Hollywood at Home: Pickfair.

This is my contribution to KC of Classic Movies, Mary Pickford Blogathon which will run from June 1st through June 3rd.

I've been wanting to write about Pickfair for a while now so when I found out about KC's Blogathon, paying tribute to Mary Pickford, my topic was all set. Given that Pickfair was the original Beverly Hills mansion in which all the stars of the day not only wanted to get an invite to but it was this lavish estate that they tried to duplicate in their own homes during and after the 1920s, It's an important estate, one that shaped the landscape of once was dusty dirt roads and orange groves. Your home doesn't get the title of The White House of the West Coast without being grand and over the top, even by Hollywood standards. So if you're ready, let's see how Pickfair came to be and how it looks today.

The king and queen of Hollywood pose for a portrait in the parlor of their beloved, Pickfair.

The most recognized photo of Pickfair that made it's way to postcards and all of the fan magazines of the day. Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in their pond with Pickfair as the backdrop.

In the early 1900's, DeMille, Mack Sennett, Jesse Lasky and a few other directors left their Astoria, New York studios for the warmer climate, vast areas of land that California provided to build larger studios and backlots. As the stars of the day followed in droves, there was one small problem. A lack of housing!

Beverly Drive south of Sunset in 1916.

What we now consider Beverly Hills didn't exist before 1906. Sure there were mansions being erected on large parcels of land up in the hills overlooking what would become these neighborhoods but they belonged to the wealthy like the Harry Winchester Robinson's, the Burton Green's, Donlevy's and then the Greystone family to name just a few. 'Movie folk' were looked down upon by the upper crust, reduced to living in boarding houses  or in small tract homes on the outskirts of town, when they could find a willing renter. 

An aerial view of the extravagant Beverly Hills Hotel in 1920.

The main entrance of the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1920 which was accessible via automobile, horseback and by trolley.

A street view of the Beverly Hills Hotel as it appeared in 1912.

It wasn't until 1912 when the Beverly Hills Hotel was completed that the film industry found a place that they felt welcome, were able to dress up and mingle once the kleig lights went black for the night.

When the Beverly Hills Hotel was completed it sat on a large parcel of land at the base of Benedict Canyon, quite a drive via automobile or a trolley ride from the studios but it was worth the trek. With an elaborate menu, flowing green lawns where the stars gathered to play croquette or gather by the opulent swimming pool. Of course the main appeal was the richly decorated private bungalows, hidden by citrus, eucalypti trees, they were perfect for late night rendezvous.  

Beverly Hills got it's name from the Massachusetts town, Beverly Farms in 1906.

Beverly Drive in 1928.

As we move along to the end of the 1910's with studio head, Cecille B. DeMille realizing that the west coast would be his permanent residence he knew it was time to spend some money on a home fit for someone of his stature. Jesse Lasky, Theda Bara and Harold Lloyd would follow suit. By this time, the elite of Los Angeles were starting to except the film industry, invite them into their large mansions for social gatherings.  Of course they were renting large mansions up in Benedict Canyon, behind the Beverly Hills Hotel since the basin below was still undeveloped land or bean farms, ranches and oil fields for the most part with immigrant workers living in shacks on that land.

While little Mary Pickford, now separated from her first husband Owen Moore was renting a roomy bungalow with her mother near Sunset, DeMille and his wife Constance were enjoying a more lavish lifestyle in their newly rented Spanish style estate in Laughlin Park.

As southern California land developers realized that the film community wasn't going anywhere, they started buying up the bean farms and acres of land below Benedict Canyon, known as Beverly Hills by the mid 1920's.  With movie stars making large salaries and paying very little in taxes they were ready to put down roots in as comfortable digs as possible. Even the very frugal Charlie Chaplin left his small room at the Beverly Hills Athletic Club, renting a large home next to Cecille B. DeMille. Of course he was encouraged by his new bride, Mildred Harris. This would be Chaplin's first of several residences around Los Angeles as his marriage and divorce count grew. (I'll be featuring both DeMille and Chaplin's homes at a later date.)

A now bustling Beverly Drive in 1928.

As the bean fields made way for paved streets and small tract homes, larger parcels of land were being bought up as soon as water and electricity was available. With Mack Sennett, Theda Bara, Fatty Arbuckle, Harold Lloyd, the Gish and the Talmadge sisters settling in, another Hollywood couple was getting acquainted but where would they live?

In 1911, a Los Angeles attorney, Lee Phillips built himself a large hunting lodge high above Sunset, overlooking Benedict Canyon on what would later become Summit Drive. Of course the lodge was in a desolate location, with narrow dirt roads, no electricity, no running water and plenty of wildlife. The perfect isolated weekend retreat. 

