Hooray for Preservation! Plus, James Cagney, Fred Astaire, and Rita Hayworth.

It is always weird writing about yourself in the third person, but here's an article I wrote recently about my involvement with Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, a non-profit theatre dedicated to preserving classic films and music, and why preservation in general is so important to me.

 Lara Scott is a mom on a mission.

When she walked into Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, CA, for the very first time, she felt like she had been transported back in time to the 1920s or 1930s. “I thought that this was what my grandparents must have meant when they talked about how going to a movie used to be a glamorous experience, and something powerful enough to distract them from the fact that they were living through the Great Depression,” she said.

Lara feels like classic films are so important, not just because they are great entertainment and have to rely on a compelling story rather than special effects to hold an audience's attention, but also because they show us who we are and where we have come from, giving us a glimpse into a world that has vanished. And they have a personal connection for her, too. She says, “Some of my earliest memories are of watching old movies with my dad; I remember being a little kid and watching James Cagney tap dance down the White House stairs in Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Fred Astaire and Judy Garland singing together in Easter Parade. When I see these films now, I feel like it brings me closer to my dad, even though he lives on the other side of the country.”

The very first movie she saw at Old Town Music Hall was 1923’s The White Sister, a silent film starring Lillian Gish and Ronald Colman, accompanied live by owner and host Bill Field on the Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. Lara was blown away, saying, “It was incredible. I had always thought silent films were boring, but watching it on the big screen with the live music and sound effects that Bill added brought the story to life in a way that had me in tears.”

Lara’s day job is co-hosting the morning show on local radio station 95.9 The Fish, and hosting the internationally syndicated World Chart Show. In 2012, she started a blog called “Old Hollywood, New Glitz”  that celebrates her love of classic film, Art Deco, and the Great American Songbook. She is also working on a forthcoming book that will spotlight Old Hollywood spots and experiences in Southern California. While looking online for places to review she stumbled across Old Town Music Hall.

“I thought that maybe they hosted a screening or two a month, but was so impressed to look at the schedule and realize that they are showing classic films every weekend on the big screen, along with hosting 2-3 concerts a month on Sunday nights. And when I realized that Bill, along with a small group of dedicated volunteers, had been doing all of this on his own for years I was even more impressed. He is a very sweet and incredibly talented man.”

After attending a few more movies, including Yankee Doodle Dandy and Bittersweet, she became concerned that not enough people knew about the theater and were coming out to support it for it to stay open. Lara offered to set up an Old Town Music Hall Twitter account, and continues to update it daily.

“There is a book I love called Vintage Los Angeles,” she said, “but there is a list at the back of the book of historic places that have been demolished. Even some of the places that the author wrote about in the book as places you could visit had closed by the time I tried to go see them in the year after the book came out. I also hear about the great work that the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles and the LA Conservancy do when it comes to saving places that are in danger of destruction, and I felt like I had to do something, too. My heart actually hurts when I hear about a historic building being torn down, because I think of the beauty and the stories that are lost, things that we will never be able to get back. Since I’m not able to do a lot of volunteering in person at this point—I’m usually either at work or with my son—I decided to take my activism online.”

While visiting Old Town Music Hall in March 2013, Bill Field introduced Lara to Oscar-winning producer and director James Moll, who has a long history with the theatre. His mom and stepdad were introduced by Field and his late business partner Bill Coffman in the 1970s, and James has been coming to see movies and concerts there ever since. When he attended a movie in December 2012, James realized that Bill needed some help, and stepped in to put together a new movie schedule and make some improvements to the historic 1921 building. When James invited Lara to join an Old Town Music Hall advisory committee that he was forming to spread the word about the theater, she eagerly accepted.

Lara is excited about the growing buzz surrounding Old Town Music Hall, and is honored to be playing a small part of its resurgence. She also says that her interest in helping to save Old Town Music Hall is with an eye on the next generation. “My son is four, and right now anything starring Thomas the Train is his favorite movie. But one day, I can’t wait to bring him to Old Town Music Hall and tell him who Rita Hayworth was, or show him what Los Angeles looked like when W.C. Fields was filming crazy car chases through the streets, and hopefully create some memories that will be special to my son when he is my age.”

