I normally associate the Melody Lane restaurant with their prime location at the corner of Hollywood and Vine (1940 to 1955.) But then I came across this circa 1939 shot of a Melody Lane at the corner of Wilshire Blvd and Detroit Street. Turns out Melody Lane (owned by the same guy who own the Pig ‘n’ Whistle) had three Wilshire locations, at Detroit, at Western and at Beverly Dr. What caught my eye in this photo was the sign for furs. At first glance I thought it said “STINKIN’ FURS”…!
Pig’n Whistle-Melody Lane matchbook cover, circa 1940. Melody Lane was part of the Pig’n Whistle chain of restaurants:
Melody Lane ad from “Snow White” premiere program, 1937. Walt Disney’s “Snow White” premiered at the Carthay Circle Theare in 1937. This advertisement appeared in a special program published for the event:
Re Pig ‘N Whistle: A favorite restaurant of ours. It was across the street from Grauman’s Chinese theater. Such great times we had. Love, L
I always remember the Pig n Whistle mentioned in one of my favorite movies “Chinatown” and a grainy pic taken in front of it. Since I never ceased hearing my mother’s stories about growing up in the ’30s and ’40s, every time I watch “Chinatown” I think of her as she had told me if I want to really see what the 1930s “looked like,” just watch “Chinatown.” I appreciate their attention to detail and they filmed in as many “old” locations as they could. I also read the screenplay. Thanks for all these pics! Jean