Awesome video! It was great to see where things were and what they look like now. Plus truth in advertising! I was blown away by the dome that was once the top of the Briown Derby! That took a lot of research and hours to put together, but the ends justified the means. Thank you Rick! Well done!
Thanks David! I’m glad it shows. I worked on this video for several weeks gathering all the relevant into and finally editing it for several hours before posting. I appreciate it!
Love your videos! When I was about 3 years old (1954) my Mum took me to visit some of her family who had moved to LA. We stayed with my granddad who, one afternoon, took my Mum and I to lunch at The Brown Derby (the hat shaped building). We actually sat at the serving bar in the center of the "hat" - I remember the counter being round and being a 3 year old I took a fancy to the little bottles of milk served with the coffee. The waitress saw how excited I was and gave me one of the bottles. Even at my young age I remember so much of the trip - we flew from Philadelphia to LA on a prop plane (of course) and I remember being given chewing gum to help "Pop" our ears during changes in altitude...
I wished that the city of Los Angeles had preserved the original Brown Derby Restaurant on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Alexandria. It would have made such an amazing spot for people to visit considering how everyone loves 'I Love Lucy' and cannot forget that famous scene. Thank you, Rick, for this terrific video of days gone by.
Fantastic! When my mom and I moved to LA in 1966 (from land locked El Paso Texas), I would ride my bike down Wilshire Blvd to the beach almost every week to go body surfing. I can still remember sometimes having to stop at the signal light where the actual Derby Hat was. Eventually our boss took my friend and I who were Schwinn mechanics working at their shop to celebrate a record sales season in the late 70s. I can remember their food was so good and our boss ordering their famed Cobb salad. Rick, Thanks for the memories. Dan
I've only gone in the water in Santa Monica once in 48 years! The damn water is too cold even if the air temperature is 102°F! Just as bad if you go even 30 feet in the undertow the pull of the Pacific is too great!
@@roberttelarket4934 Yup, at first it feels very cold but after 3 minutes your body adjusts and its a ton of fun, but I hated those 3 minutes. And yes I did have truck loads of close calls with rip tides and other strange things, but its all part of the beach game.
@@roberttelarket4934 I spent many weekends in the cold ocean in santa cruz myself. i guess when you're a kid it's just water, but I'll be damned if I get in that freezing stuff again!
The Brown Derby should have been considered a preserved site. I would love to see you climb up there as well as more about the Brown Derby scenes with the Hollywood stars.
Another good one Rick. I came to LA in 1978 for schooling at CalArts and stayed here because I got work. I remember seeing the Derby when it was still standing as it was. Then, at some point in the 1980s and, as I recall, overnight, the bulldozers came in and by morning the Derby was gone. There was a great deal of outrage at that time but no one knew they had preserved the dome as they did. I knew they had saved the neon sign, which is terrific. So it may be mostly gone, but certainly not forgotten. 😊
In my humble opinion, I think they went to the Hollywood Brown Derby which was located on Vine Street, just south of Hollywood Boulevard. The reason I say this is because Lucy points out that location from their hotel suite and it was the only one that had the pictures of stars on their walls. The one on Wilshire did not. When I was a kid, I used to go into the Hollywood Brown Derby looking for movie stars. The maitre'd was very nice to this young man and he would point out, very discreetly, what stars were dining there. I never disturbed them, I just wanted to see them. That was a long time ago, back in the early '60s. Thank you for your wonderful TH-cam channel!
I love it when original items are preserved, this absolutely amazes me and thank you for the “history lesson “! I Love Lucy is my absolute favorite show, I was brought up on it and so were my daughters!
Disney World Florida (Universal Studios) has a pretty awesome Brown Derby restaurant recreation, complete with a delicious cobb salad and tons of celebrity pics on the walls. Thanks for this! Great video.
It’s not at Universal Studios, it’s a Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And yes, it’s a great recreation. The food is delicious, the inside has the same type of booths as in the I Love Lucy episode, and the walls are lined with the stars’ caricatures. I can’t help but think of this I Love Lucy episode every time I go to that restarurant.
In July. 1978 I was 22 years old and had to spend a month in Los Angeles in a ales training class; there were four of us sharing an apartment just off Wilshire Blvd ..... the classes were taught at the IBM education center across the street just past the Ambassador Hotel so we would walk past the Brown Derby and Ambassador every day ..... it was my first time in LA and while I had my first visits to DisneyLand, and Universal Studios Hollywood, saw tapings of Rhoda and Welcome Back Kotter and even did a weekend drive from LA to Las Vegas, I have always regretted not having a meal in the Brown Derby or taking a walk through the lobby of the Ambassador. At least I got to see the Derby and somewhere I have a 35MM slide or two of it. Outstanding video -- thanks for doing it.
Love the trivia GOLD you shared in this video! This is my all time favorite episode. Having been to LA, even walking by it but did not see this. Kicking myself!! Love, love, LOVE this.
This is my absolute favorite episode of the entire series! I’m a huge William Holden fan. What a nice surprise to learn some inside info on it!! So cool about the top of the Brown Derby being preserved.
Lucy's nose was not supposed to catch fire. It was an accident. Check out William Holden and Desi Arnaz's faces. She saved the scene by dipping her nose in the coffee. I've read that story in a few places and heard it in interviews, so I hope it's true. It would be cool if it was.
