The Man From Beyond haunts Hollywood in 1971

Here's a treat I discovered this weekend. In August 1971, a double feature of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and The Man From Beyond played at The Bijou Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. Both films featured "sound accompaniment" and a magic show by "the master of the magic lamp, Jim Christopher."

While The Man From Beyond (and The Master Mystery) would occasionally screen at the nearby Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax, it's cool to see it playing on Hollywood Blvd. Also, check out the terrific illustrated ad from the Los Angeles Times. This is an uncommon photo of Houdini, and even more so in 1971!

The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 20, 1971.

Around this time, Houdini collector Manny Weltman was selling 8mm and 16mm prints of The Man From Beyond. I wonder if this print was rented from Manny? That might also explain where they got the photo.

The Bijou stood just a few blocks from Grauman's Chinese Theater. It started as an adult film theater in 1969 called the Athena and later the Avon. In 1971, it reopened as a 16mm revival house under the Bijou name. It played an assortment of classic films before turning back into an adult film theater in 1974.

In the photo below, you can see the round sign and arrow that points to the Bijou's entrance. This pic comes from a terrific overview of the Bijou at Los Angeles Theaters. I recommend checking it out.

This was still a few years before my Houdini awakening, but oh how I would have loved to have attended one of these showings!

I also discovered that The Man From Beyond appeared on television in 1980. But that's a story I'll save for another time.

Related:

• The Master Mystery at The Silent Movie Theater
• Houdini's 'Haldane' screened in LA
• Houdini film print sells on eBay