noirish Los Angeles - Page 2500

Hollywood Graham · #**49981** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 5:38 PM**

I have to start my morning with Noirish Los Angeles the first thing right after breakfast. Then and only then can I face the 21st Century.

Martin Pal · #**49982** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 6:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Well done Hoss!

I second the e-motion!

Martin Pal · #**49983** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 6:40 PM**

.

December 20, 1971, 47 years ago today:

Bill Varie / L.A. Times

Caption: Youth on bicycle drops some change into Salvation Army kettle.

The Salvation Army kettle above was located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood. A brass band played a selection of Christmas carols.

This photo by staff photographer Bill Varie was published as standalone art on page three of the Dec. 21, 1971, Los Angeles Times.

Martin Pal · #**49984** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 6:42 PM**

.

One year ago: A photo captured on Hollywood Blvd. 8:38 p.m., December 16, 2017.
(I believe, maybe, they are next to the lot by the Scientology Building, formerly the Hotel Christie.)

Glen Zucman

Martin Pal · #**49985** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 6:57 PM**

Until April of 2017, I hadn't found any photos that pictured Hollywood Blvd. decorated in anything other than the famous Christmas trees that lined the light poles for many years.
The Santa Claus motif was used in the Spielberg film "1941" (Santa's arms were by his side) but I'd never seen any photos of Santa Claus's lining the street until I found this
snapshot of a soldier in front of one on someone's pinterest account.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

___________________________________________________________________________

Because of the movie marquee this photo was likely taken in December of 1943 or early January of 1944.

I found another Santa Claus photo recently!

It's at approximately 6330 Hollywood Blvd. a bit east of Ivar. Do the cars indicate it was probably
the same 1943 holiday season? I wonder if these Santa Claus decorations were only up that one particular year?

jericl cat/Flickr

Pictured: Hollywood Citizen, Mimi's, Thrifty Cut Rate Drug Store, partial blade signs for Warners Theatre and Security Bank.

ethereal_reality · #**49986** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 7:14 PM**

Earlier today I came across this rather mysterious image in an old file of mine.

"Curtis Studios, Sunset Trails, Los Angeles" -blue-tone Silver Gelatin Print.

old file

I really love this image...it's utterly noirish. I can't tell if it's a double exposure (maybe a triple exposure?)...or a photo-collage.
I'd love to know the back-story.

After several google searches...I was led to this Curtis Studios portrait of Anna May Wong.

Heritage Auctions

"Vintage gelatin silver, double weight, glossy still. An early and exceptional full-length portrait of star Anna May Wong,
by pioneer photographer Edward S. Curtis, best known for his famous photographs of the American West and the Native American Indian.
Curtis moved to Los Angeles around 1921 after a bitter divorce with his wife. and began working as a still photographer on Hollywood films
around this time. He also set up a studio in the Biltmore Hotel to work as a portrait photographer, where assumably this photo was made.
Recto: Curtis signature in the negative. Verso: Black rubber stamp on the verso, Curtis Studio, Biltmore Hotel, L.A. Fine/Very Fine."

Hmmm...I'm not sure that I agree the Ms. Wong photograph was taken at the Biltmore.

I don't think the studio shop in the Biltmore Arcade would have an exposed brick wall like this one behind Ms. Wong.

unless it's a backdrop. (a really well done backdrop)

The seller is correct about the shop location.

lapl

detail

Hollywood Graham · #**49987** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 7:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

Until April of 2017, I hadn't found any photos that pictured Hollywood Blvd. decorated in anything other than the famous Christmas trees that lined the light poles for many years.
The Santa Claus motif was used in the Spielberg film "1941" (Santa's arms were by his side) but I'd never seen any photos of Santa Claus's lining the street until I found this
snapshot of a soldier in front of one on someone's pinterest account.

Because of the movie marquee this photo was likely taken in December of 1943 or early January of 1944.

I found another Santa Claus photo recently!

It's at approximately 6330 Hollywood Blvd. a bit west of Ivar. Do the cars indicate it was probably
the same 1943 holiday season? I wonder if these Santa Claus decorations were only up that one particular year?

jericl cat/Flickr

Pictured: Hollywood Citizen, Mimi's, Thrifty Cut Rate Drug Store, partial blade signs for Warners Theatre and Security Bank.

Plates on the two cars parked by Santa are 1942 plates, too hard to see if they had the 1943 tab or not. Jones Decorating was the company that decorated Hollywood Blvd. they were headquartered on Sunset by Silverlake Bl. right accross from the P.E. power station.

GaylordWilshire · #**49988** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 7:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

And here's a mystery location.

"Elks caravan information cars at Shell station, Southern California, 1931"

USC digital archive

I wondered why this image showed up in my Van Fleet-Durkee search... then I noticed the V & D System triangular logo on the towncar [at right].

Does anyone recognize the apartment building in the background?

That would be the Tremont, which was at 641 S Berendo. Built 1923, demo'ed 1969. I didn't find a photo, not that I dug all that deep--maybe Hoss will unearth one--but here's an illustration from the Times:

LAT Sept 9, 1923

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

Youth on bicycle drops some change into Salvation Army kettle.

The Salvation Army kettle above was located at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood. A brass band played a selection of Christmas carols.[/I]

This photo by staff photographer Bill Varie was published as standalone art on page three of the Dec. 21, 1971, Los Angeles Times.

Frankly, eff the Salvation Army

From ER's recent posts on VD V&D Shell Service Inc. (was the ampersand added to avoid associations with clap?)--

Always have loved Woodlites--here on another Chrysler:

GaylordWilshire · #**49989** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 10:02 PM**

I thought there was a strange mystery to ER's images in the previous post...I began to wonder--where is the Post Building?

