VIDEO – Bill Field at the Old Town Music Hall
In 1958, Bill Coffman and Bill Field purchased the Mighty Wurlitzer Pipe Organ from the Fox West Coast Theater in Long Beach. In 1968, Old Town Music Hall settled into its present home in the original El Segundo State Theater. Every weekend, they still show classic films… and more often than not, Bill Fields himself plays the Wurlitzer for you. Be prepared to sing along! :)
It’s also a giant bargain. Movie tickets are $8, drinks are $1 and popcorn is $1-2. (Also available? FRESH MACAROONS!)
VIDEO – Hidden Layers of the Million $ Theatre
Scroll down to view a video by Filmmaker Haeyong Moon that goes behind the scenes. Parts 2-3 after the jump.
The Chinese and Egyptian Theaters in Hollywood brought the showman more lasting fame, but The Million Dollar Theatre on South Broadway was failed prospector Sid Grauman‘s first movie house. Located next to the historic Grand Central Market (built in 1917 and still thriving) and across from the iconic Bradbury Building (built in 1893 and now housing internal LAPD offices), this incredible structure was first opened to the public in February 1918.
The wonderful video below goes behind the scenes to share some of the hidden beauty that still exists and few get to see. If you’d like to learn more about the downtown theatre district firsthand, the LA Conservancy offers a walking tour every Saturday at 10am. Tickets are $10. 
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SCREENING – Santa With Muscles
I know, I know. Posts have been sparse this month, mainly due to lingering illness and preparations for an overseas holiday (more on that in a few days). I feel like I’ve dropped the ball on passing along so much of the holiday goodness that this town has to offer… gee, I hope this makes up for it! :)
WHAT: Horrible Movie Night screening of the 1996 Hulk Hogan holiday less-than-classic, Santa With Muscles! Whachya gonna do, when Santamania runs wild on YOU?
WHEN: This Thursday, December 17, 8pm (Doors open at 7:15)
WHERE: The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood
PRICE: $8. Includes screening, extra live entertainment, beer, wine, and snacks. RSVP to: horriblemovie@pacbell.net
“…a film so bad, the original screenwriter sued to have his name removed from the credits. This cheesy Christmas disaster features the Hulkster as a millionaire of questionable morals (a stretch –?) who, during a run from the law, is knocked out cold and wakes up thinking he is Santa Claus. He somehow hooks up with an orphanage bedeviled by evil scientists (the head baddie is played by Ed Begley Jr.), and proceeds to do good. You will notice Mila Kunis in one of her first film roles as an orphan. But no rotten movie is complete without the inimitable Clint Howard! This one has got it all.”
EVENT – Fast Times at Cafe Cordiale
WHAT: A very special Fast Times at Ridgemont High-themed night featuring totally rad special guests and performers.
WHEN: October 21, 2009, 8:45-11:55pm
WHERE: Cafe Cordiale , 14015 Ventura Blvd
PRICE: No cover, but reservations highly recommended (call 818 789-1985), as it may sell out. Dinner served till 10:30pm. And no, they don’t serve pizza. Sorry.
DETAILS: All ages. Free parking. Hosted by Donovan Lyman. Guest lineup includes, but is not limited to:
- 9pm - Taylor Negron (who played the pizza delivery guy in the film) with Logan Heftel
- 9:40pm – Poppa’s KitchenBob Romanus who played Damone in the film)
- 10:20 – Comedian Barry Sobel w/ Zachariah Selwyn
- Also on the bill is Jody Whitesides & Adora Vida performing music from the film.
And don’t forget… no shirt, no shoes, no dice.
EVENT – Summer Camp Night at Cinefamily
Need an escape? You’re never too old to run away to summer camp!
What: An all-night summer camp movie marathon! Click on the image at left for more details on the film line-up!
Where: Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theater, 611 N Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, 90036, 323-655-2510
When: This Saturday, August 29, starting at 8pm
Price: $12.00 admission, FREEEEEE breakfast to those who survive!
Details: Two kegs of Pabst Blue Ribbon, s’mores and DJs out on the back patio, and the aforementioned free breakfast. No word on whether or not people will be dared to eat live goldfish, but attendees should beware of falling asleep mid-film and waking up on the roof with their hand in a bowl of warm water.
EVENT – Soundtrack For A Revolution
What: A special advanced screening of the film “Soundtrack For A Revolution” including lecture and live music
Where: Otis College of Art
When: Friday, August 27, 2009 – Bands start at 5pm, Screening begins at 7pm
Price: For more info, contact (310) 846-2586 or IL@Otis.edu.
