Discover Hollywood's Articles

June Wayne A Lifetime of Lithography

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

June Wayne’s life and her work spans the decades from World War II to the present. Her art that includes paintings, three dimensional work and tapestries is remarkable in that as she moved into new forms of creative expression, she was the first, she was the one that opened the portal through which other artists followed. She is our Number One Hollywood Art Treasure.

The Poignant Poinsettia

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

The spectacular plant that makes its grand entrance each holiday season has distinctive American roots that spans centuries and cultures.

Castillo Del Lago

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

A house which stretches a hundred or more feet from bottom to top is a house with extremes of geography and engineering. Add elements of myth and legend - gangsters, speakeasies, celebrities - to a three-acre hillside location as picturesque and exotic as an Ivory...

Jayma Mays Living

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:00:00 GMT

It began gradually, but once actress Jayma Mays’ career broke, she was on her way. Today with “Glee,” the Fox TV hit show, husband, actor Adam Campbell (also a rising star), a recent move to the Los Feliz area of Hollywood, Jayma is living the Hollywood dream.

Vintage Jewels

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Two vintage jewels in Hollywood’s cultural treasure trove are the Hollywood Bowl and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

Farmers Market's 75th Anniversary

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Farmers Market’s - For many millions of visitors – and several gen erations of Angelenos – this simple direction has meant a trip to one of the city’s most famous and lively landmarks, the Farmers Market.

From the Editor

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:00:00 GMT

We’ve marked quite a year for this publication. A year ago, we increased our frequency 100% publishing 5 issues – summer, fall, winter, spring and a special Ford Program issue.

Hollywood Art Centennial: DeLongpre & Redmond

11 — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Granville Redmond, a transplanted Pennsylvanian known as one of California’s first resident Impressionists, is famous for his landscapes full of poppies, our state flower, and purple lupines – although, interestingly, he’s said to have preferred darker, moodier subjects, often painting moonlit scenes.

Superheroes, Villains, & Cartoon Characters...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

The ultimate odd couple while in costume, they are among the men and women who impersonate cartoon characters, superheroes, queens and kings of the silver screen, villains and other fantasy beings. Their “stage” is Hollywood Boulevard. They’re seeking to earn tips by entertaining in costume and posing for pictures with people strolling on The Walk Of Fame.

Pinks, Formosa Cafe, Musso & Frank Anniversaries

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

It's perhaps the very definition of a classic Hollywood experience: a coctail at the Formosa Cafe', dinner at Musso and Frank's, and a late-night stop at Pink's for a hot dog. This year all three of these Los Angeles legends are celebrating a major anniversary, so it's the perect time to experience Hollywood history.

Hollywood: Mural Capital of Los Angeles

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Hollywood enjoys an array of murals that provide diversion to the urban streetscape. Eloy Torrez “Legends of Cinema” graces the front of Hollywood High’s Auditorium on Highland Ave. Last year with the assistance of the Community Redevelopment Agency and Jimmy Kimmel, is a full figure north facing panel depicting alum John Ritter.

Getting Around in Hollywood

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

Getting around Hollywood no longer has to involve looking for a parking spot or inching along Hollywood Boulevard. As local residents and incoming tourists become more familiar with the convenience of DASH Hollywood and Metro Rail, getting to their destination has become much easier.

The Hollywood Palladium

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:00:00 GMT

On October 15, nearly sixty eight years to the day that the Hollywood Palladium ushered Los Angeles into the swing era with a grand opening performance of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra featuring a young Frank Sinatra, rap mogul Jay-Z took the stage with his own 12-piece Roc Boys ensemble.

Haunted Hollywood

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

There are those who believe Hollywood is a ghost town. Not a ghost town like you’d find in the Old West; real ghosts who haunt Hollywood for a variety of reasons, according to experts in the field of the paranormal and others who have claimed to see celebrity spirits.

Sixty Years and Still Counting

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Miceli's was established in 1949, when Carmen and Sylvia Miceli gathered their meager funds and opened Miceli's Pizzaria -- Hollywood's first pizza house. Using family recipes brought from Sicily via Old Chicago, people lined up and down the block.

The Ennis House

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

A house which neighbors loved to hate today is the darling of the street where it resides, Glendower Avenue in hilly Los Feliz. Thanks to a $6.5 million renovation and the decision of its board of director caretakers to sell it on the open market, the most unique of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s California designs, the Ennis House, is receiving its first positive public relations in as long as anyone can remember.

Lastpage - Franklin Village

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Nestled below the Hollywood Sign near the junction of Franklin and Bronson Avenues, newly designated Franklin Village is one of Hollywood’s most neighborly junctions. Los Angeles, like London, is rapidly becoming known for its neighborhoods - an evolution of a mega-city that cuts us down to bite-sized, easily-digestible pieces.

