VALLEY IMAGES MAILED TO THE WORLD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

Much of the world judges life in the San Fernando Valley from the "Hollywood images" created by the film industry and visiting tourists. Here are some of the post card pictures sent world-wide.

 "The Motion Picture Industry is one of the first four industries in the United States. More than 70% of the pictures shown thjroughout the world are produced in Los Angeles County."
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 "Republic Pictures Studio, Hollywood, California. One of the many motion picture studios typical of Hollywood."  Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Note:  Hollywood is used as Republic's location rather than Studio City.

 "Greetings from Burbank, California. Here are located many of the famous moving picture and television studios, like these seen on this picture - Warner Brothers and Walt Disney Studios."
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

"Warner Brothers Studio - Burbank, Califonria.
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Sign announcing Universal Studios from Barham Boulevard and the 101 Freeway.
Postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Oversized postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Images divided for ease of viewing.
"Sheridan Universal Hotel - Hotel of the Stars - Roof Lounge and poolside Portuguese Lounge. Circus Roof Lounge."

 

Sheridan Universal Hotel 

MOVING INTO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN THE 1940s

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013

After the Second World War, there was a massive influx veterans and their new families into the San Fernando Valley. Others came from other parts of America to take advantage of the exploding job market in the area. Here a moving van from Iowa unloads a family's belongings on Carpenter Avenue in North Hollywood.

1947 home on Carpenter Avenue in North Hollywood. To the left is Sylvan Street with the tower of Victory Boulevard Elementary School in the background.

With her earnings from a new position as the principal cellist of the Republic Studio orchestra, Katherine Shreves purchased her new car.

Photo believed to show members of the Republic Studio Orchestra in Studio City. Woman in the center is Katherine Fletcher Shreves.

MONTE HALE WORKED TO MAKE THE AUTRY CENTER A REALITY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Monte Hale was one of the many young country and western singers who migrated to the San Fernando Valley to be "discovered" in the 1940s.  His good looks and warm personality won him a job doing "cowboy movies" at Republic Pictures. In 1946, Monte was a star in the successful film, "Home on the Range."  He was among those insightful people who helped found the Autry National Center in Griffith Park.  Monte Hale died in Studio City in 2009. 

Detail from vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

REPUBLIC PICTURES HELPED SHAPE VALLEY HISTORY

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES
Entrance to Republic Pictures 1936 - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Republic Pictures in the 1950s - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

It's not called the "Entertainment Industry" by accident, and old time Republic Pictures knew what popular entertainment meant. From classic cowboy movies, to early science fiction and "cliff hanger" series, Republic Pictures had its pulse on America.

THE QUIET MAN - REPUBLIC STUDIOS HIT 1952

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures -- 75th Anniversary of Republic Studios
The Quiet Man 1952 - Paving tile at the entrance to the administration offices of CBS Studios. Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010 by Jerry Fecht
One of the most loved films of its era, The Quiet Man, directed by John Ford was considered a big financial risk for Republic Studios. High action films and western movies were Republic’s bread and butter money makers, and a high profile romantic drama was a significant departure for the studios.
To give The Quiet Man’s investors some security for their investment, the main performers and director of the film were contracted to make a western, the Rio Grande before making the Irish love story.
The Quiet Man was directed by John Fold and starred a beloved cast including: John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Victor McLaglen and Ward Bond to name just a few.
The great film composer Victor Young was chosen by John Ford to create The Quiet Man’s musical score. To our family’s everlasting delight, Katherine Fletcher Shreves was Republic Studio’s principal cellist for the film. We have a 78 recording on which the orchestra plays the dear old Irish song, “The Wild Colonial Boy”, after which is ambient sound pause and Victor Young said, “Oh Katherine, that was so beautiful.”
Jerry Fecht
PS – If you haven’t seen The Quiet Man, it has the penultimate fistfight between the actors John Wayne and Victor McLaglen. What a movie!

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE KATHERINE FLETCHER SHREVES

Today, January 21 is the birthday of San Fernando Valley notable Katherine Fletcher Shreves. Born in Eufala, Indian Territory in 1906, Katherine was one of earliest students to attend the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She and her husband Dorr came to North Hollywood shortly after the conclusion of World War II. Later, while living in Studio City, Ms. Shreves became the principle cellist for Republic Studios.
In the 1950s, musicians in the Republic Studio Orchestra were given one rehearsal before their work was recorded for a film. Katherine's position as the principal cellist saw her featured as a soloist for dozens of Republic's most successful film, including John Wayne's Quiet Man. Katherine is buried in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

Early Morning in Los Angeles - Photograph by Phyllis Hansen 2009
Early January mornings in Los Angeles are a good reason to live in our city.

STUDIO CITY TOUR - SEPTEMBER 21, 2008

The once a year home and history self guided tour of Studio City will take place on September 21. Tickets are very scarce, so contact the Studio City History Project right away. (818) 509-0230 (10AM until 4PM)
Republic Studios -- Studio City California -Gift of Gary Fredburg to the vintage postcard collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008 (click on image to enlarge

Carlton Motor Lodge 11811 Ventura Boulevard - Studio City California -Gift of Gary Fredburg to the vintage postcard collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

KATHERINE FLETCHER SHREVES

Katherine Fletcher Shreves - Archive of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
The great motion picture studios of the San Fernando Valley once maintained full professional orchestras. Katherine Fletcher Shreves was an accomplished cellist, graduate of the Julliard School of Music, and resident of Studio City. She was the featured cello player for the Republic Studios classic film, The Quiet Man.
So skilled were Republic's musicians that they had but one rehearsal prior to playing for the actual recording to accompany the film. The great composer Victor Young led the Republic Orchestra and once was heard at the end of a recording, "Oh Katherine, that was so beautiful.
Victor Young and Katherine Fletcher Shreves were but two of the great musicians in San Fernando Valley history.

click to enlarge Katherine's photograph.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.