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L.A. visit advice
posted by
42ndStreetMemories
on
May 7, 2010 at 9:30 am
Need your help. What is the definitive itinerary for two movie freaks (especially vintage) visiting L.A. in September? What theaters, museums, locations must we see. Websites to visit, anything.
Thanks
Comments (12)
Just a Quick and Dirty List of last years trip to LA, done on the fly and with no money!
The Cinerama
(all on the same street)El Capitan and Graumans Chinese and the Roosevelt Hotel (at Graumans and El Capitan its $12 to see a movie so the bf and I just took pictures of the footprints and neon signs)
Hollywood Forever Cemetary
Driving along Sunset to get somewhere we spotted the Directors Guild Building, Hollywood High (where Rudolph Valentinos Sheik is still the school mascot) the Roxy Niteclub, and with the traffic so bad and most places not accessible to us we had fun taking pics from teh car like we were on a cheesy bus tour.
Mels Drive In Diner is right next to this great art deco building where Max Factor first started mixing makeup for movies (awesome alliteration ah?) which is now a film museum (it was evening by the time we got to Mels so we couldnt go in)
We didnt go but next time were down wed like to see the Griffith Observatory, beautifully renovated in the last 2 years and a James Dean filming locale to boot!
Will follow up with links and stuff
If you go 30 miles east you can see the beautifully restored 1932 Fox Pomona in downtown Pomona.
You can walk along Broadway Downtown LA and see all movie palaces there. (Sorry they are not showing movies anymore) See a movie at the Village Theatre in Westwood.
You can take the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Broadway: Historic Theatre and Commercial District Walking Tour. It’s a great tour. Here’s a link for more information:
View link
A nice recent article on Hollywood sites near the sign.
View link
Theaters worth seeing movies in: Grauman’s Chinese, El Capitan, Cinerama Dome, all in Hollywood. Fox Village in Westwood. The Vista in Los Feliz, a nice Egyptian-styled neighborhood theater with great presentation.
Despite what William said, Last Remaining Seats is gearing up for another great run in the downtown theaters, but it’ll be over before you get here. The Los Angeles Conservancy offers several walking tours; their Broadway Theater tour will probably get you into a few of the palaces downtown for a peek.
www.laconservancy.org click on “walking tours”
While you’re downtown, you might want to visit the Bradbury Building (Broadway & 4th), immortalized in Blade Runner and countless other movies, or eat at Clifton’s Cafeteria (Broadway & 7th), the inside of which looks like a redwood forest, or maybe indulge in a French Dip sandwich at Philippe’s, a sawdust-on-the-floor kind of joint (that’s near Union Station).
Hollywood Heritage maintains a museum in the Lasky-DeMille barn (1895) at 2100 North Highland Avenue. They also offer a walking tour of Hollywood, and occasional screenings. Check for hours, etc.
www.hollywoodheritage.org
Drama mentioned the old Max Factor makeup building, which is now a Hollywood museum. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone who has been inside. As for Mel’s, well… maybe if you’re a fan of American Graffiti. But why eat there when you can eat/drink at Musso & Frank (6667 Hollywood Blvd), since 1919, a real piece of history. Also in Hollywood: Boardner’s (a bar), Miceli’s (Italian restaurant), or the Pig & Whistle (restaurant) — all “old Hollywood,” if you know what I mean.
As well as Hollywood Forever Cemetery, you might want to track down the hard-to-find Pierce Bros. Mortuary in Westwood and pay your respects to Marilyn Monroe and others.
You need more info, shoot me a message.
I strongly suggest taking the LAHTF walking tour of the downtown theatres as was already mentioned. It’s a wonderful opportunity that really shouldn’t be missed.
I also suggest, if you’re up for a nice walk, starting at the Chinese Theatre and heading down to the Pantages on foot. You’ll pass many open/restored/repurposed/sadly ignored theatres along the way, as well as taking a trip down the Walk of Fame. It’s a nice way to get the “feel” of Hollywood. The Kung Pao Kitty in the Pacific/Warners Theatre building is a nice place for some good eats, and the iconic Frolic Room next to the Pantages is great for a drink.
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
If you visit the Cinerama Dome, after the show stop by either Unami Burger (N. Cahuenga Blvd) or Cat & Fiddle pub (Sunset Blvd). Pig & Whistle (Hollywood Blvd.) is also ok, and it’s right next to the Egyptian. Also try the Petersen Automotive Museum (Wilshire Blvd.). They have a Hollywood Gallery, featuring, among many cars, Steve McQueen’s Jaguar.
JSA
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.
If you’re at Sunset and Vine near the Cinerama Dome, the Hungry Cat up behind Borders Books on Vine is a great place to eat. Magnolia on Sunset is also good.
Thanks to all for the suggestions. Any great filming locations within an hour or so drive. Wanted to visit Lone Pine but its a tad far. Jerry