noirish Los Angeles - Page 2416

Bristolian · #**48301** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 3:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorendoc

#5 is a Texaco station downtown (you can see the Library Tower in the middle distance). There were about 40+ Texaco stations in LA in the late 80s, with the closest one to the Library Tower being Hahn's Texaco at 504 W Olympic. The "since 1923" is puzzling as the CDs from back then don't seem to list any Texaco stations.

Sometimes service stations change affiliations with oil companies. It is possible that in 1923 this one started out as a gas station, just not one that sold Texaco gasoline.
Having said that, I have no idea of the location.

odinthor · #**48302** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 5:40 PM**

I like, when possible, to provide some human interest stories to deepen and enrich our understanding of old Los Angeles: Sometimes the happy, sometimes the sad, sometime the weird...

I have a few miscellaneous items from looking into the matter of Edgeware Road/Kern St.

Here, first, is a cheerful one, a moment of brightness in noirish L.A.:

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

I wonder if any of the more durable prizes (such as "Bronze inlaid cup" or "Gold chain and pendant") still exist anywhere...?

Roy Fleming, winner of first prize, wheeled division, has a look of determination which I am sure served him well throughout his life.

odinthor · #**48303** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 7:04 PM**

Continuing the annals of Edgeware:

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

google maps

I bet he went Temple to Alvarado to 6th to Lake.

LA Times 7/5/1926 via ProQuest via CSULB Library

Scott Charles · #**48304** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 9:33 PM**

Interesting stuff, odinthor. As to the pendants, I’d imagine that they’re lying in an attic somewhere. Then again, not everyone is a borderline hoarder like me, so maybe they just got tossed in the trash.

As to the photos I posted previously, I just realized that I can no longer remember the exact location of the gas station (I only saw it a few times, and it has been over thirty years).

Here is what I know for absolute certain: the station was on the northwest corner of an intersection. And it wasn't there much longer after I photographed it.

Here is what I am virtually certain of: it was on a major street - to draw a rough border, I would say it was somewhere between 5th and Olympic on either Alameda or Central.

Being forced to guess, I would say it was on the corner of Eighth and Central (Google). It’s currently a gas station, and the Library Tower appears in the correct place in the background:

If not that, then perhaps one of these corners:

Sorry about the confusion, guys - I was sure I remembered where it was until I actually went looking for it.

odinthor · #**48305** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 10:28 PM**

Now things begin to darken in Edgeware . . . and Hollywood becomes involved . . .

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

Fred LeRoy Granville lived until November 14, 1932, having been active in the business in various capacities (cinematographer, director, writer, producer, production manager) through 1927. (Not one of his movies is familiar to me. Her Body in Bond, or The Sins Ye Do, anyone?)

But things get much more noir in Edgeware . . . Much more . . .

ethereal_reality · #**48306** Posted **Aug 15, 2018, 10:52 PM**

odinthor, I found another entrant in the Baby Parade, June 10,1915.

Los Angeles Herald, June 10 1915

enlarged for easier reading

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odinthor · #**48307** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 5:13 AM**

Thanks, e_r--it's sweet how big such an event was in those more innocent times! Edgeware Road certainly seems to have made its presence known . . .

Godzilla · #**48308** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 2:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Charles

Here are some sort-of “Mystery Buildings” I photographed back in the 80s.
4. This one ring any bells? The sign on the right says "John 3:16", then Coca Cola.

FWIW, this 1991 version of the same scene is a NLA veteran.

LAPL

Godzilla · #**48309** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 2:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Charles

- - -

1. I used to drive by this cool looking building all the time when I worked as a photographer:

Auricon has also been touched upon.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=7680

https://a.1stdibscdn.com/archivesE/u...DSC01255_l.JPG

http://www.smecc.org/film%20movie%20...confilm_c5.jpg

Godzilla · #**48310** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 2:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Charles

From the Department of Water and Power:

LAPL
(1931) - View looking north on Fairfax Avenue at Drexel Avenue. A couple of oil derricks are seen in the distance around 3rd and Fairfax. The multi-story building on the left, now occupied by ’Sandy's Camera, is still under construction.

"Samy's" not Sandy's. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=28917

Prior to Samy's, per LACBP's, structure had numerous owners/tenants, including Douglas Aircraft, United Drug, Horton & Converse, Karl's Shoes and California Medical Equipment.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kuAm6tDb5...25281%2529.JPG

Quote:

Samy worked for his uncle at Bel Air Camera for 18 years. Without speaking a word of English, Samy started out washing windows and cleaning floors.
In 1976, he opened the first of many Samy’s Camera stores at Beverly and La Cienega Boulevards, close to where Tail o’ the Pup used to be.

. . . . .

