The Hollywood Photographs Blog

Hollywood Walk of Fame Facelift

2013-02-11T19:54:00-07:00

Hollywood Sign Facelift With its paint flaking and rust marring its letters, the non-profit Hollywood Sign Trust decided it was time to attack the problem. "It's going to give it more life, it's going to protect it from rust and other challenges," said Tom LaBonge. "It will give it a lot of years. It's getting a facelift." That work began Oct. 2 and now, more than a month later, the painting crew says they're about finished with the last few letters. Original Sign The Hollywood Sign was built back in 1923 and it originally read Hollywoodland. After several renovations, the old sign was town down and a new one built in 1978. Now, 10 guys, strapped into scaffolding, are trying to get nearly 35 years worth of paint off the corrugated metal letters. Scraping and painting "You scrape, scrape, scrape 'til you get it all off," said painting foreman Victor Galindo. "The first 15 feet have about 10 layers of paint on it. After that, no one could reach up there, so it's just the primer and the two coats of paint that they put before." You'd think a project like this would be a piece of cake for professional painters but the Hollywood Sign poses quite a series of challenges. Not only are these letters 45 feet tall, but they're standing on the side of a steep mountainside. "You have to come downhill, uphill with buckets," said Galindo. "It gets heavy. By the middle of the day, you're running out of strength." Once the metal's bare, painters apply Sherwin Williams primer and paint, about a hundred gallons per letter. That's good news for folks who look up at the icon almost every day.

Chinese Theater Renamed

2013-01-13T10:29:00-07:00

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre will become TCL Chinese Theater. Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The Chinese TV maker announced Friday that it is buying the naming rights. In its 85-year history, it has hosted the Academy Awards, held numerous movie premieres and draws millions to its Pagoda-styled courtyard grounds which bear the hand, footprints, and ?signatures of some of the most popular movie stars. TCL paid $5 million for the naming rights, according to the Los Angeles Times. The 10-year deal will allow for upgrades such as a new box office marquee along Hollywood Boulevard, the preservation of the “blade signs” on the building’s facade as an homage to theater founder Sid Grauman and new landscaping, lighting and painting. The theater will also get improvements to its audio and video systems, its screen, new stadium seating and a refresh to the main lobby. The deal allows for TCL to establish itself in the U.S. market as the company expands. "We are proud to be associated with THE American icon of the movies,” said Li Dongsheng, chariman of TCL, is one of China’s biggest electronics. “As TCL expands its role in the home entertainment landscape of America, what better way to get started than to associate with a beacon of entertainment that everyone knows, loves and holds dear and familiar." Producers Elie Samaha and Donald Kushner, who bought the theater in 2011, celebrated the deal. "This is a monumental day," they said in a statement. "The milestone relationship between TCL and the Chinese Theatre will allow us to do many of the upgrades and the preservation projects we earmarked."

Schwab's Pharmacy photos

2012-12-24T06:28:00-07:00

Schwab’s Pharmacy – An American Icon Not all icons last forever! I wish they did, but they don’t. One of Hollywood establishments, that is as close to an American icon was Schwab’s Pharmacy. Started in Hollywood in 1932, Schwab’s became an immediate success with, not only, movie stars , but also local residents. Located at the corner of Sunset Blvd. & Crescent Heights Ave., Schwab’s most popular attractions was its lunch counter. It was not unusual to see several celebrities having lunch or dinner at the stool lined counter. One of the largest collections of Schwab’s Pharmacy photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. Movie Stars One of the movie stars that ate at the Schwab’s counter was Angela Lansbury. Here she is sipping a coke with Hurd Hatfield in 1945. Many other celebrities went to Schwab’s for other reasons – getting their prescriptions was another one of them. Evelyn Keyes was also a regular. Here she is selling cigars during a special event at Schwabs. Sidney Skolsky Popular fan magazine writer and gossip columnist, Sidney Skolsky spent a great deal of his time at Schwab’s. He didn’t drive so he hitched rides with anyone going to or leaving the famous pharmacy. It was here that he was able to interview the hundreds of celebrities that he wrote about in his daily newspaper column. He had a section in the pharmacy department which he called his office. Closing of Schwab’s By the late 1970s and early 80s, the Sunset Strip was beginning to lose its luster, due to the explosion of the hippie movement. Schwab’s was not immune to this downturn in the Sunset Strip’s popularity. After struggling to keep the business profitable, Leon Schwab closed the famous pharmacy in October, 1982. The building was finally torn down in 1988. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see Schwab's photos

Old Hollywood Photos

2012-12-21T11:23:00-07:00

C. C, Pierce For 100 years, pictures of Hollywood have been taken by hundreds of photographers. One of the earliest Hollywood photographers was C. C. Pierce. Charles Chester Pierce was born on November 22, 1861 in Springfield, Massachusetts. An engineer by training, Pierce migrated to Southern California in 1886. Pierce began his photographic career in the thriving city of Los Angeles, first in partnership with Albert H. Lohn, and then successively with J.B. Blanchard and A.E. McConnell. He established his own studio around 1900 at 313 Spring Street. Early Hollywood Photos Some of the earliest photographs take in Hollywood were panoramic photos taken from the hills above the Cahuenga Valley (now called Hollywood) . One of the most popular is a photo, looking south onto Hollywood from the hills, just west of Highland Ave. Other popular subjects for Hollywood photographs was Prospect Ave., later renamed Hollywood Blvd. Other subjects that were popular with early photographers were new buildings and early Hollywood settlers. Film Makers Arrive in Hollywood When the Nestors Film Company, arrived in Hollywood in October, 1911, they rented the former Blondeau Tavern at the corner of Sunset Blvd. & Gower St. The converted the tavern to offices, storage and dressing rooms. The erected platform stages at the rear of the offices. With great weather , all year round, they made hundreds of two and three reel films. They, also, had a large variety of geography at their disposal. Within a few hours, they could be filming at the beach, the desert or the mountains. Because of Nestors’ success, other film companies migrated from the east to establish studios in Hollywood. Most located on Sunset Blvd., near Nestors’ Studio at Gower St. Later, this area became known as Poverty Row and Gower Gulch. Within 15 years after Nestors arrived in Hollywood, more than fifteen film companies settled in Hollywood. Hollywood’s Growth With the explosive growth of the motion picture industry, so did the growth of the community of Hollywood. In 1903 the residents of the Cahuenga Valley voted to incorporate their area and they named it Hollywood. Six years later, in 1910, the residents of Hollywood elected to have their community annexed to the city of Los Angeles. As more and more movie companies settled in Hollywood, the population also increased. As a result, Hollywood soon became known as the entertainment capital of the world. Photographers found Hollywood to be a great place to take photos and allow the rest of the world to see. Photographs of theaters, nightclubs, studios and other locations were taken and made available to the rest of the world. The largest collection of Hollywood photographs is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood Hotel Photos

2012-12-20T08:05:00-07:00

Pass Hotel The Pass Hotel, in the Cahuenga Pass, was one of the first hotels in, what is now, Hollywood. Originally known as the Cahuenga Valley, Hollywood was a very small community that was located just south of the Cahuenga Pass, which served as the access to the San Fernando Valley. Because the Pass Hotel was centrally located, it was a popular stopping off point for travelers going north and south through the Cahuenga Pass. The Hollywood Hotel One of Hollywood’s first and most popular hotels was located on the northwest corner. Known as the Hollywood Hotel, the first structure was built in 1903 by Martha Stewart and M.J. Anderson. After a couple of years, the hotel was acquired by Myra Hershey, who was the heir to the Hershey Chocolate fortune. She added fifty more rooms in 1907 and additional fifty rooms in 1908. The hotel became one of the centers for Hollywood social events. It was, also, the honeymoon location for Rudolph Valentino and his bride, Jean Acker. The hotel register boasted of such celebrities as Dustin and William Farnum, Douglas Fairbanks, Anita Stewart, Lon Chaney, Pola Negri, Norma Shearer, and scores of others. After more than fifty years as one of Hollywood most beautiful hotels, it was fell to the wrecker’s ball in 1956 Roosevelt Hotel As Hollywood became the entertainment capital of the world and more and more tourist flocked here, the need for quality hotels became apparent. At the same time the Grauman’s Chinese Theater was being completed, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was, also, being finished. Hollywood developer, Charles E. Toberman, acquired several investors including Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Louis B. Mayer and built the hotel, which opened its doors on May 15, 1927. It was an immediate success and became Hollywood’s most popular hotel. In 1929, the first Academy Awards was held in the Blossom Room. For years the hotel was one of most popular places to stay for those visiting t.he motion picture capital of the world. Today, the hotel is owned and operated by Thompson Hotels. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see great photos of Hollywood hotels

Early Movie Studios

2012-12-04T13:31:00-07:00

Early Hollywood Studios The first studio to arrive in Hollywood was Nestors Film Company, who rented the Blondeau Tavern at Sunset Blvd. & Gower St. in October 1911. It wasn’t long before there were scores of small motion picture companies moving to Hollywood. All of the companies migrated from the east coast or around the city of Chicago. Because this industry was in it’s genesis, all these film companies were very small. Some of these small companies included, among others, the California Film Co., Quality Film Co., and Christie Comedies. As the industry grew, consolidation began to take place and as it did, many of the small companies were either acquired or went out of business. Jesse Lasky Co. At the same time consolidation was taking place, some studios were growing organically. One of the earliest Hollywood Studios was the Jessie Lasky Company which had its two block studio at the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Vine St. Lasky merged with the Famous Players Company to form the Famous Players Lasky Company. As the company grew, so did the size of its studio until it encompassed more than two square blocks. By the mid-1920s, the company was outgrowing its studio. In 1926, the company changed its name to Paramount Studios and relocated to a new studio at Melrose Ave and Van Ness Ave Culver City As the geographic area of Hollywood had more studios than any other area in Southern California, the small community of Culver City began attracting some studios of their own. One of the first film producers to settle in Culver City was Thomas Ince. Ince was a film producer with the New York Motion Picture Company and was making movies in the Santa Monica mountains, near the Pacific Ocean. Known as Inceville, the facility was where Ince made scores of two and three reel westerns. Real Estate developer, Harry Culver, approached Ince and convinced him to build a studio on Washington Blvd. After moving into his new studio, Ince began making many fine films. Later, the studio was taken over by Samuel Goldwyn and then it became home to MGM. The best photographs of Hollywood Studios is on the Hollywood photographs.com web site.

2013 Hollywood Walk of Fame Honorees

2012-12-01T05:27:00-07:00

Hollywood Walk of Fame Honorees The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was the site for this years Hollywood Chamber of Commerce news conference to announce the 1913 Hollywood Walk of Fame inductees. These individuals, of the entertainment industry, are skilled in the category for which they were nominated. These categories include, motion pictures, television, radio, recording and live performances. These recipients were among hundreds of celebrities, whose names had been placed in nomination, over the past several months . Marg Helgenberger Popular actress and recent recipient Marg Helgenberger announced the new list of recipients to the media on June 22nd at the hotel’s famous Oscar Room. Helgenberger received her own Hollywood Walk of Fame star on January 23, 2012 and is located at 6667 Hollywood Blvd., in front of the world famous Musso and Frank Grill. Other Celebrity Honorees Scores of other celebrities have had their names placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame sidewalk, in the 21st century including Johnny Depp, Jane Seymour, Steven Speilberg, and Samuel L. Jackson. The largest collection pf Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is hollywoodphotographs.com and all are available for purchase.

Republic Studios

2012-11-23T13:59:00-07:00

Republic Studios Republic Studios was an small motion picture studios located in Studio City, California. The studio, which specialized in westerns, serials and B type movies. The studio had a list of stars that included John Wayne, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and many other drugstore cowboys. Started in 1935 by Herbert Yates, Republic Studios was the amalgamation of Monogram Pictures, Mascot Pictures, Majestic Pictures and other studios with which Yates had a connection. Some of the best western movies were made at Republic Studios, in the 1930s and 1940s. John Wayne made amny movies there but then moved on to other studios. Gene Autry, known as the singing cowboy and Roy Rogers, who was the King of the Coyboys, were unquestionably the most popular of the actors at Rebpulic Studios. Serials were also popular at the studio.

Chinese Theater & Handprint ceremonies

2012-11-23T08:05:00-07:00

Grauman's Chinese Theater Grauman’s Chinese Theater is the most popular and well known theater in the world and is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in the World. After having C.E. Toberman build the Egyptian Theater, Sid Grauman asked Mr. Toberman to build him another theater, this one with a Chinese motif. After months of construction, Sid opened his Chinese Theater on May 18, 1927 with the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s King of King. In attendance were several of the movie stars that acted in the movie, including William Boyd, and Ernest Torrence, who played Peter in the movie. The oriental architectural style made it one of the most unique theaters in the world. Oriental antiques were purchase and incorporated into the oriental theme of the theater. At the entrance to the theater were two large Fu dog statutes. Forecourt One of the most unusual features of the theater was the very large forecourt. When Sid built the Egyptian Theater, he had a small forecourt built so movie props and other artifacts could be displayed. The forecourt at the Chinese was considerably larger that that of the Egyptian Theater. While the concrete was being installed in the forecourt, Sid accidently walked onto the wet cement. The concrete mason, Jean Klossner, scolded Sid for walking in the wet cement – and thus was born a tradition that has lasted for almost ninty years. Hand and Footprint Ceremonies. After walking in the forecourt’s wet cement, Sid came up with the idea of having movie celebrities place their handprints, footprints and signatures in small areas of wet cement in the forecourt. The first to do so were Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Three weeks before the theater’s grand opening, Sid called them to come over to the theater to practice placing their handprints, footprints and signatures in wet cement. After practicing for a while, they did it for real. A few days later, Sid asked Norma Talmadge to come to the theater and place her handprints, footprints and signature in the forecourt. Jean Klossner After the theater had its grand opening, in 1927, Sid embarked on his hand and footprint ceremonies. He continued to employ the cement mason, Jean Klossner, to mix the cement and assist in placing the celebrities’ handprints, footprints and signatures in the wet cement. Jean formulated a very special cement that was extremely hard and resisted the wearing by the millions of of tourists’ walking in the forecourt. Ever since Pickford and Fairbanks inaugerated the tradition, hundreds of celebrities have been immortalized in the theater’s forecourt. One of the most recent ceremonies was held in 2010 when Peter O’Toole placed his hands in the forecourt’s wet cement. Go to hollywoodphotographs.com to see the best Grauman's Chinese Theater photos.

