This is an excellent film that not only shows history, but it goes behind the scenes so everyone gets an added understanding about the culture and history of Beverly Hills. Marc has always done a wonderful job in presenting our city correctly through books, presentations, films, photographs and on and on. Marc is a treasure and I believe I can speak for many in saying we love him.
Wonderful photos and history. Sorry I did not know of Marc the many times I was in LA. His father was my physician during several years when I was living there between 1989 - '94. I find it tragic and appalling how people care nothing for history in LA and that so much was torn down willy nilly. The entire history of Hollywood has all but been erased simply for greed and unbridled development. I was first in LA 1957. It seemed a kind of paradise for a young lad from New York City. And yet I knew a woman in NY who would tell me stories about LA before and during the WWII years when for her it was even more a paradise. Smog free at that time. It was the war and thousands of military passing through LA and San Diego that caused a population boom after the war. Many of those soldiers, sailors etc. never forgot the pristine nature, the magic of Hollywood and the climate. In addition I had a lifelong friendship with Myrna Loy who showed me the little house she lived in with her mother and brother in Culver City when she attended Venice High. She spoke of the Red Line and Blue Line I think it was. A tram she took to Venice High which she said went from Santa Monica to downtown. I spent several summers in LA early 60's twice living at the Montecito Hotel on Franklin. Then I moved to LA mid 60's. In West Hollywood there were still several estates abandoned that I and a friend would explore as the sun went down pretending it was the glory days. Tennis courts grown over, empty swimming pools, guest houses, cabanas at the pool. We would fantasise and imagine. I remember looking over the fence in Culver City seeing the HMS Bounty from the 30's film on the back lot of MGM now an ugly and crowed mess of condominiums. Also the back lot of 20th now Century City. Beverly Hills was once charming now it is for me a hell. Wonderful restaurants, family owned book shops and Phil's Fish Market. Rodeo had The Swiss Chalet, The Luau, quaint shops and a wonderful Bakery with tables to drink coffee and eat cake as we do here in Europe. As was Blum's at Beverly and Wilshire. People may love LA now but I mourn what was. Everything torn down with no regard for history or the unique architecture and sumptuous interiors of some of the glorious mansions. A few still exist at the Rossmore/ Rimpau district. I've visited a number of those homes and they were totally unique. Like the silent films, fantasy run wild. And of course if one knew between 1905 and 1970 how much would disappear they'd have taken many more photos and films. Alas we didn't have the digital technology then that we do now. Now we can capture everything for all eternity in all its mediocrity but the real beauty is lost forever.
This is an excellent presentation, the history here is very interesting. More people should know about these people places and events of the past. Do you know who designed street layout?
Delmar was $50.00 an acre in 1947 my parents tried to buy land there then but had just married and moved and trying to get jobs around there just starting out they were married 55 years!
This is an excellent film that not only shows history, but it goes behind the scenes so everyone gets an added understanding about the culture and history of Beverly Hills.
Marc has always done a wonderful job in presenting our city correctly through books, presentations, films, photographs and on and on.
Marc is a treasure and I believe I can speak for many in saying we love him.
Negus - please have your head tested!
Wonderful photos and history. Sorry I did not know of Marc the many times I was in LA. His father was my physician during several years when I was living there between 1989 - '94.
I find it tragic and appalling how people care nothing for history in LA and that so much was torn down willy nilly. The entire history of Hollywood has all but been erased simply for greed and unbridled development.
I was first in LA 1957. It seemed a kind of paradise for a young lad from New York City. And yet I knew a woman in NY who would tell me stories about LA before and during the WWII years when for her it was even more a paradise. Smog free at that time. It was the war and thousands of military passing through LA and San Diego that caused a population boom after the war. Many of those soldiers, sailors etc. never forgot the pristine nature, the magic of Hollywood and the climate.
In addition I had a lifelong friendship with Myrna Loy who showed me the little house she lived in with her mother and brother in Culver City when she attended Venice High. She spoke of the Red Line and Blue Line I think it was. A tram she took to Venice High which she said went from Santa Monica to downtown.
I spent several summers in LA early 60's twice living at the Montecito Hotel on Franklin. Then I moved to LA mid 60's.
In West Hollywood there were still several estates abandoned that I and a friend would explore as the sun went down pretending it was the glory days. Tennis courts grown over, empty swimming pools, guest houses, cabanas at the pool. We would fantasise and imagine. I remember looking over the fence in Culver City seeing the HMS Bounty from the 30's film on the back lot of MGM now an ugly and crowed mess of condominiums. Also the back lot of 20th now Century City.
Beverly Hills was once charming now it is for me a hell. Wonderful restaurants, family owned book shops and Phil's Fish Market. Rodeo had The Swiss Chalet, The Luau, quaint shops and a wonderful Bakery with tables to drink coffee and eat cake as we do here in Europe. As was Blum's at Beverly and Wilshire.
People may love LA now but I mourn what was. Everything torn down with no regard for history or the unique architecture and sumptuous interiors of some of the glorious mansions. A few still exist at the Rossmore/ Rimpau district. I've visited a number of those homes and they were totally unique. Like the silent films, fantasy run wild.
And of course if one knew between 1905 and 1970 how much would disappear they'd have taken many more photos and films. Alas we didn't have the digital technology then that we do now. Now we can capture everything for all eternity in all its mediocrity but the real beauty is lost forever.
Amazing video
This is an excellent presentation, the history here is very interesting. More people should know about these people places and events of the past. Do you know who designed street layout?
Delmar was $50.00 an acre in 1947 my parents tried to buy land there then but had just married and moved and trying to get jobs around there just starting out they were married 55 years!
Should have gotten into real estate then.