THE GREAT JACK OAKIE HAD A LARGE SHOE COLLECTION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

In September 1977, the great character actor Jack Oakie wrote an article entitled "Shoes - A Footnote", for Performances magazine. He began by saying: "Having been a dancer, I learned to love and respect shoes. In all my adult life I have never thrown a pair away My shoe collection goes back almost 60 years, as does the collection of steps danced in them. -  I am now pushing 74 and find the pull of gravity becoming stronger and stronger. Getting shoes and steps up off the floor is no longer the buoyant elevation it used to be."

 Jack Oakie in front of souvenirs of his long show business career. The photo was taken in Jack's study or poker room in the Oakridge manor house in Northridge.

 America's sweetheart Shirley Temple and Jack Oakie.

 Jack Oakie became an enemy of the fascist dictator of Italy Benito Mussolini when he played the role of Napolini in the film The Great Dictator.

POLLY WALKER CO-STARRED WITH JACK OAKIE IN 1930 FILM

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Playing the role of "Looloo", Polly Walker co-starred with San Fernando Valley actor, Jack Oakie in the film "Hit The Deck" in 1930. She was attracted to the film industry, from her successful roles on Broadway, by the Granada Hills film star James Cagney.

Polly Walker, c. 1930.  Photo gift of Jean Putney to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011 - Putney Collection -  Birdland Archive -  Refer to photo number 3886 - Click on image to enlarge.

The autograph reads:  "To Mr, Glick and his Bird Wonderland. Sincerely Polly Walker.  Coulson Glick was the owner of Bird Wonderland in Van Nuys / later Encino, California.

OAKRIDGE ESTATE MEETING ON JAN. 27th

      DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY      2011                  Northridge100

The great Jack Oakie and Alice Faye in a scene from the film Tin Pan Alley, a 20th Century Fox production - Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. The movie was released in November of 1940.

A message from Patricia LoPresti - Outreach Committee re: Oakridge Estate

Please bring your friends and neighbors to the Thursday, January 27, 2011 Oakridge PAB meeting.  At the request of some interested residents, this meeting will be held in the evening at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting location is Northridge Park's Devonshire House at 18300 LeMarsh St. ( Limited handicapped parking is available at the top of the hill near the entrance.)  Board members will be giving committee reports and updating the community on the preservation efforts. 

In 2011, PAB meetings will be held every other month:  March, May, July, September and November.  Meeting times and locations to be announced  at meetings and by gmail messages.

 Please forward this email to neighbors and encourage them to contact us at Oakridgepab@gmail.com.  We will soon have a website address to announce.

We look forward to seeing you on the 27th.

THREE VERY FAMOUS NORTHRIDGE NEIGHBORS

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES                  Northridge100

The privacy and distance from the hustle and bustle of the movie studios brought some of the world's most famous entertainers to Northridge over the years. At the corner of Reseda Boulevard and Devonshire Street, three of the most important film actors of the 1930s and 1940s lived as neighbors. Jack Oakie lived in the house where Robert Taylor once resided. Janet Gaynor, a star of both silent and talking motion pictures lived next door.

 Janet Gaynor - historic postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg December 2010.

Jack Oakie - film star - Photograph gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg December 2010.

Robert Taylor, husband of Barbara Stanwyk - historic postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg December 2010.

PAUL REVERE WILLIAMS AND JACK OAKIE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100
Paul Revere Williams and Jack Oakie - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
The architect of the manor house on Oakridge Estate was Paul Revere Williams. He and Jack Oakie conferred about changes to the house periodically.
Jack Oakie
Jack Oakie was respected film and stage performer, who with his wife purchased Oakridge Estate from the actress Barbara Stanwyk.

HISTORIC OAKRIDGE HOUSE IN NORTHRIDGE

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures - Northridge100
Oakridge Manor - Photo for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
The famous actress Barbara Stanwyck had the beautiful Oakridge Manor House built high atop Devonshire Street in 1939. The estate was sold to the beloved comic actor Jack Oakie, who lived there until his death.
Designated as Los Angeles Cultural Monument # 484 and as a California State Historic Landmark, the home built for the great actress Barbara Stanwick, and residence of her husband Robert Taylor, the classic English Period Revival Manor House (1939) has a real chance of being returned to its former glory.
Occupied until it was willed to the University of Southern California by the widow of the actor Jack Oakie, the estate is a major San Fernando Valley treasure.
Tour of Historic Northridge - Oakridge Manor - Photo for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
Thanks to the Northridge100 Committee and Councilman Grieg Smith and his staff, the in-tourists exploring historic Northridge were able to visit the grounds of the historic Oakridge Estate. To the joy of The Museum Community, the grand old Oakridge House has been purchased for today's and future generations by the City of Los Angeles.

The Oakridge House is closed to the public, but has a good chance of being opened for visitors later in the year.
18650 Devonshire Street
Northridge, CA 91324

ROBERT TAYLOR FILES BEGIN MUSEUM'S SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLES PROJECT

Robert Taylor and Greta Garbo in 1937 film Camille - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Directed by George Cukor, the 1937 block buster film Camille helped to launch the career of a young Robert Taylor. He played the role of a handsome Frenchman, Armand along side of one of most famous women in movie history, Greta Garbo.
Robert Taylor had a ranch home in Northridge. The actress Barbara Stanwick sold her nearby ranch property to the film star Jack Oakie, when she married Robert Taylor and moved into his home.

One of the most exciting projects scheduled by The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, beginning in 2009, is our list of Valley Notables. We will be identifying the places where famous San Fernando Valley residents have lived, but collecting their biographies, photos and memorabilia about their lives and careers.
If you would like to nominate someone like Robert Taylor to the Valley Notables list, drop us an email at
jerry@anchoreducation.com
Tell us your nominee, and leave your address and telephone number at which you can be reached.

2009 - The Year of Valley History