Hollywood Heritage is a non- profit organization dedicated to preservation of the historic built environment in Hollywood and to education about the early film industry and the role its pioneers played in shaping May 2006 www.hollywoodheritage.org Volume 25, Number 1 Hollywood’s history. Hollywood Heritage to Offer Weekly Tours of National Register Boulevard District ollywood Heritage is once again it’s relatively quiet at that hour, al- Hoffering visitors the opportunity though George’s voice can readily be to see Hollywood from a historic heard at any hour. preservationist’s point of view as The tour takes 1-1/2 hours and ends they recommence their long-absent at the Roosevelt Hotel, after which weekly walking tours. one can return to the starting point Hollywood Heritage Barn docent by MetroRail (1 stop) to reclaim your George “Goldenvoice” Kiel has had car. If you can arrive by MetroRail his practice runs...well, walks...and is it’s recommended, since parking is ready for Prime Time which, in this always a challenge in Holly wood. case, is 9:00 am Saturday mornings, For the opening month, the cost of starting June 17th. the tour is $10 per person and only Walkers will meet at the SE corner $5 for Hollywood Heritage members. of Vine and Selma, original site of Participation is limited to 10 people the Lasky-DeMille Barn near the per tour. Please reserve your spot by Holly wood and Vine Red Line sta- calling (323) 465-6716. Wear com- tion. George chose 9:00 am because fortable shoes. The Wrecking Crew Is Saved From A Wrecking Crew by Robert W. Nudelman history, Hollywood Heritage deter- to the west was later sold off and is arly last year, Hollywood mined that it had to be saved. This today known as Ocean Way Studios, EHeritage was approached by Art was the home of Western United and is still a highly successful opera- Laboe’s offi ce and friends about a Recorders from 1965 to the recent tion. These studios were used by a recently closed recording studio. closing, though having had other number of greats for mainstream pop Located at the edge of the Sunset- names later on. Created from an recordings at the time, whereas the Gower (originally Columbia) Studios existing studio that opened there in eastern studios became the center of at Sunset and Gordon, across from 1959, owner/engineer Bill Putnam rock and roll. the Old Spaghetti Factory, it ap- designed and built three new studios Here is where the famed Wreck- peared to be a fairly nondescript inside, with offi ces above. ing Crew was based. The Wrecking building. Windowless and the victim Putnam was a legend in the record- Crew was a group of studio musi- of a couple of exterior moderniza- ing industry, pioneering in its devel- cians that played on more hit records tions, it had decades earlier been a opment since the 1950s. The studio than any other group, lead by such grocery store. consisted of this and another struc- legends as drummer Hal Blaine, After hearing the stories by the ture a few feet to the west separated bassist Carol Kaye (yes, a woman callers of the building’s exciting by a parking lot. The studio facility continued on page 7 Preservation News City Fumbles Florentine Garden Plan by Robert W. Nudelman ers. If new development is to pro- and LaBonge recommended to a lorentine Gardens: This 1938 ceed, the new fire station must be city council committee to proceed Fnightclub building and sur- built, especially as CEQA approval forward with eminent domain for rounding property were slated to be documents are based on it being the Bernard Luggage Building. purchased by the Los Angeles Fire there when these new projects are Obviously the city has no problem Department (LAFD) last year so approved. If no station is built, the using eminent domain in the area that the land adjacent to the CRA approvals are null and void under (about three blocks on Hollywood landmark structure would become state law (CEQA), and the develop- Boulevard separate the two prop- a new fire station. The Florentine ment must stop until the situation is erties) but the concern is which is Gardens would be restored and used remedied to protect public safety. more important. An approved fire for community meeting space and Hollywood as a live theater/concert facility for Heritage has the Hollywood community (see our spoken on this last newsletter). at the Planning Delays in making the purchase Commission have caused the city to become a and the Prop F victim of its own “success.” Real Bond Commit- estate prices have risen due to re- tee hearings. cently announced projects pushed We realize by the city at Hollywood and Vine the costs are and at Hollywood and Western. This increasing, site is between them and the tide of but the city, as projects has raised the price of these stated, is stuck. properties. Now the LAFD fears Their approv- that the bond money approved to als of projects build this station may not be enough have caused Historic photo of the Florentine Gardens Hollywood Heritage Museum (rising construction costs must also the problem station can wait, while a 4-star be an issue). The Prop F Bond Com- and they must find the money to luxury hotel should move forward, mittee reviewed the situation and move this important project forward. even though the fire station would made a determination on April 25. The need for the new fire station is help to protect that hotel. The city’s They determined to look elsewhere imperative. The cost of land will burning desire was to build the ho- and withdraw the plans for the Flo- be similar wherever they look in tel, not protect it or the surrounding rentine Garden site. the designated area and will prob- community. Yet it is the financial The fact is simple, the station ably result in another site that has impacts of putting forward the Hol- needs to be built somewhere very residential, including historic, prop- lywood and Vine project (where soon, and was already at its third ap- erties. Such proposed demolitions Bernard Luggage is located) that proved location while the other Prop blocked earlier sites. The city must caused the price hike at the Floren- F stations are completed, or nearing act now or, at a minimum, stop new tine Gardens site. To not be able to completion. This one is about to development in the area until it can respond to their own development be priced out of the market before prove that it can provide adequate plans with adequate public safety it can start. This leaves an area of fire protection for all. covering fire safety, puts the com- many historic homes, apartments, On April 25, a this new position munity, and the developer, at unfair and businesses short of adequate was announced by the city an- risk. protection (the existing fire station is nouncing the end of these plans and 1800 N. Highland Avenue: As over 50-years-old). With all the new that the station was to be cancelled discussed in the last newsletter, the projects to be built, plus extensive at this location. Reference was owners of this 7-story office build- new residential development in the made to the problems of price and ing, CIM Group, planned to gut and area, the demand on this station and the need for eminent domain to ob- remodel this 1960s structure which, its one truck is unacceptable to the tain the property. Yet that same af- though not historic, is strategi- community and the city’s firefight- ternoon, councilmembers Garcetti cally located on Highland Avenue 2 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 25, an attempt was made to break this agreement. Though she had supported the original approval of the planning commission