Forwarded by Jeremy Butler. >Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 09:10:04 -0800 >Sender: Association for Moving Image Archivists <[log in to unmask]> >From: Jeff Heise <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: AMIA-L Digest - 15 Jan 1997 to 16 Jan 1997 >To: Multiple recipients of list AMIA-L <[log in to unmask]> > > > >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >Sad news for film archivists, preservationists and buffs alike. Lawrence >Austin, the manager/reviver of the Silent Movie theater in Los Angeles, CA, >was murdered at the theater last night (1/17) after being robbed at >gunpoint. A female employee was wounded and is hospitalized. Mr. Austin >died at the scene, and according to police, both he and the employee were >shot after cooperating with the robber and handing over the money. The >incident occurred around 8:30 pm, while a film (SUNRISE) was showing. The >killer (dressed in black) escaped through the back exit of the theater, >firing as he fled. Patrons hunkered down in their seats, while some >thought firecrackers were going off in the lobby. The suspect is still at >large. > >Austin reopened the theater in 1991, after it had been closed for almost a >decade. John Hampton, who opened the theater in 1942, ran the theater, >which was a haven for those who loved silent film. Illness forced him to >close in 1981, but his magnificent film collection (much of which he >restored himself) remained intact, and was used for showings since the >re-opening. Hampton's widow, Dorothy, was prominent in the re-opening, >often taking tickets at the door. > >I hope this tragedy will not mean the end of the theater. I know Larry >wouldn't want it to be, but who knows? I pray that his killer is brought >to justice, and that they get what they deserve. > >Jeff Heise > >Jeff Heise >Movie/music/book maven >[log in to unmask] > ---- Jeremy Butler [log in to unmask] ScreenSite http://www.sa.ua.edu/ScreenSite Telecommunication & Film/University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]