Grande Dames of Hollywood

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Starlets and divas have called Hollywood home since the movies first called Action! Some of those early legends of the silver screen are long gone, but Grande Dames with names like Villa Carlotta, The Fontenoy, and El Royale still stand tall, proud and glamorous. On your tour of Hollywood, a visit to these remarkable villas and chateaus will bring Hollywood’s past into the present.

"Madame Tussauds Comes to Town"

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Everyone who comes to Hollywood and strolls along the Walk of Fame or compares their hands and feet with the prints outside the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre secretly wishes that they’ll see their favorite celebrity.

Palm Springs - Hollywood's Playground

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Arriving in Palm Springs by car is a bit like walking through the front gates to Warner Brothers back in the 30s. Suddenly you’re on the set for “Robin of Sherwood”, lots of actors in a very green setting. Maybe a closer description would be that it looks like someone has thrown a green rug onto the parched earth of the desert. Abruptly, the lunar landscape of the desert stops and seems to suddenly burst into bloom.

Witches & Lions & Phantom! Oh My!

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

It’s the stuff of Hollywood fantasy, right? To be more precise it’s the reality of musical theatre in Hollywood. Those are the themes of the musicals “Mamma Mia”,“Phantom Of The Opera”, and “Rent” which will be part of the 2009 season at the historic Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Hollywood Forever: A Place For Everyone

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

It’s not easy spotting stars in Hollywood. Maybe you’ll see one catching a matinee at the Arclight or behind big sunglasses at Sunday’s Farmers’ Market. (Hey, wasn’t that Johnny Depp having lunch at Musso & Frank’s?) But if you really want to get close to the stars – say, six feet or so – there’s no better place than Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Just don’t expect any autographs. Founded as Hollywood Memorial Park in 1899 by gentlemen named Lankershim and Van Nuys (both of whom wound up with namesake communities and streets in the San Fernando Valley), the cemetery on Santa Monica Boulevard actually predates the film studios including Columbia and Warner Bros that eventually surrounded it. Part of Paramount Pictures occupies more than 60 acres of its original grounds. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Star Is Reborn: The Kress Hollywood

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The 38,800 square foot 5 floor complex will add sparkle to the continuing Hollywood revitalization - revelers can even take in the city lights and the stars above by enjoying a full 360-degree view of the famous Hollywood sign from the rooftop lounge.You’re more than likely to see some movie and TV stars too, as this is already the hottest place in town. The Kress contains a pan-Asian restaurant helmed by world renowned Chef Troy N. Thompson, two clubs (a basement level lounge and a live entertainment and dance floor), a third level banquet area and VIP Lounge, and then there is the spectacular rooftop lounge complete with lime green chairs, hazy blue lighting and seven private cabanas.

An Entertainer’s Dream

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Years ago I had a real estate license until I realized that I had no interest in selling houses – only looking at them. Today, I satisfy that passion on
Sundays at open houses in Hollywood’s many neighborhoods. In the ads, I often see “entertainer’s dream” pointing out a new kitchen or
open floor plan and occasionally there’s a “celebrity-owned” description. When I first saw the notice of the “above Sunset

Lost & Found in Los Angeles and London

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The Lost & Found office is the final destination for all these items left behind by the 1.5 million passengers who use the Metro services every day, and recently Discover Hollywood took a look at what was on their shelves. The Lost & Found office is inside the Metro Customer Center at the junction of Wilshire and LaBrea, which was originally the site of Tilford’s Restaurant and Lounge, a mid-century building designed by Los Angeles architect Welton Beckett.

Good Night, Sweet Prince The Last Home of John Barrymore

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

In the East, a house’s pedigree might include an assertion that “George Washington slept here.” Historic homes are marked with plaques designating their original owners and year of construction. In Hollywood, the provenance of homes can include one or more famous and infamous names going beyond the first illustrious resident to generation after generation of famous occupants. Similar to an artistic masterpiece, a home’s previous tenants add to its marketability and allure.

Hollywood Rising

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

With several multi-million-dollar projects being launched, Hollywood promises newly renovated office space, an increase in jobs, impressive hotels, high-end restaurants, luxury apartments and condominiums.

Living on Top of the world

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Like a modern day Philip Marlowe my feet are propped on my desk, chair tilted back, eyes fixated out the picture window on the iconic signage of Capitol Records, the Hollywood Tower, Castle Argyle, and the Hollywood Sign. Only I am not a private detective living in a 1940’s film noir movie, I am part of the new YoCo (young cosmopolitans) demographic returning to the cities for the urban experience. We range in age from 25 to as high as 65 and are authenticity seekers. We are returning to Hollywood to live, work, and play because the uniqueness of this town is what it’s all about.

