Holden and The Derby

In the above photo, actor William Holden and then-wife Brenda Marshall are dining at the Brown Derby restaurant with Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Bracken. Bracken’s wife was actress Connie Nickerson. They were one of those rare Hollywood couples who said, “Til death do us part” and meant it! The Brackens were married for 63 years; Connie preceded Eddie by about three months. The photo was not dated, but Holden and Marshall were married in 1941; they lasted until 1971. What was the occasion of this group dinner? From what I can tell, Holden and Bracken made two films together: “The Fleet’s In” (1942):



…and “Young and Willing” (1943):



Holden’s hair and sideburns don’t match either still, so who knows. What I would deduce is that Holden and Marshall dropped by, since the place settings are only for two. Want to see Bracken’s dinner? I’m wondering what the gadget is in his left hand. Anyone?



Holden became forever associated with the Brown Derby restaurant thanks to one of the most famous “I Love Lucy” episodes, “L.A. at Last!”, which first aired February 7, 1955.



Below is a behind-the-scenes still of Holden, Lucy, and Eve Arden, who were all part of the Brown Derby restaurant scene, which was actually filmed on a soundstage at Desilu.



Below, director Bill Asher gets a kiss from Lucy while Holden flashes his million dollar smile. Asher is probably best known as producer and director for “Bewitched,” which starred his then wife, Elizabeth Montgomery.



See more vintage and contemporary Hollywood photos at my main website.

Vintage Pool Days

While the rest of the country is thinking of Fall, Southern Californians are sweating their #$%es off in record temperature heat. How about a dip in the pool to counter that? These first two images show starlets Mari Blanchard and Lori Wilson at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel pool, circa 1953.



The shot below shows the El Mirador Hotel pool. From the vintage caption (sorry, part of it is missing, so there are a few missing words):

PLAY TIME…For Betty Furness and Isabell Jewell, both Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer featured players…on the diving board at the swimming pool at the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. Miss Furness having completed her movie, “The Kid From College” is enjoying a …December 13, 1934



The two actresses starred together in “Shadow of a Doubt,” released February 15, 1935, and yes, it was an MGM production. I could find nothing on “The Kid From College.” Jewell had a small but memorable part in “Gone with the Wind” as Emmy, the “poor white trash Slattery girl.” Shown below at right with Victor Jory and Vivien Leigh.



Just make sure you don’t stay in the pool too long, or you could end up like William Holden in “Sunset Boulevard” (1950).



See more photos at my main website.

Disneyland Opening Day: Eve Arden

A vintage shot showing actress Eve Arden (TV star best known for "Our Miss Brooks" and "The Mothers-In-Law") on Disneyland's Opening Day. I am sure a number Disney collectors would love to have some of those toys! Eve's kids just look a little spooked.

From the vintage publicity blurb:

EVE ARDEN, her actor-husband, Brooks West, and their two daughters Liza, left, and Connie, examine souvenir dolls at Disneyland which opened recently at Anaheim, Calif.

Arden was married to West from 1952 until his death in 1984 from a heart ailment at 67.

Fans of "I Love Lucy" might remember Arden's cameo in the famous "Hollywood at Last" episode, where the veteran actress is seated at a table next to Ethel, Fred, and Lucy.



See more Disneyland Opening Day photos at my main website.

Behind the scenes Lucy

One of my very favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes is "Hollywood At Last," first shown on February 7, 1955. The Ricardos and Mertz's arrive in Hollywood, and Lucy can't wait to see some celebrities. Lunch at the famed Brown Derby seems like the perfect place until the eager Lucy causes a ruckus with William Holden.



Here's a shot from between takes of the Brown Derby scene, showing Holden, Lucille Ball, and Eve Arden, who has a very funny cameo as herself. Based on the background, I would have to say that my question of whether this scene was actually shot at the Derby itself or on a soundstage is finally settled.

Love more Lucy at my main website.

The Movieland Wax Museum: The Classics

Today's January 1972 Movieland Wax Museum photos feature some of the classic stars of old Hollywood, starting off with John Wayne. I'd say thumbs up for this one.

Lucille Ball gets a "meh" from me; this statue just doesn't quite capture the comedienne's trademark zaniness.



So-so for both Fred & Ginger.



This "Sunset Boulevard" diorama must have been a favorite of the photographer, as he captured two shots of it.



Must have been a Gloria Swanson fan.



The Shirley Temple statue is spot-on.



Still more to share…

See more Daveland Movieland Wax Museum photos at my main website.

Getting In Trouble

“If you must get in trouble, do it at the Chateau Marmont.”

– Harry Cohn

Much feared movie mogul boss Harry Cohn of Columbia admonished young heartthrobs William Holden and Glenn Ford for their drunken escapades in Hollywood. The two starred together in the 1941 Columbia Western "Texas." Yup, they sure do look like rabble-rousers!


photo found on A Drifting Cowboy.

Cohn's solution was to get them a suite at The Chateau, allowing them to cavort behind the very private walls of the legendary hotel.

Most people driving by on Sunset would miss the entrance; the neon sign in front says Garage. The staff at the garage that park your car for you are some of the nicest guys you could ever come across. Skillfully zipping cars in and out, maneuvering the gas guzzlers parked inside, they make a lot out of very little space.

You can take the elevator up one floor to the lobby, or walk up the stairs. I typically take the stairs (it's only one flight!), because you never know what you'll see along the way.



The artwork and stained glass in the lobby are breathtaking. Already, you feel like you are in another era.





One of my favorite areas of the hotel is this huge living room space.



Guests can relax here, order food, and even play on the piano that is positioned at the corner entrance to this welcoming arena.



The over-stuffed plush furniture beckons you to sit for a few hours and forget your troubles.



Don't even get me started on the light fixtures here; I could blow a whole memory card on these.



The food at the Chateau is also outstanding. But the bacon...good Lord that peppered bacon must be seasoned with crack. It is out of this world.



See more Chateau Marmont photos on my Chateau Marmont web page.

Screen Gem Saturdays: Happy 100th Birthday, Lucy!

In honor of what would have been Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday, I am sharing a few photos of the zany redhead from my collection.

First up are two from the classic "I Love Lucy" episode “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” which first aired October 19,1953. It would be hard to imagine a better duo of comediennes than Lucille Ball & Vivian Vance. Besides having amazing chemistry, the two were 100% believable.



In the February 21, 1955 episode "Lucy Gets Into Pictures," (first aired on February 21, 1955) Lucy gets a bit part in a movie as a glamorous showgirl who gets shot and tumbles down the staircase.



Unable to walk down the stairs and balance her outrageously huge headdress, Lucy gets removed from her role. Lucy pleads with the director (expertly played by Lou Krugman) to reinstate her; as you can see in the photo, he just doesn't stand a chance with a desperately persistent Lucy.

One of the most touching episodes was “Lucy is Enceinte” from December 8, 1952. The word “pregnant” was still taboo, thus the title. Lucy announces to Ricky that she is pregnant with their first baby. The genuine emotion between the two is guaranteed to make a tear or two fall.



This last photo is from one of my very favorite episodes, "LA at Last," which first aired February 7, 1955.



Lucy smooches Director Bill Asher between takes as costar William Holden looks on.

Happy Birthday, Lucy - thanks for your legacy of laughter. To see more I Love Lucy photos, visit my main website.