MONTE HALE WORKED TO MAKE THE AUTRY CENTER A REALITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Monte Hale was one of the many young country and western singers who migrated to the San Fernando Valley to be "discovered" in the 1940s.  His good looks and warm personality won him a job doing "cowboy movies" at Republic Pictures. In 1946, Monte was a star in the successful film, "Home on the Range."  He was among those insightful people who helped found the Autry National Center in Griffith Park.  Monte Hale died in Studio City in 2009. 

Detail from vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

LON CHANEY AND NORMA SHERER FILM IN STUDIO CITY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

The historic Fryman Ranch in the hills above Studio City was the location for American films from the 1920s to '40s. Among the still photographs donated to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley are these photographs with notations "1925 Norma Sherer - Lon Chaney."  The only film that I can locate on the Internet made with these performers in 1925 was called "The Tower of Lies."

 Norma Sherer (on cow), unknown older actor, and Lon Chaney.  Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from the Studio City Residents Association, (click on image to enlarge)

 Left, unknown actor, Norma Sherer and unknown older actor. Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from the Studio City Residents Association, (click on image to enlarge)

FRYMAN RANCH IN LAUREL CANYON

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Fryman Ranch was from the 1920s to the 1940s an important motion picture location facility. These photographs represent a portion of a collection about the ranch given to The Museum by the Studio City Residents Association.

Rental agreement document - 22 December 1939 - Charles Chaplin Film Corporation - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009  (click on image to enlarge)

Motion Picture location at Fryman Ranch - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009  (click on image to enlarge)
On examination of the people in front of the wagon in the foreground, the actors appear to be engaged in prayer or a religious experience. Several are kneeling, while others hold their hands over their heads.

Fryman Ranch - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009  (click on image to enlarge)
This ranch was bounded by Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive.

MACK SENNET BEGAN HIS STUDIO IN THE VALLEY IN 1926

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

 

These great photos were shared with The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by the Studio City Improvement Association. The Museum Community was alerted to the images by Connie Elliot.  (click on images to enlarge)

Site of the original Mack Sennet Studios in Studio City in 1926.

The camera is looking east toward Mr. Cahuenga (sometimes called Mt. Hollywood) and the Cahuenga Pass into Hollywood. The photo was taken at Radford Avenue, just east of Laurel Canyon on Ventura Boulevard, on the onset of construction July 29, 1926.

Mack Sennet Studio 1928

Mack Sennet Studio under construction in 1928. The large building is the Studio's second largest building with smaller support structures nearby.


Learn about the very interesting history of Studio City by visiting
www.studiocitybid.com

Read Studio City Lifestyle Magazine for lots of information about life
in the San Fernando Valley today and Studio City history.