to over- turn the variances, Councilmember LaBonge’s planning deputy Renee Weitzer pushed to go around that approval. The plan was to add the building to the Hollywood Boulevard Sign District so as to allow more sign- age by right, including the roof top billboards and the north facade win- dows. Ms. Weitzer was joined by a small army of lobbyists and CIM employees to push PLUM members to appeal the decision and change the district boundaries. The building at 1800 Highland Avenue, under renovation photo courtesy of CIM Group Thankfully, the committee was unable to do this as the date for ap- at Franklin Avenue, serving as a the legal requirements for such sig- pealing the decision had passed. gateway building into Hollywood nificant variances, in addition to the Also, the agenda item was listed as and the Hollywood Boulevard His- aesthetic issues, Hollywood Heri- a harmless “report” on the signage toric District, less than 2 blocks tage prevailed. We convinced the to the committee, not as a appeal away. Covered with six billboards commission to overturn the Plan- or action item requiring a vote, as and wall signs, it became an ugly ning Department Hearing Officer’s required by law. Despite furious lob- signpost that greeted people to Hol- findings. On a unanimous vote, the bying, even long after the vote, this lywood. commission rejected the additional back door attempt to circumvent In its plans to remodel the building, signage except for a rooftop neon the law was thwarted. This, once CIM had proposed variances to the sign to serve as a “welcome to Hol- again, shows that constant vigilance city to keep the two illegal rooftop lywood” sign, if it were to be built. must be made to ensure that the city billboards and the “illegal” super- The two billboards and 7-story doesn’t break its own laws. graphics wall sign that covered the supergraphics were removed. Still, Hollywood Professional Build- entire window area of the façade fac- two other supergraphics remain on ing: This neo-gothic office building ing north toward Highland Avenue. the structure’s stucco walls facing at the southeast corner of Holly- Alerted to the Planning Commis- west and north, but these are “by wood Boulevard and Sycamore Av- sion’s meeting by the neighboring right” under the abysmal new sign enue serves as the western gateway Hollywood Heights Homeowners’ ordinance. structure to the Hollywood Boule- Association, Hollywood Heritage Hollywood Heritage thanks the vard Commercial and Entertainment appeared at the January hearing commission members for their National Register Historic District. and battled the proposal. A repre- strong support with this issue. With Erected in 1925 as a 5-story build- sentative of a neighboring property all the variances being proposed ing, its success led its owner, Holly- owner and a nearby resident came in Hollywood it was, and will be, also to protest, while CIM Group important to have the commission’s continued on page 4 rounded up a large contingency of support when it comes to legal speakers, most of whom seem to definitions of a variance and have little if any understanding of what determines if it is valid, what a variance hearing was about. not the dog-and-pony show They simply felt CIM should get dragged out to hide and con- whatever it wanted because the fuse the issue. “new” building would look better, Every silver lining has a not apparently knowing it would dark cloud though. At the city be substantially covered with bill- council’s PLUM (Planning boards and signage. and Land Use Management After demonstrating that no real Committee) meeting on April argument had been made to meet Historic photo of the Hollywood Professional Bldg (1925) Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 3 Preservation Continued from page 3 ture, his office was the only space wood pioneer C.E. Toberman, to add in the building that had preserved Bud three additional floors in 1928. the interior from 1928! The wood Vacant since the 1994 Northridge paneling and stucco work were per- earthquake, except for its ground fectly maintained by him. Despite Lesser level retail, it was purchased in 2004 all his modern creations, Lautner by the CIM Group for conversion was a preservationist, possibly a Remembered into housing. Work started last fall closet one as even the 1928 clos- art family reunion, part with massive seismic upgrades to ets are preserved. His later years PEvening @ the Barn and part meet all new codes. here were often spent restoring his tea party, a good crowd of Lessers Though architecturally significant, homes that had been remodeled or and The Rest of Us arrived at the 80-year-old building had seen its expanding them in a way that con- the Barn on Sunday, March 26 fair share of history. During the ear- tinued their design and pedigree. for Remembering Julian “Bud” ly seminal 1950s, Lucille Ball and An early April tour of the build- Lesser, the Hollywood Heritage Desi Arnaz maintained a business ing showed that CIM Group was board member and enthusiastic office there (room 580) as shown by performing a sensitive preservation supporter who died last March 22 materials in the Hollywood Heritage of the building’s structural issues at the age of 90. Museum archives. This was during and a conversion to apartments that The reference most often heard the production of their legendary I was preserving Lautner’s office throughout the hour-long event Love Lucy TV show, before the pur- as well as the building’s original was to Bud’s amazing modesty. chase of what would become Desilu corridors, stairways, and lobby ‘Amazing,’ especially because he Studios. Also, during the late 1940s- placements. A new restaurant will was a man of many accomplish- 50s, this was the site of the Screen replace the International Love Bou- ments which he seemingly went actors Guild. Its then president, Ron- tique on the ground level, including out of his way to down-play. At ald Reagan, would serve there, hold- a 30-foot ceiling height in the back. Stanford he was a gymnast with ing the first of several elected offices Occupancy is scheduled for Sep- Olympic aspirations yet many he would later win. tember 24. who were close to him at that Unfortunately, frequent remodel- After Hollywood Heritage’s time did not know that about him. ing had removed any evidence of battles with CIM Group at the 1800 One speaker noted that Bud at- these tenants. But a third one has Building described above, and at tained the rank of Major in the remained completely intact. Famed other Hollywood locations, their Marines but his wife at that time modernist architect John Lautner principal and founder Shaul Kuba was totally unaware of it. had been a long-time tenant when asked to have Hollywood Heritage But there was one thing that the earthquake occurred, forcing review projects in advance on is- everyone who spoke that day him to vacate (he would die less sues (except for April 25), including did know and that was what a than a year later). Lautner’s many some projects already being planned kind, enthusiastic, supportive and landmark homes of the ’50s, ’60s, (CIM owns more buildings in Hol- generous man Bud was. And he ’70s, and ’80s were most commonly lywood than anyone else). They are loved the Barn and its connection represented by “Chemosphere” the offering to be more responsive to to Hollywood History. “flying saucer” house in the Holly- Hollywood Heritage’s concerns and At the close of the program the wood Hills, now owned and careful- their work at the Hollywood Profes- new sound system, so long lob- ly restored by Von Benedikt Tashen, sional Building is