Tree Grew In Hollywood

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT

A towering tree reached the western-most upstairs window, shading a sloping ledge, big as a balcony. It was
the ledge outside my room. I had passed early childhood shyness and it was that brief
window of time that curiosity forged a new boldness in me.
I could stand across the road, outside the ivy-covered mansion of the actress, Linda Darnell, cajoling her to come
out, as she sunned herself on the patio, while my brother stood by with his nervous crush.
He was eleven, and it was he who Mother armed with two quarters to walk us down to the Egyptian Theater

Mazatlan - Hollywood Discovers

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT

When the cast and crew arrived by train, masses of people came out to receive them. A reception committee, headed by local authorities and the queen of carnival included a brass Sinaloan band and a crowd of people ecstatic for the presence of Raquel Torres and the other actors. (Raquel Torres later appeared as the woman tempting Groucho Marx in “Duck Soup”.) Today, Mazatlan welcomes visitors with the same enthusiasm. In spite of its Hollywood connection, this port city of 300,000, with its beautiful beaches and charming outlying villages was passed by by the glitterati who established Acapulco in the 50’s and Puerto Vallarta in the 60’s. Its attraction as a fishing (and

From the Editor

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:00:00 GMT

This is a very exciting time for Hollywood but even more so for this publication. This issue is the first of our new quarterly schedule. Discover Hollywood now will publish seasonally with Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer issues. Soon our website will expand beyond with many additional features. Discover Hollywood began as a list of cultural venues in a booklet published by the Hollywood Arts Council in 1979.

The Good Bad and Ugly

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:00:00 GMT

At the corner of Los Feliz Boulevard and Riverside Drive stands a larger-than-life bronze statue of Colonel Griffith Jenkins Griffith, donor and of Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory and the Greek Theatre. A multi-millionaire philanthropist, Griffith belonged to the best of clubs of his time. But he was also convicted for disfiguring and attempting to murder his socially prominent wife. His trial was the sensational trial of the early 20th Century.

Ray Bradbury Interview

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Ray Bradbury’s relationship to Hollywood extends from his early teen years to present time. His writings have been made into films and television series, and his plays have been produced on many of Hollywood’s equitywaiver stages. In September a reprise of “Falling Upward“ will open at Theatre West. In an exclusive interview with Discover Hollywood, Bradbury shared some of his thoughts on Hollywood’s renaissance.

Hollywood's Cowboys

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Two of the screen’s greatest cowboys – Gene Autry and most revered Western movie actor of the silent era, William S. Hart – have left behind handsome museums that remain a testament to their legacy, and their love of both the real West and its Hollywood cousin.

From the Editor

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 07:00:00 GMT

Over the past years, as Hollywood was struggling to regain its prominence as THE place to live, work and play, we’ve focused on the central core of Hollywood. That has left us with a lot left to say about Hollywood and its wide open spaces. In this issue, we’re intrigued not only by that uniquely Hollywood entity – the Western Movie, but also some interesting information about the man who left Los Angeles its own “wide open space” Griffith Park.

Discovering Old Hollywood

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Coming from Greece, Alex Williams arrived in Hollywood in 1915, same year, D.W. Griffith turned movies into motion pictures with The Birth of a Nation. Griffith made his movie at Triangle Studios at Sunset and Virgil. Alex Williams set up business with two brothers-in-law named Linardos at Sunset and Gordon, next to the Poverty Row studios. It wasn’t the movies,

El Cabrillo and the Hollywood Renaissance

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:00:00 GMT

To the rest of the world, Hollywood seems like one of the most glamorous places on earth, what with big movie premieres every night and celebrities partying into the small hours and then staggering back to their upscale apartments and condos in the early hours. The truth, however, has been rather different. For many years

From the Editor

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:00:00 GMT

Hollywood is Film Noir.

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:00:00 GMT

If you have ever been in this situation you are either at an American Cinematheque film noir festival at the Egyptian Theatre or walking the steep incline of Ivar Street where a flickering neon sign welcomes you to the Alto-Nido. It is in this 1940’s apartment building where a struggling writer (William Holden) pecked at his typewriter before he became aging screen siren, Gloria Swanson’s, playboy lover and moved into her decrepit mansion in the classic 1950’s film,

Hollywood's Forgotten Past

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 07:00:00 GMT

As a native Angelino, I knew little of our city’s history past the mission days and even less about Hollywood before the movies. There were interesting old photographs, the Victorian era Janes House that had once sat right on Hollywood Blvd. And, there were the street names: De Longpre, Hudson, Wilcox, Waring that I knew were the same as the early settlers of this area. I’d heard of Daeda Wilcox and the legend of how Hollywood got its name but so much history had been eclipsed by the chance arrival of filmmakers Griffith, Lasky and DeMille.

The Magic of Hollywood

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 07:00:00 GMT

The Magic Castle is the private clubhouse for an organization dedicated to the advancement of the ancient art of magic, as well as a strong desire to preserve its history as an art form, entertainment medium, and hobby. They began with a charter membership of 150, and now have a worldwide fraternity of nearly 5,000 and a unique and priceless library committed to the magical arts.

From the Editor - Winter 2005/2006

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:00:00 GMT

It’s been said “All that glitters is not gold,” but one thing for sure—all that glitters is Hollywood. Whether it’s the holiday season or any night of the week, Hollywood lights up and glows. Thanks to Earl C. Anthony, Los Angeles and neon are a match made in heaven and no where is that put to better use than in Hollywood. Small signs and large, old and new, neon is our night light of choice. And as we witness Hollywood becoming more alive at night, in the light of day we’re apt to miss the hustle and bustle of a myriad of students heading to class—film, music, theatre, travel industry and even culinary arts are taught at the many schools that are scattered throughout Hollywood. Allan Duffin’s survey article uncovers another of Hollywood’s industries—education. Five years into the new century and it seems everyone is arriving at our doorstep. Where will we put them all? From high rise

Hollywood City of Lights - Magic of Neon

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:00:00 GMT

When Los Angeles car dealer and early radio pioneer, Earl C. Anthony, returned from Paris in 1923, he gave the city a gift that would transform the evening sky—a pair of orange and blue neon signs to display above his Packard dealership. Innovation and salesmanship were rampant in this city and soon glowing tubes of glass were incorporated into the building boom occurring throughout the city. By the 1930’s, the proliferation of elegant, art deco, rooftop neon signs turned Los Angles into a mecca for tourists who delightedly drove the streets of the city.

Poem: 24-Hour Shine

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:00:00 GMT

24-Hour Shine © Poet-broker Developers are tinkering with a tinsel town toolkit chiseling clues from foundations of urban places, they’ve tightened up synergy in boulevard spaces, and smoothed diverse urban energies into grooves. The past is preserved in Egyptian and Pantages restorations the future is foreshadowed on the rails of three transit stations at night workers race to bars over walk of fame pavement then throw off their shoes in lofts above the rail tubes. The barely lit sun shines on reborn deco buildings where youth rests before stumbling past steamy cafés up to loft offices or down Hollywood and Vine escalators to catch red neon Metro to downtown or San Fernando gigs, looking back above them at glass towers where elevators mix women in nurses whites with sisters in St. John knits. Ed Rosenthal is “poet-broker” and is also a historic properties specialist for CB Richard Ellis in downtown Los Angeles, where he is senior vice president of investments. He can be reached at Poet-brok

Hollywood - The World's Campus!

Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:00:00 GMT

Believe it or not, Hollywood is a college town. Every year the best and bravest from around the world arrive on its starry sidewalks, eager to learn and ready to work. Take your pick–acting, filmmaking, comedy, make-up, music, cooking, travel – Hollywood has a school for almost every craft.

Music City ...the ultimate, living, breathing jukebox

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 07:00:00 GMT

But what makes Hollywood’s music scene special? It doesn’t have a distinctive sound or style, such as Nashville’s country or Detroit’s Motown soul. Instead, Hollywood’s musical uniqueness is attributed to its close proximity to the hubs of both the television and film industries. This area is a kind of melting pot of the arts, if you will, with actors, musicians and other fame-seeking entertainers all inhabiting the same small creative stage, simultaneously surging to capture the spotlight. Every night of the week, soundboards are humming hot with live music action in this town. Sounds flow from underground haunts like the Hotel Café or Largo, to that special musical magic emanating beneath the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. The worlds of music and film have had a co-dependant relationship ever since silver screens first brightened darkened theaters. For instance, when D.W.

From the Editor - Summer 2005

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 07:00:00 GMT

As a new generation discovers Hollywood as a cultural playground, I’m reminded that this is another layer built upon a rich tradition of the arts and entertainment that this community has enjoyed for 100 years. Paul DeLongpre, the famed botanical artist, built his estate at Cahuenga and Prospect (now Hollywood Blvd.). His gardens were one of the city’s first tourist attractions. Hollywood’s pioneers, the early farmers and ranchers came to Hollywood for its rich land planting bean fields and orchards until the movie makers would change it forever. Soon some of these ranchers were subdividing their land and building housing for a developing film industry. Today their legacy is in street names – Wilcox, Cole, Seward, Fuller and Hudson. Our climate also attracted the wealthy from the east who purchased large parcels on which to build their grandiose