Details: Part of Otis’ “Movies that Matter” series, Oscar-winning filmmaker Dan Sturman will also be present for a Q&A session.
“Soundtrack for a Revolution tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music–the freedom songs protesters sang in their fight for justice and equality. The film features vibrant new performances by top artists, including John Legend, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond and Ambassador Andrew Young. Directed, produced and written by Bill Guttentag & Dan Sturman; Executive Producer Danny Glover. Official Selection 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and 2009 Cannes Film Festival.”
EVENT – Downtown LA Film Festival 8/12-22
*CHECK OUR DAILY EVENT LISTINGS FOR THIS & LOTS OF OTHER COOL STUFF!*
The Downtown Film Festival starts this week with a cool lineup to check out. Film highlights for the week include Spike Lee’s Passing Strange The Movie, LeVar Burton’s Reach For Me, The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzie, In the Drink, My Suicide, and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison.
On the 20th, the Festival will encourage you to get your Green on by presenting the 4th Annual SUSTAINABLE L.A. event. Oh, and as a special treat… because we all know you can’t get your fill of pre-freaky MJ, you can tag along with the cute and funky Jackson brothers during their first tour of Africa in 1974 via Jackson 5 in Africa on the closing night of the event. We never can say goodbye!
Personally, I’ll probably go just for the free double feature tribute to Paul Newman… cuz… sigh. I miss his blue eyes something fierce.
If you’d like to go to the festival but are low on funds, VOLUNTEER!!!
COVET THIS – 20th Century Props Auction
*To launch a captioned photo gallery of crazy stuff, click on the little image below labeled LOT #4030*
Sigh. After over 40 years in business, Harvey Schwartz, owner of Twentieth Century Props, will be closing shop and putting 113,000 square feet of tangible movie history up for auction from July 28 to August 1.
This closing is incredibly sad to see on many many levels, but you *know* you want to sit in Dr. Evil’s pod (aka LOT #504) while you’re watching television. So because I’m nice, I took a moment to go through the online catalog and pull out a few things you might not even realize you need, BUT DO. You’re welcome. Just click on the beer keg at left.
You can also inspect the merchandise in person at 11651 Hart Street in North Hollywood through Monday (9am-4pm) and after 8am on the mornings of the sale.
RESOURCE – Movie Locations Galore
After the jump are links to some of the best web resources identifying movie locations.
As I’ve mentioned before, my first inspiration to explore L.A. was an old film. Love it or hate it, the entertainment business is what Los Angeles is famous for worldwide. Residents here are surrounded by familiar, comfortable* images whenever we drive down the street, whether we recognize them or not. You may easily be surprised to find that you’ve been driving past iconic buildings on your way to the grocery store without even realizing it. Funny thing is… there are people who will travel across the world just to see these buildings that we pass by without a thought. Most movie locations are free to discover, so instead of sitting home & watching stuff on tv this weekend why not have an adventure and explore the sights in person?
“It’s only a matter of time before local film and TV buffs experience a sense of déjà vu around Los Angeles. That place looks familiar. Did you see it on the way home from work, or when you checked in with your favorite characters? Could be both. Most productions not filmed on studio lots are shot within the 30-mile zone from Beverly and La Cienega boulevards, with some locations more popular than others. (more…)
EVENTS – The Close Up 7/13-19
Note: this listing will be updated during the week as we see fit, and we try to include FREEEEE events whenever possible. :)
7/14-19 – Shakespeare at Our Lady of the Angels
Every Thursday – Outdoor Movies at the Grove
7/16 – Poncho Sanchez in Baldwin Park; Dreaming of India: A Cultural Block Party at CAFAM
7/17 – Horse racing and 80s music with The Romantics
TUESDAY, JULY 14 THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 19
What: Shakespeare Festival/LA’s 24th Annual Summer Festival presents AQUILA Theatre in “AS YOU LIKE IT”
When: July 14-19, 2009, 8pm – Box office opens at 7pm
Where: The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels Plaza, 555 West Temple Street , Downtown
Price: General admission tickets are FREEEEE! Patrons are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank of Southern California
Details: Shakespeare Festival/LA will hold its 24th annual Summer Festival with a presentation of AQUILA THEATRE in As You Like It, the U.S. debut of the world-class touring production. The performance on July 16 will feature ASL translators for the hearing impaired. On July 17, actors will translate the performance into Spanish, the transmission of which patrons will be able to hear through headphones that will be made available. (more…)
