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gsjansen Dec 4, 2010 4:30 PM

a great 1940 aerial view looking east on wilshire boulevard with the intersection of la brea at the lower left. The daily planet building, (wilson building), in it's pre-billboard hat glory

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...0-13-ISLA?v=hr
Source: USC Digital Archive http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...0-13-ISLA?v=hr

when i lived in los angeles in the late 60's early 70's, the building with it's mutual of omaha sign was such a icon on the miracle mile.

here's a 1930 image of the building under construction

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics19/00009251.jpg
Source: LAPL http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics19/00009251.jpg


before the wilson building was constructed, the site was home to a gilmore gas station

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...CHS-31239?v=hr
Source: USC Digital Archives http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...CHS-31239?v=hr

a wider 1928 view showing the gilmore station on the ne corner of wilshire and la brea

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics37/00068481.jpg
Source: LAPL http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics37/00068481.jpg

gsjansen Dec 4, 2010 4:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD (Post 5080608)
Ok, you asked for it. I don't have too many pictures online at the moment but here are a couple.

These steps (not too far from the Music Box steps) are the ones that Curly carries an ice block to the top which transforms to an ice cube. I think the stooges may go sliding down them also.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/IMG_0803.jpg


great posts MD! welcome to the party

the three stooges steps are from the 1941 short, "an ache in every steak"

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/...1769d1e0_b.jpg

the location of the steps is fair oak terrace in silver lake.

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 4:59 PM

Those are pretty neat pictures of the Wilson Building. Funny, after we found out about it being the Daily Planet a couple of years ago, we kept on finding ourselves driving by it as we zigzagged the area looking for locations.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should add that most of the locations were found by others, sometimes friends not as lazy as I am or on the internet, in books or newsletters. But there are times I find them on my own. A Superman website led me to the Mind Machine road but while in that area I noticed a divided road that I recoginized as being in "The Talkative Dummy" where the trucks are hijacked (no, I'm not embarrassed that I remember the episode name). Driving up the road we came across that ballfield. Then I thought the hill looked familiar so we broke out the portable DVD player (now I'm embarrassed) and matched up the hill with the Mind Machine bus scene.

GaylordWilshire Dec 4, 2010 7:07 PM

gs--your aerial of Wilshire & La Brea reminds me of one of my very favorite buildings in L.A. No doubt Lois took her famous Nash Rambler (and Clark his Nash-Healey) here for service:

http://www.you-are-here.com/modern/firestone.jpg
http://www.you-are-here.com/modern/firestone.jpg

The se corner of La Brea and 8th

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/77/20...e272236c51.jpgGoogle Street View


http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/...Rambler(1).jpg http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/...Rambler(1).jpg
I couldn't find a shot of Noel Neill as Lois Lane with her own, but here is
a Nash factory photo of the same model of Rambler she drove.
Appropriately enough, this is known as the "Lois Lane Rambler"
among collectors.


http://www.glasshousepresents.com/AD...ASON_2-696.jpg
http://www.glasshousepresents.com/AD...ASON_2-696.jpg

George Reeves/Clark Kent/Superman with his Pinin Farina-designed Nash-Healey.

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 8:59 PM

Here's a shot of the current Angel's Flight and a couple of old buildings within view. I thought they looked interesting. I did take a ride. The old wall next to Angel's Flight might have some history to it or why would they leave it up. At one time there was the wreck of an old Angel's Flight car around here someplace but I couldn't find it. Wish I had found this forum before this October trip. I would have done more roaming around downtown.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part2103.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part2104.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part2105.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part2111.jpg

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 9:39 PM

John Hamilton's (Perry White) last residence, The Villa Elaine on Vine Street. Wonder if he used the pool. Bad time of day to get that sign on the brick wall.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtedpix433.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtedpix434.jpg

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 9:48 PM

Lucy and Desi's house in Beverly Hills. Lucy climbs that wall in 'Lucy meets Richard Widmark". Is that Lucy, Ethel and Carolyn Appleby standing in front of it?

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...ine52/lucy.jpg

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4754959)
I'll stay on the aviation topic just a bit longer.


Below is Glendale's Grand Central Airport then and now.



http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8...esgrandcen.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8...ntralair1b.jpg
2007 photo by Loren Latker






http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9...ntralca48t.jpg

I took this picture in the late nineties. It not a digital picture and I copied it off a location website I had given it to which is why it's so blurry. But you could walk up the steps to the second floor balcony. My brother's up there at the top of the stairs. Sorry to see its fenced off (did the owners see that website?). I thought I had read that Disney had bought it and was using it for some sort of animation project. It's pretty obvious that I am not a professional photographer (who put that palm tree there?).

