At the top it reads "Patsy Award Winners" with "1956 Wildfire (dog)" on the right, and paw prints on the left.

Paw Prints of the Stars at the Animal Walk of Fame

April 9, 2025, Leave a Comment on Paw Prints of the Stars at the Animal Walk of Fame

Burbank residents looking for a furry addition to the family may find the perfect companion at the Burbank Humane Society, but they will also find a unique piece of Hollywood history during their visit, the Animal Walk of Fame. Beginning in 1951, Hollywood started to recognize the animal contributions to the film industry, and created…

Guide to Gram Parsons’ Southern California

March 19, 2025, Leave a Comment on Guide to Gram Parsons’ Southern California

Today is a blog post that has literally been years in the making. As some of you may know, Gram Parsons is one of my favorite musicians, and I have been spending the last several years seeking locations linked to him across Southern California. Originally hailing from Winter Haven, Florida and growing up in Georgia,…

Illustration of a woman in a Marie Antoinette style outfit with a tall wig and large skirt, along with a photograph of a woman in the same outfit, all pink.

A Showgirl’s Treasures

February 26, 2025, Leave a Comment on A Showgirl’s Treasures

The other day I received a text message from my dear friend Eric, the Knott’s Berry Farm historian, informing me of an estate sale here in Anaheim of a former Knott’s employee, and that I might find some interesting stuff. Already en route to go thrifting that day, I abruptly changed course and made my…

A light blue jacket reads "Desilu" in darker blue, worn by the crew, on the left a green stage light reads "Desilu" in script, used on the soundstage.

When Hollywood Went Small: TV History at Hollywood Heritage Museum

January 8, 2025, 2 Comments

Often when we think about “Hollywood” we think about movies, but Hollywood was also home, and still is, to many TV shows. From variety shows to sitcoms and dramas, countless TV programs filmed in and around Hollywood, and recently Hollywood Heritage Museum debuted a brand new exhibit featuring costumes, toys, set pieces, and more from…

Close-up of the neon and bulbs above the marquee reading "The El Capitan Theatre"

Backstage at the Lavish El Capitan Theatre

July 31, 2024, 1 Comment

Los Angeles has many glorious movie palaces scattered throughout, one incredible theatre is the El Capitan, located in the heart of Hollywood. Recently Patrick and I got to go behind the scenes of this historic theatre, and just a few days later returned to see Deadpool & Wolverine, so it should be noted that this…

Myself, with my red hair down and wavy, wearing a white t-shirt featuring the exterior of the Mexican restaurant El Coyote on it, red and tan corduroy shorts, standing inside the museum, with a large banner reading "Out with the Stars Hollywood Heritage Museum" and featuring images of old menus and matchbooks from various restaurants.

Dining with the Stars at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

July 17, 2024, 3 Comments

Back in April Patrick and I visited the Hollywood Heritage Museum for the first time, we also became members when we heard about the variety of planned exhibits slated for the year, and last month they opened a new exhibit, Out with the Stars, a look at Hollywood and its relationship with food and restaurants.…

Myself, standing outside the Bate's Motel, as Norman steps out of the office.

Hop Aboard a Glamor Tram for the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Studios Tour

May 15, 2024, 4 Comments

The movies and tourism go hand in hand, like peanut butter and jelly. The most movie centric tourist location in California is without a doubt Universal Studios, which this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of its famous Studio Tour. However, welcoming tourists has been part of Universal’s history for well over a hundred years. On…

View of the neon for the Formosa, which is green and sits within white script letters on a red building. A black and white stripe awning juts out from the front.

The Formosa Cafe: Watering Hole for Mobsters and Movie Stars

May 1, 2024, Leave a Comment on The Formosa Cafe: Watering Hole for Mobsters and Movie Stars

L.A. Confidential is one of my all time favorite movies, and any time I can make it to one of the filming locations, I’m overjoyed. The Formosa Cafe is not only where parts of L.A. Confidential were filmed, but also where one of its most iconic scenes (ironically not in the book) happened. The scene…

Myself standing in front of the barn, behind me a large white sign atop the porch that reads "Hollywood Heritage Museum Lasky-DeMille Barn Est. 1913"

Farm to Fame: Tales of Glitz, Glamor & Eminent Domain at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

April 17, 2024, Leave a Comment on Farm to Fame: Tales of Glitz, Glamor & Eminent Domain at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

At the turn of the 20th century despite its bustling downtown core Los Angeles still had many agricultural elements and in 1901 Jacob Stern built a little barn on the corner of Selma and Vine, just one block south of what would become the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over the next century the little barn…

Myself standing in front of a large pink wall that features a burst of yellow and inside it reads "Pink's Since 1939" in red letters.

Pink’s Hot Dogs: A Home Spun and Family Run Hollywood Icon

February 28, 2024, Leave a Comment on Pink’s Hot Dogs: A Home Spun and Family Run Hollywood Icon

Driving down La Brea in Hollywood and you might spy a long, snaking line by some vibrant pink murals of hot dogs, if you’re wondering what everyone’s in line for, the murals and the color are exactly it! Pink’s Hot Dogs, and these dogs are a real Hollywood icon, serving movie stars, humble locals, and…