Style Guide: Bob It Like (Clara) Bow Or (Louise) Brooks

In the exuberant and excessive 1920s, the hot hairstyle was all about the freedom and movement of the bob. In fact, when you think of a flapper, the image that might come to mind is of a chic gal who is “lovely, expensive, and about 19,” as F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, dancing wildly with her short hair flying around her. Rocking the bob even in modern times can show off your independence, your flair, and a whole lot of sass. 

A Short History Of The Bob

When the bob first appeared, during World War 1, women were heading to work and no longer had time to fuss with long hair or complicated styles. Plus, short hair also represented the freedom and independence that came with many women earning their own money for the first time and celebrating the fact that they had just gained the right to vote. And short hair worked well with the small, neat, cloche hats that seemed to adorn every head for part of the 1920s. And it is still hot today; it seems like every few years, an actress cuts her hair and we see headlines proclaiming things like, "The bob is back!" Plus, the bob pops up in the front row of fashion shows on Vogue Magazine's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

Perhaps the most well-known bob belonged to silent film actress Louise Brooks, star of Pandora’s Box, Diary of A Lost Girl, and many more films in the 1920s and 1930s. Her short, sleek “Dutch Boy” 'do was actually based on a toddler’s haircut, and it kicked off a huge trend, similar to what happened when Jennifer Anison debuted “The Rachel” on Friends. Plus, the length that just grazed the cheek, blunt bangs, and slightly angled cut on the ends were very complementary to Art Deco lines and angles (the big design style at the time). But not all bobs were straight; Clara Bow was on trend when she cut her hair into a bob, and would often wear her hair tousled with a headband or scarf wound through her tresses. When you start with a great cut, there are really no rules when it comes to styling.

How To Get The Look
  
Tatiana Rohrberg, a licensed esthetician and professional hair stylist at a renowned spa in Los Angeles, told us that just about every day at least one of her clients requests a bob!  Here she shares insights and tips for bobbin' it like Bow or Brooks.

·         Decide if you want your hair bob to be straight or curly. Tatiana always asks her clients the following question: “How long do you want to spend in the morning doing your hair?” For example, if you have naturally curly hair but want a flat/straight bob, plan to spend at least 20 minutes in the morning on your hair (blow-dry completely, apply product to smooth down flyaway hairs, flat iron, etc.). 

·         For straight bobs, plan to keep a small iron in your purse or bag at all times. Throughout the day, as your hair is exposed to environmental components and moisture, your hair might tend to frizz or curl. A handy small flat iron can help you touch up your straight bob throughout the day. Sleek hair is the hardest to maintain! 

·         Minimize hair product—it can weigh down the hair. However, for added shine, use an anti-frizz hair product. 

·         Length is important! Your best bob depends on your face and makeup. For example, bobs should accentuate a woman’s jaw line. For a heavier jaw line, opt for a longer bob. If the jaw line is more defined, then a shorter bob will complement it. Long faces usually have longer bobs. Barbara Streisand is a great example of a long face and long bob—and it not only shows off her healthy hair but also moves gracefully with her. The bob is all about the natural movement of the hair. Also, remember that if you have wet curly hair, it will be slightly shorter once it dries, so be sure to consider that fact when you’re figuring out the bob length.

·         Use a silk pillowcase to preserve your bob while you sleep! It calms the hair (and can help decrease wrinkles on your face as a bonus) and can extend the duration of your style.

Styling Your Bob

1. Blow dry your hair completely and ensure there is no moisture in the hair. This is very important for those who want the flat/straight hair bob. When drying your hair, be sure to start from the back. Section the hair, and use a vented brush. Dry your hair in one direction (from left to right), and then reverse the direction.

