Vintage Photo Friday

1965.  Cinerama Dome, Hollywood.  Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection

Boxing Day.  The day after Christmas.  Stores and restaurants are open.  The city is bustling once again.  Larry and I decided to take in a flick.  We drove to Hollywood to see "Birdman" at the ArcLight.  We liked the movie.  It needs to be seen on the big screen without distractions. Yes, it's all about pesky actors, but without actors many of us here in tinsel town would be out of jobs! The performances are excellent!

1963.  "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" opens at the Cinerama Dome. Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection

I always love visiting the Cinerama Dome in front of the ArcLight Theaters.  It's a geodesic dome designed by the architectural firm of Welton Beckett (1963).  The theater was built in  just 16 weeks!  That wacky movie, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" premiered there. I remember seeing this movie when it came out.  More than the movie, I remember sitting inside the theater and looking up toward the honey-comb, domed ceiling.  After the movie my Dad walked us around the outside of the theater to check it out.  Wow!  I'd never seen a round building up-close before, except for the beautiful Capitol Records building (1956) a couple of blocks away.

Even though the ArcLight complex backs up and almost surrounds the Cinerama Dome, this building is still cool.  It has been preserved and still shows movies...even in cinerama!   The building looks terrific today.  I snapped a few shots.

2014

The Star of My Blog

Have a safe holiday weekend.  Go OUT to the movies.  Movies are your finest entertainment.

1965.  Photo by Howard Kelly.  The Cinerama Dome is just left of center in this aerial photo