I was recently contacted through my Facebook page by Angela, who wrote to tell me she owned a book published in 1909. It was called Stage Actors of Today by William Winter. One of the actors it featured was Alla Nazimova and she wondered if I’d be interested in seeing it. I told her that I’d love to, so she cut them out and sent them to me!
Alla Nazimova was the original original resident of the Garden of Allah Hotel. She was a very talented and successful actress in the 1910s and early ’20s who, by the mid-20s, had fallen onto difficult financial times and converted her movie star mansion at the corner of Sunset Blvd and Crescent Heights Blvd into a hotel, which was named the Garden of Allah Hotel.
Just think – 100 years ago this dynamic woman came to the States, learned English and was soon starring on the stage. I didn’t know she also knew how to play the violin.
Hollywood has changed and continues to change so much since Madame was here and so many great old buildings are now gone. Thanks to Martin, they live on here!
Glad you shared these pages, Martin!
Jean
What an amazing addition! Thanks and love always.