Vintage L.A. Event

On Saturday, we rode downtown at sunset for a screening of "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden at the historic Million Dollar Theater.  Other than "West Side Story," "Sunset Boulevard" is my FAVORITE movie of all-time!  

Architectural Detail at the roof line of the Million Dollar Theater

Lobby, Million Dollar Theater, L.A. Historic Theatre Foundation Photo Archives

Before the screening we roamed through the Grand Central Market, next door to the beautiful Million Dollar Theater.  Many of the restaurants and stands were open late for the occasion.  We had dinner at Berlin Currywust ... delicious. 

Grand Central Market

This was a Vintage Los Angeles event, organized by Alison Martino.  Serendipitously, Alison happened to be having dinner at the soon-to-be-closed Beverly Hills branch of Kate Mantilini's and she spied the last living cast member of "Sunset Boulevard," Nancy Olson having dinner too.  Alison immediately introduced herself to Ms. Olson and asked if she would be kind enough to be interviewed before the screening.  Ms. Olson agreed!

The "question and answer" portion of the evening was more A than Q, but Ms. Olson was delightful in her soliloquy about appearing in this classic film. 

Nancy Olson and Alison Martino, photo by Ellen Berman.  "How Many People Have Seen "Sunset Boulevard?"

We ran into tons of friends, met new people and generally had a perfect evening.  We love Los Angeles.

Alison and Ellen (channeling the leopardness of Norma Desmond)

Her recollections, candor and humorous anecdotes were well received by an appreciative audience. - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/storyboard/conversation-nancy-olson-program-recap#sthash.U7UzQJ39.dpuf

Her recollections, candor and humorous anecdotes were well received by an appreciative audience. - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/storyboard/conversation-nancy-olson-program-recap#sthash.U7UzQJ39.dpuf

Her recollections, candor and humorous anecdotes were well received by an appreciative audience. - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/storyboard/conversation-nancy-olson-program-recap#sthash.U7UzQJ39.dpuf

Her recollections, candor and humorous anecdotes were well received by an appreciative audience. - See more at: http://www.waltdisney.org/storyboard/conversation-nancy-olson-program-recap#sthash.U7UzQJ39.dpuf