a good example bied for by Bud and finally made of Tashen Books fame and a major (without our notification, Lautner’s possible by a generous donation Lautner fan. office would have been removed from Ruth and Sol Nudelman, as The architect’s office has remained as just another space). CIM Group well as from Bud, was dedicated intact on the eighth floor. I had seen has been a frequent, and now a to him and the moment marked it after the earthquake and notified sometimes positive subject in our by a rousing version of The Ma- Kip Rudd of the CRA of its signifi- newsletter based on this new rela- rine Hymn. cance. He notified CIM Group and tionship. Following tea, there was a it was agreed by all to preserve the Bernard Luggage Building: screening of Bud’s The Saint Re- walls and ceilings as part of the con- This Spanish Revival retail building turns (1952). version, with no changes to the room serves as the southern edge outpost It was an event Bud would have layout. Even more interesting was of the HBCED as the buildings loved. that for all Lautner’s involvement south of it, notably the Brown Der- with the history of modern architec- continued on page 8 4 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 Evenings @ The Barn Remsen Family Makes Important Donation to Hollywood Heritage Museum by Aaron Epstein husband, Les Remsen, are principals They married just as World War t is only natural when we think in Hollywood and Los Angeles’s II broke out and husband Les joined Iof Hollywood personalities, to music scene. the Marine Corp Band and Dorothy think of actors/actresses, producers, As a young man growing up in performed with the National Sym- writers, directors, etc. This is only Wisconsin before World War II, Les phony Orchestra in Washington D.C. natural. Remsen played the trumpet. In high After the war, Dorothy spent one However, even in the days of si- school he won a National Trumpet very cold winter as the harpist for lents, the contribution of music, was Competition and a scholarship to the the Minneapolis Symphony Or- every bit of importance to our en- Eastman School of Music in Roch- chestra. They immediately sought joyment of the motion picture. ester, New York. At the school he warmer climate and in the early Our special added guest on Febru- met a fellow student who excelled in 1950s, moved to Los Angeles where ary 16, Dorothy Remsen, and her playing the harp, Dorothy. Les became Principal Trumpet Play- er for the L.A. Philharmonic and Dorothy became their harpist. They immediately jumped into the Hollywood scene. For Dorothy it included being the solo harpist for Disney’s Mary Poppins and Ste- phen Spielberg’s ET and a founder of the Los Angeles Harp Society. Dorothy’s recording sessions also included recording with composer, Igor Stravinsky. For Les, it included founding of the L.A. Brass Ensemble, where he served as conductor, and which made numerous recordings. He also founded L.A. Brass Society as well as founding an audio/visual busi- ness which served the Hollywood media. Their home is a short distance from the museum, in the hills im- mediately behind the Barn. They have been continually active serving as officers in community organiza- tions for the betterment of Holly- wood. Their participation has never wavered. Because of an ankle injury, Hus- band Les was not able to be with us for the Evening @ The Barn event, but Dorothy was there with some- thing very special for us. The Rem- sen’s generously donated a large aerial photograph of Hollywood to the Hollywood Heritage Museum. We thank Dorothy and Les for their Hollywood Heritage board member Aaron Epstein with Dorothy Remsen who donated this large aerial photograph of Hollywood circa 1958 to the Hollywood Heritage Museum generous and continued support. Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 5 Evenings @ the Barn on a roll . . . by Kay Tornborg here has been a steady growth Tin attendance at our Evenings @ the Barn, accompanied by a growth in new memberships as non-mem- bers enjoy the programs and sign-up as a result. Sue Lloyd, grand-daughter of Har- old Lloyd and our January head-lin- er, provided fascinating insights into the Bespectacled One’s career and then screened Hot Water, a marital comedy that includes a turkey in a scene that, once seen, is never for- gotten. The newly-issued box sets of DVD’s, with some of Harold Lloyd’s greatest hits, sold out (part of the DVD wraparounds were filmed at Hollywood High School Alumni, actresses Nanette Fabray and Carol Welles, along with Bob Baker the Barn). (inset), shared their memories what it was like during those important high school years. photo by Alan Simon on the Barn for “100 Years of Hol- regaled the audience with wonder- lywood High.” Marc Wanamaker, ful reminiscences and even sang lately a fixture of Evenings @ the the school song! Another highlight Barn, brought his best slides of the of the evening was the keepsake school through the years, begin- program, printed to look just like a Hollywood High yearbook (the Poinsettia) by our in-house designer Sue Slutzky. Sue has been turning Bob Birchard threads the projector prior to out gorgeous programs for each screening of Francis Boggs films Evening @ the Barn and patrons photo by Alan Simon are lining up for extras to send to Robert Birchard, Hollywood Heri- friends. Next thing you know we’ll tage member and DeMille biogra- see them on E-bay!! pher, is turning his sites on silents If we’re on schedule with this director Francis Boggs (1870 - 1911) newsletter you’ll be reading this at whose career blossomed at the Selig our next Evening @ the Barn, Hol- A collection of Hollywood High School Year- Polyscope Co. For February’s offer- books from the museum archives was on display lywood Hoofbeats (also the title of ing Birchard shared with the audi- for the event photo by Alan Simon the book), with Petrine Mitchum, ence the results of his research to author of this highly-entertaining date, which raised some tantalizing ning with the neighborhood at the tome on equine actors. If we’re not questions particularly in connec- turn of the century (scattered homes on schedule you can read about this tion with Boggs’ untimely death. He and orange groves) and bringing us Evening in the next newsletter. screened Boggs’ entire oeuvre: The up-to-date with the currently over- On May 25, our own Marc Cattle Rustlers (1908), Blackbeard crowded (3000+ students) but still Wanamaker, along with co-author (1911), The Little Widow (1911) and stately home of the Sheiks (that’s the George Ross Jezek will presenting Monte Cristo (1908—the first movie football team, for the uninitiated...). a unique 2-screen slide show dis- filmed in Los Angeles), revealing Representing the many celebrity cussing their new book, Hollywood Boggs’ growing skill with silents grads of Hollywood High, star- Past & Present. just before he became silent himself. of-almost-any-performing-genre- The last Evening @ the Barn be- There was an all-school reunion you-can-name Nanette Fabray and fore the Bowl opens is scheduled to of sorts on March 15th at the Barn octogenarian puppeteer Bob Baker be on Thursday, June 15th. Program when many new faces descended joined by Carol Welles and Holly- to be announced (check web site). wood High Principal Fonna Bishop 6 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 Wrecking Crew Continued from page 1 dustrial (studio) use and the build- Hollywood. He insisted on restoring bass player), and guitarists Tommy ing had historic status because of all historic elements inside and out, Tedesco, Glen Campbell and others. its early