National Theatre

I saw an ad on craigslist today looking for a projectionist for the Landmark in W. LA, here is the ad URL View link
It’s not every day you see a “projectionist wanted” post, especially these days, and i know there are some who frequent these boards so thought i’d pass it on

That’s what i was wondering it can’t be THAT Carl could it? I vaguely remember another Carl so assumed it couldn’t be him, The Plaza Carl was a young guy, i frequented those Plaza midnight showings.
There was a young bright manager named Mac Carter who ran the National in ‘84 for a short spell, i’ve often wondered what became of him, he was a good friend. He was going to USC film school FT while simultaneously managing the National, talk about a juggling act.

wow Rita is still at the Chinese? I’ll have to visit her sometime, she was wonderful, probably the most ‘chipper’ person i’ve known. I faintly remember some of these projectionists (Mike and Carl) sad to hear of their passing, the projectionist i used to hang out with in the booth at National (back in ‘84-85, when Trumball left a showscan projector up in the booth for years) was the kind of slightly crazy and paranoid Burt Calderon, but Burt was a great guy, really loved film and had filmmaking aspirations himself. Sigh those were inspiring days when things were still possible, when dreams were still (faintly) alive, the energies of the 60’s & 70’s were still mildly crackling in the air through the 80’s, but they died out completely by 1989

I know…I was his partner for 30 years. Mike passed away on Nov 20th, 2000

Does anyone remember Mike Shaw? Mike was the projectionist for Mann Theaters in Westwood for over 20 years. Barton and Rita will remember Mike. I remember Mr Francis and Mr. Haines. The first movie that opened the National was “Boys in The Band”…you are right Chuck Allen did look like a space alien….the stories I could tell. Rita is still at the Chinese in Hollywood

Mark, at one time there was Bose style surround speakers in the National and the Village.

always looked like shower curtains to me, LOL.

I went to the National a few times in the mid to late ‘90’s. Last time I was there was way back in 2000 I think. I’m pretty sure the surrounds hanging on the wall were Bose back then. Looked like Bose 802’s. Maybe they were upgraded to JBL in the early 2000’s?

your crazy, that’s what was good about the national the 1970 decor hadn’t changed.
Everybody is experiencing a different reality and we are in the middle of a battle of realities

I agree wholeheartedly, Brad. “Iron Man” would have been INSANE at the National! Cest la vie!

Now there’s nothing but a dirt lot with a fence around it.

That evacuation plan was just for the lobby, which was on the second floor. The theater had the standard exits with lighted signs flanking the screen. They were covered by curtains, so they weren’t that obvious.

Mark Campbell: Thanks! That’s a great link: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=2134 to a terrific collection of photos.

One odd photo in that collection caught my eye- the Evacuation Plan, of all things! View link
Were there really no emergency fire exits towards the front of the auditorium?? So that the only way out of the auditorium for potentially 1112 people would have been towards the rear through the basically two entrance-ways?

I know nothing about Los Angeles fire codes, but that seems dicey for 1112 people.
(I guess I’m just used to seeing illuminated exit signs to the left and/or right of screens now-a-days.)