1940's HOLLYWOOD IN LAGUNA, a Mini-Documentary
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Experience the captivating history behind one of North Laguna's most legendary properties, now known as Smithcliffs, and its remarkable connection to the world of Hollywood filmmaking. Nestled within this coastal haven are 22 extraordinary estates, complemented by a hidden gem-a secluded pocket park boasting awe-inspiring views of Rum Runner's Cove. Embark on a nostalgic journey through time as we delve into the enthralling past of this remarkable locale. It is truly remarkable to witness how this distinctive stretch of the Laguna Beach coastline has remained remarkably unchanged over the years.
Allow us to introduce Ken Robertson, a seasoned local real estate advisor with nearly three decades of experience in commercial real estate. With an illustrious career, Ken now offers his expertise in advisory services to buyers and sellers along the coast. A proud alumnus of USC, where he earned his MBA, Ken stands as a trusted resource in the real estate industry. For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Ken at 949.354.1510 (DRE# 01136936) or Ken@CoveCanyon.com.
If you want to see this spot in person, I recommend this little pocket park-see the link below.
drive.google.com/file/d/1nDE6dmuKVmsUPpNtGj--q_TE76n3OV9x/view?usp=sharing
Thank you so much , l grew up in Laguna in the 1960s / 70s and spent many happy days playing at the estate and swimming in the sea below, plenty open space and sleepy coves back then . A great place to grow up.
Wow, Patrick. That must have been an amazing time. I've never been down to Rum Runner's Cove. Only accessable by boat. Some day soon I hope. Thank you for your comment.
Were are you now ? Why did you leave.
@@mauromartinez3091I’m still here. My office is in Laguna Beach on Forest Ave in Downtown Laguna Beach.
Interesting. I grew up in Huntington Beach during the 60s through the 90s. Scuba dived around Scotsman Cove and Divers cove. As I mentioned in another comment, I worked on the property as an archaeologist prior to its sale and development by Benderson.
@@coleparkerI’d love to buy you a cup of coffee and hear about it. Please text me 949-354-1510.
WOW! Thank you for this historic piece of our history. I never lived in Laguna, but it is a favorite place of mine. Southern California is my home, and there is no better place to live and love life.
I could not agree more. I'm a big fan and have lived here all my life. Thank you for your kind comments. Ken
Interesting Video. For a little bit more information, The Smith Cliff house was built on an ancient Indian Site designated as ORA(Orange County)- 3. Sot, prior to the sale of the property to Benderson, I as an Archaeologist, excavated portions of the property to recover some of the artifacts. Our crew really enjoyed being on the property, and after the days work we would sit at the Gazebo and drink some wine before going home.
I’d love to chat with you some time Cole. Could I buy you a cup of coffee or glass of wine? Give me a ring 949.354.1510
Love this, wish I could go back in time and see it as it was.
No doubt, Kevin. In a way you still can. A lot about the coastline here and Laguna, especially the natural features, hasn’t changed much. I'm glad you liked it.
We were just gazing at Smithcliffs from our boat last weekend as we anchored in Emerald Bay for the afternoon. I recall hearing that the previous owner only wanted to sell to someone who would not develop the property. Rumor has it that the buyer promised her he would use it only for his family but immediately subdivided the land into its own development.
That’s interesting. The property was developed by a local real estate developer named Gary Brinderson. He owns one of the homes at the property still today. Thank you for your comment. Love getting new color on the history here.
@creativestrategyintersecti6268 In the 80s, 2 unique black office towers went up near Jamboree and MacArthur in Newport Beach called Brinderson Towers. I guess he was the developer for that as well.
@@billl1127that’s right! Gary Brinderson also built those buildings - in fact I officed there for a time. They are rumored to be two of the most expensive office buildings ever built in Orange County. So much granite and lots of subterranean componants. They were later bought by The Irvine Company and are still a part of their portfolio today.
@@creativestrategyintersecti6268 The reason I'm familiar with those buildings is because I sold the electrical switchgear they used when I worked for Westinghouse.
This is a great video. The historic pine trees were fantastic...Thank You... I've been to Laguna, love it...
Thank you so much. I love that part of the story too. Laguna has done so much right in terms of honoring history and the natural environment. ❤ It’s not easy but it makes such a huge difference in protecting this special place.
