noirish Los Angeles

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Olive Hill, outside Hollyhock House, 4800 Hollywood Blvd

t2 beat me to it. Thanks for the mystery photo CityBoyDoug.

[tovangar2]

Originally Posted by CityBoyDoug

Yes, too easy I guess.

Nah, one of my kids was born at Kaiser Sunset, on the southern slope of Olive hill. Unforgettable view:


google maps

[Blaster]

I recall seeing the Lava Lady when I lived around the corner from El Coyote back in the early 80's.

Another "character" in that vicinity in those days was a little man who wore a cap and an over-sized suit and was a compulsive walker. He literally walked every day, all day long, up and down the residential streets between Fairfax and La Brea, and always at a rapid clip. Because of the make-up of the neighborhood, he was nicknamed The Wandering Jew.

[VictorAtomic]

My Grandfather owned the building from around the early 70's as a Mexican bar and nightclub, El Leon de Oro. Unfortunately, the front of the building was horrendously redone due to a fire. The inside also was remodeled but the feel was closer to the Italian Ballroom that took over before him. My grandfather passed away in the mid 90s and my grandmother wanted nothing to do with the place so it was sold. Thank you to whoever posted the thread! Never knew the history before it was Pontrelli's ballroom. Our family also owns a great estate in South Pasadena which history is also not very well known.

Originally Posted by Flyingwedge

The Korbel Block is on the SW corner of East 1st Street and State Street in Boyle Heights, just two blocks from the restored Cummings Block at East 1st and Boyle. As originally built, the Korbel Block had two stores downstairs plus Korbel Hall upstairs. The architect was E. B Daniels.


October 10, 1891 Los Angeles Times @ LAPL

John and Elizabeth Korbel settled in Boyle Heights in 1882 and opened a bakery in 1886. John obtained US Patents 616420 (1898) and 759618 (1904) for a doughnut frying apperatus. The Korbel Bakery at 1868 E. 1st Street occupied one of the two stores downstairs in the Korbel Block.

Korbel Hall formally opened on December 31, 1891, with 600 people attending New Years Eve festivities. Korbel Hall was used for many meetings and community events over the years. On January 3, 1927, 400 people attended John and Elizabeth Korbel's 50th wedding anniversary there:

Beautiful Highlands of Los Angeles (1900) @ HathiTrust -- http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?i...iew=1up;seq=18

The outside of the Korbel Block; State Street is on the left, and 1st Street is on the right:

Beautiful Highlands of Los Angeles (1900) @ HathiTrust -- http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?i...iew=1up;seq=18

Here's the State Street side in May 2014. The arches on the top story of the Korbel Block seem to match up with the old photo, but the arches on the ground floor don't. It's disappointing to see the building in this condition, but wait until you see the 1st Street side:

GSV

Ack!

June 2014 GSV

John Korbel died in June 1931 and Elizabeth in March 1937. Their building may have lost its character in 1950, the year LA County gives as the Korbel Block's effective build date (it gives no original build date).

# # #

P.S. Great job finding the photo of 403 S. Mariposa, GW!

[Godzilla]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Her real name was Suzan Strauss. She was born to an Orthodox Jewish family & in accordance with custom, she always wore hats or wigs to cover her hair.

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Ms. Strauss's directory listing had a slightly different spelling, Ray Susan. I don't think her attire and hair style was religion-based, anymore than were the platform shoes she favored. For whatever reason, she clearly was stretching for height and individual expression. IIRC, she occasionally served as a precinct worker at her neighborhood polling place.

Originally Posted by Blaster

I recall seeing the Lava Lady when I lived around the corner from El Coyote back in the early 80's.

Another "character" in that vicinity in those days was a little man who wore a cap and an over-sized suit and was a compulsive walker. He literally walked every day, all day long, up and down the residential streets between Fairfax and La Brea, and always at a rapid clip. Because of the make-up of the neighborhood, he was nicknamed The Wandering Jew.

Although I don't know your old neighborhood that well - I can think of at least two people that might fit your description - almost.

The first was a small actor named Angelo Rossitto. I think Angelo lived in or near that neighborhood. Angelo had a colorful career in the business that had him working with countless cinema legends. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0744441/ He often traveled with a suitcase fitted with wheels. Although he did his fair share of walking, I can't picture him walking the streets for exercise everyday. But he certainly got around.



http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/...1407?s=594x594



Another person that might fit your description - almost - is Billy Barty. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000863/ I don't believe he lived in the area but he frequented nearby offices and stores - often on foot. On the street he was always nattily attired.


http://www.trbimg.com/img-5673a38c/t...51218-html/600


http://jpg1.lapl.org/00122/00122782.jpg

[Flyingwedge]

Originally Posted by VictorAtomic

My Grandfather owned the building from around the early 70's as a Mexican bar and nightclub, El Leon de Oro. Unfortunately, the front of the building was horrendously redone due to a fire. The inside also was remodeled but the feel was closer to the Italian Ballroom that took over before him. My grandfather passed away in the mid 90s and my grandmother wanted nothing to do with the place so it was sold. Thank you to whoever posted the thread! Never knew the history before it was Pontrelli's ballroom. Our family also owns a great estate in South Pasadena which history is also not very well known.

