Koo Koo California from A to Z

Christmas Past

2012-01-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

Favorite Christmas lights display from 2011 goes to this elaborate display in Beverly Hills

Imposing Erections: Architectural Division

2011-12-10T16:30:00.001-08:00

A moderne-style gas station in Beverly Hills, CA. Designed in 1965 by architect Gin Wong.
Seen in the 1975 film "Shampoo"

Terrific apartment building on Wilton and 5th Ave in Los Angeles, CA

The Capital Records Building on Vine Street Near Hollywood Blvd.
Built in 1956. Designed by Welton Beckett

Graumann's Chinese Theater
Hollywood, Ca

los Angeles City Hall
Built in 1928. Seen as "The Daily Planet" on the "Superman" TV series

Highland/HollywoodTower
Built in 1927

Hollywood Blvd Building Near Western. Seen in the 1997 film "L.A. Confidential"

Christmas in California

2011-11-26T19:08:00.001-08:00

Christmas decorations. Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Looking West. 1984

Somehat unimpressive daytime view of DWP Christmas Tree Lane Griffith Park/Los Feliz

Christmas Tree construction at Los Feliz Fountain at Griffith Park

Greeting Snowman. DWP Christmas Tree Lane Griffith Park/Los Feliz

Celebrity Sightings

2011-11-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

Even a she-beast has to watch her figure.
The Bride of Frankenstein considers her healthy food options at a Fresh and Easy market in Hollywood

Off-season Santa Claus abandons the cold of the North Pole and settles into a modest home in Hollywood. The newly installed satellite dish assures of an entertainment-filled downtime until December 25th!

Flipper: The Retirement Years

Lady Liberty's shorter (about 30 ft), fatter sister, lives in El Monte, California and can usually be seen outside of the city's Civic Center. If the weather is good.

One of the stars from ABC's hit 2011 TV show "Pan Am" was so excited at the show's unexpected leap in ratings, she literally jumped out of her costume. That moment is commemorated in this bus shelter ad in West Hollywood, Ca,

After the flop release of their debut film "Doctor Dolittle" in 1968, beloved Hollywood power-couple, The Pushmi-Pullyu, soon divorced. Here is Pushmi (or Pullyu) at his retirement home in Chowchilla, Ca.

A Life in The Theater

2011-10-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Pantages Theater

The Pantages Theater. Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA

Ceiling detail of the Pantages lobby

Outer foyer of The Pantages Theater.

The Wiltern Theater

The Wiltern Theater. Western and Wilshire Blvds. Los Angeles, CA

Ceiling detail from The Wiltern Theater lobby

The Orpheum Theater

The Orpheum Theater. Downtown Los Angeles, Ca.

Vintage sign above The Orpheum Theater

The Rainbow Connection

2011-10-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

The Waldo Tunnel as it enters onto the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco, CA. Rainbows were painted on the tunnel entrances in 1970.

Photo is from 1984.

Valley of the Barbie Dolls: To the Mathmos Edition

2011-10-04T15:13:00.000-07:00

Number 2 in a series of original Barbie Doll art pieces by Los Angeles artist, Bruce Zwinge, paying tribute to Hollywood sex symbols.

Barbie as Barbarella (Jane Fonda)

Based on the sexy French comic book by Jean-Claude Forrest, the 1968 film "Barbarella" starred Jane Fonda as the space-age heroine. In this recreation of the iconic Jacques Fonteray costume Fonda wears during her trip to the Labyrinth, artist Bruce Zwinge captures all of the futuristic pop/60s details: gartered thigh boots, fringed-rear skirt, and provocatively placed energy box.

Zwinge reconfigured Barbie's hair into a mammoth 60s mane, and her makeup was redone (darker eyes, paler lips) to reflect Fonda's look in the film.

Artist Bruce Zwinge recreated Barbarella's space-age weaponry and wrist-bracelet tongue box

Jane Fonda as Barbarella

Valley of the Barbie Dolls: Even Cowgirls Get The Blues Edition

2011-10-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

One in a series of original Barbie Doll art pieces by Los Angeles artist, Bruce Zwinge, paying tribute to Hollywood sex symbols.

