noirish Los Angeles

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

That's a great shot of your stepfather CBD

Curlett and Beelman's 1926 Chester Williams Building has been used as a location for several films. A couple of gritty examples:


Walgreen's has the ground-floor corner space these days:

tovangar2.....I didn't know that the Chester Williams Bldg. had been used in movie making. Like most all those older buildings it has no parking. If you lived in one of the new lofts you would really have to hunt for a place to park your car.
I marked out the suite of shared offices my stepfather rented with two other attorneys.
One was criminal attorney Horace Apel. He was a rather crude noir type, who nipped from a whiskey bottle in his desk drawer.


SC

[tovangar2]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

.....I marked out the suite of shared offices my stepfather rented with two other attorneys.
One was criminal attorney Horace Apel. He was a rather crude noir type, who nipped from a whiskey bottle in his desk drawer.


SC

Wow CBD. The Penthouse. They must have been successful attorneys.

P.S.

Was Horace Ap(p)el the same one involved in Darrow's bribery trial?

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

I was looking at the address and noticed that the jewelers were... "Railroad Watch Inspectors". I would imagine we don't see many of those these days.
When I was a kid those railroad watches were a big deal.

I don't recall the episode specifics, but last year on a History Detectives (PBS) show, I remember them going into detail about the fact that at one time the railroads were looked to for the most accurate "time" information and that the conductors on trains, etc. were required to have their watches inspected periodically by official places (like this one, I imagine) so that they were running properly and set to the accurate time. Wonder who paid the fees?

[oldstuff]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Wow CBD. The Penthouse. They must have been successful attorneys.

P.S.

Was Horace Ap(p)el the same one involved in Darrow's bribery trial?

The late Horace Appel was definitely an "old school" attorney. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1921.

The father of Horrace Appel, also Horace H. Appel, was also an attorney who had offices in 1900 in the Bullard Block which was located where City Hall now stands. There are a couple of pictures online if someone could post them. (I can't post) It was located at the corner of Spring and Court.

Under John Anson Bullard Block, there is actually a picture of the elder Mr. Appel when he was practicing law and working in the Bullard Block

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by oldstuff

The late Horace Appel was definitely an "old school" attorney. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1921.

The father of Horrace Appel, also Horace H. Appel, was also an attorney who had offices in 1900 in the Bullard Block which was located where City Hall now stands. There are a couple of pictures online if someone could post them. (I can't post) It was located at the corner of Spring and Court.

Under John Anson Bullard Block, there is actually a picture of the elder Mr. Appel when he was practicing law and working in the Bullard Block

You're quite correct oldstuff, the Horace Appel [Jr] I knew was very definitely old school. I might have a photo of him somewhere....I'll look. In the office suite I wrote about, Horace had a small office, in the same suite, next to my father's.

My father told me not to go in Horace's office when he was pouring shots of whiskey. Horace used to give me quarter coins but that made my father start ranting and raving. I was about 11 years old then.

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Wow CBD. The Penthouse. They must have been successful attorneys.

P.S.

Was Horace Ap(p)el the same one involved in Darrow's bribery trial?

Evidently the Horace Appel involved in the 1912 trial was the father of the Horace Appel who I knew in 1955 ...approx. Both father and son were Los Angeles attorneys. Oldstuff did some good research on the two fellows.

One of the defence attorneys was Earl Rogers. My mother was acquainted with his daughter Adela Rogers St. Johns who was an author and Hollywood screenwriter. Mom used to tell me stories of her spending afternoons and lunch with Adela when they stayed at Asilomar by Monterey, CA for the Church of Religious Science Summer conferences. Connections here and there.

Adela Rogers St.Johns

LA Times

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Here's another spectacular Kodachrome slide of Hollywood Boulevard in the 1940s.


eBay

note U.S.O. Club banner, "One Door South."

Fantastic photo!

I knew that there was a Hollywood USO on Cahuenga and I've looked for photos of it, but cannot seem to find one. I also have never located an exact address. Complicating matters is that before the Hollywood Canteen opened in October of 1942, the Hollywood USO was often referred to as the Hollywood Canteen. Complicating matters further is that people often assume that the Hollywood Canteen was a USO, but, in actuality, it was not affiliated with the USO. And, further complications arise because the Cahuenga USO moved locations after a years time. (One could further confuse the issue with the mention of the Hollywood Guild and Canteen located on Crescent Heights and Fountain.)

I have seen a broad map of Southern California with general positioning of USO locations (they used the word "sitings") as to where they were located in relation to the Hollywood Canteen in this time period. (The map is attributed to Andrew Gottsfield). He lists the two locations of the Hollywood USO with dots right next to each other, so I'm assuming they moved down the street, but I don't know that for a fact.

The Hollywood USO opened in February of 1942 until June of 1943 when it moved locations. The dot for the second Hollywood USO location is south of the original one, so I am inclined to think this photograph, above, is referring to the first USO location and was taken in between February of 1942 and June of 1943, since it is only one "door" south of Hollywood Blvd.


The Hollywood USO opened on February 2, 1942, which was eight months prior to the opening of the Hollywood Canteen, 1451 N. Cahuenga Blvd., just South of Sunset Blvd., and the Hollywood USO relocated eight months later, after the Canteen opened, to it's second location.

Re: Blackout rules

Originally Posted by Noircitydame

It was pretty short duration- the dimout regulations that affected theater marquees, illuminated signs (and night baseball/football etc) for the Pacific Coast officially went into effect in Aug 20, 1942 (though most Hollywood theaters had already gone dark by late May '42 on, I guess, a voluntary basis) and were lifted as of Nov 1, 1943.

Thanks for the information on the blackout/dimout regulations. From a book about the Hollywood Canteen, called "Dance Floor Democracy" they have the following:

When the Hollywood USO opened up the street from the future site of the Canteen, on February 2, 1942, it also did so under pre-dimout conditions. Edward G. Robinson presided as starlet hostesses welcomed one thousand military guests in a "kleig-light ceremony and fanfare." (Footnotes indicate quoted info is from next days Los Angeles Times.)
___

This is a Bruce Torrence photo of the corner of Hollyood Blvd. and Cahuenga, dated 1943.



Notice the woman in the wheelchair. Even if we assume the date (year) is correct, the U.S.O. Club could have moved by the time the photo was taken (June) as indicated above, but I wonder where the entrance "one door south" would have put it; upstairs maybe? I didn't notice the owl in the color photograph like it is in this one, so I looked again. It's hidden behind the lamp post.

I was trying to read the words above the five "sections" of the newsstand. I believe the first says "Home Town Papers" and then "Photoplay". The third looks like "True Glory" (?) with a clock in the middle of it. I can't make out the next one. The fifth is "Liberty" magazine. Besides the dentists, the blade signs to the right are not legible to me, except "restaurant" of course, nor the store signs.

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

I don't recall the episode specifics, but last year on a History Detectives (PBS) show, I remember them going into detail about the fact that at one time the railroads were looked to for the most accurate "time" information and that the conductors on trains, etc. were required to have their watches inspected periodically by official places (like this one, I imagine) so that they were running properly and set to the accurate time. Wonder who paid the fees?

I would imagine the railroad conductors had to pay for the inspection themselves. Back in the 1940s -'50s the fee was probably a dollar or less. Of course now everything is digital - electronic.

I don't even wear a watch anymore...I carry a cell phone that has it's own clock. How times change.

Martin: Notice the street light pole in the color photo. There's a sign on it that says...USO First Door >>>>>>.

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

Martin: Notice the street light pole in the color photo. There's a sign on it that says...USO First Door >>>>>>.

I did see that...but then I guess I ignored it! In the b&w photo that would put
it in between the traffic signal and the American flag, I'm guessing.
___

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

I have seen a broad map of Southern California with general positioning of USO locations (they used the word "sitings") as to where they were located in relation to the Hollywood Canteen in this time period. (The map is attributed to Andrew Gottsfield.)

I thought I'd list these places in case any of them come up sometime.

USO sitings in Los Angeles Region, 1942-1945
(The listing seems to be in a regional pattern; North-South?)

San Fernando USO
Oxnard USO
Van Nuys Club
Burbank (San Fernando) USO
Burbank (Olive Street) USO
Glendale (Lexington) USO
Glendale (California Hotel) USO
Alhambra USO
Monterey Park USO
Griffith Park USO
Hollywood USO (1st-Feb. 1942 - June 1943)
Hollywood USO (2nd [moved] - June 1943)
HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN
Beverly-Fairfax Victory House
American Legion
Beverly Hills USO
Santa Monica Army Rec. Club
Culver City USO
West Adams USO
Wilshire Club

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES:
Wilshire USO
Olvera Street USO
Union Station
Pacific Mutual USO
Figueroa USO
Main Street USO
Pacific Electric Station
Greyhound Station

Eastside USO (1st - July 1942)
Avalon USO (2nd [moved] 1943)
Inglewood USO
Watts Hospitality House (1st - Feb. 1942 - May 1942)
Watts USO (2nd - Nov. 1943)
Compton USO
Bellflower USO
Redondo Beach USO
San Pedro USO
Figueroa Gym
Long Beach USO
Long Beach USO Negro Extension

I am assuming the words in parentheses are street names, except the Hotel.
Also, I believe the ones that do not include "USO", aren't affiliated with the USO,
but offered military services, entertainment, recreation and etc.

