LFIA Book Offer:
Los Feliz - An Illustrated Early History
Get your copy here!
Read more about
the book here
Film Night Draws Capacity Crowd
The first annual “Night at the Movies” on
February, 12 attracted 200 LFIA members and their families to the
Wells Fargo Theater at the Autry National Center for a celebration
of famous – and not
so famous – films, all of which were shot in Los Feliz. The
audience was treated to clips of 11 movies ranging from the iconic
John Ford western “The Searchers” to the camp horror
classic “House on Haunted Hill.” As one guest observed,
there was “nothing but enjoyment and yes, education too, for
attendees.”
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was LFIA board member Rulon Openshaw. He was assisted in the presentation of the films by Councilman Tom LaBonge, Griffith Observatory Director Dr. Edwin Krupp, and LFIA board member Christy Barrett.
Before the program, guests dined on “movie-type” refreshments, such as hot dogs served from an authentic hand cart, freshly-popped popcorn, sodas and coffee, and, for desert, theater concession candy.
During the program, the Master of Ceremonies alerted the audience that there was an incident occurring in the park, but as those in attendance quickly grasped, the emergency was a contrivance to introduce the 1958 science fiction masterpiece “War of the Colossal Beast,” featuring an attack by a giant man on a school bus full of students visiting the Griffith Observatory on a field trip.
There were several individuals in the audience who had a direct connection with one or more of the films shown.
Robert Patrick, the star of the current television hit “The Unit,” was featured in a scene from “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” shot at Griffith Observatory. Robert was warmly applauded by the audience at the end of his clip.
Eileen Weisinger, who stunt doubled for Drew Barrymore in the same film, was also present, as was LFIA member Betty Topper whose home was used in the scene shown from “L.A. Confidential.”
The enthusiastic audience left the Autry already talking about next year’s event and many were offering suggestions about their favorite “Los Feliz” movies that they would like to see included in 2008. If you have any comments regarding this year’s program or a recommendation for a film for next year’s event, please drop an email to the Program Committee at program@LFIA.org. The only criterion for a film to be considered is that it must have at least one scene shot in Los Feliz.
Here is a list of this year's films:
The Searchers – Warner Bros.,
1956
Screenplay by: Frank S. Nugent, Directed by: John
Ford
Location: Bronson Caves, Griffith Park
True Romance – Warner Bros.,
1993
Screenplay by: Quentin Tarantino, Directed by: Tony
Scott
Location: Vista Theatre, 4473
Sunset Dr
House on Haunted Hill – Allied
Artists, 1959
Screenplay by: Robb White, Directed by: William Castle
Location: Ennis Brown House, 2655 Glendower Ave.
L.A. Confidential – Warner
Bros., 1997
Screenplay by: Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson
Directed
by: Curtis Hanson
Location: Lovell
House, designed by Richard Neutra, 4616
Dundee Drive
Mulholland Falls – MGM, 1996
Screenplay
by: Pete Dexter, Directed by: Lee Tamahori
Location: Amesbury
Ave & Griffith Park Blvd Area
The Two Jakes – Paramount,
1990
Screenplay by: Robert Towne, Directed by: Jack Nicholson
Location: Dresden Room, 1760 N Vermont Ave
War of the Colossal Beast – American
International, 1958
Screenplay by: George Worthing Yates, Directed
by: Bert I. Gordon
Location: Griffith
Observatory
The Rocketeer – Buena Vista,
1991
Screenplay by: Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Location: Griffith
Observatory
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle – Columbia
Pictures, 2003
Screenplay by: John August and Cormac Wibberley & Marianne
Wibberly
Directed by: McG
Location: Griffith
Observatory
Rebel Without a Cause – Warner
Bros., 1955
Screenplay by: Stewart Stern, Directed by: Nicholas
Ray
Location: Griffith
Observatory
Grease – Paramount, 1978
Screenplay by: Bronte Woodard, Directed by: Randal
Kleiser
Location: John Marshall High School, 3939 Tracy Street
The presenters (from left to right): Councilman Tom LaBonge, LFIA
board members Rulon Openshaw and Christy Barrett, Observatory Director
Dr. Edwin
Krupp with guest of honor, actor Robert Patrick (second from left)
LFIA President Marian Dodge greets guests
Hot dogs were served by Tess Nelson and husband Chris
Board members Patrica Ruben and Juliet Kiperman offering programs
Rulon Openshaw with the other guest
of honor
(Photo by Kathryn Louyse)
Rulon gives an autograph?
Beautification Cleanup
Cleanup will be followed by a luncheon. For more information contact beautification@lfia.org.
Library Architecture & Beyond Series
"Los Angeles in Maps"
6:45
Los Angeles Central Library curator, Glen Creason, will tell you all about Los Angeles history based on the library's extensive collection of old maps. This is a must-see for those who are fascinated by maps and LA history.
The library is located at 1874 Hillhurst Ave. on the corner of Franklin Ave. For more information, please call the library at 323-913-4710 during regular business hours. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Skylight Books will have copies for purchase and signing. Event is sponsored by Merchants of the Los Feliz Village BID and the Friends of the Los Feliz Library.
1965 Hillhurst, Los Angeles CA 90027