BOB BURNS RADIO CELEBRITY OF THE 1940s

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

     Museum Associate Art Jacobs shares this story about radio's famous Bob Burns.

"Bob Burns a musical comedian who appeared on radio and in the movies is featured in the 1941 Radio-Movie-Guide magazine. Burns a native from Arkansas, is best known as "The Arkansas Traveler" a character that amused his audience with stories about the kinfolk back home. Burns played a novelty musical instrument of his own invention which he called the "bazooka". It consisted of a stove pipe and a whiskey funnel that created an unusual sound."

 Bob Burns, radio comic of the 1940s. Magazine photo courtesy of Art Jacobs 2014

"By 1940 Burns was nationally known on the radio and was signed as a contract player with Paramount Pictures. During the 1930's and 40's Burns began investing his money in real estate throughout the San Fernando Valley. At one time, it was said that Bob Burns owned over 800 acres of West Valley land. His ranch was located on the corner of Sherman Way and Mason in Canoga Park. 

Locally, Burns became the honorary mayor of Canoga Park and was very active in the community.

On February 1956, Bob Burns passed away in Encino, California of kidney cancer and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery."

ACTRESS NATALIE WOOD GRADUATED FROM VAN NUYS HIGH SCHOOL

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Natalie Wood began her film career early as a child star. She graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1956. Her life was cut short when she drowned in 1981 in a mysterious accident off of Catalina Island. 

NATALIE WOOD    1938 - 1981

Photograph by John Engstead for his book Star Shots - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joanne Krekorian 2014. 

Support The Museum's collection of 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 

ANOTHER MORE ROMANTIC ERA FOR AIRLINES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                              2013

In 1956, a young Valley girl took her first airline flight. On her way to a wedding in Chicago, she dressed carefully for the trip. Those were more formal days, and valued customers were treated with respect. The flight was so memorable that she save mementos from the occasion for over 50 years.

 1956 American Airlines Menu - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Arlene Bernholtz 2013.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

American Airline napkin   1957

HOW BOB'S BIG BOY FIT IN THE 1950s

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2013

Bob's Big Boy menu - October 1955  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Arlene Bernholtz - May 2013.  Ticket stub for the All City High School Playoff preliminary Dec. 2, 1955 (click on image to enlarge it.) 

To history's good fortune, Arlene Bernholtz as a high school girl, borrowed this large menu from Bob's Big Boy restaurant and made notes around it. Life for a high school student emerges in the treasures Arlene put in her scrapbook. She even saved some of the football programs mentioned in her notes.

            “Bob’s Big Boy – October 1, 1955

             After the North Hollywood vs. Burbank game. with Dennis, Ted, Barbara,   

             Roxie, Lollie and Bonnie.

             Bob’s Big Boy – October 8, 1955

             After North Hollywood vs Burroughs game with Shooter, Gary, Bonnie & Sunny.

             Bob’s Big Boy – October 29, 1955 12:00  Eddie, Paul, Bonnie, Gene Taft  

             (could be Toft), me and Dennis Weinstein.     

            Bob’s Big Boy – Nov. 11, 1955 – After Canoga vs North Hollywood Game.  

            We won it 21 to 7. Linda, Marilyn, Bonnie, Roxie, Taley (/) and me. 

 

            Nov. 18, 1955 After Bonnie’s birthday party, and the show “Trial”

            the P______ , ___J----- B------.

            December 2, 1955. Bonnie, Paul Richmond, Richard Cohen and me after the  

            Belmont vs N.H. game. We Won! Had loads of fun. The guys were mad tho. The 

            Apollos were supposed to fight the Griffins. ** (Apollos were a boys' car club)

            After the Belmont – North Hollywood Game. we won. went to Bob's

           January 6, 1956  Jim Fernandez drove Linda, Bonnie and I by Bob’s and 

           through the drive in part.

           January 21, 1956 – with Paul Richmond after Neil’s party.

           February 16, 1956 – with Russ, Tony, Linda, Annabelle, Dave Scheffer,

           Winklebuck, Tanner, Tanne, Ester, Bryan and Pete after visiting Linda’s

           church

           June 10, 1956  - After visitng Linda’s church with Armann, Linda Murphy, Carol 

M        Marks,  Linda Winkleblack and I.

          June 15, 1956  After the MC & Jama luaus and after looking for a BBQ social with Art,              

          Joe's Lolly (LA guys)

 **

HISTORIC POSTCARDS FROM LA METRO COLLECTION

PRESERVING OUR VALLEY HERITAGE       2013

An important resource for Los Angeles transit history is in the Metro Library on the 15th floor of One Gateway Plaza next to Union Station. Here are three San Fernando Valley- related post cards from the Metro collection.