Ken - I love this! Good work, man! I was searching for early 1930's/40's films in Laguna and saw your mini-doc... very watchable; nice work...
Thanks Jesse! Hope to see you soon.
Thank you for watching and sharing those great details. The jagged rock outcroppings and secrete coves near your cousin’s home are spectacular and so inspiring to visit. Laguna Beach has done so much to protect its history and the natural environment - a great thing to talk more about in future videos.
THANKS as a resident and artist/architect i have painted here,love this!!!Thanks
I'm glad you liked it, John!
Thank you. I really enjoy these past times videos. 👍
Glad you like them!
Thanks. I know nothing about this area, but it’s great to just stumble across videos like this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this video. My cousin, Lloyd Martin, owned a house and a motel on Seacliff Drive in Laguna Beach from about the 1940's - 1960's. I was there a lot as a child.
I've only heard about Pancho Barnes in connection with the restaurant and bar she ran next door to the air base where Chuck Yeager flew when he broke the sound barrier. The General (I don't remember his name, and I probably have his military rank wrong) who was head of the base thought Pancho was a bad influence on the pilots and tried to get her shut down. She fought him every step of the way. I didn't know about her connection to Laguna Beach.
I'm surprised you didn't mention Three Arches Bay, where the sword fight between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone was filmed for "Captain Blood," in 1935. I hope you do more about the history of Laguna Beach and the early Hollywood community. I'd love to know if any old Hollywood houses from that era survive. It looks like bland, upscale suburbia now, from what we see in your film. I haven't been there in years.
Thank you for watching and sharing those great details. The jagged rock outcroppings and secrete coves near your cousin’s home are spectacular and so inspiring to visit. Laguna Beach has done so much to protect its history and the natural environment - a great thing to talk more about in future videos.
@@creativestrategyintersecti6268 The quaint, tiny motel that Lloyd and Pearl owned and ran on Seacliff Drive is probably long gone. I don't remember how many units there were, but it had kitchens with china dishes and they may have rented small apartments by the week or month. I was last there in 1961. Their home was further south, in the hills above the highway and the beach. I don't remember the last time I was there, but it may also be gone. I have a photo of myself at 4-5 years old in the early 1950's sitting in a swing on the beach in Laguna. I knew someone in the 1980's who played on those swings as a kid in the 1970's and he confirmed that as of the 1980's, the swings were still there. I think it was a public playground for kids.
Looks like paradise!
I lived in Smithcliffs in the ‘90’s just after they subdivided the property. My buddy bought one of the lots and built a beautiful spec house. It was a great place to live. A fascinating history!
Thanks, Phillip. Could not agree more!
Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Thank you so much. Laguna Beach was our vacation destination every year for nearly 40 years, starting in 1978. The "Surf And Sand" was our go to place to stay. It was wonderful ! Great memories.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It's magical to me to see these places today through the lens of the past.
Traduzir em portugues
I don't know how. Sorry.
Loved that they saved the trees!
Mee too. They are spectacular today. There's a little public park there where you can go see them.
Here is a link to a map of the small park.
drive.google.com/file/d/1nDE6dmuKVmsUPpNtGj--q_TE76n3OV9x/view?usp=sharing
Super well done video!! Thanks!!
Thank you, Barbara. I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
Wow!! Thanks for sharing this! It’s a great video & nice to know at least some things in this crazy world are Still Beautiful. I was out there in the 70’s. I had an Aunt that lived on a pretty little hill in Newport Beach. It’s sad to think it’s probably changed. ✌️
Glad you enjoyed it! Funny thing is that Laguna Beach gets a lot of flack for resisting change to a fault. But one silver lining is that it truly is a little time capsule when it comes to history and preservation. One example is that my partner is currently restoring the oldest home in Laguna Beach - built in 1886 and known as The Captain’s House due to its prominent point location and high perch on a hill. Newport has been our more progressive sister city to the North - where much has and continues to change. So happy to read your note.
I miss living in beautiful Laguna Beach! Worked at Laguna Beach Brewing Company until it inevitably closed. Gentrification and rising rental prices pushed me north to Newps.
Excellent video! Well done and very informative.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great video, I always love to see old footage of Orange County, especially Laguna Beach
I'm glad you liked it.
Great job, great story telling. Wonderful archival work!
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
4:34 That wall is EXACTLY the same as in Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. The star-shaped openings in the wall with the vertical metal bars are exactly the same. The decorative newals are gone but if I didn't know any better, I would say that you have the wrong photo!
