast Skouras-style etched aluminum surrounds. 

 

A view off right. That's the exasperated stage manager Jack Weston on the left. The Music Box opened as a legit house in 1926 and has a full stage.

Another look into the house from onstage. Note the surround speakers and Skouras-style ornament added along the side walls.

 

Upstage right with a look down the stairs toward the basement dressing rooms. It's a hurried conversation with Robert Alda as she prepares to leave. But the playwright says "Wait a minute."

 

 

A shot at the Music Box from the balcony. The show's a hit! It's a fine view of the curtain closing. It's unknown if this was the theatre's house curtain or one just brought in for the shoot.

A publicity still from a page of "Imitation of Life" images on the website of Alamy Stock Photos.  Wendell Benedetti found the photo and went on a quest. It was the look of the ornament near those front exit doors and the shape of the doors themselves that allowed him to deduce we were at the Music Box by comparing this with 1926 vintage photos.

See the Music Box page on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building along with over a hundred photos. It's now a music venue called the Fonda Theatre.

We get quite a tour of the Earl Carroll Theatre, 6230 Sunset Blvd, near the end of the film. Earl Carroll died in 1948 and the theatre was renamed the Moulin Rouge in 1953.

Thanks to LAHTF member Alenoush for remembering the theatre from the film and to Escott O. Norton who posted these great Earl Carroll screenshots on the LAHTF Facebook page. Escott comments: 

"The Goddess has already lost her original single strip of neon, but there is a new sign on the wall behind her. Based on other photos I think the sign was put in just for the movie... These are the only color images I have seen from this era. The Earl Carroll scene is towards the end of the movie, so you might want to watch from the beginning, it's a pretty emotional ending! Go to 1:36 for the scene."

The Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation has been instrumental in working with the theatre's owner, Essex Property Trust, to preserve various historic elements of the building. The organization frequently offers tours of historic theatres. There was one of the Earl Carroll in February 2018. www.lahtf.org | group Facebook page | official Facebook page |

The stairs up into the lobby. Juanita Moore has heard that her daughter is working at the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood so comes west looking for her.

 

 

The lobby, with its new grid ceiling installed during the Moulin Rouge redecoration. Juanita is looking around for her daughter.

 

 

Another lobby view. She wanders down to the front of the stage. 

Down front near the orchestra pit.

 A scene from the show.

Another scene from down near the pit. Juanita is looking for her daughter.

Dancers. Sorry, they're showgirls. That's Susan Kohner who is gliding offstage on the outer revolve.

Offstage right. Revolve controllers in the foreground with the dimmerboard behind.

Another backstage shot. Thanks Alenoush and Escott!

See the pages about the Earl Carroll Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building along with hundreds of photos both recent and vintage.

On IMDb: "Imitation of Life"

For more about the film see a page on the House of Retro  site that has many screenshots, publicity stills and posters.