Happy Halloween! Million Dollar Theater and "Fall" in L.A.

If you are in a movie theater,

you can look two people down

and they are laughing while you are laughing 

or you can look three people down

and they love that song that you love.

It is living proof that you are not alone.

~Stephen Chbosky

Million Dollar Theater

Los Angeles, 1918

A couple of friends and I are on a mission to get out and do some different things around town. When I see special screenings at the old theaters downtown, I get very excited. Especially if they are in one of the theaters I haven't been. Such was the case with the Million Dollar Theater, the oldest theater in Los Angeles, built by Sid Grauman who also built the famous Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. You know, the one with the movie stars' hand prints?!

Happily, I've gotten to see some old silent movies in some of these theaters, along with a live organ.

Here is lovely little film with Gene Kelly about the history of movie theaters ... at 6:46 they talk about the Million Dollar Theater. :) At 16:53 you'll see one of my favorite theaters, The Los Angeles Theater.

Me, being a goofball at the box office!

This particular screening was not of an old silent movie, but the 1978 version of Dawn of the Dead, in honor of Halloween! While I am not a horror movie fan (no thanks on putting those images in my head!) this is a very campy film, and the only memory I really had of it was someone playing it at a party in High School, twenty something years ago.

Just to make sure we could handle it, Karen and I watched the first 3 minutes on youtube. 

This screening was put on by Cinespia, who also does movie screenings outdoors at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where I saw Barbarella! (Yes, an actual cemetery! Rudolph Valentino is buried there!)

I love these old theaters! Most aren't open for regular movie releases. At least the ones downtown aren't. They are rented for special screenings, special events, as well as film sets for movies and television. The ones on Hollywood Boulevard are a different story, like the Chinese Theater, the Egyptian, and the El Capitan.

For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake.
~Alfred Hitchcock

 

Strangers used to gather together in the dark,
like Ancient Greeks participation in the mysteries, 
dreaming the same dream in unison.
~Angela Carter

Upstairs, a full bar and this lovely lady below! Yikes!

A creepy mannequin in a shopping mall fountain, in the film ...

I see horror as part of legitimate film.

I don't see it as an independent genre 

that has nothing to do with the rest of cinema.

~Guillermo del Toro

This guy "Stephen" (David Emge) didn't become a zombie until the 3rd act of the film. His poor financé!

The screening was a hoot. People laughing and screaming and hollering. It was a ball!

In my view, the only way to see a film

remains the way the filmmaker intended:

inside a large movie theater with great sound and pristine picture.

~Ridley Scott

Here's Lauren posing with the lovely skeleton lady upstairs ...

Lauren, me, and Karen ... so fun!

... The whole idea of movies, 

was it was special to go to see -

you went to a movie theater to see something 

that was magical 

and amazing,

in a very special location.

~ Bob Balaban

This video from YouTube shows what you can't see now of the Million Dollar Theater, from the street!

Here he talks about the lobby ceiling along with some other information, about Sid Grauman and the architect.

More unseen murals above the false ceiling ...

Below, I'm at the oyster bar at Grand Central Market, around the corner from the theater. No oysters for me, just red wine to go with my tomato soup!

The creepy tunnel leaving downtown ...

It's not easy finding fall colors in Los Angeles. You have to look closely, and sometimes in unexpected places ...

The Alcove, near my work ...

Fun ghost cupcakes!

But the Margarita was more refreshing on a warm evening ...

Not easy to dress for fall during an Indian Summer in Southern California ... so chiffon and stockings with lots air conditioning, but in fall colors! 

Designers want me to dress like Spring,

in billowing things.

I don't feel like Spring.

I feel like warm red Autumn.

~Marilyn Monroe

Ah yes, fall colors for Halloween perhaps? This early 70s frock of my grandmothers ... I could be a cast member of hair? Vampire hippy? Laura Ingalls Wilder?

 I think I'll go with my old Kimono ... modern vampire Geisha? I'll have to think on it.

Below, with my prayer book Illuminata, by Marianne Williamson.

I realize it was a strange time to stop and take a photo but I am a visual gal after all! I couldn't help but notice the details of my favorite bookmarks with the delicate little flower ...

And for the kids (OK and me too!) I painted monster eyes on my thumbs!

Walking in my neighborhood, still looking for those autumn tones ...

Yay! I found a few trees with color ...

Still keeping an eye out ...
Lovely colors through the gates of a shop on La Brea Avenue ...

Autumn carries more gold
in its pocket
than all the other seasons.
~ Jim Bishop

The old art deco Showcase Theater ... (view looking past my pizza!)

Pizza Romana across the street from the Showcase ... the Diavola pizza tastes so much like a pizza I had in Milan! So you close your eyes and order the vino rosso Montepulciano!

