Celebrating the Olympic Auditorium
Comedy legend Cheech Marin (Cheech & Chong) joined noted filmmaker Stephen DeBro at a recent film screening of “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story” held at the Eagle Theatre in Eagle Rock, Calif.
Here’s my recap and photos from the lively evening attended by several members of the boxing community including historian and award-winning author Gene Aguilera, Frankie Duarte (who is seen in the film), Steve Harpst, Nate Wren, Ulysses Navarro, Anthony Huizar, John Liechty, Jerry “JC” Casarez, Danny Morales, Joe Adame and more. Several crew members were also in attendance including director of photography Tony Peck and producer Robert Benavides.
The movie screening was in association with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Los Angeles which is currently hosting a special exhibition celebrating the epic Mexican-American history of the Olympic Auditorium. The “18th & Grand” two-story display has been extended through May 19, 2024. The spacious area features boxing memorabilia, rare posters, fight-worn robes, vintage photos, old programs from live fights, etc. The exhibit is co-curated by DeBro, Aguilera, Karen Crews Hendon and Esperanza Sanchez.
The January 23 event held at the Eagle Theatre inside the Vidiots location showcased the critically-acclaimed documentary that covers boxing, wrestling, roller derby and punk rock through the years that the Olympic was open for business. I first saw this action-packed film at the drive-in premiere during the pandemic. It is also streaming right now on Amazon Prime.
But it was a real treat to watch this movie in the beautifully renovated theater with a crowd that appreciates all that the Olympic had to offer. Seeing the film on the big screen was a great experience; the documentary really draws you into a beloved and bygone era. There are local Southern California favorites brought back to their glory such as Mando Ramos, Carlos Palomino, Bobby Chacon, Danny “Little Red” Lopez and so many others.
“18th & Grand” really captures both the highs and lows of the storied building (which is now a church). The doc captures what it was like when boxing was in its heyday during that iconic time in SoCal history. The film also preserves this history and continues the legacy of the prizefighters that gave it all and left it all in the ring. It also pays tribute to trailblazer Aileen Eaton who DeBro calls “the heart and soul of the Olympic”!
After the film, director/producer DeBro was joined on stage by Cheech Marin for a very entertaining Q&A session. The funnyman (known for “Born in East L.A.”, “Up in Smoke”, etc.) reminisced and shared anecdotes about his adventures at the famed Olympic Auditorium.
The night was a knockout one with the guests socializing in the lobby after the movie and Q&A concluded. There was also a merch table with souvenir T-shirts, tote bags, mugs and more so that fight fans could purchase a piece of Olympic history to take home with them.
If you haven’t seen “18th & Grand: The Olympic Auditorium Story” yet, be sure to catch it on Amazon. If you love the sweet science, you will definitely enjoy watching this riveting documentary!
Photos by Michele Chong