Real Estate Special

RealReal EEstatestate SSpecialpecial Past timeS in the palisades Palisadian-Post Thursday, May 25, 2017 Page 17

Bird’s Eye: Soaring 30 stories above The Village. Photo courtesy of Chuck Larsen Celebrating our history; Creating our future

By JOHN HARLOW a non-Jamie Lee Curtis version of “Freaky Fri- LA, the air is cleaner. It’s not just the wired gadgets and electric Editor-in-Chief day” and, to maintain the chronological theme, Serious crime is down. Those who remem- cars, even if they are creating a power shortage, “Saturday Night Fever”—will be a wonderful ber horror shows such as the brutal murder of or the fact that a lucky few can dedicate the e are now a little more than one year treat. Palisades High School graduate Teak Dyer in space of a three-car garage to a gift-wrapping from the opening of Rick Caruso’s Pal- Caruso wants to open with “It’s a Won- 1988 can put today’s criminality into perspec- room. It’s the more practical concerns of inhab- Wisades Village, an event likely to be the big- derful Life”—but is that suitable for a summer tive. iting a machine for living. gest seismic change to the landscape since the night? The plague of giant billboards that dated It’s the lack of lead in the paint, more re- Methodist founders arrived nearly a century The forthcoming summer blockbusters to back to the 1950s have been stripped away, liable earthquake proofing, more trustworthy ago. be shown outdoors at Will Rogers State Park thanks to a community upheaval. water supplies—LADWP water is drinkable, The town is reshaping itself rapidly, which and, in August, at Palisades Recreation Center There are—Ruthless Ryderz aside—fewer something the Methodists might have found as- is why we commissioned television executive, will be great fun, and the Palisades Branch Li- fatalities on Sunset Boulevard per driver than at tounding—the use of better building materials drone pilot and eagle-eyed photographer Chuck brary has quietly shown some amazing titles. any time since the road was known as Beverly. that wear better than adobe. Larson to take a snapshot 300 feet above the But, for some, nothing beats a plush seat in the But there is still room for engineering improve- Many new homes, like many but not all Caruso “Big Dig”—before it starts to be filled back row of an old-school theater. ments at the Chautauqua intersection. new cars, are “better” than their predecessors in with concrete to becomesomething, hope- Since the Bay closed, the town has changed The schools are shining beacons of litera- because of technological and social evolution. fully, extraordinary over the next few months. dramatically. cy and energy. If you want proof of the Flynn We expect more, and more is delivered. Some residents still feel conflicted about It no longer votes totally Republican, Effect, a sociological theory that every gener- The Palisades Village, replacing a mori- the Village project, whether they want it to at- although there is, as I am frequently told, a ation can handle around 15 percent more data bund array of defeated businesses, is almost tract people from outside Pacific Palisades, or strong, if low-key, GOP contingency in the than the previous, one way of measuring IQ on here. The hole in our drone picture will soon not, and at what hours. town. (But the last presidential vote was 80 standard tests, just talk to a PaliHi kid. be a deep parking lot. Life will be different for But the legitimate concerns, conspiracy percent Democratic.) Many green areas have been brought back everyone. theories and terrible noise that has surround- The Palisades has recovered from its to life by fiercely determined volunteers, such But this special issue is an excuse to briefly ed its conception and birth may be consigned 1980s slump, when, shockingly, home prices as Barbara Marinacci and Marge Gold. For the look back into the past of the Palisades and to history if Caruso, who everyone agrees is a staggered behind the rest of Los Angeles for a longest time, the heart of the Village was a grim some of the striking homes and estates upon smart man, can pull off what he has promised: while. That was followed in the 1990s by the patch leased by Standard Oil: Now it’s a cool which today’s physical culture is founded. a rejuvenated Village center, a civic heart, beat- arrival of the first “McMansions.” haven known as the Village Green. Just before we forget. ing with aesthetic, recreational and yes, retail The consequences of these super-large The homes themselves? They have been It’s a rich mixture of private and civ- opportunities. homes, at a time when family size and gadgets transformed. ic structures with many agendas: education, And movies. are shrinking, may only be understood by so- Many, despite their size, are environmen- commerce, shelter and, in Will Rogers’ case, To see a film in a theater for the first time in cial scientists in years to come. Most concur it’s tally smarter, warmer or cooler when required, a fantasy dream home, far from the chaos of the Palisades since the twin-screen Bay Theater a mixed blessing. more pleasant places to live than the relatively everyday life. closed in September 1978—our former film re- At the same time, the Palisades has grown humble homes where some Palisadians were That may have caught up with the Pali- viewer Arnie Wishnick recalled it was showing prettier and more civilized. Like elsewhere in born. sades at rush hour, but there was a time … Page 18 Palisadian-Post May 25, 2017