Sid Grauman and Hollywood

2012-11-20T04:06:00-07:00

Sid Grauman and Hollywood Sid Grauman and Hollywood Sidney Patrick Grauman was born in Indiana in 1979 and passed away in 1950. He and his father first started in the theater business by purchasing The Unique vaudeville theater and then bought The Lyceum theater in San Francisco. In 1917, he moved to Los Angeles and built a showplace called the "Million Dollar Theatre" located on South Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Built at the then astounding cost of one million dollars, the elaborate Gothic baroque theatre contained 2,345 seats and soon was the site of many motion picture premieres. Sid moved out of Los Angeles to nearby Hollywood. His next theatre, "The Egyptian" located on Hollywood Boulevard, opened on Oct. 18, 1922, with the premiere of "Robin Hood" starring Douglas Fairbanks. Chinese Theater Next, he built the Chinese Theater, with partners Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and Howard Schenk. Authorization had to be obtained from the United States government to import temple bells, pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs and other artifacts from China. Poet and film director Moon Quon came from China, and under his supervision Chinese artisans created many pieces of statuary in the work area that eventually became the "Forecourt of the Stars." The theatre was named, "Grauman's Chinese Theatre." As final touches were being placed on the theatre, Sid Grauman accidentally stepped into wet concrete during a visit to the construction of the theatre. It gave him an idea. The theatre opened on May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. De Mille's, "King of King's." At the next movie premiere on April 30, 1927, Mr. Grauman began a new tradition. Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were the first motion picture stars to record their signatures and footprints in cement in the forecourt of "Grauman's Chinese Theatre." Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see great hollywood photos.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Repairs Continues

2012-11-19T15:08:00-07:00

Hollywood Walk of Fame Repairs Continues. Repair work continues in the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. The work, which began in September, 2012, is led by the Hollywood Historic Trust. The first area to be repaired is on the north side of Hollywood Blvd. west of Highland Ave. The work proceeds west to the area in front of the Dolby Theater (formerly the Kodak Theater). The first couple of phases are scheduled to be completed before the end of the year. The third phase is going to be delayed until March 2013 so as not to interfere with the holiday season and the Academy Awards, which are held at the Dolby Theater. First Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars Installed In 1958, the first eight Hollywood Walk of Fame stars were installed on the northwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Those first stars included Ernest Torrence, Ronald Colman, Joanne Woodward Burt Lancaster, Louise Fazenda, Robert Preston, Olive Borden and Edward Sedgwick. Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to post by a Walk of Fame star. The official groundbreaking for the Hollywood Walk of Fame took place in February 1960 at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Gower St. Since the groundbreaking ceremony, more than 2400 celebrities have had their names placed in the brass stars in the sidewalk. Most of the repairs that will take place in 2012 and 2013 will take place just west of the original stars. Walk of Fame Ceremonies For almost forty years the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has been hosting hundreds of Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. There are five entertainment categories that are used to qualify potential recipients for the Walk of Fame; motion picture, radio, television, live performances and recording. After the first 1600 Walk of Fame stars were installed, some celebrities posed by their stars, including Marguerite Chapman, Jayne Mansfield and Arlene Dahl. Since the Chamber Commerce began hosting the dedication ceremonies, hundreds of ceremonies have been held for celebrities from Burt Reynolds to Jennifer Aniston. The Chamber of Commerce just held ceremonies for Mark Harmon, Rascal Flatts and Heart. Visit Hollywoodphotographs.com for the best in Hollywood Walk of Fame photos.

Charles E. Toberman

2012-11-18T12:51:00-07:00

Charles Edward Toberman One of Hollywood’s most prominent pioneers and citizens was Charles Edward Toberman. Born in Seymour, Texas, on February 23, 1880, he was educated at Texas A & M College and Metropolitan Business College. Five years after his marriage to Josephine Bullock, on March 15, 1902, the moved to Hollywood, where his uncle, James R. Toberman resided. James was a former mayor of Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Toberman into the real estate and insurance business with B.C. Edwards. Two months later, the partnership was desolved and Mr. Toberman formed the C.E. Toberman Company, which immediately acquired a 10 X10 foot building for $100 at the southeast corner of Prospect Avenue (now Hollywood Blvd.) and Highland Ave. Later, he built a 15 X20 foot brick building on the southwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Dakota St. (now McCadden Pl.) where he relocated his business. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career for the man who, years later, became known as “Mr. Hollywood.” Outpost Estates One of Mr. Toberman’s most successful residential subdivisions was the now famous Outpost Estates. Prior to this, Mr. Toberman established several other real estate subdivisions, such as, La Colinas Heights. However, the Outpost Estates was, by far, the most beautiful and sophisticated real estate development Hollywood had ever seen. The streets were made of concrete, all houses had to have fireproof tile roofs, and Mr. Toberman was a one man architectural committee, that had to approve the plans before the house could be built. During the courts of Mr. Toberman’s illustrious career, he established fifty-three real Estate subdivisions, formed more than thirty companies and organizations, built twenty nine commercial buildings in Hollywood. He, also, founded and owned the Black Foxe Military Institute. Mr. Toberman passed away in November, 1981, at the age of one hundred and one years old. Grauman’s Egyptian Theater Because of Mr. Toberman’s business acumen, showman, Sid Grauman asked him to build him a movie palace type theater with an Egyptian theme. The theater had it’s grand opening in 1922 with the premiere of Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks. The premiere was but one of many movie premieres that spannedmore than fifty years. For the first time in theater building history, the Egyptian theater had a large forecourt where movie props could be displayed. Grauman’s Chinese Theater With the success of Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Sid Grauman, once again, called upon Mr.Toberman to build him another theater, this time with a Chinese motif. Mr. Toberman agreed and in 1927, the theater had it’s grand opening with the premiere of the “King of Kings”, starring, among others, Ernest Torrence. Like the Egyptian Theater, the Chinese Theater had a very large forecourt where movie stars placed their hand, footprints and signatures in wet cement sections of the forecourt. Over the courts of the past eighty-five years, hundreds of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities have been immortalized in the Chinese Theater’s forecourt. Visit Hollywoodphotographs.com to see the best Hollywood images.

The Brown Derby Restaurants

2012-11-16T10:35:00-07:00

Original Brown Derby The original Brown Derby restaurant opened in 1926 by Herbert Somborn (a former husband of actress, Gloria Swanson). The building, located at 3427 Wilshire Blvd., was in the shape of a derby hat. The fod was good and it was received very well by the residents of Los Angeles. It served a few simple dishes meticulously prepared from the finest ingredients. The service was swift and flawless. The restaurant stayed open 24 hours a day, which was unusual in Los Angeles and it was a huge success. In the beginning, most of the Derby’s customers were men – actors, writers, artist, etc. It was a clubroom for the old Hollywood circle headed by Wilson Mizner, writer Gene Fowler, and the Barrymore brothers, John and Lionel. Other patrons included C.B. DeMille. Will Rogers, Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, and John Gilbert. In 1937, the building was relocated to 3377 Wilshire Blvd., across from the Ambassador Hotel. Hollywood Brown Derby With the success of the Brown Derby Restaurant on Wilshire Blvd. Herbert Somborn decided to open another restaurant in Hollywood. The building selected was a spanish mission style structure located at 1628 N. Vine Street, in the heart of Hollywood. Shortly after the restaurant opened, on Valentines Day, 1929, Herbert Somborn passed away. His protégé, Robert (Bob) Cobb acquired the restaurant chain. Due to its proximity to the motion picture studios and radio stations, the Hollywood Brown Derby became an immediate success. Not only was it popular during the lunch time but it was packed most of the dinner time. Celebrities such as Clark Gable (who supposedly proposed to Carol Lombard), Randolph Scott, Ronald Reagan, Cesar Romero, and Betty Grable were regular patron of the Hollywood Brown Derby. It was here that Robert Cobb created the famous “Cobb Salad.” Also, it was here that Cobb installed telephone as some of the tables so his patrons could stay in touch with the studios or offices. Beverly Hills Brown Derby The third Brown Derby was built in 1931 at 9537 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. It closely resembled the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in that it had the same type of booths and there were hundreds of caricatures, of celebrities on the walls. It was closed in the 1980 and was demolished in 1983. Los Feliz Brown Derby Ten years after the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant open its doors, Robert Cobb decided to open a restaurant in the Los Feliz area of Hollywood. Film mogal, Cecil B. DeMille,a part owner of the Wilshire Blvd. restaurant, bought a building at 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. , a former chicken restaurant named Willard's, and converted it into a Brown Derby in 1940. It uniquely combined a formal restaurant with a dramatic domed ceiling with a more casual drive-in outside. In 1960 the restaurant was purchased by Michael St.Angel and renamed it Michaels. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see the best Brown Derby photos.

W/. R. Billy Wilkerson

2012-11-15T12:57:00-07:00

The Reporter W. R. (Billy) Wilkerson published the first issue of the Hollywood Reporter on September 3, 1930. This periodical reported on movies, studios and celebrities. Billy Wilkerson became one of the town's most colorful and controversial figures. He began each issue with an editorial entitled "Tradeviews," which exposed corrupt studio practices. It went on to become one of the most widely read daily columns in the industry. The publisher also used hard-ball tactics to solicit advertising. Studios were being blackmailed into giving their support. If they refused, he ordered a editorial blackouts on all their material. This included press releases to film reviews. The corporate moguls eventually banded together to deal with The Reporter. They stopped all advertising support and deprived him of news from their studios. After a while, the studios and Wilkerson buried the hatchet. His first venture onto the Sunset Strip was the Vendome. Café Trocadero In the early 1930’s the La Boheme restaurant, on the Sunset Strip, went out of business. Billy Wilkerson, who was the publisher of the Hollywood Reporter, bought the building and stored his liquor supply in the basement. Someone suggested that he open a nightclub/restaurant and he decided to do so. After performing a significant remodel job on the building the Café Trocadero was ready to open. The official opening of the Trocadero was held on September 17, 1934, to a much anticipating crowd. Among the opening night revelers were Joe Schenck, Peggy Fears, the Gene Markleys (Joan Bennett) Carl Laemmle Jr., Ida Lupino, George Raft, Virginia Hill, Pat DiCicco, Sally Blanc, the Daryl Zanucks and and a lot more. In late 1936, Cafe Trocadero was completely remodeled to the delight of its many patrons. Apparently, for some reason, Wilkerson wanted to sell the Troc but as of August 1937, there were no buyers. Finally, he found a buyer in the late 1930s. Ciro’s After selling the Cafe Trocadero, Billy Wilkerson went down the Sunset Strip and opened the Ciro’s nightclub in late 1940.. Because of his following, at the Café Trocadero, Ciros’s became an immediate success with the Hollywood elite. Post premiere parties, benefits and birthday parties were all celebrated there. Every celebrity wanted to be seen there and it was a treasure trove for Hollywood gossip and writings. The latest nightclub naturally was became the source for leading columnist, and Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons camped out many an evening to inform the public of Veronica Lake's alcoholic bouts, who Judy Garland was palling around with, and the clothes worn by Hollywood's finest. After a few years, Wilkerson sold the nightclub and opened a new restaurant called LaRue. The largest collection of Hollywood nightclubs is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Repairs To Begin

2012-11-13T19:13:00-07:00

Hollywood Walk of Fame Repairs After several years of wrangling and negotiating with Los Angeles’ Board of Public Works, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is finally able to spearhead the repair of several areas of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The area that is need of the greatest amount of repair is on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. For several years, the Walk of Fame Terrazzo in front of the popular Hollywood and Highland shopping center as been in terrible disrepair. Most of the damage was caused, several years ago, when the Metro system was installed below the streets of Hollywood. Over the course of the past few years, patching was done but it never was permanent. An terrazzo expert, Fritz Iselin, was brought in to analyze the problem and make suggestions for a permanent repair solution. Work is to begin within the next few weeks. Construction of the Hollywood Walk of Fame The first installation of the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars took place in late 1958. While the First Federal Savings building was being built, the sidewalk needed to be installed. It was decided that the first phase of the Hollywood Walk of Fame would be installed on the south and east side of the building. First Walk of Fame Stars There were eight stars installed honoring Joanne Woodward, Ernest Torrence, Robert Preston, Burt Lancaster, Olive Bordon, Edward Sedgwick, Ronald Colman and Louise Fazenda. Joanne Woodward was the firs celebrity to pose by a Walk of Fame star. The official groundbreaking took place on February 8, 1960. When the construction was completed, more than 1700 celebrities were honored by having their names placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Walk of Fame Ceremonies A few years after the initials Hollywood Walk of Fame stars were constructed, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce began holding dedication ceremonies, in which the celebrity being honored actually was present when his/her star was unveiled. Over the course of the past thirty years, more than 500 celebrities have been honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to have their names placed in the terrazzo sidewalk. Probably, the most heavily attended ceremony was for Michael Jackson. Most recently, country singer, Vince Gill, TV star, Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Diamond and Valerie Bertinelli. Each year the Chamber selects about twelve celebrities to be honored in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

