Film Noir is moody, sexy, dark and dangerous, the nightmare flip side of the sun-drenched mid-century Southern California dream.

Join Esotouric on a walk that celebrates Film Noir and its abiding influence through visits to select filming locations, sites connected to artists who shaped the genre, and places where real life noir narratives were captured by dogged crime reporters, bringing inspiration to Hollywood screenwriters in their daily newspaper.

Starting from Grand Central Market in the Historic Core, we’ll visit the Bradbury Building and some iconic locations off Pershing Square before plunging into old Skid Row between Main and Los Angeles Streets. This lost world of pawn shops, burlesque halls, all-night movie theaters, “slave market” job boards, shooting galleries, b-girl bars, rescue missions and decaying residency hotels is where the writers Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain found inspiration for books that were adapted into Noir screenplays like “Double Indemnity” (1944) and “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1946).

And of course we’ll visit Bunker Hill, the sprawling Victorian neighborhood of aging boarding houses and shadowy back alleys that was Hollywood’s favorite back lot when the screenplay called for a gritty mixed use set—until the redevelopment agency evicted 9000 people and tore it all down.

We’ll ascend on Angels Flight Railway, a short ride with a long filmography. Up on the hill, historian Nathan Marsak, author of Bunker Hill Los Angeles, Bunker Noir!, and Marsak’s Guide to Bunker Hill brings the lost neighborhood to life. And Bunker Hill native son Gordon Pattison explains how by playing up its sinister appearance, Hollywood helped feed the urban renewal PR engine that sealed his beloved neighborhood’s fate.

If you’re interested in movies, urban history, true crime and the creative process, you won’t want to miss it.

This walking tour is illustrated with rare images you can view on your smartphone.

TOUR RULES & RECOMMENDATIONS:

BE PREPARED: This is a walking hour lasting approximately 3 hours, over a mix of level ground and occasional hills and stairs moving at a casual pace. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat. Bring your smartphone so you can view the tour slide show. We will have a cooler with cold water, and you’re encouraged to bring a full water bottle. A restroom will be available at the start, and at the end of the tour. If you need more information about what to expect, please email us.

COVID SAFETY: At this time, we no longer require that masks be worn on walking tours.

CAMERA POLICY: No video- or audio-taping unless it has been pre-cleared with us, please. Still cameras and sketchbooks are fine.

MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:

Tour begins at 10:30am sharp, with check-in time 10am at the patio outside Grand Central Market in front of Maple Block BBQ at 324 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Please arrive on time and proceed to the check in table to get signed in and logged in to the smartphone slideshow. Scroll down for tour rules and recommendations.

Parking & Public Transit:

There are numerous paid public parking lots around Grand Central Market, including GCM’s multi-level lot at 308 South Hill Street Los Angeles, California 90013.  The nearest Metro stations are Civic Center/Grand Park and Pershing Square. If using public transit, this link can help you plan your trip:

CANCELLATION / REFUND POLICY:

If you’re sick, please do not attend the tour. Get some rest, and let us know not to expect you. If notified at least 72 hours before tour departure, we can refund or reschedule your booking. As long as you contact us before the tour begins, we are happy to move your reservation to a future tour date. You may also gift your ticket to someone else—we will need their name, email address and phone number to make this switch.

CONTACTING US ON OR BEFORE TOUR DAY:

Emailing is the best way to communicate with us, but after 8am on tour day you can call or text Richard on his mobile phone, 213-915-8687.