Palm Springs & Liberace

April 15th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink

Where else in the world can you bask in 80 degree weather while looking up at snow on the mountains?

While walking around old Palm Springs (replica of El Mirador tower above) looking at the old mansions of the 1950’s we came across the former home of super star entertainer Liberace

Here in the former monastery where Liberace died in 1987, his room mate has finally sold the house and last weekend it was time to sell much of what was left of the contents in an estate sale.

Below shows the back courtyard surrounded by small rooms for the Nun’s.

The piano shaped pool was in Encino, not here.

Here is a video tour of the house from youtube:

Los Angeles in 1924

February 27th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink

This Harold Lloyd film Girl Shy is fantastic if you have the time to see the whole thing. It’s a time warp back to 1920’s Los Angeles. And other than the cars it doesn’t look that different!

Starting about 3 minutes into Part 7, our hero races past and around the never ending housing tracts of the real estate booming city. At one point in the chase he invents the bouncing car! (modern one)

At 6 minutes into Part 8 he’s stolen a Red Car, part of the largest interurban electric train network on earth. Ever. It peaked in 1925. They had 1000 miles of track to film on! Notice that there aren’t any traffic signals as he blasts through the intersections.

The horses and chariot scene in part 9, which inspired Ben Hur, sees him racing through downtown LA and ending up at Lloyd’s Green Acres home. Today it’s Ron Burkle’s house.

Harold did his own stunts!

Man, what an awesome slice of Los Angeles history!

The morning coffee council at work

February 20th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink

Mike, Robert and yours truly, in this email photo, taken to send get well wishes to friend Ken.

January in California

January 29th, 2010 § 0 comments § permalink

A Large Bird on Manhattan Beach Pier last weekend.