Martin Turnbull
@martinturnbull.bsky.social
Author of a series of historical novels set in and around the real-life Garden of Allah Hotel on Sunset Blvd from 1927 to 1959, as well as other novels set during Hollywood's golden era.
It must have been a slow day on Hollywood Blvd (or perhaps on a Sunday morning?) when this photo of Grauman’s Chinese was taken from across Hollywood Blvd during the run of "Morocco." But it gives us a clear view of the theater during its early days; it was 3 years old here. ("now" photo July 2022)
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
It must have been a slow day on Hollywood Blvd (or perhaps on a Sunday morning?) when this photo of Grauman’s Chinese was taken from across Hollywood Blvd during the run of "Morocco." But it gives us a clear view of the theater during its early days; it was 3 years old here. ("now" photo July 2022)
Here’s a 1950s shot if ever I’ve seen one: the parking lot of the Valley Plaza shopping mall, which was one of the first malls in the San Fernando Valley. (1951) According to my car expert, the newest vehicle in the image is a 1957 Plymouth, so let’s call this circa late 1950s.
November 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Here’s a 1950s shot if ever I’ve seen one: the parking lot of the Valley Plaza shopping mall, which was one of the first malls in the San Fernando Valley. (1951) According to my car expert, the newest vehicle in the image is a 1957 Plymouth, so let’s call this circa late 1950s.
In this serene image treats us to the night lights Los Angeles in 1908. (Population approximately 317,000) It reminds us that the city was still very much clustered around downtown LA. This shot was taken from the Mount Wilson Observatory, so we’re looking southwest.
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
In this serene image treats us to the night lights Los Angeles in 1908. (Population approximately 317,000) It reminds us that the city was still very much clustered around downtown LA. This shot was taken from the Mount Wilson Observatory, so we’re looking southwest.
This view of Venice, California was taken from the top of a rollercoaster. We can see (a) how sparsely populated Venice still was in 1918, and (b) how degraded the canals already were a dozen years after opening. In the foreground, we can see the main canal already filling in.
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This view of Venice, California was taken from the top of a rollercoaster. We can see (a) how sparsely populated Venice still was in 1918, and (b) how degraded the canals already were a dozen years after opening. In the foreground, we can see the main canal already filling in.
It doesn’t take much to make me happy: give me a vintage photo taken at night in Los Angeles, preferably with a neon sign and during Hollywood’s golden age. This beauty ticks all those boxes. We’re looking south down the eastern side of Vine St past the Brown Derby circa 1950s. (now photo June 2021)
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It doesn’t take much to make me happy: give me a vintage photo taken at night in Los Angeles, preferably with a neon sign and during Hollywood’s golden age. This beauty ticks all those boxes. We’re looking south down the eastern side of Vine St past the Brown Derby circa 1950s. (now photo June 2021)
Here we have a 1938 view of Warner Bros from the top of the hillside overlooking Barham Blvd. In March, LA suffered through catastrophic rains that damaged the bridge crossing the LA River south of the studio. That’s why all those cars are parked along Barham.
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Here we have a 1938 view of Warner Bros from the top of the hillside overlooking Barham Blvd. In March, LA suffered through catastrophic rains that damaged the bridge crossing the LA River south of the studio. That’s why all those cars are parked along Barham.
A Pacific Electric Red Car rolls past the Rialto Theatre on Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena. The streetcar is so vividly red that I wonder if it was freshly painted. But as the photo was taken circa early 1950s, when the streetcar network was facing extinction, I’m guessing not. ("now" photo May 2024)
November 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A Pacific Electric Red Car rolls past the Rialto Theatre on Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena. The streetcar is so vividly red that I wonder if it was freshly painted. But as the photo was taken circa early 1950s, when the streetcar network was facing extinction, I’m guessing not. ("now" photo May 2024)
Elevated view of the Hollywood Hotel on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave, circa 1920s. By this time, the center of Hollywood's social life was the Hollywood Hotel, especially on Thursdays, which, for some reason, became the big social night of the week. (now photo June 2024)
November 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Elevated view of the Hollywood Hotel on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave, circa 1920s. By this time, the center of Hollywood's social life was the Hollywood Hotel, especially on Thursdays, which, for some reason, became the big social night of the week. (now photo June 2024)
This is a rare photo of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre taken *before* the theater opened on May 18, 1927, with Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings.” In this photo, it looks almost finished I wonder if those workers in front knew they were helping to build a soon-to-be legend. ("now" photo July 2022)
November 15, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This is a rare photo of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre taken *before* the theater opened on May 18, 1927, with Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings.” In this photo, it looks almost finished I wonder if those workers in front knew they were helping to build a soon-to-be legend. ("now" photo July 2022)
Night shot of the Wise department store on the NW corner of Pine & Broadway, Long Beach, CA, 1932. It opened on October 5, 1929, the same month the stock market crashed (what timing!) and closed in 1934. ("now" photo June 2024)
November 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Night shot of the Wise department store on the NW corner of Pine & Broadway, Long Beach, CA, 1932. It opened on October 5, 1929, the same month the stock market crashed (what timing!) and closed in 1934. ("now" photo June 2024)
In this 1928 photo, we’re looking down Garfield Ave, Pasadena, where an automobile is stopped at railway crossbucks. To the immediate right is a steam locomotive pulling a passenger train. What amazes me is that the train tracks run right through a residential area.