association as a part of the adding new designs to the damaged They would go from one session to original Columbia Studios (not the interior and creating a new exterior the next playing in part or total for grocery store), without any knowl- look that utilized elements of the the music of many groups. edge of its music history. To their current one. Rogers strongly sup- At this studio the list of bands credit, the CRA, lead here by John ported this and both agreed to re- (with or without the Wrecking Perfitt, whose brother had actually move the rooftop billboard as soon Crew) included: The Mamas and the worked at the studio years before, as possible (a Hollywood first!). Papas, The Association, The Fifth agreed to oppose any variances to Plans are also afoot by Rogers to Dimension, The Turtles, The Young allow for the building of any resi- add historic names and recordings Rascals (later just “The Rascals”), dential use at this site as several de- to the sidewalk on Sunset Boule- Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The velopers had inquired. vard, giving the illustrious studio its Monkees (music here, vocals usual- At something of a standoff, a fore- own walk-of-fame. Another high- ly down the street at RCA Studios), closure auction as part of the bank- light of the restoration has included as well as hits from Ike and Tina ruptcy was held in January 2006. Rogers’ purchase of other analog Turner (with Phil Specter), Petula studio equipment to Clarke, Scott McKenzie (San Fran- be used for record- cisco was recorded here), and Frank ing the classic way Sinatra to name a few. Sinatra’s and not just digital Reprise Records was upstairs at one (this includes a mix- point, and he recorded Strangers ing board from Ab- in the Night here as well as That’s bey Road Studios in Life, and Nancy recorded These London, used by the Boots Are Made For Walking there Beatles). as well. The cover art to Sinatra’s Next to the studio Strangers In The Night album shows in the parking lot Studio 1, looking today the same as separating it from it did 40 years ago. Ocean Way Studios, Studio 3, where many of the above Sunset -Gower Stu- groups recorded, was also taken dios is building a over in 1966 by Brian Wilson to new 6-story struc- record the Beach Boys’ classic Pet ture to house Tech- Sounds album, that would help to nicolor,. While this inspire the Beatles Sergeant Pep- is important news, per’s Lonely Hearts Club Band the Wary of the unwillingness of the the new structure following year. Several more Beach CRA to support condos here, only has situated its utility systems a few Boys’ recordings were done there one bidder showed up, Doug Rogers. feet from the East-West Studios. under Brian’s direction. He won the auction with a minimum The CRA and Hollywood Heritage Others would follow: Elvis Pres- bid of $4.1 million, thus preventing are working to help Doug Rogers ley, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty and liquidation through the courts and convince Technicolor to move the the Heartbreakers, The Red Hot any chance of demolition for condos equipment elsewhere so as to not Chilli Peppers, Bob Dylan, Elton or anything else. Rogers also bought harm either studio. John, and the Rolling Stones (Bridg- all the recording equipment in the Doug Rogers, who came to Hol- es to Babylon was recorded there), studio. lywood with his wife from New to name but a few. The studio be- The interior was a mess as water Zealand, needs to be thanked for came entangled in ownership issues poured in due to the then owners his substantial investment in Holly- and was closed in early 2005 due to not cleaning the drains. Luckily, the wood and music history when no those ownership problems, not the three studios remained dry. Looking one else would do so. His plans for studio’s lack of business. for an architect to take on the task of reactivating the studios are a model Plans were underway to sell the refurbishing the exterior and dam- for historic/cultural preservation. site for a condominium develop- aged interior, while preserving the Hollywood Heritage thanks him ment, and Hollywood Heritage historic studios, Rogers contacted and will help in whatever ways pos- brought this to the attention of the Phillipe Stark in Paris. Stark jumped sible to make this project a sound CRA. The land was zoned for in- at the opportunity and headed to investment. Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 7 Preservation Continued from page 4 Broadway Building, Taft Build- The commission agreed to postpone by, were demolished in a controver- ing, or almost any of the HBCED’s the signage variances until later but sial application of the law. Designed landmarks— as none would have seemed less enthusiastic about the by the same architect as the Brown been allowed to be built today. (On a barrage of billboards covering the Derby, Carl Jules Weyl, and identi- separate note, Councilman Garcetti project. cal to one of the Derby’s structures, needs to remodel this committee of The parking variances were rec- both opened in 1928. architects to add others who are not ommendations of the city in a mis- Various remodelings have covered so set in the defense of the 1970s be- guided attempt to get people to take up elements of the façade, but it ing the Golden Age of Architecture, mass transit (a Red Line subway remained intact beneath and quite including people more attuned to station is in the site) but restorable. Owned by the Blue fam- historic design issues it will only result ily since 1962, they have also owned in more Bernard Luggage for over 60 years including its previous location at Hollywood and Vine in the Equi- table Building. Their building site has been proposed as part of a new project for almost five years. The owner, Bob Blue, has refused to sell and instead has proposed to restore his landmark building to its 1928 appearance. Plans to restore the façade were also drawn up by the block’s developer, Gateway Capital, but they proposed saving only the Historic photo of the building designed by Carl Jules Weyl, now Bernard Luggage front 12 feet. The developer has now photo courtesy of Marc Wanamaker / Bison Archives gotten the support of the Commu- and not only architects, and he has traffic congestion and an increase nity Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently agreed to do this, hopefully in parking demand as other neigh- for them to acquire the property un- very soon.) boring projects and nightclubs/bars der eminent domain from Bob Blue Additionally, this Hollywood and already have been approved to have and turn it over to Gateway Capital Vine project has been given park- parking shortfalls. Several, such as as part of their plans to build a “W” ing variances reducing its capacity the Taft and Broadway buildings are Hotel and condos on the block (the to 15% below code, as if people historic. In addition, the project has adjacent parcels will include 375 paying $300 a night in a hotel or grown in density to an overall FAR apartments to be built by Legacy $2000 a month for an apartment, of 5.78, while the legally permitted Partners). or $1,000,000 for a condo, are your limit is a maximum of 4.5. Even that Hollywood Heritage has had is- typical bus rider and won’t have a limit cannot be allowed to go above sues with the project from the start. car, and neither will those who come 3.0 without several planning condi- It is another “modern” design that to visit them. As approved, tenants tions being met, which has not hap- owes more to the 1970s than to any in the landmark 12- of Hollywood’s historic design refer- story Taft