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Showing posts from November, 2018

A Gem On- and Off-Camera: L.A. Landmark Plays Dual Role in History

  "Just pick ONE!" In the 2016 film, La La Land , S ebastian (Ryan Gosling) utters these words in frustration after seeing that his favorite jazz club, Van Beek, has been turned into a samba and tapas bar. Much like art imitating life, the theatre that played the part of Van Beek has two identities … but many in the creative community of Los Angeles are glad past owners did NOT “just pick one!” The storied building, located at 4403 Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, spent several decades as the Magnolia Theatre . Designed by Jacques DeForest Griffin in 1940, the Magnolia’s marquee was topped with a 170-foot pylon said to be inspired by the Eiffel Tower. In 1964, Jack Grossman remodeled the 800-seat movie palace at a cost of $60,000. The renovation included a new 60-foot V-shaped marquee, a 45-ton capacity gas refrigeration air conditioning installation, a new box office covered with Italian marble and new lighting. It boasted a parking lot large enough for 300 cars. Not only did