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Anniversary Classics in June: William Friedkin with THE FRENCH CONNECTION and Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris (Bernardo and Riff!) with WEST SIDE STORY

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I love New York in June. How about you? Well, this month we have two superb New York movies as part of our Anniversary Classics and some of the key talent behind them in person to talk about it.

William Friedkin
William Friedkin

This year marks the 45th anniversary of THE FRENCH CONNECTION, the gritty and gripping police thriller that won five Academy Awards in 1971, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Gene Hackman, Best Screenplay and Best Director for our special guest, William Friedkin. One of the key figures in the American cinematic renaissance of the 1970s, Mr. Friedkin has directed such films as The Birthday Party, The Boys in the Band, the enormously successful The Exorcist, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in L.A., Rules of Engagement, and the more recent Killer Joe.

We’ll screen THE FRENCH CONNECTION on June 18 at the Fine Arts Theatre. Beyond its adrenaline-fueled chase scenes, the movie boasts acute characterizations and potent social commentary about the moral compromises that may be endemic to police work. It also stands as one of the most vivid renditions of a decaying New York City ever committed to celluloid. Roy Scheider and Bunuel favorite Fernando Rey (as the suave European criminal kingpin) co-star. Reviews were ecstatic. Judith Crist called it “a movie-movie supreme.” Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times wrote that THE FRENCH CONNECTION was “a slam-bang, suspenseful, plain-spoken, sardonically funny, furiously paced melodrama.” Even highbrow Stanley Kauffmann, writing in The New Republic, hailed “the most exciting picture I’ve seen since Z.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwBbkSTfKa8

riffJune 29 won’t be just any night, because we’ll be celebrating the 55th anniversary of WEST SIDE STORY at the Fine Arts with Bernardo and Riff themselves, George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn. NOTE: Unfortunately, George Chakiris had to cancel for health reasons. One of the most honored and commercially successful of all movie musicals, WEST SIDE STORY earned a near-record 10 Academy Awards in 1961. The film version of the groundbreaking stage musical that re-imagined Romeo and Juliet in contemporary New York City retained and deepened the play’s emotional impact by bringing together a show business all-star team. The show’s director and choreographer, Jerome Robbins, worked with veteran filmmaker Robert Wise to transform the theatrical experience into electrifying cinema. Robbins and Wise reworked the classic Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim score and came up with fresh casting ideas for this ever timely story of racial prejudice and conflict. The stars of the movie included Natalie Wood, Oscar nominee Mr. Tamblyn, Oscar winner Mr. Chakiris, and Oscar winner Rita Moreno.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFahVIspakE

Our screening will be followed by a Q&A with the charismatic leaders of the movie’s rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Mr. Chakiris (Bernardo) had been a dancer in several 1950s musicals, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and White Christmas. Following his Oscar-winning performance in WEST SIDE STORY, he appeared in such films as Diamond Head with Charlton Heston, Flight from Ashiya with Yul Brynner, and the Jacques Demy musical The Young Girls of Rochefort, co-starring Catherine Deneuve and Gene Kelly. He also has extensive credits in theater and television.  West-Side-Story-DI-3-1

George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn
George Chakiris and Russ Tamblyn

Russ Tamblyn (Riff) played Elizabeth Taylor’s younger brother in Father of the Bride in 1950. He displayed his dance abilities in such musicals as Hit the Deck and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and earned an Oscar nomination for his dramatic turn in the 1957 film, Peyton Place. His later work includes The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, the horror classic, The Haunting (also directed by Robert Wise), David Lynch’s cult TV series, Twin Peaks, and a cameo in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained.

Both Q&A’s will be moderated by Los Angeles Film Critics Association president Stephen Farber.

Azusa City Council to RECONSIDER the Laemmle Theatre Mixed-Use project for Block 36 on Monday, June 6th at 7PM!

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UPDATE (6/6/16 at 11PM): The Azusa City Council voted 5-0 in favor of moving forward with our proposal for Block 36 in Downtown Azusa at the southeast corner of Azusa Avenue and Foothill Boulevard! We couldn’t have done it without the support of Azusa’s passionate and determined residents. Thank you!

Follow Laemmle Azusa on Facebook and on Twitter @LaemmleAzusa!

