I have acquired another vintage slide from the 1970 camp classic “Myra Breckinridge.” Film critic Rex Reed played Myron, a man who dreams that he is a transgendered woman named Myra, played by Raquel Welch. The physical similarity between the two is incredible (insert sarcasm here). Rex is shown in one of the Chateau Marmont’s penthouse suite bedrooms. On the wall is a movie poster:
Thanks to the miracle of squinting and Google, I was able to figure out it was for “Between Heaven and Hell” (1956) with Robert Wagner, Terry Moore, and Broderick Crawford. Here’s what the original poster looked like:
I wonder if the poster was on the wall at the Chateau or just set dressing? There’s not enough of the room to tell if Rex was in the master bedroom:
or the guest bedroom:
Both are obviously more tasteful looking now. Just ask Willis.
See more vintage and contemporary Chateau Marmont photos at my main website.
I acquired two vintage "Myra Breckenridge" stills from Israel. Why would I want those from one of the most wacky movies in Hollywood history? Because this scene was filmed at the Chateau Marmont! If you still don't know why, then you obviously have not been reading my blog for very long. OBSESSED.
Here are Rex Reed, Farrah Fawcett, and Raquel Welch in Room 64 at The Chateau, aka the Howard Hughes Penthouse Suite. Here's a contemporary view of the same area:
I am guessing this vintage poster for "Hangover Square" was not part of the Chateau's decor, but rather a plug for Myra's studio, 20th Century Fox.
What the poster looks like in full color:
I am still not sure if the bedroom scenes were filmed at a studio or at the Chateau. If actually filmed on location, then I am cringing at the choice of headboard:
UPDATE: Upon further inspection, it appears that neither of these scenes were actually filmed at the Chateau Marmont. They recreated the penthouse suite on a soundstage.
See more Chateau Marmont photos at my main website.
If you have read this blog for any period of time then you are familiar with my fascination for the Chateau Marmont hotel. How could I pass up three negative frames from 1970 that show Raquel Welch and Rex Reed filming there for the cult turkey 'Myra Breckenridge'?
A closeup of the photo on the wall:
One way I identified this as the Chateau and not a Soundstage set was through the distinctive window hardware...
Which is still there today.
The room they filmed in is room 64, aka the Howard Hughes penthouse. Here's how it looks today:
It's Friday the 13th; to get your mind off of this day filled with superstition, I will blog about one of the weirdest films ever made: "Myra Breckinridge." VERY loosely based on a novel by Gore Vidal, "Myra" is the story of Myron (Rex Reed) and his alter ego Myra (Raquel Welch). The two are shown standing on the balcony of the Penthouse Suite of the Chateau Marmont; here's how that very same balcony looks today:
If you look over Raquel's left shoulder…
you'll see this rotating statue which promoted the Sahara Hotel from 1957-1966:
…and also graced the cover of Vidal's novel:
A frame from the movie showing a closeup of the Sahara Girl; Welch is visible on the Chateau balcony:
To publicize the movie, Raquel Welch wore a similar costume:
When released, "Myra" lost over a million dollars; today it is a cult classic.
Want to see more Chateau Marmont photos? Head on over to my main website.
I would never expect to mention the Chateau Marmont and Kmart in the same conversation. Yet, here I am.
At lunch one day early this week, the TVs in the dining hall were showing a commercial with Adam Levine, jumping out of bed in a hotel room.
I immediately recognized it as the Chateau Marmont, and once I saw the room's door number (64), I knew it was the 1500 square foot Howard Hughes Penthouse Suite.
The Adam Levine Kmart commercial was shot at the Chateau Marmont by director Jonas Akerlund, underscored by the Maroon 5 track "Love Somebody." According to an article at dailymail.co.uk, the reason was to advertise his new line of clothing...which is being sold at Kmart. Who would have guessed?
In an interview in People magazine, Levine was quoted: "In a way I'm not into fashion. What I'm trying to do is something that in a lot of ways is the anti-fashion line, and not necessarily based on momentary trends." He described the collection as "basic, simple and timeless...clothes I would definitely have in my closet....I love the way the leather jacket turned out. It was really simple and cool. I have definitely lined my closets with my stuff." Whether he actually designed the line himself or just how much input he had is unclear.
I have only been in Room 64, once (so far...), on Christmas Eve 2002, when one of the Managers invited me over for drinks with a few of his friends.
Thanks to a few crappy shots I took with my film camera that night, I was able to do some comparison shots. The living room, where Adam's clothes (which just happen to match his new menswear line) are strewn about:
The Chateau has very distinct vintage bathroom tiles.
I love 'em!
Adam buttons up his chambray shirt (yours for only $24.99) on the terrace; what a view!
A shot I took in 2002 of the view from the terrace at night, overlooking Sunset Boulevard:
This is the same terrace I saw Natalie Portman and husband Benjamin Millepied on a few years back, watching a friend getting married.
Adam rushes out the suite and into the hallway, sporting his very affordable $69.99 Distressed Faux-Leather Jacket.
Hard to miss that gorgeous carpet and the sturdy banisters/railings.
Forgetting his keys, he must return to the scene of the crime, as his girl from the night before slinks down the hallway to answer the door of the suite.
I very much remember that checkered hallway.
Then it's off to the garage to pick up his car.
I've been down that drive many a time myself.
You can view the commercial for yourself:
As well as this behind-the-scenes video:
I'm still not sure how I feel about the Chateau being used for a Kmart commercial. Had it been Kenneth Cole or Dolce & Gabbana, it would have seemed a better fit. I would say that Kmart definitely got the better end of the deal, since being associated with one of Hollywood's most famously secluded hot-spots could only improve the retailer's reputation. I did take a look at the clothes, and some of them look pretty decent. I'll let you know how they're made when they arrive. Yes, I ordered a few for myself.
