Here’s the sort of slice-of-life-in-Hollywood photo that I love coming across. Taken in 1951, it’s at the box office of the Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. I think one of two scenarios were captured here: either the woman on the right can’t decide whether or not to buy a ticket and the one on the left is thinking, “Jeez, lady, make up your mind already.” Or the one on the left told her friend to come visit her after the 8 o’clock session goes in because after that she’s bored to death.Northwest corner of Sunset Blvd and Vine Street where Wallichs Music City stands with Capitol Records is on the 2nd floor, Hollywood, 1946
In this shot from 1946, we’re looking at Wallichs Music City, the music store that stood on the NW corner of Sunset and Vine from 1940 to 1978. It was one of the first music stores to put record albums in display racks for customers to browse. It was also the first to have listening booths. Cool, man! We can also see the sign for Capitol Records. It was on the second floor and was started by Wallichs in 1942, along with songwriter Johnny Mercer and movie producer Buddy De Sylva.
The same view in May 2019:
Haverfield Drugstore, northeast corner of Sunset and Laurel Canyon Blvds, West Hollywood, 1928
This 1928 shot of the Haverfield Drugstore at the northeast corner of Sunset Blvd and Laurel Canyon Blvd reminds us how gorgeous some of the buildings scattered throughout Los Angeles were. Look at all that sumptuous detailing. I especially love that ornate decoration above the corner doorway. Amazingly, the building is still there and apart from garish signage is largely intact. Directly across the street was the Crescent Heights Market building which, in 1932, would provide a home for the soon-to-be-famous Schwab’s Pharmacy.
That same building in May 2019. See what I mean about the garish signs but at least the building is fairly intact so it’s a win.
The Hollywood Bowl marquee advertising the Beatles’ sold-out concert, August 1964
All you have to do is look at this photo and you can hear the screams of all 18,700 people. The Beatles played the Hollywood Bowl in August 1964 to a sold-out audience who had each paid between $3 and $7 for the privilege of losing their minds. I wonder if anybody actually heard the music?
The Beatles took to the stage at 9.30pm and performed 12 songs:
- Twist And Shout
- You Can’t Do That
- All My Loving
- She Loves You
- Things We Said Today
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Can’t Buy Me Love
- If I Fell
- I Want To Hold Your Hand
- Boys
- A Hard Day’s Night
- Long Tall Sally
Nighttime view of Sardi’s at 6315 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, circa 1935
This circa 1935 nighttime view of Sardi’s restaurant at 6315 Hollywood Boulevard must have been very late at night because the restaurant appears to be closed. To the right, Carl Laemmle from Universal has rented out the space above the Sloat-Dennis Furniture store to advertise his latest cinematic offerings. To the left we can see part of the neon sign for Joseph Pollock. It’s visible in other shots of Sardi’s but I don’t know what they sold. Does anybody know?
UPDATE: Pollock sold ladies coats:
Advertisement for Sardi’s restaurant, Hollywood Boulevard, circa mid-1930s:
That stretch of Hollywood Blvd is unrecognizably different today. (April 2019):
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Tagged Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Night photo, Restaurants, Stores and Shopping
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Looking down Manhattan Beach Blvd to the pier, Los Angeles, circa early 1950s
Here’s a very California scene for you. This photographer was standing in the middle of Manhattan Beach Boulevard looking down the hill and along the pier. It’s odd not seeing the palm trees that are there now—I assumed they’d been there long before the 1950s, when this photo was taken. But I think my favorite part of this photo is the woman on the right wearing what looks like a poodle skirt. Those competing drug stores across the street from each other are gone but the pier and the structure at the end are both there.
The same view in January 2018:
Atomic blast as seen in Downtown Los Angeles, 5.15am on May 7, 1952
Is it any wonder that the 1950s saw a rise in science-gone-wrong movies when this sort of stuff was going on? The Nevada Test Site, where the government tested atomic bombs was around 300 miles from Los Angeles. The bomb that was detonated on May 7, 1952 was so bright that it gave Angelenos an early dawn. This photo was taken from the 4th Street bridge at 5:15am – the beacon at the top of LA City Hall was still shining but the pre-dawn sky behind it lit up. Aaaaand cue the giant man-eating ants!
Poster for Them! (1954)
Nighttime shot of the Hollywood Bowl as seen from far behind the shell, summer 1941
Most photos of the Hollywood Bowl tend to be taken facing the stage, which is understandable—it’s a terrific view. So I was pleased to come across this one taken from far behind the curved shell. It gives us a much clearer idea of the enormity of the size of the audience that can come together under the Californian sky and enjoy a show. This was taken during the summer of 1941 after the Bowl got a bit of a face lift.
Nighttime view of the J. J. Newberry Co. 5-10-25 cent store, 6600 Hollywood Blvd, 1932
Here we have the J. J. Newberry 5-10-25 cent store at 6600 Hollywood Blvd taken one balmy night. Look at that gorgeous Art Deco detailing at the top of the building – and all for what was the 1930s version of what we have now: the 99 Cent Store. This photo was taken in 1932 at the depth of the Great Depression so a store that sold inexpensive items would have been busy all day long. Ladies could even get their gloves, hosiery, lingerie, and hats there.
Andie said: “The resemblance of 99¢ stores to the “five and dimes” is purely superficial. They had much nice displays, many more “clerks” and with their lunch counters the ambiance was more welcoming and pleasant.”
Celia said: “They did lay-a-way! So you could buy what you wanted “on time”, that’s why people kept their possessions so long cuz they really valued them – as taught by my Nana who was a flapper before the Depression. Stores stayed open by allowing people to purchase goods on “time”. I was sad when all the downtown shops quit utilizing that. We had one in San Pedro, it doesn’t look anything like it used to!“
The building is still there and brightly decorated. It’s now the Hollywood Toys and Costumes shop. This shot is from April 2018:
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Tagged Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Night photo, Stores and Shopping
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Looking east along Hollywood Blvd from Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, 1923
In this shot from 1923, we’re looking east along Hollywood Blvd from Cahuenga Blvd. I love those streetlamps – they really add an elegant feel to the street. One of the signs advertises a “Dairy Lunch” which I had to look up. Merriam-Webster says “a restaurant specializing in simple dishes made from dairy products.” I guess that means cheese omelets and milk shakes? I also love that vertical sign in the foreground: “Majestic Bowling and Billiard Academy.” I wonder how much lessons were.
The listing for the Majestic Bowling and Billiard Academy in the 1923 Los Angeles City Directory. It looks like they had another “Academy” on Main Street in Downtown LA:
The same view in February 2018:
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Tagged Hollywood, Hollywood Blvd, Restaurants, Stores and Shopping
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