The Best Hollywood Images

2012-11-12T07:56:00-07:00

The Best of Hollywood Images The best of Hollywood images is on the web site, hollywoodphotographs.com. There are more than 8,000 photographs on the web site and are categorized into 90 categories. All photos are available for purchase for personal or commercial use. Here, we highlight three categories. Hollywood Boulevard Originally, Hollywood Blvd. was named Prospect Ave. and was simply a dirt road that ran east and west through the small community, then known as the Cahuenga Valley. Almost all the building on the street were single family residences. There was some commercial buildings at the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Cahuenga Ave. In 1903, the residents of the Cahuenga Valley voted to incorporate their community and they called it Hollywood. When the residents of Hollywood, elected to be annexed to the City of Los Angeles, in 1910, the name of Prospect Ave. was changed to Hollywood Blvd. It wasn’t long after that, that the complexion of Hollywood Blvd changed from residential to commercial. During the 1920s and 1930s, the stores on Hollywood Blvd. were some of the most popular in the country. People from all over southern California came to shop in Hollywood. In the late 1940s, shopping malls began cropping up all over the greater Los Angeles area. As a result, people who lived in the outline areas no longer came to Hollywood to shop. During the 1960s Hollywood saw a real decline in the shops along Hollywood Blvd. Even today, there are quite a few shops that are vacant. Many of the shops that exist on Hollywood today, cater to the tourist that visit Hollywood. Hollywood Canteen Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bette Davis and John Garfield began to organize the Hollywood Canteen. Patterned after the Stage Door Canteen in New York, the Hollywood Canteen would exist to provide a place for servicemen togo to when they visited Hollywood. Bette and John solicited the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein who agreed to handle the business affairs of the Hollywood Canteen. They also solicited the help of all the motion picture unions, trades and guilds to refurbish the former nightclub that they rented for the duration of the war. While the building was being refurbished, Bette Davis and John Garfield announced that they needed volunteers to operate the Canteen. However, the only volunteers they would accept had to be in employed in the entertainment business. Whether the person was an actor, a studio secretary, a carpenter in the set building department or worked in the radio industry, they were elegible to volunteer. Immediately, thousands of people signed up as volunteers. The Canteen opened in October, 1943 and was an immediate success. Except for volunteers, servicemen were the only people allowed in the Canteen – the uniform was his ticket for admission. Servicemen could dance with celebrities, be served food by hostesses and were entertained by some of Hollywood’s finest. One of the most regular volunteers was actress Joan Leslie who showed up every Thursday evening. Not only did she dance, but she also signed thousands of autographs. Over the course of the Canteens three year existence, more than three million servicemen walked through its doors. Hollywood Stars Baseball Team. In 1938, Herbert Fleishaker moved his Mission Reds baseball team from San Francisco to Los Angeles and renamed the team to "Hollywood Stars Baseball Team". At the end of the first season, the team was sold to a group of new owners, including Robert H. "Bob" Cobb, who owned the Brown Derby Restaurant. The team moved from Wrigley Field to the newly built Gilmore Field at Beverly Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. The Club's ownership list read like a Hollywood "Who's Who". Bob Cobb accumulated a prestigious group of investors including such notables as George and Grace Burns, William Frawley, Barbara Stanwick, Gary Cooper, Cecil B. DeMille, Bing Crosby, George Stevens and Walt Disney. The Hollywood Stars became a very popular team, winning three pennants before 1958. In 1955, actress Jayne Mansfield was named Miss Hollywood Star. The Stars became genuine rivals of the Los Angeles Angels, and it was not uncommon for fights between the teams to break out during Angels-Stars games. The Stars were innovators. They began the custom of dragging the infield during the fifth inning, creating an artificial break in the action hoping fans would run to the concessions stands. The Stars also had the dubious distinction of being the first team to replace the traditional bloused baseball trousers and stirrup socks with shorts and long socks in 1950. In 1949, Fred Haney became the manager of the team and won two pennants, one second and one third in four years. Bob Bragan followed Haney and guided the Stars to another pennant. In 1956, the Stars, under the management of Clay Hopper, ended up in fourth place. When the Brooklyn Dodgers came to Los Angeles, it meant the ruin of the Pacific Coast League. After years in the Pacific Coast League, the Hollywood Stars played their last game on September 5, 1957, in front of 6,354 spectators. The Gilmore Field was razed in 1958 to make way for CBS Television City. Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to view thousands of Hollywood images.

Hollywood Movie Palaces

2012-11-11T10:07:00-07:00

Egyptian Theater Movie Palaces is a term used to refer to the large, elaborately decorated movie theaters built between the 1910s and the 1940s. The late 1920s saw the peak of the movie palace, with hundreds opened every year between 1925 and 1930. Hollywood’s first movie palace was Grauman’s Egyptian Theater located on Hollywood Blvd. at Las Palmas Ave. The Egyptian's grand opening was also the occasion for Hollywood's very first movie premiere in October of 1922. The movie that opened the new theatre was "Robin Hood" staring Douglas Fairbanks and Wallace Berry.) Staged in typical Grauman fashion with bright lights, stars and a red carpet, that initial gala inspired countless subsequent movie premieres a Hollywood tradition which continue to this very day. Inside, the auditorium seated 1,760 people, dwarfing all previous Hollywood theaters. Chinese Theater Hollywood’s second movie palace was also founded by Sid Grauman. Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened over 70 years ago, with the 1927 debut of the original silent version of "King of Kings," produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Since then, the Chinese Theatre has been the site of more gala Hollywood movie premieres than any other theater. With an auditorium that seated 2200 spectators, it was ornate and elaborate. In the forecourt of the theater hare hundreds of hand and footprints of some of Hollywood’s most notable celebrities. The first two stars to place their hand and footprint and signatures in the forecourt’s cement were husband and wife, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks, in 1927. Since then hundreds of celebrities have been honored in the theater’s forecourt. El Capitan Theater The third movie palace type theater to be built in Hollywood was the El Capitan Theater. Originally, the theater was not a movie type theater but a legitimate play Theater. The El Capitan began as a live theatre in 1926. It boasted a 120-foot stage, and featured plays on stage with stars that included Clark Gable, Buster Keaton, Will Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It was a "legitimate" theatre until 1942, when it became the Paramount movie theatre. It was the site of the world premiere of "Citizen Kane." Later, the theater was purchased by the Walt Warner Bros. Theater Hollywood’s fourth movie palace was the Warner Bros. Theater on Hollywood Blvd. The bothers Warner, who had become successful at movie making, decided to get into the business of showing films. After fourteen months of construction, the Warner Bros. Theater opened amid great fanfare on the evening of April 26, 1928. The event was also the premiere of “Glorious Betsy”, starring Delores Costello and Conrad Nagle. The theater’s auditorium seated over 2700 people, and at that time, was the largest theater in Hollywood. Behind the massive screen was the twenty-six ranks of the four-manual Marr and Colton pipe organ. Warner Bros.Theater was one of the few theaters that was large enough to convert to Cinerama in 1952. Pantages Theater The fifth movie palace to adorn Hollywood was the Pantages Theater, which opened on June 4, 1930. The long-awaited opening was for the newest, largest, most original and certainly the most ornate theater in Hollywood. With a seating capacity of 2812, the Pantages Theater was located on the north side of Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Vine Street. The opening attraction was the world premiere of “Floradora Girl”, starring Marion Davies. The invited guest – practically every movie star in Hollywood – stepped from their limousines onto the red velvet-carpeted sidewalk and saw, for the first time, the lavish marble and bronze entrance lit from the elaborate The largest collection of Hollywood Theater photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. Take a look.

Early Hollywood Radio

2012-11-11T08:30:00-07:00

Hollywood Radio The only rival movies had in the in the ways of mass entertainment was radio, which by the 1930s, had come a long way from its crystal set beginnings. Hollywood acquired its first three radio stations in 1922; KNX, KHJ and KFI, all marked by unreliable equipment and uncertain programming. KNX KNX began mainly as a promotion for the Los Angeles Express, when promotion manager, Guy C. Earl gave away 1000 crystal sets in a circulation campaign. In tow years, KNX was broadcasting of a regular schedule from a Studebaker Sales Building at 6116 Hollywood Blvd. Earl brought the hustler’s promotion expertise to KNX. He provoked feuds with other radio stations and newspapers to gain publicity, sold advertising time to whoever wanted it, no matter how questionable the product, and broadcasted a murder trial, and sole the game to KFI. KHJ Radio KHJ was founded by Harry Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times. It specialized in public affairs and children’s programming. Its station identification theme was provided by singing canaries. Chandler sold the station to automobile dealer, Don Lee, in 1927. It became the CBS affiliate until 1936, when it joined the Mutual Network. Packard dealer, Earl C. Anthony, founded KFI as an auto-promotion gimmick. He pioneered music and educational programming in an attempt to appeal to the upper middle class audience that was Packard’s main market. KFI was the first Western station to broadcast a live symphony orchestra and a live complete opera production; it produced the first broadcast from the Hollywood Bowl. It jopined KPO in San Francisco, to form the first West Coast radio network. CBS Columbia Broadcasting System built a $2 million facility – Columbia Square – at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St., in 1938, making KNX its West Coast flagship station. NBC built a similar studio on the northeast corner of Sunset Blvd. & Vine St. Both facilities boasted tremendous broadcast studios that accommodated large orchestras, state of the art control rooms and audiences of 300 or more. In 1938, Daily Varity reported an expenditure of more than $18 million on salaries for 600 film players. Although Hollywood still lagged behind New York as a national broadcast center, many network programs originated from here, employing 500 local writers and lyricist. KFWB The film industry, in fact, found radio as strong a promotional tool as did newspapers and car dealers. Warner Bros founded station KFWB in 1925, giving it space in its old administration building at Sunset Blvd. & Bronson Ave. Hearst columnist, Louella Parsons, took to radio like an executive to an expense account, and her signatory line – “This is Louella Parsons broadcasting from the Hollywood Hotel” – was heard throughout the nation. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to view many photographs of Hollywood radio stations.

The Great Hollywood Canteen Book

2012-11-10T17:56:00-07:00

The Hollywood Canteen Book The book, "The Hollywood Canteen" has been out six months. The book, which chronicles the history of the Hollywood Canteen, has over 225 pages and contains 170 photos, many of which have never been seen by the public. Photographs of such celebrities as Frank Sinatra, Ken Murray, Jane Russell, Faye McKenzie, and Loretta Young are just a few of the scores of pictures that appear in the book. Founding The Hollywood Canteen The Hollywood Canteen was founded in 1942 by Bette Davis and John Garfield and was Hollywood’s finest contribution to the war effort. From 1942 to 1945, over three million servicemen came through its doors on their way to fight in the Pacific – some never to return. There, in a converted barn in the heart of Hollywood, soldiers were fed, entertained by and danced with some of the biggest stars in the world. The Canteen was free to all servicemen or women, regardless of race, inviting them to jive to the music of Kay Kyser and Harry James, laugh at Bob Hope’s jokes, be handed sandwiches by celebrities and dance with Hollywood’s most beautiful actresses, like Rita Hayworth. Located at 1451 N. Cahuenga Ave, just south of Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Canteen had originally been a barn and nightclub, of many different names. Once a lease was secured Davis and Garfield enlisted the help of the scores of entertainment industry’s unions and guilds. With their assistance, the craftsmen began to convert the old barn into, what later became known as, the Hollywood Canteen. Grand Opening All of the work was donated without charge and took about two months to complete. When completed, the Canteen threw open its doors on October 2, 1942. Hundreds of civic dignitaries, movie stars and servicemen listen to Bette Davis’ grand opening speech, which she gave in the front courtyard of the Canteen. Ginny Simms sang, Abbot and Costello did their “Whose on First” and others entertained the audience before the doors were opened to the guests. By the time the Canteen opened its doors, over 3000 stars, players, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, wardrobe attendants, hair stylists, agents, stand-ins, publicists, secretaries, and allied craftsmen of radio and screen had registered as volunteers. Every volunteered had to be fingerprinted and photographed, which was required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All volunteers were issued laminated identification cards which had their photo, fingerprint, date of birth, color of hair and eyes and signature. Dancing & Entertainment Popular and famous stars volunteered to dance, wait on tables, make sandwiches, cook in the kitchen and sweep-up after all the servicemen left each night. One of the highlights of a serviceman was to dance with one of the many beautiful female celebrities volunteering at the Canteen. One of the most popular features at the Hollywood Canteen was the entertainment performed by many of Hollywood’s finest celebrities. Some of the most popular entertainers were Bob Hope, Basil Rathbone, Lena Horne, Joan Leslie, and Spencer Tracy. The Hollywood Canteen book can be purchased by going to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Great Hollywood Canteen Book

2012-11-10T17:43:00-07:00

New Hollywood Canteen Book

2012-09-23T14:59:00-07:00

New Hollywood Canteen Book Authors Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence finished penning their new book, “The Hollywood Canteen” and had it released in June 2012. Opened on October 3, 1943, the Hollywood Canteen was for the benefit of servicemen during World War II. It was founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Canteen became one of the most popular places in Hollywood during the war. Millionth Man The millionth serviceman to visit the Hollywood Canteen was Sgt. Carl Bell, of Rising Star, Texas. Greeted at the front door by several gorgeous movie stars (Marlene Dietrich, Lana Turner, just to name a couple), Sgt.Bell was escorted in to a hero’s welcome. Kissed by Lana Turner and sung to by Jimmy Durante, Bell was also given a bag of gifts. Dancing Of all the Canteen activities, dancing was one of the favorites. Servicemen were able to dance with such beautiful stars as Bunny Waters. Rita Hayworth, Hedy Lamar and Joan Leslie. Every so often, a “Tag Dance” was called which meant a serviceman could “cut in” on another serviceman and take his place dancing with a hostess. Entertainment Unquestionably, the entertainment at the Hollywood Canteen was the best Hollywood had to offer. Each night, there were two floor show featuring such entertainers as Mickey Rooney, Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Dinah Shore.

