The home at 1315 S. El Molino in Pasadena is one of my favorite local landmarks. When I moved to Los Angeles, I spent a long time looking for the house before I finally located it. I drive by it regularly and I recently noticed that it was undergoing quite a bit of work. This week, it is apparently getting a new roof.
OK, now you recognize it. This is the Hollis Mulwray house from “Chinatown.”
Many years ago, before I moved to Los Angeles, I attended a presentation by John Alonzo, the cinematographer on “Chinatown,” who mentioned that the house was in the Pasadena area, so I had a vague idea of where to find it. It was a great moment when I finally found the house. And yes, I said: “Bad for the glass.”
It’s gorgeous. Amazing how run down a building can get in what seems almost like a short period of time, especially in an area of town that I see is described online as “eye wateringly expensive”!
@Stacia: It has a long history. I’ve been told it was in bad shape and “fixed up” to some degree for “Chinatown.” It has an enormous front lawn.
I’m wondering if it was also used in the film noir LARCENY. It features a large home in what is supposed to be a suburb of Pasadena, but they also use locations on Green St., Colorado, and Oakland Ave. areas.
@Mary: Interesting question. I don’t have a copy of the film handy. John Alonzo’s presentation on filming “Chinatown” was fantastic. I was incredibly lucky to meet him.