That's super interesting. It may have been a popular wall design of the time. Or even the same mason. Good eye!
Great video production📽, Thank you, you should try voice acting! ( great peaceful tone) I lived in La Jolla in the early 90s... I would have loved it back in the 40s & 50s, Waaaay too populated today...I'm dying to stay in Laguna for a month before I decide to possibly make a move there... ...Artist, Old Naples Florida🌴🎨
My parents moved from tacoma washington to San Diego in 1952...mission valley was dairy farms, the mission and a 2 lane road...❤❤
Thank you. You are very kind. Yes, these places have changed a lot with population growth. You can still find peaceful little spots but you have to look harder. ❤
You sound like an artist! We can never have Enough of you! ✌️
@@blossom1643That’s about the nicest complement I could imagine. Thank you. ❤
This is great
Thank you, Emily.
6:24 Wow quite an image. Unfortunately IMDB has very limited notes on this film, and nothing in the location. Perhaps you could help add that?
Thanks again, all those beautiful coves!
Thank you for your comment. Here’s a link to the full movie. I’ll see what more I can find. I remember reading that these movies were kind of pumped out in volume back in those days. The studio might plan a dozen or more, so I’m guessing details on each may be lighter than today’s bigger budget world. th-cam.com/video/rI6wSc6rwAw/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zkUnZeaY9EqTg6Jl
I grew up in Emerald Bay, know the Dobbins family and went to school with a Dobbins family member. I remember Mrs Smith and visited the home and property many times. Too bad it had to be developed
That's very interesting. Thank you for sharing. No doubt, it is sad to lose these beautiful properties from our past.
Very wonderful, from those of us who love Laguna.
I have a childhood friend who’s family has owned a home on that cul de sac for decades.
Very fortunate ❤
2;49 uh, NO, Hollywood Blvd. in those days would NOT be "an hour up the road". Roads were ROUGH. Flying would be half an hour. Road time probably TWO hours at least, provided all went well.
That’s super interesting. Good point. I’d love to see a map of what the roads back then. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I would be interested if you could find out information on the property known as Twin Points, which divides Crescent Bay with Shaws Cove. My late dad's high school buddy, Ray Contino, owned the property up until about 10 years ago (he passed away, and his children sold the property for $45M). As I understand it, it was given to Ray's wife, Phyllis Contino, by her grandmother. This would have probably been in the 1950's or 1960's, because our family would visit the Continos there in the late 60's and early 70's. Ray let me do some photography there, and on their private beach, in the mid-80's.
Agree - that's an amazing property, John.
I'd love to see some of those photos. Email me if you can. Ken@CoveCanyon.com
Oscar Howard from Oklahoma bought it in 1929, so not ALL sooners were Grapes of Wrath types. !!
I guess not!
Great
Thank you!
Great video! Got me curious to find exactly where the infamous Michael Avenatti home is.
Good question!
I would live to live there.
was pancho barnes to proprietor of panchos (bar) at edwards airforce base that was featured largely in the right stuff?
Great reference. It seemed to be connected. I remember reading about her involvment in a dude ranch near Edwward's Air Force Base (1935-1953), so I googled it and found this refernece. It says specifically that Barnes and her club were featured in the movie The Right Stuff. I may need to go back and watch that one again! Thank you. Great insight to share! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Bottom_Riding_Club
th-cam.com/video/lWy0WIgFLf0/w-d-xo.html
You are correct. The "Happy Bottom Riding Club."
What about the Pirate Tower?
Iconic! Hopefully a topic for a future video, if I can ever get around to it. Thank you for watching. ❤
👍
How many times can you use the word “remarkable”?
That's funny. I never noticed. I'll sprkinke in some splendeds. ❤
Smithe has their own legal by laws no need petition Gated Community
Lots of controls in gated communities for sure.
This is where Buzzy Leonard choked to death on a tuna sandwich in 1945
That’s a new one for me. Thank for sharing!
Interesting.... who is this person ?
@@gardenmama1393 he was a car salesman he worked for Cal Worthington
Oh my gosh that is just amazingly soothing to hear that name again. I grew up in Orange County and Cal W. was such a part of the culture.
@@gardenmama1393 for sure. He was also a World War II bomber pilot flew 29 missions over Germany