Billy Wilder’s 1950 film noir classic, Sunset Boulevard, won three Academy Awards and has inspired countless viewers to wrap their heads in leopard-print scarves while perfecting lines like, “We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces!”
What is it about this film that has helped it stand the test of time? Perhaps it’s William Holden’s cleft chin, or nostalgia for the early days of film. Or, maybe we all just like seeing Gloria Swanson, a true silent screen goddess making the mother of all comebacks in this film, do her Charlie Chaplin routine.
Get a
primer on the film below, and then join us at Old Town Music Hall (www.OldTownMusicHall.org) to see Sunset Boulevard on the big screen
7/12-7/14.
1. When a crazy former silent film star (Norma Desmond) falls for you (Joe Gillis) – try not to get shot and end up in her pool, even if you do make the most handsome corpse ever. Besides, how can you do a voice over of your own life when you’re dead? Next time you want to leave, try sneaking out the back door while she is playing bridge with friends like Buster Keaton.
2. If you are a former silent film star that has not had a hit in, oh….decades, it is important to pay attention to your budget. When hiring staff, save pennies by hiring someone like Max, who can chauffeur, be a butler and play the organ. Yes, he may have once directed you and been your husband, but—bygones!
3. If you accept the role of Norma Desmond’s male “companion”– be that and only that. If she wants you to work on her great comeback screenplay where she will play a teenager, tell her to get a secretary. And if you want to hone your writing skills, start a blog.
4. While living with a former silent film star, don’t fall in love with any sweet ingénues like Betty Schaefer. True love does not exist in film noir, and you don’t have time for it anyway because you are busy attending funerals for monkeys and driving through the hills with Norma and Max.
5. Even though you are losing your grip on reality, one must always remember their adoring public and make an entrance like the queen of the screen you once were. Assemble the police, the press, and Cecil B. DeMille, and descend the stairs of your mansion to deliver one of the most famous lines in history: “All right, Mr. DeMille. I’m ready for my close-up.”
Authors Tracey
LaMonica and Lara Scott are on the advisory committee for Old Town Music Hall
in El Segundo, CA, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit dedicated to preserving classic
films and music.
The Scoop in one sentence... Desmond’s:A breathtaking glimpse
of the Deco Days along Wilshire’s Miracle Mile.
In the early 2000s, I (Lara) would attend concerts at the El
Rey Theatre in the Miracle Mile District of Wilshire Boulevard pretty
frequently, as I didn’t have a child and could do things like stay out ‘til 2 a.m.
on a Tuesday. As I enjoyed a pre- or post-show feast nearby at IHOP (which
seemed to be the only place in the area to eat), I would feel sad—I could sense
that there was great history to the area, it had an enviable mid-city location
that made it about halfway to everywhere, and there were all these cool
buildings that looked like they just needed some TLC to shine once again.
So
why wasn’t it hoppin’? Cut to 2013, and the Miracle Mile is about to come
roaring back in a way it hasn’t since the 1920s. And the style of the area all
began with one amazing building: Desmond’s, which opened as the Wilshire Tower.
The Past
Wilshire Boulevard, which today is a bustling street, began
as a narrow lane between Downtown Los Angeles and the Westside. Its name came from
the guy who made the road: Gaylord Wilshire. The Miracle Mile nickname for this
stretch of Wilshire came from something that a friend said to developer A.W.
Ross, who had a grand vision for the area: "From the way you talk, A.W.,
one would think this is really a miracle
mile."
Gilbert Stanley Underwood (who also designed the Los Angeles
Federal Courthouse, in addition to many other notable structures) was the
architect of Desmond’s, and when it opened in 1928 it was the first major
building along Wilshire’s Miracle Mile. It established the design style for the
area as Art Deco, and also had a huge advantage over the stores in Downtown LA:
Parking!
Desmond’s department store was located on the first floor (there were
offices on the higher floors), and it was an exciting moment for shoppers to
roll up, park right at the store, and stroll in. And then you could shop ‘til
you dropped and have your packages brought right to your car, rather than
schlepping them around on foot, which you might have had to do Downtown (which
was not planned with cars in mind).
The Deco Details
Where do I start? Sigh. I love this building. Let’s start
with neon. Desmond’s was one of the first department stores to embrace neon,
and they did it in a big way; their sign could be seen all the way from Downtown
Los Angeles!
