tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post7009312985095923248..comments2024-03-28T03:27:52.615-07:00Comments on My Love Of Old Hollywood: Hollywood at Home: Pickfair.Pagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-16772977612258206392016-08-01T22:29:21.148-07:002016-08-01T22:29:21.148-07:00This was an enjoyable read. My grandmother (and g...This was an enjoyable read. My grandmother (and great-grandmother until her death in 1929) owned a catering company from the 1920s - 1960s. On many occasions in my teen and young adult years, I tried to get my grandmother to share stories about her clients but being the professional that she was, she didn't share the elaborate stories that I sought. Other than one power couple for whom she refused to work, those she disliked were described as "not much" and those she liked as "very nice." But, when it came to Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, her face would light up as she would remember parties she catered for them. She said that both of them were genuinely nice people.<br /><br />We have a few mementos (letters, thank you notes, and such) of her years in business, I'm afraid that the bulk of it may have been lost during her move from LA in the late 1980s, when a small hard-sided blue suitcase fell from the back of the moving truck onto the freeway. To this day, that loss haunts me. Being able to read about Pickfair, its owners, and their parties, gives me just a little piece of my grandmother's history. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07159594594307327779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-42107322457110548872014-04-25T18:00:57.667-07:002014-04-25T18:00:57.667-07:00I was reading an article and Buddy said "Mary...I was reading an article and Buddy said "Mary offered Pickfair to the City of Beverly Hills, several universities, and charitable organizations, but they couldn't give the place away". The trouble was they all wanted money for upkeep, and according to Buddy "we don't have that kind of money". Bet they did!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07114477046580835934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-3247631460634910752014-04-25T17:49:35.777-07:002014-04-25T17:49:35.777-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07114477046580835934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-39267254151553320862014-04-15T09:18:10.560-07:002014-04-15T09:18:10.560-07:00Hello,
There isn't an original guest wing but ...Hello,<br />There isn't an original guest wing but a foyer as you enter the home. Some of the original structure was left but not much.<br />Thanks for stopping by.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-2718031265770601292014-04-15T09:16:36.979-07:002014-04-15T09:16:36.979-07:00Hi, Joe
Yes, so very charitable to keep the pool. ...Hi, Joe<br />Yes, so very charitable to keep the pool. ha ha <br />Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to comment. <br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-12507914434687569392014-04-15T09:15:28.907-07:002014-04-15T09:15:28.907-07:00My pleasure! And thank you for stopping by and tak...My pleasure! And thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. There are several Hollywood at Home posts you'll find in the archives, and stay tuned for more.<br />Hope you'll come back again.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-57490024466278301112014-04-15T09:14:19.894-07:002014-04-15T09:14:19.894-07:00Hi,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience wit...Hi,<br />Thanks so much for sharing your experience with Pickfair. <br />Yes, we can all agree that we're not very happy with Pia and her husband for tearing down such a historical home. It should have been considered a Historical Landmark, allowing the city to step in and insure it was renovated and not bulldozed.<br /><br />All the best!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-72206891815101030312014-04-14T11:49:08.016-07:002014-04-14T11:49:08.016-07:00Thank you for your excellent post with these great...Thank you for your excellent post with these great pics. I visited Pickfair 1979, all by myself when I was about 18, when it still resembled the original Pickfair (way after Mary's renovations). Just drove up to the gates mind you, not invited inside or anything. But anyway, Pia Zadora is now claiming "ghosts" because all of Hollywood can't stand the no talent bitch. I'm sorry but she is a stupid pathetic woman. I mean this was PICKFAIR, the home of the King and Queen and where it all began. God knows she had the money, or could have even raised money to move it somewhere as a museum but no, she just tore it down. My father was an actor of the old days, Adam Williams. He worked with Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock, Eva Marie Saint, Deborah Kerr and many others. He told me nobody could stand Pia, especially after she tore down Pickfair. That is why she