One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: A Pop Culture Pilgrimage to Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory by amber lunsford via the LAist Featured Photos pool
We Angelenos are proud of the Griffith Observatory. It's where we go to geek out when we're treated to an astronomical phenom in the skies, and it's also where may of us trot our out of town visitors (ideally on a clear day) to show off a little.
It's always nice to see the Observatory get some props, and in this "Pop Pilgrims" segment, the A.V. Club's head writer, Nathan Rabin, speaks to film critic James Rocchi on site about the Griffith Observatory's contribution to movie history. A central focus, of course, is "Rebel Without a Cause," which prompts the question: "Is there a 50 year moratorium on spoiler alerts?" (Psst, if you haven't seen "Rebel," this video includes a spoiler. Alert! Alert!)
The reality of the Griffith Observatory was somehow even more spectacular than its reputation suggests. It is one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. The observatory is an elegant architectural marvel built by the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration in the ’30s, on land donated by Welsh-American philanthropist Griffith J. Griffith. (The observatory is technically named after both his first and last name.) But the wonder of the place is equally attributable to its gorgeous, tranquil setting high up in the hills, and the view it affords of Los Angeles, the wilderness, and the world-famous Hollywood sign.
Oh, yeah. We likey. Thanks, A.V. Club!
Los Angeles: Griffith Observatory, home of Rebel Without A Cause—and Terminator
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
