SPENCER TRACY MADE HIS HOME IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

One of the most successful and important American actors of the 20th century was Spencer Tracy. He made his California home in North Hollywood.

Vintage postcard - Spencer Tracy home in North Hollywood - Gift to the San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry Collection of the The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.   (click on image to enlarge it.)

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 

Plaza De La Cordillera

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Northridge, CA 91324

(818) 347-9665

THE GREAT MICKEY ROONEY DIES IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Long before he began elementary school, Mickey Rooney was on the stage with his parents in vaudeville. With the exception of a short stint in the US Army during world War II, Mickey Rooney worked as a regular performer in films, television and in the theatre. Mickey was a lifelong resident of the San Fernando Valley. He died on April 6th. 

MICKEY ROONEY    1920 - 2014

Cover or program for Mickey Rooney in "Girl Crazy" - Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History - Museum of the San Fernando Valley

SEPULVEDA RESIDENT PAUL ZUKOWSKI SERVED IN US ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY IN 1942

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

PAUL ZUKOWSKI

1943 Valley Times Honor Roll Album - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Dennis Spiegelman  2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)    

 "Private Paul Zukowski of the U. S. Army field artillery entered the service May four 1942 after attending Van Nuys high school and belonging to the R.O.T.  He was a carpet layer in private life and resided in Sepulveda. His mother Mrs. Katie Sue Zukowski  lives at ____ Clayton St., North Hollywood."

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
gary.fredburg@TheMuseumSFV.org
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419  (mailing address)
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
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ANN BLYTH SUPERSTAR MADE HER HOME IN TOLUCA LAKE

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

On the corner of Moorpark Street and Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood stands one of the San Fernando Valley's most impressive Catholic churches, Saint Charles Borromeo. This impressive building was financed by contributions chiefly from successful members of the Valley's entertainment community. Among these was the Academy Award winning actress Ann Blyth who made her home in Toluca Lake.  Among her many memorable performances was her award in the 1945 film, Mildred Pierce.

Ann Blyth - fan card photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

FARLEY GRANGER GOT HIS START IN FILM WHILE LIVING IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

The Granger family moved to the San Fernando Valley for a second start, after the father lost his job and their home in San Jose.  Finding work in the North Hollywood branch of the California Department of Unemployment, the father was able to secure a small home in Studio City. 

With some experience in stage acting and dance, Farley Granger was placed in an entertainment unit during his service in the Second World War. His exposure to USO performers encouraged his to seek his successful career in film. He became one of Alfred Hitchcock's favorite actors.

Farley Granger   1925 to 2011    Actor

"fan card" photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.

 

Support The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History

Donate tax-deductible videos, photographs, records and other artifacts to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
gary.fredburg@TheMuseumSFV.org
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419  (mailing address)
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org

info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

G

EARNIE'S TACOS IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD from 1952

Ernie's Taco House - business card - 1950s - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

Ernie's Taco House, traditional Mexican eatery in North Hollywood was the 2nd of three locations in the greater Los Angeles area. Founded by Ernie Cruz, the North Hollywood location was opened on the 17th of June 1952.

CAL AUTOMOTIVE - A NORTH HOLLYWOOD MURDER STORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

Cal Automotive Inc. (vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

 The following is unedited - as printed:

"8044 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, California 91605 - Phone 767-8025
INTRODUCING   This worlds nost powerful Mustang Mr. Cal Automotive, Driven by TEX COLLINGS the famous Hollywood badman. Powered by the World War II P38 and P51 Mustang - 12 Cylindrs, 1710 Cubic inch, 3500 H.P. Allison, Tex Collins, the only man that ever successfully made a Aircraft engine run in a car. No problem to go 200 MPH in 1/4 mile."

Hey there may be a real story here!

The hot rod shop called Cal Automotive Inc. in North Hollywood was bought out by a Hollywood stunt man named Tex Collins. Several internet accounts have it that Tex died as a result of being shot to death over equipment sold to a Texas client.

