Vintage Los Angeles

08/10/2026

Tonight THE BRUIN theatre in Westwood Village was lit up again! One strip closer to reopening.

Congratulations Rui Pereira (Toronto-based exhibitor, signed a lease with the Bruin Theater in mid-July to revive it)

08/09/2026

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland opened on August 9, 1969 — exactly 57 years ago today. 👻🏚️

The mansion’s exterior had actually been completed around 1963, so Disneyland visitors stared at the mysterious, closed mansion for roughly six years before they were finally allowed inside. Part of the delay came when Disney’s Imagineers were reassigned to projects for the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair.

When it finally opened, guests boarded the continuously moving “Doom Buggies” and encountered the famous 999 happy haunts. Walt Disney had been involved in its development, but died in 1966 and never saw the completed attraction.

Paul Frees was the original voice of the Ghost Host, the unseen narrator who guides guests through the attraction. His performance debuted when the Mansion opened on August 9, 1969. Paul was also known one of Hollywood’s great voice actors, sometimes called the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” For the Haunted Mansion, he created that wonderfully ominous, theatrical voice heard in the stretching room and throughout the ride—including the famous warning, “There’s no turning back now.”

What makes his contribution so important is that the Ghost Host essentially establishes the Mansion’s personality

08/09/2026

Happy 67th anniversary to Chez Jay! The Regal Beagle of Santa Monica. I bet Mr. Furley’s in there right now holding a scotch and root beer! 😉

Chez Jay has been a favorite destination hangout since its doors opened in 1959 with stars like Elvis Presley, Brian Wilson & Dennis, Linda Ronstandt, Julie Andrews, Blake Edwards and Steve McQueen. You’d even see the cast of LOST IN SPACE having occasional cast outings. And in 1971, astronaut Alan Shepard took a peanut from Jay's to the moon and back! In recent years it’s Billy Bob Thornton's favorite hangout in “Goliath”.

Stepping into is like stepping into King Neptune’s Kingdom. A nautical vintage time warp palace.

Let’s take a moment and wish Chris & Michael, their amazing staff, and to all who’s attending a fabulous milestone day. Hope it’s as crazy fun as when Jay Fiondella brought the circus elephants in on opening day!

08/09/2026

Went to the estate sale of HOWARD STORM yesterday. Howard was a television comedy writer / director who worked on over 40 television series, including The Partridge Family, All in the Family, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Taxi, & Too Close For Comfort, His most rewarding work was directing 59 episodes of Mork & Mindy.

It’s always kind of emotional going through someone’s personal belongings at their home after they’ve passed on. There can be a strange mixture of curiosity, sadness, and nostalgia walking through the physical remains of someone’s everyday life. At the same time, there can be something comforting about it. Someone told me “their things aren’t simply disappearing. They’re moving into other people’s lives”.

Perhaps, that’s what has happened here once again.

In the back bedroom, found in cases of jewelry and collectible books, I found this old DESILU REVIEW ZIPPO lighter. Dan Jordan, who runs the sale told me a little bit about its history…

The “Desilu Review" was a 1959 television special on the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse that showcased talent from Lucille Ball's private workshop. Howard Storm-billed as "Howie Storm"— appeared as a young singer and comic in the ensemble cast before launching a career in stand-up and television directing. (Carol Cooke and Robert Osborne) were also members The “Desilu Review” is actually what brought Howard out to L.A. from N.Y. Perhaps, Lucy & Desi gifted these to the cast. Since this is what got Howard started in the entertainment industry, I feel this piece of history symbolizes a major part of his life.

Sunday 10 - 4 pm via Again L.A. Estate Sales. Here’s a link to the sale https://www.estatesales.net/CA/Beverly-Hills/90210/5025093

There is film memorabilia, TV scripts, boxing collectibles, and a vast library of books related to entertainment - including photos and paper ephemera, & great furnishings curated by his second wite Patricia Ridgley Storm, a former editor of Town and Country Magazine who preceded him in death in 2025.

Address: 1107 Collina Drive.
Beverly Hills, 90210

08/07/2026

Snapped these images last year when production of THE SHARDS was filming in and around Los Angeles. The Bruin Theatre marquee was dressed with The Shining and the Fox Village had The Blue Lagoon on theirs. They were dressed specifically for the series set in Los Angeles during the early 1980s. Although in real life, THE SHINING actually screened at the Fox Village. See last photo.

So, who’s watching it on Hulu? I’m episode one they also show a quick recreation of HAMBURGER HAMLET and TOWET RECORDS. Writer Bret Easton Ellis wrote THE SHARDS, and the character named Bret is a fictionalized version of Ellis himself. The 2023 novel is semi-autobiographical/autofiction. It draws heavily on Ellis’s real life as a 17-year-old senior at the Buckley School in Los Angeles in 1981

And how exciting that the BRUIN & The FOX VILLAGE will actually be reopening again soon!



08/05/2026

My feature for Spectrum News is all about JOHNIE’S COFFEE SHOP

Here’s the full segment. It also airs tonight on Spectrum News 1 SoCal at 8:30 and throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/04/2026

This amazing photograph taken on Fairfax Ave looks like an episode of Dragnet!

He’s either leaving Damiano’s MR PIZZA or he’s headed to Canter's Deli. Also pictured is the Fairfax Supermarket. Joan Crawford filmed a scene at that particular market for "Autumn Leaves" in 1955. Today those two buildings on the left is Canter’s parking lot.

This classic vintage LA photo was taken from the S/E corner of Fairfax & Oakwood. Not sure of the exact year, but we do see a 1960 Chevrolet (that looks to be a convertible), a 1964 Dodge Polara, a 1961 Dodge Dart, a 1960 Chevrolet truck, and a 1963 Chevrolet. Way in the back is a Renault Dauphine, so perhaps mid to late 60s.

Photo courtesy of Canter's Deli

08/04/2026

Canter's Deli in 1966!

Who was lucky enough to score a 95 cent pastrami sandwich yesterday in honor of their 95th anniversary???!!

08/04/2026

Farmers Market in 1961.

Photo submitted by Richard Wojick

08/03/2026

Moviegoers outside the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood shortly after it opened (Nov. 8, 1963) with the premiere of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". The film played there for a record 66 weeks.

Maybe they’ll premiere this film once again when the Dome reopens in 2028.