Mr. Phillips decided it was time to sell his rustic retreat in 1919 so he thrust it up on the market. The first couple to view the lodge was director, Raoul Walsh and his actress wife, Miriam Cooper. It didn't take long at all for Miriam to realize the place was just too rustic, isolated for her taste.  The next person to take the dusty roads up to the lodge with the Realtor was the silent actor, Douglas Fairbanks. Having just recently made his way to the west coast after finding success on Broadway, he was looking for a secluded property.  He took to the lodge and it's undeveloped 14 acres immediately and by March of 1919 he was the proud owner, paying a mere $35,000 for the house and it's land.  

An early aerial view of what would become known as Pickfair, isolated, sitting all alone on 14 acres at the foot of Benedict Canyon.

Having separated from his first wife, Anna Beth Sully in 1918, Douglas Fairbanks was a hot commodity among his leading ladies off and on the set. Handsome, athletic and well spoken he was never short of company but that didn't last for long as he had fallen head over hills for the silent actress Mary Pickford while they were touring together to sell Liberty Bonds.  The only problem was Mary was still legally married to Owen Moore so they had to do a lot of sneaking around until Pickford was granted a divorce and of course Doug from his wife Anna Beth. 

While the couple was waiting on their divorces to be finalized, Doug kept busy with getting the hunting lodge in shape and by shape I mean building another large wing, adding a second story, ripping out walls, adding imported tile, paneling, new windows and of course electricity, running water and landscaping. He even hired studio set designer, Max Parker to draw up architectural plans, oversee the renovations with his brother, Robert Fairbanks supervising when he was kept busy at the studio. While Pickfair was taking shape, Doug was renting the very large Spaulding mansion down the hill while Mary and her mother lived in large gated mansion in Beverly Hills. 

Pickfair as it took shape in the early 1920's.

An early Pickfair postcard

By the end of 1919 when Douglas Fairbanks was ready to move in to his former hunting lodge it looked more like a Tudor mansion with it's two large wings that overlooked the beautiful canyons below. The lowest level consisted of a large entry hall, screening room, formal dining room, breakfast room, drawing room, kitchen, glassed in patio and servant's quarters. The upper level housed the large private bedroom suite and five guest bedrooms. The third floor showcased a large bowling alley and Doug's billiard room.  Of course no celebrity mansion would be complete without a cement pond. The Pickfair pool with it's own sandy beach would measure a grand 55 by 100 ft.  Of course Fairbanks didn't stop there! He added small ponds around the property where he and his guests could canoe. 

The formal dining room.

The main entryway.

The formal drawing room.

As March of 1920 rolled around, Doug and Mary were finally able to wed and settle in as a married couple in their grand estate. To make Mary feel comfortable, Doug immediately gifted the home to her and Pickfair was born. Within no time they were entertaining like royalty as their movie friends made the trek up the winding dirt roads every weekend for picnics, pool parties, polo matches on the vast lawn or horseback riding adventures into Benedict Canyon high above. Life seemed perfect for Hollywood's most popular couple. 

Doug and Mary show off their beautiful home in the early 1920's.

Mary Pickford (center) enjoys one of her pool parties at Pickfair. She's being served tea by director, John S. Robertson (right) with famed film photographer, Charles Rosher pouring tea to her left.

While Doug was possessive of his wife, they got along rather well for the first three years as they held court high above Beverly Hills, now expanding with equally large and opulent estates occupied by their peers. Of course Doug had his rules. Mary wasn't allowed to dance with other men, smoke, curse or drink more than one or two cocktails at social gatherings then she had to account for her whereabouts at all times when not by his side. She was to maintain that America's Sweetheart image on and off the set and things would be just fine.

The elaborate dinner parties would continue throughout the 20's with the who's who of Hollywood accepting an invitation on a regular basis. Of course Charlie Chaplin was always around then John Barrymore with Lillian Gish, Anita Loos, Frances Marion or Gloria Swanson appearing on the guest list regularly. These weekday dinners were always held in the formal dining room with the guests being expected to dress in suit and tie, evening dresses. Following a formal dinner of the finest cuisine, embossed place cards, and silk linens, the guests would then be shown upstairs to the screening room to watch a movie. You could bring a change of clothes, more casual attire if you were invited up for the weekend, of course.

Doug, wasn't welcoming, so gracious to every guest as it turns out. Rudolph Valentino road down via horseback from his own vast estate, Falcon Lair one sunny day, appearing on the Pickfair front lawn. The same lawn that Doug and Mary practically used as their outdoor living room during nice weather. Doug felt this impromptu visit was just a bit too invasive, and Rudy got a very cold reception as he scurried on home. 

The formal living room where Doug and Mary received their frequent guests in grand fashion.

