noirish Los Angeles

[HossC]

The posts on the roof are still there in this 1930 photo. I think the angled Engstrum roof sign is in place, but we're looking nearly at the end of it.


Detail of picture in USC Digital Library

Incidentally, the 1925 CD lists 623 W 5th Street as the Graylow Arms Apartments.

[Beaudry]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Thank you for the great photos HossC.

Do you know what's going on above the parapet of R.B. Young's 1911 building for Mr Engstrum in that 1927 photo? I thought it was a sign at first, but in detail appears to be posts. The apartments were called both the "Barron" and "Westhaven" (I think) at different times in early days. The later "Engstrum" sign was set at an angle:

usc dl

What a fascinating question! And here they are!



hunt

They look kind of crummy. Stringing lights? Or perhaps a tarp would be affixed there to keep wind and sun off of deck-loungers.

They appear in this image from 8/22/32—

hunt

But are gone in this undated, but obviously later (note the deco name added to the marquise, and reworking of the rooftop sign) image—

hunt

Also, I don't recall her being referred to as the "Barron," where was that? Yes, her early name was Westonia, she's in the 1912 & 13 directories as such before becoming the Engstrum. Didn't know that about the Graylow Arms!

[HossC]

After a busy week following Julius Shulman around, we're back in Beverly Hills for today's post. This is "Job 4380: Matthew Lapota, House (Beverly Hills, Calif.), 1968". As usual, I've picked a selection of photos.



Here's a bit of color and a look at the pool.



The notch in the arched roof goes from front to back, providing an unusual light source.



The wonderful chimney forms the centerpiece of the open-plan interior.



A look across from a different direction.



I've saved the photo with the panoramic view until last.



All from Getty Research Institute

As is most often the case, no address is given with this photoset, so I went looking. Using the large buildings in the panoramic view, I narrowed down the possible locations, but had to rely on Historic Aerials to find it. The address is 1025 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, which places it above the northeast corner of the Doheny Mansion's parking lot. Here's an aerial photo I found.


variety.com

A bit of secrecy seems to surround the house, but the Variety article where I found the picture above, and another at bergproperties.com, both say that until 2009, the house belonged to Simon Ramo, physicist and creator of the intercontinental ballistic missile. Although it was not on the market, Jeffrey Katzenberg, then CEO of DreamWorks Animation, reportedly bought the house from Ramo for around $35,000,000. He then appears to have torn it down and built the gray-roofed house below. I'm sure it's a lovely home, but the loss of the original house is very sad.


Google Maps

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by Tourmaline

6066 Wilshire had numerous iterations including: Cat & the Fiddle Club (1934); McDonell's (1942) and Sixty-Three-Hundred Club (1956-1960-?).

Happy Hackers Casablanca was likely short lived. Numerous structures and additions on the property prior to the Seibu Department Store

Thanks for the information on Happy Hacker's Casablanca Tourmaline. I appreciate it.

Here's a matchbook I found last night.


flickriver

[ethereal_reality]

getty /detail


The way the fireplace interacts with the ceiling...is...a bit...sexual.

[ethereal_reality]

'mystery' location


https://socalarchhistory.blogspot.co...lexanders.html

Elsie Krummeck (leaning against Krisel's 1946 Lincoln) and Victor Gruen in front of the Gruen's new offices on Santa Monica Blvd. just east of La Cienega Blvd.
Photo by William Krisel, 1947.

I'm curious about the cafe. Does anyone recognize it?

__

p.s. I believe the placard in the lower right corner is advertising Dubonnet.---->




but I'm still trying to figure out the billboard on the corner.

detail

"Bunnies Out Front" (?)

[ethereal_reality]

With all the recent talk about parking garages, I thought you might get a kick out this 3 foot hand-painted sign from an old parking lot in downtown Los Angeles.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Authentic-...MAAOSwTglYkl5T

"This is a Set of Two Authentic Antique Hand Painted Metal Parking Lot Signs that came from an old car park in downtown Los Angeles. They are hand painted
and each measure an impressive 36" x 6 1/4". I believe these signs are made of aluminum, but it may be some other non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metal.

Here's your chance to own an authentic piece of Los Angeles transportation history!"

To Bid:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Authentic-...MAAOSwTglYkl5T

[ethereal_reality]

Here's one more post before I call it a night.

