Quote:
Originally Posted by BifRayRock
With respect to whether the signage is actually an ad for MGM's Grand Hotel, that was my first thought too, but after squinting a while, I did not see it as a movie ad, which is not to say I am correct. Second, I am no expert, but the crowd's costumes look somewhat older, say from the Twenties or earlier. Third, if this was 1932 - or even 1933, it is doubtful that a Bar would be operating as such when Prohibition was still in effect. Doubtful - but not impossible. Fourth, elsewhere it was posited that the image "appears to be a candid photo of Charlie Chaplin shooting a deleted sequence for his film 'SHOULDER ARMS' - showing Charlie as a family man." I have absolutely no idea if this is accurate, but to the extent that it may be, " Shoulder Arms" was photographed in 1918. Again, I have no idea if this is accurate, but the supposition seems to fall in line with the earlier date.
"The Korin" and a Los Angeles address certainly suggests a Los Angeles location, but it is no guarantee. While I do think the location was in Los Angeles, there are many other locations with Grand Hotels, and plenty of onlookers. LosAngeles Past saw the sidewalk as being on a grade and possibly on North Grand. Maybe worth exploring further? 
Good sport though. I look forward to someone solving the mystery. 
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From the 1918 Movie "Shoulder Arms." Same three youngsters as found in the other photo? Does the marble fascia look familiar?
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There did used to be an old marble-fasciaed office building on the NE corner of Grand and Fifth. I don't recall its name, but I paid a business call there in the 1970s, and I never forgot the splendid white marble interior in the lobby.
Anyway, I just emailed
Beaudry to request his help. I also believe our past contributor
SilentMovieLocations (I think that was his username) might know. He seemed to be particularly knowledgeable about Chaplin film locations.
-Scott