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/glenair2.jpg

GaylordWilshire Dec 4, 2010 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD (Post 5080898)
Lucy and Desi's house in Beverly Hills. Lucy climbs that wall in 'Lucy meets Richard Widmark". Is that Lucy, Ethel and Carolyn Appleby standing in front of it?

Mike-- While that is the house currently standing at 1000 N. Roxbury Drive (ne corner of Lexington Road) in Beverly Hills, it isn't Lucy's. Whoever built the incredibly ordinary McMansion in your shot not only saw fit to tear down Lucy's house, but a house by the great architect Paul Revere Williams:

http://www.mexho.com/images/celebrit...cille-ball.jpg http://www.mexho.com/images/celebrit...cille-ball.jpg

EDIT: It seems I'm crediting Paul Williams with the wrong Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz house. There is confusing information online, but using the seemingly definitive website http://www.paulrwilliamsproject.org, it was the couple's Palm Springs house that was designed by the architect, not this one.

GaylordWilshire Dec 4, 2010 10:54 PM

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84420%20AM.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84420%20AM.jpg


While the Wilson/Mutual of Omaha/Samsung building at Wilshire and La Brea may have served (with the Carnation Building nearby) as the first home of the Daily Planet, its second actually appeared in the opening sequence of the first season of the Adventures of Superman in 1951. While it's not apparent at first that this is Los Angeles's City Hall, comparison shots reveal its identity:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84500%20AM.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84500%20AM.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84512%20AM.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84512%20AM.jpg


http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics17/00018403.jpg
LAPL http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics17/00018403.jpg

http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...r-23287567.jpg
http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...r-23287567.jpg

All four shots above are of the Spring Street facade of City Hall--the first two are from the actual opening of the tv show.

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5080947)
Mike-- While that is the house currently standing at 1000 N. Roxbury Drive (ne corner of Lexington Road) in Beverly Hills, it isn't Lucy's. Whoever built the incredibly ordinary McMansion in your shot not only saw fit to tear down Lucy's house, but a house by the great architect Paul Revere Williams:

http://www.mexho.com/images/celebrit...cille-ball.jpg http://www.mexho.com/images/celebrit...cille-ball.jpg

I had heard that something went on with Lucy's house. Sorry to hear that it was knocked down. Seems like a lot of the old guard Hollywood homes have been destroyed. Didn't Jimmy Stewart live next door? I think Gilbert Roland was a couple of doors down.

Lucy's wall seems to be the same.

MikeD Dec 4, 2010 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5080963)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84420%20AM.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84420%20AM.jpg


While the Wilson/Mutual of Omaha/Samsung building at Wilshire and La Brea may have served (with the Carnation Building nearby) as the first home of the Daily Planet, its second actually appeared in the opening sequence of the first season of the Adventures of Superman in 1951. While it's not apparent at first that this is Los Angeles's City Hall, comparison shots reveal its identity:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84500%20AM.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84500%20AM.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84512%20AM.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...84512%20AM.jpg


http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics17/00018403.jpg
LAPL http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics17/00018403.jpg

http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...r-23287567.jpg
http://image.shutterstock.com/displa...r-23287567.jpg

All four shots above are of the Spring Street facade of City Hall--the first two are from the actual opening of the tv show.

I always wondered what that building was in the opening. Thanks for the heads up!

Does anybody know, with terrorism always in the back of one's mind, would you be allowed to take photos of city hall like that today? I took photos inside Union Station back in the nineties but I can't imagine being allowed to do that today.

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 3:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD (Post 5080887)
John Hamilton's (Perry White) last residence, The Villa Elaine on Vine Street. Wonder if he used the pool. Bad time of day to get that sign on the brick wall.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtedpix433.jpg

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtedpix434.jpg





Welcome to the thread MikeD.
Your posts have been great! I hope you continue to visit this thread on a daily basis. :)


Here is a vintage photo of the Elaine Apartments on Vine St.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6154/elaineapt.jpg
usc digital archive

I would give anything to see the interior of the Jester Room.
I'm willing to bet John Hamilton stopped in for a drink now and then.

Orson Welles and Man Ray also lived in the Elaine Apartments. If walls could talk!

