Flash back Friday #11

It's been a while... 

#11 The Villa Carlotta

I've always had a special place in my heart for the Villa Carlotta. My mom's name was Charlotte, and as a pet name my dad used to call her as "Carlotta". So since I was a child I always thought that it was her building. 

For me, that building always stood out. Even during the 90s when the building looked like a crack den, it was something that always caught my gaze. While people have come and go, and moons waxed and waned, time flew by. However despite all that, this building has always remained its image of "Old Hollywood".

Built in 1926, the building was owned by Eleanor Ince who was the wife of Thomas Ince who mysteriously died on a yacht owned by William Randolph Hearst. Rumor has that in a deal with Eleanor Ince, Hearst paid for the building as well as the Scientology center owned by her across the street in order to apologize for shooting and killing her husband on that yacht. 

Various forms of celebrities have moved into the place. However there isn't much information about them living here. The building has remained far from the history books other than the notorious rumor with Eleanor Ince.

Another rumor is that the Villa Carlotta and the Scientology Center have a underground passageway where people used to use to smuggle booze during prohibition. If you ask anyone there, supposedly they cannot deny that it exists. I haven't done it, so that is why I'm calling it a rumor.

Like most famous old buildings, the Villa Carlotta has gone through some rough patches. The penthouse supposedly began rotting, and many other tenants had to do a renewal to make their apartments functional. However this building is quite strong, and is still contained its beautiful image. 

Through some research I found a Facebook page asking to save the Villa Carlotta. Like many apartment buildings in Los Angeles, the Villa Carlotta has been bought by a company focusing on apartment owning. The belief with the owners of the Villa Carlotta is that there is a threat that the building might be torn down. I haven't researched if the building is a historical monument yet, to deny this theory, but you can read more by clicking here.

Flashback Friday # 10

I thought it would be fun to write about the best part of Hollywood...

#10 The Hollywood Sign

Hollywood has always been known as the "city of broken dreams", but it was given the name "Hollywood" by real estate developer H. J. Whitely in 1886. In 1923 the sign was put up; but initially, it read, "Hollywoodland".

The letters of the sign were 50ft high, and after the first initial film set in Hollywood in 1904, it became the staple landmark of the town.

In September 16th, 1932 struggling actress Peg Entwistle leapt to her death. The letter she chose to descend from? the H. 

In 1949 "land" from "Hollywoodland" was taken off, and the sign was completely rebuilt to be 45 ft high. However despite the rebuilding in 1949, it became very depilated in the 1970s. The third "O" fell down the hill, and arsonists lit the "L" on fire. In 1978, Hugh Hefner held a gala to restore the sign which several contributors, including Alice Cooper, spent $28,000 each to restore the sign.

Originally the sign was intended to last a year, however because of its memorable image, it became a historical landmark in 1973. 

Although fictional, the sign has been destroyed in several movies. 

The Hollywood sign might be a image of deceit and misery however it is an icon of hopes and dreams as well. By getting to Hollywood and seeing the sign, you become everything you hope to be. Hollywood is the yin and yang of hope. It is the two sided coin where you can either succeed, or you can fail miserably.

The sign represents all of that. It is the basis and image of our home. It is the one major part of Los Angeles that I will keep in my heart.

Flashback Friday # 9

This week is about a truth....


# 9 Jayne Mansfeild's Car Accident

Jayne Mansfeild was an actress that had everything going for her. She was the mother of three children, and she was developing a serious career in the entertainment industry. She had about ten or so years working hard in acting as well as singing. Then, it was all wiped away in a car accident on June 29th 1967.

This might seem like a small post. However, I think I wanted to do this post because I wanted to throw water to the untrue fires of how she died. For this post I will not show any pictures of her death because I don't want her name to be associated with a nasty image.

The urban legend that has latched on to her name was how she died. Many believe that when she passed, she was decapitated, and that in the crash pictures, there are fragments of her decapitated head. 

What had happened that during the crash her wig flew off. A lot of actresses during that time would wear wigs, and she was one of them. 

What the police report states, is that her head was probably cracked. She didn't have her head cut off. Everything was still in place. The only thing that scattered was the wig. 

So if you hear anyone state she had her head cut off. Please correct them. You're not only correcting their mistake, but you're saving someone's reputation. 

Flashback Friday # 8

Hi!

#8 Hollywood Forever Cemetery 

One of the most popular venues for Los Angeles is a cemetery. It is a summer hotspot for movies, and concerts alike. In 2011 The Flaming Lips had a two day gig, and every october or november there is a Day of the Dead celebration. 

I'll just make the assumption that a lot of people know there are some stars buried here. Most the events are on Douglas Fairbanks' grave. It is quite famous for the golden era, and a lot of documentaries are shot here.

After experiencing the wonderful cemetery tour with http://www.cemeterytour.com/, I discovered that this cemetery is rich with history. I wanted to share some information about the cemetery.

The cemetery was founded in 1899 and was called, "Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery" by the famous Issac Lankershim and son-in-law Issac Van Nuys. Developed 13 years after the reconstruction, it became a burial site for confederate veterans since many people in the south moved to California to find work.

One of the cemetery's first famous inhabitants was Page Peters. He died when he was 27 at Hermosa Beach. Afterwards other stars were buried here like Rudolph Valentino, Marion Davies, Tyrone Power, and others. 

In 1939, felon Jules Roth bought the cemetery. Using the money for personal luxuries, Roth allowed the cemetery to be put into the despair. In the 1970s many of the lakes around the crypts were so diseased that dead animals would be seen floating around. None of the tombstones were cleaned, and none of the overgrowth was cleared.

Roth was a massive bigot. When the famous actress Hattie McDaniel wanted to be buried at the cemetery, so she can be immortalized like the rest of her famous comrades, he refused to have her buried there. The only option she had was to be buried at a segregated cemetery. 

When a body was being cremated in July 1974, the cemetery was starting to fall down, literally. As it was being cremated, bricks were falling around its body.

During the 1980s many people began moving their families to other cemeteries. In 1994, after the earthquake, the cemetery was so rundown that it caused the cemetery to not make any money.

Roth THANKFULLY died soon after and the cemetery was bought in 1998 by  Tyler and Brent Cassity. They were children of funeral owners and managed to put the cemetery in full refurbishment and repair. Now the cemetery has become a hybrid of where people go to celebrate life, and morn those who have gone.

If you want to see more about the cemetery, schedule a tour with Karie Bible at http://www.cemeterytour.com/

Flashback Friday # 7

I am so sorry from my lack of posts. I really have no excuse. I got a job and I just felt so overwhelmed. However since this is a standard "bottom dweller" sort of job I am going to continue with posting so I don't feel like such a loser. Because, in reality, I feel like I'm better than that.

So here is my belated flashback friday #7

#7 Valentino

Valentino. 

Rudolph Valentino. 

Rudolph Grandmotherfucking Valentino.

Valentino was the first. 

He made everything possible. 

Before your Justin Timberlakes, before your Channing Tatums, before the concept of "The Sexiest Man Alive", there was Valentino.

He was the epitome of the "latin lover". He probably created it. He had the image of the sensual lover. He made ladies' panties wet, and he disgusted his male rivals, not because he was competition, but because he was a threat to the American male masculine ideal. He was effeminate. He was different. He wasn't American.

One of the biggest things that wasn't American was his personal life. Because of his previous "lavender" marriages, rumors of his homosexuality stayed with him after his death. His first wife married to run away from a lesbian triangle, and his girlfriend Pola Negri had lesbian rumors as well. 

Four books claimed that Valentino was gay. One of the books, Hollywood Babylon, claimed that he was in a heated romatic relationship with Roman Novarro. Writer Kenneth Angers stated that Valentino made an art deco cast of his penis for Novarro that Novarro asked to be shoved down his throat at his funeral. However many have come out against those claims saying that that art deco piece never existed. 

Despite the scrutiny with his personal life, when Valentino died in August 1926, the whole western world stopped. What was once a healthy young sex symbol, was now dead. Upon hearing about his death, several of his fans committed suicide. The gates at paramount studios became known as the "weeping gates" because of all the fans that came to pay their respects. 

When he died, his friend gave him a plot at the Hollywood Forever cemetery. From 1926 to now, a mysterious woman in black came to pay her respects. What was initially revealed to be a publicity stunt later morphed into a tradition. The lady in black was the symbol of the love between the fan towards the actor. For someone that have never known the actor personally, she became the image of dedication and devotion to his image. 

Valentino might not have anything horribly scandalous, but he opened the doors for stars to become heroes. Because of Valentino, obsessed fans became the normal image for western civilization. 

Flashback Friday #6 ON A WEDNESDAY!

Sorry I have been silent for a while. I've been trying to get a job.

I haven't gotten one yet.

# 6 Mae West

I've known about Mae West for a long time. Watching older Looney Toons cartoons I was familiarized with the characterized big tit woman with the sensual voice saying famous phrases like, "What's happening Big Boy?"

I used to watch these old toons and thought they were funny, but I didn't know why they were funny. I knew what these people looked like, but I didn't know who they were based after. Mae West is an example of one of those people. 

Truthfully, I have never seen a Mae West Film. I really should take an initiative to see one, but I am just too ADDish right now. 

For those that don't know anything about Mae West, I will do a brief bio. Mae West was born August 17, 1893 in Brooklin, New York. In 1907 Mae West was performing in Vaudeville under the stage name Baby Mae. Overall West became quite popular and an overall big name in the preforming arts. Being a "controversial" artist, Mae West began writing her own plays. She wrote a play called "Sex" but she got arrested on "moral charges" and was sent to jail for ten days for "corrupting the moral youth". Despite being close to 40, movies started offering her roles in 1932. She stared in 11 films and sang in so much more. In 1959, she wrote an autobiography that became a huge success.  She passed away in November 22, 1980.

Mae West wasn't anything special to me until I found out how amazing she was.  Writing about things during a time where you would go to jail, West gave the finger to the prim and proper. Mae West was a big advocate for homosexual rights as well as women's rights. 

She lived most of her time in her penthouse at the Ravenswood apartment building. She had several boyfriends while living there. One of her boyfriends was William Jones, a famous boxer. One of my favorite stories was that the former owner of the apartment building banned her boyfriend William Jones because of his African American heritage so Ms. West gave him the "fuck you you racist bastard" remark by buying the building and lifting that ban. 

Mae West became also well known for her fights against censorship. Some of West's movies had to be heavily edited, and most of West's lines had to change into obvious sexual innuendoes. However that censorship became her image. In response to censorship, West said, "I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it."

I find Mae West amazing not because she was an actress but because she was a star that stuck to her morals. When she knew something was wrong she wouldn't stand by it even if it gave her a bad reputation. She was an innovator and a free thinker who saw gems in what was considered immoral shit. 

Flashback Fridays #4

Growing up in this city there is one major thing that has never lost its fervor. Murals have always fascinated me and have always grabbed my interest. They were paintings for the common man; something that was for everyone to enjoy. 

Murals are around all of LA. They all have different meanings. Some are preserved, some are not. While we all cherish the newly found graffiti street art, I thought it might be interesting to appreciate an older street art form, a famous mural.

#4 América Tropical

América Tropical is pretty spectacular, and, better yet, it has been recently restored. It was once criticized because its realistic approach clashed with the idealized look of Olvera Street, something considered an idealized image of latino people. Painted in October 9, 1932, the América Tropical was painted using spray paint, which was a renowned during that time. 

What David Alfaro Siqueiros did was depict the torturing of the indigenous latino right in the center of the empire.  The racial prejudice was quite high, and a lot a resentment was being held by both parties. During this time (Zoot Suit Riot) many latinos were being deported and attacked. With the mural, artist David Alfaro Siqueiros pointed the middle finger to the nonchalant approach of politics during that time.

This message was not taken so lightly. When the once Disneyland-esque Olvera Street displayed the controversial painting for all to see, it was whitewashed soon after.

However eighty years later, the Getty Conservation restored the mural and opened it up to the world on its 80th birthday. 

I have a small fascination with this mural because it is so essential LA. It was something hidden from the whole world filled to the brim with history. It is a stepping stone to who we are today, and we had no idea. Having the América Tropical back into our lives allows us to understand that LA isn't simply celebrities and botox, but a city filled with scandal and political upheaval.

If you want to see it, take a trip to Olvera Street and see what your city has to offer.

watch more here

Flashback Fridays #3

So here is another Flashback Friday, and this one will involve a very interesting item. It seems that I have written so far about a person, a place, and now I find it appropriate to write about a thing. Categorizing things by types of nouns is quite fun.

So here is the next historical fact...

#3 The Cobb Salad

The Brown Derby was a chain of restaurants that ruled Hollywood from the 1920s to the 1950s. Hollywood elite constructed and formed their major scandals and stories within these four restaurants. However I am not here to talk about that. What I am here for, are the Cobb salad stories.

The Brown Derby at Hollywood and Vine had a lot of historical rumors attached to it. It is supposedly where Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons ate at, and where Clark Gable proposed to Carole Lombard. It is also where the Cobb salad originated from.

I've read different stories based on how to Cobb came to be. The first one was that it was late and the restaurant was closing up. A regular, and a good friend of the owner Robert Cobb, walked in and asked for something to fill him up. There wasn't a lot of food left, since it was the end of the day and they were packing up, so the chef, Chuck Wilson, simply used what was left. When the friend asked what the salad was, the chef replied, "a Cobb salad".

Another story was that the famous Sid Grauman,  founder of the Pantages, Grauman's Chinese theater, as well as others, came in and asked for something that didn't require a lot of chewing due to the fact he had dental surgery.  The result was the Cobb Salad. 

It is disputed whether chef, Chuck Wilson, or owner, Robert Cobb were the founders or creators of the salad, but whatever the answer is, it came from the fantastic building. Sadly the building experienced fire damage in 1987, riot damage in 1992, and overall the complete wreckage in the late 2010s. The building is completely gone now, and all that is left is a parking lot (on the bottom of this article). The Cobb Salad is an item owned by Hollywood history, and, it takes its place as third flashback friday.

Flashback Fridays #2

I've already fucked up. 

I had this goal of having a blog that I would continuously connect with, and I already fucked up and missed a deadline. 

Even despite being out of school for two years I have resulted to my lazy procrastinated self. 

Last night, just as I was going to bed, I legitimately jolted out of bed yelling, "ahh fuck". However  I was already in bed, so my laziness won the battle. 

But if Chaplin is my witness, I will still do my Flashback Friday.

So here is #2

#2 The Knickerbocker Hotel

If I could have everything I wanted, The Knickerbocker would be open to the public. I would even settle for the small cafe connected to the hotel to be open to the public. If I had all the money in the world I would buy that place in a second and convert it into apartments or ANYTHING just to give this building back to the deserving world. But instead this place is now a russian retirement home. 

Putin wins this round.

However it's hard to blame Russians for the inaccessibility  of this fantastic building. Before the 1970s it was basically a decapitated shithole covered with the drugged up remains of whores and deadbeats. Hollywood did the right thing in converting it to a retirement home so they can clear out the mess.

Just like any dessert in LA, this place has a really short but rich history. When it was constructed in 1925 by E.M. Frasier, it became a regular hang out spot for Hollywood's elite.  

The Knickerbocker has been the place where Valentino, as well as Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, had their occasional drinks. It is where Harry Houdini's wife conducted her séances to contact her recently deceased husband, and it's also where Francis Farmer was carried out kicking and screaming after failing to meet with her probationary officer. 

Elvis stayed here when he was filming Love Me Tender and Laurel & Hardy were here on an episode of "This is your Life". 

However, some dark stuff happened here as well.  

D. W. Griffith was found unconscious in the lobby from a brain hemorrhage, ultimately dying of that later that night. Irene Lentz, also known as Irene, committed suicide by jumping out of her window and dying on the roof of the lobby. She was found a couple of days later. Also William Frawley, famously known as Fred Mertz from the famous I Love Lucy, suffered from a heart attack and was dragged to the Knickerbocker ultimately dying later at the hospital.  

See, this place is rich with both sides of history.

The question I always seem to get is, "why do you even care?" 

I care because this is a building with so many interesting facts. Not simply facts but facts that ignite interest and fascination. What is so fascinating about this city is that the city we live in is where our idols generated from. Those that we admire and worship reside and evolved in this town, and their residual effects are fascinating to the rest of the world today. The celebrity status is filled with weird and scandalous stories, and The Knickerbocker is the epitome of that, and that's why I love it so. 

Flashback Fridays! #1

The funny thing about growing up in this city is that it sits on the best stories. Its history is constructed on deceit, lies, and the strange. There isn't any reality show that can compete with Hollywood history. Hollywood is the queen, and nothing can come close to how great this city is. Many scoff at its pseudo pretentious demeanor, but they don't realize what this city had to do to become the city it is now.

No one knows how really great this city is.

So since this is my hobby I decided I'll write about one random historical person or fact every friday. It'll be called, "Flashback Fridays". It'll have fun details about some famous person or place or event that happened in Hollywood.

and I'll start off with...

#1 Gilda Gray

Gilda Grey was an actress from the silent movie/ talkie era that is famous for introducing the shimmy dance move. She stared in seven movies, and she was mainly a dancer throughout her career. Dealing with the terror of the stock market crash as well as her faltering career, Gilda Gray died at 58 from her second heart attack. 

Like most actresses during the Golden Era, Gilda Gray started off as a vaudeville performer. Born Marianna Michalska in Kraków, Austria-Hungary, (now Poland) Gilda seemed like a person that fought tooth and nail to get the career. She originally danced in her native land of Poland, but like every hopeful dreamer, the beaconing lights of the boulevard called her in. She wanted the adventure, and she wanted the fame.

What is most interesting about Gilda was that a Times article stated that she was married at 11 and had a child at 12. However records state that she was married at 14... so I guess that's ok?

But fuck me man. I couldn't even commit to go to a party when I was 14. I sure as hell wouldn't been able to have gotten married at 14.

I would have been crying all the time at 11, since I was a baby.

When the 1929 stock market crashed, Gilda lost most of her money but managed to sustain a career as a dancer at the Palace Theater in New York. After that, she had a heart attack. She had previously dealt with a couple of divorces as well as other financial problems. 

Near the end of her life Gilda was in complete financial trouble. She couldn't afford any form of room or board and had to live with her friends for about six years. Gilda died December 22, 1959 at age 58. The Motion Picture Relief Fund, an organization that helps actors that need assistance when they can't find the means to do so, paid for her funeral.

While her name did not survive in infamy, she left behind the shimmy. While that might seem like much, at least it was something. If you think about it, did your grandma leave anything fantastic behind? No, delicious pies do not count.

Gilda danced for Hollywood, and because of that, we contain her history.


Watch her dance here!