The Last Picture Show

Of Los Angeles� great archival double-bill theaters, only Sherman Torgan�s New Beverly Cinema remains. Can this revival house be saved?

Comments (0) By Paul Cullum Thursday, Jul 17 2003

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“I think there will be something really lost if it goes,” says Tolkin. “In a way, the marquee is an index for what has lasted.” He suggests more first-run foreign films that have not landed distribution. “He could do that with the French Cultural Ministry, the Spanish Cultural Ministry. There’s an unbelievable wealth of films being produced around the world.”

Torgan continues to experiment with programming, mixing in newer films like Spun (on a recent bill with Trainspotting), which is technically new enough to qualify as second-run. Johnny Legend and Eric Caidin of Hollywood Book and Poster show exploitation prints from their private collection once a month, as they did recently with Spider Baby and The Big Doll House, featuring director Jack Hill and star Sid Haig in attendance. Torgan rents the theater out to daytime film shoots when he can. And the possibility always exists for individual sponsorships — either corporations or entities buying out blocks of seats, or individuals booking a night and inviting all their friends. (Put me down for Network and Sweet Smell of Success.)

“Not that I’m sitting here this depressed, beaten-down shell,” says Torgan, suddenly concerned that his comments might be misconstrued as bitterness. “Because I feel successful. I feel like if I walked out of here tomorrow, which I’m not planning on doing — hey, I had a good run. Very few independent businesses, no matter what they’re selling, last 25 years.”

Julien Nitzberg assisted in researching this article.