noirish Los Angeles

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by HossC

This circa 1932 shot of a "Birdseye view of the Santa Monica shoreline north from Castellammare Drive" shows the Villa Leon in the distance.


USC Digital Library

The intact semi-circular wall is visible in this close-up, but there's no sign of "waterways with miniature boats".


Detail of picture above.

Thanks for this Hoss. By no stretch of the imagination can I visualize "waterways with miniature boats" anywhere on that property.
__






That said, I remember discussing this garage with the circular room on top quite some time ago on NLA.

from the lower right corner of the usc photograph


Does anyone remember this? I believe a photo of the interior of the circular room was posted. (by me, maybe )

__

[ethereal_reality]

Wig-Wag, here's another 'mystery'.

What's up with this gold engine? Unless I'm mistaken, Santa Fe locomotives were usually red and yellow.


Los Angeles [no date]

eBay

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by HossC

Here's a great close-up of St. Vincent's dome.

Wow. I've never seen a close-up of the dome before Hoss.



Your post inspired me to do some googling, and I found this color image.


http://www.buildingconservation.com/...d-masonry.html
__

[HossC]

Thanks for the color picture of St Vincent's dome, e_r.


---------------


The Gerry Building at 910 S Los Angeles Street has been seen before on NLA, but not for a while. Check out post #6102, post #6112 by e_r and post #11544 by tovangar2. This is how Julius Shulman saw it in 1947. It's "Job 52: Maurice Fleishman, Gerry Building (Los Angeles, Calif.), 1947".





Both from Getty Research Institute

Here's another more recent image.


GSV

[Wig-Wag]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Wig-Wag, here's another 'mystery'.

What's up with this gold engine? Unless I'm mistaken, Santa Fe engines were always red and yellow.


Los Angeles [no date]

eBay

ER, this was a short lived 1960 paint scheme promoting GEs "Golden Values" appliance campaign in Southern California. The locomotive, along with a gold baggage car and three gold coaches ran between Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fullerton and San Diego.

In 1964 Santa Fe painted preserved 2-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1010, one of several used on Death Valley Scotty's famous LA to Chicago speed run in bright red paint to promote GE's "Red Hot Train of Values" appliance promotion.

The photo was taken at Santa Fe's Redondo Junction roundhouse in LA. Note the top of a gasometer in the right background.

Cheers,
Jack

[srk1941]

Such a wonderful place! Tommy Tomson did the landscape, and Paul Laszlo created the interiors...

Originally Posted by HossC

Today's Julius Shulman post contains pictures from two photosets. Both show the McCulloch Motors building in the late 1950s, so I thought it made sense to combine them. The address is given in this quote about McCulloch Motors from Chain Saw Collectors Corner.

Founded by Robert Paxton McCulloch in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1943. Originally manufactured superchargers and two-cycle drone aircraft engines for military use during WWII. Moved to Los Angeles, Calfiornia [sic] January 2, 1946. Located at 6101 West Century Boulevard, across from what was then known as Mines field, later to become Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) When McCulloch purchased the 15 acre property to build his Chain Saw factory it had been a bean field.

Here are most of the photos from "Job 2551: McCulloch Motor Corporation (Los Angeles, Calif.), 1958" and "Job 2505: McCulloch Motor Corporation, Office and Showroom (Los Angeles, Calif.), 1957".





Is that an airplane motor and propeller on the wall? Across the street is a building belonging to Western Air Lines.



Here's reverse view of the shot above.



I assume that this is the view from the window above the entrance. In the distance are some planes at the airport.



Fancy some color? Here's the same view with the lights on.



I love this desk, especially the "Classified" drawer, although those telephone dials aren't very ergonomically designed.



I'll finish the Shulman pictures with this color shot of the chainsaws that the compamy was known for.



All from Getty Research Institute and Getty Research Institute

I think this wider shot of the building is from a little earlier. It shows the factory behind.


USC Digital Library

Looking through the building permits, it appears that the McCulloch building was replaced in 1979. Here's the Sheraton Hotel which stands on the site today.


GSV

The Western Air Lines building has either gone or been radically altered (the current building has a similar footprint, although it's much lower), but the smaller building in front of it survives. Historic Aerials shows that it was extended to its present size sometime between 1963 and 1972.


GSV

I'll conclude with this advert from the November 1949 issue of "Popular Science". McCulloch now survives as a brand within the Swedish Husqvarna Group.


books.google.com

[ethereal_reality]

Have we seen a folder/photo from the Gay Way on NLA before?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940S-GAY-WA...cAAOSwNyFWgo0s

Gay Way 514 S. Main Street, Los Angeles



Bartender/waitress with an exposed midriff.