Little could these excited school children, riding on the last ride of cherished Pacific Electric Rail Road Motor Coach, know in 1955 they and their children would be paying a huge price to replace the Red Cars in 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

In 1910, the Laurel Canyon Utilities Company ran the first electric trolly coach in America through historic Laurel Canyon.

When Norma Jean Baker was attending Van Nuys High School, and using the Red Car to get into the city, she might have been amazed that in 1956 a Metropolitan Coach Line would be used to promote her career as an actress and her new film "Bus Stop." 

RIO VISTA SCHOOL 1955 - 1956

 DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

These sweet San Fernando Valley kids in the mid-1950s, are well into their 60s now, and their earnest teachers maybe gone. Perhaps you might have a family member or a friend among them?  

 Mrs. Warner's B-5 class at Rio Vista School in North Hollywood May 1955.  Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) Image number 3871

Miss Yeschko's  B-6 / A-6 class at Rio Vista School in April 1956. Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo # 3873

Mrs. Newcomb's A-6 class at Rio Vista School in North Hollywood  in May of 1956. In the photo is also Mrs. Van Dyke the school's principal.  Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo number 3872

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

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

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MUSEUM’S E-MAIL

gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

ARE YOU BEAUTIFUL? December 1956 in the SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

We can learn so much from small items once common in the past. Here is a free "Weekly TV Log", the type of giveaway common for years in San Fernando Valley markets and drug stores. Thanks to Gary Fredburg, who donated this little gem, we have insights into the standards of the 1950s, a peek at the rising career of Valley film and television star Ronald Reagan, and even what ordinary television viewers who shopped at the King Cole Market in Burbank might have been watching in their homes.

 (click on the images to enlarge them.)

VALLEY VILLAGE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

In August 1956 this vintage postcard was sent to Mrs. Dorsey Walker in Lathrop, Missouri.

Fabulous San Fernando Valley - Valley Village - a residential shopping area of North Hollywood. Situated midway between Studio City and Van Nuys on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Valley Village - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

"Wednesday Aug. 8th. We arrived in L.A. last Thursday night after stopping in Colorado on Tuesday night. We are seeing the sights and visiting relatives. Will start home before too long. Bye bye, Jean."

CARMELA DeROSE INTERVIEWED BY THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley

 Carmela DeRose graduation photograph taken in 1956. Collection of Ms. DeRose.

In 1956, Carmela DeRose was in the last graduating class of Saint Ferdinand Catholic High School. In 2011 she continues to live in San Fernando. Carmela's oral history gives important insights on life in San Fernando in the mid-20th century, (click on image to enlarge)

SYLMAR IN THE MID 1940s

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011
Carmela DeRose shares with The Museum Community these interesting insights of San Fernando Valley history.

 Rural Sylmar in the 1940s. Collection of Carmela DeRose.  (click on image to enlarge) Carmela states, "I believe the shot of the horses were in Sylmar, near Foothill and Yarnell, where the Juvenile

Hall is now, was taken in the late 40s. The land belonged to my Uncle Sam De Rose, and he sold it."

Yearbook cover from the Recuerdos 1956 yearbook - Collection of Carmela DeRose. Saint Ferdinand's High School in Mission Hills.

SAINT FERDINAND'S HIGH SCHOOL (MISSION HIGH)

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

In the 1950s there was a Roman Catholic girls high school that held classes inside of the Mission San Fernando. If I remember correctly, most people in the Valley just called it Mission High. One of The Museum's Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley's interviewees, Carmela DeRose attended, and graduated from that school. Here's a photograph of Carmela's commencement program. It lists the girls in her graduating class.

Carmela De Rose notes" "The class of 1956 was the last graduating class from the Mission.  Bishop Alemany High School opened the following year."

I took these photographs in haste. The distortions are not in the printing.  (Click on images to enlarge)

If you know any of the women graduates on the program, please have them contact The Museum. We are interested in recovering a history of Saint Ferdinand's High School.

