Hollywood at Sunrise

During my recent trip to Hollywood over the holidays, of course I had no idea of the impending devastation that would be experienced as a result of the ongoing fires. While walking Willis one morning with camera in-hand, I was able to capture a gorgeous sunrise against the backdrop of some of my favorite buildings. Along Santa Monica Boulevard, the advice of this neon sign calls to mind the movie “LA Story” (iykyk).



A major bucket list item was checked off by capturing the Tail o’the Pup sign while lit:



(speaking of “LA Story” again!)



During the day, this pop-up ad for the Netflix film “Carry-On” looks like just another construction wall.



With the purple and pink hues of sunrise, it is much more appealing!



The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood has been closed for a few years, but appears to be in the construction phase for its next iteration. Has it been painted pink like the Beverly Hills Hotel down the street? No; this is just what the rays from a gorgeous sunrise can do to an otherwise bland off-white building.



I was ecstatic to see that the El Mirador Apartment neon sign was working again.



Even better at sunrise!



The historic 1930 Colonial House on Havenhurst:



I have no idea what this building at 8246 Sunset Boulevard is, but it provided a cool silhouette against the backdrop of the sunrise:



By the time I got back to the Chateau Marmont, the sunrise was almost over. Still, a hint of pink was cast over the mysterious tower at the top of the hotel:



One room I have never been in. Just add that to my bucket list.



The latest fire catastrophes in Hollywood and Los Angeles make me recall the horrible fires in San Diego back in October 2003.



One minute we were carving pumpkins, the next we were struggling to breathe clean air.



My heart goes out to all the residents of the areas in Los Angeles that have been affected. The devastation is unreal when you see the videos (the real ones, not the ones generated by AI - ugh). Whether it’s dollars, thoughts, prayers, or physical assistance, whatever you believe in and are capable of, send them the way of the people who are suffering.

See more Hollywood photos at my main website.

Tail O' the Pup

On the way to the Chateau Marmont from Beverly Hills High School (see previous post), I was coming down Santa Monica Boulevard and turning onto La Cienega. This is what I saw. THE GIGANTIC TAIL O' THE PUP HOT DOG!



I had first become aware of this iconic piece of architecture (?) when I saw it floating overhead during the opening of Steve Martin’s classic “L.A. Story” (1991). From the nearby signage today:

The famous Tail O’The Pup Hot Dog Stand debuted in Los Angeles in 1946. Originally located at La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard. Designed by architect Milton Black in 1939, this original building has been carefully preserved and fully restored to its former glory by the 1933 Group in 2022. From 1970–1971 this building was known as The Doors Workshop. It served as an office and rehersal (sic) studio for The Doors. The band used this space to record their sixth and final studio album LA Woman.



Wow! Talk about a historic building. It almost made me want a hot dog…but not quite. It definitely made me think twice about using spellcheck on my work. Please…fix this commemorative plaque!!



To avoid demolition, the beloved stand was moved into a warehouse in Torrance after the property it had been moved to was going to be cleared to make way for (you guessed it) more condos and apartments.



The 1933 Group purchased the structure in 2018 and reopened four years later. They were also behind the restoration of the Formosa Cafe. That alone earns them high marks in my book.



I definitely need to come back at night to see this sign lit up.



See more West Hollywood photos at my main website.

Friday at the Formosa

The Formosa Cafe on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles opened in 1939, known as Hollywood’s Golden Year: “The Wizard of Oz,” “Gone with the Wind,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and “Stagecoach.” The celebrities that have frequented this treasured waterhole over the years include Elvis, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and Humphrey Bogart. Actor Tony Curtis recalled going there frequently while filming “Some Like It Hot” with Marilyn Monroe. From the Formosa website:

On any given day, patrons might have seen Ava Gardner dancing past the old, red leather booths, or John Wayne nursing a late-night scotch (he was caught making scrambled eggs in our kitchen one morning, after reportedly passing out in a booth the night before).

My last few visits had been very sad experiences, as new owners had stripped the interior of its historic and beloved decor. This time though, I am VERY pleased to report that the Cafe has been restored to its former glory.



We just stopped by on a Friday night, with no reservations. Fortunately we were able to score a few stools at the bar.



Enjoying a few drinks with the Shirley gang, SJR and Melissa (aka “The Colonel”):



The historic celebrity photos are back, too; some signed, some unsigned:





Reservations for dinner are available, and I definitely plan to score a booth in the future.



LOVE these light fixtures!!



In a case of shoot now, look later, I haphazardly chose this booth to capture:



Later, I discovered that besides Dick Van Dyke, Phyllis Diller, Milton Berle, and Marjorie Main, none other than Shirley Temple hung on this wall, SANS autograph, though.



I’ll take one of these lamps, please.



To my knowledge, the exterior and the sign are the only parts of the Cafe under any kind of historic landmark protection; the interior is completely vulnerable.



PLEASE stop by the Formosa and support it with your $$; this place is a treasure!

See more Formosa Cafe photos at my main website.

The Formosa Gets Revamped

The Formosa Cafe is an historic Hollywood hangout that has been around since 1925. In Hollywood, that's the equivalent of 200 years or more on the East Coast. Sinatra, Monroe, Bogie, Gable…they all had a few libations here whenever they were finished filming at the studios. There's a lot of history in this place; or at least there was.

One of my favorite quirky films, "Still Breathing," had a few key scenes shot at the Formosa:



Here's a vintage shot of me hanging at the Formosa.



This place used to be dark. Even the glow of this light didn't brighten the place much. No complaints here; it's called atmosphere.



I LOVED this mural that was in one of the back rooms.



On my most recent trip to Hollywood, I had to stop by.



No longer dark, no longer atmospheric.



With a little snooping around the net, I found out that the place had been gutted. An uproar from the regulars caused the owners to decide to restore it to its former glory. I'd say it still has a long way to go. How do you restore atmosphere?!?

For more Formosa, head on over to my main website.