According to a posting on the T Busketeers blog:
http://www.tbucketeers.com/threads/what-ever-happened-to-cal-automotive.10725

"Curt Hamilton who founded Cal Automotive has a shop in Van Nuys, California on Stagg Street called Hamilton Automotive Industries. He still has the T-Bucket molds with the improved dash panel and molded one piece pick up bed body. All his bodies were hand lamenated fiberglass., cleaner and stronger than a messy chopper sprayed body. Tex Collins, who purchased Cal Automotive from Curt tried to mass produce T-Bucket bodies by selling franchiases with hastley made molds to "Mom and Pop" operations. One such operation soured and as a result Tex was shot in the back by the son of a law enforcement official and was later aquitted at trial. Tex was a part time Hollwood Western stuntman who had a fiberglass company called Ford Duplicators in North Hollywood when he purchased Cal Automotive."

There’s a little more to the story. The Tudor ended up in the hands of a sometime Hollywood stuntman named Tex Collins, an Allison fanatic who ran one in a Mustang Funny Car, plus the Lytle-built oddity seen here, The Bad Brawma Bull, which used a White 3000 truck cab and modified chassis (check the bolted-together roll bar, as with Big Al IV). Collins, who owned Cal Automotive and was, sadly, shot to death, actually made passes in this thing and got to the far end unharmed. Mike owns the Bull, too. - See more at: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/01/18/rip-jim-lytle-a-power-crazed-genius/#sthash.2YjjHEf1.dpuf

There’s a little more to the story. The Tudor ended up in the hands of a sometime Hollywood stuntman named Tex Collins, an Allison fanatic who ran one in a Mustang Funny Car, plus the Lytle-built oddity seen here, The Bad Brawma Bull, which used a White 3000 truck cab and modified chassis (check the bolted-together roll bar, as with Big Al IV). Collins, who owned Cal Automotive and was, sadly, shot to death, actually made passes in this thing and got to the far end unharmed. Mike owns the Bull, too. - See more at: http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/01/18/rip-jim-lytle-a-power-crazed-genius/#sthash.2YjjHEf1.dpuf

AN INSIGHT ON RATHBUNS IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD - MINT PADDIES TOO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

The following is an email from Patti Dumbey in Carson City, Nevada:

"I am not quite sure how I found your article from July 5^th but my did it bring back memories.  I just thought I would share the following.

My grandmother (Zola Christie) worked at Rathbuns for many, many years.  She was in charge of the gift wrap department and turned out the most beautiful packages you could imagine.  She and the gals she worked with had it down to an art form.  Believe it or not the gift wrapping was free with any purchase and your item was boxed in a real box (not fold down) with a real lid and they used real ribbon (satin) and always there was some sort of an artificial flower or greenery with some 'bling'.  The wrapping was almost better than the gift.
Museum note:  Zola Christie lived on Ledge Avenue in North Hollywood from 1954 to 1975 prior to her retirement.

 

One of the items that Rathbuns sold was a long box about a foot long and a good 2-1/2" wide of chocolate covered mint paddies.  They were hand dipped with a beautiful swirl of chocolate on the top.  They were packaged in the box vertically and they were THICK.  At least twice as thick as a York peppermint paddie.  The absolute highlight of Christmas was a box of these candies bought for everyone from Gammy.  They were EXPENSIVE, too.  I think they were AT LEAST $8.00.  In l954 that was a LOT of money for candy.  In the store you could also purchase them 1 at a time, if I remember correctly.   I can’t tell you the number of times I have typed ‘Rathbuns Dept store North Hollywood, CA chocolate covered mint candy recipe’ in hopes of finding even the manufacturer.

 

When I read the Rathbuns mention I immediately thought of Gammy, her gorgeous wrapping, those wonderful mints and shopping at the Valley Plaza with my Aunt Ring and Mom.  You always dressed up to shop at Rathbuns.  It was a beautiful beautiful store, 

 

I would love to know the history of the family that owned the departments store and why it’s not there anymore.  