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 3:40 AM

Here is a great photo of three art deco towers on Wilshire Blvd.
The building in the distance on the left is the Wilson Building aka "Daily News Building".


http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8...planetleft.jpg
usc digital archive




Below: The "Daily News Building" with a General of America Insurance sign in 1954.
Was this before the Mutual of Omaha sign?


http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7...54juliewil.jpg
julie_wilsons_world

I love that trylon thingy on top. I'm guessing it served as a beacon.

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 4:02 AM

^^^In the b/w photo I posted above, noticed the Silverwoods Dept. Store.




Just today I came across this photo of a Silverwoods Store on Sunset Blvd.
It shared the building with Stetson, Hats for Women.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5...oodsdeptst.jpg
usc digital archive

This diminutive art deco building is absolutely beautiful.
I don't remember ever seeing a photograph of it before.

MikeD Dec 5, 2010 4:07 AM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've enjoyed wading through all 104 pages! I hope to dig up some more pictures you might like.

What the hell - it's not LA, it's not film noir, but it's a famous CA movie site; Garces Hwy near Bakersfield.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...IMG_0006-2.jpg

where Cary Grant is chased by the cropduster in 'North By Northwest'.

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 4:16 AM

^^^Very cool. I've often wondered where this scene was filmed.
I am in northwest Indiana (the alleged location for the crop dusting scene).

GaylordWilshire Dec 5, 2010 4:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5081226)
^^^In the b/w photo I posted above, noticed the Silverwoods Dept. Store.


Just today I came across this photo of a Silverwoods Store on Sunset Blvd.
It shared the building with Stetson, Hats for Women.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5...oodsdeptst.jpg
usc digital archive

This diminutive art deco building is absolutely beautiful.
I don't remember ever seeing a photograph of it before.


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...94443%20AM.jpgGoogle Street View


ethereal-- That is a beautiful little building, though it was actually at 611/615 W. 7th St (the little branch Silverwoods was at 615, Stetson at 611). I suppose it's possible that it's the same building, badly remodeled with some height added, but, in any case, it looks lost forever. The building to the left, 617 W. 7th St., is the 1922 Union Oil Building. The entrance has been remodeled away from its original classic style, and the windows have also been badly altered. Here is a vintage shot of the Union Oil Building showing Silverwoods:

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...T-BUI-332?v=hr
USC Digital Library http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...T-BUI-332?v=hr

sopas ej Dec 5, 2010 6:07 PM

:previous:
Oh man, such a beautiful Art Deco treasure, and it's been replaced by that ugly building (I'd like to think that it was demolished rather than horribly disfigured). I know exactly where that is, I've walked by it lots and lots of times. And yes, the Union Oil Bldg. would look much better if they got rid of those awful 1970s-looking greenhouse windows and restored it to its original look-- though, for a building of its period, it wasn't as deliciously detailed as others were.


Welcome to the forum, MikeD!

MikeD Dec 5, 2010 7:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej (Post 5081623)
:previous:
Oh man, such a beautiful Art Deco treasure, and it's been replaced by that ugly building (I'd like to think that it was demolished rather than horribly disfigured). I know exactly where that is, I've walked by it lots and lots of times. And yes, the Union Oil Bldg. would look much better if they got rid of those awful 1970s-looking greenhouse windows and restored it to its original look-- though, for a building of its period, it wasn't as deliciously detailed as others were.


Welcome to the forum, MikeD!

Thanks for the welcome,sopas ej. I also like those old style buildings rather than the new monoliths that seem to be sprouting up in their place.

Here are some pictures of the old Bullock's Department store on Wilshire. It is now occupied by the Southwestern Law School. We were saddened to see in the window there was a permit or variance for renovations. Hope they don't alter the outside. My brother thinks James Cagney picks up Jean Harlow outside Bullocks in 'Public Enemy' 1931.

Would it be considered Art Deco? I'm never sure about that stuff.
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part1210.jpg
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part1208.jpg

Here's some detail over the front door
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part1213.jpg

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 9:42 PM

One of the best parts of the Bullocks Wilshire building is the beautiful "transportation" mural on the porte cochere.
Since most costumers at the time would arrive by vehicle, the most appealing entrance was placed in the rear.
Valets in livery welcomed patrons and parked their cars.

Thanks for the correction GaylordWilshire on the small Silverwoods store.
The USC archive had the location as Sunset Boulevard.
Hopefully, that art deco beauty is still somewhat intact under that hideous remodeling job.
Perhaps it will be rescued one day. (that is, if it is in fact the same building)

I like that huge photo of the Union Oil Building.

