07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
A few years ago, when I was working at the nearby Transamerica Center, it was necessary to go past this “adult” movie house. Through the years, the exterior has remained well-kept. I heard that Sarah Bernhard performed there MANY years ago, when it was a legitimate theater.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
Like most of the beautiful movie theater buildings in downtowl L.A., Vista attracted its share of transients, homeless and alcoholics. I finally had to stop going there, because, even for me, things were getting to be a bit too much.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
This was another theater that was within walking distance of my apartment. I was struck by the fantastically painted ceiling! Seats in the balcony were quite comfortable, but the smell of dead rats was a bit disturbing. Nevertheless, I enjoyed going there until it converted to a Spanish-language-only theater. Oh, well. The neighborhood was changing. Everything changes!
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
Rumor has it that Jayne Mansfield worked in the concession stand before she became big! It is a HUGE theater, and I have generally enjoyed going there, its being not far from my apartment. But one day, for the first five minutes or so, the sound had dropped out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I complained to the concession employee, who said she would talk with the ticket taker who would talk to the projectionist. But, before anything could be done, the sound miraculously came back on. So I enjoyed the rest of this then-innovative movie.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
This was a place where I could see many otherwise unavailable movies! EVERY year was a pairing of Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz, both of which are always at the top of “best” lists. Stars of the movies would often make an appearance. George Cukor, a stellar director, was scheduled to appear at the premiere of his restored 1954 A Star is Born. Unfortunately, he passed away the night before. I had wanted to see him, not to talk with him, respecting his privacy.
There were many 3-D movies, including two that stand out in my mind – Kiss Me, Kate and Miss Sadie Thompson. This and the Vista were the only places that I knew that showed movies in 3-D. Kiss Me, Kate, when originally released was shown in the “flat screen” version, but here you could see it in magnificant 3-D. And the prints for any movie shown were made fresh from the negatives, whenever possible.
I knew the area was not wonderful, and I would often walk the short distance from my apartment. I never felt threatened about the locals in the neighborhood! Perhaps it was just youthful innocense, but, whatever, I enyoyed going to that wonderful place.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
A few years ago, when I was working at the nearby Transamerica Center, it was necessary to go past this “adult” movie house. Through the years, the exterior has remained well-kept. I heard that Sarah Bernhard performed there MANY years ago, when it was a legitimate theater.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
Like most of the beautiful movie theater buildings in downtowl L.A., Vista attracted its share of transients, homeless and alcoholics. I finally had to stop going there, because, even for me, things were getting to be a bit too much.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
This was another theater that was within walking distance of my apartment. I was struck by the fantastically painted ceiling! Seats in the balcony were quite comfortable, but the smell of dead rats was a bit disturbing. Nevertheless, I enjoyed going there until it converted to a Spanish-language-only theater. Oh, well. The neighborhood was changing. Everything changes!
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
Rumor has it that Jayne Mansfield worked in the concession stand before she became big! It is a HUGE theater, and I have generally enjoyed going there, its being not far from my apartment. But one day, for the first five minutes or so, the sound had dropped out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I complained to the concession employee, who said she would talk with the ticket taker who would talk to the projectionist. But, before anything could be done, the sound miraculously came back on. So I enjoyed the rest of this then-innovative movie.
07/21/04 Wednesday Bill Sims
This was a place where I could see many otherwise unavailable movies! EVERY year was a pairing of Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz, both of which are always at the top of “best” lists. Stars of the movies would often make an appearance. George Cukor, a stellar director, was scheduled to appear at the premiere of his restored 1954 A Star is Born. Unfortunately, he passed away the night before. I had wanted to see him, not to talk with him, respecting his privacy.
There were many 3-D movies, including two that stand out in my mind – Kiss Me, Kate and Miss Sadie Thompson. This and the Vista were the only places that I knew that showed movies in 3-D. Kiss Me, Kate, when originally released was shown in the “flat screen” version, but here you could see it in magnificant 3-D. And the prints for any movie shown were made fresh from the negatives, whenever possible.
I knew the area was not wonderful, and I would often walk the short distance from my apartment. I never felt threatened about the locals in the neighborhood! Perhaps it was just youthful innocense, but, whatever, I enyoyed going to that wonderful place.