Actress and best-selling writer
Rosemary Lord recently spoke about Hollywood at the Burbank Central Library author event, spell-binding an audience of 50 for nearly two hours.
"Hollywood has always been magical to me," Rosemary began, and then went on in her appealing British accent to reveal many of the juicy tidbits that can be found in her beautifully illustrated and narrated book, "Hollywood Then and Now"
She began with the history of what is now the "Glitz and Glamour Capitol." Did you know it was founded by a religious campaigner and promoter of prohibition? Originally known as the "Land of Churches,"
Harvey Wilcox wanted to call his new town, "Figwood," but his wife,
Daeida Wilcox, insisted on "Hollywood"for the pretty house she loved on the East Coast by the same name.
Mrs. Wilcox and the Woman's Club of Hollywood were instrumental in creating the Hollywood Hospital, the first library and an outside entertainment venue where religious tableaux could be presented while families picnicked. The familiar shell-like structure became known as the Hollywood Bowl.
And then
Cecil B. DeMille arrived on the scene. For $75 a month, he rented a barn and turned it into the first silent movie studio in Hollywood. Later, actors
Charlie Chapman, Mary Pickford and
Douglas Fairbanks created United Artists.
Did you know that
Peter Lawford and
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. were sent to the Hollywood School for Girls as punishment for misbehavior? One wonders if this plan to humiliate and embarrass the young actors worked! After all ...
Jean Harlow and other gorgeous young ingénues also attended.
Did you know that
Rudy Valentino was the one of the first actors to have a Golden Star with his name - painted on the ceiling of the Hollywood Hotel dining room? When the hotel was torn down, these "Stars" gave city developers the idea for the famous sidewalk display on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame."
Prospect Avenue was renamed Hollywood Boulevard, and classy theaters like the Egyptian and the Grahman's Chinese were built. Rosemary told how the tradition of placing hand and footprints in the cement outside the Chinese Theatre got "accidentally" started.
Across the street, the Roosevelt Hotel quickly became an icon. Many people believe the landmark hotel is haunted. People swear they've seen
Marilyn Monroe's reflection in windows and mirrors, and heard trumpet music coming from upstairs. One wonders if
Johnny Grant's ghost will now inhabit the penthouse suite.
Rosemary told of a mysterious "Lady In Black" who visited Rudy Valentino's old house before it was torn down (to make way for the 101 Freeway).
She gave details about the first planning meeting for the Academy Awards Ceremony at the Biltmore Hotel. (Notes were drawn on a napkin.) The following year, at the Roosevelt Hotel, it took all of five minutes to hand out the awards!
Her book is filled with Hollywood history and legend, but she was only able to give a peek at it in the time allotted her. After fielding many questions from the eager audience, Rosemary spent a few minutes speaking individually and signing copies of her book.
"Hollywood Then and Now," as well as her "Los Angeles Then and Now," can be purchased from Barnes & Noble Booksellers and on Amazon.com.
To contact Rosemary about her books or speaking engagements, email: Qualityst@earthlink.net.