Larry Austin: Murder at the Silent Movie Theatre

Larry Austin had three loves: "Murder She Wrote", his cat (Sir Purity) and silent films. The idea that anyone could have anything against the 74-year-old theatre owner seemed unfathomable. So the community was shocked when he was gunned down in the lobby of his own theatre in what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong. Detectives found the whole situation odd. For one thing, Larry didn't put up any resistance when the shooter demanded cash yet the gunman shot him anyway. And as for all that money? Well, the gunman left without it. Kinda strange if you're trying to rob a place...

 

Episode Sources:

Silent Movie Theatre / Cinefamily / Fairfax Cinema / Brain Dead Studios

“Silent Movie Theater Keeps Film Goers Happy” by Gloria Willard, NPR, Feb. 27, 2006

“The Silent Movie theatre closed after its owner was shot during a show…” by Austin Mutti-Mewse, The Guardian, Sep. 7, 2000

Bizarre Los Angeles, Oct. 20, 2012

“Author Jeanne Boylan on "Portraits of Guilt” CNN, Jun. 12, 2000

"Following scandal and investigation, Cinefamily to shut down permanently” by Mark Olsen, LA Times, Nov. 14, 2017

“Killer of Silent Theater Owner Gets Life Term” by Julie Ha and Agnes Diggs, LA Times, Apr. 21, 1999

“Real Murders of Los Angeles: Murder on the Marquee” S1E1, Oxygen, Oct. 6, 2023

“The Palace of Silents”  - available to rent

 

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