Hollywood Blvd.

2012-09-04T18:20:00-07:00

Prospect Ave. One of the most well know streets, in the country, is Hollywood Boulevard. Originally, it was know as Prospect Avenue and the area, now known as Hollywood, was commonly referred to as the Cahuenga Valley. The area consisted of small farms of citrus and other fruit groves along with quiet streets of single family residents. Shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, there were two growing business centers. The oldest was near the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Wilcox Ave. and was promoted by Daeida Wilcox Beveridge. The other burgeoning business center was near the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Highland Ave. Hollywood Blvd. In November, 1903, the residents of the Cahuenga Valley voted to incorporate the area with the name of Hollywood. Seven years later the citizens of Hollywood elected to annex their small city in the city of Los Angeles. The last act of the Board of Trustees was to change the name of Prospect Ave. to Hollywood Blvd. During the 1920s,’30s and ‘40s, Hollywood Blvd was one of the most fashionable shopping streets in the country. Hollywood Hotel The famous Hollywood Hotel was located at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland, and today it is an enormous shopping center known as Hollywood and Highland. Today, Hollywood Blvd. is lined with many small tourist attracting type shops Hollywood Blvd. Photos The largest collection of Hollywood Blvd. photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Garden of Allah Hotel Photos

2012-09-03T04:47:00-07:00

Garden of Allah The Garden of Allah was a famous hotel and apartment complex in West Hollywood, California, on Sunset Boulevard between Crescent Heights and Havenhurst, at the east end of the Sunset Strip. Built in a Spanish-Moorish style of architecture, the hotel was named Garden of Alla by screen actress Alla Nazimova, its original owner. Later, with the letter “h” added to the name, (Garden of Allah) it was a single mansion at 8080 Sunset Boulevard, built in 1919. It became notorious for the wild parties allegedly held there by the openly lesbian Nazimova. The name was officially changed to the Garden of Allah Hotel Bungalows Built As her acting career declined, Nazimova built a complex of 25 bungalows around the main building in 1927. The complex had the address of 8152 Sunset Boulevard. Though Nazimova later sold the property, she continued to live in one of the villas on the grounds. The Garden of Allah Hotel became home to many celebrities and literary figures. F. Scott Fitzgerald lived there for several months in 1937-38 at the beginning of his final sojourn in Hollywood Humorist/actor Robert Benchley was a frequent resident. Fitzgerald's biographer and lover Sheilah Graham later wrote a book about the place called The Garden of Lytton Savings Like so many landmark buildings in Hollywood, it was torn down in June 1959 and replaced by a Lytton Savings and Loan. Today it is a small strip mall. To see great photographs of the Garden of Allah, visit the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood School For Girls

2012-09-02T09:12:00-07:00

Hollywood School For Girls In 1909, the Hollywood School For Girls was founded by Miss Sophie Shepherd Hogan, for the purpose of associating physical development with grade school work. Originally located at Hollywood Blvd. & Wilcox Ave., the school moved to Sunset Blvd. & Hay Ave. in 1912. It made its final move to 1749 La Brea AVe in 1915. The school was very successful, having enjoyed the patonage of an exceptional clientele. During 1912, the school passed into the hands of Mrs. Louise Knappen Woolett and was expanded to include a course of study from kindergarten to the second year of college. Health and outdoor sports being featured. The school had achieved a high academic standing in its college prepatory work, registering a many as 225 pupils. Jean Harlow Among its many illustrious students were Misses Agnes DeMille, Katherine DeMille, Harlean Carpenter (Jean Harlow), Dorothy Sills, Barbara Denny, Adele Farnum, Catherine Toberman and Mrs. David Selznick. Edith Head Among it teaching staff was Academy Award winning Costume Designer, Edith Head who taught ther from 1223 through 1927. Today The building that once was part of the schoolhouse, sits behind the Hollywood Womans Club and is in run down condition.

History of Hollywood Television

2012-08-31T06:37:00-07:00

Genesis of Television The movie industry’s most prosperous and glamorous period spanned the Thirties and Forties, when movies were king. But by 1948, the industry was staggering from a number of blows – some self inflicted. Theater attendance was down forty-five percent from war-time highs. What occurred in the late 1940s was something no one in the entertainment industry had anticipated. There was a newcomer on the block and its name was “television.” From 1946 to 1951, the number of television sets in American homes increased from 10,000 to more than 12 million, hastening the demise of the neighborhood movie houses and eliciting the wrath of movie people for wrecking such havoc on their industry. But the movie industry had only itself to blame; it didn’t take television seriously, and it had been given ample time to do so. Television wasn’t really that new. In fact, the third television station established in Hollywood was owned and operated by the Paramount Picture Company. Don Lee The new medium actually took root in Hollywood during the depression. It was just two days before Christmas, 1931 when the Don Lee station – then known as W6XAO – went on the air with a daily program of old motion picture films. The station gave its first public demonstration three years later, and thousands flocked to witness the 300-line, twenty-four frame system developed by television pioneer, Harry R. Lubcke. Hollywoodland Sign By the early 1940s, the Don Lee group had constructed a modern facility atop Mount Cahuenga, just above the HOLLYWOODLAND sign; The new plant was the first to be designed specifically for television. In the Fifties, the Don Lee station was purchased by CBS. Eight years aafter W6XAO went on the air, Earle C. Anthony, a wealthy businessman and successful Packard car dealer, received permission to erect a television broadcasting station, using the letters KCEA. Anthony operated the station for four years before selling it to ABC. In 1948, ABC bought the 23 acre Warner Brothers lot at Prospect and Talmadge Avenues. Conversion to television transmission began at once, and on September 16, 1949, the gates were opened to what was then the worlds largest television plant, housing the studios and general administrative headquarters for ABC on the Pacific Coast. W6XYZ In 1939, Klaus Landsberg came to Hollywood and established an experimental television station for Paramount Pictures Corporation, with the call letters W6XYZ. Since there were only a few television sets in all of California at the time, the station had no rating worries and, for the first seven years, broadcast nothing but civil defense programs, parades, variety shows and World War II bulletins, all the while housed in a small building on the Paramount lot at Melrose and Bronson Avenues. On January 22, 1947, the station changed its call letters to KTLA and became the first commercial station west of Chicago. The number of television receivers (sets) was estimated at 350. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see hundreds of early radio and television photos.

Santa Claus Lane Parade Photos

2012-08-30T05:05:00-07:00

First Santa Claus Float The first Santa Claus Lane Parade was held in 1928 and consisted of only one actress, Jeanette Loff, and Santa Claus. In an effort to attract shoppers and their families to Hollywood Boulevard during the holiday season, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce came up with the idea of the parade. The Chamber started out by decorating Hollywood Boulevard with live Christmas trees and other Christmas decorations. Then to add excitement to the event, a live reindeer pulled a sleigh carrying Santa Claus and Jeanette Loff down Hollywood Boulevard. Since the main attraction was Santa Claus, the Chamber appropriately named it the " Santa Claus Lane Parade." Each year, with the help of local businesses and the community, the parade grew. In 1931, a truck pulled float replaced the live reindeer pulled sleigh New Type Float In 1932, the Otto K Olesen Illuminating Company designed a new Santa Claus Christmas Float, which had its debut on December 10, 1932.During the '30s and into the '50s, many well known celebrities, including Bette Davis, Evelyn Venable and Mary Pickford all flipped the switch lighting the Christmas trees, thereby officially beginning the holiday season. Celebrities On Parade The 1950's through the 1970's found the parade growing with the addition of floats, animals, bands, clowns and lots of celebrities. Over the course of the years, such celebrities as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Howard Duff, Ida Lupino, The Three Stooges, Danny Thomas, Johnny Mathis and Jayne Mansfield were driven down Hollywood Blvd. as participants in the parade. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see scores of Santa Claus Lane Parade photos

Pilgrimage Play in Hollywood

2012-08-29T13:36:00-07:00

Pilgrimage Play Mrs. Christine Witherill Stevenson started the Pilgrimage Play after she withdrew from the Hollywood Bowl, in 1920. She was intent on promoting her religious plays. She purchased a 29-acre canyon across the Cahuenga Pass from the Hollywood Bowl. After building a crude structure, which was later to develop into the Pilgrimage Play Theater. The first performance of the play was held on June 27, 1920, with Henry Herbert starring as Jesus of Nazareth. Performances were given every summer in the original structure, until it was destroyed by fire on October 24, 1929. New Pilgrimage Play Theater A new theater, with a seating capacity of 1,312 was built of concrete in ancient Judean architecture and the play reopened in 1931. The Pilgrimage Play continued until 1940 when war conditions caused brief interruptions. During the war, the dressing room sections were converted into dormitories, where hundreds of servicemen slept during their visit to Hollywood. Memorial Cross When Mrs. Stevenson passed away in 1922, Hollywood was stunned. As a memorial to this fine lady, four of Hollywood’s residents caused a 40-foot lighted cross to be erected atop the hill alongside the Pilgrimage Theater. All the Pilgrimage Play photos can ve viewed and are available for purchase on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site

Hollywood's First Theaters

2012-08-28T08:15:00-07:00

Hollywood’s First Theater The first theater to grace Hollywood was the Idyl Hour theater. Located at 6526 Hollywood Blvd., it opened in late 1910 or early 1911. During the first year the theater was little more than a converted store with chairs, a projector and a screen. The Idyl Hour, whose name was changed to the Iris Theater in 1913, moved to 6415 Hollywood Blvd. In 1914, and to a new 1000 seat theater at 6508 Hollywood Blvd. in 1918. Hollywood Theater The second theater was appropriately, the Hollywood Theater and was located on the south side of Hollywood Blvd, just east of Highland Ave. It opened in 1913, had a capacity of 700 and charged 10 cents for general admission, 15 cents for loge seats and a nickel for children. At those prices it prospered and, until, the 1980, was the oldest theater in Hollywood. By the mid-teens, the American public realized that motion pictures were not just a fad. As motion pictures gained in popularity, more and more movie theaters were built on both sides of Hollywood Boulevard. Movie Palaces By the 1920s, movies were so popular that larger theaters were needed to accommodate the ever growing audiences. These large theaters became known as “Movie Palaces”,not only because of their size, but also because of their grandeur and ornate features. Between 1922 and 1930, Hollywood built five beautiful movie palaces on Hollywood Boulevard. They were the Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, El Capitan Theater, Warner Bros. Theater and the Pantages Theater. Photographs of all these theaters, and more, can be seen and purchased on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site

Charles Chaplin and His Studio

2012-08-22T13:15:00-07:00

Keystone Film Company Charles Chaplin’s first exposure to the motion picture industry was when he accepted the Keystone Film Company’s offer by the large salary: $150 weekly for three months raised to $175 weekly for the rest of the year; which was more than double his Karno salary of $75 a week. In September 1913 he signed his first film contract for a period of one year with the Keystone Film Company, beginning December 13, 1913. After completing over thirty-five films for Keystone of various lengths—split reels, one-reelers, and two-reelers, plus the feature film Tillie’s Punctured Romance—Chaplin emerged triumphant from his first experience in motion pictures. After the expiration of his one-year contract with the Keystone Film Company, Essanay Film Company Chaplin was lured to Essanay for the unprecedented salary of $1,250 per week, with a bonus of $10,000 for merely signing with the company. The fourteen films he made for Essanay were distinctly marked and designated upon release as the “Essanay-Chaplin Brand.”In October 1917, Charlie Chaplin announced plans to build his own motion picture studio at the southeast corner of La Brea and Sunset Boulevard By 1916, just two years after appearing in his first motion picture, Charles Chaplin had become the most famous entertainer in the world. Buoyed by his enormously successful comedies for Keystone and Essanay, he was offered the largest salary ever extended to a motion picture star—$670,000 for a single year’s work—to make twelve two-reel comedies for the Mutual Film Corporation. For Mutual, Chaplin produced what many film historians believe to be his best films. Chaplin’s Own Studio Chaplin purchased the property which consisted of a large grove of old orange trees.The lot had 300 feet of frontage on Sunset and 600 feet on La Brea, extending south to De Longpre Ave. Chaplin announced he would make his home on the northern part of the property, and build his own motion picture studio on the south part of the property, cornering at La Brea and De Longpre. Chaplin's plans were prepared by the Milwaukee Building Company , and the total investment was estimated to be approximately $100,000. Construction of Chaplin studios was completed in approximately 1919. Chaplin preserved a large residence on the northern (Sunset Boulevard) end of the property, and planned to live there, but never did. Various studio personnel lived there over the years, including his brother Sydney Chaplin The "English cottages" along La Brea served as the facade for offices, a screening room, and a film laboratory. The grounds included stables, a swimming pool and tennis courts. The central part of the property, which was originally an orchard, became the backlot, where large outdoor sets were constructed. The two large open-air stages at Chaplin Studios used for filming were constructed on the southern end of the property, and the rest of the facility consisted of dressing rooms, a garage, a carpenter's shed, and a film vault. Many of Chaplin's classic films were shot at the studios, including The Gold Rush, City Lights, Limelight and many others. In1942, Chaplin sold the northern portion of the property to Safeway Stores who demolished the house and build a small shopping center. During the next few years, the studio was used by outside production companies and it was claimed that Greta Garbo’s last screen test was done there. In 1953, who left the United States permanently, sold the studio toa a New York real estate investor for $650,000. For the next few years, the studio went through a succession of owners, but in 1959, Red Skelton became the new owner. Skelton and A & M Records After three years of ownership, Skelton sold the studio to CBS, in 1962. In 1966, Herb and Jerry Moss bought the studio and it became the home of A & M Records. Many of the day’s recording stars recorded their hits at this famous landmark. In 2000, the children of Jim Henson purchased the studio o preserve the memory of their father. Photos of Keystone Studios, Essanay Studios, and Chaplin studios are available for purchase at hollywoodphotographs.com.

