Weekend Movie Fun: Johnny Guitar (1954) at the Autry Museum of the American West

Over the last couple of years our time in Los Angeles has been fairly limited, for what I'm sure are obvious reasons. We went to a couple of drive-in screenings at the Hollywood Legion Theater in 2020 and 2021, a book signing last year at Larry Edmunds Bookshop, and a JUNGLE CRUISE (2021) event last summer at the El Capitan Theatre.

With all COVID-related restrictions now gone in both Los Angeles city and county, we're excited to spend time in L.A. more frequently! We had an absolutely wonderful afternoon today, eating lunch at one of our favorite places, Philippe's, and attending a screening at the Autry Museum of the American West.

Philippe's was fantastic, as always. There was one COVID-related change; in the past the counter lines were crowded next to tables where people were eating. The tables were remove from the line area, and honestly I wasn't sorry, as it made the ordering experience a little less crazy.

My perfect meal at Philippe's is a double-dipped French dip sandwich, a small cup of beef chili, and a brownie for dessert:

I may have to try a slice of this for dessert next time, though!

We were so glad to be back!

The last time we attended a screening at the Autry was THE TALL T (1957) in February 2019. It was introduced by Jeremy Arnold, who will be introducing the same film at this year's TCM Classic Film Festival.

Today's film was the fascinating JOHNNY GUITAR (1954), screened in 35mm in the museum's "What is a Western?" series.  There was a great turnout!  I took this shot of the interior of the Wells Fargo Theater before most of the audience had filed in.

The film was very nicely introduced by Felicity Flesher and Clarence Pruitt of the Film Frontier podcast. It was great to meet them after the screening; I haven't heard their podcast yet and look forward to checking it out!  It's always wonderful becoming familiar with others who love and champion the Western genre.

It was a treat to revisit JOHNNY GUITAR, previously reviewed here in 2014 and 2016, especially since we had seen some of its Sedona locations on a road trip in spring 2021. It was especially fun being able to recognize spots like Coffee Pot Rock.

That movie grows on me more with each viewing. It's incredibly memorable, and it has such depth that each time I see it I notice more details and ways to interpret various scenes.

Prior to the film we spent a brief time walking around inside the museum, as admission is included with the ticket. Some of the galleries are currently closed, but there was still plenty to see, such as guns belonging to (top to bottom on right, Nos. 8, 9, and 10) Gail Davis, Tim Holt, and Gene Autry...

...and Ken Maynard, Buck Jones, and Leo Carrillo (Nos. 1, 2, and 3):

Some pretty views of general areas in the museum today:

This gallery, which was closed today, is named for actor-artist-sculptor-craftsman George Montgomery:

These two items came home with me from the museum gift shop! I have special childhood memories of eating "real" street-style soft tacos with fresh salsa at Grand Central Market, before they were common in many Southern California restaurants. It's still my favorite food!

Our next visit to Los Angeles will be for the Noir City Film Festival at the Hollywood Legion Theater April 15th, 16th, and 17th.

Previous Weekend Movie Fun Photo Posts: Philippe's and the Autry (June 2011); Bette Davis, In a Lonely Place (1950), and Michael Curtiz at UCLA (February 2018); Counsellor at Law (1933) at UCLA (and the Apple Pan!) (July 2018); Canyon Passage (1946) at the Autry (and Philippe's!) (January 2019); Out and About in L.A. (February 2019); Out and About in Los Angeles (March 2019); It Happened One Night (1934) and The Richest Girl in the World (1934) at UCLA (March 2019); Out and About in Los Angeles (March 2020); The Freshman (1935) at the Hollywood Legion Drive-In (November 2020); Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) at the Hollywood Legion Theater Drive-In (March 2021).

Another Philippe's Post: Tonight's Movie: Criss Cross (1949) at Union Station (2016).

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