Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/13146
Places of interest Avalon Hollywood (formerly The Palace) 1735 N. Vine St., (323) 467-4571. Opened in 1927 as the Hollywood Playhouse, it was the El Capitan in the 40s and hosted the famed Ken Murray’s “Blackouts” and “Hollywood Palace” TV show in the 50s. (See MUSIC) Bethany Towers 1745 N. Gramercy Pl., (323) 467-3121. For- merly Marsden Apartments built by Mary Pick- ford’s mother; Jack Benny used its penthouse apartment as his Hollywood pied a terre. Now Hollywood’s largest non-profit senior residence. American Society of Cinematographers Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Mary Pickford Center 1313 N. Vine St., (310) 247-3000. Built in 1949 and the first Hollywood studio de- signed for television. Many early TV variety, quiz shows and sitcoms of its day including “Queen For A Day” and “I Love Lucy” were broadcast from here. In addition to the 286- seat Linwood Dunn Theater, the building houses several Academy departments, in- cluding the offices and collections of the Academy Film Archive. www.oscars.org (See FILM) Alto Nido Apartments 1851 N. Ivar Ave. William Holden’s apart- ment in the ‘50s film noir classic “Sunset Boulevard” in which he co-starred with Glo- ria Swanson. American Film Institute 2021 N. Western Ave., (323) 856-7600. Historic Immaculate Heart College’s 1906 campus buildings now house famed institute and one of the best film and video libraries in the world. www.afi.com (See FILM) American Society of Cinematographers 1782 N. Orange Ave., (323) 969-4333. Built in 1903, this classic Mission Revival residence has been lovingly cared for by the Society since 1936. www.theasc.com Autry National Center/ Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way, (323) 667- 2000. Founded by Gene Autry, “The Singing Cowboy,” outstanding state-of-the- art museum is a tribute to the spirit that set- tled the American West. www.theautry.org (See VISUAL ARTS, FAMILY, FILM, MUSIC) 10 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / SUMMER 2010 Bronson Caves Brush Canyon (at the top of Canyon Drive). Used as backdrops for countless movies and TV shows such as “Gunsmoke” and “Bo- nanza,” the jungle island in the original “King Kong,” Gene Autry’s first serial, “The Phantom Empire,” a distant planet in “Star Trek: The Movie,” and the entrance to Bat- man’s bat-cave in TV’s “Batman” and the first “Batman” movie. Chateau Marmont Celebrity Centre International/Manor Hotel 5930 Franklin Ave., (323) 960-3100. The for- mer was Hollywood’s first residential hotel Chateau Elysee. Guests included Clark Gable, Mary Pickford, Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Ginger Rogers. Charlie Chaplin Studios (Jim Henson Company) 1416 N. La Brea Ave., (323) 802-1500. Built in 1918 to resemble a row of English country homes, Chaplin made many of his films here in- cluding “Modern Times” and “City Lights.” For- merly A&M Records, the studio was purchased by Jim Henson Productions, who honored Chap- lin with a statue of Kermit the Frog dressed like the Little Tramp. Tours are available through Ad- ventures by Disney; (818) 295-4630. Chase Bank 1500 N. Vine St., (323) 466-1121. Unusual mosaics, murals and stained glass created by noted California artist Millard Sheets depict Hollywood personalities. Chateau Marmont 8221 Sunset Blvd., (323) 656-1010. Since 1929, castle-like hotel has been popular with stars for its privacy. From secret romances to un- timely deaths, guests include Errol Flynn, Bob Dylan, Paul Newman, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Jim Morrison, Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, and John Belushi who died there. Cinerama Dome 6360 Sunset Blvd., (323) 464-4226. Re- stored as part of the Arclight Hollywood movie-going experience, the unique geo- desic-shaped theatre designed by Buckmin- ster Fuller was built in 1963. (See FILM) CBS/Columbia Square Site of planned development was network broadcasting headquarters from which early radio and TV shows emanated. (See TV TIX) Cahuenga Pass Ancient gateway to Hollywood centuries ago by Native Americans. Called “Cahuenga” or “Little Hills,” it was traveled by Spanish explorer Don Gaspar de Portola and 80 years later by Kit Carson. In 1886, Kansas prohibitionist Harvey Wilcox and his wife, Daeida, bought 120 acres of the Cahuenga Valley and named their home “Hollywood.” Capitol Records 1750 N. Vine St., (323) 462-6252. World’s first circular office building and one of Holly- wood’s landmarks. Built in 1956, the light on its rooftop spire flashes “H-O-L-L-Y-W-O-O-D” in Morse code. Gold albums of its many artists displayed in lobby. John Lennon and other Capitol artists’ stars on sidewalk. Crossroads of the World 6671 Sunset Blvd., (323) 463-5611. His- torical landmark built as “the world’s first modern shopping center” in 1936, an ar- chitectural potpourri with Streamline Mod- erne, pseudo Spanish, Tudor, Moorish and French Provencial styles. Now an office complex, it is listed on National Register of Historic Places. Used for scenes in “L.A. Confidential” and “Indecent Proposal.” De Longpre Park 6500 De Longpre Ave. A lovely old “pocket” park in neighborhood one block south of Sunset Blvd. Jerry Fuller, a young songwriter, is said to have penned “Travelin’ Man,” a Rick Nelson hit, on a bench in the park. Fea- tures two Rudolph Valentino sculptures.