More Hollywood Pictures on Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-08-17T06:34:00-07:00

Photograph Categories With over ninety subject categories from which to choose, selecting which photos one wishes to view can be challenging. Where do you start? On page two of the hollywoodphotographs.com web site is a list of all the categories of all the photos on he web site. Aerial Photos Most of the aerial pictures are extremely rare and were taken by the famed aerial photographer, Robert Spence. Using his bi-plane, he took some of the most amazing aerial photographs in the world. Whether it was a photo of the movie studios or an image of the Hollywoodland sign, all Spence’s aerial photos are absolutely crystal clear. Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood’s most important and historic street was Hollywood Blvd. Originally Hollywood Blvd. was called Prospect Avenue – but in 1910 the Board Of Trustees changed it to Hollywood Blvd. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Hollywood Boulevard was almost exclusively residential. As Hollywood began to grow, primarily because of the motion picture industry, Hollywood Blvd. became more of a commercial center. There are scores of pictures of these two streets on the hollywoodphotograph.com web site. Hollywood Legion Stadium The Hollywood Legion Stadium was certainly one of the most important and popular entertainment places in Hollywood. Many of Hollywood’s important celebrities would attend the weekly boxing fights that took place at this famous boxing stadium. The Hollywood Legion Stadium was one of the two major boxing venues of Los Angeles from the 1920s on, the other being the Olympic Auditorium. It was the most stable and most successful venue in California during the 1920s and 1930s. Its boxing cards were held on Fridays. It opened as an 8,000-seat venue August 12, 1921, under the auspices of World War I veterans, American Legion Post No. 43. It was closed for a short time to add an arched roof over the formerly open-air venue, and reopened Dec. 16, 1921. It once again was closed briefly on July 11, 1923, to sink the boxing ring six feet, increasing the pitch of ringside seats so that all patrons had a good view of the ring, and to add a ventilation system that recycled the air every 10 minutes. According to the Los Angeles Times, the venue then accommodated 5,100 people. A second version of this venue opened in late 1938 with a capacity of about 6,300. Black boxers were not allowed to fight here until 1940. Owned by the American Legion Post #43, the stadium proved to be a real wise investment. Schwab’s Pharmacy Undoubtedly, Schwab’s Pharmacy was one of Hollywood’s most popular places – catering to some of Hollywood’s most popular stars, but also to many regular Hollywood residents. Whether it was to get a prescription filled or to sit at the pharmacy’s lunch counter, the place was always packed. Schwab's Pharmacy opened at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in 1932, and was run by brothers Bernard, Leon, Jack and Martin Schwab. They had purchased a failing drug store and decided to capitalize on the local business from nearby studios, like Republic, RKO, and Columbia. The first Schwab's was located downtown on 6th. It was a typical drugstore of its time--goods and sundries available for purchase, prescriptions filled, and a soda fountain with counter service--only it happened to be in the heart of Hollywood. Schwab's closed its doors in October 1983. Five years later, on October 6, 1988, Schwab's Pharmacy was demolished to make way for a shopping complex and multiplex theater.

Hollywood Pictures on Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-08-12T05:02:00-07:00

Hollywood Pictures Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of Hollywood Pictures on the internet. Begun in 1970, the collection was started by Bruce Torrence, whose grandfather, Charles E. Toberman, was an early Hollywood pioneer. Beginning with about thirty historic photographs of Hollywood, Bruce began on a mission to establish the largest collection of Hollywood pictures, in the world. Hollywood Sign Pictures of the Hollywood sign is probably the most popular category of photo in the collection. There are over 225 photos of this Hollywood icon Today there are over 12,000 photographs in the collection, of which there are more than 8,000 pictures on his web site, hollywoodphotographs.com. Visitors to the web site are able to choose photos from over ninety subject categories – ranging from Hollywood Airfields to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Restaurants and Nigntclubs One of the most interesting and viewed categories of Hollywood pictures is restaurant and nightclubs. It’s always fun to see photos of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard at the Brown Derby Restaurant or Frank Sinatra dining at Mocambo. Looking at images of Ronald Reagan and other celebrities at the famous Ciro’s nightclub is always a pleasure. For those interested in viewing Hollywood Pictures of historic buildings that no longer exist, this site has it all. Pictures of such structures as the Pan Pacific Auditorium, the Gilmore Field and Gilmore Stadium can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Other pictures of buildings that no longer exist include the famous Hollywood Hotel, Garden of Allah Hotel and the popular Florentine Gardens nightclub. The Hollywood Canteen The Hollywood Canteen is certainly one of the popular subject categories. Bruce Torrence, the owner of Hollywoodphotographs.com just completed writing a book titled, “The Hollywood Canteen”. The book, which is now available for purchase, chronicles the history of the Hollywood Canteen which existed during W.W. II, from 1942 thru 1945. In it are pictures of such celebrities and Bette Davis, John Garfield and Joan Leslie. In the Restaurant/Nightclub category are pictures of such eateries and night spots as The Comedy Store, Don The Beachcomber, Dino’s and the Crescendo on Sunset Blvd. All the Hollywood Pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase

Paramount Studio

2012-08-11T06:11:00-07:00

Adolph Zukor Paramount's history dates back to 1912, when Adolph Zukor, the owner of a New York nickelodeon founded the Famous Players Film Company. A year later, Zukor invested in a film distribution company named Paramount Pictures. The groundbreaking four-reel feature in a time when two reels was the norm propelled Zukor's Famous Players Film Company to great heights, and in the process, transformed the business of entertainment forever. This would be the beginning of Paramount Pictures. Inspired by Zukor's success, Jesse L. Lasky soon teamed with director Cecil B. DeMille to make a film version of the successful stage play The Squaw Man. It was the first feature-length film actually made in Hollywood, and marked the beginning of the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. Move To Hollywood The plan was to shoot the feature film in New Jersey near the new company's headquarters, but it was winter and not the ideal setting for a Western saga. DeMille, who was looking for an adventure, persuaded Lasky to let him take production to Flagstaff, Arizona, but when they arrived, it was snowing. DeMille continued on to California and rented a barn, from Jacob Stern, on Vine Street near Sunset Blvd. On December 29, 1913, shooting began on the first full-length feature film made in Hollywood, called “The Squaw Man.” Paramount Pictures June 28, 1916, Paramount's history was changed forever. The Jesse L. Lasky Company, which was producing films in Hollywood, merged with Famous Players to form the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The corporation consolidated and audiences began seeing the iconic "Paramount Pictures" label. It wasn't long before Hollywood became the movie capitol of the world. In 1921 Rudolph Valentino claimed his place as one of cinema's most iconic heartthrobs in the silent film The Sheik. At the time, The Sheik was deemed amoral, but the throngs of female admirers swooning over Valentino quickly overshadowed the criticism and his untimely death from appendicitis earned him a place in film history. Cecil B. DeMille made The Ten Commandments twice, first in 1923 (silent B/W) and then in 1956. The latter version was his biggest, most star-studded, and final film. New Hollywood Studio With the merger of the Jesse L. Lasky Company and Famous Players, the studio needed larger quarters. Jesse Lasky supervised the construction of a new Hollywood studio on a 26-acre lot on Marathon Street. In 1927, the company moved from their old studios on Vine Street to the Marathon Street lot. The Studio's 1927 release of Wings had groundbreaking aerial footage, and received the very first Academy Award for Best Picture from the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Despite the conflicts of World War II, the forties brought Hollywood unprecedented prosperity. Paramount concentrated on films of the escapist variety, including many war type films.In addition to its commercial success, the forties proved to be a time of critical acclaim for Paramount films. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the annexation of Marathon Avenue and expansion of Paramount created a new site for special events adjacent to the famous gates. With the acquisition of several adjacent parcels the lot is 56 acres Continually evolving to meet the needs of the industry that it serves, plans have begun for The Hollywood Project, a 25-year vision for the future of the studio that enhances studio operations, invests in new state-of-the-art soundstages and high-tech production facilities, creates entertainment jobs in Hollywood and preserves the studio's history

Grauman's Egyptian Theater

2012-08-09T14:51:00-07:00

Movie Palaces By the early Twenties, enormous, ornate theaters, known as movie palaces had been built in San Francisco and Los Angeles. For several years, C. E. Toberman had attempted to induce Sid Grauman and his father to locate in Hollywood. The two Graumans had come to Los Angeles and built the lavish Million Dollar Theater at Third and Broadway. Finally, C.E. Toberman convinced Sid Grauman to open the first of the grand Hollywood movie palaces. The Grauman's Egyptian Theatre cost $800,000, was constructed over 18 months and hadaseating capacity of 1,771. The Egyptian theme was chosen for the name and decor to take advantage of the excitement drawn by the discoveries in Egypt for ancient artifact such as King Tutankhamen. Toberman and Grauman chose Architects Mendel Meyer & Phillip W. Holler of the Milwaukee Building Co. to design the building with decorator Raymond M. Kennedy in charge of decorative details. First Movie Premieres “Robin Hood”, starring Douglas Fairbanks, became the very first movie premiere at the grand opening of Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre on October 18, 1922 and continued to be screened until the first week of April 1923. The next attraction was “The Covered Wagon”, starring Ernest Torrence, followed by “The Ten Commandments” which premiered at the theatre on December 4, 1923. This was followed by “The Thief of Bagdad” (also starring Douglas Fairbanks) and all had long runs, in fact Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre only played four movies in its first three years of operation. Grauman also presented an elaborate live stage show ‘Prologue’ with each performance of the movies. Sid Grauman left the Egyptian Theatre in 1927 to open Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which was located three block west of the Egyptian Theater. Fox West Coast Theatres operated the Egyptian Theater but continued to keep Sid Grauman’s name on the title of the theater. Over the next several years, improvement were made to the theater. In 1944, the Egyptian Theatre became the Hollywood showcase for MGM and it became a first-run premiere house again. From 1949 until it closed in 1992, United Artists were the operator of the Egyptian Theatre. From the 1970’s, 20th Century Fox movies were showcased. Theater Renovations In 1992, the building was closed and shuttered and was badly damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The theater was badly in need of renovations. The City of Los Angeles had purchased the theatre a few months before the earthquake and so that it could be re-opened, ownership was transferred for $1.00 to the American Cinematheque. This classic movie theatre was given a stylish multi-million dollar make-over and renovation. The palm tree lined forecourt was restored to its original grandeur. Anniversary of the film’s original World Premiere at Grauman’s Egyptian Theater. Chinese Theater Three years after the Egyptian was opened, Sid Grauman, again, convinced C.E. Toberman to build him a new theater, down the street on Hollywood Blvd. Chinese architecture and motif was selected and in 1927, the Grauman’s Chinese Theater was opened.

Pictures of Grauman’s Egyptian Theater

2012-08-01T07:07:00-07:00

Pictures of Grauman’s Egyptian Theater Over the course of the past eighty five years, there have been thousands of pictures taken of Grauman’s Egyptian Theater. One of the largest collections is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. By the early Twenties, enormous, ornate theaters, known as “movie Palaces” had been built in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Before the movie palaces came into existence, the theater grew from simple storefronts, with seats, a screen and a projector. As movies caught on and became a new form of entertainment, businessmen began building theaters that were use for only that purpose. The first theater in Hollywood was the Idyl Hour Theater, which opened in late 1910 or early 1911, at 6526 Hollywood Blvd. About two years later, the second theater opened and was known as the Hollywood Theater. It prospered until 1980, at which time it was the oldest theater in Hollywood. Today it is the Guinness World Record Museum. Over the course of eight years (1922-1930) Hollywood was to have five movie palaces built. Each was both larger and more ornate than the previous.The first of Hollywood’s movie palaces was Grauman’s Egyptian Theater which had its grand opening on October 19, 1922 with the premiere of “Robin Hood”, staring Douglas Fairbanks. Built for Sid Grauman by Charles Toberman, the Egyptian architectural style was designed by Meyer and Holler. The result was a theater with a seating capacity of 1,770 and a magnificent ediface, resembling an Egyptian Temple. Many movie premieres were held at Gruman’s Chinese Theater, including Don Juan in 1926, Sparrows starring Mary Pickford in 1926, Showboat in 1951, and Thief of Bagdad. Pictures and photos of all these premieres and of the theater can be viewed by visiting the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Early Hollywood Bowl Pictures