Estates in the Palisades: Yesterday and Today By MICHAEL EDLEN This impressive landmark Special to the Palisadian-Post stands out today: Many people often mistake it for the Getty Vil- In 2001 Randy and Betty Lou la, which is tucked away nearby. Young published “Pacific Pal- The family lived there until isades—Where The Mountains 1935 and later sold it in 1952 Meet The Sea.” Much of the his- when the estate was settled. toric information here is based on During those years, it lost much that book. of the land, due to erosion and slippage down to the highway. y definition, an “estate” is The exclusive sections of the “mostly used to mean a mas- Palisades attracted wealthy peo- Bsive and fabulous house on a big ple even during the Depression piece of land.” The concept began era. One notable estate from that in countries that were developed period was the McCormick estate centuries before the United States in the Huntington Palisades. It in- had even begun. cluded 13 acres of land, combin- In Southern California, the ing 14 separate lots at the time. largest equivalent “estate” originat- It overlooked the Pacific ed with Spanish land grants in the Ocean and Potrero Canyon at the late 18th century, including such section where Alma Real curves properties as the Rancho Boca de into Corona del Mar, and was Santa Monica, which was approx- said to be the highest price paid imately 6,600 acres between what for one residential lot in the coun- is now Topanga Canyon and just try at $365,000 in 1928. past Santa Monica Canyon, and all The property was owned by along the foothills above what is a member of the family that also now Pacific Palisades. During the period of 1890- 1946, these huge ranchos gradually became subdivided and under- went several periods of substantial growth of housing, leaving very few true estate-type properties by the 1950s. Michael Edlen outside Villa Aurora Photos by Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer In fact, only three percent of the Palisades properties are over until the 1970s. known as Parker Ranch, has also gardens showcase in 1926, which ed before the Depression struck. It one acre today, and most of those Many of the original, larger remained intact. flourished as a tourist attraction stood as the only large house on are either up or down sloping estate-type properties still remain, A lavish estate was created on into the 1940s. Between 1944- the hill for many years after 1930 land. Seventy-five percent of Pal- although often with less land eight acres of land with the high- 48, the property suffered a series and has been owned by several isadian lots are under one-third of around the home than was origi- est elevation of ocean views along of landslides, exacerbated by the wealthy and well-known people. an acre—approximately 15,000 nally owned. A few are still intact 600 feet of what was then named state having widened the coastal The property includes an indoor square feet. with large grounds, such as the Beverly Boulevard—today Sunset highway below it. swimming pool. The Palisades had approxi- Will Rogers Park area. Will Rog- Boulevard—where the west end of Today, only bits of walls, Between 1926-28, the Castel- mately 100 homes in 1925, in- ers bought the land from a devel- Marquez now terminates. hedges, shrubs and some surviving lammare development was planned creasing to 300 by 1930, and then oper in the mid-1920s and added The owner was a wealthy art trees remain. with Italian Renaissance-style experienced a significant growth 60 acres in upper Rustic Canyon collector named Adolph Bern- In the Bel-Air Bay tract, only homes. The first to be built was the The villa of new housing after World War II in 1934. The Getty Villa, originally heimer. He created the Japanese one large-scale home was complet- Villa Leon, a “castle by the sea.” (Continued on page 19)