November 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
In this 1928 photo, we’re looking down Garfield Ave, Pasadena, where an automobile is stopped at railway crossbucks. To the immediate right is a steam locomotive pulling a passenger train. What amazes me is that the train tracks run right through a residential area.
Hanna-Barbera animation building at 3400 Cahuenga Blvd. If the name Hanna-Barbera doesn’t mean much to you, perhaps you’ll recognize the shows that came out of this building: The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Top Cat, Yogi Bear, and the Flintstones. They were here from 1960 to 1998. ("now" photo Feb 2023)
November 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Hanna-Barbera animation building at 3400 Cahuenga Blvd. If the name Hanna-Barbera doesn’t mean much to you, perhaps you’ll recognize the shows that came out of this building: The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Top Cat, Yogi Bear, and the Flintstones. They were here from 1960 to 1998. ("now" photo Feb 2023)
Hey guys, this is just a heads-up that I'm taking some (very much needed) screen-free vacation time. Tomorrow, I'm flying out to "the old country" (aka Australia) and will be back mid-November.
October 24, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Hey guys, this is just a heads-up that I'm taking some (very much needed) screen-free vacation time. Tomorrow, I'm flying out to "the old country" (aka Australia) and will be back mid-November.
Here we have a photo catching Hollywood on a bright and sunny day. We’re looking north toward the famed corner of Hollywood and Vine. It shot was taken in the early 1950s when you could park your car for a quarter and then have dinner at the Brown Derby restaurant. Yes, please. (now photo July 2024)
October 24, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Here we have a photo catching Hollywood on a bright and sunny day. We’re looking north toward the famed corner of Hollywood and Vine. It shot was taken in the early 1950s when you could park your car for a quarter and then have dinner at the Brown Derby restaurant. Yes, please. (now photo July 2024)
I’m not normally squeamish about these sorts of things, and I’m sure this bridge was perfectly safe, but this Pacific Electric Red Car looks awfully precarious crossing the Arroyo Seco bridge from west to east as it chugs toward South Pasadena and the Ostrich Farm. (circa 1920s)
October 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
I’m not normally squeamish about these sorts of things, and I’m sure this bridge was perfectly safe, but this Pacific Electric Red Car looks awfully precarious crossing the Arroyo Seco bridge from west to east as it chugs toward South Pasadena and the Ostrich Farm. (circa 1920s)
For those of you who are enjoy my golden-age Hollywood novels, you might like to know that I have released the details of book 3 in my Hollywood's Greatest Year trilogy: SELZNICK'S CONFIDANT.
You can read more about it over on my blog:
tinyurl.com/2zt3rkja
You can read more about it over on my blog:
tinyurl.com/2zt3rkja
October 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
For those of you who are enjoy my golden-age Hollywood novels, you might like to know that I have released the details of book 3 in my Hollywood's Greatest Year trilogy: SELZNICK'S CONFIDANT.
