MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM YOUR MUSEUM DEC 2011

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

"Cockie" the Cockatoo Actor - c 1930s - Photograph Number 4272 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Joan Putney Nov. 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

This white bird was at one time one of the most successful working actors in Hollywood. Cockie, owned by Bird Wonderland in Encino, lived to be over 75 years old and starred in nearly all of the animal-related films of his era.

BIRD WONDERLAND and SATAN THE WRESTLING MOVIE TIGER

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Satan, the Wrestling Movie Tiger - historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg - 2008 - presented here without caption.

Mr. Barry Balin of Woodland Hills, an important collector of historic paper goods and expert on vintage postcards, has asked his Museum to share information about Bird Wonderland of Van Nuys. He is interested in knowing more about Jackie the Wrestling Lion who was once part of Bird Wonderland of Encino/Van Nuys.
We don't have any images of Jackie, but we can share our image of "Satan" the Wrestling Movie Tiger. Jackie, by the way, may be the introduction lion image still used on Metro-Goldwin-Mayer films.

Here's your Museum's record
Bird Wonderland – Van Nuys
Satan, The Movie Wrestling Tiger (historic postcard)
artifact number: 1009-001-1138
condition: good in protective plastic sleeve
donor: Gary Fredburg 2008
scanned: COMMUNITIES, Van Nuys, Bird Wonderland
used on blog October 2009
Notes: Front caption reads: “Satan” is a 3 year old, full grown Sumatran Tiger raised in captivity. Satan has appeared in many pictures including Bengal Tiger, Jan of the Jungle etc. Photo shows Mr. Glick of the Bird Wonderland, Van Nuys, California, in a playful mood with Satan."
The Bird Wonderland was located at 15640 Ventura Boulevard, Van Nuys, California.

If you have information about Bird Wonderland, that existed in the 1930s, please contact your Museum at 1 (818) 347-9665.