"The Family Jewels"

The Jerry Lewis film "The Family Jewels" (Paramount, 1965) starts with an armored car getting loaded up in Van Nuys. When it drives north on Van Nuys Blvd. we get a quick look at the Fox at 6417 Van Nuys Blvd. 

In addition to Jerry in multiple roles, the film features Donna Butterworth, Sebastian Cabot, Neil Hamilton, Jay Adler and Robert Strauss. The cinematography was by W. Wallace Kelley. Thanks to David Aswad for noting the appearance of the theatre in the film. In a post on Cinema Treasures he commented: "I remember what a kick it was watching it at the Fox and seeing the theatre I was in on the screen."

See the page about the Fox Van Nuys on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more about the venue. It opened in 1924 as a conversion from what had been a furniture store. The building has been demolished.

On IMDb: "The Family Jewels"

"The Bank Shot"

The Sepulveda Drive-In Theatre in Van Nuys gets a cameo in "The Bank Shot" (United Artists, 1974). Gower Champion directed this caper film based on a novel by Donald Westlake. It stars George C. Scott, Joanna Cassidy, Clifton James and Bob Balaban. The cinematography was by Harry Stradling, Jr.

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

 

The gang had put wheels under a manufactured home-style temporary bank and hauled it away. But it's green and easily recognized. Here they're bringing it into the drive-in for a project: painting it pink.  

 

 

A look back toward the snackbar/booth. 

 

 

A view toward the screen. 

See the page about the Sepulveda Drive-In on the Los Angeles Theatres site for information about the venue and more photos. 

On IMDb: "The Bank Shot"

"New Year's Evil"

We get this fine view of the Van Nuys Drive-In marquee and screen tower in Emmett Alston's "New Year's Evil" (Cannon Group, 1980). The film stars Roz Kelly, Kip Niven and Chris Wallace. The cinematography was by Thomas E. Ackerman.

Thanks to Eric Schaefer for spotting the theatre in the film and getting the screenshot. See the page about the Van Nuys Drive-In on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the venue.

On IMDb: "New Year's Evil"

"Nancy Drew...Detective"

The Rivoli Theatre at 6258 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys is seen in the background as Bonita Granville and John Litel speed by during a car chase about 15 minutes into "Nancy Drew... Detective" (Warner Bros., 1938).  The film was a November release. At the Rivoli it's "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," a March 1938 release from Fox with Shirley Temple and Randolph Scott.

Another view a few frames later. It looks like the admission price is 15 cents. The Rivoli had opened in 1921 and was later renamed. See the page about the Capri Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for more information about the now-vanished filmhouse.

On IMDb: "Nancy Drew... Detective"