Thank you for the additional information on the Korbel Block, VA. Do you know when the fire was? I hope no one was hurt.

[ethereal_reality]

Edward's Huntington Cinema, Huntington Beach CA [1,000 seats]

It opened on Christmas Day, 1964.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...93e2e231f4.jpg

If I'm not mistaken, the 'Huntington' portion of the sign was saved, and ended up on the gymnasium at Huntington Beach High School.


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[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

'mystery' glossy

This 8 x 10 photograph is currently on ebay (you can buy it now for $49.99)

Any idea what movie this is from? -that's Betty Grable in black on the right.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-COLLECT...sAAOSwCGVX~~ds

I know movies, but this doesn't ring a bell at all.

I finally figured out what movie the above 8 x 10 is from.


'Man About Town' [1939]

I recognized Betty's black outfit.


ebay


for search purposes: Jack Benny - Dorothy Lamour - Edward Arnold - Binnie Barnes - Phil Harris - Eddie Anderson - Betty Grable

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[Flyingwedge]

This is a 1980 Julius Shulman photo of Engine Co. No. 28 at 644 S. Figueroa, a fire station from 1913-1969. The building, designed
by John Krempel and Walter Erkes, is still standing and in use:



Library of Congress


This early 1920s photo looks east on Orange (renamed Wilshire in 1924) at Figueroa. You can see Engine Co. No. 28 just right
of center, behind the corner of the Arnold Essex dealership built on the site of the Foy Family home just a couple years earlier.
Please note the distinctive cupola in the lower left corner:



gpf.5341 @ Seaver Center


In this c. 1890 photo, we see that same cupola again, which belongs to 927 Orange Street. To the left is 937; in between
in the distance is a bit of the Bellevue Terrace Hotel on the NW corner of 6th and Pearl Street (later renamed Figueroa).
On the lot just to the left/west of 937, the Rex Arms will be built in 1912:



California State Library (William Henry Fletcher Collection, "House, View 3 of 39")


Here are 927 and 937 Orange Street on the 1894 Sanborn Map (the area isn't on the 1888 map):



Proquest via LAPL


I first found 927 Orange Street as 27 Orange in the 1886-87 LA City Directory, occupied by William McCartney, who last
appears in the 1890 CD. The 1891 CD shows the home occupied by Mrs. Nora McCartney (widow) and David McCartney,
presumably their son. Nora and David are still at 927 Orange in the 1905 CD but moved after that; at some point they
acquired ownership of the site of the former Chutes Park:



1886-87 CD @ LAPL


The first occupant of 937 Orange that I found was Warren W. Parlin (at 31 Orange) in the 1883-84 Atwood LACD. His last
listing at 937 Orange is in the 1899 LACD, although there is a Mrs. Nancy P. Parlin at that address in the 1901 CD:



1883-84 CD @ LAPL


The demo permit for 937 Orange is dated April 30, 1913. The demo permit for 927 Orange is dated May 14, 1925.
You can see a little of 927 Orange in the lower right corner of this early Rex Arms photo:

Originally Posted by Flyingwedge

USCDL -- http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/re...coll65/id/2608 (previously posted by er)

[unihikid]

Originally Posted by Godzilla

You are warm. You are referring to an individual who has received numerous labels, perhaps the most used was "The Lava Lady." She delighted in maintaining her independence surrounded by an aire of mystery. Unlike General Hershy Bar*, She promoted no specific cause other than art. She reportedly died last year in Florida at 86. Read more about her here:
https://superradnow.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/the-lava-lady
http://la.curbed.com/2006/6/1/106054...lings-bumbl-37
http://worldofwonder.net/rip-suzan-s...lington-witch/

Her former home has been remodeled. A sales ad seems to capitalize on the former owner with this description:
https://superradnow.files.wordpress..../lavalady1.jpg



https://superradnow.files.wordpress..../lavalady4.jpg


https://superradnow.files.wordpress..../lavalady6.jpg


RIP
http://static4.worldofwonder.net/wp-...25130c57_b.jpg



*Also mentioned on NLA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Hershy_Bar
http://www.altmanphoto.com/Waste.Hershey.fr.jpeg

https://theotherbrother.files.wordpr...hersheybar.jpg

i remember her very well, she use to walk around farmers market at 3rd and labrea. every now and then you might see her near Carthay Circle or the Beverly Center but i remember her very well.

[HossC]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Edward's Huntington Cinema, Huntington Beach CA [1,000 seats]

It opened on Christmas Day, 1964.


https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...93e2e231f4.jpg

If I'm not mistaken, the 'Huntington' portion of the sign was saved, and ended up on the gymnasium at Huntington Beach High School.

The old Edwards Huntington Cinema building at 18543 Main Street, Huntington Beach was still quite recognizable until a couple of years ago (below left). However, the recent makeover that the building has received makes the original details harder to spot (below right).