 

Thank you so much for fond memories of good times when I read this article.

 

Patti

 

AMELIA EARHART LIBRARY WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED FOR CONFEDERATE POET.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

 

 

Los Angeles Public Library - Sidney Lanier Branch 1965

Before the present day Amelia Earhart Library branch of the Los Angeles Public Library was built in North Hollywood, it was called the Sepulveda Library.The library marked its books with the initials "SL" followed by the book's code number.  When the new library was built, the Sepulveda Library name was discontinued, but the books continued to have "SL" inside. Some clever soul decided to search for a famous person with the initials S.L.

After the search was made, an obscure Southern poet / musician by the name of Sidney Lanier was discovered. Sidley Lanier was born in 1842 and he died in 1881. He served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. The library branch was renamed for the great American aviator Amelia Earhart, a resident of North Hollywood / Toluca Lake. 

The Earhart Library has many overlooked secrets, some of which are related to the poet Lanier. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the founder of the tour programs for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Richard Hilton will take tourists through the library and North Hollywood. 

THE GREAT AFTER THANKSGIVING WALK IT OFF TOUR

HUNTZ HALL WORLD FAMOUS VALLEY CHARACTER ACTOR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2013

Henry Richard Hall used the stage name Huntz Hall. He was born in New York City, and lived and died in North Hollywood. He was, in vaudeville terms, a "real trooper: Hall began as a radio actor at the age of four, and performed regularly as he grew to adulthood in New York. His first major comedy role was as "Dipper" in Sidney Kingsley's play "Dead End." Huntz Hall never missed a performance in 85 weeks. His first Hollywood "gig" was for Samuel Goldwyn in the film "Dead Enders".

Huntz Hall worked in the San Fernando Valley at Warner Brothers in Burbank, and Universal Pictures. America loved him and made him a household name in the "Bowrey Boys" film series.

Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall  1920 to 1999.

REQUIEM FOR SLAPSY MAXIE ROSENBLOOM

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                 2013

There is much discussion going on throughout the Valley, and indeed the nation, concerning brain damage done to athletes by football and boxing blows. In 1932 Maxie Rosenbloom won the Light Weight Boxing Championship of the World. He only reigned for two years, but too long to protect him from a career of repeated punches to the head. Maxie suffered a lifetime of physical motor problems. 

Somehow, the boxer's media nickname of Slapy Maxie caught the fancy of the public. His bruised features and "punchy" appearance won him important film and television roles. When Slapsy Maxie died he was buried in Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood.

Slapsy Maxie Rosenbloom - autographed image in the National Tour of Guys and Dolls program. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Ralph Muzzillo Jr. 2013.

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH AUTOMOBILES - A SAN FERNANDO VALLEY STORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

     Cities built on islands or crowded peninsulas seldom have the collective love affairs with the automobile as those existing in the wide open spaces of the American West. This is especially true of the San Fernando Valley, that until very recently has been composed of distant and unconnected suburbs. A dependance on automobiles and buses was cinched when the Los Angeles Railway system was destroyed by what many call a conspiracy of bus suppliers to acquire control of the Railway and dismantle it starting in 1944. By the 1960s, the red cars of the Pacific Electric Railway were just a distant memory. The corporations were General Motors, Chevron, Philips Petroleum, Goodyear and Mack Truck. 

     The car companies' public relations firms immediately set out to romanticize automobiles are essential to the "good life" emerging in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. 

Commercially produced for Howell Chevrolet in Glendale. Make of antique vehicle unknown. Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.) Reverse has a sales pitch for a new Chevrolet. Refer to image 6209.

1917 Velie Touring Car - Commercially produced for San Fernando Valley Motors in the city of San Fernando.  Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. Reverse side has a recommendation for regular maintenance.

1925 Rolls Royce - Commercially produced for Valley Rambler in Burbank.  Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

Motel Mountain View in Sun Valley - Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

By the 1960s hotels in the San Fernando Valley, with the exception of areas near the theme parks,  had all but disappeared. They were replaced by motels of differing quality and standards.

