2/19/07

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?

Calendar
LFIA Annual Membership Meeting
Monday, May 19th, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way in Griffith Park
Featuring Marshall High School String Quartet , Election of Board of Directors and "Snapshots of Los Feliz History", a multimedia presentation. Hors'doeuvres at 6:30, program at 7:00.
Council District 4 Community Congress
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
6:00 – 8:30 P.M.
Friendship Auditorium
3201 Riverside Drive
Councilmember Tom Labonge
Invites you to hear from city officials on current issues:
Fiscal Year 2008]2009 Budget, Land Use & Senate Bill 1818, Traffic in the City, Public Safety. RSVP to (213) 978]2616. Dinner and and refreshments will be provided
Architecture & Beyond "Urban Landscapes: Places & Projects"
Thursday, May 15th from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. at the Los Feliz Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library at 1874 Hillhurst Ave.
Dr. Robert S. Harris, Professor Emeritus, USC School of Architecture is an expert in urban architecture and urban design.
Bach Rock Shakespeare V
Friday May 16, 7 pm, Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. Admission $14.
The Performing Arts Academy of John Marshall High School will present a display of youthful exuberance at the Greek Theatre for the fifth year running. The evening will feature the orchestra playing pieces both classic and modern, excerpts from “MacBeth” and The Battle of the Garage Bands final. More info here.
La Gran Limpieza: The Great LA River CleanUp
Saturday May 17, 9 am - 12 noon, LA River at Los Feliz (behind Eats)
Save the date for this fun, rewarding, get down and get dirty LA River cleanup. There will be food, too! More info here.
Los Feliz Street Fair
Sunday June 8, 11 am to 8 pm, Vermont Ave., between Franklin and Hollywood
Enjoy the fair, and stop by the LFIA booth, too.
LFIA Clean Up
Saturday, June 21th at 9 am
Help keep Los Feliz beautiful and spend a couple of hours picking up trash and painting out graffiti. Sign up for the next LFIA Clean Up by sending an email to beautification@lfia.org. Luncheon to follow.
Thomas Starr King Middle School: 5th Annual Animation & Film Festival
Sunday June 22, 9:45 am - 12 noon, Vista Theatre, Sunset Blvd & Hollywood Blvd
Please see our front page story about this event here, and visit the festival's website here.
Griffith Park Master Plan Working Group
Usually on the first Monday of the month, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Griffith Park Ranger Station Community Room
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
Friends of the Los Feliz Library - Used Book Sale
4th Saturday of each month
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Los Feliz Library
1874 Hillhurst Av.

Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC)
Third Tuesday of every month at 7pm at the Los Feliz Community Police Center
1965 Hillhurst, Los Angeles CA 90027