Having just visited Southern California just a few weeks ago to show my niece around the Queen Mary, Hollywood and Beverly Hills (including the former home of Lucille Ball on Roxbury Drive), the former location(s) of The Brown Derby would have been brilliant to share. The fact there were two restaurants was not known. Either of these, along with Chasen's, were on the hit list for family vacations to LA, but we never managed to get to them before they shut. However, for those interested in seeing some culinary delights from Old Hollywood still in existence, Russo & Franks' Grill, opened in 1919, is still in operation and a place where some celebrities still frequent. As an interesting footnote, a small pub called The Brown Derby in London was named after the Hollywood restaurants and has a 1920s theme to it. This video has inspired me to stop the next time I cycle by to finally have a look inside. Thank you for all your amazing videos and your due diligence in research on all things Lucy.
Great video Rick!!! I love these glimpses of the past & present!! I think that a field trip to the location of the Brown Derby & the Beverly Palms Hotel would be fascinating, especially for subscribers that live far away! I actually visited the Brown Derby many many years ago & I have fond memories of that visit. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rick - Thank you for doing this. It's one of my favorite episodes. I went to L.A. 20 years or so ago and would have loved to have found this. Guess I better start saving to go again and see all these wonderful gems you have found. Thank you for all you do. It is appreciated. Blessings - Judith
My list Andy Griffith Lake, The Bat Cave , The Beverly Hillbillies Mansion , Car Dealer from Psycho, The Batman Mansion, The Brady bunch House , Happy Day's house , The Hollywood Palace,The Avalon Hotel, The Fire Station from Emergency and so many others. I have found them all , in a few years I would like to go , but who knows with The Corona Virus what the future will bring.
Thanks for bringing this video to us! When we had our family trip to LA years ago we wanted to eat at the Brown Durby. We were saddened to find out it was no longer there. One other thing you can see the original Brown Durby in the back drop from the Ricardo's Hollywood apartment.
When I was in the Marines at Camp Pendleton myself n couple of buddies went to Hollywood walk around check the sites. The Brown Derby was still there n we got free meals. This was back in the 80's while everything was still there. Yes it was cool. We about fell out over the fact mgmt was willing to do that. We really had no money. They had auto graphed photos. Very snappy. Of course everything changes with time. It was great.
That would have been the Brown Derby at Hollywood and Vine which, in addition to tables, had a lunch counter. At one end of the counter a big notch was carved out to accommodate patrons with large bellies. In the 50's and 60's my father's company took care of the B.D.'s refrigeration and electrical needs. I vaguely remember going there on a service call with my Dad at one time and having eaten there more than once. The B.D. had heavy brown coffee cups which the family prized. I think they paid for them, but then...
I think its absolutely awesome that they preserved the dome and named the shopping center The Brown Derby. Love all the videos you share with us. I try to get as much info on lucy as i can. I read books. , listen to audios, etc and your videos have shown and told me alot i didnt know. There is soooo much info about Lucy. I particularly like watching her on old game shows and various shows where she was honored. Im so glad this was done before she died. So often ppl arent recognized until after they've passed away. She knew she was loved all over the world. Every show I watched gave her a standing ovation, including the game shows. I just dearly love her. Im hoping to take a trip to Jamestown some day. Thanks again Rick!!
I so enjoyed your video Rick! I had often wondered about whether the Brown Derby place and restaurant still existed. You answered my questions! I guess, back in the day, it was one of the most famous restaurants in the USA. Thank you Rick! May you have a safe week...Godspeed.
Great job, as always Rick. I loved the TV show. I lived in LA for 33 years, and recognize some of the locations you video recorded for us. Thank you Rick.
Absolutely, my favorite video. I had visited L.A. and Hollywood many times as a kid, and I remember driving past the Brown Derby with my parent and thinking that it was the coolest looking building. Later, when I saw the reruns of I Love Lucy and that episode, it really brought back fond memories. Thanks for the video as it too brought back fond memories of my childhood and my deceased parents in particular.
Thank you for this! I love "before" and "after" shots of historic locations. I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1950's, my dad was a musician who worked with all the greats, and incredibly, I never went to The Brown Derby, Romanoff's, or Chasen's. However, Don the Beachcomber on McCadden Place in Hollywood was our family "go to" restaurant for special occasions.
Great video, Rick!! I love all of the I Love Lucy episodes, but the California episodes are my absolute favorites. They are what started my fascination with Hollywood and California! Please do a video of a visit to the Derby. It's so sad they chose not to preserve it. Do you know what happened to all of the pictures/drawings of the stars that were in the restaurant?
Wow, Rick! Another mind-blower! For some reason I’d always thought the Brown Derby was at Hollywood and Vine! Life will never be the same... and heck yeah-go check out that derby!
Wow!!!! Thank you for this wonderful video. I love learning new facts and the history behind these classic shows. Your videos are a special treat and I always enjoy watching them. I had heard about the Brown Derby for years as a child and remember seeing a news story when the restaurants closed years ago and its great to learn about them now. Please take a trip there if you can find the time. Thank you for your hard and effort.
I keep thinking while you were showing street view... "get out of the road you are about to get hit by a car. " You exceeded yourself in this video with superb research and editing.
