"Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot"

Although it's set in Portland, Joaquin Phoenix is onstage in a wheelchair at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena at the beginning of Gus Van Sant's film "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" (Amazon, 2018). 

He's playing John Callahan, paralyzed in a car accident, who overcomes a drinking problem and becomes a cartoonist. We see this shot several more times in the film. Also featured are Rooney Mara, Jonah Hill, Jack Black and Beth Ditto. The cinematography was by Christopher Blauvelt. 

 

 

 

A look toward the stage. 

 

Out into the house. Like the first shot, we come back to this view several times.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave. Since 2017 it has been used as a church.  

On IMDb: "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot"

"Sam's Son"

The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena was used for Michael Landon's film "Sam's Son" (Invictus Entyertainment, 1984). It's the story of Landon's troubles as a teenager and eventual success on a high school track team. Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson and Timothy Patrick Murphy starred. The cinematography was by Ted Voigtlander. 

Thanks to Rick Rische for mentioning that the film shot at the theatre when he was working there.  

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith. Since 2017 it has been used as a church.

On IMDb: "Sam's Son"

"Where's Marlowe?"

We're in Utica New York for the International Festival du Film at the beginning of "Where's Marlowe?" (Paramount Classics, 1998). Standing in for the festival's venue is the Rialto Theatre at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave. in South Pasadena.  

The concession girl is dumping lots of snacks in the garbage because not many showed up to see the three hour long documentary "Water in the Apple: How New Yorkers Get Their Water." In this initial black and white footage we do get some fine shots of water treatment plants and waterfalls. Yes, it's a mockumentary about the two documentarians who made "Water..." as they head on to their next project. The filmmakers are played by John Livingston and Mos Def.

 The banner is still up on the Rialto for the film festival. 

 

The letters for "Water in the Apple" coming off the marquee. 

See the Rialto Theatre pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos. 

The next project for the duo is a "doc" about two Hollywood private detectives, played by Miguel Ferrer and John Slattery. Of course we get to meet all their conniving clients.

 

Miguel almost makes it to the El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd. But we only see this entrance to the office building, not the theatre itself. 

See the pages on the El Capitan on the Los Angeles Theatres site for the history of this Hollywood legit and film house along with hundreds of photos.

The film also features Alison Dean, Clayton Rohner, Elizabeth Schofield, Barbara Howard and Kirk Baltz. An uncredited Giancarlo Esposito plays a blind man. Daniel Pyne directed. The cinematography was by Greg Gardiner.

On IMDb: "Where's Marlowe?"

"Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace"

April Wright interviews Leonard Maltin in the balcony of the United Artists for her lovely documentary "Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace" (Passion River, 2019). The UA is just one of many Los Angeles theatres appearing in the film.

April discussing vintage theatres with Escott O. Norton of the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena.  

On IMDb: "Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace."

For more about the film also see the Going Attractions website. Head to the Los Angeles Theatres site for more information about the United Artists, Orpheum, Rialto and other theatres featured in the film.

Advertising art for the film. 

"Nightmare Cinema"

The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena plays a big part in the horror anthology "Nightmare Cinema" (Cinelou Films, 2018). Mick Garris wrote his segments with the theatre in mind even before he knew he could shoot there. It was the last film shot at the Rialto before it was churched and redecorated, thus becoming unusable as a location. It's the theatre that ties the film together.

 

 

 

Mickey Rourke and Maurice Benard. A version of this image appeared with a November 2017 story in The Hollywood Reporter. Mickey ties the film's five segments together. The article noted that "the movie centers on a group of down-on-their-luck individuals who enter the decrepit Rialto Theatre. Their deepest and darkest fears are brought to life onscreen by The Projectionist (Rourke), a mysterious, ghostly figure who holds the nightmarish futures of all who attend — and cannot escape — his screenings." 

 

Mick Garris wrote and directed the "The Projectionist" with Mickey Rourke, Mark Grossman, Zarah Mahler, Sarah Elizabeth Withers, Faly Rakotohavana, Maurice Benard and Elizabeth Reaser. The cinematography was by Andrew Russo.

 

Mick's segment titled "Dead" features Faly Rakotohavana, Orson Chaplin, Annabeth Gush and Daryl C. Brown. The cinematography was by Andrew Russo.

 

Joe Dante directed "Mirari" with Zahra Mahler, Mark Grossman, Celesta Hodge, Reid Cox, Belinda Belaski, Chloe Moore, Amber Burdick and Richard Chamberlain. The cinematography was by Andrew Russo.

 

David Slade did "This Way to Egress" with Elizabeth Reaser, Lucas Barker and McIntyre Sweeney. The cinematography was by Joe Willems.

 

Ryuhei Kitamura contributed "Mashit" with Maurice Benard, Mariela Garriga, Jamie Lynn Concepcion and Stephanie Cood. The cinematography was by Matthias Schubert.

 

Alejandro Brugués directed "The Thing in the Woods." The segment features Sarah Elizabeth Withers, Kevin Fonteyne, Chris Warren, Eric Nelsen and Jared Gertner. The cinematography was by Matthias Schubert.

 

 

Mark Grossman and Zarah Mahler up in the balcony in "The Projectionist." Mark and Zarah are also both in "Mirari."

 

 

Another balcony shot with Zarah. 

 

 

A view to the main floor.

 

 

A shot announcing Ryuhei Kitamura's segment "Mashit."

 

 

"The Thing in the Woods" on the marquee.

 

Sarah Elizabeth Withers looking into the boxoffice. She's in both "The Projectionist" and "The Thing in the Woods" segments. This image as well as the seven previous ones all appear on IMDb.

