"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

"Model Shop"

Anouk Aimée drives past the Coronet Theatre in Jacques Demy's "Model Shop" (Columbia Pictures, 1969). She's being followed by Gary Lockwood as she goes north on La Cienega. 

 

Anouk Aimée died in Paris in 2024 at age 92. The film also features Alexandra Hay, Carol Cole, Tom Holland, Severn Darden and Neil Elliot. The cinematography was by Michel Hugo. 

 

A block north of the theatre, located at 366 N. La Cienega Blvd. See the page about the Coronet Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site. It opened in 1947 and was designated a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2023.

Thanks to Alison Martino for sharing a 3 minute clip of this scene on her Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page. She comments:

"This movie shows Los Angeles in such an intriguing way. Gary Lockwood follows Anouk in his classic MG up La Cienega in 1969 L.A. He plays an unemployed, broke architect who becomes obsessed with an enigmatic French woman named Lola, who works as a model where customers take erotic photos.

"This flick has had a lot of influence on pop culture. It can be seen in an episode of 'Mad Men' (season 7, episode 3) and surely inspired Tarantino for 'Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.' Especially the driving scenes. 

"Anouk Aimee was a captivating screen presence who could hold your attention just by being still. Whether her work with Fellini or this underrated film, Aimee’s dignified poise will be missed. And for you L.A. historians, I’m sure you’ll notice they’re driving north up La Cienega passing a working oil well (where Kiddieland was), Tail ‘o the Pup, and The Islander before approaching Sunset Strip."

 

We get a view of the Tiffany Theatre in the center of the frame as Anouk and Gary turn onto the Strip. Dino's is this side of the theatre. Note the Playboy logo on the 9000 Building.    

Check out the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Tiffany Theatre for more information about this film house at 8535 Sunset Blvd. It opened in 1966.  

 

On one of several drives around Hollywood we get this shot looking north on Wilcox with a view of one of the towers atop the Warner/Hollywood Pacific, 6433 Hollywood Blvd. 

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

 

Gary is driving around town looking for money so the finance company doesn't repossess his car. Here he's on Melrose stopping in to see a friend who works at an alternative weekly. In the next block it's the Melrose Theatre, at this point still with its roof sign. 

 

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, 4315 Melrose Ave. 

On IMDb: "Model Shop"

"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" 

"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. 

"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"

"Valley Girl"

We get a shot of the Sherman Oaks Galleria in the opening credits of Martha Coolidge's "Valley Girl" (Atlantic Releasing, 1983). We do get some scenes inside a mall but they were shot at the Del Amo in Torrance. The film doesn't take us to the movies here either, but there are two visits to the nearby Sherman Theatre. And, of course we go cruising over the hill in Hollywood.

The film, starring Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman, is a story of the punk from the city meeting the girl from the other side of the hills. Also featured are Cameron Dye, Heidi Holicker, Elizabeth Daily, Michael Bowen, Michelle Meyrink, Colleen Camp and Frederic Forrest. The cinematography was by Frederick Elmes.

Half an hour into the film Deborah, Nic, Cameron and Heidi go over the hill to cruise Hollywood. 

 

 

 

"Heidi's Song" was playing at the Chinese, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. It had a big run of five days beginning November 19, 1982. 

 

"An Officer and a Gentleman" was playing at the Mann Chinese Twin. 

 

Disney's "Tex" was on the other side of the Twin. 

Visit the Grauman's Chinese pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site for hundreds of views of the theatre inside and out. There's also a separate page for the Mann Chinese Twin. 

 

 

"The Empire Strikes Back" was playing at the Paramount Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd.

 

The theatre was called the Paramount on and off between 1942 and 1989. It's now back to its original name. See the pages about the El Capitan on the Los Angeles Theatres site for the history of this Hollywood legit and film house along with hundreds of photos.

 

 

 "Eight to Four" and "Please, Mr. Postman" playing at the Pussycat Theatre, 6656 Hollywood Blvd. 

 

 

Panning up to the Pussycat oval at the top of the facade. See the page on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Pussycat/Ritz Theatre.

 

 

The Hollywood Blvd. footage is intercut with some shots on Sunset. Here we're driving east by the Tiffany Theatre, 8535 Sunset Blvd. They were running the 1925 version of "The Wizard of Oz" with Dorothy Dwan, Charles Murray and Oliver Hardy along with Sabu in "The Jungle Book," a film from 1942.

