Hollywood and Argyle

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It’s the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue, as seen in the opening moments of Nightfall (dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1957). The Pantages Theatre stands on the south side of the Boulevard at 6233. The film is telling its audience, “This is happening in Los Angeles.”


[Click for a larger view.]

Here’s the same intersection, as seen in Google Maps (September 2017). There’s been considerable change to the northeast corner, but the Taft Building, sign and all, still stands on the north side of the Boulevard at 6280. (From this angle, the sign is obscured by palm trees.) On the south side, the Guaranty Building, minus its sign, still stands at 6331. (The Church of Scientology now owns the building.) The Hollywood Equitable Building, at 6253, is now condos. The Pantages is still a theater, though no longer one showing Serenade (dir. Anthony Mann, 1956).

The Pantages, the Pantages: and now I have a song running through my head.