Weekend Movie Fun: Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) at the Hollywood Legion Theater Drive-In
Last night was one of the most enjoyable times I've had in over a year, as we returned to the Hollywood Legion Post 43 Drive-In Theater for a screening of Buster Keaton in STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. (1928).
We previously visited the drive-in last Thanksgiving weekend to see Harold Lloyd in THE FRESHMAN (1925), which like last night's movie was sponsored by Retroformat Silent Films.
Our evening began with a stop at Larry Edmunds Bookshop, which is currently open by appointment only. It should be reopening to the public in the near future.
My husband bought Steven C. Smith's MUSIC BY MAX STEINER, which he's purposely been waiting to buy when he could shop in person at Larry Edmunds again.
I purchased a wonderful book I'd spotted on the shop's Instagram page, L.A.'S LEGENDARY RESTAURANTS by George Geary.
I was "sold" on the book from the minute I saw an old favorite, C.C. Brown's, on the back cover. I miss going there!
The book has wonderful photo spreads like this one, plus recipes and photos of menus. (Click on this or any photo to expand it for a closer look.)
Next on our list was a stop at Miceli's, which has been in business since 1949 and happens to be one of the restaurants featured in the book. We're thankful it's managed to survive lockdowns!
There is now limited indoor seating allowed in Los Angeles, but until we're fully vaccinated we chose to eat outdoors.
Besides, we figured it's probably the only time in our lives we'll have the unique experience of eating outside at this location, with the church seen at the end of GUN CRAZY (1950) in view at the end of Las Palmas Avenue:
Then it was off to the drive-in, where we happened to be first in line when the gates opened:
A few of the masked gang below. Thanks to many of us having started or completed vaccines, complete freedom seems nigh at long, long last; maybe we'll all be together in a theater later in the year!
Snacks included in the ticket price!
The drive-in has now acquired projectors (seen in the truck to the left) which will allow 35mm screenings at the drive-in in addition to digital prints. They are continuing to raise funds so they can be installed in their own booth.
The movie was just great! It brought back fun memories of seeing it with Carl Davis conducting an orchestra at the 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival, but last night's experience was just as special in its own way, especially given the context.
Cliff Retallick, seen on the truck bed at the right of this photo, performed live accompaniment, broadcast to the cars over an FM station. The sound quality was excellent.
A full moon over the drive-in:
What a wonderful evening. Can't wait to do it again!
posted by Laura @ 11:40 AM
2 Comments:
I love that drive-in movies have been a thing again thanks to the late unpleasantness! There's one an hour or so away from us now, and if they ever show something I'd like my kids to see, we will totally trek up there. I've only been to two drive-in movies myself, so I hope we can do this at some point :-) Thanks to the original That Darn Cat!, my kids think the idea of drive-in movies is awesome.
Hi Rachel! I remember responding to this quite a while ago but have discovered that apparently it didn't go through. I agree, the resurgence of drive-ins has been rather fun. I remember seeing a few films at drive-ins as a young child circa 1970, including TRUE GRIT (1969) and a double bill of THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967) and BLACKBEARD'S GHOST (1968). If you get to a drive-in, I'd love to hear about your experience!
I have fond memories of going to see THAT DARN CAT! (1965) in a "regular" theater with my grandfather. I haven't seen it in years. One for my "re-watch" list!
Best wishes,
Laura
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