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.

NICE BARBARA STANWYCK PHOTO FOUND IN PUTNEY COLLECTION

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Among the many treasures in the recently acquired Putney Collection is this 1940 promotional photograph of Barbara Stanwyck and attached information statement.

Barbara Stanwyck promotional photograph - 1940 

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joan Putney 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

"BROOKLYN BOMBSHELL - Somehow, it seems, there's always a red-head from Brooklyn, somewhere in Hollywood. First it was Clara Bow, then Barbara Stanwyck came along. And, if Barbara ever chooses to step down and assume the home life of Mrs. Robert Taylor, there is Susan Hayward waiting to take up the laurels. Barbara, at present, is working opposite Fred MacMurray in Paramount's "Remember the Night." And she's celebrating her tenth anniversary as a screen celebrity. She's the despair of costume designers, and the delight of directors. For Barbara cares not a whit about her gowns and costumes; all she asks is a good part in a good picture, and it is to this uncanny knack of selecting top roles that she attributes her success.

Pictures like "So Big," "The Plough and the Stars,", "Stella Dallas," The Mad Miss Manton," "Union Pacific," and "Golden Boy." have stamped her as a versatile actress and an accomplished performer. But, it was not ever thus. Youngest of five children, she was placed in an orphanage when her mother died. Barbara went to public schools in Brooklyn and divided her yearnings between a dancing career and that of a missionary to China.

Eventually she took dancing lessons - after working in a department store - and worked up through night clubs to Shubert productions. Then Willard Mack put her in a small part in "The Noose," and Ruby Stevens became Barbara Stanwyck.  It was a combination of Barbara Fritchio and Jane Stanwyck.

She was a year - a hit in "Burlesque" (the play) and came to Hollywood in 1929. Less than a year ago, Barbara became the envy of a million women by marrying Robert Taylor. While she was working in "Remember The Night", he was working in "Remember" and just so they wouldn't forget, they bought a new home in Beverly Hills. But, she still has her horse ranch in the San Fernando Valley."

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

NEW OAKRIDGE ESTATE WEBSITE ON LINE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

There is an interesting new website on the Internet, called
The Friends of Oakridge”.  The site at:

http://www.theoakridgeestate.com/

tells those interested in the historic home and lands once owned by Barbara Stanwyk and later by Jack Oakie about the manor’s history, times of meetings and more. 

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.

JACK OAKIE's DOUBLE TAKES ADDED TO MUSEUM COLLECTION

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100



The addition of Jack Oakie's biography, Double Takes continues The Museum's work to document the resident's of Oakridge Estates. Jack Oakie, one of America's most beloved comic actors, and his wife Victoria Horne Oakie were active Northridge residents for many years.

MYSTERY IN JACK OAKIE'S BEDROOM

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100

Bedroom Mystery Oakridge Estate (click on image to enlarge)

When I looked carefully at the markings behind where once hung a mirror or was covered with stonework, above the fireplace in Jack Oakie's bedroom, I saw these pencil markings. At first blush, I considered that it may have been a worker's message, likely in a foreign script. But, with more thought, the lines may not be in an unknown alphabet, but may have been simple measuring directions.

WALL PAPER OAKRIDGE ESTATE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100

Wall paper - Oakridge Estate 2010 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley


As expected much of the Oakie era wall coverings of the manor house on Oakridge Estate are missing or damaged. However, there are many excellent examples of the style and wall paper used. This will help greatly when the time, and money, for the restoration comes.

MORE MURAL PHOTOS OF OAKRIDGE ESTATES

View of the Bar from the Living Room of the manor house of Oakridge Estate.


My blog is resisting loading more than two photos per entry. That is the reason for the multiple entries about the Oakridge Estate.

LIVING ROOM OF THE OAKRIDGE ESTATE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100
Living Room and Murals of Oakridge Estate - photos by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.
(click on images to enlarge)
With some of the windows unboarded, a visitor to the manor house of the Oakridge Estate can begin to feel what this splendid old dwelling might become if fully restored.

THE BAR AT OAKRIDGE MANOR

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100


June 8, 1954
I don't know about you, but one of the things I love best about exploring historical houses and donation boxes given to The Museum, are THE small insights into people's lives. In the Oakridge Manor, two handwritten pages (fortunately dated 1954) reveal the full spectrum of what Jack and Victoria Oakie preferred to offer their guests to drink.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY TREASURE EMERGES IN NORTHRIDGE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100
Living Room Mural detail - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
After years of neglect, the great old Oakridge Manor had its first public preview this last Saturday.
Still in an exceptionally fragile state, Oakridge Manor's living room still houses impressive murals, done by as yet an unknown artist. With a naive innocence, the murals represent a bygone era in decoration.
That the murals were considered, even in their time, as decoration rather than fine art, is exemplified by a light switch placed directly in the center of a mural near the garden door.
For more information about the historic Oakridge Estate, please call the office of Los Angeles City Council District 12 at 1 (818) 756-8501

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