The Leimert Theatre’s original name needs to somehow be added to search…I didn’t know it was most recently called the Vision until I learned about it on another site.
I was a youngster growing up in L.A. (around 1960) and still remember the Mesa well. Local establishments would have free tickets for Saturday matinees of cheapo films like “The Invisible Boy†along with cartoons (to get the kids to buy consessions, I presume). I remember at one of these events the film was stopped midway, the lights came on, and the theatre owner stormed to the front of the theatre, demanding to know who was responsible for throwing something at the screen that resulted in a large gash (naturally no one ‘fessed up—and no, it wasn’t me :–).
I grew up in Inglewood in the 1960s, and remember the Ritz well. They were a bit clueless about pairing films for their double features—I’ll never forget the double feature of “McHale’s Navy” (the big screen version of the inane TV series) with “Lady in a Cage” (an intense, largely mature-themed thriller).
I was a bit upset to hear that the Cinerama showed “Vertigo” earlier in the year—this is my alltime favorite film. After the restoration release around ten years ago the Cinerama had an exclusive showing of the film for a good period of time (might have been a month), and I saw it at least five times. It was simply amazing. I haven’t seen it in 70mm since, but will now be keeping my eyes open in case it returns—and I hope it does.
Wow, PM, that is amazing you remember that same day! Would like to see if we have more in common about those days…email me at if interested.
The Leimert Theatre’s original name needs to somehow be added to search…I didn’t know it was most recently called the Vision until I learned about it on another site.
I was a youngster growing up in L.A. (around 1960) and still remember the Mesa well. Local establishments would have free tickets for Saturday matinees of cheapo films like “The Invisible Boy†along with cartoons (to get the kids to buy consessions, I presume). I remember at one of these events the film was stopped midway, the lights came on, and the theatre owner stormed to the front of the theatre, demanding to know who was responsible for throwing something at the screen that resulted in a large gash (naturally no one ‘fessed up—and no, it wasn’t me :–).
I grew up in Inglewood in the 1960s, and remember the Ritz well. They were a bit clueless about pairing films for their double features—I’ll never forget the double feature of “McHale’s Navy” (the big screen version of the inane TV series) with “Lady in a Cage” (an intense, largely mature-themed thriller).
I was a bit upset to hear that the Cinerama showed “Vertigo” earlier in the year—this is my alltime favorite film. After the restoration release around ten years ago the Cinerama had an exclusive showing of the film for a good period of time (might have been a month), and I saw it at least five times. It was simply amazing. I haven’t seen it in 70mm since, but will now be keeping my eyes open in case it returns—and I hope it does.