Here is an update; things are rather dismal – the not-for-profit that ran the theater is out of funds, and the city is demanding a loan it made to the foundation be repaid; the foundation is also being sued by Frank Theatres. Story here: View link
I can’t remember where I read it, but I think I can recall reading somewhere that the film print, a copy of the book, and the movie script were placed in a time capsule underneath the section of concrete that bears Greer Garson’s signature and handprints. If true, and that section of concrete is still there and looks undisturbed, the time capsule may well still be there.
I wonder why the distributor found it necessary to alter the title of the Presley film from “Viva Las Vegas” (its American title) to “Love in Las Vegas”? Were they afraid British patrons would think it was a documentary?
In reply to your query, in the 70s, that area was still a rather bustling area at night, with many restaurants, music and jazz clubs, singles bars, even a gay bar or two; many were quite famous in their time, although even then, it was little less than it once was a decade or so earlier. Now it’s becoming more of a “boutique” shopping area, much less a nighttime destination.
Joni Mitchell said it so well: “Don’t it always seem to go/That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone/They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.”
Most likely, if not certainly, she was coming out the Carnegie Theatre which which was in the next block west, facing Rush St. The Carnegie was at 1026 N. Rush; Faces at 940 N. Rush.
It looks like the plans to build a new theater to replace the Cinema Plaza are coming to nought; the owner shopping center in which this theater is located wants to demolish it and rebuild, and the theater operator wants to build the new theater at a different location; story here: View link
That is very interesting; I am rather familiar with this theater and I did not know that. Certainly, as built, it showed no trace of ever being intended for the performing arts; it was a of design that William Riseman used, with minor variations, for a number of movie theaters built by Sumner Redstone and General Cinema of that era: two or three auditoriums with a common lobby built basically of white painted masonry block; no stages or stagehouses.
This theater has hit a bump in the road financially as the youth theater that was its principal tenant has folded. Community leaders are rallying to preserve the theater’s future; story here: View link
Plans are afoot to convert this former theater to a sports bar and restaurant: View link
This article has some additional information, though no really good news: View link
Here is an update; things are rather dismal – the not-for-profit that ran the theater is out of funds, and the city is demanding a loan it made to the foundation be repaid; the foundation is also being sued by Frank Theatres. Story here: View link
This theater is now closed: View link
Four pictures of the Bellevue Cinerama:
Auditorium: View link
Curtain panels rising: View link
Foyer: View link
Foyer: View link
Exterior of the Empire showing when “This is Cinerama” played there: View link
Four pictures of the Bellevue Cinerama:
Auditorium: View link
Curtain panels rising: View link
Foyer: View link
Foyer: View link
An article about the re-opening: View link
A brief article about the theater’s reopening as a performing arts center on May 22, 2010:
View link
I can’t remember where I read it, but I think I can recall reading somewhere that the film print, a copy of the book, and the movie script were placed in a time capsule underneath the section of concrete that bears Greer Garson’s signature and handprints. If true, and that section of concrete is still there and looks undisturbed, the time capsule may well still be there.
This theater is now officially the ArcLight Pasadena:
View link
The Arclight website is: View link
I wonder why the distributor found it necessary to alter the title of the Presley film from “Viva Las Vegas” (its American title) to “Love in Las Vegas”? Were they afraid British patrons would think it was a documentary?
In reply to your query, in the 70s, that area was still a rather bustling area at night, with many restaurants, music and jazz clubs, singles bars, even a gay bar or two; many were quite famous in their time, although even then, it was little less than it once was a decade or so earlier. Now it’s becoming more of a “boutique” shopping area, much less a nighttime destination.
Joni Mitchell said it so well: “Don’t it always seem to go/That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone/They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.”
Ame! Let us not have a rerun of that.
Most likely, if not certainly, she was coming out the Carnegie Theatre which which was in the next block west, facing Rush St. The Carnegie was at 1026 N. Rush; Faces at 940 N. Rush.
As of April 30, 2010, this theater became the Glenwood@Red Bridge. Story here: View link
Oops – The city should, of course, be San Bernardino.
UPDATE: The Long Beach RDA on May 3 voted to demolish the theater:http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_15006335
This page has a number of pictures of the Indiana as a Cinerama house, including one of the auditorium: http://cinerama.topcities.com/ctindiana.htm
It looks like the plans to build a new theater to replace the Cinema Plaza are coming to nought; the owner shopping center in which this theater is located wants to demolish it and rebuild, and the theater operator wants to build the new theater at a different location; story here: View link
That is very interesting; I am rather familiar with this theater and I did not know that. Certainly, as built, it showed no trace of ever being intended for the performing arts; it was a of design that William Riseman used, with minor variations, for a number of movie theaters built by Sumner Redstone and General Cinema of that era: two or three auditoriums with a common lobby built basically of white painted masonry block; no stages or stagehouses.
The RDA Board voted 4-0 for demolition; the tower, terrazzo, and a fountain will be saved for re-use.
Story here: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_15006335
This theater has hit a bump in the road financially as the youth theater that was its principal tenant has folded. Community leaders are rallying to preserve the theater’s future; story here: View link
Portland, Oregon.