Temple Tuesday: Three Short Biers at The Brown Derby

Shirley Temple often dined at the Brown Derby Restaurant, as you can see in this 1945 shot. She appears to be intently reading Three Short Biers by Jimmy Starr.



Born February 3, 1904, Jimmy Starr was an American screenwriter and columnist. Starr began at MGM as an office boy at the young age of fifteen. In 1923, Starr was hired as motion-picture editor of the Los Angeles Evening Post-Record, where he wrote his “Cinematters” column until 1930. Starr worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood during the 1930s. From the 1940s he worked as a film writer and columnist, providing reviews and insights into the film world, and occasionally made cameo appearances in the movies. In 1947, his novel The Corpse Came C.O.D. was made into a  film with George Brent and Joan Blondell. The nightclub in the film was a recreation of the famous Ciro’s on Sunset Boulevard. The Disneyland Connection: from March 1956-September 1959, in Disneyland’s Town Square, there was a shop called Jimmy Starr’s Show Business Souvenirs, which sold movie photos, autographs, and collectible movie book. The shop also had movie props on display, including a few from the “Zorro” TV series with Guy Williams that was all the rage at the time the store was open. When it closed, the store was replaced by Wonderland Music. Want to see Jimmy? Here he is from the back cover of the book Shirley is reading:



After retirement from the Hollywood scene, Starr moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where he worked at the Ramada Inn headquarters as Director of Advertising and Public Relations. He donated many of his papers and photographs to Arizona State University in the 1970s before dying on August 13, 1990.
 
Here’s a color image of the book’s cover:



…and the inside flap from the dust jacket:



Back to Shirley, you can see the caricatures that surround her. Far left looks like Noah Beery and to her right would appear to be Ronald Colman.Directly above her MIGHT be Shirley herself, but it’s hard to tell. What do you think?



See more Shirley Temple photos at my main website.

A Day at Disneyland, September 1969: Pt. 2

It’s September 1969 and we’re back at Disneyland. We know it’s the past, because the Autopia’s vehicles are gas-powered. Oh wait, they still are. What’s going on below? Is a Cast Member getting chastised for taking selfies? Or maybe he was late for his shift? 



These two are looking over Tomorrowland from the Skyway bucket. They should be taking photos; it kind of sucks now.



PeopleMover, Matterhorn, Skyway buckets…it’s just BEE-YOO-TI-FULL!



Someone in the bucket was wise enough to be capturing these!



Here we can also see the Monorail tracks and it’s a small world.



Once they flew through the Matterhorn unscathed, the camera came out again to capture the splendor of Skull Rock Cove:



A delightful little rest/eating area, tucked away behind the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship:



Once more for those who haven’t read this here: I really miss this area most.



A long line for the Matterhon Bobsleds; back then, nobody cared about whiplash.



I see vintage brochuresw and a camera…and a beauty of a beehive hairdo!



An interior shot from the Carousel of Progress attraction:



I’m too lazy to figure out the placement of this area, but I am guessing it’s somewhere near Central Plaza. Perhaps what was once referred to as Alpine Gardens? If not, please don’t sue me.



A Kodak Picture Spot sign is to the left of Snow White and Dopey:



Two consecutive shots of the Disneyland Band in front of the Castle…





and one detailed view. Anyone know the conductor or band members?



Over in Storybook Land, the Bold Lochinvar boat is ready to get loaded up for another trip through Monstro.



Who’s the stuff shirt on the left? Was this when a male cast member had to be a lead because it female’s could not perform that role? He looks clueless.



Another Storybook Land shot, another aeronautic do, perfectly aerosoled.



A closeup of Peter Pan Park:



Thanks for joining me on this 9/69 tour!

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

A Day at Disneyland, September 1969: Pt. 1

This multi-part series showcases a September day at Disneyland, circa 1969. For the most part, these are in chronological order. The first one is a nice juice shot of the parking lot, now known as Disney California Adventure. Can you spot the vintage attraction posters on the pylons?



Before “Song of the South” was banned, Brer Bear and Brer Fox roamed freely through the Park.



Really digging the sunglasses, hairdo, and dress on the lady on the left!



Brer Fox - how about those shoes?



Can’t quite make out the population number.



Breakfast was over on New Orleans Street in Frontierland at Aunt Jemima’s Kitchen.



I could sure go for some of those pancakes right now, with a nice dollop of butter on top!



Apparently, the next stop was the Submarine Voyage over in Tomorrowland:



How the family looked as they left the Triton Submarine (D-305):



The Monorail Station is right nearby; how about a ride?



A closer look at Monorail Yellow and the bubble:



At this time, Tomorrowland was all Space Age and Rolly Crump!



From the Ticket Booth on the left:



…to the Rocket Jets, perched high above the PeopleMover!



Come back next week for more September 1969 images!

See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

The Century Plaza

In August 2008, I spent one night at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City. Situated on property that was once the 20th Century-Fox lot, it originally opened in 1966 (without the “Hyatt Regency” in the name).



The hotel was host to a glittering list of stars and politicians, including Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Walt Disney, Ronald Reagan, and Richard Nixon. At the time I stayed there, it was two years into its ownership by Hyatt Hotels. Sold off in December 2008, the new owners planned to demolish the building but were thwarted because of its historic designation. Instead, they renovated the hotel and converted some of the floors to condos.



From 2016-2021, the hotel was closed for a $2.5 billion renovation, reopening on September 27, 2021 as the Fairmont Century Plaza.



I don’t remember much about my stay; it was only 24 hours, and most of that time was spent in Hollywood for “Wicked” at the Pantages Theatre.



Sharp-eyed movie viewers will recognize the curved façade of the hotel from the 1980 movie “9 to 5,” specifically the scene where Doralee (Dolly Parton) gets a phone call from Missy Hart (Marian Mercer) inadvertently letting her know that her husband Franklin (Dabney Coleman) is now on the loose.



Like I mentioned, I was mostly at the Pantages on Hollywood Boulevard:



These behind-the-scenes shots were taken during a tour of the theatre and show the sets for “Wicked.”







I was more impressed with the interior of the theatre itself than “Wicked”; I fell asleep mid-show, just like I did when I saw it on Broadway. The songs did not resonate with me and the story seemed contrived.



See more Century City photos at my main website.