Building ences. Unfortunately, this is what don’t even need to the city pushes for, hence such stun- park at all as they ning architectural landmarks as the have no spaces in Hollywood Galaxy, Hollywood and the new project that Highland, and the apartments at surrounds the 1921 south east corner of Hollywood and office tower. These Western (reminiscent of the charm issues were brought of East Berlin’s cozy Brutalism de- up by Hollywood signs), to name a few, are what we Heritage at the Plan- have today. Thankfully, the city did ning Commission not have design determination of meeting on February Grauman’s Chinese and Egyptian 9, which was set to theaters, the El Capitan Theater, the approve the parking Masonic Temple, Roosevelt Hotel, and other variances. Bernard Luggage on Vine St. near Hollywood Blvd. as it looks today 8 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 pened here. the project, resulting in a partial re- purpose. One of these conditions is to pre- design of the condominium setback The Times article did have the ef- serve historic structures on the site. and prevent the use of eminent do- fect of getting people to realize that Here is where City Attorney Delga- main and the resulting legal conflict. even the most sacred remaining ele- dillo redefines the English language. Otherwise the city is scheduled to ments of Hollywood’s entertainment The city’s proposal to eminent do- take possession of the building on legacy were at high risk (Capitol is main the historic Bernard Luggage June 25. the last record company located in Building, demolish 108 feet of its With other projects proposed for Hollywood). Councilman Garcetti 120 foot length, leaving only the areas in or adjacent to the HBCED, has assured us that he would not front few feet, is somehow defined it is important to define restoration support conversion of the “stack of by them as preserving the historic of a building as federal regulations records” into condos. The real issue structure. This is the same as pull- do, with restoration by the original now is to keep Capitol from leaving ing someone drowning out of the owner if they choose not to sell. We Hollywood. The record business is water, hacking off their hand and hope that Councilman Garcetti is off in general and Capitol’s parent tossing the remaining person back able to make this happen. Then, we company, EMI, is constantly strug- into the water, then claiming that need changes to the design review gling, leaving Capitol in a frequent they have saved the person, while committee, which he has also now state of “what if we sell and move proudly displaying the hacked limb. stated he is willing to make. elsewhere” for the past 20 years. To prevent such folly as this by Capitol Records Building: Short- Plans are afoot to expand and the city, the National Park Service ly before the famed Capitol Records improve the Capitol campus and makes it perfectly clear that a façade Tower celebrated its 50th anniver- the city is now responding (see our is not the designated structure in a sary on April 7, 2006 (though Frank previous newsletter for how the city National Register Historic District, Sinatra actually recorded there on had mishandled this situation up but rather the entire building. The to now). Though protected by the remaining 12 feet will probably not Hollywood Redevelopment Plan the even qualify, thereby the city’s plan same as if it were a city landmark, would de-designate the building as Hollywood Heritage will continue to a contributor to the National Regis- monitor the situation and act when- ter Historic District. Yet somehow, ever necessary to protect the Capitol through all this, the city maintains Record Tower and company. that this is “restoring” the building. Los Feliz Brown Derby: On May This precedent is dangerous for 19, the City Council voted 10-0 other buildings in the district or to approve the landmark nomina- elsewhere that are protected as lo- tion for the Brown Derby despite cal, state, or federal landmarks as the owner’s objections. A rousing CityAttorney Delgadillo attempts to speech for the Derby and historic rewrite federal law along with the preservation in Los Angeles in gen- dictionary. Hollywood Heritage and eral was made by Councilmember Blue’s attorney, Robert Silverstein, LaBonge followed by similar vocal both argued these points in vain to support from Councilmember Den- the Planning Commission as they nis Zine. LaBonge thanked Hol- approved the variances to allow for February 22, 1956 conducting a 56 lywood Heritage during his speech reduced parking, increased density, piece orchestra for his instrumental and we thank him for his unstinting and “restoration” of the front 12-feet album of Nelson Riddle’s composi- support of the nomination. We also of the Bernard Luggage Building. tions, Tone Poems of Color) the Los thank Rebecca Goodman and all The issue of eminent domain is Angeles Times reported that there the members of the Save The Derby still being challenged in court to was the possibility of converting the Coalition, on their well-deserved block the seizure and demolition offices to residential condominiums. victory. of the Blue property. To his credit, Hollywood Heritage had been told This has been the result of months Councilman Garcetti has entered of their offers weeks earlier but had of efforts by neighborhood groups, into conversation with Bob Blue been reassured that they were un- led by the Save the Derby Coalition, and Robert Silverstein, along with solicited, brought on by the condo Hollywood Heritage, The Los An- the developer and CRA, concerning frenzy targeting every space pos- geles Conservancy—especially their his potential to keep a substantial sible for conversion or construction. Modern Committee, the Neighbor- portion of the building as part of Capitol had no intent to sell for this continued on page 10 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 9 Preservation Continued from page 9 deemed unimportant and not signifi- hood Council, and hundreds of cant in a report from the property’s individuals. All who shared in their owner, prepared by Jones and Stokes support of this nomination and its (who have since stated that they will success. do no more “historic survey” reports The original staff report opposed in Hollywood). www.hollywoodheritage.org the nomination, but the commission Hollywood Heritage obtained a moved it forward at their February copy of the report during the pub- BOARD OF DIRECTORS 16, 2006 meeting. After their site lic response period and responded Kay Tornborg visit, the staff reversed its stand accordingly. The house faced onto President and took a position of support. Hol- Hollywood Boulevard originally, but Libby Simon lywood Heritage testified at both its entrance was moved around the Vice President hearings and presented historic pho- corner to Bronson after retail was tos and menus from our museum built on the Hollywood Boulevard John Clifford Secretary archive to help demonstrate the side in 1919 by C.E. Toberman. This architectural and historical impor- retail block still remains, but with Marian Gibbons tance of the building. Councilman a separate owner. This frontage de- Treasurer Tom LaBonge, in whose district the velopment is similar to those built Keith Anderson Derby is located, spoke strongly in throughout Los Angeles, eventually Nick Beck favor of the nomination in February, resulting in the demolition of the Tyler Cassity while his planning deputy, Renee original house, with few surviving Phil Dockter Weitzer, spoke for it at the March exceptions today. This is the only Aaron Epstein