Comments from DonSolosan

Showing 176 - 200 of 576 comments

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Montalban Theatre on Jul 28, 2010 at 11:03 am

“What’s up with the big fence on the rooftop? Is there a tennis court up there?”

Soccer pitch.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Stanley Theater gets a facelift on Jul 26, 2010 at 11:31 pm

Thanks for the link; Vitrolite is fascinating stuff, and it’s nice to see so many restoration projects going on.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Variety Arts Center on Jul 25, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Toured this building today; there are two theaters in there. The film theater is on the ground floor, the live theater is upstairs. Don’t know if the live theater is original, or an add-on. The ballroom has been converted into a lounge-type space.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Orpheum Theatre on Jul 18, 2010 at 5:23 pm

I just finished a video profiling Steve Markham and his collection of vintage theater curtains, which are stored in the Orpheum’s dressing rooms on the fifth floor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlZFmKbpBCs

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Strand Theater on Jul 18, 2010 at 12:18 am

I’ve put together a video from my days at the studio; it’s available on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TATJ_1P2Hdk

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Aero Theatre on Jul 15, 2010 at 11:58 am

If you’re talking about “An Animated Life,” that’s several years old, but was just released in paperback.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about First Hollywood movie filmed on Whitley Estate on October 26, 1911 on Jul 7, 2010 at 12:08 pm

The Squaw Man was shot in 1913, not 1914.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about AMC acquires Mann Criterion 6 on Jun 30, 2010 at 2:30 pm

There are tons of indie and foreign films that don’t get played anywhere in L.A. If you look at a sampling of AMC plexes, they generally don’t include either in their programming. So this proposed plex is unlikely to help in that regard.

If the city wanted to control the number of seats in downtown and increase the variety of films offered, they should have kept the NuWilshire open.

If the city wanted a “premiere” showcase, they should have paid attention to the fact that Hollywood favors single screen movie palaces for those events — but oops! — they destroyed all their palaces.

There’s a huge disconnect between what people officially say they want for the city, and what they’re going to get.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about AMC acquires Mann Criterion 6 on Jun 30, 2010 at 1:30 am

Does anyone actually believe that SM wasn’t getting “the best” movies being released? Or that closing the Broadway will somehow help the selection of movies available to the public?

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jun 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm

hdtv267, it depends on what they’re showing, but earlier shows are a safer bet if you want to shoot the Chinese mostly empty. I’d recommend going in as soon as they open the house and doing it before the show. Afterward they’re cleaning up and there’s more pressure to get you out. Evening shows are likely to be busier.

I’ve never taken the tour, but I’ve seen them going through prior to a show and they don’t seem to really give people time to take anything but quick snaps.

Something you should think about before you go in: it’s pretty dark. Do you have a camera that can take good quality photos at high ISO? (Or a really good flash?) If not, you might want to take a tripod. I tend to shoot long exposures (2-3 seconds) in there.

The manager used to stop me taking photographs, but the good news about Mann closing up shop is that they don’t seem to care anymore. The last couple of times I was in there I shot freely and no one bothered me.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Loma Theatre on Jun 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm

Check the map — the theater is between Rosecrans Street and Rosecrans Place. There is no Blvd.

But you’re right that Bookstar is using Place in their address, but Street is more correct for the theater.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Loma Theatre on Jun 21, 2010 at 6:35 pm

The correct street address is Rosecrans Place, not Blvd.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Azusa Foothill Drive-In on Jun 18, 2010 at 11:39 pm

Also, the address should be EAST Foothill Blvd, if you want the mapping to work correctly.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Azusa Foothill Drive-In on Jun 18, 2010 at 11:32 pm

Stopped by today. The parking lot behind the marquee still has the rises/hills (what do you call those things?) that made it easier for people in the back seat to see the screen.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Michigan Theater on Jun 17, 2010 at 2:05 am

Mike, I’m looking at a one-sheet for Daisy Miller and it has a G rating on it. IMDB also has it as G.

View link

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Starlite Drive-In on Jun 15, 2010 at 7:47 pm

According to a comment posted to one of the photos that Monika linked on 3/17/08, the snack bar still exists and is “vintage.” I stopped by today, but it wasn’t open and the gate was closed. The marquee is worth the visit however. I hate to see any theater marked as “closed/demolished” as long as there are still some features to see.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on Jun 15, 2010 at 1:29 am

Looks a little empty without all the costumed people…

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Landmark Pasadena 7 on May 31, 2010 at 9:47 pm

I stopped by today and there is a bright blue gnome standing on the corner of the roof over the marquee.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Fox Performing Arts Center on May 25, 2010 at 10:12 pm

I was just looking at my photo of a cultural heritage landmark plaque on the side of this building. It refers to the architects as “Batch and Stanberry” — they misspelled both of their names!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Bijou Theatre on May 22, 2010 at 5:03 pm

Just went by today and there’s a banner up that says “Space Available.” Ken, next time you go by, take a look at what would have been the entrance/lobby. It looks like they restored the original ceiling.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about TCL Chinese Theatre on May 20, 2010 at 12:11 pm

They’re on the sidewalk, and they’re not allowed to ask for cash. They can accept donations from people taking photographs, etc. I’ve never seen them “aggressive,” but there are quite a few of them.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Fox Venice Theatre on May 17, 2010 at 11:40 am

You say art house, they say revival… let’s call the whole thing off!

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about Cameo Theatre on May 16, 2010 at 6:20 pm

And another bad link, Re: the info. That’s why I hate linking to other websites, particularly the library!

The image is still viewable, and the info has been added to the image at the top of the page.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about L.A. visit advice on May 10, 2010 at 12:41 pm

As well as the Silent Movie on Fairfax, LA also has the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. They do a combination of live music shows and silent and sound films. It’s a small neighborhood theater, but it does have a Wurlitzer to provide accompaniment for silent movies. Films are usually preceded by comedy shorts, newsreels, and a sing-along.

DonSolosan
DonSolosan commented about L.A. visit advice on May 9, 2010 at 11:48 am

Monica, the Conservancy runs the weekly walking tours downtown. LA Historic Theatre Foundation used to offer tours on Art Walk days but I think the change in management stopped that, and usually has an in-depth tour of a theater on the third Saturday of each month.

www.lahtf.org
www.youtube.com/lahtf