Barbie as Myra Breckinridge (Raquel Welch)

To capture that particular 70s allure of Raquel Welch as Myra Breckinridge, artist Bruce Zwinge not only had to break and reassemble the limbs of the original Barbie doll (allowing for the bent knee, elbow joints, and graceful wrist and finger articulation), but seriously had to amplify the hair and bosom. Barbie's original makeup was removed chemically to recreate Welch's very 70s dark-eyed, naturalistic lips, look. The miniature star-spangled, strapless bathing suit, a structural impossibility in real-life for a woman of Welch's dimensions (her hair covers the straps in the photo below) was manufactured by Zwinge as well.

Barbie as "Myra Breckinridge" is not only a tribute to the transsexual heroine of Gore Vidal's satirical 1968 novel, but to Raquel Welch, the actress who portrayed Myra in the 1970 film. The iconic star-spangled cowgirl used as the novel's cover art, and later recreated by Welch on the movie poster, is based on a famous 60s Sunset Boulevard billboard advertising the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. More info on that sign available here.

A recreation of the original billboard as it appears in the 1970 film "Myra Breckinridge"

The original Sahara Hotel billboard featured the showgirl cowgirl spinning on a silver dollar.
Located on the Sunset Blvd. Photo courtesy of Classic Las Vegas History Blog

Raquel Welch as Myra Breckinridge

...Of course, "Myra Breckinridge" co-star Mae West was not about to be upstaged.

Hit The Heights

2011-09-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

The Angelino Heights district is one of the first suburbs of Los Angeles, Ca.
Established in the 1880s, it is a concentration of impressive Victorian-style homes. The area was declared a Historic Preservation Zone in 1983.

ANGEL, BABY

2011-09-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Photos of the Angels Flight Railway in downtown Los Angeles, Ca., circa 2010. Connecting the streets of Hill to The California Plaza, the self-titled "Shortest Railway in the World" originally ran (in a slightly different location) from 1901 to 1969. This location opened in 1996.

Not many non-L.A. residents know of the Angels Flight Railway. But ask a person of a certain age and they'll tell you that Angels Flight was THE name in tight-fitting, hidden-pocket, wide "bell" bell-bottom disco slacks during the 70s.
Boogie Fever!
(image courtesy of The Alice Willis Museum of Kitsch)

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD (AND HIGHLAND)!

2011-09-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood/Highland Complex in Hollywood, Ca. is a mall and entertainment complex that opened on the former site of the Hollywood Hotel in 2001. Currently serves as the home base for the annual Academy Awards ceremony. The complex is modeled after a set from the 1916 D.W. Griffith film "Intolerance."

WATUSI TIME

2011-09-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

Proportion-challenged window mural advertising the near-irresistible combo of watusi dancers in bikinis (inferred) with a guarantee that you will find it entertaining. Mural is on the window of a bar in Los Angeles that has in all probability been torn down, given that the watusi hasn't been danced anywhere (at least non-ironically) since the 60s.

NEON LOS ANGELES

2011-09-12T02:04:00.000-07:00

The 80s were the heyday of neon signs in Los Angeles. Melrose Avenue and Third Street were especially incandescent.

HIGHER LEARNING

2011-09-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

My Alma Mater, The San Francisco Art Institute in the Russian Hill area of San Francisco, CA.
There I majored in film and enrolled in a class taught by Angela Davis.

My 2nd Alma Mater: The Dupree Dance Academy on 3rd Street in Los Angeles. The studio, which no longer exists, was founded by Roland Dupree and was the center of professional dance in L.A. during the 70s and 80s.

Site of my first "show biz" job: The El Cid Flamenco Club in Silverlake, California.
Formerly the site of a D.W. Griffith studio, in 1950 it became the Cabaret Concert Theater. In 1961 it was remodeled and became the El Cid, longtime home of world-famous flamenco dance acts and Jennifer Stace's all-female pop & lock dance troupe, "The L.A. Knockers" (for whom Iwork. I ran the follow spot and pulled the curtain...usually too slowly).

Perches

2011-09-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

Giant Chair Art Installation at the Pacific Design Center
West Hollywood, CA.

Neon Jungle

2011-08-22T21:56:00.000-07:00

Examples of Los Angeles Neon from the 1980s

Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace, located on the corners of Santa Monica Blvd & La Cienega Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA. was briefly the real-life embodiment of the kind of roller skating nightclub immortalized in the 1980 film "Xanadu". This photo was taken in 1980, not long before it closed in 1981, making way for an ESPIRIT clothing store. Today it is the site of a drug store.

