That's actually South Spring Street looking north across Second Street. The building with the flag on top behind the Hollenbeck Hotel is the Bryson Block. According to the 1910 Baist map, the building with the balcony is the Elk's Hall at 229 S Spring. Various sources give the alternative names of Turnverein Hall, Lyceum Hall and the Music Hall. On the right is the Los Angeles Theatre, later known as the Orpheum (as seen in e_r's picture) and then the Lyceum. I can't find a demolition date for the Elk's Hall building, but it was a parking lot for the Lyceum Theatre by 1930. The picture below is dated 1895.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...l227Spring.jpg
LAPL

:previous: Thanks for the information on the Elk's Hall and the old Los Angeles/Orpheum/Lyceum theater on Spring Street HossC.
...and also for finding the mystery 'billboard' building in Montebello Park. In all honesty, I didn't expect it to still be there.
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I've always been very interested in Thelma Todd's mysterious death (probable murder) in December of 1935.

I first covered this ultra-noirish episode back on page 55 here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=1094

and later with a list of suspects here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=9812


Beaudry wrote about Ms. Todd on his 1947project:
http://www.1947project.com/icecreamblonde#.VC23EmeIDLQ


As a reminder, here's the layout
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/912/vYb3Bg.jpg
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=9812




Here's the garage in 1935
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/YklVbu.jpg
old file


and today
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/674/K5dmnM.jpg


I never thought I'd get to see inside, but the chauffeur's apartment is for rent and there are photos online of the interior.
It's described as a "Historic Mediterranean Guest House". (they're asking $2,500 a month for rent)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/QGVkK4.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php



http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/v80yCV.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php




http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/jWHftT.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php




http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/RVf36A.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php




http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/911/05WBGf.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php





http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/XX2rXR.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php




http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/538/nKrOX9.jpg
http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php

I can't think of a more noirish place to live in L.A. than above where they found Thelma Todd dead so many years ago.

To see inside the actual garage you have to go here:
http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/t...helma_todd.htm

Question: Was there anyone in the apartment the night Ms. Todd died?
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While working on the above post I came across a photograph that I hadn't seen before. It shows a lovely Thelma Todd standing in the doorway
of her ill-fated restaurant.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/743/bLRQ9Q.jpghttp://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/dIhuv2.jpg
ebay



One last look at the 'death' garage when it was under construction in 1927. (that's Roland West's mansion above it)
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/5TpiZK.jpg
old file/ucla if i remember correctly
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:previous:

Here are three of the 15 images from the Thelma Todd hearings that I found in the UCLA Library. I don't think we've seen them before. UCLA doesn't let you link directly to the pictures, so click the link below any of these images and search for "thelma todd" to see the rest. All titles/captions are quoted directly.

"Coroner Frank Nance listens to testimony from Roland West at the grand jury hearings into death of actress Thelma Todd, December 18, 1935. West testifies at grand jury hearings to determine Todd’s cause of death. Todd was found in the garage of film director West, her business partner and lover, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. Nance was Los Angeles Country Coroner 1921-1945. Todd's death was eventually ruled an accident."

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...ToddTrial2.jpg
UCLA Library Digital Collections

"Director Roland West and R. H. W. Schafer at grand jury hearings into death of actress Thelma Todd, circa 1935. Taken as verdict is read into inquiry of the death of film actress Thelma Todd. Todd was found in the garage of film director West, her business partner and lover, dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. Schafer was the manager of a roadside cafe owned by West and Todd. Todd's death was eventually ruled an accident."

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...ToddTrial1.jpg
UCLA Library Digital Collections

"Actress ZaSu Pitts and husband John E. Woodall, circa 1935. Possibly taken in relation to the investigation of actress Thelma Todd's death in December 1935. Todd was a former co-star and close friend with Pitts."

