On the Argyle St side of the Capitol Records building north of Hollywood Blvd stood the Little Country Church of Hollywood. It burnt down in 1997 but in this photo, we can see that it was landscaped front with a flagstone path and lots of lush greenery with which the photographer could frame what would then have been a new and instantly iconic addition to the Hollywood skyline. The building opened in 1956, and I spy with my little eye a mid-1950s Ford station wagon on the left, which makes me suspect that this photo was taken not long after the opening.
The Little Country Church of Hollywood, Argyle St, Hollywood, undated:
Roughly the same view in November 2021:
Solution: View was east of Capitol Records from backside of building’s lot, where there was that parking area. So that’s not Vine Street side.
Downward slant of hill is the giveaway, as well as buildings blurred to right. (Not to mention my morning coffee jolt.)
The photo was probably made from the Country Church of Hollywood, located on Argyle St. The church sat on a large landscaped property left over from the estate of A. G. Bartlett.
That Sudebaker from the Hawk-line has no tail fins and might be dateable. The lines began in 1956 and should have telltale changes.
THE CAPITOL RECORD WAS AN ICONIC HIGHRISE FOR THAT TIME FRAME IN HOLLYWOOD
LOOKS LIKE A STACK-OF FLAP-JACKS 0F ARCHITECTURAL MIDNIGHT FANTASIES.
33/45 RPM records stacked around a spindle with a cutting stylus or playback needle up top. This was a bold statement about their line of work.