The two palms at the right side are displaying their sex life. On each tree we see the female at the lower portion and the male is at or near the top. I won't go into the intimate details as this is a family thread. :runaway:

Under Construction
 

I've been messing around with Instagram lately and came across this photo of Griffith Observatory under construction in 1933. I did a search of NLA and do not believe this shot has been seen here.

https://i.imgur.com/2SNlrDq.png?1
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be9BDnDHrnv/

Yep! That's the one Hoss.

Do you think this old photograph was taken inside the Pacific Electric Bldg. at 6th and Main?
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...921/wLIJVU.png
Good deductions Ed.

Larger view
HERE

Just saw this on ebay.

"1913 Los Angeles, California RPPC Photo Postcard House at 3643 S. GRAND AVENUE"

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/1stgP9.jpg
Ebay



Address written on reverse.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...922/j2iaUx.jpg

Its still there!

https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps0qgsx61i.png

https://www.google.com/maps/search/T.../data=!3m1!1e3

:previous: Hi Joe Gillis...how have you been buddy?
..ummm...which post are you referring to?

__


As for 3643 S. Grand Ave.

I didn't notice the little boy on the balcony.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...924/GInh5j.jpg
detail

Is that a construction paper snowman in the window?

That; and the three dormant plants make me think this photograph might have been taken in the winter.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/Lxir3N.jpg

1. and 2. look like sagebrush [odinthor?]. (another couple of months and a strong gust of wind might send them tumbling down Grand Ave.)

Number 3. looks like it might be yucca.



also too...
I've been staring at the curb situation. The more I look at it the more surreal it becomes.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...923/t18wW1.jpg

OK...I see what's going on. It's mostly reflection...and the freshly painted curb appears to be almost double in height. (compared to normal curbs)

But still...the thin strip of grass(?) between the curb and it's reflection seems like it shouldn't be there.

...or are my eyes deceiving me

__

Meanwhile, over at The Homestead Blog, Paul R. Spitzzeri's truly great site that carries the subtitle "Creating advocates for history through the stories of greater Los Angeles,"
a new post describes Christmas the year before at another Shell station up Wilshire at Harvard--which must have been Wilshire Super Service at 3618. AND...Mr. Spitzzeri—
the director of the fantastic Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum, by the way—has uncovered some great NOIR having to do with the photographer of the 1928
Shell Xmas scene, a different one than of Xmas 1929 at the Shell station at Catalina.... This photographer was up to other things, like leaping from a train....
The full story is HERE.

PS Anyone else curious about the balloons used in both Xmas scenes? Hmmm

https://i.postimg.cc/DZ96PFjc/NLASan...l-17-Dec28.jpg
The Homestead Blog

https://i.postimg.cc/pdX5475M/NLAxmasgassta.jpg
LAT Dec 12, 1928

I AM GW!



https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...924/AU2gyF.jpg

They look like cartoon acorns.

What were balloons made out of back then? Whatever the material was..it made for some really cool lookin' balloons.

Doh! sorry I meant the little thatched cottage on the Fox lot. its the one just off centre shot with the large tree and white chimney

[still blushing from the shameless palm trees in CBD's post]

Yes, e_r, I concur: Winter. These numbered plants very much caught my eye. The yucca or maybe aloe looks as if it has been run over a few times. The other two . . . have a weedy look . . . but by their placement seem to have been intentionally sited there . . . rather oddly for parkway planting, especially in those days . . . I think I see some flower-heads on them and am wondering if they're somewhat stunted and subsequently dead wild Fennel, Fœniculum vulgare, a non-native and most obnoxious plant in my humble estimation, growing in tree basins in which the (dead) street trees have been taken out . . . and while they (the Fennels) were alive, someone thought they were pretty enough to leave there (well, they do have, when alive, pretty feathery foliage and nice yellow flowers).