 

 

The directors of "Nightmare Cinema" sitting for a portrait at the Rialto. In back from the left are  Mick Garris, Ryuhei Kitamura and Alejandro Brugués. In front are David Slade and Joe Dante. The photo was a post from Mr. Garris on Facebook. Thanks to Escott O. Norton for sharing it on the Friends of the Rialto Facebook page.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith. Since late 2017 it has been used as a church.

On IMDb: "Nightmare Cinema"

"The Thing Called Love"

The Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena appears about nine minutes into Peter Bogdanovich's film "The Thing Called Love" (Paramount, 1993). Here the Rialto is standing in for a venue in Nashville with a line of young performers waiting to audition. 

The story about young hopefuls in the country music business features River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Sandra Bullock and Dermot Mulroney. It was mostly filmed in Nashville but many interiors were done in Los Angeles.

Samantha Mathis is one of the performers in the line that stretches out the house right exit and up the exit passageway north of the theatre.

See the Rialto Theatre pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and many photos.

On IMDb: "The Thing Called Love"

"The Rocketeer"

Jennifer Connolly and Bill Campbell go to a movie at the Rialto in South Pasadena in "The Rocketeer" (Touchstone Pictures, 1991) directed by Joe Johnston.

A look to the rear of the house. Of course at the Rialto the booth isn't at the back of the main floor as this shot would have us believe. It's not a major scene and we don't get any exterior views. The film is set in Los Angeles in 1938. We're trying to keep a rocket pack out of the hands of the Nazis.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Rialto Theatre for more about the building, a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith.

On IMDb: "The Rocketeer" 

"A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master"

We see a lot of the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena in Renny Harlin's "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master" (New Line Cinema, 1988). Thanks to Escott O. Norton of the advocacy group Friends of the Rialto for all of the screenshots appearing here.

See the Los Angeles Theatres pages about the Rialto Theatre for lots of history and many photos. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith. Since late 2017 it has been used as a church.

On IMDb: "A Nightmare on Elm St. 4: The Dream Master"

"The Player"

Tim Robbins finding a seat at South Pasadena's Rialto Theatre in Robert Altman's "The Player" (Fine Line, 1992). He's a Hollywood executive gone to look for a writer he thinks is at the theatre. He's been getting threats after a script rejection. But he doesn't know which writer is responsible.

Robbins leaving the auditorium.

A shot in front of the stairs.

An encounter in the lobby. Evidently not who he thinks he's looking for.

Vincent D'Onofrio coming out of the auditorium.

A look at Tim Robbins and Vincent D'Onofrio in the Rialto lobby. 

Robbins walking in front of the Rialto after the showing of "The Bicycle Thief."  The actual US title of the 1948 Vittorio De Sica film is "Bicycle Thieves."

Robbins at his car south of the theatre as D'Onofrio comes up from a main floor exit.

Robbins in the exit passageway north of the theatre.

Bad things happen in the parking lot north of the Rialto. Don't look in the puddle.

Thanks to Escott O. Norton of the advocacy group Friends of the Rialto for five of the screenshots appearing here. They're in a Rialto Theatre in the Movies album on the Friends Facebook page.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page on the Rialto Theatre for many photos of the 1925 film/vaudeville house designed by Lewis A. Smith.

On IMDb:"The Player"

"The Kentucky Fried Movie"

"The Kentucky Fried Movie" (United Film Distribution Co., 1977) is described as "A series of short, highly irreverent, and often tasteless skits." They are joined together very loosely with a fairly unbelievable and ridiculous narrative. It was directed by John Landis.

Joe Pinney comments: "'See You Next Wednesday' is a running gag in most of John Landis’ films, including the 'Thriller' video."

The Rialto at the time was operated by Parallax Theatre Systems, later known as Landmark Theatres. The partners were Kim Jorgensen, Gary Meyer and Steve Gilula. Roy H. Wagner, ASC, was the company's chief projectionist at a time he was struggling between cinematography jobs. He comments: "The reason 'Kentucky Fried Movie' was shot at the Rialto is because Kim was one of the funders. We ran teasers at the Nuart to garner investors."

The premise for the skit filmed at the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena is the guy, our hero of the piece, who is going to see a movie at the Rialto "Feel-O-Rama" Movie Theatre where movies are presented in "Feel-Around."

Our hero approaches the marquee, buys his ticket at the ticket booth, then proceeds into the theatre where the ticket-taker tears his ticket and reminds him that the movie is being presented in "Feel-Around."

After buying a dollar's worth of popcorn at the concession stand he enters the auditorium.

As he walks down the aisle we see each audience member has an usher standing directly behind them - it’s not clear why. Our chap then takes his seat and an usher comes to stand behind him. Without seeing any action on the screen, but hearing the dialogue from it, "Feel-Around" is then revealed in all its glory: the usher enhances the audience member’s movie experience by using props appropriate to the action taking place in the movie.

It starts off fairly benign, with a cigarette being lit when one of the on-screen characters lights a cigarette and some perfume being sprayed for the heroine’s entrance. Then a drink is spilled in the movie, resulting in a glass of water being poured over our hero. Things progress with increasing comic effect until the on-screen action escalates into a threat with a kitchen knife, seeing our hero being held at knifepoint by the usher!

At this point - and as the movie ends, he decides to leave, with the announcer reminding patrons to return for next week’s screening of "Deep Throat."

Thanks to Mike Hume for the text and the screenshots. Visit his Historic Theatre Photography site for hundreds of great photos he's taken of theatres in the Los Angeles Area and elsewhere. He's also included lots of tech information and many floorplans. The site, of course, has a page he's done on the Rialto.

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Rialto Theatre. It's a 1925 design by Lewis A. Smith. Since late 2017 it has been used as a church. 

On IMDb: "Kentucky Fried Movie"