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Estates in the Palisades jects beginning in the 1930s, and (Continued from page 18) in 1953, he established the museum in five rooms of the house. owned International Harvester The present museum opened in Company. According to records, 1974 on 55 acres, and cost about the completed “summer home” $16 million, while the main complex included 100 rooms in building and 10 acres of grounds six or seven buildings and was were used for staff purposes. maintained by a 30-member Besides the remaining parts staff. Even though it had suffered or whole estates as mentioned from landslides by 1932, some of above, there are several more the main structures survived and modern estates created by either were gradually sold off as a few combining parcels or building separate properties. grand homes on relatively large Another notable estate devel- lots. Some examples include Via oped in the 1930s was built by Florence, a private street con- Anatol Josepho, who fled Russia taining several sites originally during the Revolution and be- intended for separate homes that came wealthy through inventing were never able to be built. Now and then selling a coin-operated a large home with guesthouse instant photo portrait booth com- and studio is set on expansive pany. He discovered an 85-acre grounds. parcel in upper Rustic Canyon Others are the beautiful, large and built his own road into the home at the corner of Toyopa and site from what is now the end of Corona Del Mar, a well-known Casale at the top of The Riviera. producer’s compound on north His family and the Rogers family Amalfi, a famous actor’s- mag became close friends, along with nificent architectural view home Leo Carrillo, whose ranch home at the top of the Riviera, a new was in Santa Monica Canyon. estate-size view home also at the In 1933, a large and secluded top of the Riviera, a large and gat- site next to the Josepho’s proper- ed property at the very top of the ty was bought for the purpose of hill above the Riviera and other laying the groundwork for a Nazi new homes on mostly about one- stronghold in an isolated spot. half acre sites. The owners apparently spent $4 Views of Villa De Leon Many others could be includ- million in developing much of ed, depending on one’s definition the site for a large home and other Hartford Foundation could no Villa Aurora, which was home Bienveneda and Akron. He es- er family, which developed the of what an “estate” consists of in buildings that were never built. It longer support the property and for Lion and Marta Feuchtwanger tablished an avocado tree grove, canyon and grounds with a beau- the Palisades. It is likely that over was known as the Murphy Ranch. it was sold to a developer for his in the 1940s and ’50s. The home modern stables and sweeping ex- tiful home, theater, gardens, etc. the years to come, many other The Josephos sold their ranch personal family use. A few years they selected was built by one panses of lawns. In 1947, J. Paul Getty pur- fairly large lots will become sites in 1946. Two years later it became later, he sold off part of it, and of the original developers of the Perhaps the best-known re- chased it for $250,000 and it be- of expansive homes, to the extent part of an artists’ colony, which eventually, the Los Angeles City Miramar Estates. Today, Paseo maining estate in the Palisades came known as the Getty Ranch. that changing ordinances may opened in 1950 on the 140-acre Department of Parks and Recre- Miramar is still the main road today is the site of the J. Paul Getty assembled a small zoo allow. property created by acquisition of ation owned the property. By the into the area, and only nine large Getty Villa Museum. It had been there, expanded the buildings and Murphy Ranch. The colony was 1970s the property was neglect- homes were built in the Miramar the 17-acre remaining piece of he said he planned to return af- Michael Edlen of Coldwell funded by Huntington Hartford, ed, the tenants were evicted and Estates before 1940. land that Mascual Marquez saved ter he moved to Europe in 1951. Banker has been a resident of the Jr., and he engaged Frank Lloyd in 1979-80, fire and floods- de In the 1930s, George Barrett for his own family use over the However, he apparently only Palisades for 40 years, a lead- Wright as the architect to design stroyed most of the structures. parceled together 110 acres north years, as his vast ranch was sold spent a few nights in the place. ing Realtor for 30 years, and has the property layout. Other notable estates of the of Sunset in Las Pulgas Canyon, off piece by piece. Before his passing in 1976, been active in many local commu- By 1965, the Huntington 1940s included the well-known which is now mostly homes along It was finally sold to the Park- Getty had collected many art ob- nity organizations and programs.