I know we've had photos, or mention, of the Beverly Hills and the Olvera Street USO's.

[tovangar2]

The Horace Appels, father and son, were all over the papers at one time (especially dad). This little article mentions them both:


LA Herald, 1/22/1908

The Bullard Block (seen before on the thread):

pinterest


(I couldn't find the photo of HH Appel, Sr oldstuff. If you send me the link, I'll put it up.)

[Tourmaline]

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

Fantastic photo!

I knew that there was a Hollywood USO on Cahuenga and I've looked for photos of it, but cannot seem to find one. I also have never located an exact address. Complicating matters is that before the Hollywood Canteen opened in October of 1942, the Hollywood USO was often referred to as the Hollywood Canteen. Complicating matters further is that people often assume that the Hollywood Canteen was a USO, but, in actuality, it was not affiliated with the USO. And, further complications arise because the Cahuenga USO moved locations after a years time. (One could further confuse the issue with the mention of the Hollywood Guild and Canteen located on Crescent Heights and Fountain.)

I have seen a broad map of Southern California with general positioning of USO locations (they used the word "sitings") as to where they were located in relation to the Hollywood Canteen in this time period. (The map is attributed to Andrew Gottsfield). He lists the two locations of the Hollywood USO with dots right next to each other, so I'm assuming they moved down the street, but I don't know that for a fact.

The Hollywood USO opened in February of 1942 until June of 1943 when it moved locations. The dot for the second Hollywood USO location is south of the original one, so I am inclined to think this photograph, above, is referring to the first USO location and was taken in between February of 1942 and June of 1943, since it is only one "door" south of Hollywood Blvd.


The Hollywood USO opened on February 2, 1942, which was eight months prior to the opening of the Hollywood Canteen, 1451 N. Cahuenga Blvd., just South of Sunset Blvd., and the Hollywood USO relocated eight months later, after the Canteen opened, to it's second location.

Re: Blackout rules



Thanks for the information on the blackout/dimout regulations. From a book about the Hollywood Canteen, called "Dance Floor Democracy" they have the following:

When the Hollywood USO opened up the street from the future site of the Canteen, on February 2, 1942, it also did so under pre-dimout conditions. Edward G. Robinson presided as starlet hostesses welcomed one thousand military guests in a "kleig-light ceremony and fanfare." (Footnotes indicate quoted info is from next days Los Angeles Times.)
___

This is a Bruce Torrence photo of the corner of Hollyood Blvd. and Cahuenga, dated 1943.



Notice the woman in the wheelchair. Even if we assume the date (year) is correct, the U.S.O. Club could have moved by the time the photo was taken (June) as indicated above, but I wonder where the entrance "one door south" would have put it; upstairs maybe? I didn't notice the owl in the color photograph like it is in this one, so I looked again. It's hidden behind the lamp post.

I was trying to read the words above the five "sections" of the newsstand. I believe the first says "Home Town Papers" and then "Photoplay". The third looks like "True Glory" (?) with a clock in the middle of it. I can't make out the next one. The fifth is "Liberty" magazine. Besides the dentists, the blade signs to the right are not legible to me, except "restaurant" of course, nor the store signs.

From previous post, circa 1935 http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=21680
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102.../842/uvrbc.jpg

[Tetsu]

Originally Posted by rick m

It was a sore spot he would highlight- and it was adjacent to that parking lot..

So they were twins, more or less. In looking at the color shot again, it looks like you can see the same gingerbread details on the porch of the house to the north of 129 as well, plus the same basic shape with the square bay window, etc. Perhaps they were a trio?

oldstuff & tovangar2, rick m has asserted that the house in the color shot was 129 S. Olive, and the house in the Nadel b&w was its neighbor, 135 S. That would certainly account for the lack of the palm tree in the front yard of the b&w shot (though I figured they had just ripped it out by the time the b&w shot was taken).