One of the materials used in building Desmond’s was a new
development in the 1920s called Vitrolite, a pigmented structural glass that
could be used on the interior and exterior of a building and was not as expensive
as terra cotta.
The rounded corners and sleek green banding on Desmond’s
remind us that the second phase of Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, was just a few
years away. But the exotic feel of ZigZag Moderne, the first phase of Deco
(1925-early 1930s), was still very much on display, with repeating flora and
fauna patterns that seem to be telling a story.
In the 1920s, the world
suddenly became much smaller—it was the beginning of our world being as
connected as it is today. There was a big influence from folks traveling the
globe and the import/export business, with new ideas, designs, and materials
being brought back from every corner of the planet.
One of the signatures of
Art Deco, the chevron, was worked into a pattern on the floor.
And the beautiful elevators showed that
elements of a building that were functional could be beautiful and fashionable,
too.
Even the sidewalk had details
that beckoned shoppers inside, and I love the care that seemingly went into
treating shoppers’ eyes in every aspect of Desmond’s.
Takeaway Tips:
Take the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles’s
Miracle Mile guided walking tour, which is usually offered once or twice a
year. See www.adsla.org for more info. Even
after driving down Wilshire for many years, I had never noticed this building,
but fell in love with it on the tour and decided to research it.
Make your own walking tour. There‘s the Deco
Building at 5209 Wilshire Boulevard, which is a stunning example of Deco with
its rare black and gold terra cotta exterior. There is also the Samsung Building at 5525 Wilshire, and the El
Rey Theatre at 5515 Wilshire.
Live or work at Desmond’s. The same company that
runs The Deco Building has taken over Desmond’s, which is now known as The
Desmond and will have space for rent. If what they did at The Deco Building is any indication, Desmond's will soon be restored to its Golden Age glory!
Contact Info:
Desmond’s (a.k.a. The Desmond)
5514 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 592-3600
(this number connects you with The Deco Building, which has Desmond info)
The Park Plaza Hotel opened in 1925, right at the start of
the Art Deco years. It was designed by Art Deco architect Claud Beelman, and it was
originally an Elks Lodge (Lodge Number 99). The park referenced in the hotel’s name is MacArthur Park,
made famous by a certain Donna Summer song where someone has left a cake out in
the rain that took a really, really long time to bake.
Although the
hotel’s neighborhood, which is just outside of downtown Los Angeles, has
changed a lot since the 1920s, families still enjoy the park and its lake, and
it makes a beautiful view out the windows of the Park Plaza.
Walking up to the
hotel, it kind of felt like we were entering a glamorous tomb or temple, a
little reminiscent of the Egyptian Theatre or the Los Angeles Central Library.
The Park Plaza has angels perched on the outside, which gives a reassuring
feeling that someone is keeping an eye on things, and also the Golden Rule (“Do
unto others…”) carved right into the building above the entrance.
The Park Plaza has an Olympic history, as the basement pool hosted many
indoor swimming events in the 1932 games that were held in Los Angeles. The Elks
sold the building after their numbers started dwindling, and it became a luxury
hotel up until around 13 years ago.
Today, the Park Plaza Hotel is not actually a hotel anymore, but it hosts a lot of
weddings and events, although one of the gals who works there told us that
there was a chance it might reopen again as a hotel at some point. It is also
used for movie shoots; in fact, the lobby ceiling (painted by American muralist
Anthony Heinsbergen) was featured in David Lynch’s
film Wild At Heart.
Many of the wedding ceremonies at the Park Plaza take place on the massive
steps in the lobby, with the audience seated at the bottom of the stairs and
sunshine streaming in through the large windows above the main entrance.
After
the vows, the celebration moves to one of the Park Plaza’s four ballrooms
(there is also an outdoor space with a gazebo). There are also two bridal prep
rooms (one right next to a secret elevator). The Park
Plaza Hotel just feels like a place where there would be secret elevators and
doors to bring in women and booze during prohibition, and it turns out that the
building is full of them!
One of the ballrooms is the Grand Terrace Room, which once hosted
raves thrown by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, according to our Park Plaza guide.
Oh, to have been there in the 1990s with a glowstick….