Here’s how to contact your Museum:

MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

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

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MUSEUM’S ORAL HISTORIES     

narratinglives@gmail.com

MUSEUM’S E-MAIL

gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

HAM RADIO CARDS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

More than one of my friends has expressed concern that all "this texting will undermine our kids ability to spell out important words. Well, I suppose that is why they have "spellcheck".  Anyway, these Ham Radio Contact Cards may be the parents of these "texters." R U rdng this ok.  Jerry

 Ham Radio Contact Card 1956 -  Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)
Dick Zobel mailed this New Year greeting by way of his Ham Radio card on December 22, 1956. to Roy "Ham of the Year" in Mission, Kansas.  Dick wrote: "Tnx 4 nice QSO. Ur my first Kansas contact." Dick lived on Hamlin Street in Van Nuys.

  Ham Radio Contact Card 1973 -  Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) This Ham Radio card was not mailed. The names Frank Marble and La Moleiett are on the contact side of the card along with 8/m and H-P Meeting instrumentation, It came from Providencia Street in Woodland Hills.

   Ham Radio Contact Card 1954 -  Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) This card was sent from Frank Bates III  in Sherman Oaks on December 24, 1954 to an address in Mission, Kansas.

   Ham Radio Contact Card 1967 -  Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) This contact card was sent to a Ham Radio operator in Ben Lomond, California.

HORSE BREEDING WAS ONCE A MAJOR SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ENTERPRISE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES -- Northridge100

Once horse ranches extended all across the North part of the San Fernando Valley. Owning a race horse was very much a part of one's status as a film or recording star. The Falk Ranch at the top of Balboa Boulevard at Lassen Street boasted many fine horses used for racing and pleasure riding.
Photo from Race Souvenir Tray - Gift to The Museum from Steve Falk 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
The 6th Race at Hollywood Park, May 29, 1956. World famous jockey Willy Shoemaker rides "First Aid Kit" to victory for the Falk Stables in Granada Hills.
The Falk family (Sue - holding a white purse, husband Steve - in dark suit holding little son Steven, watch as Steve's mother greets her winning steed at a Del Mar race. The Falk Ranch boarded the riding horses of Betty Grable and her bandleader husband Harry James.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY KIDS AND THEIR CARS

2010 - THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES
Ad in 1956 Van Nuys High School Yearbook - The Crimson and Gray - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.

Caption of the ad reads: "The new line of 1956 Chevrolet cars and trucks is displayed by P0LLARD-RAVENSCROFT CHEVROLET, 6232 Van NUys Boulevard. Here Fred and Tony admired the beautiful Bel-Air convertible and listened to the friendly salesman as he told them the advantages of owning a Chevrolet. Pollard-Ravenscroft maintains an excellent service departmentfor all cars, old or new."

Student Parking Lot at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks - 1956 Arches Year Book - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010

This student parking lot just north of Riverside Drive at Woodman Avenue is still in use in 2010. At the time this yearbook was published teachers who belonged to the Catholic religious order of the Brothers of Holy Cross resided in the mission-style building at the top of this photograph. The structure is now used for administrative purposes and the few remaining Brothers reside in a nearby home off-campus.


Parking Lot at Burbank Senior High School 1966 - Ceralbus Yearbook - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010

San Fernando Valley kids have had an unending love affair with cars from the time automobiles became accessible to student wallets. They make up a major part of the Valley's historic "car culture."

PHOTOS OF HISTORIC NORTHRIDGE CONTINUE TO ARRIVE

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures -- Northridge100
Northridge Train Station 1956 (click on image to enlarge)
When Station-Master E.J. Hillings went about his work in 1956, it is doubtful if he knew that in five short years, the Northridge Railroad Station would be demolished. Before this facility served Northridge, it helped to meet the transportation needs of an earlier community called Zelzah.
If Northridge, Porter Ranch or the old-time community of Zelzah were a part of your life, or that of a friend or family member, donate photos and memorabilia to your Museum;s archive today. Be part of history - call your Museum at 1 (818) 347-9665 and help us make Northridge100 a rousing success.

MARCH MUSEUM MEETING SCHEDULED AT ECONOMIC ALLIANCE FOR MARCH 17

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures
Robert Fulton Jr. High School "The Log" Summer 1956 - Gift to The Museum from Gary Fredburg 2010
Typing class at Robert Fulton Middle School - located at: 7477 Kester Avenue, Van Nuys, California.
The Board of Directors and Advisors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will meet on March 17th in the Board Room of the Valley Economic Alliance.

Museum meets at: 5:30 pm informal meeting 6: pm regular meeting
The Valley Economic Alliance
5121 Van Nuys Blvd. - Board Room
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-1497

Interested in being part of the newly forming Friends of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley? Give your Museum Community a call and make 2010 a year to remember.
1 (818) 347-9665