Speaking of Joan Crawford...I was talking to a woman recently, in her 70's I believe, who told me she used to write to lots of famous people when she was ten or so and ask for a picture or an autograph. She brought out a manila envelope holding a 5x7 photograph inscribed to her and saying, "Hello to you from Joan Crawford." She believes it was from 1951 or 1952.

In the photo, Joan has her hands up around her forehead (sort of like looking through binoculars, but no binoculars) and has a huge diamond ring on her finger, and looking wide-eyed and very dramatic.

The envelope was sent to this woman where she lived, at that time, in New Jersey. The return address is 426 North Bristol Avenue, Los Angeles 49, Calif. The postmark is July 24, but the year is blurred and not readable, it almost looks like 1997, but 1952 does look very plausible, which is what she thought.

Joan's residence (for 26 years) at 426 N. Bristol Ave. in Brentwood:

http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...s/gates426.jpg

1930:
http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...entcolor30.jpg

1944:
http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...terirohome.jpg

Joan’s Oscar for Mildred Pierce at home:
http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com.../oscarhome.jpg

Joan, dressed, at her pool:
http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...res/48p00l.jpg
A few years ago when Mildred Pierce was screened at the Academy (AMPAS), Ann Blyth (Veda) was present and told a story of going to Joan Crawford’s house to meet her before filming (I believe Ann was only 16 at the time) and she was told to go around back to the pool where Joan Crawford greeted her stark naked.

All photos from this site where many more interiors and exteriors can be found:
http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com/brentwoodhome.html

Thanks! That is definitely NOT the Brown Derby that was at Hollywood and Vine. I'm wondering if, perhaps, it was just set up somewhere for the film and wasn't an actual location? Off-hand I don't recall when they all closed, but it doesn't look like the Beverly Hills, Loz Feliz or original Wilshire (obviously) location, either.

(Also, the movie came out in June, 1987, and the Los Angeles Times article discussing the opening of the Hollywood & Vine location was October 23, 1987.)

Joan's naughty living room....
 

There are several reports of Joan appearing totally nude in front of movie directors, movie bosses and guests.

Her living room was for adults only. There were ceramic cigarette boxes stationed around the room on coffee tables and buffets. When you opened the little boxes you would be surprised to see sculptures of human anatomy genitals inside the lid of the boxes. I guess she thought she was being risque in those repressive days.

I recalling reading that many of the more morally upstanding Hollywood types always felt uncomfortable being invited to her home and often declined any invitation.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psefd0b12d.jpg

http://acertaincinema.com/wp-content...wford-race.jpghttp://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/...oan372x192.jpg


I guess I really don't really care all that much about Joan Crawford or her children, except as curiosities. And I don't know how Rex Reed, who grew up in Louisiana and is only a year older than Christina, ever saw Joan abusing Christina. And yes, I know the McCadden house was not really lived in by JC, any more than the ones below. We've covered all three of these movie houses before--the Hudson house, and the Pierce house and the Beragon beach house below--but they're not coming up readily.

http://hookedonhouses.net/wp-content...n-Glendale.jpghttp://hookedonhouses.net/wp-content...tt-sunroom.jpg


Well, who really knows, but she was a famous horndog, wasn't she?--guys, gals, you name it. So, aging horndog tries to seduce the innocent Ann Blyth by letting it all hang out. Funny stuff.

I don't think I've ever seen anything quite this hideous.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/823/wl68.jpg
posted by GaylordWilshire

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I think Joan Crawford was beautiful for about twenty minutes in the 1930s.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/837/a8nc.jpg
http://tiggerlane.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html



After that, I have to agree with CBD, she's too severe...almost kabuki-like.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/34/9esw.jpg
http://bwallover.blogspot.com/2014/0...-eyebrows.html

Did she honestly believe she looked good in this photograph?
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May Co., 1938
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/845/7qwc.jpg
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One division (top row, third from right) is still using a swastika as late as 1938?
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http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/401/pahu.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/513/gxg2.jpg


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...0/822/99yj.jpg
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Interesting description of the cafe with it's fine views and mirrors.
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Flip side of the coin? http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fe...crawford200803


I am not her biggest fan, nor am I knowledgeable regarding the many prurient stories attributed to JC, and many other actresses, a few of which may still be alive. I am more fascinated with the Hollywood/LA they may have known when making their proverbial mark.