I believe 514 S. Main places it in the old Leonide Hotel.


gsv

__

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by Fab Fifties Fan

Somewhere in downtown Los Angeles there was...


Exterior view of the Gayway Club. A tall neon sign with the word "Cocktails" hangs above the entrance to the club which also offers 2 bands, and dancing. Sign on the right reads, "Service men welcome." Photo dated: 1948.

So many one-liners coursing through my brain, I'll fix a hi-ball instead...

LAPL

After this incarnation it became the Galway Theatre. A history of this space
with other photos and "a few stories of crime and trouble at the Gayway"
can be found HERE.

There's a link on that page to a Beaudry post on NLA detailing some screenshots of a film shot there as well:

http://www.skyscraperpage.com/forum/...ostcount=29000

[HossC]

This is the picture of the Gayway that's missing from Fab Fifties Fan's post.


LAPL

[HossC]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

That said, I remember discussing this garage with the circular room on top quite some time ago on NLA.

from the lower right corner of the usc photograph


Does anyone remember this? I believe a photo of the interior of the circular room was posted. (by me, maybe )

It's the garage of Castillo del Mar where Thelma Todd died. Here's the interior picture, one of many from your post #23923:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2014/0...lo_del_mar.php

Here's the garage today.


GSV


A few other posts about Thelma Todd:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=1094

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=1095

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=9811

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=23924

[ethereal_reality]

I can't believe I forgot this is the garage where they found Thelma Todd dead. It rang a bell, but not that bell. I'm a bit red-faced.
__



These snapshots were taken three months before her death.

Thelma Todd and friend, Inez Courtney, in front of unidentified building.*


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/512214157599589542/



below: Inez Courtney (actress), Lee Heidorn and Thelma Todd.


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/512214157599589545/


*After a little more googling, I found out the building is the Russian Eagle Gardens on Sunset(?)
The story of the lunch is here:
http://benny-drinnon.blogspot.com/20...e-heidorn.html


detail

I might have posted these photos before / if so, they're worth a second look.

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by Wig-Wag

ER, this was a short lived 1960 paint scheme promoting GEs "Golden Values" promotion campaign in Southern California. The locomotive, along with a gold baggage car and three gold coaches ran between Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fullerton and San Diego.

In 1964 Santa Fe painted preserved 2-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1010, one of several used on Death Valley Scotty's famous LA to Chicago speed run in bright red paint to promote GE's "Red Hot Train of Values" appliance promotion.

The photo was taken at Santa Fe's Redondo Junction roundhouse in LA. Note the top of a gasometer in the right background.

Cheers,
Jack

Thanks for the information Wig-Wag. I appreciate it.

While double-checking the color scheme of Santa Fe locomotives, I happened across this fun photograph taken in Barstow.

[around 1953-1955]

Raymond Doss at http://www.railpictures.net/photo/207883/

It's gonna take awhile for that lil' cowboy to grow out of those jeans.
__

[Wig-Wag]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Thanks for the information Wig-Wag. I appreciate it.

While double-checking the color scheme of Santa Fe locomotives, I happened across this fun photograph taken in Barstow.

__

Thanks, ER. What a great photo. The little tyke makes it a period classic!

Locomotive set looks to be newly delivered from GM's Electromotive Division! BTW, this is the passenger color scheme. Mainline freight locomotives of the period were pained in a blue and yellow scheme, while switching locos were black with silver stripes.

Cheers,
Jack

[ethereal_reality]

Does anyone remember this post from a year ago?

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Pirate's Den, 335 N. La Brea, Hollywood.

This looks like a crazy place. (note Hitler, Tojo, & Il Duce in the Battle Gallery at lower left)


ebay

reverse / July 15, 1944


I could be wrong, but I don't believe we've seen an exterior view of 335 N. La Brea when it was the Pirate's Den.

Can we rectify that mateys?

_________________________________________________________________




As far as I can tell, we still haven't found a photograph of the exterior, but earlier today I found a treasure trove (pun intended ) of various movie stars
playing within it's piratey confines.

