Shelly Goldstein calls my attention to an ad in the real estate section of the Los Angeles Times — the paper version, not the online one. The Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax is for sale. Again.
For those of you who don't know the history of the place, I refer you to this article. It takes the story up to the point where Laurence Austin, the man who reopened the place, was murdered.
The narrative after that involves Austin's male companion being found guilty of his murder, and a number of revelations about Mr. Austin that were none too flattering. There was a protracted battle over the property with many folks (including the murderer) claiming title until it was finally sold to a man named Charlie Lustman who did what seemed like a fine job refurbishing and reopening the place. But lately it's been closed more often than a healthy business is closed, and I guess Mr. Lustman has decided to bail. The Times piece says he's looking for "a buyer who wants a landmark, a historical responsibility."
Asking price: $2.9 million for the business and real estate. The package includes the renovated theater (first built in 1942) and 5,000 sq. ft lot; 1,600 sq ft. back patio; all furniture, fixtures and equipment; silent movie-star portraits, posters and lobby cards; and a film collection of more than 185 titles.
I hope someone takes him up on it but I have to admit I'm pessimistic. If he couldn't make a go of it, I'm not sure anyone can. Once upon a time, it was just about the only place you could go in Southern California and see a Buster Keaton film. Today, you can get most of them on DVD. In fact, the whole business of "revival houses" is withering away since you can purchase or rent the films, watch them at your leisure and not put up with faded, spliced prints. Maybe we have to accept that certain institutions that once brought us joy are not eternal; that time and technology makes some things obsolete.