Aline Barnsdall - The Ultimate Iconoclast

Wed, 24 Aug 2005 07:00:00 GMT

Aline Barnsdall, the donor of Barnsdall Art Park, was the ultimate iconoclast. A fiercely independent feminist, a bohemian, a devotee and producer of experimental theater, and an enormously wealthy heiress, she was a single mother at a time when women were simply not single mothers. More importantly, she was also the real mother of modern architecture, having brought Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Shindler, and Richard Neutra to California to work on the avante garde theater colony she envisioned for Olive Hill in Los Feliz. Without Aline Barnsdall, Frank Lloyd Wright might never have come to California. Yet with Frank Lloyd Wright, Aline, like many others, had a stormy relationship. Kindred spirits in many ways, it was Barnsdall who reached out and bankrolled Frank Lloyd Wright after his notoriety killed his domestic practice. She was enormously generous, supportive and patient, while Wright was consumed with his personal travails and the construction of the monumental Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. And

Inside Hollywood’s Party Scene

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 08:00:00 GMT

A Worldly Place to Visit Visitors from around the world and even local Los Angeles folk are flocking to the new Hollywood nightclubs. “There is still so much potential here,” said Steve Adelman, owner of The Spider Club and Avalon night club. “Hollywood is a great place to do business. We have only been here for a year and a half-it’s amazing how successful we have been.” More venues are sprouting up than ever before, noted Adelman. “The nightclub scene really has a sense of momentum going. I can only see it expanding in the future.” Adelman has been thrilled with the

Hollywood's French Connection (is not what you may think)

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 08:00:00 GMT

Considering France’s influence on Hollywood, many of us tend to think of French restaurants and favorite movies. But drive around a bit, and you’ll see a surprising quantity of French-inspired architecture. Most notable, if only because they’re the biggest, are the numerous local replicas of French chateaux. The original chateaux were fortresses built by feudal landowners. They were walled, so that local peasants could take refuge during invasions. As time proceeded from the medieval through the Renaissance, France united; ramparts came down; towers were covered by (often conical) turrets; and new, less armored buildings were constructed, notably in the Loire, Cher and Indre valleys. American chateaux aren’t unique to Hollywood, or even Los Angeles. But somehow, they seem to belong here surrounded by a bewildering blend of architectural styles,

An Insider’s Guide to Why We Love Living in Hollywood

Tue, 11 Jan 2005 08:00:00 GMT

The Hollywood area is a great place to live. Great if you are an artist, writer, actor or in any of the creative disciplines - because Hollywood inspires. Here the creative spirit wafts through the air along with the Santa Ana winds. My Westside friends are envious that I live in Hollywood. Tamara Rawitt is the Emmy Award winning co-creator of In Living Color, “Us devout Westsiders hold ourselves hostage out here under the guise of “good air”. What good is breathing it when you’re bored to death? For most of us, going way east is an effort. But once we’re in Hollywood, we instantly feel hipper and alive. The Eastside is like a B-12 shot for our botoxed frontal lobes!” All photo art by

Let's Do Lunch

Wed, 18 Aug 2004 07:00:00 GMT

In Hollywood "Let's do lunch," can be the beginning or the end - the promise of a deal or the brush off. In a town where it's often said it's not what you know, but who you know, it could be said that more potential entertainment business occurs from noon to 2 p.m. than any other hours of the day as relationships are formed and future opportunities are explored.

And in Hollywood there are restaurants to suit any whim, any mood and just about any cuisine.

From the Editor

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 07:00:00 GMT

Dressing the Part

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 07:00:00 GMT

Fashion stylists, auditioning actors and costumers need not look further than the newly revitalized Hollywood for all their clothes shopping needs. The area, with its reasonable pricing, is home to numerous exciting retro, exotic and designer shops, and has attracted savvy consumers as well.

Everything from handpainted goatskin jackets, trousers made from old men's shirts and 60's-style vinyl dresses are all available in the fashionable city that never sleeps!

On the Street Where You Lived

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 07:00:00 GMT

Who would have thought, passing this secluded cul-de-sac off Franklin, you might stumble upon the very heart of Hollywood history? That street is Camino Palmero. Driving west on Franklin, half a mile from La Brea, you could almost pass it by.

To your left, are blocks of condos. But to your right - at the top of the hill, is the Mediterranean villa once lived in by developer C.E. Toberman - creator of such Hollywood landmarks as the Hollywood Bowl, the El Capitan, the Egyptian, the Grauman's Chinese Theater and many of the lovely Spanish revival buildings on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. His neighbors in the 20's and 30's included Al Jolson, Bette Davis, Ruby Keeler and Rosalind Russell. (Also, nearby is the former home of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, but that's another story).

From the Editor

Mon, 19 Jan 2004 08:00:00 GMT

There is no doubt that Hollywood is a town of contrasts. Nestled at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains and under the mammoth sign rests some of the most expensive and romantically designed real estate anywhere. Yet as Amy Sorkin points out in her article, Hollywood’s charm is elusive and its urban façade may at first be disappointing.