2012-07-28T07:52:00-07:00

Early Hollywood Bowl Pictures Mrs. Christine Witherill Stevenson, heiress to the Pittsburg Paint fortune, arrived in Hollywood in 1918 with the idea of bringing culture to the community by presenting plays. In 1919, she established the Theater Arts Alliance with several leading citizens and set out to find a Hollywood location suitable for the presentations of outdoor theatrical performances. The site chosen was the property that now contains the Hollywood Bowl; With the aid of C.E. Toberman, Mrs. Stevenson and fellow alliance member Mrs. Chauncey Clark, purchased the poperty, valued at $49,000, in September 1919. A group of civic-minded women and men who were active in the area's artistic and business communities combined their efforts to establish the Hollywood Bowl and its summer music festival. Dr. T. Percival Gerson, a physician, and Dr. H. Gale Atwater, a dentist, scheduled a meeting on August 12, 1918 that resulted in the organization of the Theatre Arts Alliance. The Alliance incorporated on May 25, 1919, with Christine Wetherill Stevenson, heiress to the Pittsburgh Paint Company fortune, as president. They asked H. Ellis Reed and his father to search the Hollywood Hills to find a suitable location. "Finally, on a Sunday morning early in 1919, from a hill east of Cahuenga Pass, we spotted what we were looking for. We crossed the street (Highland Avenue) to a valley completely surrounded by hills. My enthusiasm knew no bounds. Immediately I wanted to test the acoustics," Reed continued. "I scaled a barbed wire fence, went up to the brow of a hill. Dad stood near a live oak in the center of the bowl-shaped area and we carried on a conversation. We rushed back to the Alliance with a glowing report." Many of these early Hollywood Bowl pictires can be seen on hollywoodphotographs.com. The Theatre Arts Alliance bought 59 acres in the area known as Bolton Canyon. Christine Wetherill Stevenson and her friend Marie Rankin Clarke each contributed $21,000 toward the $47,500 purchase price, with the remaining funds donated by other Alliance members. Differences of opinion regarding the project's purpose led to Mrs. Stevenson's departure and the group's reorganization in 1920 as the Community Park and Art Association after buying out Stevenson and Clarke. (Stevenson then bought property across the street from the Bowl and built the Pilgrimage Theater, now the John Anson Ford Theatre.) Two prominent businessmen, F.W. Blanchard (president) and C.E. Toberman (vice president), headed the new Association. However, it was the organization's secretary, Mrs. Artie Mason Carter, who was most active in promoting the project to the community, raising money, and developing the plans for a series of symphonic concerts.In fact, the permanent relationship between Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic began when the orchestra's founder, William Andrews Clark, Jr., agreed to Mrs. Carter's request that he donate the orchestra's services for the 1921 Easter Sunrise Service. Mrs. Carter is sometimes referred to as the "mother of the Bowl." Before the establishment of an official Hollywood Bowl season with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1922, the site was used for presentations of choral programs, pageants, Shakespeare plays and band concerts. Hugo Kirchhofer, choral director of the Hollywood Community Sing, is said to have looked over the park and named it the "Bowl." Funding the Bowl's first concert season in 1922 was truly a community effort. Cardboard banks were distributed everywhere to raise "pennies for the Bowl." Society events brought in larger donations from the more affluent. Mrs. Carter reportedly even sold her only diamond ring to help the cause. Students at Hollywood High School donated money from their performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to purchase an electrical switchboard for lighting. In appreciation, the school was invited to hold its graduation ceremonies at Hollywood Bowl, a tradition that continues to this day. Proceeds from a pre-season production of Bizet's Carmen paid for the amphitheatre's first seats. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see scores of Hollywood Bowl pictures

Searching and Purchasing Hollywood Pictures

2012-07-24T06:48:00-07:00

Searching and Purchasing Hollywood Pictures There are two types of Hollywood pictures or photographs. There are those of celebrities, movie stars and television personalities – and then there are those of Hollywood, the town or community. These are the pictures of the “brick and mortar” Hollywood. There are hundreds of web sites that sell or display pictures of celebrities but there’s really only one that is devoted to displaying and selling pictures of geographic Hollywood. That web site is hollywoodphotographs.com and there are more than 8,000 photos on it. Searching or viewing the pictures on this web site is extremely easy and fun. Searchers simply enter a keyword, on Google, that take him/her to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. When the first page appears, click on the button that says “Browse Collection Now” or the button that says “Search Collection.” When the next page appears, the viewer will see a list of over ninety subject categories from which to choose. Clicking on any of the categories will bring up the first page of pictures for that subject. Clicking on a photo thumbnail will enlarge the image – click on it again and the picture gets even larger. To purchase a Hollywood picture, simply click on the “Add To Cart” button and follow the easy steps to complete the purchase. Some of the most popular subject categories of pictures is the Hollywood Sign, premieres, Hollywood Canteen and Restaurants and Nightclubs. All the pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com can be viewed and purchased. The cost of a digital image, for personal use, is $50. For commercial use, the fee is $75. These fees are considerably less than most other photographic web sites.

Pictures of Hollywood Movie Studios

2012-07-22T07:10:00-07:00

Pictures of Hollywood Movie Studios One of the largest collections of Hollywood movie studios pictures is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Bruce Torrence began collecting old Hollywood photographs in 1970 and then started adding pictures of movie studios, even though many of them were not located in Hollywood. In the beginning, some of the very early motion picture companies did settle in Hollywood. Companies such as the Nestors Film Company, Clune Producing Company, and Balshofer Film Company were some of the pioneers of Hollywood’s film industry. Then several of the motion picture companies, who migrated from the east coast, began settling in Edendale, which is close to what is now Glendale. The first motion picture company to settle in Edendale was the Selig Polyscope Company. After making the film, The Heart Of A Race Tout”, in downtown Los Angeles, Selig realized that the predictable weather and variety of landscape immediately available, made the Los Angeles area ideal for making motion pictures. He moved from Chicago and built a permanent studio in Edendale. Four years later, he built the Selig Zoo, which then became his studio and the location of most of his films. Glendale Blvd, then known as Allesandro Avenue, ran through the center of Edendale, which became the site of half dozen movie companies located on either side of the street. Other motion picture companies that established studios in Edendale were Mack Sennett Comedies and William Fox, Pathe and Hal Roach. Several silent-film stars worked in the Edendale studios, including Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Theda Bara, Tom Mix, Mabel Normand, Fatty Arbuckle, Marie Dressler and Bebe Daniels. Filmed at Mack Sennett Studios were the first film starring Charlie Chaplin, the first feature-length comedy — starring Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand — and the Keystone Cops comedies. Hal Roach’s early comedies starring Harold Lloyd were also filmed at a studio in Edendale. Hundreds of photographs of the Edendale studios can viewed on the hollywoodphotograph.com web site. While many film makers were making movies in Hollywood and Edendale, Thomas Ince was making movies at his plant, called Inceville, in the Santa Monica mountains, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. By 1915, Ince was very powerful and one of the best-known producer-directors. It is around this time that Harry Culver noticed him making one of his western at Inceville. Impressed with his talents, Culver convinced Ince to move his "Inceville" Studios from the beach to Culver City. That same year, Ince joined Griffith and Mack Sennett to join the Triangle Film Company. Shortly thereafter, he built large studios at 10202 W. Washington Blvd. This studio later became Goldywyn Studios, then MGM and today it is Sony Pictures. Ince’s studio, with its Gothic style entrance, was the most modern to date, having four glass and steel stages, new nitrogen lighting and room for hundreds of sets. By mid-1917, Ince, Griffith and Sennett withdrew from the Triangle Film Company and became independent film makers. Realizing he needed a new studio, Ince again contacted Harry Culver about potential sites. Eventually he purchased fourteen acres at 9336 Washington Blvd., just a mile east of his present studio. In late 1917, while waiting for his new studio to be built, Ince abandoned his Culver City studio and took up temporary quarters at a studio which had been previously occupied by D.W. Griffith’s Biograph Company. Shortly after abandoning his first Culver City studio, Triangle leased the plant to Samuel Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Later it was sole to Goldwyn. After months of construction, Ince moved into his new studios. Here he continued to make movies until his untimely death in 1924. During the teens and early 1920s, hundreds of motion picture companies went into business in California. In 1313, the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company settled in Niles, California and began making many fine films. One of their early actors was Charlie Chaplin who went onto an incredible career. He, later, built his own studio on La Brea Avenue, in Hollywood. Essanay, which was founded by Gilbert “Broncho” Billy Anderson and George K. Spoor made films until 1916, when the studio closed its doors. Another motion picture company to establish a studio outside of Hollywood was the American Film Manufacturing Company. They built a beautiful and modern studio in Santa Barbara, California and moved into it in 1913. Here, the continued to make hundreds of films until the studio closed in 1920. Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see one of the largest collection of motion picture and movie studios.

Early Hollywood Restaurant Pictures

2012-07-20T13:09:00-07:00

Early Hollywood Restaurant Pictures Hollywood boasted of having some of the finest restaurants and nightclubs in the world.The boom in popular entertainment necessitated the opening of the new and luxurious restaurants on Hollywood Blvd. Musso & Frank Grill was an instant hit when it opened at 6669 Hollywood Blvd. In 1919. Founded by John Musso and Frank Toulet, they operated the small restaurant for six years, until they sold it to Joseph Carissimi and John Mosso, whose name was so similar to Musso. For a while, Musso’s was about the only fine restaurant on the “boulevard.” The movie people came and still do, but without the glamour deemed necessary in other restaurants. It also became extremely popular with the local merchants and businessmen, like Charles E. Toberman. In need of more room, the restaurant expanded in 1936 to 6667 Hollywood Blvd., where it continues in popularity, due to an extensive menu, well prepared food and fine service. Today, it’s the oldest restaurant in Hollywood and is owned and operated by Rose Keegel (John Mosso’s daughter), Edith Carissimi (Joseph Carissimi’s daughter-in-law) and Jesse Chavez. To many of those who havce dined at Musso’s, it is considered the finest restaurant in Hollywood. Go to hollywoodphotographs.com to view Musso and Frank Grill pictures In 19223, Eddie Brandstatter opened the Montmatre Café, down the street from the famous Hollywood Hotel. It was a movie-colony favorite during its brief history, and fans lined it’s sidewalk, stairways and even foyer to catch a sight of the many stars that entered and exited. By 1929, the mobs of spectators were so dense that patrons began to complain. Brandstatter cut a passageway into the joining building and opened the private and very exclusive, Embassy Club. However, without the adoring fans to reflect the patrons’ egos, the stars quickly lost interest in both establishments. One of Hollywood’s finest and most popular restaurants, the Hollywood Brown Derby was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1929, at 1628 North Vine Street in a building erected by Cecil B. DeMille. Founded by Herbert Somborn, he hired Robert H. Cobb as combination steward, buyer, cashier and occasional cook. After Somborn’s death in 1934, Cobb was made President: shortly thereafter, he became the owner. With a collection of caricatures of movie stars hanging on the walls, and excellent cuisine, the Brown Derby became immensely popular with both the motion picture personalities and the general public. At lunchtime, stars in costume and makeup would rush in from the sets to entertain friends or be interviewed by writers. Young movie hopefuls would eat frugally on money scrimped for the special occasion, all he whild eating slowly and keeping a watchful eye for agents or friends who have made it in show business and who might offer monetary or moral support, of for a studio executive looking for “just the type.” The Brown Derby can take credit – or blame – for the introduction of telephones at tables at mealtimes. A loud speaker system for paging and phone lines to each table were installed so that busy executives would not have to interrupt a luncheon. The number of times an agent or ad man was paged came to indicate the degree of popularity, and from time to time, these calls had been tabulated and the results circulated as the Derby Derby. Hollywoodphotographs.com has fine photos of the Brown Derby restaurant, including the many celebrities who eate there. Other restaurants patronized by picture personalities included the Hollywood Roof Ballroom at 1549 Vine Street, the Pig ‘n Whistle at 6714 Hollywood Blvd., Henry’s Delicatessen near Hollywood Blvd. And La Brea Ave.; and the Armsrtong-Carlton at 6600 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood also boasted a highly respectable number of speakeasies during the days of Prohibition, some of which featured gambling as well as liquor. The Hollywood Division Police gave the enforcement of the Volstead Act the same lack of priority it received in other large, cosmopolitan towns, much to the relief of Hollywood’s celebrants. Errol Flynn was famous for his gin recipe, which he supposedly prepared in the backroom of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

View Vintage Hollywood Images

2012-07-19T09:05:00-07:00

Vintage Hollywood Images Anyone looking for vintage Hollywood images must visit the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. It contains more historic and hollywood images than any collection or web site in the world. There are over 12,000 photographs in the collection and the hollywoodphotographs.com web site has more than 8000 Hollywood images. There are over ninety subjects to choose from, so anyone can find the photo of their choice. The hollywoodphotographs.com web site is easy to view and navigate -- in other words, its very user friendly. On the second page of the site is a list of the ninety plus subject categories from which to choose. Looking for vintage or historic Hollywood images is so simple. Simply click on anyone of the ninety categories and the next page will show the photos in that category. Probably the most popular subject is the Hollywood sign. Originally build in 1923, the sign first read HOLLYWOODLAND. After years of standing, and bering subjected to inclimate weather, the original sign was demolished and a new sign erected in the same location. However, this time it simply read HOLLYWOOD. Hollywood Blvd. and the Hollywood Walk of Fame are also very popular. Seeing what Hollywood Blvd. looked like one hundred years ago is a real treat. With the Hollywood Hotel at the corner of Highland Ave and the Paul DeLongpre house at the corner of Cahuenga Ave., Hollywood Blvd. would soon become shopping haven. Other Hollywood pictures include the Pan Pacific Auditorium, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hollywood Canteen. There are over three hundred photographs of the various activities that took place nightly at the Canteen. All he vintage Hollywood images that are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Viewing these great images is easy and a great and rewarding experience. For those interested on old Hollywood images and the history of Hollywood, this is the perfect web site. Each of the ninty subject categories has a complete history written at the top of the page. Bruce Torrence’s new book ”The Hollywood Canteen” has just been released and can be purchased on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are over 170 images of the activities that took place at the Hollywood Canteen.