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...ToddTrial3.jpg
UCLA Library Digital Collections

Here's a view of the same side of the same block of Spring Street, but this time looking towards the south, and at far right, the Elks' Hall again, featuring an actual elk's head peering out from above the balcony!


https://otters.net/img/lanoir/westsi...wsouth_sky.jpg
My personal postcard collection; public domain


Note the balcony area is hung with black crepe, with someone's portrait affixed to the front of the black-draped railing. Who could the display be in remembrance of? The postcard is undated, but judging by the apparent complete lack of any automobiles, this scene could be from more towards the turn of the last century. If so (just speculating here), might the deceased be Pres. Wm. McKinley?

:previous: That's such an excellent postcard JScott. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I had to look twice at that elk's head.
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Interesting photos of the Thelma Todd grand jury HossC. I had imagined Roland West as a debonair lady-killer (not in the literal sense)
in the same mold as say William Desmond Taylor. Now not so much (especially in that second photo)

It's always good to see ZaSu Pitts, even in this dour setting. I love the fact that she had such a successful career in Hollywood.
My favorite is "Ruggles of Red Gap" (1935).
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Was the Union Stage Depot some kind of bus station?

:previous:

The same question was posed by e_r in the original post I linked to - I suppose I should've looked Googled this earlier :).

The simple answer is yes, Union Stage Depot was some kind of bus station. There aren't that many references online, but I found this paragraph in a book called 'Motoring: The Highway Experience in America' by John A Jakle and Keith A Sculle. A footnote adds that the depot was used by 350 cars daily in May 1922.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...tageDepot1.jpg
books.google.com

The book also contains this picture from the year the depot opened.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...tageDepot2.jpg
books.google.com

ER - And don't forget that ZaSu Pitts also adopted Barbara La Marr's son after she died at age 29.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=18224

Ruggles of Red Gap
 

I just had to stick my nose in here, because that is my favorite movie, period. It's a marvelous celebration of freedom, and of judging people by what they have inside and what they do with it, rather than by the labels people hang on them.

Charles Laughton's recitation of Lincoln's Gettysburg address, and the reaction of his barroom audience, always chokes me up. Comedies almost never do that.

When you want a palate cleanser after watching a particularly dark noir film, try this one. It's a nice change of pace, not exactly light fare, but definitely bright fare.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...538/JATuKp.jpg
http://www.invaluable.com/?&gclid=CN...FWqCMgodciUAZw

Sneak Previews.....
 

Martin Pal asks:..........I posted here several people I met when they came to the Academy Theater, Pasadena, when I was a doorman. There were more but these are all I can remember ....that was a long time ago. Steve's face was unshaven and Tommy Sand's finger nails were perfectly manicured and featured some painted clear polish. Peter was accompanied by several lovely ladies, Wink came with his many daughters and Miss Russell was very tall.

Was I suspect in the robbery? The wire used to bind the hands of the employees appeared to be from bales of hay. We figured the robbers had some connection to horse racing.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psfa739c06.jpg
wiki images

Looking south on Western toward Wilshire in 1972.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/537/0A2Am2.jpg
ebay

I had forgotten all about the Franklin Life sign and digital clock atop the Wiltern.



-looking much better today in all it's art deco glory.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/673/nfiWdC.jpg
GSV

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I think these are really interesting.

"Antique L.A. Wood Street Signs"
Windward Ave.
Sunset Ave.
High Valley Pl.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/DL3sdf.jpg
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-c-9ec93be6f6


they're quite thick!
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/633/SH1np4.jpg
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-c-9ec93be6f6


seller's description
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/d3qhx0.jpg
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-c-9ec93be6f6

I looked up the streets:
both Sunset Avenue and Windward Avenue are in Venice, while High Valley Place is a tiny street up in the hills above Ventura Blvd. in Encino.


The AUCTION is Oct. 18, 2014
http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lo...8-c-9ec93be6f6

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-an obscure postcard.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/9c58qe.jpg
ebay

Berger's...
...for Quick Service
101 W. 6th St.
Los Angeles

I'm not 100% sure, but I think the building is gone.
Does anyone know what building it would have been in?
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This is a great find HossC. I never expected to see inside the Union Stage Depot.

Thanks for the post CBD!

I read the books Hot Toddy and A Cast of Killers (about William Desmond Taylor), but I don't remember what photos were included.

