Lunch at the Biltmore

Another photo “bucket list” item for my recent trip to LA was to get some new and better photos of the historic Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA. Since its opening in 1923, it has been a palace of opulence, catering to some of the wealthiest and most famous clientele. Below is a vintage postcard image of the lobby:



So much to see in this closeup; the bored men sitting in the lobby, the guest in the shiny robe and slippers, and of course the vintage signage!



How the lobby looks today — still fabulous!





One feels as if they stepped back into the 1920s, with the kind of style and craftsmanship one just can’t duplicate anymore.



Lunch was at the hotel’s Casa Ipanema.



Edited from the restaurant’s website:

Where Every Evening Feels Like Rio Casa Ipanema was created from a simple idea: dinner should be more than a meal. It should be an experience that transports you somewhere else. Inspired by the vibrant spirit, beauty, and energy of Rio de Janeiro, Casa Ipanema brings together contemporary Brazilian and Latin American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, music, design, and hospitality to create an unforgettable destination in the heart of Los Angeles.…Beyond the cuisine, Casa Ipanema captures the energy of Rio through handcrafted cocktails, immersive music, and a vibrant atmosphere. From tropical-inspired cocktails to DJ-curated evenings and signature performances, every element is designed to create a complete sensory experience.…Casa Ipanema was founded by Henrique and Herica Huyer, the creators behind H&H Group, with a vision to bring a new kind of Brazilian experience to Los Angeles. Together, they imagined a place where guests could enjoy exceptional cuisine while surrounded by the rhythm, warmth, and celebration that define Brazilian culture. Casa Ipanema is not simply where you come for dinner. It's where you spend an evening in Rio.



On a time crunch, we didn’t spend as much time as I would have liked, but I can tell you the burger was delicious and the staff was wonderful. I hope to return, especially for one of the Carmen Miranda nights!



See more Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesday: Shirley and H2O

With Southern California experiencing high temps in October, the thought of a cool dip in water sounded like the perfect idea for a Temple Tuesday post. Strangely enough, I have very few images of Shirley actually IN a swimming pool, which is why I expanded the theme to H2O overall! In the 1934 film, “Now and Forever,” Shirley meets her biological father at Lake Arrowhead. This image was shot between takes on location, with Shirley Temple and Gary Cooper.



There IS a scene at a pool in the film, with Carole Lombard and Gary, but…



Shirley doesn’t go IN the pool; she just plays nearby with a little boy.



In “The Little Colonel” (1935), Shirley actually gets wet, in this baptismal scene with Nyanza Potts and Avonne Jackson.



By the time of “Curly Top” (1935), the studio liked to have their biggest star in controlled environments, like this phony beach backdrop, accomplished with rear projection:



Can’t get the star wet; that might mean having to create an additional copy of Shirley’s outfit, or cause a time delay for filming. With René Hubert as the costume designer for “Curly Top,” that could really rack up the costs! Esther Dale reads the Sunday “Funnies” to Shirley’s character, but rest assured, the child stays dry.



In “Captain January” (1936), Shirley lives in a lighthouse and hangs out in the nearby coastal town wth Buddy Ebsen, but manages to stay out of the water.



This deleted Hula scene was filmed in a nice, controlled, studio soundstage at Fox.





A scene of Shirley in a bathtub for “Poor Little Rich Girl” (1936) was cut before release. Note that her curls are still perfectly set and moisture free!



“Dimples” (1936) has Shirley at the edge of a lake fishing, but as always, not allowed IN the water. No wonder she looks a bit gloomy.



Finally, in “Just Around the Corner” (1938) Shirley gets access to a pool! Only Franklin Pangborn gets wet.



In Shirley’s private life, the cameras never seemed to catch her IN the water, just nearby, like these images of her on a Hawaiian trip, circa 1937:



…and 1939:



This series of images from her Rockingham pool, circa 1937, show a fully-clothed little girl playing with a sailboat:



Doesn’t seem to be anything remarkable!





It appears that Shirley had her own sailboat to safely keep her dry while floating in the pool:





This 1944 shoot at home with Guy Madison is about as close to “cheesecake” as Shirley would let the photographers get:



The two made the tepid “Honeymoon” (1946), which had Shirley appear in a bathing costume, displaying a two-piece suit for a few seconds.



This publicity still below shows Shirley in the water with Franchot Tone after she (aka the stunt double) dives into the pool. The final film doesn't show the two in the pool together.



Shirley DOES get a pool scene with Guy Madison in “Honeymoon,” but she is fully clothed:



Final H2O image of the day is from August 1957. Shirley is at her Atherton home with son Charlie and daughter Lori. Even a blowup pool like this would be heaven on a day like today!



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

Monday on Olvera Street

Olvera Street is just across the street from the Los Angeles Union Station, so I stopped to take a few shots on the way to my destination. The above vintage image in my collection is from August 1966. Below is the same wooden cross - still there! Known as the Olvera Street Cross, here’s the story behind it from the HMDB site:

The first Olvera Street cross was carved by Mrs. Florence Walker in 1929 to honor the city’s 148th birthday. Over time, weather and erosion requires a newly commissioned art work. The current wooden cross was carved by Mr. Jackie Hadnot and installed on Saturday, April 15, 2017 during the Blessing of the Animals celebration.

And a bit more at Giroux Glass:

Jackie [Hadnot] was commissioned by the EPPALA to replicate a holy cross originating from Spain, to replace the old, weather-worn cross in the center of historic Olvera Street–the earliest beginnings and dwellings of Los Angeles. The intricate detail and workmanship of the new cross earned Jackie a personal blessing from Archbishop Jose Gomez on its unveiling day at El Pueblo de Los Angeles (Olvera Street), on April 15, 2017. The cross has been a landmark of that area since its opening in 1930.



From Discover Los Angeles:

Olvera Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Los Angeles. The colorful Mexican marketplace opened on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1930 following a preservation campaign that was spearheaded by Christine Sterling. Several of LA’s most historic buildings are located along the tree-shaded, brick-lined block, as well as dozens of Olvera Street shops, restaurants and other businesses. Olvera Street also hosts numerous traditional events throughout the year, including the Blessing of the Animals (Saturday before Easter), Cinco de Mayo, Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day), Dia de los Muertos, and Las Posadas.



The statue of Antonio Aguilar was sculpted by Dan Medina and installed in 2012. Below is a closeup of the wooden street sign at the entrance of the festive market area:



When I was there, the vendors were just beginning to setup to sell their wares. No fumar!





This is the Eugene Biscailuz Building and former Methodist Church HQ, now The Mexican Cultural Center:





Nearby is the Avila Adobe museum:



From the Discover Los Angeles website:

The Avila Adobe is LA’s oldest house still standing in its original location, and is designated as California Historic Landmark #145. Originally built in 1818 by Francisco José Avila, it has since been the home to many of his family members and descendants.



It even served as military headquarters in the late 1840s. Today, the Avila Adobe’s interior depicts the California lifestyle of the 1840s. Dark wood tables, four-poster beds, candelabras and elaborate carpets create a 19th-century atmosphere. The walls of the Avila house are made of adobe brick, a material consisting of clay, water and other organic materials like straw.



And there you have my 10 cent tour of Olvera Street!
 
See more Olvera Street photos at my main website.