Hot Neon

2011-08-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Starwood Night Club in West Hollywood, Ca. around 1980 when it was a showcase for punk bands. It closed down after a fire in 1981. Currently an ugly little corner mall on Santa Monica Blvd.

Sign that used to adorn the Jim Morris Gym in West Hollywood, Ca. Photo taken in 1981. Was located right next to the former home of FLIPPER'S ROLLER BOOGIE PALACE on Santa Monica Blvd.

Sign for The Pleasure Chest adult fetish superstore on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA. 1981

In 1981 Melrose Avenue was flooded in neon, and one of the more animated signs was this active one for FLIP used clothing store.

The Tropicana Motel was a popular motel for rock bands, tourists, and burn-outs - located on Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood, Ca. Photo is from 1981. It was torn down in 1988. Currently the site of one of the ugliest hotels ever built. Dukes coffee shop, which was next door to the motel, had the best chocolate cake in town.

Another example of Los Angeles Neon 1981

Sign for the Gold Cost bar in West Hollwood, Ca., taken in 1981. Bar has been there as long as I've been in Los Angeles (since 1978) and I suspect it will still be there long after I'm gone.

Sign says it all. 1981, Los Angeles Ca.

Memories, Light The Corners of My Mind...

2011-08-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

The Castro Movie Theater, Castro Street, San Francisco, CA

The Castro Theater is a 2000-seat movie palace built in 1922. Designed by architect Timothy L. Pfueger in the Spanish Baroque style, it was declared a landmark in 1976.
This was my neighborhood theater growing up in San Francisco during the late 60's. It was at the Castro that I first saw Rosemary's Baby, Barbarella, Bonnie & Clyde, and Midnight Cowboy in their original theatrical release.

The Alhambra Theater on Polk Street in San Francisco, CA. circa 1983 (the 1,625-seat theater had been split into 2 theaters by this time. The marquee above shows that one theater is playing the Burt Reynolds film, "Stroker Ace."

While working as an usher at the theater in the 70's, the manager (a Mr. Lloyd, if I'm not mistatken) allowed me to climb up into that minaret pictured above. The view of the city from that height was spectacular, but the climb back down was terrifying.

The Alhambra movie theater on Polk Street is another San Francisco movie palace designed by the same architect who built the Castro Theater (Timothy L. Pfueger). The Alhambra Theater was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain, and is built in what is called the Moorish Revival style.
The Alhambra was declared a landmark in 1996 (after closing in 1998) and is currently the home of a CRUNCH gym.

Working as an usher at the Alhambra was my first job ever. I opened my first bank account at the Bank of America that was once across the street, and my first adolescent crush was on the handsome owner of the hair salon next door to the theater; a place called "As You Like It."

The movies that had their Bay Area premieres at the theater while I worked there were: The Stepford Wives (1975), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), Return of the Pink Panther (1975), The Wild Party (1975), and Night Moves (1975). Most memorably, "Jaws" had its San Francisco sneak preview there in 1975. I can still remember standing in the lobby and hearing the screams.

A Life In The Theater

2011-07-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Cinerama Dome, Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. circa 1980 "The Blue Lagoon" opened there that summer.

Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca. Formally Grauman's Chinese Theater and built in 1927, it was purchased by the Mann Theaters chain in 1973 and maintained the "Mann's" title until 2001 when it returned to the Grauman's name and eventually lost its forecourt box-office.

Lines form in 1981 for the opening of "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

John Huston's "Annie" opened at Mann's Chinese in 1982

A 1981 photo of The HOLLYWOOD THEATER Located on Hollywood Blvd. near Highland in Los Angeles, Ca. It was built in 1938 but was converted to The Guinness World of Records Museum in 1994. Showing movies like "Dragonslayer" certainly couldn't have helped.

"And Now, Here's Something We Hope You Really Like!"