LA’s Unique Theatre Scene

Sun, 18 Jan 2004 08:00:00 GMT

In LA, we’re saddled with the misperception that LA is not a theatre town. It isn’t true - and if you’re reading this, you already know that. But I think it comes from the idea that because we’re not like New York, we’re not a theatre town. Well, not only is LA not like New York, it never will be - and it just doesn’t matter. LA is a unique environment and its theatre scene is just as individualistic.

Hollywood Reality

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 08:00:00 GMT

With its pervasive images of superstars and billionaire film and television execs, Hollywood draws people from all over the nation to partake in its glory. But how does the experience of living here compare to the images and expectations?

Even for those who’ve never been to Hollywood, it’s a pretty sure bet that newcomers have a strong image of what it’s like to live here. Few cities worldwide have received as much media attention and, with the exception of New York and possibly Paris, few others can boast a comparable reputation when it comes to being a place where people come to realize their dreams.

Fear not the "hairy-nosed wombat"!

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 08:00:00 GMT

The W.C. Fields Estate

When comedian W.C. Fields moved onto DeMille Drive in the late ‘30s he kept a rifle handy – just in case a “hairy-nosed wombat” might wander out of the zoo in nearby Griffith Park. Alas, no wombats appeared, and the sole time Fields fired a shot was in warning when his next door neighbor, the air raid warden, appeared unannounced one night during World War II. The warden, C.B. DeMille, left a bit rattled – no matter that he was Fields’ boss at Paramount. From then on, DeMille’s butler did the civilian defense patrol in Laughlin Park.

Getting Around Hollywood

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 08:00:00 GMT

Arrive at any number of Hollywood locations with ease
Getting around Hollywood no longer has to involve looking for a parking spot or inching along Hollywood Boulevard. As local

L.A.'s Main Street

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 07:00:00 GMT

In the year since its inception, The Grove, Los Angeles’ newest and most innovative outdoor center, has established itself as a community gathering place.

Our community has been enriched with a whole new sense of ‘neighborhood,’ bringing a new focal point to the area, said Park La Brea Apartments spokesperson, Barbara Barsi. The attractive and appealing mix of shops, restaurants and multiscreen theatre, all situated around welcoming pedestrian walkways, a choreographed fountain and public square, have drawn many of our residents to repeated visits, she said.

Hollywood’s Broadcast Beginnings

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 07:00:00 GMT

If you were to walk down Vine Street in the 30’s-40’s, you would see lit-up station call letters in every direction. In the golden ages of radio and television, Hollywood was the broadcast capitol, and Vine Street was Mecca.

Movies, of course, made Hollywood’s image, but daily national radio shows captured Hollywood the place in living rooms across the country, and helped it become the world’s entertainment capital. And when TV came on the scene, show business would change forever.

Hollywood Shopper's Fantasy

Tue, 01 Jul 2003 07:00:00 GMT

What’s your Hollywood fantasy? From all over the world, people come here to experience the Hollywood dream, knowing that it isn’t just on the silver screen that fantasies can come true.

Where is Hollywood

Mon, 02 Dec 2002 08:00:00 GMT

When much of the world thinks of the United States, they think of Hollywood because of the entertainment industry. And rightfully so. There is not a single product, whether it is television, movies or music, that has given a place such a widely recognized name. Even though there are other places where they create entertainment like we do here, this is the place where it started, the place where the most recognizable people are at work and the place where people come to attain the status of movie star. Of course, many people have their own ideas about where you can find what makes people flock to Hollywood. If you take a walk there and ask a few people what they think, the answers might surprise you.

From the Editor

Mon, 02 Dec 2002 08:00:00 GMT

I write this on the eve of secession and by tomorrow night we’ll know if the attempt to break away from Los Angeles was successful.

From the Editor

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 07:00:00 GMT

n this issue, we explore Hollywood Boulevard’s newest attraction, Hollywood & Highland, and the reality of dreams fulfilled personified in stories of real people who have made it in Hollywood.

Hollywood's New Face

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 07:00:00 GMT

I was raised above the Boulevard, and as a child, that’s where I would escape. My destination would be the Pig ’n Whistle, a fantasyland of pig-mask-menus and cherry cokes, where—from the counter—you could watch the passing parade of Hollywood nature boys, cowboys and aging Baby Janes. The Boulevard, with its cigar store Indians, western souvenir stores and glittering movie palaces—was full of possibility. And, at night, from our house in the hills, we could see the spotlights criss-crossing the skies.

On Achieving the Big Break

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 07:00:00 GMT

The road to success is fraught with challenges--but only the determined achieve their every dream. This is especially true in the competitive land of behind-the-scenes Hollywood, where people are eagerly vying for a handful of jobs. Does a person looking for their big break need a certain “something” that spells out S-U-C-C-E-S-S in order to stand apart? Or is it simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time? Discover Hollywood interviewed industry veterans to see how they managed to break through.