MikeD Dec 5, 2010 9:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5081837)
One of the best parts of the Bullocks Wilshire building is the beautiful "transportation" mural on the porte cochere.
Since most costumers at the time would arrive by vehicle, the most appealing entrance was placed in the rear.
Valets in livery welcomed patrons and parked their cars.

Is this the "porte cochere"?
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b...10part1218.jpg

I would have liked to get inside but the gate was closed.

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 10:05 PM

^^^Yes MikeD, that is the porte cochere. I can't believed they had it locked up.
I'll try to find a decent photo of the mural. If I remember correctly, it's a very fun mural featuring dirigibles
and ocean liners and many other forms of transportation.

ethereal_reality Dec 5, 2010 10:23 PM

Here are a couple photos of the Bullocks Wilshire mural.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/373...acesblogsp.jpg
laplaces.blogspot.com




http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/2...ilshire032.jpg
laplaces.blogspot.com

Prezervit Dec 6, 2010 12:15 AM

Embassy Hotel and Auditorium and RKO Theatre
 
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6...nlosangele.jpg

Downtown Los Angeles 1948
There are two buildings with domes in the foreground. Can anyone tell me what they are?[/QUOTE]

The domed building in the lower left corner of the photo is indeed the Embassy Hotel and Auditorium, the domed building to the right is the RKO Theatre located on the corner of 9th and Hill. Indeed, if you look very closely you can read "RKO" on both the back of the fly wall and the south side of the building!
I have two images of the RKO that I would like to add to your thread, but unsure how to post them.

MikeD Dec 6, 2010 1:04 AM

[QUOTE=Prezervit;5081962I have two images of the RKO that I would like to add to your thread, but unsure how to post them.[/QUOTE]

What I did was upload them to photobucket and then copy & past the IMG address into my forum message. There's a more detailed explanation in the FAQs. Good luck!

GaylordWilshire Dec 6, 2010 2:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5081876)
Here are a couple photos of the Bullocks Wilshire mural.

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/373...acesblogsp.jpg
laplaces.blogspot.com

The great Bullocks-Wilshire ceiling mural is by Herman Sachs and is called The Spirit of Transportation. Sachs included all spirits of transportation in his porte-cochere painting...except the car! Apparently he also contributed to the interiors of Union Station, City Hall, the Gas Company building, and the Title Insurance Building. His friend Rudolph Schindler designed the Manola Court Apartments for him (1811 Edgecliffe Drive in Silver Lake):

http://curbednetwork.com/cache/galle...8c27f8fc_o.jpgLACurbed http://curbednetwork.com/cache/galle...8c27f8fc_o.jpg


Excellent interiors shots of Bullocks-Wilshire are here:
http://bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.c...-building.html

P.S. In his mural Sachs depicts a Maddux Air Lines Ford Trimotor. Maddux flew around the southwest in the late '20s before becoming part of what was eventually to be TWA.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-Maddox_ad.jpg Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1929 (via Wikipedia)
"Mines Field" is now LAX.

Prezervit Dec 6, 2010 6:45 AM

Love the vegetarian restaurant c1910 just north of the 3rd St. tunnel! Who knew?

GaylordWilshire Dec 6, 2010 2:20 PM

Maddux redux
 
Another small gem of a lost downtown building is the Maddux Air Lines ticket office, which once stood at 636 S. Olive, near the 7th Street Silverwoods, on the site of what is now a parking lot:

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics29/00034236.jpgLAPL http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics29/00034236.jpg

Another shot of the Maddux building, with a beautiful chauffeured Lincoln out front:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics29/00034235.jpgLAPL http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics29/00034235.jpg

According to the LAPL, the architects were "Jock Detlef Peters and Feil & Paradise. Peters was a German emigre known for his modern store designs in Los Angeles. Other of his projects included the interiors of Bullocks Wilshire." (Emphasis mine.) Could he have also done the 7th Street Silverwoods? The building at far right in the first picture still stands and faces
Hill St.--while its rear facade is ordinary, its front is not:

http://www.nileguide.com/destination...HARRIS_SUN.jpghttp://www.nileguide.com/destination/blog/los-angeles/files/2010/11/DECO_NA_HARRIS_SUN.jpg
Sun Realty Bulding, 629 S. Hill St., 1930. It's by Claude Beelman, who also did the Union
Oil Building recently discussed. It seems that all design in L.A. in this period is
interconnected, and very local.

