Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/38228
wanted to demolish it in 1949. After outspoken public protests, the Hollywood Chamber of Com- merce acquired the Sign, removed the word “land,” and rechristened it the “Hollywood Sign.” Homes After Tracy Shoults early death in July 1923, S. H. Woodruff replaced him as lead developer of Hollywoodland. He allowed only four archi- tectural styles on the development’s hillsides: French Normandy, English Tudor, Mediter- ranean, and Spanish. Lead architect DeLario de- signed the magnificent Castillo del Lago overlooking Lake Hollywoodland, and created Beachwood Village at the development’s en- trance. He conceived a massive estate of seven levels to be built on the peak above the Holly- John Lautner designed additions to Wolf’s Lair, as well as a redesign of the Super Market exterior in the 1950s as well. Residents Artists, musicians, and actors have called Holly- woodland home over the years because of its sophis- ticated atmosphere and somewhat secluded location. Graphics designer Romain di Tirtoff, also known as Erte, was the first celebrity resident of the neighbor- hood. Actors as diverse as Bela Lugosi, Robert Mont- gomery, Gale Sondergaard, Ned Beatty, Spring Byington. Jon Cryer, and Kathy Bates have lived here. Such artists as writer James M. Cain, writer Aldous Huxley, screenwriter/director Herbert Biberman, film director Norman Z. McLeod, and composers Max Steiner and Miklos Rozsa have also called it home. Musicians like Benny Carter, Stan Kenton, Peter Tork, Madonna, and Moby have also resided in the area. Movies The area has also hosted numerous movie and television shoots over the years. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, It Conquered the World, House of the Damned, Down Three Dark Streets, Hollywood Boulevard, The Limey, Return From Witch Moun- tain, Mulholland Drive, and the upcoming feature The Artist have filmed in Hollywoodland. Television shows like Monk and The Closer have also filmed here. Throughout the years, many films have in- cluded quick shots of the Hollywood Sign in them as location signifiers or comic footnotes, including Hol- lywood Blvd., Earthquake, Superman, Mighty Joe Young, The Truman Show, The Day After Tomorrow, and this summer’s Friends With Benefits. While opened for development in 1923, Holly- woodland continues to bewitch current Hollywood residents with its grace, elegance, and charm. DH Mary Mallory is author of Arcadia Publishing's "Hollywoodland" woodland Sign for comedy producer Mack Sen- nett, but which was never constructed because of Sennett’s financial problems. Other respected architects also designed sophisti- cated homes, which added to the fairy tale atmosphere of the area. L. Milton Wolf built the large English Tudor Wolf’s Lair at the top of Flagmoor Place. Renowned architect Richard Neutra created the Mosk House on Hollyridge Drive in 1934, and based on Hollywood Heritage's S. H. Woodruff Collection. It docu- ments the history of the neighborhood at the upper end of Beach- wood Canyon, best known for its giant advertising billboard, now the Hollywood Sign. The book's 180 photographs also include images from Bison Archives, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci- ences, the author, and individuals. The 127 page book is available at the Hollywood Heritage Museum and other local bookstores and re- tails for $21.99. Ms. Mallory serves on the Hollywood Heritage Board of Directors and the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Studio City Neighborhood Council. She also writes theatre reviews for "The Tolu- can Times" and occasional posts for The Daily Mirror. SUMMER 2011 / DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD 37 ABOVE: Holly- woodland Sign illu- minated at night, circa 1930 Courtesy of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences LEFT: Woman poses with street sign on Mulholland High Way, circa 1926 Courtesy of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences