L.A. Story (1991)

It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly 20 years since I got my first taste of L.A. in the form of a movie.

L.A. Story was released in 1991 and focused on the romantic struggles of Harris K. Telemacher, a meteorologist living in the titular city. The romantic aspects of this movie were the least interesting to me; boy meets girl, boy gets sidetracked by much younger girl, boy comes to his senses and gets girl back. It was fairly generic romantic comedy stuff. Well, except for that talking freeway sign who gave love advice.

What was interesting was all the stuff about Los Angeles. Steve Martin (who wrote the screenplay) poked fun at his city in a very affectionate way. There were lots of easy targets; the beautiful but superficial people, the road rage, the lack of culture, the obsession with money and celebrity, the difficulty of reserving a table at some restaurants and even the health craze. How about a colonic? Anyone?

There were many locations used to shoot the movie but some of my favorite scenes took place at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, otherwise known as the LACMA. If you remember, Mr. Telemacher liked to do performance art in the gallery while his friend videotaped it. This “art” involved Harris roller skating through the exhibits. These scenes had nothing to do with the plot of the movie but they were fun to watch and perhaps showed how Angelenos like to do weird, creative things.

The LACMA isn’t difficult to find and there is easy parking across the street. With validation, the parking  cost me $7.

The cost of the general admission was $12, although on the second Tuesday of every month the admission is FREE!  As you can see from my ticket stub, I found this out a little too late. 

 

As Harris flew by on his roller skates, he passed by this painting.  I have no idea who painted it or what the painting is called but I definitely recognized it from the movie.  I found it hiding in a closed gallery and there was no sign to give me more information. 

Harris passed by other paintings but I guarantee you that The Scream by Edvard Munch was never at the LACMA.   

This masterpiece was obviously shocked at Mr. Telemacher's antics.   

HOW TO GET THERE:  The LACMA is very easy to find.  It's right on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile area of L.A.   As might be expected, it is located on Museum Row. 

WORTH THE TREK?  9/10  Absolutely.  The museum is a good size and if you're a fan of modern art, they have some nice surprises.  There is usually a special exhibit and for the next couple of months, Renoir is in town.  Just a warning though, don't try strapping on a pair of skates.  I'm sure this kind of performance art is strictly forbidden! 

Clueless (1995)

Before there was Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, there was Cher Horowitz in Clueless.

Cher, portrayed by the smoking hot Alicia Silverstone, is a rich and pampered teenager who lives at the top of the heap in Beverly Hills. Even though she spends her days at school, she has more important things on her mind; fashion, spending time at the mall and hanging out with her best friend, Dionne.

But Cher suddenly finds she has a purpose when two of her teachers need a love connection. She makes the match and with one success under her designer belt, she set her sights on another clueless and lonely soul, Tai Fraisier (played by the recently deceased Brittany Murphy). Cher has a harder time with Tai because she wants to set Tai up with Elton, a popular senior and Elton has the hots for Cher.

After one of those good ol' high school parties when the house gets trashed and someone pukes in the pool, Elton drives Cher home. On the way, Elton makes a pass at Cher who becomes increasingly frustrated that he is not interested in Tai. When Elton won't stop groping her, she gets out of the car in the parking lot of Circus Liquor and Elton drives off.

This isn't a good idea. After being left alone in the dark, Cher gets mugged and is totally forced to kiss the pavement. This is like, really bad for her and she has to suck it up and call her ex-stepbrother whom she hates at the time.

The party was supposed to be in Sun Valley but Circus Liquor is actually in North Hollywood which really isn't on the way from Sun Valley to Beverly Hills. Oh well, movies aren't supposed to be geography lessons.

You wanted me to take the pictures at night and make them more like the movie ??

As if!

I didn't want the same fate as Cher. The daytime pics will have to do.

This is not an exciting picture but it does indicate the area where Cher was forced down on the ground by her attacker.

In one of those blink-or-you'll-miss-it shots, Cher walks past the Witch's House which is located in Beverly Hills. She walks by it as she pouts about her disastrous driving test.

When I took these photos, the house was in the middle of a reconstruction. There was a green fence around it and the front yard was a little torn up. It has been around since 1921 so I guess it was time for a little tune-up.

HOW TO GET THERE: Circus Liquor is located at the intersection of Vineland and Burbank in North Hollywood. The Witch's House is at 516 N. Walden Drive in Beverly Hills.

WORTH THE TREK? 4/10 for Circus Liquor. Although it is a really cool looking neon sign, it is just that and the store sells liquor which can be purchased elsewhere. 7/10 for the Witch's House because it is such a unique property sitting among the snobby 90210 estates. Unfortunately it cannot be toured and I have no idea when the renovations will be completed.