THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY'S BELOVED LAUREL AND HARDY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2012

Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel - Postcard gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Among the world's all-time most loved comedians are Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.  Laurel and Hardy began their film careers when motion pictures were still silent. With their mastery of mime, the two great entertainers continue to enrich the lives of their fans to this day. Stan Laurel is buried in Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Burbank.  Oliver Hardy is buried in the central San Fernando Valley at Valhalla Memorial Park on the boarder between North Hollywood and Burbank. Both grave sites are accessible to the public.

CONTACTING YOUR MUSUEM

MUSEUM EXPO SPACE
Westfield Fashion Square
14006 Riverside Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
www.westfield.com/fashionsquare
On Riverside between Hazeltine and Woodman)
(On first floor insdie Fashion Square entrance next to See's Candies)

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

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

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

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

THE RAINBOW ROLLER RINK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY 2012

What do you remember about the Rainbow Roller Rink in Van Nuys?

Rainbow Roller Rink decal - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it)

RICHARD BOGY GIVES BEST VALLEY HISTORY TALK OF THE YEAR.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Recently, Toluca Lake historian Richard Bogy was the featured speaker as part of The Museum's "Taste of History" event at Westfield Fashion Square. He spoke to The Museum Community on the important historical heritage of Campo de Cahuenga. Bogy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, provided a fascinating history from the site's time where Tongva villages dotted the Los Angeles River to the gift of Mrs Amatage Forbes for generations to come by preserving the location. (click on image to enlarge it.) 

Richard Bogy gives the best historical talk so far this year.

 

Beth Perrin, Secretary and Deuk Perrin, President of Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association attended and supported Richard Bogy at the Taste of History event at Westfield Fashion Square.

Michel Stevens, Chair of Taste of History event and featured speaker Richard Bogy.

  

Guests mingle at The Museum’s space at Westfield Fashion Square, first floor, at post-speaker event.

After each event The Museum opens up the space for those that want to return, view space and artifacts for the first time, join to become a member, make a donation and learn how to become more involved.

Please consider attending next FREE speaker event on Thursday, August 30th @ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for Taste of Horses in the Valley.

MEXICAN DANCERS CELEBRATE RICHARD BOGY'S SPEECH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Three beautiful Mexican heritage dancers, provided by Carolina Russek Dancers, pose in The Museum's exhibition space prior to their introduction to Richard Bogy's long awaited talk on the history of Campo de Cahuenga at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks. (click on image to enlarge it.)

SATURDAY AT THE MUSEUM

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2012

 Edgar Rice Burroughs display continues to expand. Where the flash reflection is at the wall will be two oversize areal-photos of Burroughs Tarzana Ranch.

 "Trees of Life Project" by The Museum's partner organization, Theatre of Will utilized The Museum exhibit space at Westfield Fashion Square. Photos by Willard Simms. (click on image to enlarge).

BURBANK CITY HALL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

On October 25th, 1981, someone named Rob mailed this now vintage postcard to James des Spendre on Ambrose Terrace in Los Angeles.

 

Beautiful Downtown Burbank - A View of the City Hall

Vintage Postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 

from Gary Fredburg 2012  (click on image to enlarge)

MORE ABOUT BIRMINGHAM HOSPITAL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

I keep learning more about the Birmingham Hospital complex in what is now Lake Balboa in the San Fernando Valley. Perhaps one of you car buffs will be able to date this postcard from the car at the left?

Administration Building and Nurses Quarters, Birmingham Veterans Administration Hospital - Historic Postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge.)

"The center building immediately behind the flag pole and circle houses only part of the administrative offices of the hospital. About 300 nurses are housed in six other buildings of the type shown here."

JOHN YOUNG VISITS MUSEUM SPACE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2012

World War II B-26 bomber pilot John Young visits Museum space in Westfield Fashion Square. John is a Professor Emeritus and former chairman of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. He was accompanied on his visit by Bill Tapp, president of WFT Design Company.

Bill Tapp - WFT Master Builder, Construction Consultant and Photographer - during his visit with John Young to The Museum space on July 25th.

MUSEUM PREPARES EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS EXHIBIT

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Under the direction of Board Member Willard Simms, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has begun an intensive search for materials related to the life of America's beloved author Edgar Rice Burroughs. Contributions to the exhibit are being accepted now until the celebration of the first Tarzan book this coming August.  (Contact Mr. Simms through The Museum at (818) 347-9665).

Preliminary Edgar Rice Burroughs exhibit at The Museum space in Westfield Fashion Square.

VALLEY OF THE PUMA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

With all of the Mountain Lions in our news, I thought it might be interesting to blog an image of one of Birdland's resident pumas from the 1940s. Birdland trained animals to be movie stars from their headquarters in what is now Encino on Ventura Boulevard.