Movie stars were the first guests to Pickfair but they weren't the the only guests of importance. The last King of Spain, Alfonzo XIII was the first of many titled guests to visit the mansion over the years. The Fairbanks's would also entertain the Lord and Countess of Lanesborough, the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, Lord and Lady Mountbatten, the King and Queen of Siam, the Duke and Duchess of Alba, the Duke of York, the Crown Prince of Japan, and the Crown Princess Frederica of Prussia

Mary's private suite with it's mix of pink and pale green, silk draperies, matching wall to wall carpeting and French inspired furnishings. 

Mary and Doug enjoy their pool.

One of the many publicity portraits Doug and Mary would take throughout the years to show just how happy they were at Pickfair. 

As the 1920's came to a close, Mary and Doug were busier than ever with their newly acquired United Artists then their continuous work in front of the cameras. While Doug was always happy to have guests around, Mary was growing tired of it as she was exhausted and just needing a break, some privacy. You can have the largest estate on the west coast but when your husband always has company, dinner guests arriving 5-6 nights a week, it can get old pretty fast, even when you're as hospitable as little Mary Pickford, the doting wife.  

Lillian Gish wrote in her biography that she got a call from Mary Pickford while at her home in New York, sometime in 1930. When she asked what Mary was doing in New York, Mary replied with "Oh, I just couldn't take it any longer, the house, the servants, the company. I'm here in a little hotel room, just for the quiet."

Pickfair and it's gorgeous pool, perfectly manicured lawn as it appeared in the 1920's.

Of course Mary returned home to Pickfair, to her beloved Doug and her motion pictures for a little while anyway.  But after visiting New York and it's upscale shops she decided it was time to do a bit of remodeling at Pickfair. No longer content with Doug's heavily paneled walls and open beamed ceilings, Mary sat out to give their estate yet another face-lift. This latest remodel would span another two years and lift Mary's spirits for awhile. 

The newly remodeled dining room during the 1930's.

Mary in her newly remodeled living room during the 1930's.

As busy as Mary had been during the past 25 years making movies, she realized it was time to hang up her pinafores and her ringlet curls for a quieter life. With the advent of talking pictures and their success and her increasing age, she would retire from motion pictures, opting for a quieter life at Pickfair and hoping that Doug was ready to do the same. They had taken a few long trips abroad throughout their marriage and Mary hoped that Doug would be content to do that on a more frequent basis. With the success of their films and now United Artists they were certainly financially able to do so. 

Doug didn't have the same ideas as Mary as he was off making films and cohorting with his mistress Sylvia Hawkes Ashley. When word got back to Mary she retreated to Pickfair alone except now she was openly drinking and heavily, to mask her pain. To make matters worse, she had lost her mother and her brother Jack who had always been her rock. And now she was close to losing her husband to another woman.

Harold and wife, Mildred Lloyd are among the attendees of a dinner party at Pickfair during 1932.

The casual dining room at Pickfair, showcasing one of the bay windows that Mary had installed in the 1930's.

Mary get's ready to entertain on her glassed in patio during the late 1930's.

Not long after finding out about Doug's affair, Mary would file for divorce in 1933 although it would take another 3 years before it was finalized. She would remain at Pickfair alone while Doug remained in London with Sylvia, who was still married to Lord Ashley.  Of course Mary didn't spend every night alone in her over sized but newly decorated, white elephant. It wasn't long before Clark Gable started calling on her night after night before getting the hint that she wasn't interested. 

Once the couple's divorce was final, Mary would get Pickfair while Doug was content with taking their Santa Monica beach house.  A year before, during their long separation, Mary had fallen in love with the dashing actor, Charles Buddy Rogers, whom she would marry in 1937. The first order of business for Charlie was moving out of Pickfair and to a smaller home in Bel Air. (I'll be writing about this estate as well as Doug and Mary's Santa Monica beach house at a later date.)

Pickfair after Doug's renovations in 1920.

Pickfair as it appeared during the 1930's after Mary's renovations. (I actually prefer the earlier renovations, style better with the awnings. Very English countryside to me!)

Although, Charles Rogers and Mary Pickford Rogers would live in his Bel Air home in later years they decided to hold on to Pickfair and it would belong to Mary until her death in 1979. Of course, like any home left unattended, it did fall in to disrepair through the years, no longer being the backdrop for the fabulous parties or weekly dinners of the Hollywood elite. Guests stopped accepting Mary's invites up to her once elegant home and eventually she stopped asking.

Mary would also sell off the surrounding 14 acres to Pickfair throughout the years, to put more money aside for herself and Charles. With Benedict Canyon being such a prime real estate location, she made quite a bit of money which she used to purchase the expensive jewelry, fabulous evening gowns and furs that she had always loved so much.