After operating in the parking lot for a few weeks, Samy’s Camera opened where the Trader Joe’s now stands at Third Street and La Brea Avenue, . . .
https://beverlypress.com/2016/04/samys-camera/

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/show...ostcount=10711

Curious if we have seen any exterior images of Samy's when it was located at 7122 Beverly Boulevard, or at Third and La Brea?

ethereal_reality · #**48311** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 2:58 PM**

once again

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

I don't remember the building (apts?) just this side of vibiana's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillinGlendaleCA

I believe that's the parsonage, aka the Archbishop's living quarters and office. It's still there.

Of course u r correct Bill, thanks.

....now Vibiana's annex is somewhat obscured by trees.

and my, look how those two trees have grown!

1972

detail

GSV

I thought I spotted it (the annex/parsonage) in this 1940s pic but it's much much too close to Main Street.

ebay

Here's the whole photograph. (no doubt a repeat for NLA)

I'll go crazy and post it...HUGE.

EBAY

asking $59.00

__

GaylordWilshire · #**48312** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 3:03 PM**

ethereal_reality · #**48313** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 3:10 PM**

Oh no, here comes GW.

look the other way odinthor.

I want to state that trees are a GOOD thing. -but I can see GW's point...trees do have a tendency to obscure urban architecture.

odinthor · #**48314** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire

odinthor · #**48315** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 5:38 PM**

Consider, if you will, a street . . . a typical street with proud parents with babies in parades . . . a street in which sleep-driving occurs . . . a street in which cameramen take pictures of rattlesnakes . . .

. . . But when you open the gates of the innocent-looking lots on this street . . . and learn the horror within . . . you suddenly realize . . . that you have entered . . . the world of . . . Edgeware Road . . .

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

. . . And just when you think Noir couldn't get any more Noir . . .

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

330 Edgeware Road:

gsv

1247 Ionia St. (now Boston St.):

gsv May 2011

Scott Charles · #**48316** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 6:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla

FWIW, this 1991 version of the same scene is a NLA veteran.

LAPL

That looks virtually identical to my photo, Godzilla... even the tree is the same height!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla

"Samy's" not Sandy's. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=28917

That's what I get for quoting Water and Power without double checking their info!

The corner of "around 3rd and Fairfax" didn't ring any bells for me because...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Curious if we have seen any exterior images of Samy's when it was located at 7122 Beverly Boulevard, or at Third and La Brea?

… when I used to go to Samy’s, they were located at 7122 Beverly. Sadly, I don’t have any photos of the place.

Scott Charles · #**48317** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by odinthor

Consider, if you will, a street . . . a typical street with proud parents with babies in parades . . . a street in which sleep-driving occurs . . . a street in which cameramen take pictures of rattlesnakes . . .

. . . But when you open the gates of the innocent-looking lots on this street . . . and learn the horror within . . . you suddenly realize . . . that you have entered . . . the world of . . . Edgeware Road . . .

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

. . . And just when you think Noir couldn't get any more Noir . . .

LA Times via ProQuest via CSULB Library

A dreadful (though perfectly noirish!) tale…

Much is made about the 19 year old “girl wife”, but how old was Wittwer himself? 30? 50?

I wouldn’t be surprised if the “girl wife” took the money. Who else had the opportunity? And she sounds like she was a pretty cold person in the first place.

ethereal_reality · #**48318** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 9:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Charles

…when I used to go to Samy’s, they were located at 7122 Beverly. Sadly, I don’t have any photos of the place.

While searching for a photograph of Samy's when it was located at 7122 Beverly Blvd., I came across this photograph of Samy and wife, Hedy.
(I just realized it's from the same link Tourmaline provided earlier today)

beverlypress

The first thing that crossed my mind...."was this taken in Los Angeles?"
The interior is rather...shall I say, esoteric. ...sort of like BOHO from the 1970s (wood paneling...OVERSIZED numbers...diagonals)

The old intercoms are intriguing as well.

Could this be an office?

__

ethereal_reality · #**48319** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 9:34 PM**

I think this is rather cool.

"Vintage Los Angeles Chamber Of Commerce Building Badge"

EBAY

"This piece was worn by building security and maintenance personnel."

I'd work there just to get to wear the badge.

Beaudry · #**48320** Posted **Aug 16, 2018, 9:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Auricon has also been touched upon.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=7680

Damn, where is that neon now? Hoping and praying it was saved; great piece of Hollywood history. I even managed to find the 1954 permit for it—

— though I can't find the permit for the buildings themselves, for some reason. Would love to know who designed 'em, especially the corner structure at 6900 Romaine.

I mean, if any building deserved to become an HCM, it was this one. Take a look at this collection of images of the structures just before demolition—

Jeez, and just remembered the bit I wrote about her here