"Farewell, My Lovely"

The credit sequence of "Farewell, My Lovely" (Avco Embassy, 1975) features stylized footage of Hollywood landmarks. Here, just before the title appears, we're at the Earl Carroll Theatre, 6230 Sunset Blvd., just east of Vine St. The neon sculpture is of Beryl Wallace, Earl's girlfriend and a star of his shows. Thanks to Wayne King for noting the film's use of this footage. See the pages about the Earl Carroll Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. 

The film is an adaption of Raymond Chandler's 1940 novel.  Moose Malloy, just out of prison, is looking for his former girlfriend Velma Valento, who for several reasons doesn't want to be located. Jack O'Halloran is Moose. Robert Mitchum plays private eye Philip Marlow. Also involved are John Ireland, Charlotte Rampling, Sylvia Miles, Harry Dean Stanton, Anthony Zerbe, Sylvester Stallone and Kate Murtagh. Dick Richards directed. The cinematography was by the king of noir, John A. Alonzo.   

The book had an earlier adaptation as "Murder, My Sweet" (1944) starring Dick Powell, Claire Trevor, Anne Shirley, Otto Kruger and Mike Mazurki. 

 

On the left it's the vertical of the Iris Theatre, 6523 Hollywood Blvd. It had opened in 1918 and in 1968, after a remodel by National General, emerged as the Fox Theatre. See the page about the Iris/Fox on the Los Angeles Theatres site.  

 

Looking east from Highland with the Hollywood Theatre on the right. Down the street it's the vertical sign for the Egyptian Theatre at 6712 Hollywood Blvd. and, a bit left of center, one of the radio towers atop the Warner Hollywood at 6433 Hollywood Blvd.   

See the pages about the Hollywood Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre and the Warner/Hollywood Pacific on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the buildings along with many photos both recent and vintage. 

 

A view west with Hollywood appearing to be on fire. On the right it's one of the Warner Theatre's roof towers and a look down to the vertical and the marquee. The Iris/Fox is part of all that brightness on the other side of the street.  

 

Just for variety, we then get a c.1940 clip shot on Main St. The cafe on the left at 527 S. Main was in the Green Hotel building, also housing the Star Theatre at 529. In the center it's a pawn shop at 525. The Gayety, at 523, is on the right. See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Gayety Theatre. It opened in 1905 as the Novelty. 

On IMDb: "Farewell, My Lovely"

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"Violated!"

The Cinematheque 16 appears in the lower right of this shot from the 1973 exploitation film "Violated!" The theatre, at 8816 1/2 Sunset Blvd., was a 16mm venue that opened in the early 60s. Initially it ran "nudie cuties" but then shifted to classics, underground and experimental films. Later it segued back into porn.  

The film was directed by Albert Zugsmith and features Rene Bond. Thanks to Shawn D. Langrick for this screenshot. He shared it as a comment on a post about the theatre on Alison Martino's Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page. Shawn notes: 

"'Violated!' is available as part of Vinegar Syndrome's 'Lost Picture Show' set from last year. You might also appreciate the 'Last of the American Hobo,' which is also included in that set, there's a number of LA locations circa 1968-70, such as the Travel Town Museum at Griffith Park, the trolley at Knott's Berry Farm, and skid-row downtown. I am biased though, I did the commentary for 'Hobo.'"

See the page about the Cinematheque 16 on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It was later called the Sun Art and the Orpheum. 

On IMDb: "Violated!" 

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"Elle"

Prep for a shoot at the Dome. Thanks to Corky Baines for sharing this shot and the one below in a May 2, 2025 Facebook post.  He notes that a grip friend sent them along. 

 

Ben Steinberg researched it and determined that the shoot was for the TV series "Elle" (MGM Amazon, 2026). The series is a prequel to "Legally Blonde," following Elle Woods through earlier adventures in her life. Reese Witherspoon's company Hello Sunshine is one of the producers. Lexi Mintree stars. Directors vary, depending on the episode.

 

Fixing up the display cases. The time is 1995. The poster on the left is for "Hackers." Todd Zaganiacz comments: "The other two are 'Get Shorty' and 'Fluke.' All MGM movies."

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Ben Steinberg for spotting this May 2 shot. He's the curator of the Save the Cinerama Dome Facebook page. Note the signage up for David Fincher's 1995 film "Seven." It didn't play the Dome. 

