Architecture and Design: Film Night at the Hollywood
byStarting in October, the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and the Church at the Hollywood will screen four nights of film, each with the theme of how architecture and design shape our world.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is offering this last hurrah to celebrate 78 years of the historic Hollywood Theatre, which opened in 1935. It was recently announced that the current tenants, the Church at the Hollywood, need to clear out and make room for a new fitness centre that will occupy the space on West Broadway.
Architecture & Design: Film Night at the Hollywood
- Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Eames: The Architect and the Painter
(2011) directed by Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey, starring James Franco, Charles Eames, and Ray Eames. Follow the story of iconic husband and wife design team Charles and Ray Eames, once America’s most influential industrial designers. - Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Pruitt Igoe Myth
(2011) Directed by Chad and Jaime Freidrichs. The Pruitt Igoe housing complex became a widespread symbol of failure amongst architects, politicians and policy makers. Explore the reasons public housing models had to change, and hear from several of the projects residents. - Tuesday, November 12, 2013
The Good and the Bad of Mid 20th Century Vancouver
An evening of four short films based in Vancouver between WWII and Expo 86.
Vancouver Honeymoon (1960), To Build a Better City (1964), Rainbow War (1985) and Sleeping Tigers: The Story of the Asahi Baseball Team (2003). - Tuesday, November 26, 2013:
The Fountainhead
(1949) Directed by King Vidor, starring Patricia Neal and Gary Cooper. Based on the Ayn Rand novel, an uncompromising visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity despite pressure to conform to popular standards.
Entry to the film series is by donation, concession will also available by separate donation, with proceeds going towards the publication of a historic map guide of Kitsilano. Doors to each night will open at 7:00pm, with films beginning at 7:30pm.
On October 22nd the Vancouver Heritage Foundation will also put together a special celebration to recognize the 78th anniversary of the Hollywood Theatre (details to follow).
A team of 60 volunteers spent five Saturdays restringing crystal chandeliers, scrubbing the red seats and vacuuming cobwebs from the ceiling to get the building ready for use, Church at the Hollywood spokeswoman Sarah Kift said Tuesday.
But last week, the owner gave the church notice its month-to-month lease will be cancelled and the church must leave by Nov. 30. “I was sad… but we knew this could be a possibility that there’d be something different happening with the Hollywood,” Kift said, adding the owner rented the space at a “generous” rate.
“We’ve had such a great time being a good neighbour and being with the community,” Kift said. People constantly stopped by to share memories about the theatre, she said. “It’s a place to celebrate arts and culture and celebrate an experience together. It’s a place where doors are open to all.” [Metro News]
The historic Hollywood Theatre is located at 3123 W Broadway. With movie houses dying off quickly around the city, this film series is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this amazing space before it is altered.
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I sure hope that the architectural details – did someone say chandeliers, etc are salvaged before the reconstruction. From film house, to church, to fitness centre. Just another place of worship!
At first when the Hollywood became a Church, I had serious concerns but now I see it could have been far worse (like the Ridge and Varsity where the buildings were destroyed). The Church in question turned out to be great member of the community and were quite gracious about opening the doors to non-Church events such as a few CBC presentation and Heritage Foundation gatherings. I for one am grateful for their efforts and am happy such a memory laden location remained at least periodically accessible, and so well cared for.
Now,.. my fears return. I’m trying to think of what kind of business seems worse than a fitness centre for that space. Could it have bee a cool store, restaurant, live music venue, large shared artist space, gallery, even warehouse? Yes to all. Not so for a gym. Sigh. For such a great potential city, we need to get this aspect of it under control,.. but at the same time,.. we have so many nice/important structures left to save,… maybe it is too late.