Temple Tuesday: Shirley’s Birthday at the Chateau Marmont

Shirley Temple celebrated her birthdays (April 23) with the world; sometimes it was from the front porch of her Brentwood home (above), or even at the 20th Century-Fox lot (below) between takes for a movie (always working!).



Birthdays were often an integral part of the plot lines in her movies, like this memorable scene from “The Little Princess” (1939):



Even after Shirley died in 2014, her birthday continued to be celebrated annually at the Santa Monica History Museum with a lavish tea party. Since the pandemic began, that event has been put on ice. When it came time for Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) to head west during Shirley’s birthday, we decided something had to be done! Three years was too long to wait any longer. The first step: you need a cake. The choice was obvious: Sweet Lady Jane Bakery on Melrose Avenue.



If you happen to try to find it, don’t be confused by Sweet Jesus Cookies just down the block; “getting baked” takes on a whole different meaning there.



Back to the topic at hand…here’s an interior shot of Sweet Lady Jane. Their cakes are out of this world. They have had the Daveland seal of approval since I first started going there some fifteen or so years ago.



But first, a few photos from the Marmont 7th floor balcony overlooking Sunset Boulevard. Melissa and SJR:



Melissa looking pretty in pink…or is it peach?



And finally a selfie, with Melissa sporting her Shirley’s Army button:



The ladies all arrived on time and the celebration began with mimosas. It was the first time in three years that we had all been able to get together.



Willis was able to join, but was annoyed that lunch did not include bacon. Melissa attempted to explain that was for breakfast but that didn’t help.



After a delicious lunch, we went up to the room for a piece of the cake:



I had to do manual labor while Melissa played on her phone. Why should vacation be any different from every day life?!?



After cake, Diane was the first one to make a selection in the gift exchange. Willis stayed close by, hoping a stray treat might fall out for him.



Nope. Nothing in the bag for Willis.



He was annoyed, but the rest seemed happy with their Shirley loot!



One last shot with Willis & Melissa.



It was a very fun day and so good to have the gang back together. Can’t wait to do it again next year! See more Chateau Marmont photos at my main website.

Monday at the Observatory

When Melissa (aka “The Colonel”) came west, she wanted to visit the Observatory at Griffith Park. We were short on time the day that we picked to go there, so I had to be a master at efficiency. This is known as “chop, chop!” However, the first order of business was breakfast at the Chateau Marmont. Bacon was back on the menu, and this was a cause to celebrate! SJR (on the right) enjoyed her first piece this trip.



Even before opening, the parking lot at Griffith fills up fast, which means you have to find the nearest available spot on the long windy road up to the Observatory. The walk up the hill was good cardio! The shot above is a beautiful view of the city. Below is me trying not to look winded.



First order of business was to visit the James Dean sculpture by the late Kenneth Kendall, an artist who was commissioned by the actor shortly before his death.



No dear readers, that’s not Natalie Wood from “Rebel” on the left; that’s the Colonel, ready for her photo shoot at the location(s) where that movie was filmed.



Normally, I would have said, “Hey Colonel, get the hell out of my photo!” But the COVID screening fence already ruined the shot anyway. Yes, even to walk around on the grounds you had to show proof that you’d been vaccinated or had a negative test. Fresh air can be dangerous, folks!



Finally made it to the Observatory, that supreme example of architecture that opened back in 1935.



The inside is no less impressive. If it weren’t for the crowds of people, the murals, flooring, and other details would have you believe you had walked into a time warp. The rotunda ceiling:





Mesmerizing. I could stare at this pendulum all day long. Well…maybe not that long, but you get the idea.







Indoors, Melissa enjoyed her Emma Stone moment.





And then it was back to “Rebel Without a Cause.”





Although I had to run back to the car to make it to our next destination (read about it tomorrow!), there’s always time to get what I perceived to be a unique shot – the Astronomers Monument with the Hollywood Sign in the background.



Next time I need/want to spend more time there!

See more Griffith Observatory photos at my main website.

Hollywood, August 1952 in Faux©D!

Two images for today from August 1952, served up in Genuine Faux©D! The first one shows our vintage gang outside the famous Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant on 1628 North Vine Street.

Thanks to a Google Maps shot from about a year ago, it would appear that the building is still there:



Image number two was taken at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street:



Get a load of those deals! A Cold Plate with sliced ham, salami, cheese, liverwurst, tomato slice, and potato salad for only 60¢!! Hold the liverwurst, please. On the other side, Chopped Steak (freshly ground!), vegetable, potato, roll and butter for only 5¢ more!



Obviously this is a vintage photo; not taken within the last few years!

See more Hollywood photos at my main website.