Monday, September 14, 2009
musso's - part 3
Here goes my third and last post about Musso's......Ahhhhh, The Counter.....This is the opposite view of the counter from the back of the restaurant looking towards the front windows facing Hollywood Blvd. Behind are the doors to The Kitchen. The huge kitchen where a lot of the cooking magic takes place, though some of the 'magic' takes place, cooking-wise right there behind the counter.
When you sit at the counter and watch the way these Wizards-Of-The Short-Order make the Truly Famous Musso "Flannel Cakes"...Oh, Oh, Oh! I'm Swooning....My Dear Friend Seemah was just talking about these Flannel Cakes the other day---their "thinness"....and the fact that THAT is what makes them so incredibly different from any other restaurant---the almost paper-thin quality of these pancakes, and she was talking about going there in the late 1940's, early 1950's.---and, my dears, Musso's is STILL making them the same exact way.....Well, I think that is quite extraordinary, don't you?
Here they are, above.....I think you can see the thinness. How many restaurants can say that they have been making a particular dish for years and years and years...and it is still made with the same perfection as it has been for at least 60 years---and more than likely for the entire 90-NINETY-90 years of Musso's existence. Not many. And certainly not many here in Los Angeles. Moving right along......below we can see one of the Waiters talking to the 'short order' Counter Chef....And another one walking down the aisle towards the Kitchen---getting ready for the onslaught. And don't those chairs look comfortable? I don't remember when I was last in any Restaurant that had Counter Chairs so very inviting....maybe never!
And below......when you enter from the parking lot which most people do....this is what you see. Right next to the awning entryway is a small sign.....this let's you know that that particular parking space is reserved only for the owner of Musso's........
To get into Musso's from the parking lot you go through that doorway at the end of the awning and down a short but very steep set of stairs.....and as you are walking down those stairs, to your left you can see the very large kitchen where so much great cooking happens......
Over the years I have had any number of lunches and dinner with friends there at Musso's, some of whom happened to have achieved success in films and on television. How many meals have I had here since 1961? Who knows. But I bet it is about 100.....
Back in the day, Robert and Sondra Blake were good friends. And I use to see them fairly regularly.....One night sometime in the mid to late 1970's, we had dinner together there at Musso's.....It was after Robert's great success in the film "IN COLD BLOOD", and in the TV show "Baretta", and long long long-before his infamous trial some decades later. They were of course still married to each other back then and to my eyes, happily so...We always had a lot of fun and shared lots of mutual interests. I had met Robert and Sondra back in 1962 when my dear Sammy did "PT 109" with Robert. Then Robert became a member of Theatre West around 1964.....
People forget what a really talented actor he is, or was.....And Sondra is a WONDERFUL WONDERFUL actress and after their marriage ended I was still in touch with Sondra, and then she became a member of Theatre West and almost did a play of mine in 1989---Robert had left TW a long time before that....Anyway, back to Musso's.....the table we sat at was the big booth I mentioned in my first post about this wonderful restaurant---the one right in the front where the window is looking out on Hollywood Blvd.......Here below is a very interesting picture of that table from sometime earlier this year....
This picture was taken for a story on "Mad Men" in a major magazine and there were lots of other pictures of the actors at other tables ('Mad Men' had used Musso's as a location in Season Two, I think---it was sitting in for a New York Restaurant...)....Above, these are some of the Writer's of 'Mad Men' and they just happened to be all the women writer's....They are at that special over sized front booth. Why would I remember sitting their with Robert and Sondra? Well, it's because I can remember just about every time I have sat there over all these many years, and most of the time we were a small group---two or three. It is unique, you see. There is no other booth that size in the whole restaurant......
Jack Nicholson was an early member of Theatre West, too. He was there around the same time as Robert. I will never forget one of the major pieces of work he did at TW. It was a play by the incredibly talented writer, Charles Eastman. The cast---among others---was Jack N., Brett Somers and Paul Winfield...! It was pretty extraordinary.....Back then, a lot of us hung out together, especially after Workshop Nights....It was fun and a way to blow of steam. Nobody was ready to go home after Workshop, especially if it was a very exciting night of work, and there were many, in those early days. Jack was a big part of that---in fact, I remember one night Betty G. and Jack and I went back to Betty's house after the Golden Bull closed at 2 AM.....We talked all through the night and when Jack and I got ready to leave, it was daylight. So, one lunchtime sometime in the mid-1970's I was having lunch with a young friend of mine at Musso's and Jack came by the table and sat next to me for a little bit...It was so great to see him once again....My friend was kind of blown away---really really impressed! (lol) Jack was there for a 'business lunch' but he took the time to squeeze in next to me at one of those little tables for two...(Pretty good squeezing, too, I might add....) and just kind of reminisce....Believe it or not, I haven't seen him since.....
