About

My people came from Moscow and a London slum called Whitechapel. When the British portion of the family arrived in New York they headed out to Seattle by train, way before the plane was invented. Finding only rain, and more rain, mud, and wooden planks for sidewalks (a segment of which appeared to be an orange crate from sunny California) they immediately booked tickets south… Or, so the story goes. And thus, my father’s grandparents came to LA. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for keeping an eye on Hollywood.

Cheers, dears! Vickie

62 comments

  1. Tommy Dangcil

    Vickie Lester…. Reminds me of Janet Gaynor’s character in “A Star Is Born”, which was a remake of “What Price Hollywood” with Constance Bennett

    Reply
  2. Tommy Dangcil

    Vickie

    Great site here! Look me up and maybe you can check out my postcard books and tell me what you think!

    Tommy

    Reply
  5. Chelchelly

    Awesome! I used to live at Metro 417 the, historical subway terminal (now a luxury apartment) in downtown Los Angeles for the past few years. I look forward to your blogs featuring beautiful buildings around la. :)

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      And, I look forward to reading about your progress – you have a way with words and I think you’ll find you have a facility with images as well. Don’t stay up too late, the first thing you’ll be learning is old school – pen on paper. ;)

      Reply
  8. leblogdemarie

    Vickie, your blog is fast becoming one of my favorites, so I have nominated you for a Beautiful Blogger Award (a bit reminiscent of a chain letter, but a nice nod, nonetheless :) ) Details and rules here: ttp://leblogdemarie.com/2012/08/10/things-that-make-me-smile-19/

    Not to worry if awards aren’t your thing. Just wanted to recognize you and your exceptional space here in the blogosphere :)

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~M

    Reply
  9. Amy Vuckovich- Theater chair, Wilshire Ebell

    I suspect the photo of the lindburg bust was at the Ebell Of Los Angeles. it was at that time the premier place to show art. If you would like to know for sure perhaps the archivist at the club can help.
    I feel like it could be found that the show was in a club program

    Reply
  12. Jay Giannone

    Hi Vicke,
    My name is Jay Giannone. I shot a short film with the woman by the name of Lucien Cloutier, whom was one of the founders of the Motion Pictures Mothers Inc… I actually went to a fund raiser with her and she introduced me to quite a few of the Mothers and board members. Unfortuantely, Lucien past away shortly after fiming my short; but she gave me a note prior to her death. She asked that I reach out to a woman called Muriel and show the film at one of the organization’s meetings/fund raisers. I do not know how to reach Muriel.

    She aslo introduced me to Mrs Dugan, and I am not sure if that is Muriel. She wanted me to make sure that I showed them all the film that she stars in. Can you help me or point me in the right direction?? Thank you in advance for your help.

    Please advise.
    JayGiannone@yahoo.com

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      Hello Jay, I’ll send you a note at your email address – but I’m afraid I don’t know much about the current status of the club — I believe they’re still active and I have a couple of addresses when you can send an inquiry. I hope this helps. V

      Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      You are very kind — and I have to say very talented with that camera of yours! What’s going on these days in Downtown is very exciting, although nothing really competes with NYC. Thanks for dropping by and you have a new follower…

      Reply
  15. Patrick

    Hi Vickie,

    The first of your images in the article about Cary Grant’s Palm Springs home is actually an image of the desert Inn….thought you might want to know….

    Reply
  18. theperfumeddandy

    Ahh Whitechapel.
    Not all a vicious slum you know. A place with a proud past in many ways.
    I wonder, have you ever traveled there to trace your past?
    I would be delighted to be your guide if you ever visit The Old Smoke.
    The P. Dandy

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      I would be delighted!
      I lived in London (Hampstead Heath) when my father had business there. Do you know, it was so long ago there was still milk delivery, and the post came twice a day (does it still?)…

      Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      Marvelous Mae, thank you! I love your blog too. I have no excuse for not accepting your nomination, except I am swamped! I am sending you a bundle of hugs and I wanted to recommend a book to you… So I’ll pop over to your site :)

      Reply
  21. Edward

    Whitechapel was of course the haunt of the most famous of Victorian killers Jack The Ripper and a very poor place in the 1880s.Much has changed in the area and at one time I lived a small bus ride away.Some of the streets from The Rippers time are still there, whilst others have vanished.Tourists can enjoy Ripper Tours if they can stand the idea.Strange that such vile crimes from such a clearly deranged person should now be entertainment.

    Your ancestors were lucky to move out.

    Reply
    • pussonalamp

      But if you call it “The Ripper’s time” then that means the Rippers have won! But of course, you’re right. Any sufficiently gory act of violence becomes entertainment for the following generations. We’re a weird lot, us anthropoid apes. Whoever left us in charge has some explaining to do. Music, dance and science, I suppose, excuses a lot.

      Reply
      • Vickie Lester

        I wonder if there really is a way of dramatizing unspeakable violence that is entertaining or edifying – what goes up on screen is generally so comic book… We are a weird lot!

  23. Edward

    Vickie,just an addendum to the above.Bow Bells is the church of St Mary le Bow and is a deep part of London legend.The sound of the bells from this church are supposed in 1392 to have summoned back Dick Whittington back to London to become Lord Mayor.

    Its a fascinating history and the church has its own web site which you may care to look up.