Perhaps common knowledge to all, but when did JC reside in (or own) the McCadden address? (Assuming Hancock Park was discussed in "Dearest.") Are we aware of her first residential purchase, or where she lived before the big salary increases in the late '20s?


Giving Joan her due. She had as many attractive faces as . . . um . . . not so attractive.


http://joancrawfordbest.com/joanbylouise29.jpghttp://joancrawfordbest.com/joanbylouise29.jpghttp://joancrawfordbest.com/26clarencebull.jpghttp://joancrawfordbest.com/26clarencebull.jpg


1927 - Taxi Dancer
http://joancrawfordbest.com/27taxi12dec1.jpghttp://joancrawfordbest.com/27taxi12dec1.jpg


http://joancrawfordbest.com/20smistletoe13dec1.jpghttp://joancrawfordbest.com/20smistletoe13dec1.jpg


1927 - The unknown
http://media-files.gather.com/images...96/f3/full.jpghttp://media-files.gather.com/images...96/f3/full.jpg


1928 - Our Dancing Daughters
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7B1Zg34KSi...ughters+01.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7B1Zg34KSi...ughters+01.jpg

http://www.dorothysebastian.com/site...dd-486x600.jpg http://www.dorothysebastian.com/site...dd-486x600.jpg

http://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...27photos10.gifhttp://www.legendaryjoancrawford.com...27photos10.gif

http://i.imgur.com/akOv8pV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/akOv8pV.jpg

1930 - Joan and Doug Jr.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RC2Pka3RTq...awford1930.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RC2Pka3RTq...awford1930.jpg

JC in '38 Lincoln Model K
http://www.arts-stew.com/wp-content/...ln-Model-K.jpghttp://www.arts-stew.com/wp-content/...ln-Model-K.jpg

And speaking of prurient, "Trog" suggests anything is possible.
http://www.papermag.com/blogs/trog-pepsi.jpghttp://www.papermag.com/blogs/trog-pepsi.jpg

Wooden manhole covers in WWII era Los Angeles.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/69/yqi1.jpg
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http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...90/89/k08b.jpg

I wonder if any of them are still in use?
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World War 2....scrap metal
 

Chuck-- You've found some great pictures of JC. But before we go any farther--I only posted the McCadden house and captioned it "Joan's House of Horrors" as a joke--she never owned it--she lived there only when she played Blanche Hudson and suffered under Baby Jane.

Sorry if I already did this, but I don't remember and I couldn't find it in the thread. Anyway here are some nighttime shots I got of the motels in this block:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1kv9ULTzBp...gn+cropped.JPG

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/...036669_o_d.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ur1c_XTjQ_...tro+sign+I.jpg

...and my favorite:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S2KKU9_9uX...7s+sign+II.jpg

"Did you see that, Madge? They've got telephones!

At least one of the motels on this block go back to the 1920s, having started as an auto court.

press photo: An attempt to lure the average beer drinker all the way out to Pomona.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/853/tkc4.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/46/hk5w.jpg
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This is intriguing, a craftsman style house being used as a wedding chapel.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/823/gtv6.jpg
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detail
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/833/6gl9.jpg


reverse
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/811/d6xv.jpg

Everything but the street address. :(
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:previous: Thanks so much GW! It looks great with the windows doesn't it? :)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/703/kj1p.jpg
GSV

I hope buildings like this are brought back to life someday.
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:hi:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=7838

1939 LA city directory has: Wedding Manor 675 S Vmont av Rev Dorothea Du Bose pastor h do

Modern parking lot there now.

:previous: Thanks Lorendoc. -much appreciated.
I didn't expect it to be listed in a city directory.
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Earlier tonight I came across this amazing aerial of the Rexall Corporate Headquarters at Beverly blvd. and La Cienega.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/853/e0al.jpg
ebay

Kiddyland is visible at lower right. Eventually the Beverly Center would rise in Kiddyland's place.




Here's an earlier post.

Egad! Is that a friggin' Yugo parked in front?!?