"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.
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.