As mentioned on the back of the 1944 postcard, "where the swabs throw bottles at iron pirates" (see below)

I spy Dorothy Lamour and Rudy Vallee

eBay from seller http://www.abcdvdefg.com/




Fred MacMurray & Ray Milland take their turn

eBay from seller http://www.abcdvdefg.com/




"the wench get thrown in the brig."

eBay from seller http://www.abcdvdefg.com/





Dotty in the brig with Rudy.

eBay from seller http://www.abcdvdefg.com/




Dotty dancing, Gary Cooper pensive.

eBay from seller http://www.abcdvdefg.com/




Coop listening

eBay





"Cigars, Cigarettes, Tiparillos"

eBay





"And this is my AAA Motor Club card." Fred MacMurray, unknown woman and Ray Milland





Coop dancing with wife (?)

eBay





"What should we order?" Rudy Vallee, two pirates & unknown exotic looking lady

eBay





W.C. Fields about to be strung up. -that's Rudy with the knife in his mouth.

eBay

What a fun night!



Martin_Pal posted some interesting Pirate's Den ephemera here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=25480

__

[John Maddox Roberts]

Originally Posted by Wig-Wag

ER, this was a short lived 1960 paint scheme promoting GEs "Golden Values" appliance campaign in Southern California. The locomotive, along with a gold baggage car and three gold coaches ran between Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Fullerton and San Diego.

In 1964 Santa Fe painted preserved 2-6-2 steam locomotive No. 1010, one of several used on Death Valley Scotty's famous LA to Chicago speed run in bright red paint to promote GE's "Red Hot Train of Values" appliance promotion.

The photo was taken at Santa Fe's Redondo Junction roundhouse in LA. Note the top of a gasometer in the right background.

Cheers,
Jack

Where else can we get information like this so quickly? Isn't this a great group?

[Otis Criblecoblis]

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

I'm guessing this is California Angels player Ed Kirkpatrick. He was 23 in 1967.
Played with the Angels from 1962-1968, but he had a much better career afterwards;
five years with the Kansas City Royals and 5 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I believe you are right! Outstanding! I tried to figure this out for some time with no success. Thanks for the great detective work.

[HossC]

Originally Posted by Beaudry

If someone knows who this guy is, that might help in dating the images...

Originally Posted by Martin Pal

I'm guessing this is California Angels player Ed Kirkpatrick. He was 23 in 1967.
Played with the Angels from 1962-1968, but he had a much better career afterwards;
five years with the Kansas City Royals and 5 years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I think this is a cropped version of the picture in the Window.


http://www.chicagotribune.com

[Noircitydame]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

Does anyone remember this post from a year ago?



_________________________________________________________________




As far as I can tell, we still haven't found a photograph of the exterior, but earlier today I found a treasure trove (pun intended ) of various movie stars
playing within it's piratey confines.

As mentioned on the back of the 1944 postcard, "where the swabs throw bottles at iron pirates" (see below)

What a fun night!



Martin_Pal posted some interesting Pirate's Den ephemera here:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=25480

__

An expensive one, too I bet!
I have a guidebook from 1943 called "Sinning in Hollywood" geared to servicemen, with descriptions of select LA and Hollywood nightspots, including the Pirate's Den, which it describes as:

"One of the most unique nightclubs in America. Run by a group of Hollywood personalities including Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Fred MacMurray, Ken Murray (showman of The Blackouts], Tony Martin, Johnny Weissmuller, and Jimmie Fidler [gosspip columinst], it features a brig from which all ladies have to scream their way out, cutlassed one-eyed waiters, a bottle throwing gallery, and one helluva good time. Better come prepared for anything. No crepe-hangers allowed. Shows 9 and 12,

The original owner crossed out the entry and wrote in the margin: NIX. Keep out. $6.00 4 drinks" (its the only such notation in the booklet).

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by Noircitydame

An expensive one, too I bet!
I have a guidebook from 1943 called "Sinning in Hollywood" geared to servicemen, with descriptions of select LA and Hollywood nightspots, including the Pirate's Den...

That sounds like an interesting book!

Here's another story about those high prices. This entry on a blogspot (link HERE) says:

In July of 1941, the [Los Angeles] Times ran a story about a woman who complained that her son had been ripped off at the Pirates Den--forced to
pay $6.50 for three sandwiches and Cokes. Her complaint went to the Police Commission along with another complaint from a judge who had
been charged $6 for three beers. That bad publicity made everyone think the place was a clip joint, and business took a dive.

[ethereal_reality]

I just found this item explaining the 'bottle throwing' game at the Pirate's Den.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/9041044...he-pirates-den




https://www.etsy.com/listing/9041044...he-pirates-den


"The Six most Mystifying Drinks in History"


https://www.etsy.com/listing/9041044...he-pirates-den


But still no photograph of the exterior.
__