The Only Way to See the Ambassador Today...
Since the Ambassador is closed to the public, the only way to see how it looks today is by viewing the movies which have been filmed at the site. The Ambassador has been used almost exclusively as a shooting site for films and television shows, since closing. This is the only revenue-generating activity going on at the hotel presently.
Even during its heyday, the Ambassador was used as a filming site. The beautiful hotel and lush grounds provided an ideal backdrop for stories set in Southern California. The following will provide a listing of movies that I am aware of which have been filmed at the Ambassador. When possible, scenes where the Ambassador appears will be specifically listed.
The Graduate
The Graduate is possibly the most famous movie filmed at the Ambassador. The movie tells the story of a young man's affair with his girlfriend's mother. The couple conduct their love affair at the Ambassador, although it is billed as the Taft Hotel. The Graduate shows the Ambassador in a spectacular fashion. The lobby with its murals and grand reception desk is shown prominently. Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson meet before their first "date" in the hotel's Lobby Bar.
That Thing You Do
From Hollywood Online's site : That Thing You Do! Movie Notes: As their song takes off on the "Billboard" charts, The Wonders take off on a plane to California where they check into The Ambassador Hotel, the "same hotel that Lucy and Desi stayed when they came to California with Fred and Ethel." Former site of the famed Cocoanut Grove nightclub, the 500 room hotel is no longer open to the public, but for many years was a home to hundreds of celebrities and international travelers. When the art department began prepping the entrance for two weeks of shooting, they discovered the original tile and chrome had been coated in many years of paint and restored it to its original form. Inside the hotel, Victor Kempster's team created a ladies dress shop, a florist, newsstand, a men's haberdashery and a coffee shop.
Hoffa
Fabulous Baker Boys
True Romance
The Mask
Rocky
The Wedding Singer The wedding reception scenes were all filmed in one of the Ambassador's ballrooms, although it is billed as being a supper club. The scenes where the main characters are talking out by the club's back doors may have been filmed at the hotel as well. The kitchen sequences may not have been filmed at the Ambassador, since the kitchen equipment was supposedly sold off several years back.
Devil in a Blue Dress
Naked Gun ???
A Star is Born
Pretty Woman The scene in which the character Barnard Thompson, manager of the Regent Beverly Wilshire instructs Vivian (Julia Roberts) in the correct use of place settings is filmed in the Ambassador's ballroom. The Greco-Roman frieze at the end of the ballroom can be seen as the camera pulls back.
True Lies The scene where Arnold Schwartzenegger rides a horse through the lobby of a hotel was filmed at the Ambassador.
Defending Your Life
At Long Last Love
Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion
Mr. Saturday Night
L.A. Story The Ambassador's entrance and foyer serve as the restaurant L'Idiot. Not sure whether the interior scenes from the restaurant were filmed at the hotel or not.
Forest Gump The scene where Robin Wright-Penn (Jenny) performs as a stripper/entertainer was filmed at the Ambassador.
Apollo 13 The Ambassador serves as Gary Sinise's and Kevin Bacon's apartments in this movie.
Ed Wood
Mafia : The Movie The Ambassador's Lido Pool can be seen in the scene in which the girl dives into an empty swimming pool.
Deep Impact The scene where Morgan Freeman (acting as the President of the United States) is in a kitchen area was filmed at the Ambassador.
The Lawnmower Man Views of the Ambassador's lobby can be seen in this movie.
Lady Killer 1933 movie with James Cagney. A whole sequence takes place in the Cocoanut Grove.
Bombshell 1933 movie with Jean Harlow. Another sequence at the Cocoanut Grove. What makes this interesting is that it features Gus Arnheim's orchestra.
Charlie’s Angels 2
The lobby and elevators can be seen in the scene where the mob bosses are heading up to the roof of what is said to be the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel.
* Minority Report * Catch Me If You Can * SWAT * Daredevil * Almost Famous * Legally Blond 2 * Italian Job * Rock Star * How High * Imposter * Blow * Heart Breakers * Coyote Ugly * Rush Hour * 13th Floor * Man on the Moon * Scream 2 * Apollo 13 * Fear & Loathing * Being John Malkovich * Wedding Singer * True Lies * The Doors * True Romance * Deep Impact * Fire Down Below * Romy & Michelle’s H.S. Reunion * Grosse Point Blank * Feeling Minnesota * Seven * Devil in a Blue Dress * Venus Rising * The Mask * Sister Act * The Shadow * Ed Wood * House Party II * Coneheads * What’s Love Got To With It? *Blue Car