The night that RFK got shot, I watched him on TV and as they cut away, I headed to bed and suddenly heard many sirens go off - I used to live near the old Rampart LAPD station at Temple and Benton Way and there was a big scramble to get there. I even turned the TV back on and found out what happened. It would be great if some time you dropped by the remnants of The Brown Derby and let us know if there are any little memories there. Also, there is a replica of the Brown Derby at Walt Disney World in Florida at the MGM Disney Studios and they have many pictures on the wall.
You are correct! He was taken to the good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles and that is where he eventually passed away. Very sad as well. If you’re on Instagram I recently posted a photo of the hospital because I was close by. Link is in the description
Great video! It's sad that the Brown Derby restaurants are gone. But I was amazed to see that the dome of the brown derby is still there! And that the shopping center is called the Brown Derby Plaza. And that there is a picture of the brown derby hat on top of the sign. Amazing!
I’ve been to the boiling crab there never even once paying attention to those details. I am shocked! That’s in the Koreatown section of Los Ángeles. Thank you Rick for your informative awesome videos. I’ve walked the same steps as Lucy and celebrities from yesteryear and didn’t even know
WOW, I can honestly say that I love this video and can't wait for the other two parts. Did you say you did a video on season 4 when I love Lucy was in Hollywood??? This was my favorite season along with the European tour.
The Hollywood eps rule!!! I've always said if I ever won the lottery (or obtained a million dollars in some other way), I'd have my house's interior built to replicate the Ricardos' Beverly Palms suite!!
@@bradsmack1 THAT would be COOL! Aside from the Hollywood episodes, I love the episodes when they go to Florida. There's something so charming in those
@@upthedownescalator630 And, we have the color eps to be able to replicate the Hollywood hotel; not sure about the Florida room...if we have a color ep or 2 from that trip. Another room of mine would replicate their Connecticut home! But, I agree about your Eden Roc hotel room being charming!
@@bradsmack1 It shouldn't take too much money , at least not a million. I thought The Avalon Hotel should do it to one of it's hotel rooms . I am certain it would be very popular with fans of I Love Lucy .
Wow! I love this video! Sad that the Derby is gone, but I totally think it’s cool that the original Derby roof was preserved! Yes, you should do a walk up to show us the hat.
Thanks, Rick, for another well-researched trip down memory lane! While I always knew the BD interior scenes were all shot on a sound stage, I always wondered how they replicated the framed caricatures on the Derby's wall! Any insight into that? Did they trundle real ones down from the Derby to hang on the sound stage wall, or did the art dept simply "dummy up" some dupes to display? Thanks again, and a trip to the BD shopping center would be cool!
Thank you for your great video! I used to drive by the original derby many times as I worked near there so many years ago. This was very nostalgic for me and much appreciated to see what has been preserved.
Thank you so much for this! "Hollywood At Last" is one of my favorite episodes and a lot of the questions and things I wondered about, you answered in your video clip 😊 so much fun!
Fun and fascinating video! We would love to see The Brown Derby dome! Thank you so much! Always great videos packed full of information and fun facts! 🤗🤗🤗
That is so cool. 4 years of watching I Love Lucy I always thought that when they were eating in the restaurant it was the real restaurant. But I do remember years ago hearing or reading that it was demolished. And that's so sad because it was a true icon were people gathered and they 8th and a sad nostalgic goodbye I guess. But having been a California resident in Southern California it does bring back a lot of memories so when you do these little videos of where things were shot and added information it's great and thank you so much for doing it.❤👍👍
I love seeing the areas where old things like the Brown Derby was. I didn’t know there was more than one Brown Derby and how wonderful the dome was saved! Please do go to the shops in the Brown Derby plaza and thank you for taking us to fun places!
Notice the "first" frame had our very familiar extra Hazel Pierce in the right booth. I've passed the Brown Derby on Vine near Hollywood Blvd. countless times. The main Derby was shaped like a derby located on Wilshire near Crenshaw. It's no longer there. It was a landmark and should have been preserved. It was near another very famous restaurant called Perinos on Wilshire. The other Derby is located in Beverly Hills. The final Derby was located on Los Feliz near Vermont and is now called Michaels a steak house with a past specialty of low priced filet mignon which I had in the 1970s. Unfortunately I've never eaten at any of them. The only remaining and oldest restaurant is Musso and Frank on Hollywood Blvd.(I've eaten there once in the 1970s). This is where Bill Frawley dined frequently since he lived a few blocks away. One time they had raised one item by ten cents which infuriated him and he loudly said he'd never eat there again!
@free citizen01: Yes on Wilshire mentioned in video. As far as I recall it was near Crenshaw. Near means different things to different people. It's been a long time since I've seen it on Wilshire maybe 35 years ago I can't remember. I may be thinking of the fabulous Perinos restaurant at again maybe Crenshaw. I don't think the Derby was across the street from the Ambassador. If I recall from the 1980s the Ambassador was one block parallel to Wilshire.
@@roberttelarket4934 I have lived in Los Angeles my whole life and the Brown Derby was across the street from the Ambassador Hotel. It was actually on Wilshire between Normandie and Western.
@@johnstirret5021: I'm sure you're right but I don't go in that area any longer. For some reason I keep thinking of a parallel street 1 block south of Wilshire as the entrance of the Ambassador.
