Here we have a sad piece of Hollywood history. The estate that was once owned by John Paul Getty but which we all know as Norma Desmond’s mansion in the 1950 movie, “Sunset Boulevard” is shown here being demolished in 1957. There were actually three mansions used during filming. The one on the Paramount studio soundstage; the one whose driveway William Holden ducks into at 10060 Sunset Blvd; and the one used for the exteriors, which is the one shown here. Technically the address was 641 S Irving Blvd but the estate lay at the corner of Irving and Wilshire Blvd. In the foreground we can see the swimming pool, where it all ended rather badly for Mr. Joe Gillis.
The insurance building that now stands at Wilshire and Crenshaw replaced it.
Well, technically it’s “Knock down an old historic home with a rich story to tell to build a new home the resembles an old home,” but yes, you have the gist of it, Stephen.
Back in the day ExLandlords sister relayed met the then Mrs. Getty when the film was made. Spoke German and did some translation. Fun back end fact. Film company installed pool. Mrs Getty was naturally thrilled with a new pool. Company never installed filtration or heathing systems!
My German grandparents were the caretakers of the property for the Gettys. When filming the movie Sunset Blvd., my dad wanted to play the body double in the pool. But being too young, they said no. So they gave him a paramount bicycle instead for running errands. They did allow him to sit and have pictures taken in that famous car used in the movie with the leopard seats. I wish I could upload pictures to this message. I also have a picture of my grandmother floating in the pool.
Teresa, these photos are as incredible as they are invaluable! They belong in a museum or historical archive. Your father’s story is also so very inspiring. A boy that age hustling Paramount to play Bill Holden’s double. What a time. Please share more stories, photos, anything!
That’s cool Teresa! My Gramp’s cousin was Johnny Weissmuller who had a huge mansion also with a HUGE pool, of course, bc he was a gold medal swimmer! I’m just watching “Sunset Blvd” now!
It was my understanding that the actual property is now part of the newer Getty Oil building parking lot. I’m not sure if the building is still owned by Getty Oil. The mansion was owned at the time by Getty’s second wife.
Sunset Blvd is one of my favorite movies. The house did not have a pool until Mrs Getty asked that the studio build her one as as condition of renting it for filming. Sad that the house is gone, along with the famous pool.
Perino’s Restaurant was just down the block, the most expensive restaurant in LA at the time. Used in Mulholland Falls movie also. Hancock Park area, an old, blueblood monied neighborhood in LA.
The “Norma Desmond” house wasn’t out of place in this neighborhood. It’s still pretty ritzy, but I don’t think that there are any homes in the area that are quite as grand as the old Getty mansion. Where the home stood is mostly a parking lot for the “new” office building that’s there now.
Thanks, Michael. I’ve often wondered if the old Getty place stood out, or not. After all, it’s far from Beverly Hills. But back then, that area probably had tons of land to fill so it would have been easier and cheaper to find a big block to build a place like that on.
Good question, JT. The movie’s IMDB page lists the NYC and London premieres but not the one in LA. A quick google search revealed nothing, either. (emphasis on “quick”) They must have had one so I’ll keep digging.
It seems there might be an interesting story behind why the premiere was in New York instead of L.A. It might have been because not everyone in Hollywood was thrilled with what Billy Wilder had done — Lou Mayer in particular.
According to “Close Up on Sunset Boulevard” by Sam Staggs, there was no LA premiere. The movie had received a slew of negative reviews in New York, so Paramount opted to eschew the usual splashy Hollywood premiere for a campaign of 21 special screenings stretched out over eight months beginning January 1950. By the time the final preview took place, “Sunset Blvd” was the most talked about movie in Hollywood that year. It was at one of these screenings that MGM head, Louis B. Mayer, and the movie’s director, Billy Wilder, had their infamous confrontation.
To look at the Getty Oil Company building, now called the Harbor Bldg, you wouldn’t think the Hancock Park/Windsor Square area would now be so fond of it. But when a developer bought it a few years ago the same neighborhood organizations that opposed it … didn’t want it to go away/be demolished. It has actually been embraced as part of the neighborhood and it’s appearance and upkeep is monitored and in line with the neighborhood homes. After all this time it’s now included as part of the neighborhood,
Here we have a sad piece of Hollywood history. The estate that was once owned by John Paul Getty but which we all know as Norma Desmond’s mansion in the 1950 movie, “Sunset Boulevard” is shown here being demolished in 1957. There were actually three mansions used during filming. The one on the Paramount studio soundstage; the one whose driveway William Holden ducks into at 10060 Sunset Blvd; and the one used for the exteriors, which is the one shown here. Technically the address was 641 S Irving Blvd but the estate lay at the corner of Irving and Wilshire Blvd. In the foreground we can see the swimming pool, where it all ended rather badly for Mr. Joe Gillis.
So let me get this straight. Knock down and old home to build a new home the resembles and old home? That’s pure idiocy.