And here, my little student Evie (5) and her Jack O'Lantern!



Happy Halloween!!!

Links!

Million Dollar Theater

Grand Central Market
Cinespia
The Los Angeles Theater
Hollywood Forever Cemetery 
Pizza Romana
The Alcove Cafe and Bakery

What's a bigger mystery box than a movie theater?
You go to the theater,
you're just so excited to see anything-
the moment the lights go down
is often the best part.
~J.J. Abrams

Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings and light!

Amazing Kids at The Wizard of Art

Youth, with swift feet, walks onward the way;

the land of joy lies all before his eyes.

~Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

The Winter Hare

Charcoal and pastel on paper

This is one of my all time favorite pieces ever. Just look at the expression on the rabbit's face? So much personality and life. The trees have a wonderful feel and unique line work. They remind me of an Egon Schiele landscape. Anyway ... I love it. The best pieces really reflect something about the artist. This work is a perfect example of that. Gentle and sensitive, just like the artist. 

Mia 

Artist and total sweetheart

The quietest poetry can be

an explosion of joy.

~James Broughton

Rocket to Space

Pastel on paper

My friend said it reminded him of a Marc Chigall! I totally see it! Marc of the Future!

Elliot, 5 years old
Artist and future astronaut!

Joy is in the process, 

not the product.

~Fay Bohlayer

Yellow Tractor in the City, by Wyatt age 9
Creative spirit, questioner of everything, and future engineer and philosopher
Mixed Media
pastel, pen, collage, pencil and charcoal

Anthropomorphic Jellyfish
Watercolor on paper

Believe it or not this was one of Chloe's first watercolors. Wait until you see some of her other pieces. She is crazy amazing. She's also super funny and thoughtful. 

Chloe, 12 

Master Watercolorist and social director

Magical Genie and the Lamp with Hearts and Stars
Pastel on paper

Veronica, 5 years old

Magical creative spirit, and music aficionado

(She went to the Hollywood Bowl. I asked her who she saw. "Gustavo Dudemel was conducting ... it was symphonic.")

 

Joy is but a sign

that creative emotion

is fulfilling its purpose.

~Charles du Bois

The Old Collection

Acrylic on canvas board

Lorelei is taking a break from class and I miss her!

Lorelei, age 11
Artist but currently too busy for art class!

Turtle Burger, by Oliver age 6 (Artist and future New Yorker cartoonist)
Pastel and charcoal on paper

Don't explain, enjoy.

~Darby Bannard

A Pensive Elephant (with Butterfly Ears)

Pastel and charcoal on paper

I love this pic of Mia and her elephant ... looking at her! And the butterflies on her shirt mirroring the elephant ears. So sweet.

Mia, age 7
Artist and future Humane Society volunteer

Gray Seals
Mixed media, watercolor, colored pencils and charcoal

Note her signature is in English and Japanese, which she is learning in school. She so expressive and still comes in with some wonderful and entertaining story to tell.

Sophia 7
Artist, Japanese interpreter and future winner of the Booker Prize

Those who bring sun sine to the lives of others 

cannot keep it from themselves.

~James M. Barre

The Cherry Blossom Buddha
Pastel and charcoal on paper

I mean, seriously? This kid also did an amazing picture of the Taj Mahal with so much detail you can't believe it. I love the subject matters he picks! He just finished the pyramids. He has the patience of Job when it comes to his art, and I'm pretty sure in a past life he was best friends with Siddhartha.

Louden, age 7
Artist, old soul and and future builder of monuments

Plush Horsey
pastel on paper

Super cute, right? She always looks at me like she is ready to crack up or she has some secret she's not telling. You can see that in her photo!

Samara, 7
Artist, perfectionist and future holder of State's secrets

Rainbow Dog
Pastel and Charcoal on Paper

Julian is pretty new to the Wizard. I love that he wants to fill things will all kinds of unique colors! And look at his signature, with a star!

Julian, 5
Artist, colorist and total cutie pie

Mystical Island Seascape
watercolor on paper

Just look at that sky! It looks like tie dye! I was so happy for him, because I could tell he was really so happy with how it came out. It's so fun when they love how their own work turns out.

Rio, 10
Watercolorist and super laid back cat

Winter Falls
Acrylic on canvas

Leo is a natural painter. He just keeps getting better and better, and he is definitely finding himself and his own style and brushwork. Very cool to see. After this piece, he moved on to oil paints, which is very exciting! He's one of those young artists that we feel privileged to teach.

Leo, age 12

Amazing painter, totally Zen guy (and future teacher of mediation through painting!)

There is no greater joy than that of feeling oneself a creator.

The triumph of life is expressed by creation.

~Henri Bergson

quotes from Art Quotes

Blessings and light!