Musso and Frank is one of the last iconic places from the Golden Era of Hollywood. It still looks the part, too, with vintage booths and that unusual sunken entrance. Humphrey Bogart, among many others were frequent diners there. Sad many iconic restaurants here have vanished, ie. Chasens, The Derby's, Perino's, Scandia, Schwabb's, The Bistro, The Bistro Gardens, even the old Bob's Big Boy that was near Lucy's Roxbury home in Beverly Hills. It was on the Beverly Hills flats just a couple of minutes from the hills. Bet she ate there a lot over the years. It was a beautiful 50's/60's type building with pristine green grass in front. Today, there's a few "watering holes" for the famous, but they don't have the class of the Golden Era of Hollywood. I frequent King's Head Pub in Santa Monica and there's celebs in there all the time. Yawn. I go for exceptional fish & chips with an ocean view (from the outdoor dining area). The glamor of Hollywood was over decades ago.
Thank you so much for this video. It gave me what I needed when it comes to the Brown Derby and I wanted a picture of the original one but you did it by explaining what happened .Thank you again .
Great video Rick! Yes please go visit the Derby! I personally love this type of video with all the interesting facts about what it was like then and how it is now! That episode is one of my all-time favorites!Such nostalgia! Thanks so much! Be hopeful!
The parking lot entrance also says brown derby. I do go there sometimes just to look at it. It’s peaceful and quiet , no one really goes up there. There are 2 sports type bars up there that I have never seen people enter. So if you go I recommend eating at the boiling crab . Go on a weekday or weeknight and it’s very empty there . Thanks for sharing . I’m a huge Lucy fan and I have admired this wilshire corner my whole life . I’m happy you shared this with others ❤️
Hi Rick. Please do a video on this location. The Brown Derby was one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes. Thanks for this informative video. Keep up the good work.
I remember hearing of the Brown Derby as the place where George Burns, Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, etc. met on a regular basis for lunch. It would be interesting to see who owns that particular piece of property and whether there is ownership connection with those comedidans.
I have often read about the "Brown Derby" in various film stars memoirs....but I never knew there were 2 Brown Derby restaurants. Excellent video! Entertaining and informative at the same time. Personally I am vehemently opposed to seeing iconic locations like this demolished to make way for modern monstrosities....but as "The Spokesperson" says "That's progress" Many thanks for making this fascinating video!
Great video! Having grown up in Southern California I remember as a kid when out of state relatives would visit, my parents would always take them sightseeing. And one of the places was always the Brown Derby! I remember it well. Do make another visit to that Plaza and go up and show us that remnant Derby! Please!
Awesome video! It was great to see where things were and what they look like now. Plus truth in advertising! I was blown away by the dome that was once the top of the Briown Derby! That took a lot of research and hours to put together, but the ends justified the means. Thank you Rick! Well done!
Thanks David! I’m glad it shows. I worked on this video for several weeks gathering all the relevant into and finally editing it for several hours before posting. I appreciate it!
@@ricknineg Another Awesome Video Rick I truly enjoyed it and I love movie and television show filming locations 🙂
I agree with David, WELL DONE!
Love your videos! When I was about 3 years old (1954) my Mum took me to visit some of her family who had moved to LA. We stayed with my granddad who, one afternoon, took my Mum and I to lunch at The Brown Derby (the hat shaped building). We actually sat at the serving bar in the center of the "hat" - I remember the counter being round and being a 3 year old I took a fancy to the little bottles of milk served with the coffee. The waitress saw how excited I was and gave me one of the bottles. Even at my young age I remember so much of the trip - we flew from Philadelphia to LA on a prop plane (of course) and I remember being given chewing gum to help "Pop" our ears during changes in altitude...
What a lovely memory!
I wished that the city of Los Angeles had preserved the original Brown Derby Restaurant on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Alexandria. It would have made such an amazing spot for people to visit considering how everyone loves 'I Love Lucy' and cannot forget that famous scene. Thank you, Rick, for this terrific video of days gone by.
Fantastic!
When my mom and I moved to LA in 1966 (from land locked El Paso Texas), I would ride my bike down Wilshire Blvd to the beach almost every week to go body surfing. I can still remember sometimes having to stop at the signal light where the actual Derby Hat was.
Eventually our boss took my friend and I who were Schwinn mechanics working at their shop to celebrate a record sales season in the late 70s. I can remember their food was so good and our boss ordering their famed Cobb salad.
Rick, Thanks for the memories. Dan
I've only gone in the water in Santa Monica once in 48 years! The damn water is too cold even if the air temperature is 102°F! Just as bad if you go even 30 feet in the undertow the pull of the Pacific is too great!
@@roberttelarket4934 Yup, at first it feels very cold but after 3 minutes your body adjusts and its a ton of fun, but I hated those 3 minutes. And yes I did have truck loads of close calls with rip tides and other strange things, but its all part of the beach game.
@@dansotelo228: Sorry my body didn't adjust then and certainly not now at my age! Only thing L.A. ever had was weather!
@@dansotelo228 I guess you've never swam in Lake Michigan! ❄ Brrr!
@@roberttelarket4934 I spent many weekends in the cold ocean in santa cruz myself. i guess when you're a kid it's just water, but I'll be damned if I get in that freezing stuff again!
The Brown Derby should have been considered a preserved site. I would love to see you climb up there as well as more about the Brown Derby scenes with the Hollywood stars.
Why? It was a hang out for overly paid movie stars! Big deal.
