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)