Skip to main content

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

 
"Just pick ONE!" In the 2016 film, La La Land, Sebastian (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 the Magnolia play host to the latest blockbusters, the theatre itself was used as a filming location. The Magnolia appeared in 1954’s Pushover, starring Fred MacMurray and Kim Novak. In 1975, it was used in Night Moves, starring Gene Hackman and Jennifer Warren.

The Magnolia closed as a theatre in 1979, but subsequently emerged with a new identity: the Evergreen Studios. One of the largest independent sound stages in the Greater Los Angeles area, not to mention one of the most well-equipped and technically-advanced, the Evergreen  has been used as a soundstage for various film and television projects.

Sound for Friends and Dallas was recorded at the Evergreen, along with sound for classic films like Back to the Future, When Harry Met Sally, Urban Cowboy, The Blues Brothers, Star Trek the Motion Picture, Octopussy and The Simpsons Movie.

Bought by DiaDan Holdings Ltd. of Nova Scotia in 2010 and later sold, the Evergreen Stage features a 3,000 square-foot live room that has hosted some of the world’s best artists in recording history.

Here’s a peak at the many artists who have graced the Evergreen studios stage: Frank Sinatra, Radiohead, Beyoncé, Slash, Herbie Hancock, Barbra Streisand, Stephen Sondheim, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, Ray Charles, Snoop Dogg, Ringo Starr, Kelly Clarkson, Barry Manilow, Quincy Jones, Maurice Jarre, Howard Shore, George Martin, Britney Spears, Toto, Justin Timberlake, Billy Joel, Usher, Mariah Carey, Ozzy Osbourne, John Barry, Plácido Domingo, Pink and Paul McCartney.

Few buildings have played such a key role in both film and musical entertainment. The building is a treasure with walls that could tell many a great story.


Popular posts from this blog

About DiaDan Holdings Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s DiaDan Holdings Ltd . is a private holding company and former owner of the Evergreen Stage, a recording and post-production facility in Los Angeles. The Evergreen Stage has been a well-renowned recording location for 40 years, and has hosted some of music’s biggest stars, including Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Placido Domingo and Justin Timberlake, among others.   Before it was a recording studio , the building hosted a movie theatre: The Magnolia Theatre. It opened in the 1940s, and was built for Al Minor, who also operated the Major Theatre in Los Angeles. The theater was designed by Jacques DeForest Griffin. Its signature feature was the Magnolia’s marquee, which was topped with a 170 foot pylon said to be inspired by the Eiffel Tower. The Magnolia’s exteriors were featured in the 1954 film Pushover, in 1975’s Night Moves, and in 2016’s La La Land, as w

DiaDan Holdings Ltd. - Evergreen Studios

For 40 years, the Evergreen Stage has been a preeminent recording environment that has hosted some of the music industry’s biggest stars. The Los Angeles recording studio, formerly DiaDan Studios Inc. , has a storied history and was previously owned by Nova Scotia’s DiaDan Holdings Ltd . Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, and Ray Charles are just a few of the music superstars who have appeared at The Evergreen Stage. It is one of the largest independent soundstages in the greater Los Angeles area, and features a 3,000 square foot live room. The studio can accommodate up to 80 musicians, including large orchestras and live bands, in addition to solo artists like the performers above. Before it hosted a recording studio , the Evergreen Stage housed a famous movie theatre. The Magnolia Theatre opened in the 1940s and was known partly for its French and Italian inspired architecture. The theatre’s exteriors were used in the 1954 film Pushover

The Evergreen Stage Continues to Attract Talent

The Evergreen Stage in Los Angeles continues to attract top tier musicians from around the world. The recording studio, previously owned by DiaDan Holdings Ltd. recently hosted a recording session by Maxwell’s All-Stars , featuring some of Los Angeles top studio musicians, including blues guitarist Hadley Hockensmith, singer Charlean Carmon, bass player Abraham Laboriel and drummer Bill Maxwell, who also produced the “Up to the Mountain” session, a gospel groove number written by Patty Griffin and inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. In October 2018, country star Blake Shelton and producer Scott Hendricks popped in to record a string session for an upcoming release. And in September 2018, the 120-member Southeast Symphony squeezed into the Evergreen Stage for a week of rehearsals. Yes, it’s a big studio (3,000 square feet) but was built to accommodate up to 80 musicians. The Southeast Symphony certainly pushed the space’s limit. Earlier in 2018, smooth