GaylordWilshire Dec 6, 2010 2:58 PM

Silverwoods Hollywood
 
ethereal-- As you noted, the shot of the Silverwoods store you found--the one that turned out to be downtown on 7th Street--is misidentified in the USC Digital Archive. The archive places it at 6555 Sunset Boulevard, as it also does the picture of an obviously different Silverwoods below. Well, there was no Silverwoods branch on Sunset at all--but there was one at 6555 Hollywood Boulevard, and the building still stands:

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...F53071B27?v=hr
USC Digital Archive http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...F53071B27?v=hr

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...01256%20AM.jpgGoogle Street View

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...01810%20AM.jpgGoogle Street View

Btw, if you ever see a problem with a USC photo, the fourth icon under the picture ("Send us your question") brings up a box to send a message to the administrators. I hate to say it, but I've seen plenty of misidentifications on the various sites that have historic shots of L.A. Sometimes I send in a correction in spite of feeling a bit like a nerd (and not wanting to make the compilers feels unappreciated for all the incredible resources they give us), but it turns out that it is appreciated, at least for the concern for accuracy.

ethereal_reality Dec 6, 2010 8:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prezervit (Post 5082315)
Love the vegetarian restaurant c1910 just north of the 3rd St. tunnel! Who knew?

We were all pretty much amazed by that as well.
I would never have guessed that there were vegetarian restaurants in 1910!!

Anyway, welcome to the thread Prezerit!



I'm not the best at explaining pc issues, so I was hoping someone here would explain in detail how to post photos.

I upload mine on imageshack. (it's free, unless you want larger capacity for your photos)
When I copy & paste the url onto skyscraperpage it looks like this.....[IMP] name of file here [IMP]
To get it to work I have to change IMP to lower case letters. (I have NO idea why)
So your url will eventually look like this ............[imp] name of file here [imp]

I hope that helps.

Also, thanks for the information on that early aerial of downtown L.A. It was much appreciated.

GaylordWilshire Dec 6, 2010 8:33 PM

:previous:
ethereal-- I use Picasa--also a free download. Anyway, once I have the url (from, say, the LAPL) I highlight it and click "copy"; I then click on the "insert image" icon above (looks like a mountain with a sun over it), which usually requires me to click a bar at top to temporarily allow scripted windows--I go to the resulting box and right-click to paste the copied url in it; then you click "OK" and the url appears here in this reply box, with [IMG] on one end[/IMG] on the other. (Not sure about your "[IMP]"). If I've captured an image or otherwise have a photo that needs a url, I upload it (a 2-step process on Picasa), right-click on the resulting image (which is now mysteriously and supposedly anonymously online) to get the url, and follow the same procedure as above. I find I have to be careful when copying and pasting, otherwise the pics don't get posted.

ethereal_reality Dec 6, 2010 8:50 PM

GaylordWilshire, your photo of Schindler's Manola Court Apartment reminded of another Schindler apartment complex in Silver Lake.


This is the Bubeshko Apartments built in 1938.
(some sites say the building on the right is 1938, and the building on left is 1941)
The complex hugs a hillside at Griffith Park Blvd. and Lyric Avenue.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/891...o3kansasse.jpg
Michael Smith/Kansas Sebastian






http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/748...oaptsilver.jpg
Michael Smith/Kansas Sebastian


http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/430...o2flickrka.jpg
Michael Smith/Kansas Sebastian

The Mayan deco ornament seems very un-Schindler-like.
I would love to know the story behind it. I wonder if it was something the clients requested.

GaylordWilshire Dec 6, 2010 9:52 PM

:previous:

I was also surprised to see the Bubeshko decoration--it almost looks like it was added later. But then I believe that Schindler worked on the Hollyhock House--as the project manager of it, and maybe of the Ennis-Brown house too--two of Wright's textile-block buildings, both done in the early '20s. I think of these as sort of pre-Columbian- or Mayan-inspired--I think some say with American Indian influence, with massing like the Taos pueblo. Anyway, I'm surprised that by the time the Bubeskho was built in the late '30s that Schindler was using the motif, and so prominently. Maybe you're right, and it was something the Bubeshkos wanted.

http://www.gregoryharwell.com/Wright...1920%20009.jpgGregory Harwell http://www.gregoryharwell.com/Wright...1920%20009.jpg
The Hollyhock

http://bmac20.files.wordpress.com/20...hould-work.jpg http://bmac20.files.wordpress.com/20...hould-work.jpg
The Ennis-Brown

ethereal_reality Dec 7, 2010 12:58 AM

I'm surprised that Frank Lloyd Wright has rarely been mentioned in this thread.
His textile block homes from the 1920s are unique to Los Angeles.
The only other example I can think of is the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo (and that wasn't a private residence).



