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The David Lynch film “Mulholland Drive” (2001) takes place in Hollywood, the land of dreams. Star-struck Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) arrives at LAX, full of dreams and the ambition to become a movie star. How about that shot of the Hollywood sign? Been there, done that…
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Betty stays at her Aunt’s apartment, located in a historic complex complete with ivy-covered walls and a ton-o-charm. Auntie is conveniently out of town.
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Can you feel Betty’s wide-eyed amazement, as if she just arrived in Wonderland?
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The building’s landlady, Coco (Ann Miller), brings a sharp dose of reality as she leads Betty to her new digs. One of the resident’s dogs has taken a crap in Coco’s beloved courtyard. She threatens to “bake his butt for breakfast!” Don’t mess with Coco! Or Ann Miller, for that matter.
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I have been obsessed with this place, and just had to see it in person. Located in the Hancock neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Il Borghese condos were built in 1929.
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Over twenty years later, the building looks about the same. Unfortunately, Coco didn’t leave the gate unlocked for me.
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I’d move here in a heartbeat! Designed by architect Charles Gault, this place is full of history and legend. The rumor mill claims that Shirley Temple lived here, Errol Flynn partied here, Ann-Margret visited her publicist here, and Lionel Richie found his current wife here.
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Although I couldn’t get in (this time!), I was able to peek into the building’s well-maintained courtyard.
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Yup, the same place where Betty & Coco resided.
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Nobody could deliver this line better than Ann Miller: “Honey, you’re a good kid, but what you’re telling me is a load of horse puckey.” Again…don’t mess with Coco. Or Ann Miller.
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Il Borghese has 23 residences, consisting of one bedrooms (634 - 800 sq. ft.) and two bedrooms (996 - 1,412 sq. ft.). The exterior:
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Betty does nab an audition at Paramount Studios. Just look at her excitement when she gets out of the cab…
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and views the entrance gates:
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Yawn…been there done that.
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Still on my “to-do list” is a visit to the fictional Sierra Bonita apartments featured in the movie. Stay tuned…
See more of my Hollywood photos at my main website.
4 comments:
Once again, your pics make anything look like a palace. Checking this on Google Earth it actually does look like a small palace. I'm glad it was used for a filming location because that courtyard and entry wall on N Sycamore make it look like an exterior set from a good murder mystery movie. I hope places like the Il Borghese Condominiums weather the march of disposable-architecture "progress."
Yeah, I'm always glad when a real location is used in a movie, because it means maybe something of it will live on after it's gone. What a gorgeous place.
Try finding a place in LA where Errol Flynn DIDN'T party! ;)
Thank you, Bryan! Although I think any photographer could make this place look great!
Melissa - agree on both counts! Errol should be glad cellphones were not around during his lifetime!
omg just watching Only Murders in The Building season 4 ep 1 and i just knew this place was from Mulholland Dr! so beautiful, thanks for this :) hoping i can visit someday
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