‘Gone with the Wind’ premiered during the Christmas Season of 1939, just 74 years after the end of the “War Between the States” and December 15, 2019, marks the 80th anniversary of that wonderful movie that begins with: “There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old ... Read More »
CELEBRITIES
“LUSCIOUS” LUCIUS BEEBE – First Openly Gay Celebrity – The Emperor of Trains
San Francisco Chronicle columnist Lucius Beebe was probably the first gay man and major celebrity to have a publicly open relationship. An author, journalist, historian, raconteur, gourmet and bon vivant extraordinary – this extraordinary personality was world-famous and a long-time columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He loved trains and ... Read More »
ED BUCK – West Hollywood’s “Dr Kevorkian” and California’s Newest Serial Killer!
The state of California is home to some of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history — from the Manson Family to the Freeway Killers, all the way to the Grim Sleeper. Well, another accused killer is now awaiting trial in California. This time it’s prolific Democratic donor and ... Read More »
Cruise the Past: Cunard Line’s RMS AQUITANIA had a very long run from New York to Europe!
From 1914 to 1949 the RMS Aquitania crossed the pond between New York, Canada, and Europe carrying celebrities, tourists, businessmen, immigrants, and war brides. The RMS Aquitania was the longest-serving Cunard liner built in the 20th century and to survive service in both World Wars. ARRIVES IN NEW YORK AS WORLD ... Read More »
HRH PRINCESS MICHAEL was the honored guest at exhibition of portrait artist JUAN BASTOS just off the famed Sunset Strip.
Looking very chic, HRH Princess Michael of Kent recently attended the opening exhibition of Juan Bastos: California Portraits at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The rich exhibition of 40 portraits of prominent Californians painted by Bastos, the Bolivian-American artist, a longtime resident of Los Angeles. The exhibit was ... Read More »
CHASEN’S – The world-famous West Hollywood Celebrity restaurant. No credit cards, please!
Chasen’s was a glamorous world – “Celebrity chefs” will never replace stylish hosts and personalities such as Dave Chasen or Vincent Sardi or Mike Romanoff. The “chefs” were in the kitchen. Not greeting you at the front door! No credit cards were honored! Credit was by house accounts only. Not ... Read More »
RETRO – Brief history of AMERICAN AIRLINES
In the late twenties and early thirties, American Airways was created through the acquisition of dozens of smaller airlines throughout the United States. Great video of American Airlines in the 1930s… Like most airlines, at the time the company profited by carrying United States mail. In 1934 American Airways Company ... Read More »
On the threshold of fame, ELVIS PRESLEY took the train from New York to Memphis in 1956.
“Elvis who?” Photographer Alfred Wertheimer recalls uttering that very question in early 1956. A publicist from RCA Victor Records had contacted him, asking if he was available to photograph a young singer named Elvis Presley. “I’d never heard of the man,” Wertheimer told TIME Magazine in an article 40 years ... Read More »
JUDY GARLAND aboard the SS UNITED STATES sailing from New York to Europe.
Judy Garland is sailing today on the SS United States. Everyone knew the famous star was on board because they had a First Class Passenger List. They also read that Marlon Brando, Salvidor Dali along with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were other celebrities sailing to Europe on America’s ... Read More »