:previous:

Looks like 3643 S Grand lasted until demo'ed in 1975...
but it has a little juvenile noir attached to it--early gang activity in South LA--"The boys were organized in real dime novel style...."

Maybe the kid on the balcony is little Ernie Kurrie-- a.k.a. Steel Arm, or the Regulator, or Lightning Harry, or the Sure Shot, or Daredevil Dick. Or the King of the Road, or Little Swiftfoot or the Silent Messenger....

https://i.postimg.cc/tgxqSkwk/NLA3643A.png
LA Herald Sept 24, 1908

Acorns? Well, now I see that...but, well, I guess I have a dirty mind and was thinking along the lines of, let's say, Dagmars on the bumpers of '50s cars...i.e., something to entice the dads into buying Shell gas ... no no no I guess not.

Anyway, here is a clipping from The Homestead Blog...a little enticement to check out that blog but especially the '20s noir of the photog...

https://i.postimg.cc/HsfJzrPQ/NLAClo...ay-28-1930.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...921/rzFSaF.jpg
I've never seen nipples that BIG....so I said acorns. ;)

File this post under: Extremely Noirish



Jules Dassin's Brute Force (1947)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...924/GxiE2Q.jpg
cheatbook

:previous: See the mysterious woman on the calendar.






Here's the original painting by John Decker.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/hrTayd.jpg
unknown

"Decker enjoyed visiting Los Angeles morgues and painting pictures of female cadavers."




It's all explained here....and it's quite fascinating!
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/tGxFV8.jpg
HERITAGE AUCTIONS

for search purposes: Brute Force...1947...John Decker....Producer Mark Hellinger...morgue....cadaver....curse.

:previous:

Mark Hellinger's name [the owner of the painting] is featured prominently on many of the Brute Force posters and lobby cards.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...921/CtGnDZ.jpg


https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...921/hVC7wK.jpg

RE: Balloons
 

According to a MENTAL FLOSS article by Monica Granados, toy balloons in the early 20th century were made of rubber but apparently not latex rubber. Latex balloons were invented in 1931. Here's the link to the article. http://mentalfloss.com/article/12875...mal-intestines

Wow...what an amazing noirish tale about artist John Decker. Great post, ER!

https://i.postimg.cc/05XwdSVk/BF.jpg

"Take it easy, lady!"

I would say that this movie is much too low on the moral ambiguity scale to be ''noirish".

Congratulations ER, absolute bottom may finally have been found.
:runaway: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :tup:

The "Belmont" neon sign is from the Belmont theater at 126 S. Vermont Ave. It would not be visible from Wilshire and Catalina. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1422/photos/15835
Photo from Cinema Treasures
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1422/photos/15835

:previous:


In this case I think the Belmont sign was indeed visible from Wilshire & Catalina, given the raised position of the camera, and its distorting lens. The Du Barry Apartments were/are at 458 S Catalina--even though it was due north of the Shell station, it appears here to be to the northeast of the station. And the Belmont sign was huge.

:previous:

You beat me to it, GW.

We've seen camera lenses foreshorten distances before - I especially remember how close the Hollywood sign seems in some old pictures, even though it's virtually invisible from GSV.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...lWilshire2.jpg
Google Maps

:previous:


Van Fleet-Durkee bought up a lot of gas stations in LA and all over California--I saw figure of 700 stations mentioned in one article...


https://i.postimg.cc/k4fqbPmB/vfd1.png
LAT June 25, 1929


Someone innocent seems came up with this logo...which may or may not have had something to do with Van Fleet–Durkee being renamed Shell Service Inc. in 1931....

https://i.postimg.cc/C5XNFZ9s/vsnfle...eelogo-bmp.jpg
LAT

Dry gas is a very helpful fuel additive that is used to remove water from gasoline and prevent water-contaminated gasoline from freezing. While the solution itself is actually called dry gas, there is one brand of this fluid named Drygas

I don't believe we have seen this particular Van Fleet-Durkee station.