Another good one Rick. I came to LA in 1978 for schooling at CalArts and stayed here because I got work. I remember seeing the Derby when it was still standing as it was. Then, at some point in the 1980s and, as I recall, overnight, the bulldozers came in and by morning the Derby was gone. There was a great deal of outrage at that time but no one knew they had preserved the dome as they did. I knew they had saved the neon sign, which is terrific. So it may be mostly gone, but certainly not forgotten. 😊
In my humble opinion, I think they went to the Hollywood Brown Derby which was located on Vine Street, just south of Hollywood Boulevard. The reason I say this is because Lucy points out that location from their hotel suite and it was the only one that had the pictures of stars on their walls. The one on Wilshire did not. When I was a kid, I used to go into the Hollywood Brown Derby looking for movie stars. The maitre'd was very nice to this young man and he would point out, very discreetly, what stars were dining there. I never disturbed them, I just wanted to see them. That was a long time ago, back in the early '60s. Thank you for your wonderful TH-cam channel!
I love it when original items are preserved, this absolutely amazes me and thank you for the “history lesson “! I Love Lucy is my absolute favorite show, I was brought up on it and so were my daughters!
Disney World Florida (Universal Studios) has a pretty awesome Brown Derby restaurant recreation, complete with a delicious cobb salad and tons of celebrity pics on the walls. Thanks for this! Great video.
It’s not at Universal Studios, it’s a Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And yes, it’s a great recreation. The food is delicious, the inside has the same type of booths as in the I Love Lucy episode, and the walls are lined with the stars’ caricatures. I can’t help but think of this I Love Lucy episode every time I go to that restarurant.
I love these videos about the actors, the sites and any other behind the scene information. Thank you so much for making them.
I don't know who said to watch The Paul Lynde Show, but I noticed it was starting on Antenna TV, so I started watching it, and I love it!! So, thanks
In July. 1978 I was 22 years old and had to spend a month in Los Angeles in a ales training class; there were four of us sharing an apartment just off Wilshire Blvd ..... the classes were taught at the IBM education center across the street just past the Ambassador Hotel so we would walk past the Brown Derby and Ambassador every day ..... it was my first time in LA and while I had my first visits to DisneyLand, and Universal Studios Hollywood, saw tapings of Rhoda and Welcome Back Kotter and even did a weekend drive from LA to Las Vegas, I have always regretted not having a meal in the Brown Derby or taking a walk through the lobby of the Ambassador. At least I got to see the Derby and somewhere I have a 35MM slide or two of it. Outstanding video -- thanks for doing it.
Take the trip Rick!!! That would be a great vlog!
Thanks for posting. This channel just keeps going and going and going. Love it!!!
Thanks for the kind words!
Yes please make the trip love all the on location and info
Love the trivia GOLD you shared in this video! This is my all time favorite episode. Having been to LA, even walking by it but did not see this. Kicking myself!! Love, love, LOVE this.
This is my absolute favorite episode of the entire series! I’m a huge William Holden fan. What a nice surprise to learn some inside info on it!! So cool about the top of the Brown Derby being preserved.
Lucy's nose was not supposed to catch fire. It was an accident. Check out William Holden and Desi Arnaz's faces. She saved the scene by dipping her nose in the coffee. I've read that story in a few places and heard it in interviews, so I hope it's true.
It would be cool if it was.
@@Pluviophile218 I heard about that too. It was a classic and very funny moment.
Another great video Rick. You make videos on topics I wouldn’t have thought of for shows like I Love Lucy. Keep up the great work!
amazing stuff
Wow, awesome details!! I remember that show! Yes take us on the walk with you to the Brown Derby Plaza. TFS Loved this video. 👍
Having just visited Southern California just a few weeks ago to show my niece around the Queen Mary, Hollywood and Beverly Hills (including the former home of Lucille Ball on Roxbury Drive), the former location(s) of The Brown Derby would have been brilliant to share. The fact there were two restaurants was not known. Either of these, along with Chasen's, were on the hit list for family vacations to LA, but we never managed to get to them before they shut. However, for those interested in seeing some culinary delights from Old Hollywood still in existence, Russo & Franks' Grill, opened in 1919, is still in operation and a place where some celebrities still frequent. As an interesting footnote, a small pub called The Brown Derby in London was named after the Hollywood restaurants and has a 1920s theme to it. This video has inspired me to stop the next time I cycle by to finally have a look inside. Thank you for all your amazing videos and your due diligence in research on all things Lucy.
Thanks Bruce. I enjoyed your comments as well that elaborate on your trip and a bit of history on these restaurants as well!
Musso & Frank is the correct name of the Hollywood restaurant.
Still an amazing piece of history
Thanks Rick for all of your research. I love Lucy fans really appreciate it!
🙏
Great video Rick!!! I love these glimpses of the past & present!! I think that a field trip to the location of the Brown Derby & the Beverly Palms Hotel would be fascinating, especially for subscribers that live far away! I actually visited the Brown Derby many many years ago & I have fond memories of that visit. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes , Rick , I would like for you to walk to the dome . I like historical places and facts . I enjoy your videos .
Awesome work. Thank you Rick.
Great video! Sad to think these places were not preserved.
I absolutely loved this, great research as usual!