In the case of Taylor, King Vidor apparently wanted to make a movie about that in the 60's and discovered the truth of the matter and decided not to for the sake of those still around at the time, so as not to sully their reputation. I don't know if lady-killer would be the right term for W.D. Taylor as Vidor supposedly discovered that his chauffeur was scouring Pershing Square for young lads for his amusement.

The book is true Hollywood noir and quite fascinating. They should make a film about it now. Has the William Desmond Taylor scandal been covered on NLA before? I don't recall anything about it.

I don't know if either of these books are still in print.

I recently saw her in a 1963 episode of Burke's Law.

A story you might enjoy, from the 2012 book "The Hollywood Canteen" which was taken from a Photoplay article at the time:

Servcemen visiting the Canteen on a February night in 1943 got a special treat after bandleader Kay Kyer spotted Charles Laughton among the volunteers. When he asked the great actor to come up to the stage, Laughton said, "I'm no singer or comedian, so I can't entertain you, much as I would like to." Then a soldier yelled out, "Give us the Gettysburg Address!" which he had probably seen him do in the film Ruggles of Red Gap, and others picked up the cry. Then, amidst complete silence, Laughton delivered the historic speech. When he finished, there was thunderous applause from everyone -- and the wiping of tears from hundreds of eyes. Most of the time it had been jokes, snappy songs and swinging music -- whatever kept thoughts of war at bay -- that got the biggest hands. Yet that serious moment would never be forgotten.

I meant to post this follow-up a couple of days ago, but got distracted by airfields, bus depots and babies in drawers :).

You're right about the perspective, Lorendoc. Just for fun, I thought I'd do a "now" picture for comparison since there are several of the original buildings still standing. Despite being taken from roughly the same spot, the storage building and the hills in the distance both look much closer in the 1924 image.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...7SWestern4.jpg
GSV

This picture, also from 1924, was taken about a block north of the one above, roughly level with the Ridgway Drug Co identified by Lorendoc.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...ernFrom1st.jpg
USC Digital Library

On the left is a See's Candy Shop at 135 N Western Avenue. The building still stands, and is now Tom N Toms Coffee (renumbered to 125 N Western Avenue). The "Hollywoodland" sign is just visible above the roof.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...rnFrom1stb.jpg
Detail of picture above.

On the right is Henderson Nash at 108 N Western Avenue. They were also dealers for cars made by the Chandler Motor Car and Cleveland Automobile companies (both of which were founded by Frederick C. Chandler). It wasn't until two years after this picture was taken that the two companies were merged into the Chandler-Cleveland Motors Corp. The company was sold to the Hupp Motor Car Corp at the end of 1928. I think that the Nash sign says "Temporary Quarters". The 1923 CD lists the Mecca Oriental Rug Cleaning Company at 106 N Western Avenue, but it looks like Henderson's occupies the whole building here. I love the little Hercules Gasoline station - I wonder whether those squares were black and white, or something more colorful. It appears as the Petitfils & Miller service station at 102 N Western Avenue in the 1923 CD. Check out the used cars in the lower right corner.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...rnFrom1stc.jpg
Detail of picture above.

I thought we'd seen this picture before, but I can't find it. It's pretty much an elevated view of the same part of N Western Avenue, but taken a year earlier. The See's Candy building is on the left. Moving north of Council Street, there are a couple of vacant lots with steps already built. On the right, the large building set back from the road opposite See's Candy is Wilshire Cadillac Service at 112 N Western Avenue.

http://i809.photobucket.com/albums/z...rnFrom1st2.jpg
USC Digital Library

:previous: -very interesting post HossC. I like that checkered Hercules Gas Station and the old Chandler-Cleveland sign.

Here's the third factory listed under "Industrial buildings adjacent to Midwick View Estates " in the USC archive.

1930
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/742/z6RnhG.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...745/HhcEDK.jpg
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/co...id/16426/rec/3


here's a close-up
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/913/Zo8Vjm.jpg
detail

It says Kittinger about the main entrance. -the street number is 1800


..and here
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...912/zdLMWk.jpg
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