 1990 Pontiac new car introduction souvenir postcard. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Grey Fredburg 2013.  Bob Ruehman Pontiac - North Hollywood.

Hitchhiking on the collectible nature of the antique automobile cards featured above, some car dealerships began to print introductions to their new vehicles via mass mailings or souvenirs of a visit to new car introduction events.

One of the greatest automobile collections in the United States is in the North San Fernando Valley. It also houses one of the largest automotive libraries in the world.
The Nethercut Collection
15200 Bledsoe St  San Fernando Valley, CA 91342

(818) 364-6464

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GREAT SNOW OF 1949 or was it 1948

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

As part of my self-discipline of going through our family photographs to identify images that may be of interest or value to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, I encountered these "great snow" pictures. The photos are undated, and my wife (who was a 2nd or 3rd grader at the time) says they were taken in 1949.

1949 snow - Atoll Street North Hollywood

 This was the backyard of the Shreves' home. In front of the snow covered chair is a small rectangular fish pond.

My son Brendan says it snowed hard in 1988 or 1989. When are arrived for his classes at Notre Dame High School, having driven on the snow slick streets, the school declared a "snow day." 

 

 This is badly distorted photograph, but was included in this series to show the size of the snowman Dorr Shereves made for his little girl in North Hollywood. For some reason Mr. Shreves brought a snow shovel from Iowa in the family's relocation to California in 1947. The shovel, which has never been used again in the San Fernando Valley now resides in our family's Tarzana carport.

STUDIO CITY HILLS IN 1966

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2013

In 1966, the estimated population was 192,300. Here much of the carea is seen from the hills of Studio City. The region had 19 public schools and 11 private and parochial schools. 

"North Hollywood, California - Gateway to the San Fernando Valley" - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

Follow the center crease above the freeway at the top. Click on the photo to enlarge it, and you will see the spire and dome of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic church at Lankershim and Moorpark.

RATHBUNS IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD WAS ONCE A SHOPPING MECCA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

For more than three decades Rathbun's Department Store was key shopping location in the San Fernando Valley. Established before malls, Rathbun's was one of the few high style stores in the Valley. Shopping downtown Los Angeles was an occasion for holidays.

EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

This is a photograph clipped from the now defunct Valley Times from June 1965. It features the Rev. Erling H. Wold opening the morning service at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in North Hollywood.

VILLAGE INN

Village Inn Motel - North Hollywood - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

WAS THIS ONE OF FREDERICK HARTSOOK'S HOUSES?

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Bob Peppermuller, Associate of The Museum, sends this photograph of what he believes to be an original Hartsook house in North Hollywood.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

GARY FREDBURG CHAIRS MUSEUM'S ACQUISITIONS COMMITTEE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Charged with acquiring and verifying The Museum's growing collections of San Fernando Valley history and culture, is Gary Fredburg of Burbank. Long before he became a member of The Museum's Board of Directors, Mr. Fredburg has been involved in the buying and selling of paper memorabilia. One look at this blog of The Museum and the viewer will see the significant number of artifacts that he has donated to The Museum's ever growing archives. As Vice President of The Museum, Gary is a member of the organization's Executive Committee.

Typical of the treasures Gary Fredburg has contributed for the education and enjoyment of San Fernando Valley residents, and those who follow The Museum on line is this June 24, 1937 program from North Hollywood High School.

THE ROAD TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Among America's best loved comedy films of the 1940s and 50s were the famous "Road" movies of Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour. All three blockbuster performers and supporters of the U.S.O. lived in Toluca Lake / North Hollywood.

 Dorothy Lamour, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope - San Fernando Valley residents in 1940

 Hamming it up in a Road Movie were Hope, Lamour and Crosby (click on images to enlarge them)

The Life of Bob Hope, "They Got Me Covered" - 1941 first edition - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. 

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Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History.