Below: A close up of the textile blocks used in the Ennis House.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/300...lockphilip.jpg
Philip Roach Jr.



I also think Wright's textile block homes have a very alluring "noirish" quality.
The Ennis House was used (I'm sure you ALL know this by now) in the sci-fi noir "Blade Runner",
which also happens to be one of my favorite movies.





Below: Scenes from Blade Runner (1982) filmed in the Ennis house.

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/1262/ennissy.jpg
Warner Bros.

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4633/ennishf.png
Warner Bros.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8408/ennissy2.jpg
Warner Bros.

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4070/ennishouse2hf.jpg
Warner Bros.


Below: This one looks like a matte shot on the left and the Ennis House (in the movie it was an apartment in a skyscraper) on the right.

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5330/ennisex1.jpg
Warner Bros.


OK, I'm off to Blockbuster. :)

ethereal_reality Dec 7, 2010 1:39 AM

I failed to mention that Blade Runner also used the interior of the Bradbury Building to even greater effect than the Ennis House.



That said, I can't resist posting this very cool still from the movie "House on Haunted Hill" 1958.

Here is Vincent Price's head superimposed over the Ennis House.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9...seonhaunte.jpg
Willian Castle



Boo!

GaylordWilshire Dec 7, 2010 3:07 AM

Speaking of Vincent Price and William Castle...
 
let's not forget

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...93556%20PM.jpgColumbia Pictures

http://mos.totalfilm.com/images/2/20...-15-420-75.jpgColumbia Pictures
Vincent as Dr. Warren Chapin gets attacked by his own
discovery. Is it a lobster, or is it The Tingler?


And since I like to try to get an architectural angle into my posts here--this is Dr. Chapin's Los Angeles-area house. Well, I'm not sure if The Tingler was set in any particular place, but this house--or shell of a house, perhaps--was (is?) on the Columbia backlot, among structures that were around sort of Bostonish town square that can sometimes be seen in Columbia/Screen Gems tv shows such as Bewitched:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TP...93842%20PM.jpgColumbia Pictures


One for you, ethereal:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_s_30zQFJp4...Color+(13).jpgColumbia Pictures

sopas ej Dec 7, 2010 5:35 AM

November 6, 1954. Heading south towards downtown on the Arroyo Seco Parkway.
http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics31/00050218.jpg
LAPL

GaylordWilshire Dec 7, 2010 4:52 PM

Anniversaries
 
December 7, 1941

http://aftermathnews.files.wordpress...pg?w=500&h=391
http://aftermathnews.files.wordpress...pg?w=500&h=391


December 7, 1907

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00081/00081703.jpgLAPL http://jpg1.lapl.org/00081/00081703.jpg

Per the LAPL: "The 'first' Santa Anita Racetrack was built on Elias Jackson ('Lucky') Baldwin's immense estate of 'Rancho Santa Anita' and opened on December 7, 1907, but closed just two years later after horse racing was banned in California due to an anti-gambling bill that became law. In 1933, Hollywood director Hal Roach and San Francisco dentist Dr. Charles Strub formed the Los Angeles Turf Club and raised funds to build a new track. Designed in an Art Deco style by Gordon B. Kaufman, the 'new' Santa Anita Park was opened on Tuesday, December 25, 1934."


December 7, 1931

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics34/00036726.jpg
Per the LAPL: "Aimee Semple McPherson Hutton and her husband, David L. Hutton at a 'Welcome Home' and 'Wedding' reception given by the members of her flock. The bride and groom were presented with many beautiful gifts. Photo shows Aimee receiving a silver service set. Photo dated: December 7, 1931.

CASIGNS Dec 7, 2010 10:30 PM

Freeway Sign
 
Sopas ej - Thanks for the photo of the Arroyo Seco Parkway sign. What a great shot, love it, a crowded freeway, city hall in the distance, early overhead porcelain enamel traffic sign. Before you got on the freeways you had to find them. The Automobile Club of Southern California of course helped by posting signs in the early 50’s on nearby streets directing motorist to the nearest freeway. Here is a photo of one such sign from my collection.

http://caltrafficsigns.com/pictures/...l_Freeway1.jpg

From: www.Caltrafficsigns.com

MikeD Dec 8, 2010 12:28 AM

Here's a shot of the old Technicolor Building. I guess this was the best angle I could get.