The room has a cathedral/church feel to it, and there is a 1925
Robert Morton organ console in one of the corners. Back in the day, the organ
was hooked up to speakers in the Grand Terrace room and also in the lobby, so
someone could be playing in one room while the music was pumped throughout the
hotel. The perfect soundtrack to be playing as a handsome stranger that looks
like Tyrone Power locks eyes with you across the room…
Kudos to the folks that run the Park Plaza! There is a lovely,
mysterious feel to the place that you need to walk through the doors to
experience. We say that buildings are alive and have a soul, and this one seems
like it wants to be packed to the brim with glamorous folks enjoying themselves
once again.
The owners have done a beautiful job keeping things at this Los
Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument true to their original form; whatever design
is there, they just do the same design if it needs painting or any kind of
upkeep. Now, if only they could find a way to make the walls talk and reveal
their secrets…
5 Lessons Learned from Checking into Grand Hotel (By Tracey LaMonica
and Lara Scott)
1932’s Grand Hotel is showing this weekend at Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, CA
(www.OldTownMusicHall.org,), and this Best Picture Oscar winner is the film we can thank for
modern-day ensemble movies like What To Expect When You’re Expecting. Grand Hotel
featured the very first all-star cast, with superstars like Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John and
Lionel Barrymore, and Wallace Beery, and when MGM realized that there was serious coin to be
made from this kind of setup, they quickly followed it up with 1933's Dinner at Eight (also with
Beery and the Barrymores). As the lives of the guests intertwine at this fancy hotel, we learn a
few life lessons, such as the value of surrounding yourself with Art Deco and carving out some
quiet time for yourself.
1. Don’t hit on your hired stenographer. You hired her to type. Besides, she wants a titled
man, like the Baron. If she rejects you, do not drape yourself across her bed, even if she is
lounging pensively with her legs in the air. Try to hang onto a shred of your dignity.
2. If you’re a stenographer and DO want your boss to chase after you, employ “The
Smear.” Legendary makeup artist Max Factor came up with the idea of exaggerating Joan
Crawford’s natural lip line and painting her mouth dramatically, and it was a look that she kept
for the rest of her life. Wallace Beery is not the only one who can’t keep his eyes off her mouth;
we are in awe. Btw, here’s what Joan herself said about Grand Hotel (quote from www.legendaryjoancrawford.com): “Little Joan was called upon to match Garbo, Beery, and the
Barrymores, and she came off smelling like a rose.”
3. Don’t bother the fading ballerina, Baron. She is tired and wants to be alone. The line that
is famously associated with Greta Garbo (“I vant to be alone.”) was actually uttered by her
character, Grusinskaya, in Grand Hotel. Even though your career is on the decline and you need
a nap, when the man who steals your jewels admits to his crime, practice forgiveness and invite
him to go on a trip with you.
4. When you can’t find a woman to charm, Baron – there is always your dog.Since Baron
has fallen out of love with Flaemmchen (Joan’s character) , and (to be honest) the ballerina seems a little high-maintenance, there is always your very loyal little dog waiting for you. And
he DOESN’T vant to be alone. Admit that your dog is the one thing in the world you really love,
and kiss him.
5. Surround yourself with glorious Art Deco, and allow your set to become another
superstar co-star.Designed by MGM art director/production designer Cedric Gibbons (who
was married to actress Dolores del Rio), it is an Art Deco wonder. The vertigo-inducing circular
staircase, the round desk in the lobby, and the black and white checkered floor pattern showcase
early 1930s glamour at its finest. Unlike the Hotel California, this is one place we would like to
check into and never leave!
“And I like large parties.
They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.” ― F. Scott
Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
On Sunday early evening (Cinco de Mayo!), Lara and I (Cori) –
two Reviewers from Art Deco Divas – attended a small party for a private
showing of a collection of real costumes, accessories, and props used in Baz
Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby (2013) film.
Hosted by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles
(http://www.adsla.org/) at Century Guild in Culver City, the event delighted artists,
designers, and book/movie lovers with authentic Gatsby costume designs and set
pieces that personified glamour in the heyday of the Roaring Twenties.
When we entered the showcase room,
Carey Mulligan (who plays Daisy Buchanan in the film) decked out in her
Tiffany-diamond-decorated headband half-smiled at us via a beautiful picture
still. An avid fan of the book, I couldn't help but think she was the perfect
actress to play the part, as she simultaneously portrays the delicate between
beautiful innocence and whimsical carelessness. Mia Farrow in an early
adaptation was also apropos to play Daisy as an endearing hot mess. They both
represent that exceptional and rare beauty that would compel a man like Jay
Gatsby to want to own and protect.
