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This program from the Mason Opera House for a 1920 performance of “The Mikado” has been listed on EBay, with bids starting at $5.50. The Mason was one of the leading theaters on Broadway. It was demolished in the 1950s to make way for a Cold War monstrosity that was in turn demolished after being damaged in the Northridge earthquake. After several years of being nothing but a big hole in the ground, the site is now undergoing construction for federal courthouse.
Which will look like this.
After the show, stop in at the Pig and Whistle at 224 S. Broadway, now the site of The Times parking structure.
For someone interested in the earlier history of Los Angeles, that is, outside the traditional Raymond Chandler/noir era that draws the most interest, you might consider Paul Bryan Gray’s “A Clamor for Equality,” another example, like Christina Rice’s “Ann Dvorak” of a determined researcher leaving no stone unturned in seeking out information about a relatively unknown subject. Here’s a column I wrote for The Times about Gray.
“A Clamor for Equality” is available from Skylight Books and Amazon.
We stopped by Cafe de Leche in Highland Park to pick up some coffee today and found this sketchbook. It’s a project of the 50NYork Gallery. Here’s some of the artwork:
And for Friday, a mystery guitarist, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson.
Maybe it was murder. Maybe it never happened at all. Was she telling the truth or was it all a lie?
Early on the morning of Nov. 20, 1953, acting on a tip, LAPD Detectives John Olsen and P.R. Brooks visited a room on the fourth floor of a Main Street hotel, where they found a young woman named Annie Margarite Rube. When they came into the room, Rube tried to destroy a greeting card that read “Do you know that Annie has killed Joe, poor Joe.”
As they searched the room, Rube tried to jump to her death, The Times said.
A vintage 1972 iron-on transfer of Harvey Wallbanger himself, on EBay for $12.
We have been looking at some historic drinks for this holiday season. To the millennials in the audience: This is what mom and dad used to drink (along with the Tequila Sunrise) when they went out in the 1970s.
Return with us now to the thrilling days of yesteryear:
1 ounce of vodka
4 ounces of orange juice
half an ounce of Galliano.
Poured over ice in a highball glass.
Cue Grand Funk Railroad’s “Gimme Shelter” or Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.”
And here’s a mystery woman for Thursday, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson.
Dec. 19, 1943: Los Angeles prepares to celebrate Christmas with a focus on service members, while U.S. troops fight the Nazis in hand-to-hand combat for the Italian town of San Pietro.
The Times story by James Warnack (d. 1958) begins:
“Thanks to American patriots whose love and sacrifice have kept their homeland safe, Los Angeles will join the nation next Saturday in celebrating the birthday of freedom’s greatest champion, the Carpenter of Nazareth.
The Man whose matchless career demonstrated the power of righteousness over the forces of evil will be remembered in sermon, song and story and in deeds of kindness inspired by the life He led and Gospel He taught.”
Several people have suggested that “Never Built Los Angeles,” which has yet to be added to the Daily Mirror library, would be an excellent holiday gift. The book by Sam Lubell and Greg Goldin with a forward by Thom Mayne examines some of the many proposed buildings that never got off the drawing board. In case you don’t know, the history of Los Angeles is full of projects that were developed by various committees and designers and merely gathered dust once they were finished.
“Never Built Los Angeles” can be found at Book Soup, Skylight Books or Vroman’s (call first to be sure they have it in stock) and is available from Amazon.
Here’s a mystery fellow for Wednesday, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson.
In case you just tuned in, I was given a box of material cleaned out of the press room at Parker Center that was crammed with photos, artist sketches, press releases and some tattered maps. I have organized the material to get a better understanding of what is there and I’m posting selections weekly.
Here we have our first LAPD mystery guest. This gentleman had his portrait taken, above, and appeared with another mystery gent during what is apparently a presentation. Based on the clothing style and the other material with which the photos were found, I would say these pictures were taken in the 1970s.
This cryptic number “11 V3” is stamped on the back of this photo.
And for Tuesday, a mystery woman, courtesy of writer Christopher McPherson.
In case you just tuned in, Times artist Charles Owens and columnist Timothy Turner did a weekly series on some of the old landmarks in Los Angeles, many of them doomed by the impending construction of Union Station. Unlike the later series Nuestro Pueblo, by Owens and Joseph Seewerker, Rediscovering Los Angeles was never published in book form. The Times encouraged readers to clip and save the items. It is worth noting that even as early as 1935-36, when these stories were being written, Los Angeles was already being “rediscovered.”
Feb. 3, 1936: In this week’s installment of Rediscovering Los Angeles, Owens and Turner visit Tortilleria Jalisco on Republic Street near the Plaza. Notice the Hall of Justice in the background.
Turner describes women making Mexican women making corn tortillas by hand:
There is not one difference in this process of bread making than when found by Cortez and Pizarro. Corn culture indicates that the more civilized American Indian had skillfully and really scientifically cultivated it for millennia, longer than any European or Asiatic vegetable had been grown by man. So the tortilla is possibly the oldest prepared article of food in the world.
Mexicans especially of the lower classes have never given up their taste for the corn tortilla.
Here’s a little stocking stuffer: A 1929 Duesenberg Model J. Dual Cowl Phaeton, which is being auctioned next year in Scottsdale, Ariz. The estimated sale price, according to Gooding & Co. is $2 million to $2.3 million.
Several weeks ago, the L.A. Daily Mirror had lunch with Christina Rice, author of the new book “Ann Dvorak: Hollywood’s Forgotten Rebel” and it’s always fun when two ardent researchers get together to talk shop. We chatted about various archives, the thrill of the hunt in tracking down information and how many Hollinger boxes there are on such and such a subject.
Here’s another mystery fellow, courtesy of author Christopher McPherson.
Henry Armetta, courtesy of Mary Mallory.
In many films of the 1930s and 1940s, what audiences remember most are the one-of-a-kind supporting players, with vibrant personalities, colorful ways of talking, recognizable tics and dramatic looks. Many of these people came to be called “picture stealers,” because their antics stood out in entertaining ways.
As an April 7, 1935, Los Angeles Times story put it, “Many of these men are middle-aged and so true to a “type,” according to movie standards, that they will continue to enact typical roles until they pass from the scene. They command good salaries, may only work a week on a picture, but are considered indispensable by casting directors.” One of these popular actors was the frantic and excitable Henry Armetta.
Mary Mallory’s “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found” for the Kindle is available from Amazon.
Speaking of FBI files, here’s an image of Clyde Barrow’s funeral found in his FBI file. Bonnie and Clyde’s FBI files are also online in seven sections.
“Bugs” Siegel refers to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover “in a most degrading and insulting manner.”
As long as we’re on the subject of Bugsy Siegel (d. 1947), fans of “Mob City” might consider perusing his FBI files, which are posted online in 32 often illegible, frequently censored sections. Notice his use of profanity. There is apparently a lot of this.
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