That is very elderly to be starting a family, but that generation was tough as nails. I salute her!

He meant the old Bunkerhill HOTEL at 116 Hope Street.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/454...elat116120.jpg
lapl

I don't know much about 116 Hope Street 'rbpjr'.....hopefully someone can dig up some information for you.

I, of course, was referring to 116 South Hope Street...so am hoping that you are trying to be funny...but as they say, you may be funny...but looks aren't everything!

miracle mile noir in color!

prudential building 1958

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/...53dc6c29_b.jpg
Source: Life Magazine

Photo
 

I love everything about that photo! The shades of orange, gold, black and white are stunning. I also love the front palm, which in daylight probably looked a bit ratty having only four fronds, is striking against that backdrop. Thank you for sharing gsjansen!

~F3

demolition of the hollywood hotel, august 1956

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5158/...6a59cc19_b.jpg
Source: Scanned from the book Hollywood a pictorial history

and....
 

[QUOTE=gsjansen;5332548]demolition of the hollywood hotel, august 1956

That one I don't love! Sad....

During World War II the Army Corps of Engineers needed to hide the Lockheed Burbank Aircraft Plant to protect it from a possible Japanese air attack. They covered it with camouflage netting to make it look like a rural subdivision from the air.

Before

http://stories-etc.com/hid/image001.jpg

After

http://stories-etc.com/hid/image002.jpg

Setting up the camouflage netting

http://stories-etc.com/hid/image004.jpg

Above the netting

http://stories-etc.com/hid/image005.jpg

Below the netting

http://stories-etc.com/hid/image007.jpg

Source: Stories-ETC.Com

116 S Hope
 

Hello again rbpjr,

I looked through a bunch of adoption search related records that I have and found that in 1935 the shelter at 116 S. Hope was called the Brandon Guest House for Women. Unfortunately, I don't have any information other than that on the shelter.

~F3

[QUOTE=Fab Fifties Fan;5332851]Hello again rbpjr,

I looked through a bunch of adoption search related records that I have and found that in 1935 the shelter at 116 S. Hope was called the Brandon Guest House for Women. Unfortunately, I don't have any information other than that on the shelter.

Thanks, FabFifties...I am curious about the adoption search records you have...have you been searching for someone? Perhaps we can compare notes via email....

116 S Hope
 

[QUOTE=rbpjr;5332897]Hey rbpjr,

I used to co-own an adoption search website but sold it in 2002. I just have a bunch of miscellaneous records on CDs and found that information on a list of shelters that we kept.

~F3

Another wonderful example of streamline modern architecture:
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/3...udiosantam.jpg
The first Merle Norman Studio at 2525 Main St in Santa Monica. Designed by H.G. Thursby, it opened in 1936.

The buidling, though somewhat modernized, is still there and has historic designation. Anyone for a tree cutting party? I can't tell if the beautiful art deco reliefs are in tact.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3918/2525maintoday.jpg

photos courtesy Nethercutt Museum

Hollywood noir
 

Another noirish night photo:

Hollywood Theater 1938
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3...oodtheater.jpg

^^^ Excellent photos of the Merle Norman Studios Fab_Fifties_Fan!



A view of the Prudential Building from the La Brea Tar Pits circa 1950s.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7...tarpitspru.jpg
frank j. thomas

Wow!!!
 

Its kind of like Alice in Wonderland builds her dream home

"The Enchanted Castle" a private residence at 4857 Melrose in 1935
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/9...ntment4857.jpg

and today a Thai restaurant. Supposedly it is in there somewhere.
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/7...lrosetoday.jpg

Photo one courtesy jalopyjournal.com

Hollywood Recreation Center
 

Wow, that camouflage netting over Lockheed is amazing! I'd heard about that project, but never realized it was so elaborate.

The Merle Norman Studio building is a beauty.

it was Here's an interesting section of Vine Street, between Sunset and Hollywood Blvds. I believe the big streamline deco building, then housing gift shops and a bowling alley was built in 1937.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...vineSt1941.jpg
personal collection

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...SunsetVine.jpg
Warner Home Video

You can get a glimpse of it in "Mildred Pierce".

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...riedVineSt.jpg
personal collection photo by Bob Plunkett

Here's a view after Tom Breneman moved in, broadcasting his popular "Breakfast in Hollywood" radio program from the site. Before the mid forties, he occupied the former Hollywood Tropics nightclub, the neighboring building just south of 1539 Vine St. Mmmm, "Glorifried Ham 'n' Eggs"! Yessir!

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...9/MDY_orig.jpg
Warner Home Video

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o..._AhFongs_1.jpg
Warner Home Video

Both buildings can be seen in back projection shots in "My Dream is Yours", a 1949 Doris Day movie.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...DY_ahFongs.jpg
Warner Home Video

It looks like the ghost image of "Breneman" can be seen behind the dimensional letters sign for "Ah Fong's" restaurant.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...ineStStart.jpg
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...589/VineSt.jpg
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

The block makes an appearance as a matte in the 1991 "Bugsy", a biopic about Los Angeles mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...VineSt1991.jpg

I visited the spot in the early '90's. At that point, the old recreation center building was used for taping "The Love Connection".

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...St_08_2010.jpg

When I visited the area last summer, I was surprised the see the building had been repurposed as a condo project. At least the beautiful facade was preserved and incorporated into the new (but overwhelming) construction.
I don't know what the deal is with the Schwab's sign.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...eBasRelief.jpg

The bas relief detail on the corner has held up well.

^^^Excellent post Kelton Verdugo!

I've always loved that streamline building. It's a small miracle that they didn't tear it down for the condos.
That said, I wish the condos were set back 10 or more feet from the street (like you said, they're overwhelming).

If that's the original Schwab's Pharmacy sign...all I can say is BRAVO!

Schwab's Sign
 

I read recently that the Schwab's sign is an exact replica of the sign that was on the Sunset Blvd. Schwab's Drugs. When the rehab'd building opened, a restaurant went in named Schwab's, in honor of the famous drug store, and that's why they had the sign recreated.

According to the article the restaurant was pricey, the food so-so and the service terrible, so it only lasted a little over a year. There is a controversy brewing right now over the fate of the sign.

That all aside, that is a wonderful building and I love that they integrated so much of the original design asthetic into the re-development project.

~F3

Club Cafe Society
 

Hi ethereal_reality,

I just came across the top photo in a different archive with the caption:

"Before this entrance to the swank Club Cafe Society in the heart of the Sunset Strip, 400 club "members" in their fashionable evening gowns and full dress watched as officers broke in the club and arrested eight men in an early morning raid. The eight were held on charges of selling liquor without a license. Photo dated: January 10, 1942.

No exact address but at least we have heart of Sunset Strip!

^^^Very interesting 'Fab Fifties Fan'.

I find it somewhat odd that a 'private' club would have a NEON sign stating 'for club members only'.
Wouldn't a lack of signage make it more private? The sign is superfluous for any members.....and taunting to any non-members.