meeting. The owners were not sup- such example in Hollywood and it is David Greim portive of the nomination in its a year older than the landmark Janes Randy Haberkamp entirety, preferring a lesser version House several blocks to the west, George Kiel which has had retail located in front Bill Roschen with some parts eligible for demoli- Jeffrey Rouze tion. of it since 1985. Richard Rownak Our last newsletter outlined other Janes House was moved back on Andrew Schwartz issues with this site and the plans its lot to allow for the later develop- Arnold Schwartzman for development on the surround- ment, while the house on Bronson, Thaddeus Smith ing parking lot. This vote will now being on a corer, simply realigned Marc Wanamaker give extra protection (though city its entryway 90°, probably in the Valerie Yaros 1930s when the last of these houses landmark status can be removed, so Robert W. Nudelman it’s actual effectiveness is not neces- on Hollywood Boulevard were being Preservation Issues Director sarily long-term) for the building, demolished. This house remains at the same location it has occupied for Stephen Sylvester but the long-term needs can only be Executive Director Jualita/Wattles Mansion met by a well designed project that the past 102 years! Yet, none of this The Wattles Mansion appropriately includes the Derby as was deemed to have significance. 1824 N. Curson Ave., Hollywood, CA 90046 part of this or any new project. Hollywood Heritage contacted Randy Haberkamp Special thanks to the Modern the Los Angeles Conservancy who Silent Society Director Committee’s Marello Vavala who also responded to the notice (the Mary Sullivan wrote the nomination and Rebecca Hollywood Heritage response can Director of Membership Development Goodman, who created the coalition be viewed on our web site). Though and organized the community sup- currently unoccupied and somewhat John Clifford Newsletter and Web Site Editor port at the various hearings. concealed by overgrown vegetation, 1717 North Bronson Avenue: it was obvious that this house needs Kay Tornborg Though listed in four city reports to be preserved, and restored, on Special Projects Director from 1979 to 2003 as eligible for the site. Web site donated and maintained by GTS/TechBooks National Register, the Community The house and the retail show the www.techbooks.com Redevelopment Agency signed off development of Hollywood Boule- Printed by Nonstop Printing on the plans to demolish this 1904 vard from residential to commercial. 6140 Hollywood Blvd., house. Two of the reports were ac- The realignment of the entryway Hollywood, CA 90028 shows a unique resolution to access tually prepared for the CRA (1985 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter is published and 2003). The oldest structure left that probably saved it from demoli- quarterly by Hollywood Heritage, Inc., on Hollywood Boulevard is now P.O. Box 2586, Hollywood, CA 90078 continued on page 12 (323) 874-4005. 10 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 Silent Society No April Fools As Silent Society Celebrates 20 Years of Silent Film Focus n April 1, 2006, twenty years cutting before the final feature. (The 19 years. Oto the day that it screened its fourth founder, David Shepard, was The Silent Society promises to first film at The Hollywood Heritage busy spreading the gospel of silents continue screening silent films with Museum, aka The Lasky-DeMille at another presentation in Northern upcoming performances in July and Barn, The Silent Society celebrated California.) The cake “Celebrating August at the Paramount Ranch in its anniversary with an all day event 20 Years of Silents” was generously Agoura for the 19th season, and its featuring four films produced by donated by Thad Smith of the Music third season in August at the Work- Cecil B. DeMille’s own studio, Box Theater. man Temple Homestead in the City which he ran from 1925-28. The Between the afternoon and eve- of Industry. loyal film buffs included visitors ning screenings several of the cor- Several films preserved through from Riverside, San Diego, Palm nerstone activists behind the Silent the Society’s Silent Film Preserva- Springs, Bakersfield and even a Society’s presentations enjoyed tion Fund will be presented at this couple that flew in from Atlanta, dinner at Musso & Frank’s just as summer’s UCLA Festival of Preser- Georgia just to get a glimpse of D.W. Griffith and Charlie Chaplin vation in August. Another DeMille these rarely screened films. Rubber would have done as far back as 1919. production, The Clinging Vine, has Tires (1927) featured Bessie Love All four films were accompanied, been produced for DVD by David and Harrison Ford (the original in a marathon session, by Michael Shepard and will be available at in one), The Coming of Amos (1925) Mortilla who has been performing May. featured Rod La Rocque and Jetta for Silent Society presentations for Goudal, Eve’s Leaves (1926) fea- tured Leatrice Joy and William ATTENTION HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE SHOPPERS Boyd (yes, Hopalong) and The Road to Yesterday featured Joseph Final chance to get your 2006 calendars NOW! Beautiful, informative, Schildkraut, Vera Reynolds as well practical, affordable, makes a great gift!! The calendar features the Lasky- as Boyd and Goudal. DeMille Barn, inside and out, in its 4 sites and many functions over the years. Interesting historical data keyed to dates. Holi- The Road to Yesterday, the eve- days, too! Also available: Hollywood Heritage’s book ning attraction, was the only film HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD: A Centennial History by personally directed by DeMille, Robert W. Nudelman and Marc Wanamaker while the afternoon trio was pro- Instead of cutting up your newsletter, jot your duced by his company. This rare look at films from the brief period name on a piece of paper and enclose your when DeMille was not associated check. with Paramount just before his short Historic Hollywood: ____copies @ $31.45 (members’ stint at MGM was highlighted by rate w. 10% discount) program notes written by Richard S&H 5.75 Adkins, who also offered a display Tax 2.59 of memorabilia from the period. Book total 39.79 Adkins was the President of Holly- Order Early for Holiday Giving! Your Purchase Benefits Hollywood Heritage!! wood Heritage when The Silent Name ______Society began screening films at the Barn and was responsible for Mailing Address ______City ______State __ Zip ______making it possible for the then inde- □ My check for $ ______is enclosed. pendent group to screen films there. or The Society eventually became an official committee of Hollywood □ VISA # ______□ MasterCard # ______Exp. date ______Heritage just a few months later. Name as it appears on card Original Society founders Randy Phone day ______evening ______Haberkamp, Donna Fisk and Bob You may also go to our website www.hollywoodheritage.org and click on PayPal to order books Birchard were on hand for the cake online (calendars not available online) Preservation Continued from page 10 tion in the past. It is a unique struc- ture that presents a time capsule view of Hollywood’s early 20th cen- tury development. This can be seen nowhere else today. The current owner proposed the demolition for, what else, a condo- minium project. A creative solution is needed here for the house, and hopefully the retail frontage, to be restored and reused. Surrounding the house with a condo tower on two or three sides, or even one, would greatly harm its significance. Again the city presents one argument for preservation since 1979 (the first report) but backs off as soon as a The Old Spaghetti Factory building when it served as the Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and developer shows up. That developer Hall of Fame (c 1930) photo courtesy of Marc Wanamaker / Bison Archives now has bought a property he was posed to the “luxury condos” now was the basis for the Plan’s protec- told could be demolished, despite 27 planned. 