GSV

Here's the cinema sign on the Huntington Beach High School Gym.


Google Maps

A closer look.


www.hbuhsd.edu

[John Maddox Roberts]

I believe those Rodin heads in the Lava Lady's house are studies for his monumental "The 6 Burghers of Calais" sculpture group. Rodin made extensive use of full-sized bronze studies before casting the final sculpture, and he used a process that didn't require destruction of the original mold, which is why there are multiple copies of many of his most famous works. There is a copy of the "Burghers"in the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.

[BifRayRock]

Since 1928 !

Harvey's Cleaners, 7228 Sunset Blvd. opposite Ralphs.

GoogleSVU


Google SVU


Mid '30s
LIFE


Mid '30s
LIFE





Ralphs
GoogleSVU

[Blaster]

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Ms. Strauss's directory listing had a slightly different spelling, Ray Susan. I don't think her attire and hair style was religion-based, anymore than were the platform shoes she favored. For whatever reason, she clearly was stretching for height and individual expression. IIRC, she occasionally served as a precinct worker at her neighborhood polling place.






Although I don't know your old neighborhood that well - I can think of at least two people that might fit your description - almost.

The first was a small actor named Angelo Rossitto. I think Angelo lived in or near that neighborhood. Angelo had a colorful career in the business that had him working with countless cinema legends. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0744441/ He often traveled with a suitcase fitted with wheels. Although he did his fair share of walking, I can't picture him walking the streets for exercise everyday. But he certainly got around.



http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/...1407?s=594x594



Another person that might fit your description - almost - is Billy Barty. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000863/ I don't believe he lived in the area but he frequented nearby offices and stores - often on foot. On the street he was always nattily attired.


http://www.trbimg.com/img-5673a38c/t...51218-html/600


http://jpg1.lapl.org/00122/00122782.jpg

No, the little walking man was neither Angelo nor Billy Barty. He was much taller, maybe five-two or three. So perhaps "little" was the wrong word to describe him since "little people" has a different meaning today.

I never saw Billy Barty in that neighborhood but I saw Angelo in the crosswalk at Third and Labrea. I stopped for a red light. He was waiting on the curb and when he walked in front of my car, he completely disappeared from view!

[Bristolian]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Excellent sleuthing Lorendoc and HossC!

Any ideas about that puzzling neon sign on the side of the building?



My guess is that it's advertising a certain brand of paint (or some other product)

Is the first and last character a symbol of some sort? (with A. S. O. in the middle) -I guess could could also be R. S. O.


__

MASON? A Masonic hall or temple?

[BifRayRock]

Murray's (306 S. Main Street ?) Down the street from the Hotel Barclay?


Undated and without description. Mid '30s ?
LIFE http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/45b1801188843c1c_large




E. Broox Randall & Sons, Insurance purveyor. Exact location of this signage unk., but 33% of getting it right in '38!

LIFE

1938 CD


And on the subject of signage, get your tickets for the Echo Rock Observatory early!
LIFE

[odinthor]

Originally Posted by Blaster

[...]

Another "character" in that vicinity in those days was a little man who wore a cap and an over-sized suit and was a compulsive walker. He literally walked every day, all day long, up and down the residential streets between Fairfax and La Brea, and always at a rapid clip. Because of the make-up of the neighborhood, he was nicknamed The Wandering Jew.

I'm certain that I read a human interest story in the L.A. Times about this person quite a long time ago; and I think a local TV news show did a bit on him too. So far my searches have come up dry ; but ... we'll see ...

[BifRayRock]

Originally Posted by HossC

The view looking north is dominated by the Hollywood First National Bank building.



Here's a close-up of the Max Factor building on the right. Chuckaluck posted a similar 1939 image in post #17987.



All from Getty Research Institute

The old bank building is still standing, but has been transformed into Ripley's Believe It or Not.


GSV

Here's my attempt to recreate the third Shulman image with GSV. Considering the changes that have taken place on the northwest corner of Hollywood/Highland, this view still has a lot of the buildings from 1952. On the right, the old Max Factor building is now the Hollywood Museum.


GSV

1660 Highland Ave. An elegant facade made unnecessarily less so.
Google SVU



The way things were.

A resplendent Max Factor in front of his Make Up Studio (Mid '30s)
LIFE



LIFEhttp://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/215316494ad4ea5b_large



GoogleSVU

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by HossC

Here's the cinema sign on the Huntington Beach High School Gym.


www.hbuhsd.edu

Thanks for locating the Huntington sign Hoss.


This photograph of the 1964 Huntington Cinema includes the unique stand-alone marquee that doubled as a decorative 'tower'.


http://occinema.com/wp-content/uploa...huntington.jpg

In my opinion the marquee doesn't seem all that practical. You wouldn't be able to read it until you were right in front of the theater.

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[ethereal_reality]

While we're in the Southland.

I happened upon this postcard of the mid-century Robinson's Department Store in Newport Beach.


ebay

The string(s) of vertical lights seems excessive. (they are lights aren't they?)
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