is now coming up with this supposed ghost story. Also, another interesting bit. In the late 70's when I was a teen I was in Northridge in the S.F. Valley at a corner with a friend waiting for the light to turn green to walk across. All of the sudden a long black limo approaches and who is actually driving it but Pia Zadora. Why was she driving it and why was she in Northridge? I have no idea. But she glanced at my friend who had long curly hair but I must admit looked a tad unkempt at the time, as she was turning right, and rolled her eyes and gave him a disrespectful look. She was such an obvious spoiled bitch. Today this day I simply cannot stand her ESPECIALLY for tearing down Pickfair. There is no excuse.RQChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745774007026113933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-65153008769346682862013-12-12T17:55:48.515-08:002013-12-12T17:55:48.515-08:00Page, for lack of a better term, "Awesome, Aw...Page, for lack of a better term, "Awesome, Awesome, Awesome"! Thank you so much for the fabulous photos and well written descriptions. How I love old Hollywood! And you brought it all to me in my home! Looking forward to whatever you care to share.<br />Thank you thank you thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-92013732803888551192013-10-09T03:36:32.923-07:002013-10-09T03:36:32.923-07:00What a great post, I actually found it very though...What a great post, I actually found it very thought provoking, thanks<br /><br /><a href="http://lidopropertymanagement.com/" rel="nofollow">property management Fullerton</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11327429499120590393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-53504981186232910482013-10-09T02:32:55.274-07:002013-10-09T02:32:55.274-07:00I would just like to say to all my fellow Entrepre...I would just like to say to all my fellow Entrepreneurs…just remember that persistence is the key to success. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://joseumanaexcavating.com/" rel="nofollow">swimming pool demolition los angeles</a>Princessterryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07769163218708871752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-73560449556281074312013-09-15T14:33:00.537-07:002013-09-15T14:33:00.537-07:00A fantastic article. The pictures are awesome. Wi...A fantastic article. The pictures are awesome. Will be visiting your blog often. I am so glad they kept original pool.Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-39163339967034972032013-09-08T22:48:36.882-07:002013-09-08T22:48:36.882-07:00Sadly, there was not an effort to save the estate ...Sadly, there was not an effort to save the estate as far as I know. I think Pia and her ilk bought it then decided to gut it, tear it to the ground without anyone being the wiser.<br /><br />She turned it into a stone cold mansion that not one person could give two shits about to be honest! She was a wrecking ball that went in and crushed the last semblance of old Hollywood and what it stood for.<br /><br />Thank you for commenting and bringing up just how I feel about Pia and her desire to ruin old Hollywood. <br />Please do continue commenting.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-84273933106058742032013-09-02T07:09:56.956-07:002013-09-02T07:09:56.956-07:00It breaks my heart that this piece of American his...It breaks my heart that this piece of American history was sold off and, like so many botched face lifts in Hollywood, is just a memory of its former glorious self. The number of international dignitaries, artists, adventurers....Einstein, Emelia Earhart....that walked through those front doors, rivals only the White House. Was there ever an effort by the Hollywood Community to save and restore this iconic landmark?bfftrainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182464970624935843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-11214996026251806632013-07-09T22:19:58.551-07:002013-07-09T22:19:58.551-07:00Thank you for a wonderful half an hour! I really e...Thank you for a wonderful half an hour! I really enjoyed seeing the old photos. I love your commentary! The world is so crazy now! I love going back in time (and the internet makes it easy)! Looking at LA in the old days is fascinating. Again, many thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-63198846978131730182013-06-09T02:12:31.347-07:002013-06-09T02:12:31.347-07:00Hi where is this guest wing they say still exists?...Hi where is this guest wing they say still exists??? Anyone know?? JasonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-28388320054950648002013-03-17T12:28:22.427-07:002013-03-17T12:28:22.427-07:00Very informative. I enjoyed the photos and written...Very informative. I enjoyed the photos and written commentary linked with the pictures. I love researching/ searching for all "Old Hollywood" homes.<br /> Thank You - I'll "visit often."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-81091891482180033152013-03-17T00:25:04.474-07:002013-03-17T00:25:04.474-07:00Thank-you so much--I really enjoyed this!Thank-you so much--I really enjoyed this!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-67091662025498100482013-02-06T12:47:50.285-08:002013-02-06T12:47:50.285-08:00David,
