In a city known for its nightlife, it can be hard to imagine a time when Hollywood didn’t offer anywhere to go at night. That changed in December 1922, when Eddie Brandstatter opened the Montmartre Café at 6753 Hollywood Blvd, just east of Highland, near the Hollywood Hotel. Its snappy motto – “Where everyone goes to see and be seen.” – wasn’t just bragging. It was a popular lunch meeting spot by day, and by night a hopping dance joint. This photo, showing crowds packing the sidewalk out front is circa 1927.
Roughly the same view in February 2021:
What about Roy Fox’s Orchestra?
I had not heard of him before but he was big enough to get his own Wiki page! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Fox
Thanks Martin.
1922 would have been good timing as there was a song in play around then: A sun kissed miss said “Don’t be late”, That’s why I can hardly wait, Open up that Golden Gate, California here I come.” In the few years before that, Sunkist (California Fruit Growers) was pushing citrus with pictures of young girls presenting oranges. And Sun Maid (California Raisin Growers) found a slightly older girl (wearing her red bonnet) in 1915 to place on their raisins advertising. It might not have been the beginning of image of the “healthy” California Girl but the message was out that this was the place to be and where better than Hollywood. And of course, the ultimate image of the West Coast femme-in-the-fun was created just south of there. So, “Come on Barbie, Let’s go party (hey, hey, hey, hey)”. But apparently not at Montmartre anymore. Maybe at a place with a sign that reads, “This Is It.” (Ten points if you can guess that bit of Hollywood trivia.)
I’m going to guess that’s a reference to Clara Bow’s It Cafe on Vine Street.
Buzzer sounds, Oh sorry contestants. It’s a reel place from the 1980’s film Blue Velvet..the nooish movie set far away in lovely downtown Lumbertown. But, there is an old image out there of a real place that called itself “This Is It” over the doorway….unfortunately I can’t remember where it was to be found! 25 points if you spot it.
Once again what was once a nice looking building is now trash. What is going on in LA? Why don’t people there realize what they have and save these old relics?