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 

AN OLDTIME VIEW OF WARNER BROTHERS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Vintage postcard of Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg May 2012. (click on image to enlarge it).

Is this view from above present day Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills?

WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO IN BURBANK

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY        2011

Since its establishment in Burbank, Warmer Brothers Studio has been a magnate attracting many of the most creative people in the world. Script writers, set designers, art directors, costume designer, directors, producers, and actors are bus just a few of the professions that make the San Fernando Valley the heart of the creative capital of the world.

Vintage postcard of Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

WARNER BROTHERS AND BETTE DAVIS - AN URBAN LEGEND?

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

As The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History grows, it is apparent that just the history of Warner Brothers in Burbank is a giant undertaking. And speaking of undertaking, I wonder if there is any truth to the old story that the great Bette Davis from Toluca Lake, bought her plot in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills so that she could look down on her old bosses at Warner Brothers below?

Historic postcard of Warner Brothers Studios - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge._

CASABLANCA A CLASSIC FILM FROM THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

       DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011   
                         
Burbank's 100th Anniversary 
Van Nuys' 100th Anniversary

Everyday, as The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, enhances our Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History, the expression "Valley of the Stars" becomes more evident. It takes thousands of artists to create films, television programs and videogames, and thousands of the most creative people in the world call "The San Fernando Valley My Home."  

Few films had a greater emotional impact on the American people and movie-goers world wide during World War II than the classic film CASABLANCA. Starring the gorgeous Ingrid Bergman and rugged Humphrey Bogart, the film helped to build great patriotic fervor. Their co-star Paul Henried,  unforgettable music, and sleazy fascist villains added up to one of the great movies of its time. 

 Casablanca was filmed, nearly entirely on the lot of Warner Brothers Studio in the San Fernando Valley City of Burbank. A significant scene, where Rick (Bogart) encounters the German Major Strasser, was shot at Van Nuys Airport. Portions of the hanger used in the film were rescued from demolition by Valley residents who share The Museum's commitment to preserving our Entertainment Industry Heritage.

 The little Liberty Bug, at the lower left hand corner of the sheet music for "As Time Goes By" appeared throughout America during the Second World War. I remember seeing it when I began kindergarten. In the first grade, we saved our dimes to buy Savings Stamps and pasted them every week in little books that added up to the purchase of a $25 dollar War Bond.

I remember seeing my mother sitting by a huge old radio in our living room, as she listened to Kate Smith singing As Time Goes By. My big sister Genevieve tried to teach it to me, but I thought it was way too "mushy" for a boy to sing.  (click on image to enlarge)

WARNER BROTHERS BURBANK c. 1944

2010   THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

During the Second World War, Ralph Skoll sent a Hollywood "accordion" postcard souvenir to Carolyn Murchison in Hays, Kansas. This "Home of Warner Brothers and First National Pictures" was among the cards. Hard to imagine the 134 Freeway from this image.

UNIVERSAL CITY AND WARNER BROTHERS AREAL 1969

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES.

Areal photograph of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers area. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
This photograph, taken in 1969 shows clearly the Los Angeles River as it runs east and west at the left side of Universal Studios. The Cahuenga Pass is readily seen. In the upper left of the photo, the Warner Brothers complex in Burbank can be seen.

ANDREA FAVILLI "THE CAMERAMAN" BURBANK'S TREASURE

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures

The Cameraman by Andrea Favilli in Burbank
Andrea Favilli - The Cameraman - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - January 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
One of my favorite public sculptures in the San Fernando Valley is the heroic-sized statue of the Cameraman on Olive Avenue just across from gate 2 of Warner Brothers studio. Because of flowers planted at its base some of the most dramatic aspects of the work aren’t readily seen, unless one climbs up on the concrete seat that surrounds it.
Hard to find are an old time voice powered megaphone..... One can almost here the cameraman’s shout of “All quiet on the set” or “Action”, and an open book with names of those who inspired Andrea Favilli’s exciting career.
Graduating from Art Center College of Design 1986, Favilli seems to have movies in his blood. His father is Aldo Favilli, once an art director for Rome’s famous Cinecittà Studios.

Andrea Favilli’s involvement in the great Dancing Raisins commercial, his design of Disney’s Legends Award, the American Teacher Award and the massive statue of Dr. David Burbank make him a San Fernando Valley treasure.



Share the treasures you discover about the San Fernando Valley. Send your photos by jpg format or share hard copies with your Museum.

EARLY WARNER BROTHERS - FIRST NATIONAL STUDIOS PHOTO

Warner Brothers - First National Studios - date unknown - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Can any of our car buffs make a good guess about the year of this image?

Thanks to the Board and Advisors of The Museum for a great meeting last evening. Our North Hollywood walking tour is very near completion.

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

WARNER BROTHERS

Warner Brothers Studios - Burbank - Postcard in the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS
At the top of Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills stands the sepulcher of one of the most important movie stars, perhaps of all time, Bette Davis. The story goes that the great actress selected the spot so that she could look down forever on her nemesis Jack Warner. Warner Brothers Studios occupies 110 historic acres at the base of Mount Cahuenga in Burbank.
Viewed by many as the foremost entertainment production facility in the world, the San Fernando Valley's Warner Brothers Studio has produced record number of motion pictures and television productions. And, the great complex is one of the most important post production facilities in the United States. Most Valley residents have at one time or another had the occasion of visiting one of the 29 massive sound stages or business offices. On the 20 acre "back lot", set imitating just about every major location stand ready for yet another reworking for a film or t.v. show.
The next time you see a Warner Brothers film, take time to watch the "credits" at the end. Artists, actors and artisans, many who live in the San Fernando Valley, represent the Studio's phenomenal arsenal of talents. Editors, costume designers, set makers, lighting experts, construction workers, actors, scenic artists and a plethora of other crafts-persons make Warner Brothers, not only a Valley treasure, but a world class asset as well.
In 1928, the Warner Brothers, Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack bought a struggling First National Pictures built just two years earlier on what had been farmland. The money for the purchase came from the huge success of their first talking motion picture, The Jazz Singer. Within one year, the "studio system" was developing at full speed. 86 films were created at Warner Brothers in that year.
Since many of the stars and artists, such as film composers, lived in the greater San Fernando Valley, they will be subjects of separate histories presented by The Museum. The list of classic American films, writers and directors is simply amazing. The talented men, women and children who worked, and continue to work, on Warner Brothers' films are a major reason why the San Fernando Valley is rightfully called "the creative capital of the world."

Warner Brothers Studio
4000 Warner Brothers Boulevard
Burbank, CA