 

 

A look at the entrance. In the display case: "Rediscovering The American Cinema." Playing midnights on Fridays and Saturdays: "Rocky Horror  Picture Show" 

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

 

 

On the left we get some of the Vogue in this view east across the Las Palmas intersection. No, they don't drive that next block to see what's playing at either the Vogue or the Egyptian.   

See the pages on the Los Angeles Theatres site about the Vogue Theatre, a 1935 design by S. Charles Lee. It's been through many remodels and different uses including a nightclub, a movie memorabilia auction display room and a museum. In 2023 it got repurposed again as a church.

An hour and nineteen minutes into the film Nic and Deborah go to the movies at the Sherman Theatre, 15052 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks.

 

What's playing? Well, of course.

Back at the Sherman again later in the film as Deborah heads to a movie with her friends. She's caved into pressure from the friends, dumped Nic, and gone back to her Valley boyfriend. But Nic been trying all sorts of tricks to woo her back, popping up in her life at unexpected moments. 

 

 

Deborah getting her ticket torn by the strange guy at the door wearing 3-D glasses. 

 

Yes, it's Nic again.

 

See the page about the Sherman Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the house. The theatre opened in 1949 and has been demolished.

 

 

After a melee at the prom the end credits roll with Nic and Deborah in a limo on the 405. We get a look across at the signage for the Sherman Oaks Galleria.  

 

See the page about the Galleria's Pacific 4 Theatres on the Los Angeles Theatres site. There's also information on the replacement 16 screen complex that opened in the mall in 2001. It was later rebranded as an ArcLight and in 2021 became the Regal Sherman Oaks Galleria.  

On IMDb: "Valley Girl"

Check out the page about "Valley Girl" on Chas Demster's site Filming Locations of Chicago and Los Angeles for information about many other locations seen in the film. The San Fernando Blog article "Filming Locations: Valley Girl" does a fine job covering the film's Valley locations. Also see a Fast-Rewind article "Valley Girl Behind the Scenes."

"Point Blank"

We get a look at the Tiffany Theatre through the car windows a bit over ten minutes into John Boorman's "Point Blank" (MGM, 1967) when Walker  (Lee Marvin) checks out the apartment above Sunset Blvd. where his ex-wife Lynne (Sharon Acker) is living.

Another partial view of the Tiffany when Walker gets out of the car. He's looking for both the wife who betrayed him as well as the best buddy Mal Reese (John Vernon) who shot and left him for dead while on a caper at Alcatraz. He finds the wife but as he sleeps on the couch that night she overdoses on sleeping pills.

A view Walker gets out the window of the apartment the next morning. Keenan Wynn is looking up and gives him a signal indicating that he's taken care of things. Wynn had introduced himself earlier on a San Francisco Bay tourist boat ride around Alcatraz, noting that he'd help Walker find Reese because he wants to get the "Organization" that was behind him. Oh, yes, Angie Dickinson figures into this later as well. Lots of fun. 

 As Wynn walks away from the car we get a better look at the marquee and what that big "17" is all about. The Tiffany was running "Eric Soya's 17," the 1965 Danish film originally titled "Sytten." The copy on the east readerboard: "For people over 18. Eric Soya's 17 sparkles.. Like a breath of spring. Park in Rear. Smoking"

The 1966 vintage theatre, at 8534 Sunset Blvd., was opened by Robert Lippert. The site has been redeveloped. Check out the page about the Tiffany Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more information.

On IMDb: "Point Blank"

"The Hard Road"

We get look at the Tiffany Theatre, 8534 Sunset Blvd., in "The Hard Road" (Four Star Excelsior, 1970). It's a cautionary teen-themed drama set mostly in Sherman Oaks. We're warned about the evils of drugs and sex, helped along by animation explaining sex and pictures of diseased body parts. It was directed, photographed and edited by Gary Graver, who later worked with Orson Welles.

The theatre is seen here when the satirical revue "The Committee" was playing. It was a prime first run venue when it opened in 1966, later had a few live bookings and and then 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.

 

Another shot a moment later with both the theatre and its reflection.  The young lady is wandering around town after taking some drugs. 

 

 

Later we get this murky view of the Sunset Theatre, 1508 N. Western Ave. They were running "Overexposed," a 1968 independent film by Willian Rotsler. 

See the Los Angeles Theatres page about the Sunset Theatre for more information. The 1929 vintage theatre has been demolished.

On IMDb: "The Hard Road" 

Bruce Kimmel notes that the full film can be seen on Internet Archive.