One Lunchtime around 1990-91, I had a lovely lunch with the very talented Sharon Gless.....Barney Rosenzweig, her Producer-Husband, is a very old friend of mine. We met back in 1965 and have remained friends for all these years. When Sharon and Barney got married, I performed the ceremony, which was such a sweet thing to be able to do. They were married in the garden of her house in Malibu. It was a beautiful day and a really lovely Wedding if I do say so myself. What made it so lovely was the 'realness' of it. Barney's three daughters from his first marriage stood up for him. 
And Sharon's brother brought her down the aisle....It was a real family affair. As for my lunch with her at Musso's, I think it was so we could get to know each other better, which we did. And she is 'the best'......And interestingly, she has been coming to Musso & Frank since she was a little girl. Her grandfather, Neil S. McCarthy, was an important Entertainment Lawyer in the early days of Hollywood, who represented people like Howard Hughes, Cecil B. DeMille and Louis B. Mayer, among many others in the Film Industry here in Hollywood. And often, if there was some kind of family celebration, this is where Sharon's whole family would come to share a meal together. And sometimes her Grandpa would just bring her here by herself---a special treat for a little girl.. To me, Sharon and her family are the perfect example of how the three generations in one family have been enjoying the wonderful hospitality of Musso & Frank over all these years--one generation passing it down to the next, and keeping it alive.
Many people think and feel that there is no history here in Hollywood and that there are no Longevity-Of-Relationships. Well, that is just not true. I think Sharon's family is just one of many many many family's who have a history of partaking of these kinds of great treasures here in our city at places like Musso & Frank, and these 'family's' have been passing these traditions down from one generation to the next. Places like The Beverly Hills Hotel, and The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and The Bel Air Hotel.....And that is why this restaurant---this Musso & Frank Restaurant, is still here......And it doesn't hurt that they own the building!
And here above is how the front of Musso & Frank's looks right now.....I think it is time for the city to Honor Musso's, once again, on this, their 90th Birthday year....! A true Los Angeles treasure that hopefully will be cherished for at least another 90 years.....! Happy Birthday Musso & Frank......!More To Come.......
| posted by OldLady Of The Hills at 12:08:00 AM
Monday, September 07, 2009
musso's - part 2
This is a Menu (Well, the cover of the menu....) that I found on the net from 1948! What is amazing is that the Menu still looks the same and there have been very few changes since this menu. Do click on this to see it bigger.....As you can see, the "specials" for each day are right there on the front....In 1948, they were open on Sunday and Monday....Well, that hasn't been the case for quite a long time---not sure when that changed exactly, but I believe they already were only doing 5 days a week when I first went there in 1961....So they only need these 5 'specials', from Tuesday through Saturday....And amazingly, the only day that has a different "special" from this Menu, is Tuesday. It is now "Corn Beef and Cabbage", and I'm willing to bet it's been that for, at the very least, over thirty years.....
Here above is Wednesdays 'special' "Sauerbraten, Potato Pancakes & Apple Sauce"....the very same dish that was the 'special' back in 1948....The food, as you can see, is very much from another time, too, just like the whole place....But, that is why we love it.......
And here is my very favorite Musso's 'special'....On Thursdays, it's "Chicken Pot Pie". Yum Yum Yum....! It comes in a baking dish and the waiter spoons the first portion out for you right there at the table......What I love is that it has these big chunks of Chicken along with all these other goodies.....Old Fashioned? You Bet! And, that's also why we love it....lol! A number of kind souls have actually brought me the Chicken Pot Pie so I can eat it right here at home and pretend I'm having a little bit of Musso's right up here on the hill---well, sort of.....But it really is a very special treat for me, and it brings back fond memories......Friday and Saturday are still the same 'specials' as 1948...Friday is "Bouillabaisse Marseillaise" and on Saturday another wonderful throwback food-wise, "Braised Short Ribs of Beef With Vegetables".....I have had this dish, and it is quite Yum Yum, especially if you are in need of "Mommy Food"......In fact, a lot of their Menu is perfect for Mommy Food......
Here is Manny....he is one of the long-time waiters there at Musso's...Like, maybe over forty years......There is something very comforting about that, you know? And I think it says something about this Restaurant that they have so very many waiters with long-time-service on the job there. Here below is Manny, once again, with some other Waiters from other Los Angeles Restaurants....This picture was taken for an article on famous L.A, Restaurants and the longevity of their Waiters, and as you can see Manny is featured in front!
Here below is one of Musso's long-time Appetizers....I know it has been on the Menu for at least all the years I have been going there and it wouldn't surprise me if it was there in 1919, as well......
It's listed as "Stuffed Celery", and stuffed, it is....With some kind of Cheese Mixture--the basis of which is Cream Cheese; a little Paprika to dress it up with some color, and a Black Olive with each stalk, plus a slice or two of Cold Cooked Beets. Now how long since you've seen this delicious combination on a menu, if ever? This is an appetizer to share because it is quite a large portion...In truth, all their portions are pretty big! The Menu is huge, by the way....The Variety of choices of Salads-23, and Egg Dishes-16, and Fish-19, and Steaks and Chops-13, stuns one, and that doesn't count Roasts or Cold Meats, or the "To Order" items....And it goes on and on and on.....They also have what they call, "Ready Entrees" and these include mundane things like two kinds of Spaghetti Dishes...Below is one of the Spaghetti's. They also have "Beef Stroganoff With Rice", and "Macaroni With Mushroom Sauce"----more of the mundane but quite delicious and hearty, though I'm not sure how good any of this is for your Heart.......But does that stop people? No!
And then there are some more, shall we say, 'exotic' dishes, like for instance, "Roast Rack of Lamb Casserole"---I have never eaten that, nor do I know anyone who has.....lol, but I bet it is pretty good! And back to the mundane...."Roast Half Chicken With Savory Dressing, Rissole Potato's (?), Peas and Cranberry Sauce" and "Roast Loin of Pork With Red Cabbage and Sweet Potato"--ALL these are under 'ready entrees.....and so much more---the Ready Entrees number 12....Then, of course there are the "To Order" items. There are 12 of those, as well....Including "Welsh Rarebit" and a "Low Calorie Plate".....Hmmmmm. I think I may have had that once.....Not memorable. Though maybe they have improved it.....
There are "Cold Sandwiches"-9, and "Hot Sandwiches"-9 also....And above is the 'Hot Tongue Sandwich'....I never have eaten that either....although I like tongue I am only interested in true Deli Tongue. This sandwich does not look that appetizing to me in the least.....But it is a testament to the enormity of their Menu that is exists at all.....! And by the way, it is $19.
One of their more popular dishes is the "Filet Of Sandabs, Saute Meuniere"---this is just one of the 19 Fish Choices....My dear friend Hanna loved these...In fact, I don't remember her ever ordering anything else when we would go to Musso's together......And by the way, they have 10 different Potato Dishes....including Candied Sweet, Julienne, Lyonaisse, Cottage Fried, and Au Gratin, as well as the usual Mashed, Baked, French Fried, Hash Browns, and believe it or not, Boiled New Potato's---plus the two other Potato dishes mentioned previously.....Pretty impressive, isn't it?
Another popular item with me personally, was the "Stuffed Tomato With Chicken or Tuna" (A few Asparagus, a Black Olive or two, and some more Cold Cooked Beet Slices)....You can also get this with either Crab or Shrimp.....the Crab or Shrimp is $20. But a Crab Salad by itself-no Tomato-is $25. More Crab without that big Tomato, I guess....lol....Yes, the prices are 'dear', as they say, and they always have been....Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fantastic Sour Dough Bread that graces the table almost immediately upon your arrival---Lunch or Dinner or at the Counter.....!
It is baked fresh, every day, just for Musso's....And it is the most delicious Sour Dough Bread I have ever tasted.....They put this plate of bread on your table just filled to the brim with these very generous but manageable slices, and when you run out because you have eaten it all, they bring you some more.....! I'll let you ruminate on all this food and give you time to digest so you can get ready for Part 3 of Musso's......More To Come.......
| posted by OldLady Of The Hills at 12:18:00 AM
Friday, September 04, 2009
musso's - a landmark
So.....here was Musso & Frank's Grill back when they first opened in 1919.....It is a "family" owned business---in fact, they own the building itself which gives one a real sense of comfort....It is still a family run and owned and business, and it is still the same original family.....
The way it looks in this picture above....is pretty much how it still looks. AS I have written before, it is on the north side of Hollywood Blvd and the nearest cross street is Cherokee. It is just a few blocks east of Hollywood & Highland. There are two different entry doors which take you into a little vestibule, which protects the diners from the wind and or rain or cold....and then there are another two doors leading directly into the dining room...At least that is my memory that there are two more doors----it has been about five years since I was there and most of the time I always entered from the Parking Lot in the back, having driven there from home or somewhere else.....
This is the sign above the Restaurant in front, on Hollywood Blvd. And when you enter, what you see in the picture below is pretty much the view that you see as you walk in from the street........
Over on the left wall are the half-circle booths that can seat four people for sure and five, if push comes to shove (There is one much larger booth right at the front door, with the street window behind it---I'll show you that later---that particular booth is big enough to hold six or seven, if need be.....) In the center are the small booths for two or for just one....Lots of people come to Musso's alone. For whatever the reason the management and waiters don't make you feel like you don't belong, which is really a lovely sweet thing.....Then over on the right there are some more semi-circle booths, but they are smaller and only seat three, at the most...Beyond that towards the back wall there are maybe two more small booths that seat only two.....and on the far right beyond that wooden partition is 'the counter'......
The chairs are really comfy with padded seats and they have arms, too, plus they move so it is easy to get in and out of them....I've sat in just about every place in that room that you can, at one time or another over all these many years---starting in 1961...I've sat in ALL the booths and at the counter, too......It's fun to sit at the counter because you can watch the very skilled Counter Chefs do their magic, and it is like a beautiful dance, depending on what they are making.......
The counter kind of curves around at the front part---the street side near the front doors.....
And if you were standing right there at that part and turned to your right, you would enter their second room---another very good sized dining room which also holds the Bar. This room is set up quite a bit differently.....
This picture above was no doubt taken at Lunch Time...no tablecloths....And as you can see, the Bar is right there with that wooden partition behind it, separating the dining tables from the bar itself....Now, in the picture below, we are looking at this whole room from the other end of the room, sort of Cati-corner---back towards the front entry where we were in the previous picture.......
As you can see, there are booths along that partition---small ones mostly, and on the back walls and side wall there are more booths, plus the tables that are in the center. The difference in these two rooms is, the first one has no tables, only booths....It is Dinner Time and so all the tables are set with tablecloths (This room was where we had Betty's Lunch after she got her Star...)....The Bar, from this vantage point is over there against the right wall that separates the two Dining Rooms from each other.....
This is kind of a fabulous looking Bar...a very old fashioned looking bar like the whole restaurant, actually. Musso's is really like stepping back in time in every way, including the food! And look at this drink below......
It looks like a Martini from the 1950's-1960's with an olive and that dear little extra Martini right next to it in one of those old fashioned miniature carafes.....As I said, this wonderful place really looks like it is from another time entirely, and that's really why we all love it so. I have spent many happy hours there, sharing meals with friends and at 'meetings', as well as the alone times at the counter for a lovely late breakfast or an early lunch.......It has such a feeling of old Hollywood and so much history is embodied in these walls......And I cannot tell you how often I would run into people I know having a meal there.....It is definitely a popular place for Show People......
Don't you love this Cash Register--It is the Bar Cash Register. And it looks like a really old wonderful Register (which is what it really is...) and it sounds like one, too.....You know that kind of little ding-ding-ring sound and that other sound when the drawer comes out? It is like everything else at Musso's.....from another simpler more naive time, including the Waiters......And wait till you see some of the food.....More To Come........
| posted by OldLady Of The Hills at 12:48:00 AM
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
the walk of fame
I thought this picture was rather poignant....whoever this was, just wanted to touch Michael Jackson's Star.....It was very crowded right around there...so I felt lucky to get this shot, at all---especially from a moving car. This picture above was taken on that same Monday that I was out and about......The whole Walk of Fame thing is kind of strange, you know. 
I don't think it started out this way, but it has evolved into a huge promotional campaign kind of thing for each star who is honored. The "committee" that decides who gets a star and who doesn't get a star these days is kind of a mystery....But, well, let's just say it helps if you have a Film opening and/or some other big thing happening that can be heavily promoted by your people and their people.....
As I said, that was not always the case. I bet most of you don't even know who Vanessa Brown was. But at the time she got her Star, she was very 'well known'. Oh, and did you know that you or your Agent or Sponsors have to pay for the star? And it is very very costly now....It costs $25,000 now. (That was not always the case either...). Yes. You pay for it or your agents or managers or someone...NOT The Walk Of Fame Committee or The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce....
Many many years ago, so I've heard, Carroll O'Connor was told he had been chosen to be given a Star on 'The Walk Of Fame'.....then he found out it would cost him $3,000. (It was many years ago remember....) He was shocked that he would have to pay for this so called Honor....He refused. As I understand it, it wasn't the money--it was the principal. (What kind of an Honor is it when you have to pay for that Honor??) 
Quite a few years later, the opportunity came around again and, I was told that this time he decided after much prodding from those close to him, to go ahead and accept the Star. The cost was, by that time, $10,000. Just think, he could have saved himself $7,000, if he had gone ahead the first time round. (lol)
My dear friend, Betty Garrett, received her 'star' on May 23, 2003....(Above, with her Godson Jeff Bridges and his dear brother Beau and singer Rod McKuen...). She chose that day because it was her Birthday....And a very generous and caring benefactor came up with the money----a man that adored both Betty and her husband Larry Parks----with whom the very generous benefactor had gone to college. It was a great day. And after the Ceremony, Betty and her family and a few others---including myself---had Lunch at Musso & Frank! A perfect place to celebrate!
Above there is Betty at lunch with her sweet granddaughter Maddie....I think there were maybe 18 of us at Lunch.....It was such a very special day for Betty and really, for all of us.....
In the late 1980's I tried to help get a 'star' for Larry on The Walk Of Fame....the rules and regulations were somewhat different back then, then they are now....We even got a petition together that was signed by a lot of very well known and important Theatre and Film people---almost 100 people signed the petition here in Hollywood and in New York. It didn't matter. It didn't happen, and it still hasn't happened....There are all sorts of reasons....but, it would have been so very nice and if it could have happened this year, it would have been a great 90th Birthday present for Betty....but, so far....it doesn't even seem to be on the radar anymore.
Here is Larry above, with Al Jolson.....This was during the filming of "The Jolson Story" for which Larry was nominated for an Academy Award. The picture above this one---the first picture of Larry----is from "Jolson Sings Again".....the sequel made two years later........Below is a picture taken in the early 1980's....that's me and a wonderful actor named Phil Abbott with Betty next to him---on Cortisone at the time so that is why the chubby cheeks, and dear Carroll next to her.
We were at Carroll & Nancy's home in Malibu, doing a reading of a play that Carroll had written. He was a very good writer and it helped him to hear his play read out loud by actors.....A lot of water under the bridge since that lovely Saturday afternoon.......Both Phil and Carroll are gone now. In fact, Carroll died one year after he got his Star.....And the beat goes on.....More To Come.......
UPDATE: About the fires.....they are not near me. They are 15 miles from me at this time. The air here is pretty bad so I am staying very quiet. They say there was a little bit of a break in the humidity which they are hoping will help with getting the fire near Mt. Wilson closer to being in control. Is it scary? Yes. But I know the Fire department is doing everything they can and I think we have the greatest Fireman in this country....I will try to keep you all updated and I thank you for your deep concern....it truly means a lot to me. 4:30pm, 9-01-09
| posted by OldLady Of The Hills at 12:12:00 AM
Friday, August 28, 2009
the back story-part 3
I found this picture on the net and it was of great interest to me because of a couple of things....First of all, I love the history of certain things---Hollywood being one of those things---And because this is my neighborhood, it all has even more interest for me. This picture is from around 1927 soon after this great theatre was built. The Hills in the distance are a part of what is known as The Hollywood Hills, and as you can see, it looks almost empty of homes.....The area that I live in and love, was still just an idea, at this point in time.....Over on the left side of the picture is a low building with archways.....That building is still there.
This is a most recent picture or rendering, showing Tussuad's Wax Museum---the newest building in that complex of 'entertainment', going from Highland Avenue to the street you see in the picture above, Orange Drive. And there is that one-story building with the arches....so we know it is over 80 years old.....
Once again, another pristine picture of Grauman's Chinese and those Hills and that building with the arches, way over on the left....You can see that right next to Grauman's, over on the left, is a parking lot. That is where one parked when going to the movies or, in fact, going just about any place right there in the neighborhood. I love that long luxurious Grauman's awning that goes almost to the street---the Box Office was right there, and when it rained, one was very very grateful for that lovely long awning because it went all the way to the doors to the lobby! And of course, this was before The Hollywood Walk of Fame, though not before the Hand Prints and Foot Prints.....Sid Grauman started doing those right after the Theatre first opened. He was a true 'showman'.....!
Above, is the early 1950's.....A view looking towards Highland Avenue. You can see a car pulling into the parking lot right there on the side of Grauman's where Tussuad's Wax Museum is now.....That area stayed a parking lot until they began building Tussuad's....and by that time there were other choices for parking....!
