tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post8455439868393128506..comments2008-07-07T19:40:22.107-04:00Jeffrey Pepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00990997892044489714noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-58621488897609598162008-07-07T19:40:00.000-04:002008-07-07T19:40:00.000-04:00My wife and I saw Xanadu when it first came out in 1980. We liked the movie (maybe Olivia Newton-John distracted me), and the club architecture in the movie (the Pan Pacific) was very memorable. On a trip to Disneyland in 82 from Washington state, we were driving in the area and out of the corner of my eye, down a sidestreet, as I recall - I caught a glimpse of the distinctive building. My wife and I looked at each other and said something like, "Xanadu!?" - and made the turn to take a look. It was obvious we had stumbled on the "Xanadu Club" building (we were not familiar with the Pan Pacific or had any idea from Xanadu that the place was even a real place). It was cool to make this discovery, but also sad because it was clear the place was deteriorating. Then of course we found out years later it burned down. It's just kind of surreal that the place went into such decline and was never saved, and that we even stumbled on it, as it was off the beaten path and neglected by the time we found it. It would be interesting to know the backstory regarding its choice for the movie and what went into using it for filming, etc. I really can't think of any other building that has made such an impression, and just from the exterior.Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18154944374321272866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-66063517353997844882008-02-23T05:08:00.000-05:002008-02-23T05:08:00.000-05:00Great idea for a series - I look forward to reading more. I agree there are a lot of Hollywood influences at the studios - I just worry that it will confuse people about which coat it's on... you know like the ones who say they're going to Florida to visit Disneyland??Mrs S | A pocketful of pixie dustwww.clareswindlehurst.com/disneyworldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-38977768117343624212008-02-22T19:51:00.000-05:002008-02-22T19:51:00.000-05:00my favorite things! disney, xanadu and art deco all in one place.living in LA near the original location of the pan pacific it is sad that the city everlet the building get to such bad shape to begin with. hands down it was the most amazing streamline moderne building ever. it set the standard.at least we have the park entrance.<BR/><BR/>steveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-67756257088028623202008-02-22T10:59:00.000-05:002008-02-22T10:59:00.000-05:00Jeff - Thanks for this great article and I look forward to future articles on the inspiration behind the Studios architecture and design. Keep up the great work on this blog! Most of us don't have the time visit the proliferation of Disney fan blogs but must pick 3 or 4. You have definitely risen to the top of my News Reader!davesablasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08669473006963314698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-6819639870098811572008-02-21T13:44:00.000-05:002008-02-21T13:44:00.000-05:00Thanks for the great article. The Pan-Pacific was certainly a remarkable building. It's sad to see it destroyed. It's a great tribute that Disney used it for the D-MGM Studios park entrance but I really wish that we could see something unique for California Adventure. I'd hate to see DCA turned into a yet another clone, and I'm not so sure the art moderne design is a good compliment to Disneyland's entrance across the way. Can't they come up with something more early-California romantic??deannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-16134559489692812342008-02-21T03:47:00.000-05:002008-02-21T03:47:00.000-05:00Yes! I knew I wasn't the only one who saw the connection between "Xanadu" and Disney's Hollywood Studios, the theme park formerly known as Disney-MGM Studios. I love the movie "Xanadu" and whenever I see the ABC theater when I visit, I often think of "Xanadu". I wonder if Disney will remake the movie featuring the Muses from "Hercules".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-59565505830477496432008-02-20T21:15:00.000-05:002008-02-20T21:15:00.000-05:00Excellent work as always! Can't wait to see more of the Hollywood parkeological reports coming up.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02304213585549888382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-60588939308505796292008-02-20T19:52:00.000-05:002008-02-20T19:52:00.000-05:00Tannerman--<BR/><BR/>Yes, Werner has a section on the buildings of Disney-MGM, and Matt Hochberg at Studios Central has also done similar articles. Neither, to my knowledge, has covered the Pan-Pacific Auditorium as yet. I admire and respect their efforts, but do not see why it should preclude me from covering similar subjects.Jeff Pepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00990997892044489714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-69818173107839144322008-02-20T19:37:00.000-05:002008-02-20T19:37:00.000-05:00Wonderful article, Jeff!<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to all of the other details you can dig up!Biblioadonis aka Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11023449275486420957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-54784606683564670102008-02-20T19:20:00.000-05:002008-02-20T19:20:00.000-05:00Not to be overtly negative, but hasn't Yesterland been doing this exact same thing regarding comparisons lately?Tannermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08762830983125871456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-84099268248164234712008-02-20T15:52:00.000-05:002008-02-20T15:52:00.000-05:00I have to disagree with the first comment: Xanadu...Yeah! One of my favorite movies!<BR/><BR/>The funny thing is, everytime I watch Xanadu I somehow have felt that I'd been to that building before. As many times as I've seen Xanadu and as many times as I've been to the park I never put the two together.<BR/><BR/>Ahhh...to go roller skating through the park with Gene Kelly, that would be a magical moment!Ed Southhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795163107239366269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-62657026559684290472008-02-20T14:59:00.000-05:002008-02-20T14:59:00.000-05:00Thanks for the informative article and photos. I love to learn about all the detailed little connections. My favorite posts are ones where you focus in on a theme park detail.<BR/><BR/>All that said, I'm still unsure how this design will play out in California Adventure. As a visitor to both parks, I've always been underwhelmed by the old Hollywood look of the former Disney-MGM. Not because it's not done well--it certainly is--but it's just kind of boring. My boyfriend and I both find MGM the least aesthetically interesting of all the Disney World areas (including the water parks). Because of it's roots in architectural styles that *actually* exist in Los Angeles, Miami, and elsewhere...it just doesn't feel magical.<BR/><BR/>This works *ok* in DHS...but in California Adventure, where the actual architecture is a short drive away.....I just wonder how well this approach will work. Part of the existing problem with the park is that it doesn't "transport" you to a foreign or magical place. I worry this new entrance--no matter how well executed--will fall to the same fate. I'll, of course, reserve judgement until it's complete :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-17434302525028613972008-02-20T13:54:00.000-05:002008-02-20T13:54:00.000-05:00Xanadu...ughDisneyana Worldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05127237908008447457noreply@blogger.com