Classic American West Coast Boxing

[Randyman]

Hey Guys, thanks to Bruce, I have been "Officialized" in BoxRec at http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer, one more to go. It ain't much, but it's mine.

Thanks Bruce
It's truly appreciated
Randy

[raylawpc]

Rick,
Do you think there is anything the WBHOF can do as a group, maybe start a letter campaign or contact some of the elected officials in the area and bend their ear a little.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The problem with Burbank . . .

Bruce . . . Your idea is a good one, but the City of Burbank is interested in nothing more than the massive revenue it receives from the movie studios located within it's borders: Warner Brothers Studio, Walt Disney Studio, Universal Studios, NBC Studios (home of the "Tonight Show".) and other smaller film complexes. The movie industry has never been based in Hollywood (except for "Paramount Pictures" and years ago "Columbia"). The majority of film studios are in Burbank, with Sony Studios (the former MGM lot) in Culver City, and "20th Century Fox" in Century City.

The WBHOF is fighting to keep it's head above water and must focus on honoring boxers thru our annual banquet, fund raisers and eventual museum. Once those issues are in order, then perhaps we can focus on projects such as you suggested. I am very familiar with the Burbank City Government, or the "People's Republic of Burbank", as we in the film industry refer to it. Whenever the Burbank City Council is petitioned for such projects their first question is, "How much money will we make from it?" If you are speaking in numbers less than seven figures, they are not interested and have no problem reflecting rude behavior. Nothing is more repulsive to me than the attitudes and behavior of Burbank City officials.

Today, I drove to the former site of Jeffries' home & barn. I took photos which I will share here tomorrow, including a little photo of the "Jeffries Ave." street sign. Even buildings that followed the clearing of Jeffries properties have been torn down, such as the Machinists Union Hall, that Tom mentioned. Today a "Ralph's" supermarket and "CVS Drug Store" occupy the lot. On the opposite corner, a "76 Gas Station" and a "99 cents store" occupy the property where his home once was.

-Rick

I am told by a long-time resident of Burbank that the home was located on the SE corner of Buena Vista and Victory, not at the NE corner, where the 76 gas station is located. A plat I saw of the land at the Los Angeles County Record of Deeds seemed to confirm this, but I could be wrong.

Tom . . . I was a child when Jeffries' home was torn down. I never saw it and didn't see the barn until I visited Knott's Berry Farm. It was my grandfather who pointed to the N/E corner and told me that was where Jeff's house was. He spent a lot of time at Jeffries Barn watching amateur bouts back in the day. He also lived roughly six blocks from the intersection for nealry half a century, and knew boxing. Like you, my Grandfather was born in Oklahoma, but lived in Burbank from 1921 to his death in 1968, 47 years. That is also the intersection where Jeffries wife died after being struck by a car, crossing the street walking between the barn and the home. Maybe he pointed to one corner and I mistakenly thought he was referring to the other?

The barn was without question on the S/W corner. The strip mall you mentioned on the S/E corner is where my future first wife managed a "Jack LaLanne's Health Spa" in the early 70's. Ironically, Monica and I ate lunch at a Quizno's Sandwich Shop in that strip mall today. I'll get the photos to Frank tomorrow, I don't want to send too many at one time. I will shoot the strip mall location and post it as well, just in case I am wrong, I'll cover myself with the other photo.

In addition to the City of Burbank ignoring it's history, as adopted home to a legendary heavyweight champ, Knott's Berry Farm is just as bad. When I was kid, there used to be a small boxing museum inside the barn, in what once might have been a tack or dressing room area. There was also a historian, who would talk boxing with the visitors. That ended forty years ago when the historian died. Today, the only thing relating the barn to Jim Jeffries is a brass plaque tacked to one of the walls outside, and it is not in plain view. All the plaque says is- "Jim Jeffries Barn- Historical Landmark". It does not note who Jeffries was and most might believe that he was a farmer or cowboy. At the time, the barn housed a collection of Japanses dolls. Nothing related to boxing.