 Puma and trainer - Jane Putney Birdland Collection -  The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2012
(click on images to enlarge them)

CONTACTING YOUR MUSEUM

                                                    CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Encino Travel Lodge Motel - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

CONTACTING YOUR MUSUEM

MUSEUM EXPO SPACE
Westfield Fashion Square
14006 Riverside Drive
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
www.westfield.com/fashionsquare
On Riverside between Hazeltine and Woodman)
(On first floor insdie Fashion Square entrance next to See's Candies)

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

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

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

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

BURBANK'S GOLDEN MALL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

A first attempt to create a pedestrian mall in the city of Burbank began in the 1960s, as an effort to compete with growing "big box" stores.  It was refurbished and reopened in 1989.  The television programs Laugh In and the Johnny Carson show had lots of fun with the slogan "Beautiful Downtown Burbank", and while city leaders appreciated the name recognition, the satire involved with the city's slogan took time to redirect.

Beautiful Downtown Burbank - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

OLIVE VIEW SANITARIUM IN SYLMAR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Little or nothing remains of the once strategic Olive View Sanitarium in Sylmar. Most of the structures of the abandoned tuberculosis hospital were destroyed by fire in 1962, and the remainder wiped out in the Sayre Fire years later.

Olive View Sanitarium in Olive View, California; Historic postcard gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge)

It is hard to imagine that Americans with tuberculosis, when this hospital was built in the 1920s, were required by law to enter sanitariums.  Sylmar was once world famous for its olive trees and healthful air.

NEW CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LIBRARY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

Special thanks to Gary Fredburg for five important additions to The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment History"  Great Lovers of the Movies by Jane Mercer, the Making of Ben Hur, Reruns of 50 Memorable Films by B. Crowther, Theater Posters by Wendy Nelson-Cave, A Day in the Life of Hollywood, and David O. Selznick's Hollywood.

Gr

BIRMINGHAM - A LONG TRADITION OF SERVICE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

From a US military base to an Army hospital to one of the San Fernando Valley's most important high school, Birmingham has made a major impact on California.

1983 Birmingham High School football programs - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

VIEW THIS WEEK FROM TOM MENTLICK'S BALCONY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

I was at The Museum's meeting and missed this spectacular sunset. Fortunately, Tom Mentlick didn't.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

RESTORATION BEGINS AT LONG LAST ON LANKERSHIM STATION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Our friend and ally Bob Peppermuller shares these comments and pictures"

"After living in  North Hollywood  for almost 50 years and seeing restoration plans fall through the roof time after time I thought this would never happen.

  This is towards the end of Phase 1. I saw them painting last week but when I went over there today the painters were gone and nobody around. So had to get over the fence shots.

  Interior configuration still being worked on."  (click on images to enlarge them.)

"It looks like the paint job is accurate from the 30's and 40's. The very last yellow paint job covered all the building with no brown trim accent."

ASSOCIATES OF THE MUSEUM HOLD FIRST MEETING

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

On July 11th, The Museum held its first Associates of The Museum meeting at our Westfield Fashion Square Mall space. At long last members of the community at large have a chance to become involved as volunteers for one of many Museum projects. 

 Community members have the chance to become involved in Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley, The Museum's Public Arts project, become docents for our walking tours or become one of us who act as greeters for our mall space.

Interested in becoming an Associate of The Museum?  Give us a call at 1 (818) 347-9665 -We are all of us volunteers working to build a great Museum of history and culture for the Valley.

GENE AUTRY MADE MOVIES FOR REPUBLIC PICTURES IN STUDIO CITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

The great Gene Autry and hundreds of other actors, like Sterling Holloway (center with hands in his pockets), made films seen around the world for Republic Pictures in 1947.

Gene Autry starred in "Twilight on the Rio Grande" for Republic Pictures in 1947.  

Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.

LINDA KAY MOORE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LIBRARY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

Linda Kay Moore visited The Museum's Exposition Space at the Westfield Fashion Square Mall this week and enjoyed seeing examples of the 160 books donated to The Museum to form the basis for our San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History Library. Ms. Moore is an emeritus professor of cinema from Moorpark Community College.

Linda Kay Moore - Library Donor to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

FAMOUS ACTRESS LORETTA YOUNG LIVED IN TOLUCA LAKE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

The beautiful and world famous Loretta Young lived and worked in the San Fernando Valley. When she made the film "Eternally Yours", she worked with the leading man David Niven. Ms. Young was among the entertainers who lived in Toluca Lake, Studio City and North Hollywood who helped to finance the building of Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood.  

Loretta Young and David Niven in 1939 film "Eternally Yours" an United Artists film.

Jane Putney Collection -  Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley  2010

LUCILLE BALL - THE VALLEY OWN MEGA STAR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

In 1941, the great Lucille Ball starred in "Three Girls and a Gob", a Harold Lloyd production.

The film costarred Edmond O"Brien.  Frank Pangborn played the role of a pet shop owner holding a

bird stand. The bird atop the stand is one of the many actors provided to motion pictures by Bird Wonderland of Van Nuys (now, Encino). Lucille Ball and the creatures of Bird Wonderland were just a few movie actors from the San Fernando Valley

Photograph Gift by Joan Putney 2009 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley