Location Sleuth II

Nathan Marsak says:

That's Sixth and Olive, looking Northeast. The old 1906 Philharmonic Auditorium in the bg, left (after its 1938 Streamline remodel by Stiles Clements, now a parking lot) and next to it to the right is the Parkinson 1931 Title Guarantee Building. That's why it's so dark at the right side of the image -- that's Pershing Square.

So right! And on that corner is the Pacific Mutual Building

Location Sleuth

Here’s a frame grab from the opening shots of “Double Indemnity.” According to the script, the car driven by Walter Neff speeds through an intersection, narrowly avoiding a delivery truck bearing the sign: “READ THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.”

But tinkering with the photo (the original is very dark, after all we are talking about film noir) shows that the truck apparently reads “Los Angeles Examiner.” Although it’s difficult to be positive, the elaborate “E” on the second line almost surely gives it away as the Examiner. It certainly isn't the Los Angeles Times. Either way, it’s definitely a newspaper truck as bundles of papers tumble from the back when the driver slams on the brakes.

Here’s one of my favorite passages from the script, describing the Dietrichson house:

“Spanish craperoo in style, as is the house throughout. A wrought-iron staircase curves down from the second floor. A fringed Mexican shawl hangs down over the landing. A large tapestry hangs on the wall. Downstairs, the dining room to one side, living room on the other side visible through a wide archway. All of this, architecture, furniture, decorations, etc., is genuine early Leo Carrillo period. Neff has edged his way in past maid who still holds the door open.”

As for the location, my guess is Hill and 3rd Streets, across from Grand Central Market. Any other ideas?

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Location Sleuth, "A Mighty Wind"

Hey look! That’s the Orpheum Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, not Carnegie Hall.

Location Sleuth, "Day of the Locust"

Hey look who’s in “Day of the Locust”: What’s his face from “Ghost Busters.”

Location Sleuth

Look what I found while watching the opening of "Some Like It Hot." Why it's signage for a 1950s Standard gas station. Hey isn't that going to be in the shot? Naw, don't worry about it.