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      Thank you. I will look it up. Now, this house of yours with the walls of imposing depth… Is it in Wales? How old is it? I read a book recently called the “The Guynd” which had (for me) a fascinating explanation of living in a home that was several hundred years old and the sense that while we were impermanent the house wasn’t and had to be maintained – this is not something we in the States are familiar with. I think the average American moves every 7 years.

      When I was a little girl and in school in London I was always puzzled by the idea of 99 year leases. Thanks to the book – puzzle solved!

      Reply
  24. Edward

    We are indeed a weird lot Vickie.The last Ripper based film -From Hell -starring Johnny Depp in fact was based on a comic book very loosely.

    I suppose that peoples interest in violent crime has many different roots.For my own part I have read a great deal in that area and my interest is trying to understand although not condone.I cannot claim that I always find that I have found any enlightenment.The worst acts of violence always seem to be commited by radically abnormal individuals even when they have been able to present a normal front to the world.

    I do not however find violence and gore entertaing at all and the present vogue for extremely violent torture films does not say a great deal about the human beings who enjoy them nor the society in which they exist.

    All the more reason for your site to exist as a respite from such vileness.

    Reply
  25. Edward

    The walls here are standard thickness for the huge number of stone houses.The house is not new but not very old either at about perhaps the 1870s.I am afraid that houses of this type, because so common, are much knocked about and -improved -which is estate agent speak for having had all historical features ripped out and put in a skip.

    I have retained quite a few original features such as stairs in old wood ,do not have a fitted kitchen and have not had my alcoves filled in to turn the sitting room into a bland box, filling them instead with floor to ceiling bookshelves.

    All of this in the context of{ let me put it bluntly} philistine values ,means my house is worth perhaps twenty thousand pounds less than my neighbours who have had the full works.Sad but true and I cannot change the culture.

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      It sounds perfect. Bookshelves and an unfitted kitchen, very nice. When I see houses advertised as “updated” it’s always a tip off to something dreadful. The 1870s is ancient in LA. There is one neighborhood in particular that was built around that time with huge gingerbread Victorian houses (Bunker Hill) – and it was razed in the sixties. http://imgur.com/iUUlxz9

      Reply
  26. Edward

    Yes perfect once I sort the leak in the lower roof out as its taken plaster down in the bathroom.Perfect unfortunately in my terms reduces the value of the property.You are quite right-updated-modernised etc usually means over here as well just wrecked often at great expense and not worth viewing.

    My pride and joy in my unfitted kitchen is a hand made Welsh Dresser in Elm which I bought for a mere forty Uk pounds and is worth almost seven hundred of the same.I have a collection of handmade pottery and decorative plates which it displays remarkably well.

    Yes I know the 1870s is almost Pre-History in America.Gingerbread Victorian houses US style are interesting.Our Victorian houses are quite different.

    I shall check out the site you have given me later.Thanks very much.

    Reply
  27. Edward

    You are right golden amber is the colour.In my case it has recieved a dark finish.It was certainly a steal.The shop I boughti it from -a charity shop-{goodwill store in US terms} had it at a hundred pounds at first ,but could not shift it incredibly.

    I am now looking out for something in a similiar style for another kitchen use.

    Reply
    • Vickie Lester

      I had a notion, and I’ll have to save it because it wouldn’t work in my 1924 Spanish, of fitting out the kitchen with tables and Japanese tansu cabinets.

      The “finding” of wonderful old antiques is almost better than having…

      Reply
  28. Edward

    I like a lot of the Spanish style residences I have seen.Sounds nice.Mixing up periods is very much a British tradition-think country house.

    I tend to mix all sorts of things together although there is a strong Arts and Crafts element in there.Most things are either old or been aged by me to fit in.

    I am no minimalist so there are all sorts of things from Tibetan prints and Buddhas to personal works of art by my late Mother and Father in Law.I treasure some busts of our three children she did when they were much younger for example.

    Yes the finding of wonderful antiques is almost better than……….finding more antiques and bygones.

    Reply
  29. A Gripping Life

    Vickie,
    I have to ask you for a favor – and feel free to say, “No way, Jose.”
    My “about page” is sorely lacking any spark or pizazz. I wrote it the first day I started blogging, never believing I’d get through the week. My life has changed quite a bit since that time. Now my Blog is an eclectic, in-cohesive ‘thing’ that continues to attract followers — How? I’m not sure. I do believe I need to spruce it up though, and by “Spruce it up” I mean, get my friend who happens to be a wordsmith par excellence, to write something short and sweet ( a few lines) that sums it up and does the trick. Coincidentally, Jordan River, The Fragrant Man, from the contest, has asked me to write a line or two explaining, A Gripping Life.
    Well, I don’t think I’m up to the task and since you’re the person whose talents I most envy, I’d like to ask if you wouldn’t mind writing a little something for me. All credit will go to you, naturally.
    I’m sure you have better things to do with your precious time, but since I’ve put this off for many moons, and I know I’ll never get to it, I’d be thrilled if you did this for me. I do think you ‘get me’ better than the rest, in fact you’re highly intuitive, another one of your gifts, so it would make the most sense that I ask you.
    No pressure. No worries if you don’t feel like it. It’s all good.
    Thanks, Vickie!!
    Lisa xoxo

    Reply

  32. Pingback: Hollywood ahoy! tea with Vickie Lester (then later with #FrancesHa) | teamgloria

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