“Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future.” Sally Mann The Rialto Theater / South Pasadena presented by Cyndi Bemel The following is narrative by Cyndi (edited by Bill) Cyndi shared with us the history of the Moorish-style Rialto Theater in South Pasadena from it’s opening in 1925 to being featured in several films, including Robert Altman’s 1992 thriller “ The Player” to it’s most enduring role in “ a LA LA Land." She has been documenting the inside and outside of the theater and featured many photos from the dilapidated outside, to the very dirty basement where the dressing and green rooms once were. There were color and black and white photos from the main auditorium to the balcony and the projection room. We saw pictures from the upstairs, which is now filled with graffiti, but in the past was used to house many of the African American and Jewish actors that were not allowed to stay in the local hotels. Some of the highlights included pictures of the famed Rialto Theater Sign from the upstairs windows. Currently, the Mosaic Church is holding its Sunday Services (11am) at the Rialto and it’s possible to see the inside of the theater if you attend the services. Below is a link to video: The Rialto – A fading Treasure by Miranda Gontz Rialto Theater and below are some of Cyndi’s pictures of the Rialto Above pictures: (L) Rialto today (R) Rialto 1933 Pictures above: (L) inside today (R) inside 1933 Pictures above: upstairs in old apartments now with grafitti Pictures above: the decaying Rialto signs from inside theater Her presentation also included a historical image collection of movie and legitimate theaters that are part of the historic Broadway District in downtown Los Angeles. Those featured were the 1927 United Artist Theater (The Theater at the Ace Hotel). Cyndi mentioned that the rooftop bar is a great place to go shoot especially at sunset. She showed pictures and videos along with a brief history of the Orpheum, Los Angeles, Mayan, Palace and Pantages Theaters too. Los Angeles Theater Link LA Theater Tour Below is an historic image gallery from downtown theaters The pictures above are fro theaters downtown LA
Cyndi's presentation was a great combo of her own images of the Rialto and historic pictures of both Rialto and theaters on and off Broadway downtown LA Thank you Cyndi
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