1972 film: Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles

[MaxConcrete]

I recently came across this film and when I searched for it in AA Roads, no results were returned. I'm sure some folks on AA Roads will be interested in the film.

Reyner Banham (1922-1988) was an architecture professor from London who loved L.A. and stars in the film. The film is a documentary about L.A. for consumption by the British audience, so of course it features plenty of coverage of typical L.A. tourist subjects. From the highway perspective, it includes a lot of footage shot from a vehicle driving on L.A. freeways, as well as aerial footage of freeways and extensive views of Los Angeles streets. Banham seemed to be particularly fond of L.A. freeways.

Definitely worth a look for anyone interested in L.A. in 1972.

Vimeo, which appears to be automatically shown as a viewer:

This features a bonus for guys at 47 minutes in.
 
 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlZ0NbC-YDo
I did not watch this version so I don't know if it includes the bonus for guys at 47 minutes.

[MaxConcrete]

That big Mattel toy factory appears to have been along the 710 freeway in Paramount. According to an online report it was closed in 1987. Does the building still exist?

I remember the Lever Brothers factory along I-5 south of downtown L.A. from my visits to the area in the 1980s. That factory is long gone.

Mattel to Shut Paramount Plant, Its Last U.S. Factory
October 03, 1987|DENISE GELLENE | Times Staff Writer

Mattel is closing its only remaining U.S. toy factory and laying off 250 employees who work at the plant in Paramount as part of an effort to reduce costs, the company confirmed Friday.

The Hawthorne-based toy company expects to save $4 million to $5 million a year by transfering its U.S. manufacturing operation to Mexico, where labor costs are lower. The factory made plastic toy parts that were then shipped to Mexico for assembly.

Employees learned of the layoffs Tuesday, and about 100 workers already have been let go. "We're very unhappy and upset about it," said Amy Ann Stratton, secretary of United Rubber Workers local 938, which represented the Mattel employees. "But the handwriting was on the wall."

Mattel has been trimming its operating expenses--among the highest in the toy industry--partly to compensate for the sharp $250-million decline in sales last year of its Masters of the Universe collection of boys action figures and its Rainbow Brite dolls. This year, the company is counting on its Captain Power "laser" toy, although most analysts don't expect Captain Power to fully compensate for last year's sale drop.

Mod note: Placed news article snippet into quote box for clarity. --Roadfro

 

[MarkF]

That big Mattel toy factory appears to have been along the 710 freeway in Paramount. According to an online report it was closed in 1987. Does the building still exist?

I haven't had a chance to watch it yet (when does it appear?), but I remember a big Mattel building off the 405 in Hawthorne when heading for LAX back in the 70s, maybe at 405 and Rosecrans?  I think it has been replaced with a shopping center.

http://articles.latimes.com/1989-09-15/local/me-60_1_el-segundo

[andy3175]

Mattel has been trimming its operating expenses--among the highest in the toy industry--partly to compensate for the sharp $250-million decline in sales last year of its Masters of the Universe collection of boys action figures and its Rainbow Brite dolls. This year, the company is counting on its Captain Power "laser" toy, although most analysts don't expect Captain Power to fully compensate for last year's sale drop.

Even though this trends off topic, I don't think "Captain Power" made much of a difference for Mattel. I have heard of Rainbow Brite and Masters of the Universe, but not Captain Power.

Great video, thanks Max Concrete for posting it!

[MarkF]

Finally had a chance to watch it, thanks for the link.  That is the Mattel factory (with a "home of Barbie" billboard) that used to be off the 405 at Rosecrans on Hawthorne.   I also remember that space-age Chevron station that used to be at the Century Blvd exit from LAX, shown at the start when he is driving off from LAX.

[Tom958]

Thanks, that was fun. Makes me want to watch this again. What a difference twelve years can make.