Tiffany Theater

Too many memories to put down, so I’ll aim for the cherce ones… I was a projectionist at the Tiffany (and Vagabond) during the Golden Age (late 70s) when the beautiful Meryl Senatt was at the helm. She held us all together when Elvira Gulch blew in like some drunk Tasmanian Devil to wreak havoc on all of us. I was mercifully distanced from much of that by being in the projectionist booth, and when we all went out to Penny’s at 4am after the RHPS screenings, we’d share backrubs, and omelettes, and watch the sun come up. And for awhile, there would be readings of the latest adventures of Elvira Gulch penned by me in the booth, which would have us in stitches.

One nice thing I’ll say about TC was that he truly appreciated the experience of classic films and sought not just to show them, but to “present” them as an event. He took pleasure in giving films context, inviting film musical legends like Hermes Pan or Kathryn Grayson to the theatre for a screening of their movies. I was lucky to be a projectionist right at the end of an era, and over the years I met older professional projectionists who learned their craft from their dads. They had the knowledge and care for preservation, as well as the sensibility for the art of presentation that doesn’t exist now in the era of multiplexes and automated screenings. There’s nobody in the booth now, and if there is, they don’t give a rat’s ass about presentation. Oh well, there’s Disney doing it’s dog and pony show at the El Capitan, and while that evokes a time when movies were an event, it’s a museum piece.

Let me tell you what I’m talking about with presentation. At the Tiffany, I’m showing “Dr. Zhivago”. The film comes with an intermission, and at the beginning of part two, there’s a musical interlude before the visuals start. I discovered after one screening that I had the opportunity to do the following: after the music concludes, there is darkness and a quiet except for a faint rumble. I lowered the house lights and timed the opening of the curtains to reveal a small white dot on the center of the screen that got bigger and bigger, with the curtains just ahead of it. The sound of the rumble got louder, and the white space was getting larger, and just as the curtains are fully open, we’re blasting out of a dark tunnel in the Ural mountains and the track rumble crescendos as the whistle screams, and we’re into the second part of the film. That’s what I’m talking about.

I’ve got some wonderful Rocky Horror memories that I’ll share in another post, as this one got too long with that unexpected tangent. But thanks Meryl for letting me know about this site! As an actor, I think it’s so cool that the Actor’s Studio had use of the space.

Sean Hannon
actor • animator • activist • ass • (and former projectionist of the Tiffany Theater!)

There’s a scene in the first half hour or so of John Boorman’s ‘Point Blank’ (1967) starring Lee Marvin with the Tiffany in the background. In one of the scenes when Marvin returns to LA to find his wife Keenan Wynn is standing against a car with the Tiffany clearly in the background. Pretty cool. I didn’t know this theater existed until I saw the movie and then came here to CT and confirmed it. Wouldna been able to do that in the years before the internet!!

Here is a July 1970 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2633zh

The Tiffany is closed, yet it is still standing and still named Tiffany.

“Vice Squad” was also filmed in front of the Tiffany.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0cQGfTCYM

How about this double bill in Feb. 1980 – George Romero’s “Martin” and the uncut version of Tod Browning’s “Freaks”. The Zep film “Song Remains the Same” followed the week after.

!

THANK YOU for the clip— brought back lots of memories.
I was manager at the Tiffany 1978 – 1980.
Now my two teenagers go to see it at the Nuart, L.A.
It was my first job after moving here from NY.
Also, my first friends in Los Angeles. And they still are:
hi David, Meredith, Terri, Michael!
and Jim and Queen George, in Heaven.

really? what year?

Meryl, North Carolina is beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many trees in my entire life. Two days ago it snowed, and Elizabeth and Naomi went outside to play in it. When they came back in, they both called for me to come to the kitchen. I got pelted with snowballs.

Boy, this is becoming a reunion! Meredith, how are you? I’ve still got a picture of you changing the marquee at the Vagabond.

Hiya, Meryl!

Remember the “Christmas Quarrels” George, Michael and I sang before Rocky Horror? Those were the days…

Whatever happened to Elvira?

• David

Meredith, How great to hear from you—it’s been LITTLE WHILE!
Isn’t this site fun?
My email address is on my profile, let’s be pen-pals!
I’m still friends with David!
I’m been in California the whole time since the Tif,
but I’m a New Yorker, and I’d love to hear what & who & where!
Love,
Meryl

Meryl! OMG, I worked with you at the Tiff (and with Mary at the Vag) – I just joined this site tonight and was about to write about this theater when I just saw your postings! I’m Meredith, (friend of Danny’s still too) and in NYC! Remember me (and David)?