Amazing news everyone! The Azusa City Council is reconsidering the Laemmle Theatre Mixed-Use project for Block 36 at the upcoming Council meeting on Monday, June 6th at 7 pm!

The amount of support we’ve received from Azusa’s passionate arthouse audience is humbling. Thank you.

We also want to thank the council members. It takes courage and strength to reconsider a previous decision.  We applaud the council for taking these steps.

We still need community support at the meeting! All speakers should arrive before 7PM to sign the blue speaker card.

Location: 213 E. Foothill Blvd., Azusa, CA 91702 (map)
Date: Monday, June 6th, 2016
Time: 7PM

The City Council will vote on an action to “CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO PRIOR DIRECTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT ON BLOCK 36 LOCATED AT SOUTHEAST CORNER OF AZUSA AVENUE AND FOOTHILL BOULEVARD TO DIRECT STAFF TO NEGOTIATE EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS WITH BOTH CHARLES COMPANY AND SERRANO DEVELOPMENT GROUP FOR BLOCK 36 AND OTHER CITY OWNED PROPERTIES”. Refer to the Agenda Item D http://www.ci.azusa.ca.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4157

Oh, and look for Greg Laemmle at the meeting. He wants to personally thank people for their efforts!

azusa2

Join us this Thursday Night at the Playhouse for the Opening of the PASADENA ART SHOW 2016

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ArtHouse_Logo_08mhART IN THE ARTHOUSE invites you to experience The Pasadena Art Show 2016 featuring stunning and diverse works from 23 talented, local artists.

RSVP BELOW to the opening reception this Thursday, June 2, 6-9pm at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 Theatre in Pasadena. The celebration includes the exhibit, curator talk, and artist presentation/slide show on the big screen!

Curator’s Statement:
We are honored to feature a spirited array of local artists in this, our second annual Pasadena community show. The cord that binds these diverse talents is more lyrical than stylistic. In a time when reason, logic, and subtlety fall prey to spectacle this group leads with clarity of vision and purpose, through stories that are often poetic in the telling. Shifting fields of Pasadena mise-en-scenes, ranging from the containment of the Metro to the expansiveness of the cosmos, usher us through our everyday journeys and refocus us to the present moment. We are delighted by a magnificent bloom, intrigued by a photo offering serenity in the face of divergent paths, moved by the elegance of a classic face, and charmed by visits to ‘the pastoral.’ Laemmle’s Art in the Arthouse was created to build community through artistic dialogue. This skillful collective fulfills that objective with panache, talent, and grace.

– Joshua Elias

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About The Pasadena Art Show:
The Pasadena Art Show is produced by artist, author, and local impresario Lynn Chang. The multi-faceted Chang has enlisted Laemmle and specifically its “Art in the Arthouse” program to act as venue and host for the now annual exhibit.

Art in the Arthouse arose in early 2014 out of a desire by Laemmle president Greg Laemmle to engage the fine arts community and bring quality works to the movie-going public. Since then, Laemmle has created unique gallery spaces within its venues by reclaiming wall space vacated by printed movie posters, like the ones found on the Fine Art America posters website (since replaced by rotating digital displays). With visionary input from curator Joshua Elias, Art in the Arthouse has bridged the worlds of fine art and fine cinema through over 20 exhibits, featuring mostly local and emerging talent. Proceeds from the sale of art benefit the activities of the Laemmle Charitable Foundation.

RSVP

RSVPs are now closed for this event. Catch you at the next one!

Laemmle’s Art in the Arthouse Presents “Archiving Hesse” at the Monica Film Center

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Recently, there’s been a lot of commotion surrounding the seminal artist EVA HESSE, including a recent exhibit at the Whitney, a current show in DTLA at Hauser Wirth & Schimmel, and of course, the opening of the film EVA HESSE at four of our venues. Directed by Marcie Begleiter and produced by Karen Shapiro, the documentary is the first feature-length examination of Hesse’s life and work.

Barbara Brown_edit_lr
Barbara Brown, photographer

In addition to all this, our fine arts program, Art in the Arthouse, has jumped into the fray with ARCHIVING HESSE an exhibit at the Monica that includes photography featured in the film.  It showcases the work of photographer and raconteur, BARBARA BROWN, who, from 1962-1965, chronicled Hesse and the other luminaries that made up the Canal St. scene of New York’s Lower Eastside.