Displayed on the wall were the
original drawings of the artists’ costumes designs. You could see the likeness
of the actors/actresses as they wore the elegant suits and dresses that were so
reminiscent of the Jazz Age, considered “the most decadent of all the decades.”
An interesting note is that the costumes were designed by Baz Luhrmann’s wife,
Catherine Martin.
As we excitedly made our way to the
actual costumes on display, we stopped to chat with Annamarie von Firley, owner
of renowned clothing store reVamp Vintage, which sells their own ready-to-wear
vintage-inspired line and also makes custom clothing.
If you’re ever at an event with
Annamarie (or make an appointment to visit her studio), you’ll likely be
inspired by her current projects and endeavors—like, serving as the head of the
Art Deco Society of Los Angeles (ADSLA) Event Committee, planning the annual
Art Deco Society ball on Catalina Island, running her successful business, and
oh….planning this costume preview event.
Feeling inspired from our chat with
Annamarie, we then oohed and aahed at the costumes meticulously positioned in a
scene straight out of the 20s, and I resisted the urge to stealthily limbo under
the velvet rope and sample one of the exquisite dresses.
We then turned to the portrait of Mulligan/Daisy in the backdrop of two more dresses. (Look for the
portrait in the film!)
Only the women were privy to an
additional portrait (see below) also used in the film, for it adorned the wall of the
Ladies restroom.
What was particularly fun about this event were all the guests,
some of whom were decked out in the “latest” 20s fashions—bedazzled headband
and all. Although it’s almost 100 years later, there is a luxurious – almost
intoxicating -- elegance from that time period in terms of fashion that still
resonates with people today.
We’re excited to see the film—and
view its costumes and accessories—not only because it visualizes one of the
great American novels, but maybe because of the nostalgia it inspires of an era
defined by prosperity, eccentricity, originality, and creative opportunity. It's no wonder then that I looked down the hallway at the classic automobile parked in the back and thought of escaping into opulence...even if only for a moment.
This
past week in Southern California has been unreal, with brilliant sunshine and
temps of 100 degrees! It got me (Lara) wanting to hear uptempo songs that make
my heart take flight, and I hope that these tunes make you feel the same way as
you look forward to some bright and wonderful days, whether you’re headed to
the beach right now with your suntan lotion and a copy of Us Weekly, or still
wearing UGG boots and earmuffs in a chilly part of the planet.
And btw…these songs
are timeless (whether they are vintage or simply vintage inspired), so they
won’t go out of style, unlike the monokini. Enjoy!
1.
“Ain't That A Kick In The Head”—Dean Martin
You
may have seen/heard Dino performing this in Ocean’s Eleven (the original with
Sinatra, not the Clooney version), and been charmed by his effortless swagger. Not
to mention his perfect head of thick, dark hair. “Like a sailor said, quote, Ain’t
that a hole in a boat?” After watching this on YouTube, google his Vegas medley
and hear one of my favorite Dino moments: After performing for about nine
seconds, he says, “How long have I been on?”
2.
“The Lady Is A Tramp”—Cast of Glee
Originally
introduced in the 1937 Rogers and Hart musical Babes in Arms, the cast of Glee
updated it for a new generation and made us fall in love with the song all over
again. I love how this version features a guy and girl singing together, and
even though the lyrics have never quite made sense to me (“I love the theatre,
but never come late”—if you love the theatre, WOULDN’T you arrive on time?!),
we swoon all the same when we hear it.
3.
“So Nice (Summer Samba)”—Astrud Gilberto
Cool
ocean breezes, salty air, lazy afternoons, and balmy nights…those are all right
here in Astrud’s sultry vocals, much like in another one of her hits, “The Girl
From Ipanema.” The Brazilian Bossa Nova legend’s version of “So Nice” is one of
the most well-known, although it’s been covered by something like 180 artists
over the years, including Baby Spice (Emma Bunton) of the Spice Girls!
Swinging with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
4.