"Van Fleet and Durkee station, West 7th Street and South Park View Street, Los Angeles, CA, 1929."

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/Xqru4v.jpg
USC digital archive

As you can see..it's station No. 137.

The area looks down-right pastoral.

And here's a mystery location.

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

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/UjjWEL.jpg
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?

__________


also too

Van Fleet and Durkee hired the photographer. [Joe]

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...922/93OQbb.jpg
USC digital archive



See...I told ya it was Joe. :)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...922/ZkOVwj.jpg

:previous:

I just realized there was a second photograph taken that day [at the mystery Shell station].

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/1zuABG.jpg
USC digital archive

Clearly the positions of the cars have been switched.
_______________________________________





We got us a mystery reflection too. ;)

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...923/JDMlul.jpg
detail

.

:previous:

Van Fleet-Durkee/Shell Station No 176 is the same one that was in the Christmas scene at 3325 Wilshire Boulevard.

Well, if they'd made the logo spell out VFD it could get confused with the Volunteer Fire Department. At least this way there's no confusion or ambiguity ;).

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.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...A2500Pages.jpg
Original image from LAPL

:previous: Well done Hoss!

https://imageshack.com/a/img922/7499/j0zhIU.gif
giphy

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.

I second the e-motion!

December 20, 1971, 47 years ago today:

https://www.latimes.com/resizer/5N4J...5T4XVKWBJY.jpgBill 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.

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.)

https://glenn.zucman.com/metro/wp-co...3-1024x684.jpgGlen Zucman

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.

:previous: 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?

https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4645...fe50dfc0_b.jpgjericl cat/Flickr

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

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.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/MVrdUN.jpg
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.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/ulPuiX.jpg
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.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/0uxNmc.jpg

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




The seller is correct about the shop location.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...922/3n6uI5.jpg
lapl
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/3...921/Jaeuhw.jpg
detail

Plates On Cars
 

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.

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:


https://i.postimg.cc/Y2bRm8y4/tremont-bmp.jpg
LAT Sept 9, 1923


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?)--

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/1zuABG.jpg


Always have loved Woodlites--here on another Chrysler:

https://i.postimg.cc/Yq6wBvrf/woodlights-bmp.jpg

:previous:


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


https://i.postimg.cc/Zq7KYMr4/shellsightline-bmp.jpg
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....


https://i.postimg.cc/fRkM2vGP/postbldgnew-bmp.jpg
More here

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

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/...umber-2000.jpg
(vignette.wikia.nocookie.net)

:previous:

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

:previous:

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

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...05000Pages.jpg

At least we can agree on the number of posts.

:previous:

:haha: 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.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3117/2...aa67b9b1_z.jpgJulie 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

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.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/...e34ae060_o.png

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.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/...36303a50_c.jpgHotel Fremont, Fourth Street and Olive, ca.1908 by Michael Ryerson, on Flickr

Jones Decorating
 

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..

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...

:previous:


A Jones sampler


https://i.postimg.cc/g0GwgBVW/jones58ad-bmp.jpghttps://i.postimg.cc/fydXGSJn/jones2ndad-bmp.jpg
LAT Nov 30, 1958 and Sept 1, 1931


https://i.postimg.cc/X7cxqtYM/jonesobit1.png
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....

https://i.postimg.cc/8kdnf7Zn/jonesagatha-bmp.jpg

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

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/bAyvat.jpg
Ebay

Does anyone recognize this street?






Here's a
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/LGDDjX.jpg
DETAIL

Anything look familiar?

__

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.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4806/...c4ceb6da_o.pngLA 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—

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4855/...f667a89fa8.jpg

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.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4896/...5d548c8d_o.pngLA 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: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/...ff08ea2698.jpgLA Times, 15 Feb 1905

:previous: 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?
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...921/P8ep5G.jpg
Oct. 9, 1903


This is why.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/9wJeYk.jpg


Result
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...921/E77HnK.jpg
Los Angeles Herald