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b.../LP2008210.jpg

and here's the old Max Factor Building, both in Hollywood

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/b.../LP2008176.jpg

BulletBob Dec 8, 2010 12:36 AM

Pacific Electric, Streetcars, Railroads
 
Hello Everyone,

This thread is just astounding! I truly appreciate the interest and the effort of so many to produce such high content posts, the research, photos and before and after stuff which has always fascinated me. I found out about this thread from a link in a post on the Trainorders.com website.

It took me 5 weeks alone to read the first 90 pages. I am a new member as of today.

I was born in downtown and grew up in LA often visiting downtown LA and all around town because of a delivery job while at USC. The West Adams district stuff has been fascinating reading thus far. Spent a lot of time practicing in the old Clark House USC used as part of its music school.

The stories and observations could run long but I wanted to mention my particular area of expertise and interest is the Pacific Electric, street cars and railroads. I have a lot of books but in the 90's began collecting videos
taken from films of the PE, LA area railroads and streetcars. Having seen so many remnants of the PE as a kid I wanted to see it in action. I only recall the last days of the then very tired and beat up Long Beach line just before its demise (1961) when it wasn't even PE anymore.

There has already been mention of the This Was Pacific Electric DVD on this thread. And it is superb. There are many others like it.

I will get that info together along with my comments and bring it back to the board. I have scoured places for this material even calling a producer at his home based on a promotional trailer and it turned out to be his home phone.

Some of these videos have before and after scenes taken nearly 50 years
apart and in one video, 100 years based on old photographs.

So in the meantime, if there is something of special interest to you let me
know as often some subjects are sidebars and segments in a full production.

My LA old scenes are in books so I will need to carefully look over the forum
rules on copyrighted material.

BB

ethereal_reality Dec 8, 2010 1:03 AM

Welcome to the thread BulletBob!

It's great that you took the time to read through the 90 plus pages of this thread.
It's also an honor to meet someone that was actually born in downtown L.A. and grew up in the "City of Angels".

Your Pacific Electric Railway videos sound extremely interesting.
I can't wait to see them!

Beaudry Dec 8, 2010 5:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4925691)
The very 'noir' Rex Apartments (no address given).



http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2...tmentscali.jpg
calisphere


I imagine it inhabited by aging taxi-dancers.
And perhaps a few peroxide-blonde waitresses waiting by the phone for a bit part in the next Monogram feature.

Wow, I've been gone a long time! So much amazing stuff's been posted...I don't know where to begin. I'll start by adding what I can to some older posts...

The Rex Apts was at 911 Diamond. Diamond still runs between Figueroa and Beaudry, just N of First, though now it has the Harbor cutting through a good chunk of it. The Rex, known, at least in the 20s as the Occidental, was about where the second or third tree is now:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/...21f6dc72_b.jpg (Google Maps Street View)

Looming above is Figueroa Plaza. Where I've had some lovely, confounding afternoons with the good, I'm sure very well-meaning, folk of the Planning Department.

Beaudry Dec 8, 2010 6:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4967765)
The destruction of the Vanderbilt Apartments at 334 S. Figueroa (1959).


http://a.imageshack.us/img294/6516/l...iltbldgdem.jpg
usc

There's a really good story behind the Vanderbilt (built originally as the Roosevelt) -- and why it had to be demo'd -- read it here http://www.onbunkerhill.org/node/134

These pics from USC must not have been up yet when the On Bunker Hill piece was written.

Ah, the way the Vanderbilt contrasts with the new Union Oil Center, sitting up there on Boylston. So haughty.

Beaudry Dec 8, 2010 6:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4970678)
Welcome Muji
Your 'Brian Goes To Town' blog is very interesting and well done.





below: The Mason Opera house.

http://a.imageshack.us/img256/4884/l...erahouse10.jpg
ucla



http://a.imageshack.us/img101/558/la...eradracula.jpg

Well, if you wanna talk Mason Opera House, please tell me you've seen this

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...8076345113485#

JDRCRASH Dec 8, 2010 7:04 AM

Wow that demo pic is awesome!

Beaudry Dec 8, 2010 7:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4988896)
Here are a series photographs from 1952 of a crane lifting something onto the Ritchfield Building.

