Little Miss Sunshine in CA, Pt. 4

Part of 4 of Little Miss Sunshine (aka Christy) in California begins at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. The three of us stopped by there for a visit as we headed back to San Diego from the Chateau Marmont. From the plaque outside:

Founded in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra, the seventh in the chain of twenty-one missions established in Alta California to Christianize and civilize the Indians. Stone church destroyed in 1812 earthquake. Expropriated during Mexican rule. Returned to Catholic Church in 1865 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. Historical Landmark No. 200, California State Park Commission.

This is one of the most beautiful California missions I have been to, and one that I have photographed many times over the years since May 2007. Below is a shot from that first visit:



It would appear from this current image I took that the bougainvillea ate the statue:



Christy captured me assuming my usual stance:



The resulting shot:



I’m a sucker for a good archway photo:



Candles inside Father Serra’s Church at the Mission:







Jorge was very careful not to grind or stand on the stone:





With another meal calling, it was time for us to bid farewell to the Mission and complete our trip home. There were also naps to be had. It had been a busy weekend!



A quiet night at home sounded good to both of us, so we made a quick trip to Pop Pie in South Park for grub. So many good choices!



Holding the bounty of both salty and sweet:



The Shag Disneyland trays came out for the occasion:



The movie of choice was “The Morning After” (1986), a psychological thriller starring Jeff Bridges and an Oscar nominated Jane Fonda. Christy was dying to watch “Burlesque” (2010) but I talked her out of it. Insert laughing emoji.



Next up: Pollo Fundidos in Old Town!



See more Capistrano photos at my main website.

Happy 250, America, from Independence Hall!

In honor of our 250th birthday, today’s post celebrates where it all happened: Independence Hall in Philadelphia. For those not in the know, the Declaration of Independence was adopted on this day in 1776 and marked the official separation of our country from the British Empire. Was it all smooth sailing after that day? Hell no! It rarely is, but here we are today, still able to celebrate. Originally known as the Pennsylvania State House, this brick building has become called Independence Hall in honor of that day 250 years ago. This vintage undated 1950s image was most likely taken at an event on Independence Day. Anyone out there know who the “dignitaries” are? You can see the Liberty Bell through the doorway.



In May 1967, the family made its first trek to Independence Hall after our move to Pennsylvania:



I’m the shortest one; in the large envelope my brother holds a souvenir copy of the Declaration of Independence:



I have photographed this historic place many times over the years including December 1983:



July 2009:



Even some interior shots of the Assembly Room where the signing occurred, circa November 2010:



If this desk and pen set could talk…



My most recent photos are from June 2014; I think I’m overdue for a return.



A November 2010 shot of the Liberty Bell, which no longer resides inside of Independence Hall, but rather across the street:



Nearby is the National Constitution Center, which I visited in June 2014. It includes 42 life-size bronze statues of the framers of the Constitution in a display titled, “Signers’ Hall Walk.” When I went, you could actually walk up to each statue and see every amazing detail.



From the website:

…relive the moment that launched a government ruled by “We the People.” One of the museum’s most popular and iconic attractions, Signers’ Hall invites you to walk among the framers who added their name to the Constitution—as well as those who dissented—on September 17, 1787. Signers’ Hall brings to life the final day of the Constitutional Convention in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. There are numerous famous faces in the room, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. Pose beside your favorite framer for a great photo op. The statues in Signers’ Hall were created by artists at Studio EIS in Brooklyn, who used numerous historical sources, including portraits and written descriptions, to create the most accurate likenesses possible.





Benjamin Franklin:



See more Independence Hall photos at my main website.

Little Miss Sunshine in CA, Pt. 3

Part 3 begins at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles for the main event: The LA Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats showing of James Dean’s “Rebel Without A Cause” (1955). I hadn’t been inside the Orpheum since 2008, and it still looked pretty grand.



To say “they don’t make ’em like they used to” in this case would be a gross understatement. A little bit of history from the Orpheum’s website:

Since its February 15, 1926 opening, the Orpheum has played host to some of the most venerable names in show business – from burlesque queen Sally Rand, a young Judy Garland (as Francis Gumm) and comedian Jack Benny, to jazz greats like Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. The 1960s brought a completely new dimension to the theater – “rock and roll” – with performers such as Little Richard, Aretha Franklin and Little Stevie Wonder.



Imagine this craftsmanship produced for something that will barely be noticed in a darkened theater:





Edward Torres played the organ before the movie began, which definitely added to the experience of a very special evening.



Out in the lobby were Sarah Lann, director of education for the LA Conservancy, Natasha Gregson Wagner, actress and daughter of Natalie Wood, and Christy, aka Little Miss Sunshine, also the President of the James Dean Museum in Fairmount, IN which is the only official Dean museum sanctioned by Dean’s family:



A quick selfie before the film began with Christy and Natasha, who couldn’t have been any sweeter:



Time to turn the lights down!



Before the showing of “Rebel,” film critic Leonard Maltin interviewed (sort of) Natasha.



Leonard did most of the talking, which was unfortunate. Once he let Natasha speak, we got to hear how meaningful this role was and the respect Natalie had for Dean’s talent. They had worked together before in the “I’m a Fool” November 14, 1954 episode of General Electric Theater, which was introduced by Ronald Reagan. 



And then the remaining house lights dimmed and the movie began! While it was amazing to see Sal Mineo, James Dean, and Natalie Wood up on the big screen in a classic movie palace like the Orpheum, it was a bit disappointing that it was a digital projection and the quality of the projection was not all that great. While many details were revealed at that large size, the print seemed a bit muddy and fuzzy, especially considering what the current Blu ray version looks like.



A little Vogue-ing in the theater lobby before we exited:



Outside the theater we all waited for our rides home. Christy is surrounded by Daniella, photographer Taylor Galloway, and Kate Croley:



After a late night chat by the Chateau pool…



Christy and I returned to 67 to order room service, since the dining room was closed for an event held by luxury menswear brand Ermenegildo Zegna.



The big reveal: we each got a sinfully delicious Nutty Chewy Sticky Gooey dessert:


 
…and another round of Garden Gimlets.



What had tasted so delicious and refreshing that afternoon sitting by the pool tasted more like fermented lawn clippings at midnight.



We left them out on the porch until the next morning when the clippings appeared to have congealed.



I got up early to do my laps; as I crossed through the gate to the pool, this cute little tableau was setup outside the bungalows, as part of the Zegna event:



There was also a temporary edicola (newsstand in Italian) by the pool, guarded by two stoic young men who looked like they’d just stepped off the runway:



The edicola was stocked with limited-edition copies of Zegna’s print publication, Top magazine.



Inside the hotel, this was the first time I got to see the new Chateau Marmont photo history wall on the first floor (which features a number of images from my collection!).



It’s pretty amazing to see all of the famous artists and celebrities that have stayed here over the years. A true testament to this Hollywood architectural legend.





This is one of my favorite images, featuring many of the hotel’s employees (some still there, some not):



Before breakfast, a quick selfie from the seventh floor:



My good friend Jorge from San Diego happened to be in LA at the same time, so he joined us for breakfast:



The pancakes were just as delicious and fluffy as I remembered:



Even without its usual pepper crust, the Chateau bacon is second to none:



Jorge joined us on the ride back to San Diego, where we made a detour to the Mission at San Juan Capistrano.



Stay tuned for Part 4!

See more Los Angeles Orpheum Theatre photos at my main website.