Rick - Thank you for doing this. It's one of my favorite episodes. I went to L.A. 20 years or so ago and would have loved to have found this. Guess I better start saving to go again and see all these wonderful gems you have found. Thank you for all you do. It is appreciated. Blessings - Judith
My list Andy Griffith Lake, The Bat Cave , The Beverly Hillbillies Mansion , Car Dealer from Psycho, The Batman Mansion, The Brady bunch House , Happy Day's house , The Hollywood Palace,The Avalon Hotel, The Fire Station from Emergency and so many others. I have found them all , in a few years I would like to go , but who knows with The Corona Virus what the future will bring.
I love what you do Rick, I always find these kinds of things interesting, thanks and always enjoy your videos and the education behind them!!
Cool video!! I love seeing film and TV locations. I didn't know there were two Brown Derby's. It's cool the dome still exists!
Thanks for bringing this video to us! When we had our family trip to LA years ago we wanted to eat at the Brown Durby. We were saddened to find out it was no longer there. One other thing you can see the original Brown Durby in the back drop from the Ricardo's Hollywood apartment.
When I was in the Marines at Camp Pendleton myself n couple of buddies went to Hollywood walk around check the sites. The Brown Derby was still there n we got free meals. This was back in the 80's while everything was still there. Yes it was cool. We about fell out over the fact mgmt was willing to do that. We really had no money. They had auto graphed photos. Very snappy. Of course everything changes with time. It was great.
That would have been the Brown Derby at Hollywood and Vine which, in addition to tables, had a lunch counter. At one end of the counter a big notch was carved out to accommodate patrons with large bellies. In the 50's and 60's my father's company took care of the B.D.'s refrigeration and electrical needs. I vaguely remember going there on a service call with my Dad at one time and having eaten there more than once. The B.D. had heavy brown coffee cups which the family prized. I think they paid for them, but then...
I think its absolutely awesome that they preserved the dome and named the shopping center The Brown Derby. Love all the videos you share with us. I try to get as much info on lucy as i can. I read books.
, listen to audios, etc and your videos have shown and told me alot i didnt know. There is soooo much info about Lucy. I particularly like watching her on old game shows and various shows where she was honored. Im so glad this was done before she died. So often ppl arent recognized until after they've passed away. She knew she was loved all over the world. Every show I watched gave her a standing ovation, including the game shows. I just dearly love her. Im hoping to take a trip to Jamestown some day. Thanks again Rick!!
Yes! Please take a trip to see part of the dome 😊
Great stuff Rick.... Always love the nostalgia in these shows.
Keep up the good work 👍
I so enjoyed your video Rick! I had often wondered about whether the Brown Derby place and restaurant still existed. You answered my questions! I guess, back in the day, it was one of the most famous restaurants in the USA. Thank you Rick! May you have a safe week...Godspeed.
The trip would be great! Also, your work is just amazing! I could babble on, but will just leave it at that.
Your words are too kind! Thank you!
Please take the trip!!! You're doing an amazing job. I love how put in so much detail into the videos. Thank you!
Great video! I love vintage Hollywood/Los Angeles and I love "I Love Lucy", so this is definitely the place to be!! Thanks for all that you do 🙂
And thank you for watching!
Amazing!! Also I note that the show sure managed to capture shots of them driving into LA without TRAFFIC!!
Great job, as always Rick. I loved the TV show. I lived in LA for 33 years, and recognize some of the locations you video recorded for us. Thank you Rick.
SO COOL! Love all of these videos that show old footage and what it’s like now. That Derby dome is so fun to see! Thanks!
It actually does tell you on the outside of the building that it’s the Brown Derby Plaza. I’m happy to see that you did a video of this!
Absolutely, my favorite video. I had visited L.A. and Hollywood many times as a kid, and I remember driving past the Brown Derby with my parent and thinking that it was the coolest looking building. Later, when I saw the reruns of I Love Lucy and that episode, it really brought back fond memories. Thanks for the video as it too brought back fond memories of my childhood and my deceased parents in particular.
Thank you for this! I love "before" and "after" shots of historic locations. I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1950's, my dad was a musician who worked with all the greats, and incredibly, I never went to The Brown Derby, Romanoff's, or Chasen's. However, Don the Beachcomber on McCadden Place in Hollywood was our family "go to" restaurant for special occasions.
Great video, Rick!! I love all of the I Love Lucy episodes, but the California episodes are my absolute favorites. They are what started my fascination with Hollywood and California! Please do a video of a visit to the Derby. It's so sad they chose not to preserve it. Do you know what happened to all of the pictures/drawings of the stars that were in the restaurant?
Wow, Rick! Another mind-blower! For some reason I’d always thought the Brown Derby was at Hollywood and Vine! Life will never be the same... and heck yeah-go check out that derby!
Wow!!!! Thank you for this wonderful video. I love learning new facts and the history behind these classic shows. Your videos are a special treat and I always enjoy watching them. I had heard about the Brown Derby for years as a child and remember seeing a news story when the restaurants closed years ago and its great to learn about them now. Please take a trip there if you can find the time. Thank you for your hard and effort.
Nice video. 'L.A. At Last' is one of my favorite episodes. Glad to see they preserved that little bit of history there.
I keep thinking while you were showing street view... "get out of the road you are about to get hit by a car. " You exceeded yourself in this video with superb research and editing.
Many thanks!
The night that RFK got shot, I watched him on TV and as they cut away, I headed to bed and suddenly heard many sirens go off - I used to live near the old Rampart LAPD station at Temple and Benton Way and there was a big scramble to get there. I even turned the TV back on and found out what happened. It would be great if some time you dropped by the remnants of The Brown Derby and let us know if there are any little memories there. Also, there is a replica of the Brown Derby at Walt Disney World in Florida at the MGM Disney Studios and they have many pictures on the wall.
