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)

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

CAMPO DE CAHUENGA EXHIBIT PREPARATION BY FRED BERK MUSEUM LIBRARIAN

2009 - The Year of Valley History

Last spring Fred Berk, Librarian of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley prepared a special historic postcard exhibit for The Museum's participation in LA Heritage Day at Heritage Square. It was so well received that he expanded the exhibit and has taken it on-the-road. (You may recall that one of The Museum's missions is to get history to all parts of the greater San Fernando Valley.) For a month a variation of the exhibit has been in the entry of the West Valley Regional Library in Northridge.
Now Fred is at it again! This time, he's working on a special San Fernando Valley historic postcard exhibit for the re-opening of Campo de Cahuenga.
Campo de Cahuenga, which can lay claim to being the birthplace of California, will reopen for its acclaimed re-enactment in November and permanently shortly thereafter.

Robert Taylor - Northridge Estates - historic postcard given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2008.

Film and television actor, Robert Taylor owned two homes in Northridge, California. The first was his own property, and the second he owned with his actress wife Barbara Stanwick. 2010 - A Century of Northridge History

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