 

 

 

The next morning. Photo: Ben Steinberg

 

 

 

 

Boarded up again. Thanks to Ben Steinberg for sharing his May 3, 2025 photo. 

 

 

A shot from "Elle." In the phone conversation she's saying that she just saw "Seven" and is afraid to drive home. Thanks to Ben Steinberg for sharing a clip of the scene on his Save The Cinerama Dome Facebook page.  

See the pages about the Cinerama Dome on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It's been closed since the Covid shutdown of March 2020. 

On IMDb: "Elle"

"The True Story of Lynn Stewart"

We see the Vista Theatre in "The True Story of Lynn Stewart" (Columbia, 1958). Betsy Palmer is at Stan's Drive-In, across from the theatre. She'll be working as an undercover police operative to gather data on local narcotics deals. The action at Stan's starts about 20 minutes in.

The film, set largely in Orange County, also features Jack Lord, Barry Atwater, Barbara Aler, Linda Cherney, Lionel Ames and Claudia Bryar. Pat Brown, Attorney General at the time, does a prologue. Lewis Seiler directed. The cinematography was by Burnett Guffey. 

 

 

At Stan's again with the Vista in the background for a scene that's 49 minutes into the film. 

See the page about the Vista Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the venue, now nicely restored and going strong as a first-run house. It's located at 7773 Sunset Drive, on the north side of the street, just east of Hillhurst. Stan's was just west of Hillhurst on the south side of the street, at 4480 Sunset Blvd.

Thanks Ray Ottulich for noting the film's scenes at Stan's in a post for the World of Noir Facebook group. See a Noirsville blog post about the film. Elizabeth Pearce notes that the full film can be seen on YouTube. 

On IMDb: "The True Story of Lynn Stewart"

Stan's and the Vista also made an appearance in the 1955 film "The Crooked Web."

"Cinerama Adventure"

The history of the Cinerama process gets a lively exploration in David Strohmaier's "Cinerama Adventure" (C.A. Productions, 2002). The film features clips from various productions as well as vintage footage of Lowell Thomas, Merian C. Cooper, Fred Waller, Michael Todd and others. There's rare behind the scenes production footage as well as views of many theatres. 

We also get more recent interviews with film historians, executives involved with the company, and descendants of many of the participants. Included are Rudy Behlmer, Leonard Maltin, Kevin Brownlow, A.C. Lyles, Michael Todd Jr., Greg Kimble, David Raksin, Arthur Manson, Saul Cooper and many more.

Here the film uses an L.A. Times photo to show "This is Cinerama" at the Warner, 6433 Hollywood Blvd. It opened with an invitational preview on April 29, 1953 and went on to have a 133 week run. 

 

  48th week at the Warner Hollywood in 1954. 

 

The premiere of "How The West Was Won" on February 20, 1963. It ran 93 weeks and was the last of the films in the three-strip process.

 

Another premiere view from footage included in "Cinerama Adventure."

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

 

A shot from a film clip of the hoist used to deal with the big reels.  

 

Playing with a louvered Cinerama screen. 

 

A screen detail. 

 

Checking out the lenses in a booth somewhere for first film in the 70mm version of Cinerama, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World." That's Stanley Kramer, the film's director, on the right. 

 

Cinerama Dome construction underway with a model of the theatre and the never-built office building/hotel in the foreground. 

 

A pan up from the previous shot revealing the construction progress. The theatre opened November 7, 1963 with "Mad World."  Visit the Cinerama Dome pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and way too many photos.

On IMDb: "Cinerama Adventure"   

The film is on disc 3 of the various three-disc editions of "How the West Was Won" that was issued in 2008.

"Stardust"

David Essex and Ines Des Longchamps drive by the Tiffany Theatre, 8535 Sunset Blvd., in Michael Apted's "Stardust" (Anglo-EMI, 1974; Columbia, 1975). Thanks to a page about the shooting locations on the site ReelStreets for the screenshot.

It's the story of a rock singer that also features Adam Faith, Keith Moon, Rosalind Ayers and Larry Hagman. The cinematography was by Anthony B. Richmond. 

Check out the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Tiffany Theatre for more information about the venue. It opened in 1966. 

