architecture – Page 6 – BEGUILING HOLLYWOOD

May 19, 2014 / Vickie Lester

I love Los Angeles. I love the light. I love the eclecticism and the architecture. Most of all I love the people.

So, when I satirize, or say dark things about the city in my novel, know that it comes from an abiding devotion to a place I call home. These pictures are not from my home. This place was designed by Rudolph Schindler and opened to the public this past Sunday…

Read the post

May 16, 2014 / Vickie Lester

King Vidor was a frequent guest at the castle, directed Marion Davies in three comedies, and said Hearst had a big lamblike face…

He wrote a marvelous book about his early days in Hollywood called, A Tree is a Tree, and while Marion was his friend, and at times Hearst was his boss, he tells some insightful anecdotes about the man: On my first trip to San Simeon, I entered the huge dining…

Read the post

May 16, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Here are some stills from a wonderful silent comedy about Hollywood directed by King Vidor, and starring Marion Davies

May 16, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Am I allowed to say I find Hearst Castle to be an oppressive nightmare?

Really, the main house takes the term “baronial” to new heights and there’s some truly odd stuff there pinched from all over Europe. It gives me the creeps. (I should say that the guest houses are bright and sunny and happily devoid of walls torn out of Norman churches, and…

Read the post

May 3, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Ponder this, according to Lauren Bacall, “Imagination is the highest kite that can fly” and enjoy some architectural eye candy on a day devoted to proofreading…

April 16, 2014 / Vickie Lester

“Everything in Los Angeles is too large, too loud and usually banal in concept… The plastic asshole of the world.” William Faulkner

I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion. What Hollywood looked like when Mr. Faulkner deigned to spend time here… This is the corner of Highland and Hollywood Blvd. The building is still there. This is Hollywood Blvd. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is at the bottom of the frame. He may…

Read the post

April 14, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Art Deco…hey, wait! How did he get in here? Well, he’s just as cute as a gremlin. I give you James Cagney.

April 13, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Art Deco divinity — by the pool: Claudette Colbert, Outpost Estates

April 11, 2014 / Vickie Lester

The Enchanted Hill, a Hollywood dream made real by Wallace Neff, Fred Thomson, and Frances Marion

In a short while our hill resembled a gigantic wedding cake. pine trees studded every tier, while on top rose a huge house with a drawing room two stories and a half high, rare tapestries on the walls, an Aeolian pipe organ, and windows overlooking five acres of lawn. Beautifully…

Read the post

March 31, 2014 / Vickie Lester

Tag: architecture

I love Los Angeles. I love the light. I love the eclecticism and the architecture. Most of all I love the people.

King Vidor was a frequent guest at the castle, directed Marion Davies in three comedies, and said Hearst had a big lamblike face…

Here are some stills from a wonderful silent comedy about Hollywood directed by King Vidor, and starring Marion Davies

Am I allowed to say I find Hearst Castle to be an oppressive nightmare?

Ponder this, according to Lauren Bacall, “Imagination is the highest kite that can fly” and enjoy some architectural eye candy on a day devoted to proofreading…

“Everything in Los Angeles is too large, too loud and usually banal in concept… The plastic asshole of the world.” William Faulkner

Art Deco…hey, wait! How did he get in here? Well, he’s just as cute as a gremlin. I give you James Cagney.

Art Deco divinity — by the pool: Claudette Colbert, Outpost Estates

The Enchanted Hill, a Hollywood dream made real by Wallace Neff, Fred Thomson, and Frances Marion

Gone fishin’ reposts: they honeymooned in Palm Springs, Gable and Lombard. Isn’t it romantic?