As you can see here in the above picture.....that iPod Ad on the side of the building and a portion of the Film Strip Mural there on the side of Grauman's says that this picture was taken more recently.....If you look closely you can see some of the Walk Of Fame Stars in the sidewalk there in front of the Theatre. The Walk Of Fame, begun in 1958, was an attempt to revitalize Hollywood which was no longer the exciting glamorous area it once had been.......
And above, another two pictures which I did not take....You can see that the rest of that Film Strip Mural on the side of Grauman's is beginning to look a bit tattered....
Fade Out. Fade In. I took this picture through the car window (that's why it has a greenish tinge---and Charles, if you are reading this, that is why the building in my last post looks like it is a different color...The picture was taken through the tinted window of the car) back in March of 2008 when I was out and about on another drive-around.....You can see that this Mural was now in truly terrible disrepair, but they didn't care because they knew it would be gone soon---covered up! And, indeed, it was covered up----well, not completely.....
It's almost completely gone in this picture above....The Wax Museum was built flush to the wall of Grauman's and of course, it covered the Mural and the Ad space, too.....Except for that little tiny section, though by now, that could be gone, too....after all this picture and the one below were taken by me in November, 2008.....
See, this is the entrance to the Parking structure for the Hollywood & Highland Entertainment Complex and Mall.....Next time I get out, I'll make sure to see if the Mural is completely gone----after all, it is almost 10 months since I took that last picture above......Okay. Now, back to 'the characters' of 2009.....!
I had no idea who this guy was supposed to be and Joe said laughingly, "It's Chewbacca!". It turns out if you have never seen STAR WARS or any of the sequels, you don't know who Chewbacca is.....Well, NOW, I know....lol! So......will the real Chewbacca please stand up!
And there he is above! Now, let's take a closer look at the Chewbacca that was out in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre that day......
Don't you love seeing his watch and his shirt cuff? Oh, and then Joe said, "Be sure to get a picture of Chewbacca's sister....!"
His wish was my command! Then we saw this interesting furry person, too......The Lion from....The Lion King? That's my guess.
Can you imagine wearing a costume like this on these dog days? I mean it is very very very hot here right now.....I don't know how these people do it. And I hope the "contributions" they get from each person who feels privileged to have their picture taken with them, is worth it!
I don't know who this is, but the costume looks quite warm...Well, at least the head thingy does.....And here below, is Elvis and a friend.....
Wow! In one picture, Freddy K., Elvis and his friend---I'm not sure who 'the friend' is supposed to be, except, he plays for 'Elvis' so he can sing---Do click on all these pictures to make them bigger, and you will see that 'Elvis' has a microphone....Oh, and his friend? I love looking at his feet...! (lol)!
I don't know who this person is, either! Anyone? If you know, please leave it in a comment for me.....And, of course, there below, is good old Spider Man......
He looked like he was taking a break....maybe a little bathroom break....I don't know, but he was definitely leaving The Stage.....
And speaking of 'The Stage'.....I think that this three tiered area---(see the people way up there at the top?----) is truly extraordinary. Whoever the designer was and the Architects---well, it is really quite brilliant and awesome to see.....Here below are a few pictures I took in 2008 from a different angle and at the time, they kind of took my breath away.....
This is a closer look at the staircases and escalators that take you to the different levels of this complex.....and I love that there are Stage Lights hanging up there as they do on Film Stages and Theatre Stages....Below....Another picture I took from the car back then, getting in as close as I could. At the time I thought...My God, this is fantastic! To be able to see The Hollywood Sign from up here.....
Well, it is brilliant and amazing beyond words! And after really thinking about it more carefully, I came to the conclusion that it is a beautifully painted/photographed backdrop and a perfect thing to put right there....In truth, there is no way one could possibly see the Hollywood Sign that close up from this vantage point---it is too far away---and to see it so clearly, too. I could be wrong. In fact, I'd love to be wrong about this. But, I'm afraid is ain't 'the real thing'.....But, what a great great idea. And after all, Hollywood is all about illusion, isn't it? So why not give the people this illusion, too? Over the years, I cannot tell you how many people have driven by my house and when they would see me out front working in my garden, they would ask me...."How do we get to the Hollywood Sign from here?" Well, in fact, they are many miles away from the Hollywood Sign being up there on my Hill----it is much further East. I guess now if I am asked I could say: "You can go on down to the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland, only it isn't really the "real" thing........"
More To Come...........
| posted by OldLady Of The Hills at 2:41:00 AM
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