Reception of earliest shown Japanese films in U.S.
Alan Kita
alkita
Thu May 7 15:49:16 EDT 1998
When the Japanese American National Museum received the abandoned old
Nishi Hongwanji Temple to set up its headquarters, they had to first
renovated it. The property was owned by the City of Los Angeles. It is
now an historic site.
If anyone remembers attending service in the Temple. they will notice
peculiar elements (for a church of worship). It is set in a quarter fan
shape, with a sloping floor. The altar was very simple. It has a
balcony.
The Issei immigrants were very practical...when it came to design this
house of worship. They had intended to use it for more than Sunday
services. There were performances by local and traveling performers,
and there were...films!
What the Japanese American National Museum had discovered up behind the
balcony was a small steel room set in the center with a small window.
The room was entirely lined in steel for the film that was used...silver
nitrate stock...was very combustible and thus protected the rest of the
building. This was the projection room.
So in the course of your research, you may have to check out such
multi-purpose halls. Benshi was very popular in Los Angeles...many
old-timers have told they remember these benshi-narrated films.
Alan Kita
Kirsten Cather wrote:
>
> Thank you for your response. I actually stumbled across this article
> the day after I put out the call - such is the way of research I guess.
> So far, it seems though that
> in SF area there were no theaters for exhibition
> but that many were shown at community centers and education
> facilities.
>
> I appreciate your taking the time,
> thank you,
> kirsten
>
> >A belated answer to Kirsten Cather's request:
> >
> >There is a short article you may find helpful, especially for its notes:
> >
> >Ogihara Junko
> >The Exhibition of Films for Japanese Americans in Los Angeles During the
> >Silent Film Era
> >Film History, Vol. 4 (1990)
> >pp. 81-87
> >
> >Good luck with your study!
> >Janine Hansen
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