That is splendid info and thanks for sharin...David,<br />That is splendid info and thanks for sharing that. I would bet that the letters you have are enough documentation to show that the iron work was done by H-B. <br /><br />Keep in mind that the heavy iron gates weren't erected originally and gates weren't commissioned until Marion did her 30s remodel. However all of the brick side fences, the cherubs etc were erected early on at Pickfair. <br /><br />I will look through the info that I have to see if I can find out when said gates were erected and by whom but I would imagine that your documentation gives more details than what I recall reading on Pickfair and it's construction.<br /><br />If you have some way of emailing or writing to Jerry Bus, he had a lot of paperwork on Pickfair and he did an extensive amount of restoration to the estate before it was sold then torn down. Of course the gates still stand. Hopefully you'll get the answer you're looking for.<br /><br />If I do find any additional information I'll be sure to let you know here on this post.<br />All the best!<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-80196792518313198402013-02-04T19:14:50.353-08:002013-02-04T19:14:50.353-08:00Hi Page
I was under the impression that the iron g...Hi Page<br />I was under the impression that the iron gates were also from the original Pickfair. Please correct me if I'm wrong. <br />I have come across a family letter stating that my great grandfather was a subcontractor with the building of Pickfair and his company was called H-B Ornamental Iron Works and they specialized in gates, fences, lamps and grill works. I was wonder if you knew if there was any marking or stamps by the builder on the original gates to confirm the letter I read?<br />Thanks <br />DavidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-28953915660455064042013-01-26T18:15:33.705-08:002013-01-26T18:15:33.705-08:00Anon,
I apologize for the delay in getting back to...Anon,<br />I apologize for the delay in getting back to you as I've been out of town.<br />I don't know who made the gates at Pickfair. I assume you mean the original brick side gates with the cherubs etc. The black iron gates were put up by Pia after Pickfair was torn down but the side cherubs and brick walls remain. I'll see what I can find out.<br />Thanks for stopping by.<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-24844355498944575032013-01-23T18:54:17.270-08:002013-01-23T18:54:17.270-08:00Can anyone tell me who made the pickfair gates? Th...Can anyone tell me who made the pickfair gates? There are amazingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-18790560370100286392013-01-12T14:10:59.814-08:002013-01-12T14:10:59.814-08:00Hi Milwaukee Wisconsin here, just saw the story on...Hi Milwaukee Wisconsin here, just saw the story on the ??? Haunting of PickFair?? poo have news for you.. if that is the case..the ghost is still there. as that is where she died and stayed to party.. we have a 1906 Federal here, it is great the Cook of the orginal family is still with us and is in the kitchen.. she never says much but guides the cooking .. with a German hand.. its the ghost of the 1960's that is out spoken.. This house has never been properly cared for.. told her she died and needed to leave or find a chair..nope they never leave.. Pia had that Mansion torn down.. there will be hell to pay sooner or later.. yep...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-40496485537525469922012-10-18T14:52:37.877-07:002012-10-18T14:52:37.877-07:00where is the guest wing? Jason where is the guest wing? Jason Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5288732393699331930.post-73786674314549995002012-09-16T20:00:14.535-07:002012-09-16T20:00:14.535-07:00Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know ...Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know about this. Very interesting but I don't believe a word of it. It sounds like she's wanting/needing publicity or the heat off of her for tearing down that fabulous part of Hollywood history.<br /><br />She wanted to erect her monstrosity in it's place. The nouveau riche have a lack of taste which is apparent. I've never read anything about ghosts there and I've read up on the home and Pickford and Fairbanks extensively. Now having said that and as I mentioned below. Falcon Lair was known to be haunted but I don't think that's the reason it was bulldozed. I think it was in disrepair after years of being left empty and neglected.<br /><br />Thanks again for stopping by and sharing this info. Pia is nutty! Ha Ha<br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.com