UCSB aerial from Dec 15, 1931.

Then I looked closer at ER's pics--I was taking the apparently blank west wall of the Post Bldg for an empty lot....

More here

Lwize · #**49990** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossC

I decided to redecorate Tally's to celebrate reaching 2500 pages (that's 50,000 posts by the bottom of this page!). Well done to everyone for keeping it fresh and interesting.

Original image from LAPL

For some of us, this is the 2,000th Page!

(vignette.wikia.nocookie.net)

Martin Pal · #**49991** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 10:42 PM**

And for me it's 5,000!
(I like ten posts per page.)

HossC · #**49992** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 10:55 PM**

Just for Lwize and Martin Pal (I'm not doing this again!)

At least we can agree on the number of posts.

Martin Pal · #**49993** Posted **Dec 20, 2018, 11:21 PM**

LOL! Thanks, HossC, heh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywood Graham

Plates on the two cars parked by Santa are 1942 plates, too hard to see if they had the 1943 tab or not. Jones Decorating was the company that decorated Hollywood Blvd. they were headquartered on Sunset by Silverlake Bl. right accross from the P.E. power station.

I didn't know who was responsible for the decorations, but had wondered.

I located this photo c. 1980's of the Jones Decorating Company at 2807 Sunset Blvd.

Julie Wilson World/Flickr

Info says it was founded in 1926. Is it still there?
(Next door to the Olive Motel!)

Thanks for the info.
___

Hollywood Blvd. Christmas Decorations
Santa Claus Lane

Beaudry · #**49994** Posted **Dec 21, 2018, 12:09 AM**

Wow! 2500 pages (for me, or however many for y'all)...all I know is there's been 49,995 posts, so we'll see if I end up being #50,000 by the time I finish writing this.

Here's something I found—a piece of unbuilt Bunker Hill from the Times, 11 Feb 1905.

This would plop right on top the old Bixby house. And note that it would play havoc with the views had by the tenants of the Bradbury Mansion!

That this great seven-story caravansary should look a bit like the then three-year-old Fremont down the street at Fourth & Olive shouldn't surprise anyone, as it was also designed by John C. Austin.

Hotel Fremont, Fourth Street and Olive, ca.1908 by Michael Ryerson, on Flickr

Hollywood Graham · #**49995** Posted **Dec 21, 2018, 12:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

LOL! Thanks, HossC, heh!

I didn't know who was responsible for the decorations, but had wondered.

I located this photo c. 1980's of the Jones Decorating Company at 2807 Sunset Blvd.

Julie Wilson World/Flickr

Info says it was founded in 1926. Is it still there?
(Next door to the Olive Motel!)

Thanks for the info.

I passed by several days ago but was looking more at the power station and did not notice Jones. Olive Motel is an interesting subject and Noir to say the least once owned by a 40's 50's Vice squad Sgt..

Barstowboy · #**49996** Posted **Dec 21, 2018, 1:33 AM**

I'm not sure how post GSV, but the building is red and it has 'available' and 'creative space for rent' signs.

Interesting about the Olive Motel...I feel a James Ellroy riff coming on...

GaylordWilshire · #**49997** Posted **Dec 21, 2018, 12:58 PM**

A Jones sampler

LAT Nov 30, 1958 and Sept 1, 1931

LAT July 1, 1990--nothing comes up for "Jones Decorating" in the Times after this

Jones moved around a lot...one of its locations was at 752 S San Pedro across Agatha Street from the great turreted store building we've seen on NLA before....

ethereal_reality · #**49998** Posted **Dec 22, 2018, 2:31 AM**

I just saw this on Ebay [$49.99] one bid.

"RARE LOS ANGELES STREET SCENE Businesses Signs STREETCAR Liquor Store c 1900 Photo." SILVER ALBUMEN PAPER

Ebay

Does anyone recognize this street?

Here's a

close-up

DETAIL

Anything look familiar?

__

Beaudry · #**49999** Posted **Dec 22, 2018, 3:37 AM**

As long as we're on the subject (well, I am anyway, see my post above) of unbuilt Bunker Hill, here's the Collins Hotel, designed by Arthur L. Haley, who did design the Astoria apartments that would eventually go in that spot in 1905.

LA Times, June 21, 1903

One wonders if as many folk would slink down/be thrown down/be murdered on those utility stairs next to the Collins in alla those noir pictures as were next to the Astoria. And note what a wide lovely avenue Clay St appears to be!

The rooftop had a dining room and roof-garden. Note the tower with chimes..."this feature has been recently introduced in some of the family hotels of the East, and has proved as attractive as it is novel."

Somewhere there has to be a drawing of the Olive Street façade, would I love to see that. There's even some description of it just to get my blood going all the more—

By December they realized it would be much cooler to tear down the houses next door (where the Hill Crest and Sunshine Apts would be built in a couple years) and put in a park, and just make the Collins much larger.

LA Times, December 3, 1903

Of course the City Council got involved, and attorneys, and they brought in outside counsel, like Parkinson and John C Austin, who cast a dubious eye at the stability of the giant towers and the fireproofability of the whole affair. It's never said what happened to the project but perhaps City Superintendent Julius Krause just didn't give Haley and his client W. S. Collins a permit.

EDIT:

LA Times, 15 Feb 1905

ethereal_reality · #**50000** Posted **Dec 22, 2018, 4:56 AM**

Very interesting post Beaudry.

What is meant by "bent glass windows"? (curved like a bay window?)

Here are a few more mentions of the Collins Hotel.

Los Angeles Herald / Agitates the city council?

Oct. 9, 1903

This is why.

Result

Los Angeles Herald