Unfortunately, most of Brown’s negatives were destroyed in a bizarre train fire and eternally lost. But we are pleased to present some surviving photos that capture the artist in particularly revealing moments. Interwoven are two images from Hesse’s 1968 solo exhibition at the Fishbach Gallery taken by NORMAN GOLDMAN.

The Archiving Hesse photo exhibit opens this Thurs. night at the Monica Film Center (where the documentary will be showing) and can be enjoyed through June.

About Hesse:

In 1938, at three years old, EVA HESSE was put on the kindertransport to escape Nazi Germany. She arrived in New York to reunite with her family, but seven years later lost her mother to suicide.

Hesse went on to study art and design at Yale University.  As an artist, she had a unique ability to alchemize her personal tragedies into searing and poetic works. Based mainly in New York, Hesse and her husband Tom Doyle briefly relocated their studio to Kettwig Germany where she transitioned from painter to sculptor.

“Stop [thinking] and just do!”  This strong note circa 1965 from her mentor Sol LeWitt opened Hesse up to an artistic stream of sculptures, paintings, drawings, and happenings. She incorporated industrial materials such as cord, wire, yarn, and latex to create magnificent walls sculptures that commanded attention. Hesse soon became a major figure in the post AbEx landscape movement.

Tragically, Hesse died of brain cancer at age 34. She lives on in her works, which are displayed in museums worldwide,

San Gabriel Valley: Voice Your Support for Laemmle at the Azusa City Council Vote on Monday, 5/16 at 7:30PM

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UPDATE 6/3/2016: Azusa City Council to RECONSIDER the Laemmle Theatre Mixed-Use project for Block 36 on Monday, June 6th at 7PM! Click here for details.

ONE FINAL UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Azusa City Council did NOT select our project for Downtown Azusa.

Sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to speak and email. The overwhelming display of public support at the council meeting warmed our little lamb hearts. We appreciate all of you.

On Monday, May 16th at 7:30PM the Azusa City Council is scheduled to vote on our proposal to build a new movie theater in Downtown Azusa and we hope you’ll support us by speaking at the meeting! Skip to meeting details.

The proposed “Laemmle Theatre Mixed-Use Project” includes a five screen, 300 seat movie theater (with programming similar to our Pasadena venue), 108 apartment units, retail/restaurant space, an above ground parking garage, and an outdoor plaza. Our project would occupy “Block 36” at the southeast corner of East Foothill Boulevard and North Azusa Avenue in Downtown Azusa.

City Council will choose between our project and a competing project that includes a bowling alley instead of a movie theater. Some of the competitive bowling players are definitely up for that, they’ve been researching ‘best bowling ball for a stroker‘ so they get themselves to the top of the leaderboard (that hasn’t even been built yet!). There has been a lot of talk on both sides, so we are in two minds about whether to choose the bowling alley or the bright lights of a Laemmle theater!

A new Laemmle theater in Azusa would operate in addition to our existing Pasadena and Claremont venues allowing us to bring more independent, foreign, and documentary films to audiences in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valley areas.

Fans of more mainstream films needn’t worry. You’ll still be able to catch big Hollywood movies like CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR at the nearby Foothill 10 operated by Regency Theatres. We’ll focus on indie and art film. We think there’s enough room for BOTH our theaters to thrive.

Here’s the important part: Public support for the project at this City Council meeting is critical. You can help by attending. Supporters wishing to speak must arrive before 7:30pm to fill out and submit a Blue Card.

The Azusa City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm on Monday, May 16th:

Azusa City Auditorium
213 East Foothill Boulevard,
Azusa, CA 91702 (map)

If you can’t attend, you can still help by emailing Azusa Council Members in advance so they have written evidence that the community supports this project. Please email council members before May 16th. Include City Manager Troy Butzlaff in all correspondence to ensure your support is noted in the official record.

Here are their email addresses:

City Manager Troy Butzlaff – tbutzlaff@ci.azusa.ca.us

Mayor Joseph Romero Rocha – jrocha@ci.azusa.ca.us
Mayor Pro Tem Angel A. Carrillo – acarrillo@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Edward J. Alvarez – ealvarez@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Robert Gonzales – robertgonzales@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Uriel E. Macias – umacias@ci.azusa.ca.us

Please share this post with any other community members interested in voicing their opinion on this exciting project!

