Paul E. Gierucki wrote:I cannot argue your point, Richard, the Hamptons were indeed the real McCoy.
That said, I would take the Austin era over nothing at all, which is pretty close
to where we are now -- there is precisely one silent film on the current schedule.
http://www.cinefamily.org
Larry Austin was just another textbook example Hollywood parasite who basically conned and stole the Silent Movie Theater from Dorothy Hampton, and then his slimy life and finally death brought nothing to the memory of the place but notoriety. The owners of the place since then have been nothing more than an embarrassment.
I said years ago on an old alt.movies.silent brouhaha about the place that the Silent Movie Theater was basically an uncomfortable place to watch John Hampton's incredible collection, when it and he were gone, it should have been leveled to make more parking for Canters Deli down the street. There are plenty of places way more comfortable to watch silent film in Los Angeles. Each succeeding operator of the place has done nothing but further destroy whatever reputation and good memories the place had. John is most likely spinning in his grave now at the thought of the crap currently being run on its screens.
RICHARD M ROBERTS