I found this earlier this evening on ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bel-Air-Cali...QAAOSw6btXRSLE

10467 Sunset Blvd.



The cute little Scotty on the lawn appears to have the street number painted on it.

detail



reverse


Gladys Wilkinson Lawrence (I have no idea who that is)

The view from Sunset has been completely blocked off, so it's difficult to tell if this fine looking home still exists.



__

[tovangar2]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

'mystery' location


https://socalarchhistory.blogspot.co...lexanders.html

Elsie Krummeck (leaning against Krisel's 1946 Lincoln) and Victor Gruen in front of the Gruen's new offices on Santa Monica Blvd. just east of La Cienega Blvd.
Photo by William Krisel, 1947.

That appears to be 8460 Santa Monica Blvd (1938). Still looking for something on the cafe:

gsv

......................................................


Thank you Beaudry & HossC for the info on the Engstrum. I can never get enough.

I suppose, as Beaudry said, the posts could have been used to string fairy lights across to the penthouse tower to make a party space, but why raw construction timbers, instead of something decorative?

Originally Posted by HossC

Detail of picture in USC Digital Library

[BifRayRock]

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality

'mystery' location


[S]till trying to figure out the billboard on the corner.

detail

"Bunnies Out Front" (?)

Amazon



http://www.adbranch.com/wp-content/u...47-610x797.jpg

[tovangar2]

Thank you BRR. That was driving me crazy.

Feodor Stepanovich Rojankovsky (December 24, 1891 – October 12, 1970), also known as Rojan, was a Russian émigré illustrator. Known equally for his children's book illustrations and his erotic drawings.

I particularly remember his Little Golden Books efforts.

[Flyingwedge]

Originally Posted by HossC

Detail of picture in USC Digital Library

Incidentally, the 1925 CD lists 623 W 5th Street as the Graylow Arms Apartments.

Is this the Engstrum under construction? The State Normal School appears to be in the background, and the house and the
three-story building next to it both seem to match the USC aerial above:



Sept 1911 Architect and Engineer of CA @ Internet Archive

[HenryHuntington]

Originally Posted by HossC

The ambulance scene is only a couple of seconds long. The vehicle makes a 90 degree turn immediately before the picture above - this is the first view through the windshield. Maybe the streetcar will help identify the location.


Melbert Productions

BTW Did any ambulances really have letters that big across the front? It seems to block a lot of the view, so I'm guessing it was just for the movie audience.

Hoss & e_r, sorry to disappoint, but I couldn't find the locations involved. I'm reasonably convinced that in the second photo we're somewhere (a) on Franklin Ave. between Western and Argyle or (b) on Argyle between Franklin and Yucca or (c) On Yucca between Argyle and Vine. This was the route of PE's Western-Franklin Line. The streets are or were sufficiently narrow, and the streetcar looks like a PE 600 class car that would've been used there in 1935.

Cruising the route in the Googlemobile showed stretches of Franklin where buildings similar to those pictured still stand, but not those specific buildings. The passage of 82 years (!) has led to a great deal of newer construction, and the Argyle-Yucca portion of the route has been disfigured by the Hollywood Freeway.

I viewed the relevant segment of the movie on You Tube, but I wasn't able to catch the exact frame that you did, Hoss. I was trying to see if I could get a larger, unpixelated view of what I think is a street sign topping the Acme traffic signal toward the upper left corner of the frame.

And that leads me to e-r's original mystery photo. I don't think the 90-degree turn is legit - looks to me like studio process. But the photo itself shows only a single track, and I don't know offhand of anyplace in Hollywood where such an arrangement existed. Maybe I missed something. I'll try You Tube again if I get the chance. Perhaps Wig-Wag or EdWorkman can offer some advice.

[Tehmeh]

Filmed in living color, with the cooperation of the Glendora Police Department. Jimmy is a clown on a bike - until it's almost too late!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpcXie0_E2U


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IpcXie0_E2U/hqdefault.jpg YouTube


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SARfXTdBf7c/hqdefault.jpg YouTube


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZGUNaaVG18/hqdefault.jpg YouTube

[Tehmeh]

The intersection where Jimmy had his accident in the film is Loraine and Walnut in Glendora.

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by tovangar2

Thank you BRR. That was driving me crazy.

Feodor Stepanovich Rojankovsky (December 24, 1891 – October 12, 1970), also known as Rojan, was a Russian émigré illustrator. Known equally for his children's book illustrations and his erotic drawings.