As Pickfair appeared in the 1930's in postcards after Mary's remodel from the grounds, exteriors to every room within to erase all traces of Doug.

Upon Mary's death in 1979, Pickfair sat empty for several years before being purchased by Los Angeles Lakers owner, Jerry Buss, who took on the task of restoring it to it's former glory. The first private pool in Los Angeles was repaired and filled with water as the front entry where F.Scott Fitzgerald and Amelia Earhart once walked, was getting re-framed and painted. 

If only that was how things ended with Pickfair. Newly renovated, the estate was sold to the actress, Pia Zadora and her husband, businessman, Meshulam Riklis in 1988. They announced shortly after this that they would be remodeling the home but by 1990 it came out that the main house had to be demolished due to disrepair, a termite infestation.  Whatever the reasoning, a very large, Venetian style pilazzo was erected where Pickfair once sat.  With that being said, the gardens, the original swimming pool and the three wrought iron gates remain as they were until Mary's death. As you will see below, the new home is very luxurious and I think Mary would actually like it. While it's quite large, I feel it fits the scale of what anyone would build considering how magnificent Pickfair once was. Now if only an actual 'actress' lived there! 

And I'm not saying that I'm happy to see that Pickfair no longer exists because like many who adore Hollywood's Palaces of the Golden Age, it's very sad.

Upon her divorce in 1993, Pia remained in the estate until it was sold in 2006 for $17.6 million.  The new owner is businessman, Corry Hong.

The Pickfair estate as it appears today. The original pool can be seen to center, left.

The estate during the time Mary resided there part time with Charles Buddy Rogers. Vast manicured lawns and winding roads through the canyon. The estate was still secluded at that time.

Another aerial view of the property, no longer an isolated estate.

The original Pickfair gates (back entrance) at 1143 Summit Drive, Beverly Hills.

Pickfair as it appeared in the 1920's and you can see the cherubs holding court on each side of the long drive as they remain today with the added security gates.

The main Pickfair gates remain intact as they appeared during the time Doug and Mary resided on the property.

The main facade, entry to the new estate.

A closeup aerial view of the original Pickfair pool as it appears today. Where Mary and Doug had many pool parties.

A side view of the estate which would have been the front entrance of Pickfair (original gates) that would have faced Benedict Canyon north.

Another view of the original front gates at 1143 Summit Drive. 

I hope you enjoyed this look back at Picfair and please don't forget to check out the other contributions to the Mary Pickford Blogathon, hosted by KC. (link provided at the top). That's where I'm headed right now.

*If you do get the chance to drive by the estate, please keep in mind that it's a private residence.

**Recently I was made aware of an episode of Celebrity Ghost Stories where Pia Zadora was featured discussing reasons for tearing down Pickfair so I thought I would address it after so many have contacted me.  Pia is entitled to say whatever she wants to and change her story every week as far as I care.

I've done exhaustive research in writing this post and I've read bio's on Doug Fairbanks Sr and Jr. as well as several books on Mary Pickford and even Charles Buddy Rogers.  Not once have I ever heard about Pickfair being haunted.  I did not watch this show that Pia appeared on but I can say that Doug had moved out of Pickfair by the end of the 20s and was living mostly abroad with Sylvia Ashley so I'm not sure who she's referring to as his mistress that died at Pickfair then later haunted her.

Mary and Buddy Rogers resided at Pickfair off and on until her death and I do believe that if they were haunted they would have lived at their other properties full time. Nobody wants an exe's dead mistress running around interrupting their sleep. (At least I would hope so!)  Also, in all of Pickford's bios she never mentioned that Doug brought women back to their estate nor was he the type to do so. Or maybe if there was a ghost haunting Pia and her family it was Joan Crawford. She never was accepted by Doug and Mary as their daughter in law so she could have been roaming around the halls trying to scare the heck out of anyone around that giant estate where she was never welcomed and looked down upon.  (Just kidding but that would be funny!)

I do know that it is well documented that Pickfair went into disrepair after years of neglect and once Jerry Buss purchased the property he spent a fortune in restoring it back to it's former glory.  Do I think Pia Zadora needs publicity and a bit of cash? She's obviously not hurting for cash after selling the estate so I couldn't tell you why she's coming forward with this information now. She's welcome to contact me any time and provide further details about her 'hauntings', what she saw there that caused her to bulldoze such a landmark of Hollywood's golden era to the ground. Of course I can't pay her so there is that.

I'm not here to call anyone a liar and if you want to tear down a house it's none of my business as to the reasoning but I just wanted to address the matter since I've had so many reach out asking for details about a dead girl at Pickfair. In all seriousness, I'm sure Pia is a lovely lady and I hope her children weren't traumatized by ghosts.

Thanks for stopping by!
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