You are correct! He was taken to the good Samaritan Hospital in downtown Los Angeles and that is where he eventually passed away. Very sad as well. If you’re on Instagram I recently posted a photo of the hospital because I was close by. Link is in the description
rick nineg I know the hospital well. My mom died from lung cancer there about 20 years ago.
Great video! It's sad that the Brown Derby restaurants are gone. But I was amazed to see that the dome of the brown derby is still there! And that the shopping center is called the Brown Derby Plaza. And that there is a picture of the brown derby hat on top of the sign. Amazing!
I'm sick and I can't really get out of my room, so this is so much fun to keep me occupied! Video's pretty interesting too
Feel better fast!
@@ricknineg Thanks so much!
Get well soon!🦋
@@randytim512 Thanks :)
@@harveyabel1354 💚💚
Thank you. Would love to see the dome😊
This is SUPER cool. I love stuff like this. Thanks for this awesome video
I’ve been to the boiling crab there never even once paying attention to those details. I am shocked! That’s in the Koreatown section of Los Ángeles. Thank you Rick for your informative awesome videos. I’ve walked the same steps as Lucy and celebrities from yesteryear and didn’t even know
I love that they kept something of the Brown Derby.
Thank you Rick 🤗😘
This was fascinating! Yes please do go visit the site! It would be interesting to see it close up.
You always do such good work into the history of the shows which brings them to life once again! Thanks once again for a job well done!
Such kind words, thanks Gene!
I love all of your “behind the scenes” videos and information. Thank you for sharing. My vote is, yes please visit the Brown Derby location!
WOW, I can honestly say that I love this video and can't wait for the other two parts. Did you say you did a video on season 4 when I love Lucy was in Hollywood??? This was my favorite season along with the European tour.
The Hollywood eps rule!!! I've always said if I ever won the lottery (or obtained a million dollars in some other way), I'd have my house's interior built to replicate the Ricardos' Beverly Palms suite!!
@@bradsmack1 THAT would be COOL! Aside from the Hollywood episodes, I love the episodes when they go to Florida. There's something so charming in those
@@upthedownescalator630 And, we have the color eps to be able to replicate the Hollywood hotel; not sure about the Florida room...if we have a color ep or 2 from that trip. Another room of mine would replicate their Connecticut home! But, I agree about your Eden Roc hotel room being charming!
@@bradsmack1 Their CT home really was lovely
@@bradsmack1 It shouldn't take too much money , at least not a million. I thought The Avalon Hotel should do it to one of it's hotel rooms . I am certain it would be very popular with fans of I Love Lucy .
Hey Rick. You did a great job with these. You’re a true fan.
Big nerdy fan
Wow! I love this video! Sad that the Derby is gone, but I totally think it’s cool that the original Derby roof was preserved! Yes, you should do a walk up to show us the hat.
Thanks, Rick, for another well-researched trip down memory lane! While I always knew the BD interior scenes were all shot on a sound stage, I always wondered how they replicated the framed caricatures on the Derby's wall! Any insight into that? Did they trundle real ones down from the Derby to hang on the sound stage wall, or did the art dept simply "dummy up" some dupes to display? Thanks again, and a trip to the BD shopping center would be cool!
Yes, Rick, could you find out what happened to those characature drawings? I'm fascinated!
Thank you for your great video! I used to drive by the original derby many times as I worked near there so many years ago. This was very nostalgic for me and much appreciated to see what has been preserved.
That was very cool. It would be fun to see a tour of the Brown Derby Shopping Center.
Thanks for posting. Love videos with history facts we never knew! 👍🏼
Thank you so much for this! "Hollywood At Last" is one of my favorite episodes and a lot of the questions and things I wondered about, you answered in your video clip 😊 so much fun!
I love the detailed information you give on your videos!! Keep it up!! I subscribed!!
Fun and fascinating video!
We would love to see The Brown Derby dome!
Thank you so much! Always great videos packed full of information and fun facts! 🤗🤗🤗
That is so cool. 4 years of watching I Love Lucy I always thought that when they were eating in the restaurant it was the real restaurant. But I do remember years ago hearing or reading that it was demolished. And that's so sad because it was a true icon were people gathered and they 8th and a sad nostalgic goodbye I guess. But having been a California resident in Southern California it does bring back a lot of memories so when you do these little videos of where things were shot and added information it's great and thank you so much for doing it.❤👍👍
I love these kind of videos Rick! Super cool and informative. Take us on the field trip please.
Well done, enjoyed this video very much! Keep up the great work!!
Awesome video! Didn't know any of that info, I say yes please visit the area and make a video😁👍🏻
I love seeing the areas where old things like the Brown Derby was. I didn’t know there was more than one Brown Derby and how wonderful the dome was saved! Please do go to the shops in the Brown Derby plaza and thank you for taking us to fun places!
OMG !
That was so COOL !
Thank You for doing this !
Such a GREAT episode...
What a fantastic video and a great walk through history!
That’s cool! Thanks for sharing and I want to see the top of the Derby!
Thank you...the Hollywood at Last episode is amongst my top 5...great you shared the intel on the Derby!
This is awesome Rick. Thank you for sharing this.