I found another shot of 135 S. Olive in my files as well. For all I can remember, I might have downloaded them from here.


lapl probably

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

The Horace Appels, father and son, were all over the papers at one time (especially dad). This little article mentions them both:


LA Herald, 1/22/1908

The Bullard Block (seen before on the thread):

pinterest


(I couldn't find the photo of HH Appel, Sr oldstuff. If you send me the link, I'll put it up.)

That young man, Horace H. Appel Jr. would have received about $400,000 in 2015 dollars. Not a small sum for an 11 year old boy in 1908.

He's the one who used to give me quarter coins, to which my father strenuously objected.. He told Horace, " Please don't be giving Doug any money."

[Noircitydame]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

He's the one who used to give me quarter coins, to which my father strenuously objected.. He told Horace, " Please don't be giving Doug any money."

Why?? Was he worried you'd run down to Desmond's Boys Shop and blow it on something like this kiddie pool table? (note "Charge it!" in upper left).

11-27-52

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by Noircitydame

Why?? Was he worried you'd run down to Desmond's Boys Shop and blow it on something like this kiddie pool table? (note "Charge it!" in upper left).

11-27-52

Noircitydame.....you ask a good question. Here's my take on it. Over the years several people had given us 4 kids various gifts. My father wasn't so much concerned with us kids,
he was worried about himself. He was concerned that these gift-givers were trying to curry favor with himself. They were using us kids to get at him and possibly win some favor...
such as some free legal advice or other benefit. He never said this to me but I suspect that's the answer.

He liked being paid for all of his legal advice...friends, neighbors or otherwise. He gave a lot of free legal advice but that was his choice.

He had this framed quote on his waiting room wall. As a ten year old I had no idea what it meant....one day he explained it to me !

quotes.com

[Martin Pal]

The well-dressed boy (who towers over a Christmas tree) wears
Moose Moccasin Slippers with Shirling Collar and padded soles.

...and plays pool!

[Beaudry]

Originally Posted by Tetsu

Everything in that photo is amazing. I was thinking the same thing as Michael Ryerson, as far as wondering what year the photo was taken. It definitely couldn't have been much earlier than the 30's since it's in color, as MR said.

Regarding 129 S. Olive, I've got a question for all the BH fanatics. First, take a look at what I think is a later shot of the same home, in much worse shape:

lapl

I was just wondering if 129 had an identical or near-identical twin next door to the south. Mainly I'm asking because of the railing at the top of the veranda in the B&W shot, looks like it could be original (though I wonder if it would look that way if I had a higher res shot), yet in the color shot, the wrought iron railing looks very much like it could be original too - more so, actually. So, just wanted to make sure we're looking at the same house in both shots.

It also looks like the entire front yard has been scooped away in the B&W shot, and the front stairs rebuilt to reach from the porch straight to the sidewalk. I wonder if that's what caused the porch to start drooping like that.

One more time for comparison:

ebay

I think I can add something to the conversation. Here's an image that I pulled of the 'net years ago, so, no idea about its proper attribution. But it shows the relative placement of everyone. Left to right, there's the rasty empty lot, there's 135, with 131 hidden behind. Then 129 and her (pretty close) "twin" 125. 121 sticks out in back, far right.



Sanborn snippet:



Interestingly, there was another set of "twins" just down on the next block at 215-217 S Olive:

getty-nadel/cra/olive

Which also have a large Grand Ave apartment backside towering over them, in this case, the Frontenac.

[AlvaroLegido]

Originally Posted by Beaudry

Interestingly, there was another set of "twins" just down on the next block at 215-217 S Olive:

getty-nadel/cra/olive

Which also have a large Grand Ave apartment backside towering over them, in this case, the Frontenac.

For those who would like to feel like being on 4th street (still paved), looking East, between Grand and Olive (with trees on the left and the sign of the Fremont Hotel on the right), it's on :

YouTube
Making a Living (1914) - 1st Charlie Chaplin Movie Appearance – Henry Lehrman Change Before Going Productions

The short section is at 12:10.

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

The well-dressed boy (who towers over a Christmas tree) wears
Moose Moccasin Slippers with Shirling Collar and padded soles.

...and plays pool!

Desmond's sold military school uniforms for boys. That tells you a lot about the customers.....and the store.

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

Notice the street light pole in the color photo. There's a sign on it that says...USO First Door >>>>>>.

Thanks for pointing out the uso sign on the light pole CBD. I didn't see it earlier.


"One Door South." "First Door"

So wouldn't the USO entrance be here (red arrow below)


originally posted by Martin_Pal

...or did you guys already figure that out?