Early Hollywood Bowl History

2012-07-15T13:10:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** Early Hollywood Bowl History Mrs. Christine Witherill Stevenson, heiress to the Pittsburg Paint fortune, arrived in Hollywood in 1918 with the idea of bringing culture to the community by presenting plays. On May 25, 1919, she established the Theater Arts Alliance with several leading citizens and set out to find a Hollywood location suitable for the presentations of outdoor theatrical performances. They asked H. Ellis Reed and his father to search the Hollywood Hills to find a suitable location. "Finally, on a Sunday morning early in 1919, from a hill east of Cahuenga Pass, we spotted what we were looking for. We crossed the street (Highland Avenue) to a valley completely surrounded by hills. My enthusiasm knew no bounds. Immediately I wanted to test the acoustics," Reed continued. "I scaled a barbed wire fence, went up to the brow of a hill. Dad stood near a live oak in the center of the bowl-shaped area and we carried on a conversation. We rushed back to the Alliance with a glowing report." With the aid of C.E. Toberman, the Theatre Arts Alliance bought 59 acres in the area known as Daisy Dell. Christine Wetherill Stevenson and her friend Marie Rankin Clarke each contributed $21,000 toward the $47,500 purchase price, with the remaining funds donated by other Alliance members. Clarke each contributed $21,000 toward the $47,500 purchase price, with the remaining funds donated by other Alliance members. Differences of opinion regarding the project's purpose led to Mrs. Stevenson's departure and the group's reorganization in 1920 as the Community Park and Art Association after buying out Stevenson and Clarke. (Stevenson then bought property across the street from the Bowl and built the Pilgrimage Theater, now the John Anson Ford Theatre.) Two prominent businessmen, F.W. Blanchard (president) and C.E. Toberman (vice president), headed the new Association. However, it was the organization's secretary, Mrs. Artie Mason Carter, who was most active in promoting the project to the community, raising money, and developing the plans for a series of symphonic concerts. In fact, the permanent relationship between Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic began when the orchestra's founder, William Andrews Clark, Jr., agreed to Mrs. Carter's request that he donate the orchestra's services for the 1921 Easter Sunrise Service. Mrs. Carter is sometimes referred to as the "mother of the Bowl." In anticipation of an actual concert season, physical improvements were made in the bowl. The brush was cleared and some rough grading was done to the amphitheater. Long wooden benches were installed. In August 1921, the first concert got underway, with Professor Antonio Sarsi conducting the Los Angeles Muncipal Symphonic Band. They were a hit. To view the largest collection of the Hollywood Bowl is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are hundreds of photos and all are available for purchase.

POVERTY ROW & GOWER GULCH

2012-07-12T17:30:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** POVERTY ROW & GOWER GULCH By the mid-Twenties, scores of small independent studios were operating in Hollywood, primariiy on Sunset Boulevard near Gower Street. These studios struggled to exist by making one and two reel comedies, westerns and dramas. Because of the fierce competition, uncertainty of having their films distributed, and the difficulty of making a profit, the small stuclios went out of businaas as quickly as they were conceived. The high mortality" rate of the independent studios caused this area of Hollywood to become known as 'Poverty Row". During the same period, many extras and "movie cowboys" could be seen standing near the corner of Sunset and Gower awaiting casting calls to appear in early western films being ground out daily by the many small production companies. To the residents of Hollywood, this area was popularly called "Gower Gulch". Some of the "Poverty Row." and "Gower Gulch" production companies which have long since passed into obliviion were Loftus Features, Sterling Motion Picture Company, L-Ko Motion PIcture Company, Quality Pictures Corporation, Faults, Waldorf Productions, Frances Ford Studio, Century Film Company, Wilnat Studios, Wade Productions, California Studios, Bischoff Comedies, Choice Pro-ductions, Snub-Pollard Productions, Goodwill Studios and Chadwick Pictures Company. By the mid-1920s, most of the Poverty Row studios were having a hard time staying in business. Either they couldn’t compete with the larger studios or they couldn’t get their films distributed. These small film production companies had a very limited budget and just didn’t have the staying power. Most made a few films but when they couldn’t find a distributor, they went out of business. Once “talkies” came to the screen, the cost of the new equipment was very expensive and most of the small film companies could not afford to spent the money on the neew technology. By the 1930s, almost all of the independent film companies had gone out of business. The only studio that existed on “Poverty Row” was Columbia Studios .The largest collection of photos of Poverty Row and Gower Gulch are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photgraphs are available for purchase.

Hollywood Guild and Canteen

2012-07-12T02:47:00-07:00

**Click Here To View Photos** Hollywood Guild and Canteen On week-ends, during WWII, the soldiers outnumbered civilians ten to one on the streets of Hollywood. At first they had to sleep in parks or in the aisles and lobbies of theaters. But once aware of the uncomfortable overcrowding, Hollywood unfurled its hospitality. Dormitories and auditoriums in schools and churches were made available to them, and private home owners offered bedrooms. California’s theater owners collected $190.000 from audiences in the “Bed For Buddies” campaign to match what the state of California contributed. For soldiers on Hollywood furlough, “Mom” Lehr’s Hollywood Guild and Canteen, at 1284 N. Crescent Heights Boulevard, was considered home. To thousands from all the allied nations, who needed a place to stay, “Mom’s” was the nearest berth to heaven. On an average, 800 stayed there each night, with as many as 1,200 on the week-ends. Lehr’s canteen offered clean comfortable beds, three square meals a day, and the privilege of coming and going as one pleased. There was no time limit either. And if hunger struck at early hours of the morning, the icebox and kitchen facility were always available. Anne Lehr was in charge of a small charity organization when she decided to help servicemen. She had cared for Hollywood’s broken-down-stuntmen, the unemployed and the underfed extras of the entertainment industry. But when Hawaii was attacked, she shifted focus. Many of her guest took jobs in war plants, leaving her nearly alone in the former mansion of silent screen star, Dustin Farnum, who played in "The Squaw Man". The outgoing humanitarian noticed servicemen walking Hollywood streets at night, sleeping on benches, in doorways or in parked cars. Neither the USO nor any of the canteens that offered a good time were designed to serve as temporary hostelries for the often indigent soldiers. Lehr decided to turn her sanctuary into a free hotel for the fighters of fascism. She and a small group of helpers foraged for thirty five beds, and on May 15, 1942, The Hollywood Guild and Canteen opened to an “empty” house. “Mom” had been so preoccupied arranging a home for her future adoptees that she had neglected to publicize her offer. Several of her assistants, in despair at the emptiness of eh guild, drove down Hollywood Blvd.. collecting servicemen. At first, some soldiers were skeptical, “What’s the catch, lady,” some asked. Some took a chance and consented to come along. About fifty ended up at the guild the first night and devoured a turkey dinner. After a sound night’s sleep and a hardy breakfast, they left happy. The word spread quickly and soon soldiers began appearing at the front door voluntarily. The Hollywood Guild and Canteen became known as “Mom’s,” and acquired a reputation everwhere in the world the soldiers traveled. Besides the main house, new structures were built and nearby buildings were used. Soon, there were hundreds of beds, with more located in an abandoned market a block away. A private house in the next block was home to another 100 servicemen. The Hollywood Guild and Canteen was governed by a board consisting of Hollywood stars: Mary Pickford, Janet Gaynor, and Myrna Loy. But direction came from Anne Lehr. She arrived to work at 6 PM and stayed until early the next morning. Lehr eventually had 1000 women helpers; they cleaned, washed dishes, made the beds, waited tables and danced with the servicemen. Such an operation was expensive and could not last without financial aid. The Hollywood Reporter”, carried an editorial by its owner, W.R. Wilkerson, praising “Mom’s” as the best effort Hollywood had contributed to the war. In it, he appealed to the movie studios to save the Guild. Hedda Hopper, Louella Parsons, and their established Hollywood celebrities echoed his plea. Nils Thor Granland took nightly collections at his Florentine Gardens nightclub, amounting to about $1,000 weekly. Beryl Wallace did the same at the Earl Carroll Nightclub. The famous Hollywood Canteen contributed $52,000 annually. The major studios added another $40,000 and the smaller ones contributed $50,000. “Mom” Lehr didn’t stop helping servicemen after the war. She worked with rehabilitation programs, and many ex-servicemen still called the Hollywood Guild and Canteen home while attending school under the GI Bill of Rights. Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see photos of the Hollywood Guild and Canteen.

Hollywood and The Great Depression

2012-07-07T05:14:00-07:00

** Click Here to View Photos ** Hollywood and The Great Depression Hollywood was having a wonderful time and doing terrific business when the stock market crashed in October, 1929. A place like Hollywood, with huge sums of capital were on the line in projects such as subdivisions, new stores, and studio expansion, was his especially hard by the collapse of the big-money superstructure. Banks failed; the President of the Guaranty Building and Loan Association confessed to the embezzlement of $8 million of the bank’s assets. Hundreds of bank depositors, large and small, were wiped out. Foreclosures were common, and many people lost their homes and businesses. At the time of the crash, the motion picture was still reeling from the advent of “sound.” Large studios, led by warner Bros., rushed to develop sound stages, recording equipment, and other technology for the new age of filmmaking. New technicians, musicians, and manual laborers had to be hired. All of this required enormous amounts of capital outlay. The conversion to sound also took an emotional toll on the industry. Many Hollywood screen stars had come to Hollywood from abroad; I never occurred to anyone hat their English was heavily accented until talkies came in. Others, even less fortunate, were discovered to have speaking voices completely inappropriate for the roles they had playing in silent films. Stage actors flocked to Hollywood as a result, and voice coaches, who seemed to come out of the woodwork by the dozens, were the most lionized citizens in Hollywood. Not only did diction coaches thrive during the first depression years in Hollywood, but Max Factor, a Russian immigrant who pioneered screen makeup, was supplying women throughout the world with the latest beauty products by 1930. In 1935, he opened the Max Factor Hollywood Makeup Studio, which included a laboratory, research department, and a manufacturing plant in a gem like building on Highland Ave. The building was originally built by Charles E. Toberman and called the Hollywood Fireproof Storage Building. The makeup studio soon became the meeting place for many of Hollywood’s loveliest stars – including Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth and Mona Freeman. During the Thirties, the movies were shaken by the world’s financial woes, but hardly toppled. The were too ingrained into America’s entertainment habits to be deserted; in the darkest days of the depression, they brought too much sunshine to be ignored. Thouisands of great Hollywood photos can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

The Hollywood Canteen Book Available to Purchase

2012-07-04T17:03:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** The Hollywood Canteen Book – a review by Martin Grams Jr. The Hollywood Canteen was the jewel in the crown of World War II Hollywood. From 1942 to 1945, over three million servicemen came through its doors on their way to fight in the Pacific — some never to return. There, in a converted barn in the heart of Hollywood, soldiers were fed, entertained by and danced with some of the biggest stars in the world. The Canteen was free to all servicemen or women, regardless of race, inviting them to jive to the music of Kay Kyser and Harry James, laugh at Bob Hope’s jokes, be handed sandwiches by Rita Hayworth, or dance with Hedy Lamarr. Knowing they were so appreciated, the soldiers were armed with the kinds of hope and encouragement that would help them win a war. Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence co-wrote a book about this tremendous morale booster, titled appropriately, The Hollywood Canteen: Where the Greatest Generation Danced with the Most Beautiful Girls in the World. When Bear Manor Media sent me a box of books, with the request of doing a book review, this one caught my eye and I quickly took it with me to the beach as recreational reading. I devoured every page in two days (a feat easily accomplished with any book this size when you have 14 hours each day to read and relax). Here, Mitchell and Torrence did not disappoint my expectations and they cover every aspect you could conceive about the Hollywood play land. The book documents all business meetings of order, the policies every volunteer had to adhere to (including the avoidance of meeting the soldiers off hours), and a major struggle with the Hollywood Victory Committee whose purpose was to provide a way for actors and actresses to contribute to the war effort through bond drives and various venues to boost the morale of the troops, waiving established union rules regarding usual compensations and procedures. Bette Davis was granted permission to call actors and actresses directly instead of having to put each request through the Committee. Months after the Canteen was established, Davis was summoned to a meeting of the Victory Committee where she was told that the Canteen could no longer call celebrities directly. She explained the minutes of the meeting that granted her permission and the necessary reason why last-minute phone calls were often necessary to fill a void in the Canteen, but the Committee lost the minutes of that meeting. With no other option than to shut the Canteen down, Davis boldly threatened to shut down the Canteen, advise the 42 guilds and unions who were part of the founding of the Canteen, and send a statement to the press if their minds were not made up “by tomorrow morning.” As only Bette Davis could, she turned and left the room. Everyone on the Committee knew that the mighty Bette Davis meant business. At six o’clock the next morning, Davis received a call telling her that the Committee, which had met all night, agreed to let the Canteen continue calling stars directly. What the celebrities did for the soldiers, including performances and autographs, is beyond description within a minor review such as this. But chapter after chapter there are stories of Marlene Dietrich kissing all the soldiers on V-J Day, Paulette Goddard dancing on the floor, Eddie Cantor dressing up as Santa Claus on Christmas… even the radio broadcasts are covered (including photos of Bob Hope and Orson Welles before the radio microphone). The best part of the book comes from the photo collection of Bruce Torrence (hollywoodphotographs.com). Letters and Certificates of Appreciation from Bette Davis are reprinted. Construction of the Canteen, photos of soldiers lining up outside, celebrities having fun entertaining the troops, celebrities in the kitchen… so many photos they take up half the book. Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Paulette Goddard, Hedy Lamarr, Linda Darnell, Mickey Rooney, Danny Kaye, Irene Dunne, Olivia de Havilland, S.Z. Sakall, Sydney Greenstreet, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, Deanna Durbin, Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Kay Kyser, Leopold Stokowski, Spencer Tracy, Ann Miller, Ronald Colman, Joan Leslie,Herbert Marshall, Basil Rathbone, Roddy McDowell, Jane Russell, Faye Emerson, Red Skelton, The Quiz Kids, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Tommy Dorsey, Merle Oberson, Dinah Shore, Claudette Colbert, Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford, The Andrews Sisters, Rudy Vallee, Bob Hope… it is virtually a who’s who among Hollywood in candid photos (no publicity shots here). It’s fascinating to learn that Basil Rathbone’s wife was a volunteer for almost every day the Canteen was in operation. A Hall of Fame wall with Clark Gable’s picture in military uniform recognized his service overseas. Even Bob Hope’s monologue promoting the Hollywood Canteen, from his October 13, 1942, radio broadcast, just ten days before the Canteen opened, is reprinted. If you love old Hollywood movies, the history of WWII, or find the subject matter interesting, this is a book I highly recommend. You will not be disappointed. Thanks to authors Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence, a missing gap in both the history of Hollywood and WWII has been filled. I only wish a lot more books were published like this.