1802 has had some modi- tive status when it was approved in years of legal promises by the city to fications and for that reason was not 1986 and again in 2003. the contrary, inviting lawsuits from declared as significant in the Plan, Additionally, the CRA has yet to both sides. but 1810-16 was given protection. do the master plan for this area that Hollywood Heritage is working to The developers own report on this the new project is required to meet. protect this CRA designated land- buildings stated “The building ap- The city is derelict and cannot ap- mark and come up with a plan that pears unaltered and retains all as- prove the project legally as to the ensures its future. It is a history and pects of integrity” (page 12), and it Plan. That is why the proposal for a economics lesson that can be seen retains most of its interior integrity 5-story condo tower is inappropriate and experienced and its context as well. in scale and its “modern design.” needs to be protected along with the Developer reports written to ap- These structures are important house itself. prove demolition, as now permitted examples showing the development 1802 and 1810-16 N. Whitley by Delgadillo in clear violation of of Hollywood’s housing. Within Ave.: Whitley Avenue serves as the the Plan and even common sense, 2 blocks on Whitley Avenue are entryway to Whitley Heights and always attack the building by saying single family homes, courtyard its historic district. The three blocks that it has been modified over time. apartments, and late 1920s classic south of there, ending at Hollywood Here, that is admittedly not the case. apartment complexes. These two are Boulevard, are a rich mixture of The strucutre has not been modified the bridge between small and large housing types and styles especially and has retained its appearance for scale housing, and this juxtaposition from the late 1910s to 1930. Many of 85 years, a rarity anywhere in Los is not seen on any other street in these properties are protected under Angeles. Yet, now the report says Hollywood. The CRA and Council- the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan that it’s not an exemplary example man LaBonge need to protect our (Plan) as historic structures, but as of architecture. Most buildings are landmarks that they approved and we have unfortunately witnessed not, otherwise exemplary would protect the laws within the Plan. over the past year, City Attorney mean nothing. The Old Spaghetti Factory Rocky Delgadillo has overruled It is a quality building that defi- Building: Our last newsletter out- the law, violating sections of the nitely looks of the period and is lined the history and potential de- Redevelopment Plan so as to accom- one of the very few left having this molition of this significant structure. modate developers and his political much of its architectural integrity Home of the first Hollywood Muse- ambitions. intact. A key condition for historic um / Hall of Fame (1928-32), KNX- These two 2-story apartment status is the element of rarity from AM and CBS Radio (1933-38), the buildings were built in 1919 (1802), an earlier era, as there may be few, world famous Max Reinhardt act- and 1921 (1810-16), and were fully if any, exemplary buildings left. ing school, then KMPC-AM radio occupied until the past 2 months Therefore you save what are the and the beginnings of Gene Autry’s as affordable housing units, as op- best, most complete, examples. That entertainment empire until becom-

12 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 ing the Old Spaghetti Factory, the ing, but Hollywood Heritage has for preservation and the developer. building’s Hollywood history was worked out a compromise with the Thanks to Hollywood Heritage as thick as mozzarella. Historic pho- building’s owner. board member and architect Bill tos from Marc Wanamaker / Bison The current owner bought the Roschen, who helped to negotiate Archives showed that most of the building for a mixed-use project this deal, which almost collapsed exterior remains intact or is hidden of retail, offices, and condos. They more than once. Richard Solares by remodeling. The three large front preferred to remove the entire struc- from GTO Development, owners rooms and their decorative floors, ture, and once again we defended of the site, also needs to be thanked ceilings and walls are also intact. the CRA’s historic designation of for realizing that the historic signifi- Further review of the structure the building against the CRA’s later cance of the building was an asset though, revealed that the back half report favoring demolition. In a to their project and needed to be of the building, originally the ga- compromise, Hollywood Heritage treated as such. rage when the building served as agreed to all demolition of the rear We still have some issues regard- its original purpose, a Studebaker section that was rebuilt in the 1970s ing the design of the new structure, dealership, had been removed, ex- in exchange for preservation and which is slated to be 10-stories tall, cept for the walls. Apparently, dur- restoration of the 1924 front sec- and with creating a design which ing earthquake retrofitting in 1974 tion’s interior and exterior. The front does not overpower this historic or ’75, the massive wooden bow area will be incorporated and reused entryway to the project. But at least trusses were removed to reduce as part of the new project. All of the one issue has been settled and de- weight on the walls, and a plain flat remaining 1924 building will end up signs can always be modified to roof was installed. Arguments were being restored with the exception of better reflect, not detract from, Hol- made about how this affected the the rear outer wall. lywood’s architectural history. level of significance of the build- This results in a win-win situation continued on page 15

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Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 13 Ken Burns Miriam/Peter Colantuoni MEMBERSHIP Miriam & Peter Colantuoni Gini Colvig UPDATE Dearly Departed Tours Gregg Davidson n grateful recognition of their Ken Denton Sally Dumeaux Igenerous support, we sincerely Dan De Palma Marni & Robert Elen thank the following renewing mem- Linda & Crosby Doe Chatty Collier Eliason bers who have made contributions at Michael Duffy Neill Foster the $100 level and above as of April Allan Ellenberger Beverly Freeman 2006. Category titles are names of Cheryl & Dan Foliart Patricia & Alan Gelman historic Hollywood Studios. Neill Foster Timothy Christopher Ware David Gajda & Jose Malagon Getty Foundation MAJESTIC ($2500+) David Gaudio - Canted Angle, Inc. Theodore R. Gooding, Sr. Thaddeus Smith - Music Box Barbara & Douglas Hadsell Frank Gutierrez Theater Doug Haines Peter Gutzmer KEYSTONE ($1000+) Stewart Hendler Heather Henson Claire Bradford Betty & Gunter Herman Mr. & Mrs. Gunter F. Herman Larry Bond - Bond Capital Ltd. Amy Higgins Charlene & Larry Jacobson Ray Courts Carol & Dan Hill Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Johnson Robert Gore Rifkind Janet Hoffmann Dana & David Kegaries George Houle Jean Kelly Marty Wyle & Jim Katz International Al Jolson Society