On IMDb: "Stardust" 

"Black Limousine"

At the beginning of "Black Limousine" (Cineville, 2010) David Arquette is watching a movie at the Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Dr. The film, directed by Carl Colpaert, also stars Bijou Phillips, Vivica A. Fox, Nic Bishop, Carla Ortiz, Lin Shaye, Patrick Fabian and Tom Bower. The cinematography was by Seo Mutarevic. 

 

We soon learn that David's character, a man with financial and alcohol problems, had been the composer for the film. His film, and also the original title of the movie we're watching, is "The Land of the Astronauts."

 

Exiting the theatre. He runs his hand over the credits on the poster before he leaves.  

 

The title on the Vista's marquee.

See the page about the Vista Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building. It opened in 1923 as Bard's Hollywood.   

On IMDb: "Black Limousine"

"Splice Here: A Projected Odyssey"

Australian director Rob Murphy tracks the decline of projection on film and interviews projectionists, archivists and historians who are helping keep the tradition alive in "Splice Here: A Projected Odyssey" (Picture Start, 2022).

Local interviewees of note include Quentin Tarantino, Leonard Maltin, Douglas Trumbull, Cinerama restorer Dave Strohmaier, former Cinematheque programmer Dennis Bartok and projectionists Paul Rayton, Mike Schleiger and Ben Tucker. The cinematography was by Joanne Donahoe-Beckwith. 

Among many other stops, the film visits Grauman's Chinese and the Warner Hollywood. We see a bit of the entrance and booth at the Egyptian and Rob explores the equipment by flashlight at the Cinerama Dome.

On IMDb: "Splice Here: A Projected Odyssey" 

 

Director Rob Murphy with a toppled Century projector and LP Associates lamphouse.

"The Forbidden"

We get this view of the Cinematheque 16 at 8816 1/2 Sunset Blvd. in "The Forbidden" (Olympic International, 1966). It's at the beginning of a tour of the Strip with shots highlighting various nightspots.

This "Mondo Cane" style mock-documentary takes us to nightclubs and other venues around the world -- wherever there's a chance to show sin and bare breasts. Performers in various sequences include Baby Bubbles, Bob Cresse and Pat Hall. The film was written and directed by Benjamin Andrews and Lee Frost. 

 

We get lots more footage of Sunset Blvd. revolving around a 1966 riot by teenagers protesting police enforcement of a curfew. Here we get a view of the Tiffany Theatre, 8534 Sunset Blvd. On the marquee is the theatre's opening film "Young Aphrodites" and an added second feature, Bergman's "Smiles of a Summer Night." 

See the pages about the Cinematheque 16 and Tiffany Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site.

 

Later we get footage introduced by the narrator with the line "We are now in the skid row area of a large Eastern city of the United States." A bit off as we're actually on Main St. in Los Angeles looking south toward 6th. On the right it's the Optic Theatre, 533 S. Main. On the left it's the Burbank Theatre, a burlesque venue at 548 S. Main. 

 

Continuing the drive south we can read the Burbank marquee: "On Stage - In Person - Chili Pepper - Sweet and Spice."  

 

 

 

As we get closer to 6th the Art Theatre comes into view on the right at 551 S. Main St. Across 6th on the right is the Central Building, now gone. On the left it's the Santa Fe building this side of 6th and the Pacific Electric Building across the street. Both have survived.  

 

And then we cut to this look at the facade of the Follies, 337 S. Main St. Despite the burlesque show we see advertised, the narrator describes it as a "converted theatre" that's now a school teaching respectable ladies how to be more seductive using the techniques of strippers. Of course we get pro and amateur demonstrations of twirling tassels.

See the pages about the Optic Theatre, Burbank Theatre, Art Theatre and Follies Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. None of these Main St. theatre buildings have survived. 

On IMDb: "The Forbidden"

The film is available on a DVD from Something Weird Video that also includes "ECCO," a similar film. 

"The Big Picture"

In Christopher Guest's directorial debut "The Big Picture" (Columbia, 1989) Kevin Bacon goes to see the unlikely double bill of "Tess" and the Jerry Lewis film "Hardly Working" at  the Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Dr. The film also features Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael McKean, Emily Longstreth, J.T. Walsh, Teri Hatcher, Martin Short, Eddie Albert and June Lockhart. The cinematography was by Jeffrey Jur. 

 

 

 

A rather strange looking crowd exiting the theatre. Kevin plays an aspiring filmmaker who's having a hard time getting a deal for the film he envisions. All the execs he talks to love it... but... could he change this to... 