2011-07-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

1981 photo of the 15-foot Rocky and Bullwinkle Statue on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles across the street from the Chateau Marmont Hotel.
In a traffic-stopping ceremony featuring actress Jayne Mansfield, the statue was unveiled in 1961 to promote "The Bullwinkle Show." Situated in front of what was then The Jay Ward Studios, the statue rotated on its base and was a witty take-off of the famous billboard of the rotating cowgirl advertising the Las Vegas Sahara Hotel. Located across the street from the Bullwinkle statue, the billboard and its iconic showgirl figurehead served as the cover and chief advertising image both for Gore Vidal's novel "Myra Breckinridge" and the notorious 1970 Raquel Welch film.

Image courtesy of rathausprojects.com

Although not visible in the photo posted below for "Can't Stop The Music," the Bullwinkle statue is located just a few feet beyond the billboard, not far from the Jay Ward store, "The Dudley Do-Right Emporium" which sits in the forefront of the photo. The statue still exists today, although both Jay Ward's studio and the Emporium are gone.

You Actually CAN Stop The Music

2011-07-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

Billboard on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles, CA promoting the film, "Can't Stop The Music" 1980

This billboard, promoting the Village People disco-musical "Can't Stop the Music" graced Sunset Blvd near the corner of Laurel Canyon. The billboard itself actually had a traffic-stopping, star-studded, red-carpet, unveiling ceremony on "Can't Stop The Music Day" (Thank you, mayor Tom Bradley). The red carpet extended from the billboard all the way to the door of the famous Schwab's drugstore.
Long after the movie - a monumental flop - had disappeared from theaters, this billboard was still up.
For more info on the making of this memorably bad film, check out the book "Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr" by Robert Hofler

...From Beautiful Downtown Burbank

2011-07-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. Built (or at least opened) in 1928.
The 110-acre backlot makes use of its expansive soundstage walls to promote upcoming releases.

Barham Avenue view of Warners Studio shows the entrance gate that was used in the finale of Mel Brook's "Blazing Saddles"

All photos taken in 1981

SUNRISE, SUNSET

2011-06-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Whisky in 1980 - Decked out in punk/ska garb. It would close in 1982.

The Whisky A Go-Go
Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Originally opened in 1964

The Whisky in 1982- the stripped and shuttered Whisky A Go-Go reveals old ads for legendary rock and roll acts that once played there. The once popular nightclub reopened in 1986

A More Perfect Union

2011-06-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

The Union Station train terminal in Downtown Los Angeles, Ca. Built in 1939

Mission-style exterior of Union Station

Art Deco lamp in Union Station waiting room

Decor of Union Station combines both Southwest and Art Deco styles

Can't Stop The Muses

2011-06-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

The Hollywood Bowl "Muse" Fountain in Los Angeles, Ca.

The George Stanley Fountain was built in 1940 (sculptor George Stanley was also the designer of the Academy Award statuette) and features stylized representations of the muses of Music (top photo), Dance (below) and drama (Ok, so I missed that one).

A table-sized reproduction of the fountain appears in the 1980 motion picture, "Xanadu" (Sonny Malone's apartment). The cult roller disco musical makes extensive use of the Streamline Moderne design style in its art direction and production design.

XANADU FALLS ON HARD TIMES

2011-06-23T02:21:00.000-07:00

1981 Photos of The Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles, Ca.

Built in 1935, the auditorium closed in 1972.

A cinematically spruced-up version appeared in the sensational 1980 roller-disco musical, "Xanadu" and that's the way most people remember it.

Alas, Los Angeles, a city with a notorious reputation for ignoring its history, allowed the landmark site to fall into disrepair and neglect, and on May 24, 1989 The Pan Pacific Auditorium burned down.

What We Have Have Made Is Real: We Are In Xanadu

2011-06-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

Back in 2002, at a Santa Monica, California exercise studio, dancer Ken Anderson held a "Xanadu-Weekend" of special classes and events in celebration of the iconically camp 1980 movie starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Here is the entrance to the studio, retrofitted and created exclusively by Bruce Zwinge to capture the look and feel of the roller disco in the movie. The huge "Xanadu" sign is plywood and the terrific Pan Pacific Auditorium "fins" that grace the doorway are ingeniously crafted out of cardboard.

Bruce Zwinge & Ken Anderson

Bruce Zwinge's construction of the famous Pan Pacific Streamline Moderne fins in various states of completion.
Hard to believe that one man was responsible for transforming the old Voight fitness studio into a real-life Xanadu for this special event. His work is nothing short of AMAZING!