Stephanie & Randy Klopfleisch BISON ($500+) Vern Lanegrasse & Walter Wood Milt Larsen – The Magic Castle Chris Breed & Alan Hajar - Pig ‘n Arlene & Milt Larsen Edward Maguire Leona & Brad Whistle Donna Massetti McClellan Ed Collins - Buena Vista Theatres Steven S. Morrison Joann & Glenn McConnell Kim Fletcher Jim Mulholland Michael McCloud Johnny Grant Helen & Richard Nederhauser Diana McInerney Raubi Sundhar - Hollywood Wax Rikki Niehaus-Murphy Sally A. McKibbin Museum Steven Richard Osborn Marcella Meharg Charlene & Bill Palmer Lisa Mitchell Ken Muzal KALEM ($250+) Jaellayna Lasky Palmer Helen & Richard Nederhauser Harry Demas Mark Penn Lisa & Paul Norling Chatty & Don Eliason Susan Pinsky & D. Starkman Kevin & Don Norte Anne & Aaron Epstein Jeffery Rouze Fran Offenhauser Marj Fasman Ann Savage Mark Penn Don Hunt Jon Schafer Margo D. Petros David Lang Andrew Schwartz Jim Pinkston Stephen Lesser Margaret & William Self Saskia Raevouri Dan Levasseur Earl Shively Emily & Nino Rosso Alice & Leonard Maltin Don & Gary Silvers William Sagar Don Sartell Michael McCloud Silent Cinema, Inc. Joan & Alan Simon Sheila Muller Barbara Smith Stephen Sollitto Bill Roschen & Christi Van Cleve Willie Thomas Steve Sylvester Ashley & Jocelyn Schauer Bruce Torrence Peter Weber Steve Scott & Bob Eicholz Randy Van Ausdall Ferris & Debra Wehbe Anthony Slide Karen & Eric Warren Mary Sweeney Lon Weyland & Alan Paull Eric Van Leuven Gina Zamparelli WELCOME NEW TRIANGLE ($100+) e Extend Enormous Thanks MEMBERS! Daniel Albers Richard Anderson WTo Our 2005 YEAR-END Mary Anton Bob Baker Preservation Action Fund Contributors Robert Baron Sally Beaudette Richard Anderson Michael Berman Frank Bator Ray Bradbury Phil Bedel Debi & Norris Bishton Sheila & Richard Brossman Brutus Productions Catherine Hagney Brown Brutus Productions, Inc. Mona Card Bill Buerge Bruce Carroll James Carter Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence H. Bulk Sue Charchuck Lev Chapelsky 14 Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 Veronica & Kelso Chavez Preservation Continued from page 15 intrusions now, the Hollywood and Laura Foti Cohen & Ted Cohen Madame Tussaud’s Wax Mu- Highland Center on the other side Stephen S. Connell seum: In 2003, a bizarre, for this of the Chinese, and the Hollywood Alan Cook location especially, structure was Galaxy on the other side of the Grayson Cook proposed to be built in the parking Hillview Cadillac Building. The Mark Cosby intrusion argument was even used Filomena D’Amore lot on the west side of Grauman’s Helene Demeestere Chinese Theater. This was directly by Grant Parking’s own attorneys Jim Drinkhall across Hollywood Boulevard from when they opposed the Hollywood Lou Dubnow the Roosevelt Hotel and across Or- and Highland project in the 1990s James Fackrell ange Drive on the west from the (see our letters on this on the web Nanette Fabray 1929 Hillview Cadillac Building. site), yet what they proposed here Sue Guldin Both structures are listed in the is even more of an intrusion. One Lon Haber Hollywood Boulevard Commercial can only assume that Grant Park- William R. Harris III and Entertainment National Regis- ing, and others, would like to see Jim Heimann ter Historic District (HBCED), as the HBCED broken so as to free Diana Hekimian is Grauman’s. This strategic loca- up other locations for development William Henry tion is the most prominent open without federal standards to protect Mrs. N.A. Howard landmarks. The Madame Tussaud’s Maya Hyams space in Hollywood and requires Carlene Jabs special attention so as to protect the structure definitely makes that argu- Samuel James visual and cultural importance of ment much more feasible. Janet & Carl Kelly the historic Chinese Theater as well Hollywood Heritage will not al- Donna & Gordon Kent as to hold together this area of the low this to happen and will strongly Maurine Kornfeld HBCED. oppose a project of this design as Ronald Kulberg Unfortunately, the ultramodern not meeting federal standards as Brian Lane structure and its several large bill- well as being totally inappropriate Richard Lovell board size off-site advertising signs in its overpowering of the one of Philip Malamuth dramatically fail to meet these the world’s most famous structures, Jacqueline Stern Marks requirements. Fortunately, this ver- Grauman’s Chinese Theater. We Nathan Marzak sion died (see our web site for our also call this to the attention of the Gloria Griffith McCaffrey CRA and Councilmember Garcetti, Anne McCurdy response to this project at the time). Dave Minnihan Unfortunately, it has reared its ugly who have approval power over this Roger Memos head once more in a new modified through CEQA and the Redevelop- Joan Meyers (larger) version. This time the tenant ment Plan, to not allow a third in- Kirk Morrow is Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, stance of intrusion in the HBCED. Julia Culp Myers instead of Frederick’s lingerie (can’t We insist that Madame Tussaud’s David Nedza the property owner, Grant Parking, reconsider their plans and come up Gerald Nelson find a more “dignified” tenant for with a design more appropriate to the Chris Nichols such an important location?). rich legacy of Hollywood’s architec- Virginia Paca Madame Tussaud’s though, unlike tural heritage and not one that recalls Cedar Phillips Fredericks, can chose its own de- the villains of science fiction films. Kenneth Quist sign for the site. However, for some Much of their business worldwide is Jack Rollins based on utilizing the stars of Holly- Kelly Ruf reason, they are sticking with this Nicole Ruskey one, resembling a section of the Star wood in their exhibitions. They now Shirley & Duke Russell Wars Death Star after having been need to return some of that profit to Nino Russo blow up in Return of the Jedi, but create a structure worthy of those Pat Shannon & Tony Goetz covered with the billboards of the stars and the community they came Michael Schlesinger flying advertising ship from Blade from, and the theater that brought Richard Stanley Runner. It is wholly inappropriate many of them to prominence. Andre Stojka for the historic district, qualifying Tussuad’s or whomever develops Yumiko Tanaka as an “intrusion” according to the this site, needs to have a building Reva & William L. Tooley National Park Service definitions. If that people point to for the right George Underwood enough “intrusions” are built within reasons. Otherwise the city should Steve Weinberg the HBCED, sections can be de-des- obtain it and turn it into a park with Michael Witlin underground parking. Jeanne Young ignated from the district. The HBCED contains two such Hollywood Heritage Newsletter | May 2006 15 www.hollywoodheritage.org P.O Box 2586 Hollywood, CA 90078

Mark Your Calendar Thurs. May. 25th: Marc Wanamaker, along with coauthor George Ross Jezek will presenting a unique 2-screen slide show discussing their new book, Hollywood Past & Present. Thurs. June 15th: Final Evening @ the Barn, Program To Be Announced. 7:30 at the Barn. Wed. June 20th: Hollywood Heritage Board of Directors Meeting, 7:00 pm at Wattles Mansion. Sun. July 23rd: Silents Under the Stars. All Star Comedy Night. 7:30 pm Paramount Movie Ranch in Agoura Sun. Aug 20th: Silents Under the Stars. The Lost World. 7:30 pm Paramount Movie Ranch in Agoura

PRESERVING OUR HOLLYWOOD HERITAGE FOR 25 YEARS • Wattles Mansion and Gardens • Hollywood Heritage Museum/Lasky-DeMille Barn • • Silent Society: Motion Picture History and Preservation • Architectural Preservation, Advocacy, and Education •

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