Norma Talmadge's Cedarhurst

Mon, 01 Jul 2002 07:00:00 GMT

She was at the core of an elite group of early silent film stars that included Harold Lloyd, Gloria Swanson, Tom Mix, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., John Barrymore, Clara Bow and Mary Pickford, Norma Talmadge’s home sat on a hilltop not far from the studios that gave her fame. Seeing Cedarhurst, a 10,000 square foot architectural delight allegedly a replica of the Duke of Alba’s 17th century Florence villa, conjures up images of the grand excess of the 1920’s. No detail was spared an its cost of $500,000 was extraordinary for its day. The exact details of Norma Talmadge’s residency are unclear, but there is no doubt that this property was meant for a queen.

From the Editor

Sat, 01 Dec 2001 08:00:00 GMT

For some time we’ve known that a new day was approaching—a day that had been anticipated and worked toward for nearly two decades. On November 8th, the much anticipated Hollywood & Highland project was opened. The day was bittersweet. The celebration was more subdued, yet somehow more meaningful in light of the tragic events on September 11th.

Spiritual Searchers

Sat, 01 Dec 2001 08:00:00 GMT

When we think of Hollywood, we usually picture the glittery veneer of the entertainment industry, its movie stars, its parties. For a century now, our movies have showcased Hollywood as not only a paradise with perfect weather, but also a haven, the single best destination for searchers the world over to come discover their dreams. Often these dreams have involved movies themselves, with people aspiring to become successful actors, writers, directors. However, other dreams abound, as people seek spiritual answers and inner fulfillment. Religions are as much of our city as movies. And it's not just Christianity and Judaism. The list is as diverse as the people who live here.

Patriotic Films

Sat, 01 Dec 2001 08:00:00 GMT

These days everyone has patriotism on the mind, and Hollywood is no exception. Whether addressing sensitivity or censorship, the industry is as much under the microscope as are issues of national security. In fact, Hollywood has always played a crucial and difficult role in defining national character. From the traditional war hero to the archetypal enemy, the line between the industry reflecting trends in American sentiment and vice versa has often been blurred. With an increasingly complex national dynamic the task of recreating the notion of patriotism on screen has only offered greater challenge over time.

The Stars Return to Hollywood

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 07:00:00 GMT

As trendsetters revitalize Hollywood, celebrities and locals alike head to dozens of venues sprouting up in the district. But not all of these hot spots are recent additions to the neighborhood. In fact, some of the newest places to be in Hollywood are also the oldest.

From the Editor

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 07:00:00 GMT

Everywhere the town is abuzz with talk of new and soon to open attractions. Night spots, restaurants and new retail developments are in various stages. In November, the much-touted Hollywood & Highland project will open its shops and restaurants. The sense of excitement is sculptures reminiscent of the great silent movie spectacular "Interolerance."

Hollywood's Child: Norma Jeane

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 07:00:00 GMT

Before she was Marilyn Monroe, she was Norma Jeane. And Joe Jasgur, now a world-famous photographer, shot her first model portfolio – the portfolio that would be the bridge to her success.

A Family Dynasty Lives On In Hollywood

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 07:00:00 GMT

Long identified with New York theatre’s “Actors Studio,” there are few outside the acting community who might associate Lee Strasberg and Hollywood. Yet it is here that his legacy lives on.

“This is the place of our youth-- the kids and mine,” said Anna Strasberg, widow of the legendary acting coach and, perhaps to prove a point, Academy Award winner, Lee Strasberg. She looked up at the black wrought iron doors, with the big numbers “6757” on the front of them. "The people that came through these doors were unbelievable,” Mrs. Strasberg said, “there are so many people who have gone on to become legends.”

From the Editor

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 08:00:00 GMT

The manufactured excitement of the new millennium has passed and, no doubt, the real beginning of the next century, (for the purists) will arrive without fanfare-thank heavens.

She's Ready for Her Close-Up

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 08:00:00 GMT

Of all the great ladies of Hollywood, her story is undoubtedly the grandest of all. Throughout her illustrious history, she never once failed to titillate, to awe and inspire. She aged, more gracefully than most, and it never was her reputation that was sullied, more it was her surroundings. She has withstood the test of time and returns again in a blaze of glory. Although there have been wanabees, other contenders for the fame and glory she possessed. At the end of the 20th Century, she remains totally without peer in a class by herself.

Commemorating Hollywood's Cultural Luminaries

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 08:00:00 GMT

I come from a family that read historic markers on highways while on summer vacations. Later, I often had occasion to note commemorative markers in various cities. For example, it seemed that almost every street in Aix-en-Provence (the sister city of Baton Rouge), where I was an exchange professor, had a plaque commemorating cultural figures who had lived in the city and not just Paul Cezanne and Emilé Zola who are Aix’s most famous artistic inhabitants. In New York City, there is a plaque on a building above the West 57th Street subway station at Eighth Avenue, indicating that the great Hungarian composer, Bela Bartok, had died there in 1945.