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Q&As with Rob Reiner and his son, Co-screenwriter Nick Reiner, Following Select Screenings of Their New Film BEING CHARLIE 5/7 in Beverly Hills and 5/8 in Encino

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reinerBEING CHARLIE director Rob Reiner and his son, co-screenwriter Nick Reiner, will participate in Q&A’s following the 7:10 PM screening at the Ahrya Fine Arts in Beverly Hills on Saturday, May 7th and after the 4:30 PM screening at the Town Center in Encino on Sunday, May 8th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SDAKgyqKNI

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival Honors Laemmle Theatres at the May 18 Opening Night Gala

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On Thursday, May 19 Laemmle family matriarch Alyse Laemmle will turn 100 years old! Coincidentally, the night before is the opening night gala of the L.A. Jewish Film Festival at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, where Bob and Greg Laemmle will accept an honor on behalf of the company founded in 1938 by Max — Bob’s father, Greg’s grandfather — and Max’s brother Kurt. The ceremony comes after the red carpet and reception and before a screening from the thrilling Israeli spy series False Flag. Join us! You can buy tickets here.

The statement from the LAJFF Executive Director Hilary Helstein:

“The Laemmle Theaters has been a valued partner of the L.A. Jewish Film Festival since our inaugural year in 2006. You have helped us grow in size and scope and we are grateful for your continued support over these early years. Our mission has always been to use film as a way to educate and build community; to build a sustainable cultural arts program of “Jewish” cinema to engage the Jewish community, but more importantly reach the greater LA community and engage in a multicultural dialogue. The Laemmle Theaters has continually helped us to achieve our goals each year.

“As a four-generation family business, Laemmle has established an empire of successful theaters and built something unique in the greater Los Angeles region. The L.A. community has come to rely on Laemmle’s innovative programming and reputation for showing quality cinema, in addition to your ability to showcase films and filmmakers promoting themes of interfaith and interethnic understanding.

The L.A. Jewish Film Festival and Jewish Journal are honored to recognize you and your team publicly for your continued support of our program and mission and for all that you have succeeded in creating for the greater L.A. community in bringing the best in international cinema to Los Angeles.”

Thank you, Hilary! The honor is ours.

LAEMMLE fans: Would you like to see a new Laemmle theater in Azusa?!

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UPDATED 6/3/2016: Azusa City Council to RECONSIDER the Laemmle Theatre Mixed-Use project for Block 36 on Monday, June 6th at 7PM! Click here for details.

ONE FINAL UPDATE: Unfortunately, the Azusa City Council did NOT select our project for Downtown Azusa.

Sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to speak and email. The overwhelming display of public support at the council meeting warmed our little lamb hearts. We appreciate all of you. <3 <3 <3

azusaUPDATE: On Monday, May 16th at 7:30PM the Azusa City Council is scheduled to vote on our proposal to build a new movie theater in Downtown Azusa and we hope you’ll support us by speaking at the meeting! Click here for details.

Our proposal to build a movie theater in Downtown Azusa has been selected as a finalist by the Azusa City Council!

In November, the City of Azusa requested proposals for a mixed use development opportunity on the southeast corner of East Foothill Boulevard and North Azusa Avenue in Downtown Azusa (referred to as “Block 36”). Our project was selected as one of two finalists in this process!

Our proposal includes a five screen movie theater (with programming similar to our Pasadena venue), 108 residential units, retail/restaurant space, and an outdoor plaza. It is estimated that our theater will draw approximately 75,000 people per year to Downtown Azusa.

Public support and outreach for the project and at upcoming City Council meetings is critical. You can help by emailing Azusa Councilmembers in advance so they have written evidence that the community supports this project. Please email them before their next meeting on May 2nd. Here are their email addresses:

Mayor Joseph Romero Rocha – jrocha@ci.azusa.ca.us
Mayor Pro Tem Angel A. Carrillo – acarillo@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Edward J. Alvarez – ealvarez@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Robert Gonzales – robertgonzales@ci.azusa.ca.us
Council Member Uriel E. Macias – umacias@ci.azusa.ca.us
City Manager Troy Butzlaff – tbutzlaff@ci.azusa.ca.us

Thanks for your support!