I find them interesting. You get a glimpse of the surrounding area as well.



http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8...hfield1952.jpg
I'm going to say USC Digital Archive, but I'm not certain.





below: I would love to see inside Oscar's Cafe (I can smell the hamburgers and onions).

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3...ld1952cosc.jpg
usc



below: The Traveler's Hotel, another cafe, Hotel Cl.....something, The Jonathan Club, and the Hotel Victor in the distance

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1...field1952b.jpg
usc


I found these, and yes, they're in USC, and according to the caption, they're hoisting a giant table. What? Am I to assume that some oil executive ordered a table so gargantuan it had to be lifted up into his office with a giant crane? Ok, that's pretty great.

What I think's really amazing about these shots is the demolition of the West side of the Richfield. These are from '52 and the early '53 remodel contained a four-story annex. I've always found this building intriguing because it was so out of place wedged up next to the Rich. Moreover I've never come across any information about it, least of all who the architect was.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5123/...59edc82a_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/...84dd6d97_o.jpg
both, 1955, USC Digital Archives, http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/search...=1291791181321

And the west side of the Richfield is the odd side that no-one ever really sees or considers. Its great open backside. Ok, we know all about it. But it's certainly not the postcard image. From the Historic American Building Survey -- Marvin Rand shot a ton of images in 1968 --

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/...d73bb05082.jpg
HABS http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/c...s/012404pv.jpg

Beaudry Dec 8, 2010 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4988946)

Here is another view of the general area around the Richfield Building.

You can see Rex Arms in the distance, along with the Statler Hilton and the Gates Hotel.
To the extreme right you can see an edge of the Richfield Building.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5...hotelrexar.jpg
usc


I love the building in the lower left corner. Wouldn't it be great to have your office or studio in that room on top.
Does anyone know the name of this building?

Hurrah for The Snow! AKA The Southland. I've always had a thing for this part of the world, this building especially. (This is going to be really dull. Go get a sandwich or something and come back when it's done.)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5049/...d3f4d008_b.jpg

The Snow is opened by Frank C. Finkle in December 1910.

The architect is H. M. Patterson, best known for his churches, especially Immanuel Presbyterian (that imposing Gothic structure at Wilshire and Berendo http://www.you-are-here.com/building/immanuel.html ) and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_C..._California%29

Looking across Central Park and Pacific Mutual Life, the distinctive roof of the Snow can be seen upper/left/middle:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5125/...5afefc9e_z.jpg
USC http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/assets...earch/CHS-5033

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/...eb9482e1_b.jpg
(my collection)

In 1913 Frank C. Finkle decided to erect a fourteen-story skyscraper wrapping around his Hotel Snow.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/...c5d32661_b.jpg

Take that Lee Hotel and the Gates!

But it was not to be.

While Finkle was the builder and owner, it was Seward Snow who ran the show. Until March of 1913:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/...d3cb7e75_o.jpg

The hostelry changes hands in 1915. Sometime soon after, I'd wager, it becomes the Southland.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/...f30815ec_b.jpg
http://helios.library.ca.gov/soca/laci/1998-0498.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/...3b54ff01_b.jpg
(my collection)

Then it gets a cool new neighbor, which is I believe how we got on this subject in the first place...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/...07ceb6d6_b.jpg
http://helios.library.ca.gov/soca/laci/1998-0501.jpg

And it continues like that for many a year...until...

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5248/...53cea4a6_o.jpg http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/...52cfdb8d_o.jpg http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5285/...2bafcdb212.jpg
LAPL http://jpg1.lapl.org/spnb01/00007321.jpg http://jpg1.lapl.org/spnb01/00007320.jpg http://jpg1.lapl.org/spnb01/00007319.jpg

March 2, 1971:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5246/...d4e40734_o.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/...c0d7e15a_b.jpg

And thus:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/...cfc427b32d.jpg
Mmm. Beige. Doesn't even rate a mention on you-are-here.

Here's a then-and-now by the great William Reagh -- 1969 and 1986:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/...cc9b2c0f_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/...142b7c34_b.jpg
http://catalog.library.ca.gov/F/BBHP...001&format=999
Sigh. Thus I'll end with a map, which is much more fun.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/...366bf87f_b.jpg

gsjansen Dec 8, 2010 1:23 PM

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3...ld1952cosc.jpg

that is indeed on big ol' table

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/...MLP_0720_01302
Source: Calisphere http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/...MLP_0720_01302


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