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Palisadian-Post Sunset/PCH—The Westside’s ESTATE Premier Oceanfront Experience ositioned on the iconic corner um lighting and high-end finishes completed a sweeping spec suite of Sunset Boulevard and Pacif- throughout. campaign, turning all vacancies Hugh Evans III and Richard Stearns Pic Coast Highway at the intersec- To accentuate the property’s lo- into move-in-ready, top-of-the-line tion of Malibu, Pacific Palisades cation, ocean views and indoor/out- suites, featuring exposed ceilings, oth founders of Los Angeles’ and Santa Monica, Sunset/PCH door areas, the ownership added an extensive glass and fully furnished real estate brokerage Partners is a three-building center, totaling abundance of glass and reimagined kitchens. BTrust were named among Variety’s 103,000 square feet, owned by the outdoor common areas, adding With breathtaking views and 2017 Real Estate Elite. Hugh Evans prominent New York-based real fire pits and beautiful furniture for first class, move-in ready suites, III and Richard Stearns discuss why estate firm Brickman Associates. tenants to take in the panoramic Sunset/PCH redefines the ocean- they started Partners Trust and ap- Upon purchasing 17383 Sunset views. front experience. People are taking prise the current Pacific Palisades Blvd. in 2015, Brickman com- Sunset/PCH features on-site notice, as seen by the numerous me- real estate market. pletely reimagined the project to amenities, such as the prestigious dia, entertainment, real estate and be the intersection of “office meets fitness center Bay Club Pacific Pal- tech tenants who have signed leases Palisadian-Post: Tell us when beach.” isades, which includes the popular at the property within the past year. and why you started Partners Trust. The renovations to Sunset/PCH Pure Energy Cafe, an upgraded Evans: We started Partners Trust include new lobbies, new elevators, parking facility with new direction- To learn more about LA’s only in 2009—during the country’s worst new common corridors and beau- al signage and valet parking. true oceanfront experience, please financial crisis in our lifetime—with tiful ADA bathrooms with premi- In addition, ownership has visit sunsetpch.com. the idea that agents can find greater Richard Stearns (left) and Hugh Evans III Photos courtesy of Partners Trust success working together rather than competing against each other homes just over a million to over $30 Stearns: We’re also co-listing Stearns: We wanted to create a million. And, anything near the new an ocean-view, south-of-France-style culture and work environment where Caruso Village is going nuts. chateau, sited on over half an acre of associates empower one another to land in the gated Shadow Mountain GOT MOLD? NOT SURE? thrive and develop enduring, reliable Post: Tell us about your newest enclave, offered at $11 million. bonds with their clients. Pacific Palisades property on the Call LAʼ s leading mold inspection and consulting company. market. Contact Hugh Evans III by email Post: Tell us about a notable sale Evans: Richard and I just at [email protected] or call Don’t trust your largest investment or your family’s health over the past year that you were in- co-listed 15515 Via De Las Olas, 310-500-1331; volved with. a 16,693-square-foot, double lot, Contact Richard Stearns by to untrained, inexperienced & franchised companies! Evans: I brokered the price- perched upon a Pacific Palisades email at richard.stearns@thepart- per-square-foot record of a home in clifftop, offered at $9.5 million. nerstrust.com or call 310-850-9284. The Riviera neighborhood of Pacific Palisades. Stearns: I represented the buyer of the Ronald Reagan estate in The Riviera that was priced at $22 million.

Post: What’s the current state of the Pacific Palisades real estate market? The Mold Inspection Specialists! Evans: It is still a competitive market with very limited inventory, however, unlike the past few years, Must bring coupon to redeem. Offer expires 10/01/2017. buyers are now more thoughtful in the process. Stearns: Pacific Palisades is MoldUSA.com one of the strongest markets in LA. Family Owned & Operated What makes it interesting is the broad 310-823-MOLD (6653) Since 2001 price range that is offered, including

