28834 REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE PAN PACIFIC AUDITORIUM 1980 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Produced and directed by Arthur Hoyle, this 1980 film was presented by The Southern California Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects. It tells the story of the Pan Pacific Auditorium, which was then derelict, and looks at various plans to create a public park on the site. Unfortunately, the structure was destroyed in a fire in 1989. The film is narrated by actor Judson Morgan. Early original Indian settlers of Los Angeles, from when it was an outpost of the Spanish.1:00 B&W aerial clip of Wilshire District in Los Angeles and the Pan Pacific Auditorium (PPA). 1:42 Illustrations of Californian Indians sitting, attending to their daily chores. Indians lived in self-contained villages, sustained by their land. 2:00 Illustrations of the Gabrielino and Serrano Indian Tribes. The tribes lived undisturbed for 9000 years. 2:20 In 1769, a Spanish priest, Junipero Serra, began the Portola Expedition. 2:41 Spanish Colonization of Alta California. 3:31 The Portola Expedition gave rise to missions in the territory: 1771 Mission San Gabriel, 1776 Mission San Juan Capistrano, 1797 Mission San Fernando. 4:02 Images of cattle and steer roamed the missions. 4:18 The land entered private ownership in 1828 by Antonio Jose Rocha, a citizen of the Pueblo. The land became known as the Rancho La Brea. 5:19 James Thompson raised cattle stock on the ranch. 5:54 Arthur F. Gilmore bought Thompson’s ranch. 6:05 Photo of the Gilmore Family. In 1901, Gilmore struck oil. Arthur’s son, Earl, developed the Gilmore Oil Company into the largest independent Oil business in the West. 6:20 billboard of Gilmore Oil. 6:44 Portrait of Earl Gilmore. In 1938, Gilmore Stadium was built. 7:46 During the depression, local developers staged a national housing show. The exposition was managed by a local promotor, Clifford Henderson. He selected plans by Wurdeman and Becket to build the Auditorium, in “Streamline Moderne” design, off-shoot of Art Deco. 8:35 In May 1935, Pan Pacific Auditorium (PPA) opened. 9:40 Historical activities shown.

9:57 – Start of Audio Silence. 10:00 Promotional photo of girl with Auto Show Poster with Xavier Cugat. Sports activities include basketball, tennis, ice follies of 1942. 10:49 Additional photos of ice capades, Elvis Presley, Eisenhower, Bob Hope, Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Doris Day, Clark Gable. 11:23 Henderson sells the Pan in 1947.

11:27 Audio sound returns.

12:21 For the next 35 years, the PPA was home to a multitude of events, ranging from auto, boat and home shows to sporting events. 12:50 Mel Fiske, Wilshire District resident, discusses the plans. In 1969, due to inactivity, city planning commission set up a planning board for the PPA. Community leaders believed the Auditorium should be converted to a park. 13:54 Animated video of the differing plans for rebuilding the PPA, including ideas for open spaces, gardens, museums, sporting activities, cultural activities, etc. 15:41 Animation of proposed legislature for the park’s future in the form of a train riding through the county. Plan S.B.2466 allows for $3 billion in State Funds to be allocated to the park, but the Governor vetoes the bill. 16:04 S.B.48 is passed into law. Various plans are proposed, including a water retention basin plan. 17:10 Environmental Impact Report is written, showing that the basin would require the demolition of the structure. 17:34 To save the auditorium, concerned citizens have the building listed in the national register of historical places, tying up future plans to a federal review process. 17:50 Feasibility studies begin. 18:07 County uses Federal Funds to purchase land from private owners. Graphic of the park’s deed. California State buys land for $10.5 million dollars. 18:54 Six alternative plans are shown. 19:56 Narrator stands on roof and walks between four modern towers. “Which of the six plans would you vote for?” 20:18 Closing credits.

The Pan-Pacific Auditorium was a landmark structure in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California. It once stood near the site of Gilmore Field, an early Los Angeles baseball venue predating Dodger Stadium. It was located within sight of both CBS Television City on the southeast corner of Beverly and Fairfax Avenue and the Farmers Market on the northeast corner of Third Street and Fairfax. For over 35 years it was the premier location for indoor public events in Los Angeles. The facility was closed in 1972, beginning 17 years of steady neglect and decay. In 1978, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was included in the National Register of Historic Places, but eleven years later the sprawling wooden structure was destroyed in a fire.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com

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