2. Part your hair however you choose. For curly hair, comb your hair up and see where it falls naturally. Note that a curly hair bob looks better with a side part. If you have bangs, then the part will usually be in the middle. A general tip for those without bangs but are still wanting the bob is to part the hair in such a way that it lines up with the highest mid-part of one of your eyebrows.

3. If you want a sleek bob, section off your hair and then flat iron each section. After you have flattened all the hair, use the iron to curve the ends framing your jaw line so that the bob hugs your face. If you want to add curls to your bob, Tatiana suggests using a non-clip hot stick rather than a traditional curling iron, which is faster and more efficient in creating tight spirals or loose waves. Wait until all the curls are completely cool, and then spray your entire head lightly, holding the hairspray at least 12 inches from your head. The bob should naturally move when you shake your head and not be stiff.

Now get out there and dance the night away! Or at least look super cute when you head to the office or the park with the kids.

Art Deco Building Focus: Saban Theatre In Beverly Hills

I (Lara) went the the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills for the first time recently (to see a performance of Stomp!) and just fell in love with the place. It's such a little Art Deco jewel (there is no balcony) that I wanted to pick it up and put it in my pocket and take it home with me. Even my hubby, who is not so much into the Deco stuff but has been dragged to decorative places all over town, said that the Saban is by far his favorite.

The Saban opened as the Fox Wilshire in 1930 with the premiere of the Marx Brothers film Animal Crackers. I'm guessing that Groucho's famous eyebrows went up in surprise at the sheer lavishness of the theater and the building that housed it. It was built for the Fox Film Corporation, and there was even an Art Deco penthouse at the top for the Vice President of Fox; the Oviatt Building in Downtown Los Angeles (home of Cicada Restaurant) also has a Deco penthouse.

Architect S. Charles Lee designed the Saban. If his name sounds familiar, it's probably because he did many famous buildings in Southern California, like the Tower Theatre, Bruin Theatre, and Los Angeles Theatre. There are so many lovely features to enjoy at the Saban, like ziggurats over doors, a terrazzo sunburst at the entrance, Art Deco wall sconces, and a spacious rotunda that reminds me of the Wiltern Theatre. The theatre was renovated, but they did a wonderful job sticking close to the original design!

Originally, the Saban was a  first-run movie house that also featured some live theatre. Remember that back in the day, film companies had their own theatres to show their own films, so it must have been very exciting for Fox to set up camp in such a glamorous neighborhood. Plus, talking pictures were still new when the theatre opened, so I'm sure people came in droves to take them in.

The Saban has not shown films since the 1980s, but now hosts live events. I absolutely recommend going to a show so you can enjoy some entertainment and hang in this beautiful theatre!

Takeaway Tips:

1. There is a parking garage next door under an office building, but it gets really jammed right before showtime and right after. You can also look for street parking.

2. There is a cute little bar/restaurant adjacent to the Saban, but--like the garage--it is packed just before shows. Get there really early, or plan to grab a bite somewhere else in the neighborhood.

Contact Info:

Saban Theatre
8440 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

323-655-0111

www.SabanTheatre.org
www.twitter.com/Saban_Theatre

Q & A: Where To Dine/Dance In Socal

If you need  a recommendation for somewhere glamorous/unique/Old Hollywood/Art Deco-y to go, email us! You can also browse through our previous posts, and we will give you 30 places in Southern California to check out in our upcoming book. 

Here's a note we recently received from Jim: 

Hi....really enjoyed your piece on the Cicada Club.....I am a former L.A.  resident (Fairfax, Westwood, Brentwood) coming back into town this weekend and was trying to find a place to dance on Saturday night....The CC came up (which led me to your blog story)...but not much else...(The Edison downtown?? Teddy's/Roosevelt Hotel in H'wood?))  Any ideas to help out an old kinda neighbor?

And our response: 

Hi Jim!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed our blog on Cicada!
 