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The Getty Villa’s Ranch House was originally part of a 19th century Span- ish land grant known as “Perfecto Marquez” and then, after the 1920s, the Park- er Ranch. The refurbished ranch house was the original Getty family art gallery The highly-discrete Riviera home of German Nobel Prize-winning author Thomas Mann was close to demolition in until the Villa at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway opened in 1976. November 2016 when Angela Merkel’s government purchased it for $13.25 million. There are plans to turn the 1941 house Photo courtesy of Getty Villa at 1550 San Remo Dr. into a writers retreat. Photos courtesy of Curbed LA

When silent movie star and humorist Will Rogers, also known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” needed to escape from his Hollywood bud- dies in the 1920s, he moved west and built the 31-room mansion on 187 acres that remains one of the most beloved state parks. Photos courtesy of Will Rogers State Park

When Los Angeles Athletics Club pioneer Frank Garbutt stood on a mesa overlooking Santa Monica Canyon, according to writer Geoff Shackelford, he declared: “This is it!” Five years later he opened one of the most famous golf courses in the world: The Riviera Country Club. Photo courtesy of The Riviera Country Club

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When the most This week’s Crossword Puzzle and Sudoku on page 15. respected brand in Designed and constructed in 1927 by renowned architect, Nathaniel Coleman, in the the world, Berkshire Italianate style, “Castillo del Mar” remains an unspoiled historical masterpiece 90 years Hathaway, puts its later. The estate enjoys awe inspiring 180-degree ocean & coastline views. Comprised of 6 separate parcels totaling over ½ acre with a 2bd/2ba main house, two attached name on a real estate guest suites and a studio/chauffeur’s quarters with separate street access. There are sign, that’s good for the countless original details and extraordinary features. 17520 Revello Dr., Pacific Palisades 5bd/5ba 619 Baylor St., Pacific Palisades 4bd/4.5ba market and great for Offered at $6,000,000 Offered at $2,395,000 Buyers and Sellers. www.17520Revello.com www.619BaylorStreet.com

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CELEBRITY Homes in Pacific Palisades How Robert Taylor Built His Dream House By MICHAEL OLDHAM plus playpen for the new family. Special to the Palisadian-Post Today, the four-bedroom house features a pool that sits be- n 1956, actor Robert Taylor ap- side a lush green backyard with peared on the popular TV game plenty of foliage keeping its pri- Ishow “What’s My Line?” Taylor vacy. This would suit Taylor’s was one of the episode’s “mys- personality, who as a kid “pre- tery guests.” ferred being alone on the prairie Taylor was asked: “Are you or in the woods to playing foot- in the world of entertainment or ball with the gang.” amusement?” But Taylor, known as “the The Nebraska-born star an- man with the perfect face,” could swered, “Yes.” simply going upstairs to peek out “Are you more [of] a flick- of a dormer window to see the er-type fellow … cinema actor?” city. Taylor answered, “Yes.” And while Taylor once ad- And if one of the panelists mitted that he “was not—I still had asked Taylor whether he was am not—gregarious,” he and his currently living in the Upper Riv- wife didn’t avoid their fellow iera neighborhood of Pacific Pal- Palisadians. isades, California, he would have The couple became close to also answered in the affirmative. one of their famous neighbors. For by 1956, Taylor had al- “Ronald and Nancy Davis ready spent at least a full year Reagan lived almost next door, residing high up in the Palisades in Pacific Palisades and we- be on San Remo Drive, at the point came best friends,” Thiess once where it circles around to connect recalled. with Casale Road. For Taylor, living among the He had been considering sell- rich and famous crowd must have ing it: A letter to a friend said he had seemed like a far-fetched dream been asking $137,000 but accept- come true for the one-time strug- ed $125,000, plus some furniture. Matinee idol Photos courtesy of IMDB At home gling actor who once recalled an “All in all I think we were damn “awful night” early in his acting lucky. We won’t make any money Taylor had married the that had more than one chimney hair, one where he played oppo- a case of trouble in paradise and days of the 1930s when he re- on the deal but we’ll sure as hell younger, Germany-born actress sprouting out of its many angled site Irene Dunne. split, officially divorcing in 1951. alized he “had one thin dime in break even and will have lived that same year. slices. The nearly six-foot-tall Tay- But the move into the Pal- the world” to support his mother, here very comfortably for four And it would be Thiess who By the time Taylor and his lor went on to star opposite oth- isades created a fresh start for grandmother and himself. years.” would supervise the construction wife moved into their new house er leading ladies of the day, in- blue-eyed Taylor on a number of But even after hitting it big in In case you were wondering, of what would be the first joint in 1954, he was in his mid-40s cluding Barbara Stanwyck in the fronts. By 1955, the year after his Hollywood, Taylor would confess that address on four acres was home for the newlyweds. and had many well-known films 1936 film, “His Brother’s Wife.” move in, the longtime MGM star that others “seem to think I’m a last valued at $6.7 million. She would watch as wood, behind him such as “Magnificent Off-screen, Taylor would not only had a new house and a millionaire, but I’m not.” He add- In 1954 it was a sprawling red brick and rock walls were Obsession.” marry Stanwyck in 1939. new wife, but a new son. ed, “I’ve saved a little money but Contemporary-style home Taylor pieced together to create their The 1935 film was Taylor’s Taylor once referred to Stan- Terrance was the first of two every time a chance came along built for him and his second wife, sprawling home. Topping the first as a leading-man, complete wyck as “one of the finest -ac children that the always clean-cut to strike it rich outside the movie Ursula Thiess. house was a homey, shingled roof with his signature combed back tresses in show business.” Taylor and his glamorous bru- business, like the real estate deals But a few years before Taylor nette wife, Thiess, would have to- of some stars, I was always a dol- became a Palisadian, the famous gether. The San Remo house and lar short or a day late.” Hollywood couple would suffer property would make a half-acre- Taylor and Thiess would remain friends with the Reagans SETTING THE STANDARD IN after they had parted with San Remo Drive in the late 1950s RESIDENTIAL SECURITY for a ranch in nearby Mandeville Canyon. Their daughter, Tessa, 24/7 ARMED PATROL & RESPONSE was born in 1959 and then-Pal- • Locally owned & operated by retired LAPD Supervisors isadian Nancy would be named • Manned by active off-duty licensed law enforcement officers her godmother. • 24-7 direct contact with patrol officer who never leaves the area Taylor remained married to • Responds to all alarm monitoring companies Thiess the remainder of his life. In 1969, Taylor passed away in Call us today (866) 357-1772 • www.ssa-securitygroup.com Santa Monica. Michael Oldham is co-author of “Movie Star Homes: The Fa- mous to the Forgotten.” SUBSCRIBE TO Palisadian-Post

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First time on the market in 55 years, the John S. Cravens Estate was built in the late 1920s for John and Mildred Cravens at a reported cost of $1.25 Million. Using only the finest materials and world-renowned designers, artisans and workers, the Cravens Estate boasts approximately 20,000 square feet of living space and was constructed of steel reinforced concrete, brick veneer, European finishes and a Vermont slate roof. It was famous for being the most expensive home ever built in Pasadena, according to a Los Angeles Times story dated February 6, 1955. Designed by Lewis P. Hobart, who designed the Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and built by P. J. Walker Company, who built the Doheny Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, the Cravens Estate was designated as a Cultural Heritage Just Listed - www.16718CalleArbolada.com Landmark by the City of Pasadena in 1971 and was honored as the Pasadena Showcase House of Design in 2010. 16718 Calle Arbolada, Pacific Palisades - 3bd/3.5ba + office $2,390,000 | Beverly & Kimberly Gold 310.496.5995 JOSIE TONG, CIPS +1.310.808.8808 [email protected] Cal BRE#01440310 BEVERLY HILLS BROKERAGE 9665 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 400 Beverly Hills, CA 90212 | sothebyshomes.com 310.820.0195 | GIBSONINTL.COM Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Sotheby’s International Realty CalBre#: 899496 Page 26 Palisadian-Post May 25, 2017

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There’s no story more interesting than what’s going on in my own backyard.

