DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Venus, v. 1, issue 1, June 1944

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Venus, v. 1, issue 1, June 1944

Page 12

                         -12-

Sep. 9th, at a meeting of the LASFS, Walt Daugherty showed me a clipping from the day's Hollywood Reporter stating that the next nite Lang was to speak at a special showing of early German films, including "Caligari". I was not familiar with the place named---the American Contemporary Guild---so I went to the phone to find out where it was and further details. The information was disheartening. One first had to be a member of the Guild, only persons connected with the film industry being eligible for membership, which was $3 a year--well, I might qualify for that on the technicality that a couple years ago I had worked for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; but single seats were not sold, one had to buy a series tickets, 8 showings for $10, on Friday nites. I am not ordinarily able to get out of Ft. macArthur on Friday nites. At any rate, it looked like it would cost me $13 to attend--- I could hardly afford to spend that. I rather gave up at the time. 

But the next day the idea kept growing on me. I could not convince myself that if I got a pass, went up to Hollywood, explained how I'c had to go clear up to the Captain to get out, was making a 60 mile round trip, had been 2 hours on the way, spent a buck or more, had waited 15 years to see guest speaker and was willing to stand in the audience or site in the projection booth...I couldn't believe they'd refuse me admittance. Failing all else, I'd throw myself on their patriotism as a SERVICE MAN. 

So I determined to go. 

I got to L.A. about 7 o'clock, when I realized with a shock I could not remember the name of the place! "Gallery" was all that glimmered back to me. I couldn't get hold of Daugherty. I checked the phone book but didn't stumble across the name. But, as I recalled, the lady had said it was located across from the Chinese Theater. Also, she had said they seated only 50. And once before I had gone almost across from the Chinese, to the Roosevelt Hotel, to a room holding 50, to see a revival of "The Lost World". So that was where I headed. 

Seeker of Shangri-Lang 

But at several information sources at the Roosevelt they denied any knowledge of a film-showing or talk by Lang. I walked to directly across from the Chinese, only to find millinery establishments, a drugstore, etc. A ray of hope as on the block I found a London Book Gallery, I believe it was. At least Gallery was there --maybe in the back of this shoppe was where they were going to show the pictures. But neither the proprietress not her husband knew anything about that for which I sought. 

I tried phoning the Hollywood Reporter, where the announcement had appeared. No response. 

maybe the lady had said Egyptian instead of Chinese Theater. It was only about a block and a half away. The time was nearly 8. I headed there. 

I passed Virginia "Jimmy" Laney, one-time member of the LASFS, looking more beautiful than ever. I had not seen her for several years. But I had not seen Lang in 27 years, so I did not stop to speak to Laney. 

In the next block I saw Ron Clyne browsing in a bookstore. Is that news to you, Ron? Nothing had to deter me from my date with Fritz Lang. 

Across from the Egyptian I finally found it, the Gallery, up a passageway leading between shops selling artists' materiels, to a little cubicle with a small silver screen and a half hundred chairs. Here the lady in charge l i s t e n e d

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-12- Sep. 9th, at a meeting of the LASFS, Walt Daugherty showed me a clipping from the day's Hollywood Reporter stating that the next nite Lang was to speak at a special showing of early German films, including "Caligari". I was not familiar with the place named---the American Contemporary Guild---so I went to the phone to find out where it was and further details. The information was disheartening. One first had to be a member of the Guild, only persons connected with the film industry being eligible for membership, which was $3 a year--well, I might qualify for that on the technicality that a couple years ago I had worked for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; but single seats were not sold, one had to buy a series tickets, 8 showings for $10, on Friday nites. I am not ordinarily able to get out of Ft. macArthur on Friday nites. At any rate, it looked like it would cost me $13 to attend--- I could hardly afford to spend that. I rather gave up at the time. But the next day the idea kept growing on me. I could not convince myself that if I got a pass, went up to Hollywood, explained how I'c had to go clear up to the Captain to get out, was making a 60 mile round trip, had been 2 hours on the way, spent a buck or more, had waited 15 years to see guest speaker and was willing to stand in the audience or site in the projection booth...I couldn't believe they'd refuse me admittance. Failing all else, I'd throw myself on their patriotism as a SERVICE MAN. So I determined to go. I got to L.A. about 7 o'clock, when I realized with a shock I could not remember the name of the place! "Gallery" was all that glimmered back to me. I couldn't get hold of Daugherty. I checked the phone book but didn't stumble across the name. But, as I recalled, the lady had said it was located across from the Chinese Theater. Also, she had said they seated only 50. And once before I had gone almost across from the Chinese, to the Roosevelt Hotel, to a room holding 50, to see a revival of "The Lost World". So that was where I headed. Seeker of Shangri-Lang But at several information sources at the Roosevelt they denied any knowledge of a film-showing or talk by Lang. I walked to directly across from the Chinese, only to find millinery establishments, a drugstore, etc. A ray of hope as on the block I found a London Book Gallery, I believe it was. At least Gallery was there --maybe in the back of this shoppe was where they were going to show the pictures. But neither the proprietress not her husband knew anything about that for which I sought. I tried phoning the Hollywood Reporter, where the announcement had appeared. No response. maybe the lady had said Egyptian instead of Chinese Theater. It was only about a block and a half away. The time was nearly 8. I headed there. I passed Virginia "Jimmy" Laney, one-time member of the LASFS, looking more beautiful than ever. I had not seen her for several years. But I had not seen Lang in 27 years, so I did not stop to speak to Laney. In the next block I saw Ron Clyne browsing in a bookstore. Is that news to you, Ron? Nothing had to deter me from my date with Fritz Lang. Across from the Egyptian I finally found it, the Gallery, up a passageway leading between shops selling artists' materiels, to a little cubicle with a small silver screen and a half hundred chairs. Here the lady in charge l i s t e n e d