I particularly remember his Little Golden Books efforts.

BRR, well done.!!!

Is there anything Noirish members can't figure out?

[CityBoyDoug]

Originally Posted by Flyingwedge

Is this the Engstrum under construction? The State Normal School appears to be in the background, and the house and the
three-story building next to it both seem to match the USC aerial above:



Sept 1911 Architect and Engineer of CA @ Internet Archive

Hey noirishers, notice how modern the building site looks... i.e., the tall lattice tower and swing arms. There's a reason for that. This building method was very new in 1911. [Thanks FW for posting this.]

Ref: https://www.google.com/patents/US948719

This ingenious yet simple method of building was invented in Southern California and was issued US Letters Patent in 1910.

I did a Patent search and reference the original Patent documents above. The Los Angeles area is truly a paradise of innovation and invention that few people realize.

This LA California method of concrete transfer has been used worldwide for the last 100+ years.


uspatent archives

[BifRayRock]

Originally Posted by Godzilla

Something I was not familiar with is a "viaduct" on San Vicente that crossed over La Brea. When that disappeared is unknown. I am curious if there are any vestiges of the bridgework. Also wondering when La Brea was "straightened." [1324] S La Brea is the most recognizable building that still remains. It is the "triangular shaped rhombus."


If my navigational skills are correct, San Vicente is the straight road and the perspective is easterly.



http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/si...id/1392/rec/31








[1324 S. La Brea]







1930


http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/si.../id/868/rec/16

Originally Posted by Lwize

I never knew about the squigly nature of S La Brea at San Vicente, but Google maps shows the northern portion of the squiggle is still there (note my incredibly steady red line, hand-moused like a surgeon!). Also, this explains the sharp chizzled fascia of the green circled building on the left, as it would have been on the sharp corner of the street north of the crossing.


(Google Maps - hosted by me)

These images may provide an answer for when the San Vicente Rail overpass was dismantled. The images below are from 1958 and depict the still-erect overpass. Unclear whether the major construction was part the removal project or incremental straightening-widening of La Brea. The recognizable structure is actually at 1324 S. La Brea. Not all building permits are viewable, but there is a strong suggestion that this structure dates to 1920. Not surprisingly, the area is undergoing significant change with plenty of demolition planned, if not completed.



And lo, at 1:53, the structure at 1324 S La Brea doth appears.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFgKcxyDC50





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFgKcxyDC50





Open for business
GoogleSVU


Not-so-open for business
GoogleSVU

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by Beaudry

We've been talking a lot about Angels Flight of late, and so in that spirit, here's a [...] shots I took yesterday afternoon—




—wherein Mayor Garcetti, Councilman Huizar, et al. informed us that Angels Flight is coming back, after four years of debilitating dilapidation.

Read (and listen) all about it here.
_______________________________________________________________

"As anyone who has seen La La Land can tell you, dreams do still come true here in Los Angeles," Garcetti said exuberantly as dozens of cheering Angels Flight fans crowded together with reporters to hear his announcement just outside the railway's bottom-of-the-hill station. The railroad's resurrection has been planned for months, but it's gotten an unexpected boost when moviegoers saw Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling riding happily in one of the cars in La La Land. Many took to social media to ask why they couldn't ride too.

______

Do you work down there, Beaudry? Downtown?

I may finally get to ride it! Every time I've been down there it was either before or after operating hours or was closed. I was down there in 1996 for the week long opening celebrations where I got a souvenir booklet and an Angel's Flight pin, but even then didn't get a chance to ride it. And when I participated in the very first Race/LA event, which is a full day Amazing Race type activity around Los Angeles, one of our clues involved Angel's Flight, and we would've had to ride it up had it been working, instead we had to climb those awful stairs, lol!

P.S.: I say bragging, my teammate and I were the first ever winners of the Race/LA which is still going strong.

[Martin Pal]

Originally Posted by HossC

This is "Job 4380: Matthew Lapota, House (Beverly Hills, Calif.), 1968". As usual, I've picked a selection of photos.



Here's a bit of color and a look at the pool.



The notch in the arched roof goes from front to back, providing an unusual light source.
______________________________________________________________

The arched roof made me think of the building in the background of the Holloway Dr. house you posted earlier this week. It must be a building on Sunset Blvd.

Originally Posted by HossC

The house is still standing at 8749 Holloway Drive, West Hollywood. GSV