Well, technically it’s “Knock down an old historic home with a rich story to tell to build a new home the resembles an old home,” but yes, you have the gist of it, Stephen.
Back in the day ExLandlords sister relayed met the then Mrs. Getty when the film was made. Spoke German and did some translation. Fun back end fact. Film company installed pool. Mrs Getty was naturally thrilled with a new pool. Company never installed filtration or heathing systems!
I guess Ms. Getty should have been more specific about what she wanted!
My German grandparents were the caretakers of the property for the Gettys. When filming the movie Sunset Blvd., my dad wanted to play the body double in the pool. But being too young, they said no. So they gave him a paramount bicycle instead for running errands. They did allow him to sit and have pictures taken in that famous car used in the movie with the leopard seats. I wish I could upload pictures to this message. I also have a picture of my grandmother floating in the pool.
yes please! has this been reported before and/or published anywhere?
yes please! have these ever been published before? this sounds like it should be part of Hollywood history!
They have now, Dom.
https://martinturnbull.com/2021/03/14/peters-family-photos-of-the-getty-mansion-used-during-the-filming-of-sunset-blvd-at-641-s-irving-blvd-los-angeles-1949/
Thank you again Martin for publishing my family photos. I know they would be happy.
Teresa, these photos are as incredible as they are invaluable! They belong in a museum or historical archive. Your father’s story is also so very inspiring. A boy that age hustling Paramount to play Bill Holden’s double. What a time. Please share more stories, photos, anything!
That’s cool Teresa! My Gramp’s cousin was Johnny Weissmuller who had a huge mansion also with a HUGE pool, of course, bc he was a gold medal swimmer! I’m just watching “Sunset Blvd” now!
Johnny Weissmuller’s former house is located at 414 Saint Pierre Road in Bel Air.
And it’s still there, too. I recently did a slow drive-by rubbernecking.
It was my understanding that the actual property is now part of the newer Getty Oil building parking lot. I’m not sure if the building is still owned by Getty Oil. The mansion was owned at the time by Getty’s second wife.
Sunset Blvd is one of my favorite movies. The house did not have a pool until Mrs Getty asked that the studio build her one as as condition of renting it for filming. Sad that the house is gone, along with the famous pool.
Perino’s Restaurant was just down the block, the most expensive restaurant in LA at the time. Used in Mulholland Falls movie also. Hancock Park area, an old, blueblood monied neighborhood in LA.
Did you ever have a chance to eat at Peroni’s?
It was my dad’s favorite restaurant. I still have an ashtray with Perino’s name on it. I never ate there.
The “Norma Desmond” house wasn’t out of place in this neighborhood. It’s still pretty ritzy, but I don’t think that there are any homes in the area that are quite as grand as the old Getty mansion. Where the home stood is mostly a parking lot for the “new” office building that’s there now.
Thanks, Michael. I’ve often wondered if the old Getty place stood out, or not. After all, it’s far from Beverly Hills. But back then, that area probably had tons of land to fill so it would have been easier and cheaper to find a big block to build a place like that on.
for some reason Sunset Boulevard the movie premiered in New York. Was there a special opening in L.A.? What theater? Are there pictures?
Good question, JT. The movie’s IMDB page lists the NYC and London premieres but not the one in LA. A quick google search revealed nothing, either. (emphasis on “quick”) They must have had one so I’ll keep digging.
It seems there might be an interesting story behind why the premiere was in New York instead of L.A. It might have been because not everyone in Hollywood was thrilled with what Billy Wilder had done — Lou Mayer in particular.
Indeed. I have the book about the making of that movie. I’ll check it out this weekend and see if it gets mentioned.
According to “Close Up on Sunset Boulevard” by Sam Staggs, there was no LA premiere. The movie had received a slew of negative reviews in New York, so Paramount opted to eschew the usual splashy Hollywood premiere for a campaign of 21 special screenings stretched out over eight months beginning January 1950. By the time the final preview took place, “Sunset Blvd” was the most talked about movie in Hollywood that year. It was at one of these screenings that MGM head, Louis B. Mayer, and the movie’s director, Billy Wilder, had their infamous confrontation.
To look at the Getty Oil Company building, now called the Harbor Bldg, you wouldn’t think the Hancock Park/Windsor Square area would now be so fond of it. But when a developer bought it a few years ago the same neighborhood organizations that opposed it … didn’t want it to go away/be demolished. It has actually been embraced as part of the neighborhood and it’s appearance and upkeep is monitored and in line with the neighborhood homes. After all this time it’s now included as part of the neighborhood,
This is a perfect example of our tastes and fashions wax and wane all the time.
Hi there Martin. Can I ask where you sourced this wonderful photograph of the Getty mansion, mid-demolition? It’s one of the best ones of seen!
It’s been a while since I posted that photo, but from memory, I think I got it from a vintage photo forum called “Norish LA.”