Workshop Close up of Bruce Zwinge's construction of the enormous ELO logo that graced the wall of the studio for the Xanadu Weekend classes (pic of final result, below)

Bruce Zwinge made 6 "Xanadu Flags" to adorn the interior of the studio. Each flag has an airbrushed "X" on it in the familiar Xanadu font. Photo is of the flags in his workshop. Hard to get a sense of scale here, but the flagpoles were well over 6 feet tall and the flags themselves were the size of three king-sized sheets

For more info about that special weekend, check out this link: http://www.xanadu-fitness.com/news.html

Statues: aka "Pigeon Provacateurs"

2011-05-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

Statues at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills

Lincoln statue Forest Lawn

Oversized Head (the one on the right) Mesoamerican Plaza, Forest Lawn Cemetery,
Hollywood Hills

Los Feliz, California

King Carlos III of Spain
El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

2011-04-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Sign for Ace Pipe & Steel in Merced, CA.
I know nothing about what a good pipe & steel company is capable of, but if they can make a pipe big enough for a bull to walk through, they're ace's in my book

Big Chief Cigars sign atop a Los Angeles smoking shop

Indeed...
Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles

Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, CA
Built in 1949, the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy location

Stars Fall on Observatory

2011-03-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park Los Angeles, Ca.

That's a really big clock you've got there, mister!

2011-03-12T16:49:00.000-08:00

Giant-sized cuckoo clock advertising installation at Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA.

R.S.V.P., Peonies

2011-03-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

What is it that we're living for?

2011-03-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

...Applause, Applause!

Rusted Applause Sign- Virgil Ave. City Yard

Hollywood Sex Symbols

2011-02-15T22:36:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Taylor

Sophia Loren

Lana Turner

Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe

Judge Judith Sheindlin

On a Mission

2011-02-15T22:09:00.000-08:00

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana founded 1797
San Fernando Valley, CA

San Fernando Mission Church

Statue of Mission founder Father Fermin Lausen

Bob Hope burial site San Fernando Mission Cemetery
Bob Hope Memorial Garden

Bob Hope (1903 - 2003) gravestone

HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS PARADE

2011-01-11T05:59:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Hollywood Christmas Parade.

First presented in 1928 when it was known as

The Santa Clause Lane Parade, this fun tradition has had an increasingly troubled history.

Though local kids love it, local celebrities find little publicity value in it and the parade struggles to find celebrities younger than Mickey Rooney to appear in it each year.

77 year-old Larry King was 2010's Grand Marshall. Enuf said.

Personally, I think it would be great if the parade featured Hollywood vets and legends, but the demands of television sponshorship require a young (money spending) viewership, thus making it necessary for the parade to include a plethora of unrecognizable, interchangable non-stars from music, motion pictures and the Disney Channel clone factory. The parade of young and old /famous and forgotten has the comical effect of having the marching bands nearly drowned out by shouts of "Who the hell is that?" echoing along the parade route.

2010 marked the first appearance of Macy's-style balloons, and the newly cleaned-up Hollywood Blvd certainly puts on its best face for the event.

THE THINGS YOU SEE WHEN YOU WALK IN L.A.

2010-12-03T04:44:00.000-08:00

ART IS WHERE YOU FIND IT

Two very cool Neon Art Installations

grace the streets of West Hollywood, CA

IT'S COLOSSAL!!!

In an apparent effort to embrace its own inherent cheesiness and love of overkill,

Hollywood plays host to an oversized cheese macaroni.

Kodak Theater, Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA.

DINO the DINOSAUR

Fred Flintstone's cheerfully glossy pet offers toddlers rides (for a price) outside a Los Angeles Market

ONE TAB OF LSD, ONION ON THE SIDE

2010-08-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

The Sepulveda Onion Church in the San Fernando Valley, CA.

Domed interior of "The Onion" church. Site of the 1966
Kool-Aid Acid Tests, recounted in Ken Kesey's book.

These Poppies Won't Put You To Sleep

2010-05-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Poppy Reserve Antelope Valley, CA

1800 Acres of land, 7 miles of trails

Artistically Reclined

2010-04-01T00:48:00.000-07:00

Statues representing Architecture and Sculpture grace the entrance of a building on 7th street in downtown Los Angeles

Take Me Down To Logtown

2010-02-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

Mariposa's Main Street

The Mariposa County Courthouse

The city of Mariposa, California. A former mining town founded in the 1800's, was once known as Logtown.

