Architectural Rambling

1315 S. El Molino
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.

Chinatown, Mulwray House

OK, now you recognize it. This is the Hollis Mulwray house from “Chinatown.”

Hollis Mulwray House, Pasadena

Chinatown, Mulwray House

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.”

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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4 Responses to Architectural Rambling

  1. Stacia's avatar Stacia says:

    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”!

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    • lmharnisch's avatar lmharnisch says:

      @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.

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  2. Mary Mallory's avatar Mary Mallory says:

    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.

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    • lmharnisch's avatar lmharnisch says:

      @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.

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