Co-President/Chief Creative Officer of The Hollywood Reporter J a n i c e M i n Palisades resident since 2010

Photo taken at Café Vida I can’t live without my Palisadian-Post Serving the Community Since 1928 May 25, 2017 Palisadian-Post Page 27

The Glorious, Crazy Bernheimer Gardens The ‘Orgy House’

ver the next few weeks, we will learn the shape of new luxury of The Riviera homes to be built at the Bernheimer Gardens site at 16980 OSunset Blvd., near Marquez Place. But when it opened in 1925, the $3 million Japanese garden, designed by retired cotton mag- nate Charles and Adolph Bernheimer, was an exotic wonder. It abruptly fell out of fashion and into decay during World War II.

The lush estate

Respondek 0314_Layout 1 1/3/14 5:18 PM Page 1 Atwill Photo courtesy of IMDB Not real elephants Photos courtesy of LAPL Photo Friends an Remo Drive today is very an underage woman told a Los civilized, despite its glitzy Angeles courtroom she had been Sresidents, but in 1941, the Los impregnated by an unknown man Angeles Times, in one of its pe- during a regular weekend orgy riodic flirtations with tabloid val- held by “Europeans” at the haci- ues, called a home in the 1500 enda. block the “Orgy House of Sin”— Atwill was indicted for per- doubling down on the sensation- jury after denying he showed SINCE 1979 alism. risqué movies at the parties. He It was the home of British ac- completed one more significant WWW.JAMESRESPONDEK.COM tor Lionel Atwill, who appeared, film, “House of Dracula,” which 310.488.4400 usually as a mad scientist, in 25 benefited from the headlines, and DRE# 00713972 Pay 10 cents to enter horror movies between 1932 and died from pneumonia in 1946. O 1946. His career unraveled after —JOHN HARLOW

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CalBRE# 00902158 Page 28 Palisadian-Post May 25, 2017

The Perfect Taste of Madame Wu By JOHN HARLOW lic husband King Yan Wu, encap- doors for all his friends. But the Editor-in-Chief sulated the American Dream. humble chicken salad remained a Hailing from Kuikiang on favorite among them all. hen they find time to- re the Yangtze River in northeast- When Madame Wu decided lax, Palisadians love to ern China, in 1959, she opened a to retire in February 1998, she Weat, drink and be merry—which storefront restaurant with a hand- received a letter from then-Gov- is why the town has been home ful of seats. ernor Pete Wilson, praising her to some famed restauranteurs: And within a few years, she community service as well as from pioneers Ah Wing and created an experience known as her unmatched culinary skills. With Bob Hope Kay Young, of the House of Lee Madame Wu’s Garden, where But the key point, according to (which became Pearl Dragon), to more than 300 diners could be a Palisadian who recalled dining Alain Giraud, whose Maison Gi- served at one time. And the star at Madame Wu’s restaurant on raud may return to the Palisades count was astronomical. its last crazy closing night, where Village project next year. According to her own ac- the guest list ranged from Hitch- And then there was Mort’s, counts in the autobiographical cockian blonde Eva Marie Saint still missed for its ambiance, if memory book “Madame Wu’s to architect Frank Gehry, was that not always its menu. Garden,” she struck lucky early people just warmed to Madame But one of the characters who when Cary Grant strolled into the Wu. epitomizes an era of glamour and tiny restaurant in Santa Monica She both charmed people and gastronomic glitz is Madame Syl- and asked for a chicken salad. fed them. via Wu who, at 102 and enjoying She invented her own version “She may have driven around a busy retirement in the Riviera, of the dish on the spot and made a town in a Rolls-Royce Silver put her own star on the map of friend for life. Cloud, but Madame Wu has al- Hollywood. The book is dedicated to the ways been open, friendly and With Cary and Jennifer Grant Photos courtesy of Madame Wu With Hugh Grant and Liz Hurley Madame Wu and her less-pub- Hollywood star who opened the ready to help—a true Palisadian.”

With Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw With President Ronald Reagan With Sir Anthony Hopkins, former mayor of With longtime Palisadian Walter the Palisades Matthau

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