Million Dollar Theater

2009-11-21T16:38:00.000-08:00

The Million Dollar Movie Theater

on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1918 and seating

2,345 was one of the earliest movie palaces in the country.

Pullet Surprise

2009-11-21T03:25:00.000-08:00

Chickens from Chinatown to the San Fernando Valley agree: "Eat More Beef!"

Signs Are Our Friends

2009-11-21T03:07:00.000-08:00

They Remind Us To Drink, Eat, & Wash Our Clothes

Signs of the Times

2009-10-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

El Rio Motel In Glendale, CA

Original Hotel Barclay entrance sign, 103 4th Street. Downtown Los Angeles

Vintage Illuminated Hotel Sign, Downtown Los Angeles

By-Coastal

2009-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Coast of Palos Verdes, Ca. & The Point Vincente Lighthouse

Be A Do Bee

2009-10-07T02:46:00.000-07:00

Jollibee Mascot/Maitre d/Chef Welcomes you to a gastronomical adventure at the #1 Filipino Fast Food Restaurant "Jollibee" on Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles.

These are either the names of two food items on the Jollibee menu or two drag queens with great PR agents.

Alarming Clock

2009-10-07T02:38:00.000-07:00

LED Graphic wall clock found at a Torrence, California flea market proves there's always time for Jesus

Sandwichs à Immersion de Français

2009-10-07T02:27:00.000-07:00

Downtown L.A.'s oldest restaurant is Cole's on Sixth & Main.

How Does Dr.Pepper Feel About Me?

2009-08-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

Vintage 7up Sign in Merced, CA.

Pre-Columbian Room Service

2009-08-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, CA.

Built in the 1920's

Marquee Value

2009-08-31T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Merced Movie Theater in Merced, CA.

Royal* Jelly Donuts

2009-07-31T03:03:00.000-07:00

Apparently the reign of Donut King I was so polular, the kingdom of Gardena, Ca. was granted a Donut King II. Perhaps things would have worked out differently for Marie Antionette had she declared, "Let them eat donuts!"

*Post was originally titled "Royal Jelly Donuts" just for its obvious and cringe-worthy pun benefit.

However, Kathy Ketter wrote in to inform me that by way of the wildest coincidence, one of the site's original 1955 co-founders (when it was known as The Big DoNut Drive-In ... a chain of some 10 Southern California locations, 5 of which remain today) was a fellow named ROYAL STEARNS!

So what do you know? I'm apparently wittier than I thought and clairvoyant to boot :-)
I'm glad these great-looking dount stands still exist. A big thanks to Kathy Ketter (Stearn's granddaughter) for the info, and thanks to Royal Stearns and partner Russell Wendell for such an enduringly iconic L.A. location!

Teutonic Take-Out

2009-07-31T02:49:00.000-07:00

Located at 833 W. Torrence Blvd. in Torrence, Ca., The Alpine Village is a shopping mall, a wedding venue, a dance hall, a restaurant, and a year-'round photo-op. Home to the annual Oktoberfest (a seven week attraction!) and the only place I know where you can find lederhosen in adult sizes...just in time for that next "The Sound of Music" sing-along.

Chinatown, My Chinatown

2009-07-31T02:43:00.000-07:00

Hop Louie's Restaurant

Basic gift rule: If it can't be good, it should at least be sincere.

Christmas in Chowchilla

2009-06-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Nostalgic, Small-Town Holiday Decorations Grace the Street Lamps on Robertson Blvd. in Chowchilla, California.

Maybe They Serve Pillsbury Space Food Sticks Here

2009-06-26T02:01:00.000-07:00

An Unassuming Diner in San Gabriel , California Boasts an Impressive Sign Done in the Futuristic "Googie" Style of the 50's & 60's.