 

It turns out that Jennifer Jason Leigh, aspiring artist and friend of Kevin, was also at the screening. 

 

They walk east and talk about career problems. 

 

See the page about the Vista Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building. It opened in 1923 as Bard's Hollywood.  

 

 

Ignored for his big picture, later in the film Kevin takes a gig shooting a music video for a band that Jennifer is involved with. In the background we see a lot of the Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Blvd. 

 

 

The band's violist.  

 

Costumes by Jennifer's character. Yes, his head and body are supposed to look like a Pez dispenser. 

 

 

More "top of the dome" action with the band that Kevin's character has named the Pez People. Of course there's even an overhead Busby Berkeley-style shot looking down on a circular array of Pez humans.

 

 

One of the execs sees the video on TV and realizes that Kevin has something. Now they're worried that all the studios will be after him. Yes, he does get to make the film he wanted.  

 

Visit the Cinerama Dome pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the building and way too many photos.

On IMDb: "The Big Picture" 

"Wavelength"

The Tiffany Theatre makes an appearance in "Wavelength" (New World Pictures, 1983). This science fiction adventure stars Robert Carradine, Cherie Currie and Keenan Wynn. Mike Gray directed. The cinematography was by Paul Goldsmith.

Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre in the film and getting the screenshot. He comments: 

"In this sequence the heroes are transporting escaped aliens along Sunset Blvd. This movie has yet to receive a proper video upgrade, hence the poor quality."

This theatre, at 8534 Sunset Blvd., was a prime first run venue when it opened in 1966 and later became a revival house. Following its film days it had a spell as a twin Equity Waiver legit venue before going dark. It's been demolished. Check out the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Tiffany Theatre for more information.

 

On IMDb: "Wavelength"

"The China Syndrome"

The Cinerama Dome, 6360 Sunset Blvd, is seen in this shot that appears during the opening credits of "The China Syndrome" (Columbia Pictures, 1979). We're looking south along Vine St. Thanks to Jonathan Raines for spotting the theatre in the film and Eric Schaefer for the screenshot. 

Nope, we don't see it again. The back of the Pantages can also be seen to the left of the Capitol Records building. And, if you look closely, the Hollywood Playhouse/Avalon is across the street at 1735 Vine.

James Bridges directed the story about safety cover-ups at a nuclear power plant. Jack Lemmon, Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas star. The cinematography was by James Crabe.

See the pages about the Cinerama Dome, the Pantages and the Hollywood Playhouse on the Los Angeles Theatres site for many photos and a history of the theatres.

On IMDb: "The China Syndrome" 

"Hollywood High"

A fine view of the Cinerama Dome from "Hollywood High" (Peter Perry Pictures, 1976). Patrick Wright directed the film starring Suzanne Severeid, Sherry Hardin and Rae Sperling. The cinematography was by Jonathan Silveira.

Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre in the film and getting the screenshot. He says: "Long live the Dome!"

See the page about the Cinerama Dome on the Los Angeles Theatres site for many photos and a history of the theatre.

On IMDb: "Hollywood High"

"True Romance"

In Tony Scott's "True Romance" (Warner Bros., 1993) Christian Slater visits the Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Dr. It's supposedly a Detroit theatre where he meets Patricia Arquette during a triple bill of "Street Fighter," "Return of the Street Fighter" and "Sister Street Fighter." Note the Skouras-style boxoffice that they brought in for the filming. The screenplay was by Quentin Tarantino. He now owns the place.

Avid film watcher Christian.

 

But he looks around to see who's coming in: it's Patricia. 

 

She wanders down the row behind him. A moment later she spills her popcorn on him. 

 

 

Patricia and Christian watching the show together. Thanks to the Vista for this shot. They included it in a "True Romance" post on the Vista Facebook page. Quentin hosted two screenings of the film on November 11, 2023 as a special pre-reopening event. 

 

 

 

Fooling around in front after the show. 

 

A wider shot showing more of the Skouras-style boxoffice. 

 

 

Walking away from the theatre at the end of the scene.

Thanks to Joe Pinney for the alert regarding the theatre's appearance in the film. A Noirish Los Angeles post by Tovangar2 has views of two other locations the film used.

See the page about the Vista Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the building. It opened in 1923 as Bard's Hollywood.  

On IMDb: "True Romance"