 A wonderful place you could check out is The Sky Room in Long Beach. It's at the top of the historic Breakers building (with a view to die for), and it looks like a sleek nightclub Fred and Ginger would have waltzed across back in the day.  There's a  dance floor and a really nice crowd. The food is also fantastic--I absolutely recommend having dinner and staying to dance...it is definitely worth the drive.

If you're staying more in the DTLA or Hollywood area...The Edison is amazing (mellow at dinnertime, more of a young club vibe later in the night and definitely make a dinner reservation), The Roosevelt is great for dinner at any of their restaurants and just hanging out, and I LOVE Cleo at The Redbury (right at the corner of Hollywood and Vine) for dinner. Sadly, there aren't too many supper clubs like Cicada and The Sky Room that have dinner and dancing to bands...but, hopefully that will change.

Also, have you heard about the Deco ball on Catalina every May? It's amazing, and it's held in the Casino and put on by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles with a big band and dancing all night. 

Let me know if you check out any of these places, and how you like them.  Have a wonderful visit!

Lara

Contact Info:
The Sky Room
40 South Locust Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 983-2703
TheSkyRoom.com

Tour: A Historic Afternoon in Culver City

Culver City (founded by Harry Culver and incorporated in 1917) was once looked at as the perfect halfway point to stop and rest when coming from Southern California's beautiful beaches to a wild night out in Hollywood. It is still a great layover stop, but now has so many fun things to do that it's also a great destination all on its own! Here are four Old Hollywood/New Glitz-y places to check out when you've got a few hours or a whole weekend to spare.

1. The Culver Hotel

Affectionately known as "The Pie Slice" because of its shape, this boutique hotel (which once housed stars like Clark Gable and The Munchkins while they filmed at nearby MGM) has the charm of the Golden Age of Hollywood and lots of modern amenities. Plan an overnight stay, or pop in for live music in the evening or Sunday brunch.

You can also sneak up the stairs off the lobby to the Mezzanine Lounge and kick back on a comfy couch and zebra print rug. This intimate, luxurious area would be perfect for hosting an event! www.CulverHotel.com


2. MGM (Now Sony Pictures Studios and Home of Columbia Pictures )

Here's a picture of the Irving Thalberg Building, which houses all of the Oscars that Columbia Pictures has won for Best Film. You'll get to see the actual statues in the lobby of this building when you take the studio tour, which is reasonably priced and about two hours long. You'll also see things like the soundstage where Judy Garland recorded "Over the Rainbow" and the sets of game shows like Wheel of Fortune, along with getting to shop in the studio store (where we bought a shirt for a toddler that said "Sony Pictures Director").

If you're an Art Deco fan, keep an eye out for lots of Deco details on the tour, like vertical features, symmetrical windows, rounded corners, and speed lines on buildings, along with metalwork that's reminiscent of flowers, plants, and waves. http://sonypicturesstudios.com/


3. Helms Bakery District

The Helms Bakery (opened in 1931) was the official bakery that supplied bread for the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The bakery closed in 1969, but the complex has found new life as a shopping and dining destination. Don't miss Arcana: Books on the Arts and HD Buttercup, which had me (Lara) wanting to redo my whole house with furniture from this gorgeous store. To give you energy to spend the whole day here, grab a latte at La Dijonaise!

Wouldn't you love to see this stylish Streamline Moderne truck/van roll up to your house with freshly baked goodies? http://helmsbakerydistrict.com/

4. Kirk Douglas Theatre (formerly the Culver Theatre)

The Culver Theatre opened right next to MGM in 1947, and was built in the Streamline Moderne style. Originally a movie palace, it's now known as the Kirk Douglas Theatre and is a great place to see a play! A recent renovation has freshened things up but kept some of those wonderful Art Deco details, like the the tower and the box office. Try to drive by at night so you can see it lit up in all its glory!  http://www.centertheatregroup.org/

If you've been to Culver City, what's your favorite place? Email us or leave a comment!

Movie: OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS

OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS

Release Date: September 1, 1928

Starring: Joan Crawford, Anita Page, Dorothy Sebastian, and John Mack Brown.

Director: Harry Beaumont

Produer: Hunt Stromberg

Studio: MGM

Running Time: 85 Minutes

It is hard to go wrong with a movie that begins with a close-up of Joan Crawford’s legs and feet, fringe from her dress flying, as she does the Charleston, followed by her putting on a fabulous, graphic-print, fur-trimmed coat. Our Dancing Daughters is worth seeing for the first three minutes alone! But we hope you will take the whole thing in, because visually this silent film is an Art Deco feast, and the movie that brought Deco to the masses in 1928. Plus, it is the vehicle that made Joan Crawford a star (she remained one for the next 50 years), and it is a treat to see her about jumping off the screen and bursting with youthful energy. 

Joan plays “Dangerous” Diana Medford, a gal who hides her heart of gold behind a party girl persona and says things to her mom (who seems a lot cooler with the whole flapper thing than, oh, about 99% of the other parents out there) like, “I’m going to the yacht club—see you at dawn!”

Our Dancing Daughters was the first in a trilogy of films that included Our Modern Maidens and Our Blushing Brides that celebrated the modern, empowered woman. The film was released a year before the stock market crash, so the Jazz Age was at the height of prosperity and exuberance, with people dancing on top of tables, swilling gin, and stripping down to their teddies. Watching a movie as vibrant as Our Dancing Daughters really gives you a sense of what it was like as a whole generation of lovely young things was finding its identity, and it might even inspire you to deck yourself out in dresses with sequins, beading, and fringe. Long necklaces and fur wraps adorn the stars of the movie as they head out to party, and then during the day they sport menswear-inspired attire, looking perfectly chic every moment, thanks to costumes by David Cox and Adrian.   

MGM Art Director Cedric Gibbons gave the sets of Our Dancing Daughters an opulent look with lots of black and white, ginormous staircases, geometric accents, and random dancing figurines. The public saw the movie and said, “Yes, please—we want to live in this style, too,” and the Art Deco craze was launched. Even though many trends have come and gone since Our Dancing Daughters was released, there is a timeless wonderfulness to the film that will most likely motivate you to explore what it meant to be a flapper, and to perhaps experiment with what a well-placed dancing figurine can do for a room. You will also never think of Joan Crawford only as Mommy Dearest ever again.

A Playlist Of Modern Singers Singing The Great American Songbook

First of all, we have to give some love to Michael Buble for bringing a lot of attention to The Great American Songbook , which is a group of American songs written roughly between 1920 and 1960. Here was this young, handsome kid belting out songs like “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Come Fly With Me” with classic arrangements, yet making them sound fresh (and thank you David Foster for the fabulous production). In my (lara’s) opinion, Michael’s success definitely has opened doors for many other artists who are also singing this music, and it is my pleasure to tell you about a few of them here. If you have a favorite who is not mentioned, let us know about them in the Comments. Happy Listening!

I have not listed these in any particular order, but I programmed this just like I would the music on a radio show for a nice variety of sound.

1.    Carol Welsman—“I’ll Be Around”  Carol is a tall, blonde, Canadian vocalist and pianist who has put out seven albums since her debut in 1995, and received five Juno nominations (that’s the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys). As you listen to this song, hear the confidence with which she assures the lover who is jilting her that she’ll be around…after things fall apart with his new love and he realizes Carol is the one for him. Chills!

2.    Tony DeSare—“Get Happy” I was blown away by the energy Tony brought to his set when I saw him live in June. Maybe that has something to do with his left hand piano style?  Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler wrote “Get Happy,” which was was introduced by legendary singer Ruth Etting in 1930; most people probably think of Judy Garland singing it in 1950’s Summer Stock (her last film). Tony’s version will take you to the Promised Land and beyond!

