For 50 years (1937 to 1987) Don the Beachcomber was a great place to go in Los Angeles for a Polynesian-South seas experience. When it opened in the 1930s (first in 1933 in a Hollywood hotel then in 1937 to the larger location at 1727 North McCadden Place just north of Hollywood Blvd) it was one of the few places you could go if you were hankering for one of those fancy (and strong!) rum drinks. When the place first opened, there wasn’t much greenery out front. But as the years went on, the front garden grew to be a jungle, as we can see in this photo from 1955. Don’s listing in the 1941 Los Angeles Guide read: “Beachcomber Cafe, 1727 N. McCadden Pl. Prices are slightly stiff. Specializes in Oriental food and drinks. Frequented by the many lesser Hollywood actors.”
This is an earlier shot, from 1943:
And this is a later shot from November 1974:
I don’t have a date on this photo but judging from how bare the front is, I’d say it dates from not long after they moved to McCadden in 1937:
Here are couple of interior shots. There was a lot of decor!
The next four shots are taken from a 1939 episode of “Screen Snapshots”
And which cocktail will you having tonight?
All trace of Don the Beachcomber’s has gone. McCadden is now filled with modern apartment buildings. This image is from December 2020:
Love to have been sat at one of those tables! I also love the fact that the 151 Swizzle was limited to only 3 per person-though at 151% proof I’m not surprised!
I doubt I could get through two of those killer dillers!
The interior looks exactly as I pictured when reading the scene in your book that’s set there. Those drink names are memorable. Did Don invent the Zombie?
When I saw these photos, I was relieved to see that I had described it accurately even though I hadn’t come across them yet. And yes, I do believe Don invented the Zombie.
Martin, Totally enjoy your Pre/Post LA photos. I wrote a book in ’76 about Venice with 81 photos and later produced two Venice Historical Calendars, an activity that broke me financially. I’m writing an Autobiography about my time as an activist in LA and I’ve had great difficulty in getting background on a Saturday November 10, 1956 episode where we (Boys of Berdoo) ran into Kim Novak, twice in one night! Waiting for Zardi’s to open we walked over to Hollywood & Vine and as we walked across the crosswalk we noticed a big fat black Cadillac waiting at the light and in it was Kim and a white guy, older than her…Our ride back to Berdoo picked us up and the driver got turned around as we headed for the Hollywood Freeway and there we were heading west on Sunset Blvd. Not helping the driver we were more intent on telling him about seeing Kim Novak earlier in the evening. We were describing her Cadillac and pointed to a fat black Cadillac driving alongside us, “like that one.” There they were. She & her mogul pulled to a stop at the next light, Highland. She signed our H.S. id cards with her purple ink pen in front of Hollywood High School, as if we were in “Rebel(s) Without A Cause.”
I have three questions which I have a feeling you can lead me to the answers. 1. Who was playing at Zardi’s (a band change occurred 1st of November.). 2. Was Sam Cohn driving her? And where do you suppose they went in Hollywood around 7 pm to 11 pm? What event occurred that night that Kim and Sam would want to attend?
Any help in tracking down these answers will earn you a place in my Interview Page of my book in-progress: Autobiography of an Activist: A Serendipitous Journey from Brooklyn to Venice Beach…by Sweet William
Great photographs, Martin! I’ve had a hard time convincing people that knew The Beachcomber in the 1950’s that it was a bare stucco duplex with no landscaping in the 1930’s. Later, the famous Sinatra hang-out Villa Capri was built next door, two doors north. Patsy D’Amore’s (Little) Villa Capri was a favorite of the Rat Pack, actor James Dean, and a former factory Porsche racing driver I know — Lew Bracker. Aside from one fuzzy aerial shot, no pictures of the original Villa Capri exterior exist — but there are dozens of the later (New) Villa Capri on Yucca Ave.
Ah, so that explains why I’ve never been able to find any photos of the original Villa Capri!
It is so cool to see these photos of a place that was responsible for bringing about my family. My grandparents worked there, their daughters met their future husbands– need I say more. My dad was one of the chefs’ and whenever I think of Don the Beachcomber I’m reminded of the best fried shrimp I’ve ever had.
Wow! So you’re really a part of the Don Beachcomber family!
Yes, we’d even visit “Sunny.” Her home was right next to the restaurant. Awesome photographs.
Hi L. Lee,
I’m writing a biography with Sunny’s Daughter Karen. Can we talk? Thank you.
Cindi
Hi Cindi,
Great photos!
My dad was the executive chef at Don The Beachcomber. L. Lee is family.
Hi, S. Moy,
I am so excited you contacted me. The only child and daughter of Sunny Sund and I are in the process of editing her book about her mother. Please contact me …Thank you.
Cindi