The Best Bargain In Town

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 08:00:00 GMT

Hollywood has joined New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco to offer CityPass to visitors. CityPass is a one-price ticket that features admission to eight of the area’s leading attractions and museums. The Hollywood City Pass offers visitors the opportunity to see the Universal Studios, L.A.’s number premiere movie studio and number one visitor attraction and seven other area cultural attractions—a $92 value for $49.75

Hollywood's Long Tradition

Fri, 01 Dec 2000 08:00:00 GMT

Hollywood has a long tradition of live theatre. Today theatre in Hollywood varies from far-out experiments to the most popular entertainment, and it plays everywhere—tiny, store-front theatres to art deco palaces. You will find new plays, old plays, musicals—almost anything—performed by fanatic thespians, about-to-be-discovered actors and accomplished well-known TV and film personalities.

From the Editor

Sat, 01 Jul 2000 07:00:00 GMT

With the attention that has been focused on Hollywood and its "renaissance," at long last we're realizing the benefit that good publicity can bring. There is an excitement building as we see the iron pillars rising at the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Looking down at the site from the Yamashiro recently, it was exciting to see the skeleton of seating tiers in the new Academy Award theatre take shape.

Discovering the Past in Hollywood's Future

Sat, 01 Jul 2000 07:00:00 GMT

The elation is natural. Hollywood has seen cherished institutions like the Masquers Club, the Garden Court Apartments and the Brown Derby demolished - replaced by parking lots and faceless structures.

The City and the Myth: Local Museums Unite the Two Hollywoods

Sat, 01 Jul 2000 07:00:00 GMT

Far from being a random collection of movie memorabilia, Hollywood's museums tell a story that goes beyond our city limits-one inscribed within a greater cultural legend: the myth of Hollywood. Whether it is the undergarments on display at Frederick's, the Star Trek set at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, or the Spirit of Romance Gallery at the Autry, our museums link the actual past of Tinsel town with the fictional tales that made it famous.

A Hollywood Tale

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

Once upon a time in the dusty frontier of Oklahoma, John and Dorothy Hampton, a young and adventurous couple, set their sights on Hollywood, California and drove across America with their dream to build a Silent Movie Theatre that would carry them into the heart of the talking picture landscape.

Churches Reach Out to the Entertainment Industry

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

As the new Millennium approaches, faced with changing attitudes towards religion, churches find salvation by broadening their ministries.

By capitalizing on the size and beauty of their structures, and by developing new programs that reach into the heart of the entertainment industry community, there is new life and energy in the most traditional of settings.

From the Editor

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

At least until next year when the extension to Universal City and North Hollywood is completed, Hollywood is THE destination for hundreds of thousands of riders monthly. At last Hollywood is accessible to visitors staying in downtown hotels. Now a quick train trip opens up Hollywood theatres, restaurants, clubs and attractions to tourists. The word is spreading that Hollywood is where the action is and it's easy to get to. MTA's DASH Destination Hollywood accesses Hollywood Blvd. between the station west to La Brea Ave.

From the Editor

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

With all congratulating that's been going on this year acknowledging that Hollywood is "on the move," the actual transition into the next century seems oddly anti - climatic.

As we move through the Millennium frenzy, it's important to keep our feet firmly grounded in the richness of our heritage and our community's unique culture.

Future's Past: Welcoming the New Mellennium

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

As we head into the Millennium, it seems impossible to believe, but after years of failed promises and numerous false starts, a rebirth may at last become a reality in Hollywood.

It wasn't immediate - and it took a spirit of alliance between groups, but even ardent skeptics agree that revival is at hand after years of sad decline.

Hollywood's First Family

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

If ever there was a true Hollywood family, it's the Watson's, Child actors, acclaimed photojournalists and community leaders, they've witnessed the scene for almost a century.

Through the Eyes of Phil Stern

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

Stern is one of a revered core of photographers who worked during Hollywood's golden years and now, nearing 80, is "recycling his youth."

"Whenever a star like Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin or John Wayne dies, my pictures are used," he says. "When Sinatra died, they were in Life's special tribute edition, and in almost every major magazine. It's amazing." His photos of icons like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean have become a small cottage industry.

Visual Perspectives: The American Society of Cinematographers

Thu, 01 Jul 1999 07:00:00 GMT

ASC, or The American Society of Cinematographers is the oldest continuously operation motion picture society in the world, formed in 1919 by two early cinema camera clubs. The charter was, "to advance the art of cinematography through artistry and technological progress, exchange ideas, and cement relationships among cinematographers." William S. Hart and Mary Pickford first put the letters "ASC" after a cinematographer's name on screen, and through 80 years, 425 members have earned that glory.

Lost & Found in Los Angeles and London

The Stars Return to Hollywood