You can read more about it over on my blog:
tinyurl.com/2zt3rkja
You can read more about it over on my blog:
tinyurl.com/2zt3rkja
Tournament of Roses Parade passes under the Hotel Green bridge across Raymond Ave, Pasadena on the Los Angeles Saturday Post for January 9, 1904. I imagine is was a publicity coup for the hotel and had a flow-on effect with people staying there and going to its restaurant. ("now" photo April 2019)
October 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Tournament of Roses Parade passes under the Hotel Green bridge across Raymond Ave, Pasadena on the Los Angeles Saturday Post for January 9, 1904. I imagine is was a publicity coup for the hotel and had a flow-on effect with people staying there and going to its restaurant. ("now" photo April 2019)
Looking north from the 17th St. stop along the Pacific Electric's Newport Beach streetcar line, Huntington Beach, CA, circa 1930s. No matter how many shots I come across of oil wells along the SoCal shoreline, the sight of those loud, ugly, smelly things never fails to amaze me. (now photo May 2025)
October 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Looking north from the 17th St. stop along the Pacific Electric's Newport Beach streetcar line, Huntington Beach, CA, circa 1930s. No matter how many shots I come across of oil wells along the SoCal shoreline, the sight of those loud, ugly, smelly things never fails to amaze me. (now photo May 2025)
A nautical-themed rock’n’roll club sounds a tad odd, but that’s what the Sea Witch was when it opened its doors at 8516 Sunset Blvd in the mid-60s. With the Whiskey A Go Go opening in January 1964, the Sea Witch was an part of the Strip’s transition from nightclubs to rock. ("now" photo May 2024.)
October 19, 2025 at 1:51 PM
A nautical-themed rock’n’roll club sounds a tad odd, but that’s what the Sea Witch was when it opened its doors at 8516 Sunset Blvd in the mid-60s. With the Whiskey A Go Go opening in January 1964, the Sea Witch was an part of the Strip’s transition from nightclubs to rock. ("now" photo May 2024.)
A porter is takes a rather dapper passenger to a waiting Ford Fordor outside Pasadena station. I thought that for someone who’s been sitting on a train for days, he looks remarkably unwrinkled, but it turns out this was a promotional shot for the Fort Motor Company. (March 1936)
October 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
A porter is takes a rather dapper passenger to a waiting Ford Fordor outside Pasadena station. I thought that for someone who’s been sitting on a train for days, he looks remarkably unwrinkled, but it turns out this was a promotional shot for the Fort Motor Company. (March 1936)
Isn’t it amazing the photos that surface from time to time? This remarkable photo was taken by someone in a car that happened to be passing the hat-shaped Brown Derby on Wilshire Blvd just as it was being demolished in September 1980.
October 17, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Isn’t it amazing the photos that surface from time to time? This remarkable photo was taken by someone in a car that happened to be passing the hat-shaped Brown Derby on Wilshire Blvd just as it was being demolished in September 1980.
Striking Red Car workers in front of the Pacific Electric building on Main St at Sixth St, #DTLA, August 1919. After they had won the right to an eight-hour workday, railway owner Henry E. Huntington, did not implement it, so the streetcar workers went on strike. ("now" photo May 2024)
October 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Striking Red Car workers in front of the Pacific Electric building on Main St at Sixth St, #DTLA, August 1919. After they had won the right to an eight-hour workday, railway owner Henry E. Huntington, did not implement it, so the streetcar workers went on strike. ("now" photo May 2024)
Ford Lunch stood on the SE corner of Euclid and Holt in Ontario around 30 miles east of downtown LA and was a popular place to stop for lunch when motoring from LA to Palm Springs or Lake Arrowhead. This photo is from 1938; Ford Lunch remained a fixture until the late 1960s. (now photo Aug 2025)
October 15, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Ford Lunch stood on the SE corner of Euclid and Holt in Ontario around 30 miles east of downtown LA and was a popular place to stop for lunch when motoring from LA to Palm Springs or Lake Arrowhead. This photo is from 1938; Ford Lunch remained a fixture until the late 1960s. (now photo Aug 2025)
Buddha on the MGM backlot, 1939. I like the juxtaposition of discarded cogs surrounding a Buddha. The background reminds us that while Garland, Rooney, Gable, Kelly, and Astaire were filming their timeless movies, a short distance away, those wells were pumping up black gold.
October 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Buddha on the MGM backlot, 1939. I like the juxtaposition of discarded cogs surrounding a Buddha. The background reminds us that while Garland, Rooney, Gable, Kelly, and Astaire were filming their timeless movies, a short distance away, those wells were pumping up black gold.
OOF! November 28, 1943 was not a great day to be riding a Pacific Electric Red Car. Car #1260 jumped the tracks at San Pedro St, south of 6th St #DTLA. None of its 22 passengers were harmed but I bet they all had a terrific story to tell over dinner that night. ("now" photo May 2025)
October 13, 2025 at 1:57 PM
OOF! November 28, 1943 was not a great day to be riding a Pacific Electric Red Car. Car #1260 jumped the tracks at San Pedro St, south of 6th St #DTLA. None of its 22 passengers were harmed but I bet they all had a terrific story to tell over dinner that night. ("now" photo May 2025)