3.    Queen Latifah—“The Lady Is A Tramp” Who knew, back in 1994 when we first saw Queen Latifah (real name: Dana Owens) rapping on “U.N.I.T.Y.” on MTV that she would one day put on red lipstick and pearls and take on the classics? She does it brilliantly, and brings sass and some seriously smooth vocals to “The Lady Is A Tramp,” which is the song Frank Sinatra sang to Rita Hayworth in Pal Joey. Bravo!

4.    Seth MacFarlane—“Laura” When I look at Seth, he reminds me of a more handsome version of Peter Brady. A Peter Brady that can act, host, do voices, write, produce, sing, and direct, to name just a few of Seth’s talents.  When he was young, he trained with some vocal coaches that once worked with Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra (!!!), and has talked about having an attraction to the great American songbook.  “Laura” is on Seth’s album Music Is Better Than Words, and features lyrics by Johnny Mercer that were added to a tune composed by David Raskin for the 1944 Dana Andrews/Gene Tierney film of the same name.

5.    Joseph Leo Bwarie—I Can’t Give You Anything But Love None other than the legendary Garry Marshall described Joseph as “three of the most exciting words in show business.” And he should know; the two often collaborate on productions at Marshall’s Falcon Theatre in Toluca Lake, California. Joe Leo got a huge break when he landed the role of Frankie Valli in the hugely successful musical “Jersey Boys,” and is now breaking out with a solo recording career.  He's also a lot of fun to follow on Twitter (www.twitter.com/JosephLeoBwarie), where he talks about everything from crab cakes in Maryland to upcoming shows.

6.    Renee Olstead—“(I’d Like To Get You On A) Slow Boat To China”  I love this arrangement of Frank Loesser’s 1948 song, which is poppy and features Carol Welsman on background vocals. This song can be found on Renee’s self-titled album of pop and jazz standards that came out in 2004, when Renee was 14 (!!!) yet somehow delivered a performance that is sultry, knowing, and cheeky.  Renee is also an actress, and just wrapped up a run on the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Listen to Renee here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNocl8cqMDs

7.    Dave Damiani—“Everything Happens To Me” Dave performs regularly around Los Angeles with his small group, his 10-piece orchestra, and his 17-piece orchestra! I saw him recently fronting a big band, and was so impressed; his album is titled “Watch What Happens,” which is perfect since he is definitely a new artist to keep an eye on. Enjoy his mournful crooning about everything from black cats crossing his path to getting the measles in this classic 1940 tune.

8.     Nicole Henry—“Like Someone In Love”  Nicole grew up singing at school and in church, and after doing very well as an actress and voiceover artist she decided to devote herself to a singing career. Yay! Nicole brings her sultry vocals to this jazzy interpretation of a 1944 song by Jimmy van Heusen and Johnny Burke, which was also a hit for artists like Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby. And as a gal who grew up in Florida, I’m happy to say that Nicole lives in Miami…where there are a lot of  beautiful Art Deco buildings.

9.    Jonny Blu—“Mack the Knife” I had the pleasure of seeing Jonny perform at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, and he sang flawlessly in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese! Plus, he performed two songs on the ukulele.  ‘Nuff said.

10. Tamela D’Amico—“One For My Baby”  Tamela has been dubbed “Sinatra in Heels,” and she channels Frank’s emotional delivery in this classic tune. Although, in real life, she is making beautiful music with singer Billy Vera! Tamela is amazingly talented, as she not only sings, but also is an actress and a filmmaker.  In fact, her filmmaking made her a Top 24 finalist in the reality show On The Lot, which was produced by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett.

  

Bonus:

Chris Botti and Michael Buble—“”Let There Be Love” I listen to so many Standards that it’s no wonder my young son walked up to a little girl on the playground and introduced himself by saying, “Helloooo, cuckoo!” Five minutes later, they were holding hands and sitting in a swing. Michael sings lines like, “Let there by cuckoos, a lark and a dove,” while Chris plays his trumpet and women swoon.