Monty Overbove? I see him around Los Angeles a lot, in many incarnations.
I surmise there are a lot of Montys around because there are a lot of actors about, and actors have a certain sparkly confidence that I associate with the popcorn box-shouldered co-proprietor of the Motel Fairwil.
Gomery sightings are more fleeting. But I discovered that both Monty and his bespectacled cousin, or at least people who have a certain je ne sais Overbove, can be found at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood on a weeknight.
Like, oodles of Overboves. When I exited our screening, and entered the cinema lobby, I thought, for half a second, that I might be at a Wilfair casting call (the one in my mind).
But, of course, I was with Monty numero uno, Mr. Painter, although I can be pretty Monty, too. We're a fairly quippy duo, we Painters, which I like to think keeps us on our verbal toes, even as it likely exhausts the patience of our friends.
This isn't necessarily a post about where the fictional characters from the Wilfairverse spend their hump days. It's actually a short love letter to the ArcLight Cinemas, which is indeed a multi-screen movie house but has a lobby that summons the spirit of an old-fashioned train station. Or airport departure lounge.
I love that idea. You're about to enter a story, for a couple of hours, so why shouldn't the space you pass through be one that signifies travel? A thrilling journey? Your movie ticket almost feels like your passport.
Why buildings have to look like we expect them to is beyond me. Creative architecture, I like you. Add to that a bevy of Montys and Gomerys -- Monties and Gomeries? -- some fresh popcorn, and a quippy fellow at my side and I'm as happy as a hotel heiress who's just taken off her snood after a long day.