History of Runyon Canyon & The Pines

2012-07-03T13:05:00-07:00

** CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS** History of Runyon Canyon/The Pines In 1867, "Greek George" Caralambo, received the 160-acre parcel by federal patent in appreciation for his service in the army camel corp. Allen became famous by association when the banditTiburci Vasquez was captured while hiding out at his home in 1874. Alfredo Solano, a prominent civil engineer and one of the founders of the LA Athletic Club, purchased the canyon a year after Vasquez was hanged. Solano owned the canyon before his widow, Ella Brooks Solano, sold the majority of the land to Carman Runyon in 1919. Runyon, having recently retired from a successful coal business came out with his new bride to enjoy the California climate. The marriage failed and Runyon moved to Hollywood where he met and married his new wife. The new Mrs. Runyon was an accomplished horsewoman and the Runyons purchased the canyon to use for riding and hunting. They built a small bungalow near the Fuller Avenue entrance. Runyon named the canyon before he sold the estate in 1930 to John McCormack, a famous tenor. McCormack fell in love with the estate while filming a movie there in 1929. The film was an early "talkie" and McCormack's salary for the picture went to purchase the property and he build the mansion he called "San Patrizio", after Saint Patrick. He and his wife lived in the mansion until they returned to England in 1938. Remains of terraced gardens and buildings can still be seen above the entrance to The Pines. McCormack toured frequently and in his absence the mansion was often rented out to such celebrities. The McCormacks made many friends in Hollywood, among them was Charles E. Toberman, janet Gaynor and John Barrymore. After his farewell tour of America in 1937, the McCormacks deeded the estate back to Carman Runyon, expecting to return at a later date. World War II intervened, however, and, McCormack's health was broken by a wartime concert tour. McCormack died in 1945. Huntington Hartford, heir to the A&P Grocery fortune and patron of the arts, purchased the property in 1942, moving into the mansion and renaming the estate "The Pines". He commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd Wright to draft plans for developing the estate. These included a "cottage hotel" lower canyon and a futuristic "play resort" country club on the ridge. When neighborhood opposition to the design put the project on hold, Hartford had Lloyd Wright design and build a pool pavilion. Plans were later proposed for galleries in the canyon, but after 1955, Hartford began to spend more time in New York. In the 1940s, Hartford wrote an adaptation of "Jane Eyre" called "Master of Thornfield," which ran for two weeks in Cincinnati and starred Errol Flynn as Mr. Rochester. This partnership led to Flynn staying in the pool-house briefly in 1957-58, and is the origin of a legend that "The Pines" was Flynn's estate. In 1964, Hartford offered the property as a gift to the city, but this was turned down. Hartford was so angry that he sold the property at a low price to Jules Berman, who then destroyed the mansion and let the place run down." After purchasing the canyon, he razed Son Patrizio and the guest houses to avoid paying taxes on the deteriorating structures. His "Huntington Hartford Estates" development, traded on the name of its famous former owner. The project was stopped in 1978 before building could begin. The Lloyd Wright pool-house remained standing until 1972 when a fire in the canyon destroyed all but its natural stone foundations. Runyon Canyon Park was purchased in 1984 from its last private owners, Adad Development, for use as a city park. One of the largest photo collections of Runyon Canyon and The Pines is hollywoodphotographs.com.

Outpost Estates

2012-06-11T15:57:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** The Outpost Estates is one of Hollywood’s finest real estate developments. In 1927, Hollywood developer, Charles E. Toberman, purchased 325 acres rrom candy heiress, Myra Hershey for the development of the Outpost Estates. a few months later, he purchased ten and a half acres from film maker, Jesse Lasky for an enormous amount of $275,000. Once he acquired all the property, he embarked on a development program. He installed streets of concrete, very ornate street lights, underground utilities, concrete sidewalks and began grading lots to sell to waiting buyers. The lots were priced from $30,000 to $50,000. The architectural designs were limited to Spanish with sloped tile roofs. Flat roofs were prohibited and landscape had to meet certain architectural standards. Some of the famous residents that lived in the Outpost Estates included Delores Del Rio and Bela Lugosi. While Mr. Toberman, and his family lived near the Outpost Estates, he was a frequent visitor to his beloved development. When the depression of 1929 hit, construction of thesOutpost Estate slowed to a crawl, but didn’t stop completely. Beginning in the late 1930’s, with the economy getting better, more and more lots were purchased and new homes being built. On the northwest the corner of Outpost Drive and Franklin Ave. Mr. Toberman built a single story sales office from which lots and homes could be sold. Here, Mrs. Alleen Goodwin sold homes for many years. After she retired, Mr. Toberman sold the sales office and lot to abuyer who tore the old building ddown and built a single family dwelling. For the past few years the Outpost Estates has undergone a revival of new owners who have refurbished and remodelled scores of homes. A new Outpost Homeowners Associations has been established to bring the property owners together to seek solutions to common problems. Hollywoodphotographs.com has the largest collection of Outpost Estates images. Mr. Toberman passed away in November, 1981 at the age of 101 years old.

Sunset Boulevard Restaurants & Nightclubs # 1

2012-06-03T12:04:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** Sunset Boulevard Restaurants & Nightclubs # 1 Earl Carroll Theater Probably no other street in the United States had more famous and popular restaurants than Sunset Boulevard. Some were located in Hollywood but most were situated on that part of Sunset Blvd., known as the Sunset Strip. The Strip was that geographic area that is part of the County of Los Angeles. Surrounded by the City of Los Angeles, this area was popularly referred to as “The Strip” or the “Sunset Strip.” One of the very popular nightclubs was located on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. The Earl Carroll Theater was a wonderful nightclub that offered a lavish show, with some of Hollywood’s most beautiful women. It was Earl Carroll who adopted the slogan “Through the doors pass the most beautiful girls in the world”. The nightspot opened on December 26, 1938 and was an immediate success. The production, which emphasized the beauty of the partially clad female form, boasted a cast of sixty showgirls. The colossal theater and fabulous production operated for ten years but was cut short when Earl Carroll and his star, Beryl Wallace were killed in an airplane accident on June 17, 1948 Moulin Rouge Another famous nightclub on Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood was Frank Sennes’ Moulin Rouge. After Earl Carroll’s untimely death in 1948, the nightclub was operated by several owners. It was not until Frank Sennes took it over in 1953, that it again became the center of night-life gaiety in Hollywood. An extensive remodeling program was undertaken which included expanding the seating capacity to 1250 making the Moulin Rouge the largest theater-restaurant in the world. From the beginning, Sennes was dedicated to the policy of providing the finest stage entertainment available. During the seven years of its existence, the Moulin Rouge presented countless outstanding personalities such as Billy Daniels, Dennis Day, the Mills Bros., Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Ray and countless other famous entertainers. The success that the Moulin Rouge experienced was due, in part, to what Sennes called his “package deal”. For just $5.50, the customer received a complete, full course deluxe dinner, danced to a fine orchestra, and watched top entertainers perform. Beginning in 1955, he daytime television show, “Queen For A Day” was broadcast from the Moulin Rouge. By the late 1950s, Sennes found it increasingly difficult to attract top-name entertainers, because of his inability to compete with the high salaries paid by Las Vegas. In 1960, Sennes closed the Moulin Rouge and began producing shows in the gambling capital of he world. The theater underwent several name changes including the Aquarius Theater and the Long Horn and Kaleidoscope. All the images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for sale.

Popular Hollywood Images

2012-06-01T08:51:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** Popular Hollywood Images Some of the most popular Hollywood Images date back to the first fifteen years of the twentieth century. The include photos of Fields and orchards, old residences, Prospect Ave. (now Hollywood Blvd.) and hollywood studios. However, there are a great number of photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site that are not as popular as the Chinese Theater or Sunset Blvd. Some of these “not so popular” Hollywood images include churches, schools and hotels. One of the most glamorous hotels was the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Built in 1927, the twelve story hotel was located on the southwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Orange Dr. Built by C.E. Toberman, the hotel hosted the first Academy Awards, held in 1929 in the Blossom Room. Today, it is still very popular with visiting tourists. One of the first hotels in Hollywood was the Hollywood Hotel. First erected in 1903, the hotel underwent two additions, taking the room count to 125. It was built by George W. Hoover and then sold to Myra Hershey (of the Hershey chocolate fortune). I was Myra who made the last additions to the Hotel. She owned the hotel for many years and then sold to C.E. Toberman. The place was so popular that Louella Parsons broadcast her radio shows from the hotel. After more that fifty years of existence, the famous hotel was razed in 1956. Other not so popular Hollywood images are those of schools. Hollywood High School can certainly boast of graduation more Hollywood celebrities than any high school in the country. Some of those well known alumni include Carol Burnett, Edward Dmytryk, Judy Garland and Carole Lombard. The school opened its doors in September, 1903, in the Masonic Temple on Hollywood Blvd. The cornerstone for the first permanent building of the school was laid in November 1904 at the corner of Highland Ave. and Sunset Blvd. Today, it is still the primary high school in Hollywood. Hollywoodphotographs.com boasts of one of the largest collections of aerial photographs of Hollywood. With hundreds of aerial images, visitors to the web site can see what Hollywood looked like sixty, seventy and even eighty years ago. All the photographs were taken by Robert Spence who was one of the finest and most prolific aerial photographers. From the turn of the twentieth century, streetcars were the most popular mode of public transportation. Until the 1930s, there were no public buses. Everyone took the streetcars, commonly known in Hollywood as the Red Car. The power source of these street cars was electricity. Over the streets were high voltage electric cables that the streetcars would attach to, in order to develop power. Beginning in the 1950s, buses began to replace the streetcars and by the 1970, almost all the streetcars had vanished. To see great Hollywood images of hotels, streetcars, schools, and aerial, please visit Hollywoodphotographs.com.

Amazing Hollywood Walk of Fame Photographs

2012-05-22T06:33:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** The most amazing collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are almost 800 photographs of the famous ceremonies that take place in Hollywood every month. After the first eight stars were laid at the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave., in 1958, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place in 1960, near the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Gower St. Shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony, about 1700 brass stars were installed in the new terrazzo sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. and other side streets. After the initial 1700 plus stars were installed, several celebrities posed for photographs next to their brass star. Marguerite Chapman and Jayne Mansfield were two of those who posed by their stars. Beginning in the 1970s, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce began a campaign of honoring celebrities in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Since the original 1700 stars were laid, there have been more than seven hundred celebrities honored with the installation of their names in the walk of Fame. In 1978, James Caan and Bill Cosby were two that were honored in he Walk of Fame. The 1980s saw Larry Hagman, Joel Grey and Lorne Greene saw their names placed in the famous sidewalk. One of the most heavily attended Walk of Fame ceremony was for singer Michael Jackson. Hundreds of adoring fans watched as Michael saw his star unveiled. During the past ten years, or so, scores of celebrities have been honored by being inducted into the terrazzo sidewalk. Jane Seymour, Leslie Caron and Kiss are but a few of the celebrities whose Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs are in the hollywoodphotographs.com. All the photo on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

Ciro’s Nightclub

2012-05-19T13:35:00-07:00

** Click Here To View Photos ** Unquestionably, one of the most popular and glamorous restaurants, sometimes called a nightclub, was Ciro’s, at 8433 Sunset Boulevard. After leaving the Cafe Trocadero, also on Sunset Blvd., W.R. Wilkerson opened Ciro’s nightclub. Ciro’s didn’t get off to a great start and folded after three years. Wilkerson went down the street and open LaRue’s Restaurant. Under new management, Ciro’s soon became one of the most famous Hollywood hotspots. Owner Herman Hover remodeled, turning the club into one of the largest and the most lavish. Soon, it became packed nightly, as audiences listened and watched Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Sophie Tucker, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee, Maurice Chevalier, and Liberace. Earth Kitt made her nightclub debut at the famous Ciro's. With the increasing popularity of the Las Vegas shows, Hollywood found it difficult to compete with the enormous salaries paid entertainers by the gambling capital of the world. After more than fifteen years of catering and hosting some of Hollywood’s greatest celebrities, Ciro’s went out of business in the late 1950s. The same circumstances had the same effect on may other nightclubs in Los Angeles. The Ciro’s location became Art Laboe’s nightclub for a few years and then was taken over by the Comedy Store. Today, the Comedy Store is a workshop type of nightclub for standup comedians. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to view Ciro’s, Art Laboe’s and Comedy Club photos.