“Go Daddy-O”—Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
They
stole our hearts in 1996’s Swingers, and I think they were hugely responsible
for all the big bands that have popped up and the general swing revival. Plus,
how do you not love a band of 55 men (I might be exaggerating a teensy bit)
that play while wearing sharp suits and hats? They were even decked out like
this when I saw them rock a huge crowd in the parking lot at Staples Center in
Downtown Los Angeles before a Los Angeles Lakers game on a sweltering
afternoon. Plan your life around catching one of their live shows.
5.
“Take The A Train”—Nikki Yanofsky
You
may have heard Nikki (who is beautiful and looks a bit like Selena Gomez, I
think) singing the Canadian National Anthem at the opening of the 2010 Winter
Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. If you listen to one of my stations, www.MartiniInTheMorning.com,
you know we have been fans of hers for years now. Nikki is all of 19, but has
the voice and soul of someone much older. She absolutely tears up this song,
which was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra.
6.
“Come Fly With Me”—Frank Sinatra
Remember
the days when flying was something glamorous that people got really excited
about and dressed up for? Me, neither, but I hear that really did used to
happen, and in this song (with music by Jimmy Van Heusen and lyrics by Sammy
Cahn) Frank makes me want to pack a bag and brave LAX en route to a cuckoo
weekend in Acapulco. Or Bombay. Or wherever the jet is headed. Wheels up!
Brigitte Zarie
7.
“I Love Las Vegas”—Brigitte Zarie
Brigitte
says she was inspired to do this song after hearing her sister tell tales of
her trip to Sin City, and when we listen we are ready to book a room at the
Bellagio, stat. Giving shout outs to lights, blackjack tables, glamour, Elvis,
the Strip, private jets, and more, it’s a joyous celebration of one of my
favorite cities. Although it makes me want to celebrate in the pool, because
Vegas in the summer is fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot.
8.
“Haven’t Met You Yet”—Michael Buble
This song is so hopeful (love when the horns
start blaring) and happy, and even though in the song Michael is singing about
how he has not met that special someone yet…he met his real-life wife, Luisana
Lopilato, when she appeared in the video for the song. And this summer, they
will welcome a Baby Buble!
9. “Swing Swing Swing”—Keely Smith
I didn’t know that much about Keely Smith, and
then I was invited to a musical at the Geffen Playhouse called Louis &
Keely Live At The Sahara, which fabulously detailed the careers and tumultuous
relationship of Louis Prima (“Just A Gigolo”) and Keely Smith. Plus, I realized
that Keely rocked an amazing Louise Brooks-style bob. To me, this song still
sounds so fresh and modern and full of life. When you hear it, you will
understand why Louis Armstrong once said, “If you can’t feel swing, you’ll
never know it.” I feel it, Louis…everywhere!
10. “Zoot Suit Riot”—Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
This
song was such a huge hit when it came out in 1997 that Top 40 radio started
playing it. The station I was working for at the time invited the band to be
part of a show that included dance acts and Def Leppard, so you can imaging the
audience going, “What is this?” when the Daddies strutted out in their high-waisted,
wide-legged, tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, and long coats with the wide lapels
and wide padded shoulders (otherwise knows as “zoot suits.”) However, they won
the crowd over pretty much the moment the lead singer started riffing the, “ZaZu
Za Zazu” gibberish part of the song. This is a great one to put on when you
need to find some energy for a night out!
And a bonus song…
11. “Summer Wind”—Frank Sinatra
This is not an uptempo tune; in fact, Frank is singing about
losing his love after a fleeting romance. But Johnny Mercer’s lyrics so
beautifully capture the feeling of a seasonal affair that makes the sky look
bluer and the world so much brighter that it is required listening as we head
into summer. The passion and longing I hear about to burst forth in Frank’s
voice is enough to make you want to run hand in hand across the warm sand with
someone who makes your head spin, even though you know they will only be a
memory by the time the leaves start to fall from the trees in the autumn wind.
3. If you accept the role of Norma Desmond’s male “companion”– be that and only that. If she wants you to work on her great comeback screenplay where she will play a teenager, tell her to get a secretary. And if you want to hone your writing skills, start a blog.
4. While living with a former silent film star, don’t fall in love with any sweet ingénues like Betty Schaefer. True love does not exist in film noir, and you don’t have time for it anyway because you are busy attending funerals for monkeys and driving through the hills with Norma and Max.