Notice the "first" frame had our very familiar extra Hazel Pierce in the right booth.
I've passed the Brown Derby on Vine near Hollywood Blvd. countless times. The main Derby was shaped like a derby located on Wilshire near Crenshaw. It's no longer there. It was a landmark and should have been preserved. It was near another very famous restaurant called Perinos on Wilshire. The other Derby is located in Beverly Hills. The final Derby was located on Los Feliz near Vermont and is now called Michaels a steak house with a past specialty of low priced filet mignon which I had in the 1970s. Unfortunately I've never eaten at any of them. The only remaining and oldest restaurant is Musso and Frank on Hollywood Blvd.(I've eaten there once in the 1970s). This is where Bill Frawley dined frequently since he lived a few blocks away. One time they had raised one item by ten cents which infuriated him and he loudly said he'd never eat there again!
@free citizen01: Yes on Wilshire mentioned in video. As far as I recall it was near Crenshaw. Near means different things to different people. It's been a long time since I've seen it on Wilshire maybe 35 years ago I can't remember. I may be thinking of the fabulous Perinos restaurant at again maybe Crenshaw. I don't think the Derby was across the street from the Ambassador. If I recall from the 1980s the Ambassador was one block parallel to Wilshire.
@@roberttelarket4934 I have lived in Los Angeles my whole life and the Brown Derby was across the street from the Ambassador Hotel. It was actually on Wilshire between Normandie and Western.
@@johnstirret5021: I'm sure you're right but I don't go in that area any longer. For some reason I keep thinking of a parallel street 1 block south of Wilshire as the entrance of the Ambassador.
Musso and Frank is one of the last iconic places from the Golden Era of Hollywood. It still looks the part, too, with vintage booths and that unusual sunken entrance. Humphrey Bogart, among many others were frequent diners there. Sad many iconic restaurants here have vanished, ie. Chasens, The Derby's, Perino's, Scandia, Schwabb's, The Bistro, The Bistro Gardens, even the old Bob's Big Boy that was near Lucy's Roxbury home in Beverly Hills. It was on the Beverly Hills flats just a couple of minutes from the hills. Bet she ate there a lot over the years. It was a beautiful 50's/60's type building with pristine green grass in front. Today, there's a few "watering holes" for the famous, but they don't have the class of the Golden Era of Hollywood. I frequent King's Head Pub in Santa Monica and there's celebs in there all the time. Yawn. I go for exceptional fish & chips with an ocean view (from the outdoor dining area). The glamor of Hollywood was over decades ago.
@@nilecrocodile4155: All of Los Angeles is detestable! Nothing is left! It's mainly composed of a small percentage of the rich and super-rich!
Thank you so much for this video. It gave me what I needed when it comes to the Brown Derby and I wanted a picture of the original one but you did it by explaining what happened .Thank you again .
Thanks for continuing California's rich history legacy reminisce of California's Gold with Huell Howser.
He was my favorite and it’s incredible how I ended up covering similar history in California like him
Great video Rick! Yes please go visit the Derby! I personally love this type of video with all the interesting facts about what it was like then and how it is now! That episode is one of my all-time favorites!Such nostalgia! Thanks so much! Be hopeful!
I'm floored and I've always wanted to know about the Brown Derby. Thanks Rick 👍
This is so cool! I want to go to LA and see where the Beverly Carlton was. Crazy how it looks so similar to this day!
The parking lot entrance also says brown derby. I do go there sometimes just to look at it. It’s peaceful and quiet , no one really goes up there. There are 2 sports type bars up there that I have never seen people enter. So if you go I recommend eating at the boiling crab . Go on a weekday or weeknight and it’s very empty there . Thanks for sharing . I’m a huge Lucy fan and I have admired this wilshire corner my whole life . I’m happy you shared this with others ❤️
So very COOL! Thank you!
Hi Rick. Please do a video on this location. The Brown Derby was one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes. Thanks for this informative video. Keep up the good work.
Cool to see the derby being saved,You're videos are awesome!
I love these. And would love to see that brown derby.
I remember hearing of the Brown Derby as the place where George Burns, Jack Benny, Groucho Marx, Jimmy Durante, Milton Berle, etc. met on a regular basis for lunch. It would be interesting to see who owns that particular piece of property and whether there is ownership connection with those comedidans.
Excellent job, Rick! I would love to see a follow up video on that remnant of the Brown Derby.
A relic from the past. That's all that remains, aside from the bank in Los Feliz. Great episode.
Yes Rick I would love if you go visit that derby !!~!! This video was AWESOME !~~~ I enjoyed it so much !~
Great video! Thanks for all the details.
I have often read about the "Brown Derby" in various film stars memoirs....but I never knew there were 2 Brown Derby restaurants. Excellent video! Entertaining and informative at the same time. Personally I am vehemently opposed to seeing iconic locations like this demolished to make way for modern monstrosities....but as "The Spokesperson" says "That's progress" Many thanks for making this fascinating video!
Love your Lucy videos!! Brown Derby is a place I wish I could visit, so sad it's gone.
Great video! Having grown up in Southern California I remember as a kid when out of state relatives would visit, my parents would always take them sightseeing. And one of the places was always the Brown Derby! I remember it well. Do make another visit to that Plaza and go up and show us that remnant Derby! Please!
Wonderful video. Yes I would like to see the Brown Derby done😀
Love these before and after shots !