Going To The Chapel

2009-06-26T01:47:00.000-07:00

Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes, California.
The Glass Chapel, designed by Lloyd Wright, overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

City Lights

2009-06-26T01:40:00.000-07:00

The Outdoor Art Installation "Urban Light" by Artist Chris Burden
at the Los Angeles County Museum
of Art

The God of Mall Shopping

2009-06-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

The "Spirit of American Youth" statue that graces the fountain at the Americana Mall in Glendale.
Of course, were this really the sprit of American youth, it would be 20 pounds heavier, tatooed, pierced, and texting with one hand while holding a Starbucks coffee in the other.

Hey Ma, I'm Playin' The Palace!

2009-06-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

Magnificent Movie Marquees

The Alhambra Theater - Polk St., San Francisco

The Orpheum Theater - Downtown Los Angeles

The Cameo Theater - Downtown Los Angeles

This Pool Has Everything But Esther Williams

2009-06-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

Ornate Outdoor Grecian Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Ca.

A Wet Dream

2009-06-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

Indoor Swimming Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Ca.

GM, You Just Don't Seem to Get It...

2009-05-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

A Gas-Guzzler of epic proportions.

This REALLY big Cadillac

looms over Fleetwood Plaza in Tarzana, Ca.

Go Fly A Kite

2009-05-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Kite Surfers in Long Beach

2009-05-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

Gardener Does It Doggie Style

2009-05-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

Oversized topiary poodle stands guard over corner of Havenhurst and Plummer

Poodle Cut

2009-05-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Dog Day Afternoon

2009-05-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Where's Don Quixote When You Need Him?

2009-04-21T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Swedish Mill

Smorgasbord Restaurant

Kingsburg, Ca.

No Wonder The Inhabitants Can't Sleep

2009-04-21T01:06:00.000-07:00

Giant Swedish Coffee Pot

Water Tower in

Kingsburg, Ca.

Bad Day at Bedrock

2009-04-03T04:42:00.000-07:00

Oversized Fred Flintstone about to

turn unsuspecting tourist into a pebble.

LaBrea Avenue

Hollywood, Ca.

CULVER CITY HOTEL

2009-04-03T04:40:00.000-07:00

The Wild West Just Got A Little Wilder

2009-04-03T04:37:00.000-07:00

Bedroom of the John Wayne Suite,

Culver City Hotel, Culver City, Ca.

John Wayne Suite, Culver City Hotel

2009-04-03T04:32:00.000-07:00

2009-03-31T03:53:00.000-07:00

Tulare, Ca.

What A Dive!

2009-03-31T03:52:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles, Ca

Staple Guns at 40 Paces

2009-03-31T03:50:00.000-07:00

Farmers Hardware Store

Chowchilla, Ca.

Artist's Lofts?

2009-03-31T03:48:00.000-07:00

The Studio Apartment Building

Culver City, CA

Aero Dog Diner

2009-03-31T03:47:00.000-07:00

Aero Dogs Diner

240 North L Street

Tulare, Ca

2009-03-31T03:46:00.002-07:00

Hot Dog Stand inside a 50's Air Force plane.

There's a fighter pilot in the cockpit and you eat on cargo boxes.

2009-03-31T03:46:00.001-07:00

2009-03-31T03:45:00.001-07:00

2009-03-31T03:44:00.000-07:00

2009-03-31T03:43:00.000-07:00

Metal Menagerie

2009-03-31T03:42:00.000-07:00

Metal Mastodon

2009-03-31T03:41:00.000-07:00

This metal beast can be found in Madera, Ca.

Shoe Business

2009-03-31T03:40:00.000-07:00

The BIG SHOE Shoe Repair Shop

931 Chester Ave.

Bakersfield, Ca.

Really Big Shoe

2009-03-31T03:38:00.000-07:00

Family Business

2009-03-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Clearlake, Ca.

Crabby? Perhaps. Crusty? NEVER!

2009-03-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

San Juan Capistrano, Minus the Swallows

2009-03-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

San Juan

2009-03-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

San Juan Capistrano

2009-03-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Bells of Mission San Juan Capistrano

2009-03-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Man With A Mission

2009-03-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Sur La Plage

2009-03-22T02:24:00.002-07:00

Lonesome George

2009-03-22T02:24:00.001-07:00

Photo-Op at Old Trapper's Lodge is rendered certifiably creepy when one discovers that the teeth in Lonesome George's head are genuine.

Iron Foot Eva

2009-03-22T02:23:00.001-07:00

Pioneer Woman

2009-03-22T02:21:00.000-07:00