I remember as a child in the mid-1970s, attending this theatre, which was, at that point, a split two-screen. I believe it was originally a single theatre (based on my memory of an awkwardly sub-divided marquee). Amongst many films, i saw the original “Benji” there, and the fire hydrant out front had a small sign saying it was reserved for the title character. But basically, this was a mid-to-late-century suburban strip-shopping-center movie theatre that got carved up over the years, and the structure can still be seen in Google Earth.
UCLA moved the photo, but you can search the digital collection for ‘west hollywood’ or for the title: Southern Pacific freight passing theater and bar on Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif., 1970
The marquee neon from the Fox Venice was once a part of LA’s Museum of Neon Art’s permanent collection, and though i haven’t seen it resurface in many years, it was in good working condition last i saw.
Here’s an UCLA Archive photo from 1970 showing both the ‘Paris’ Theatre and P.J.’s on Santa Monica between Crescent Heights and Havenhurst Drive. The Paris/Fox Carmel location now is a ‘newer’ building that matches the theatre’s size and location, but replaces ornateness with white stucco, plus is inhabited by restaurants serving both mediocre Indian food and Sushi. PJs was later the Starwood club, and is now a collection of junky little stores (i live here, and i think they are junky — yes, a musty old gay porno theatre and attached punk club would be 100% preferable to what we have now.) The train is long gone.
Also, the New Vic at the Carmel Theatre in 1957.
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but i wish that collection had outside photos
I remember as a child in the mid-1970s, attending this theatre, which was, at that point, a split two-screen. I believe it was originally a single theatre (based on my memory of an awkwardly sub-divided marquee). Amongst many films, i saw the original “Benji” there, and the fire hydrant out front had a small sign saying it was reserved for the title character. But basically, this was a mid-to-late-century suburban strip-shopping-center movie theatre that got carved up over the years, and the structure can still be seen in Google Earth.
aka The Coast Theatre, a legit playhouse now. recently many small new york-bound productions started here.
UCLA moved the photo, but you can search the digital collection for ‘west hollywood’ or for the title: Southern Pacific freight passing theater and bar on Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, Calif., 1970
-brett
The marquee neon from the Fox Venice was once a part of LA’s Museum of Neon Art’s permanent collection, and though i haven’t seen it resurface in many years, it was in good working condition last i saw.
Here’s an UCLA Archive photo from 1970 showing both the ‘Paris’ Theatre and P.J.’s on Santa Monica between Crescent Heights and Havenhurst Drive. The Paris/Fox Carmel location now is a ‘newer’ building that matches the theatre’s size and location, but replaces ornateness with white stucco, plus is inhabited by restaurants serving both mediocre Indian food and Sushi. PJs was later the Starwood club, and is now a collection of junky little stores (i live here, and i think they are junky — yes, a musty old gay porno theatre and attached punk club would be 100% preferable to what we have now.) The train is long gone.
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