I believe that pressure should be put on Knott's to clarify who the champ was, and put up up some boxing history that relates. Japanese dolls? Jeff is either rolling in his grave or having one helluva laugh.

-Rick Farris

Hi Rick:

I freely confess that you might be absolutely correct about the location of the home. After all, you and your family lived in Burbank; I didn't. I based my conclusion on three things: (a) what the lady at the historical society told me; (b) I found the address to Jeff's house in an old city directory, and that address is now on the southside of the street at the SE corner; (c) the parcel map seemed to show the house on the southside of the street. The lady at the historical society (and it really bugs me that I can't remember her name because you might know her) knew Jeff when he was a teenager, and used to go to dances at the Barn. She was "sure" the house was across the street from the barn.

I'll tell you another little tid-bit about Jeff and his home: He never owned it!! That's right. When Jeff bought the place, he put it in his wife's name instead of his own. (That was a common asset protection strategy in those days.) Years later, when Jeff decided to develop the land, Frieda added Jeff's brother Jonathan to the title (not to be confused with brother Jack, who was a boxer). Jonathan was a real estate developer (and was actually quite wealthy when he died). When Frieda died, title passed to Jonathan who continued to own it until his death, a year or so before Jeff's passing. The land was in probate when Jeff died.

That arrangement saved the farm when Jeff declared bankruptcy in the mid-1920s. Since he didn't own it, it didn't go into receivership and was saved. Had he owned it in his own name, all or part of the land might have been lost to his creditors when he declared bankruptcy, and there never would have been a "Jeffries Barn."

[raylawpc]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

[Rick Farris]

Old family photo


Frankie, Linda, Anthony, Bobby and Connie..Circa 1968

Frank, these are my favorite type of pictures. Old family photos. They tell our stories.

Randy

I wasn't close to the Baltazar Family when I was boxing. We crossed paths when I started boxing as a kid. I'd see Frank and the boys at Jr. GG events. You couldn't miss their talent. Those kids were good, everybody knew that. And Frank was a good man, everybody knew that, too. I was older than the boys, we trained in different gyms, lived in different parts of the town, yet what they were were part of what I was. I saw them grow in the ring, from children winning gold jackets to adults closing in on world championships. I saw the guy that used to run the Jr. GG's in their corner. It made me feel good, to see the Baltazar's, Duarte, Davila, and the rest make it to the top.

Frankie Jr. and I didn't know each other as kids. It was nice to talk to him at the amateut show last week. Like his dad, he's a class act. Seeing these photos is good for me.

-Rick

[raylawpc]

Regarding Knott's Berry Farm, I bet they could be convinced pretty easily to put up a plaque on the barn with more information on Jeffries, and the significance of the Barn as long as it didn't cost them anything.

I'll make a deal with you guys: if one of you will contact Knott's Berry Farm and get permission to put up a nice plaque on the Barn, I'll write the inscription for the plaque and pay for it. Rick or Frank, I'd be happy to have you contact the Berry Farm on behalf of either the WBHOF or the CBHOF, if that would help, and tell them the WBHOF or CBHOF is sponsoring it. I envision a nice, tasteful plaque with Jeff's photo, bio, and a bit about the history of the barn.

What do you think?

[Dongee]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom:

Try to locate a great documetary featuring Ralph Story called "Things that aren't there anymore".

It traces the disappearance of many sites, places we all took for granted in what was our very personal Los Angeles. A damn shame, true, but it was all in the name of progress. Born three blocks from where the Olympic Auditorium now stands, educated at John Adams Jr. High (like Don Fraser) Poly and Fremont High Schools, L.A. City College, I was always a fiercely proud Angeleno.
Then they had to change my old home town......bah. Humbug!

hap navarro

[Dongee]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom:

Try to locate a great documetary featuring Ralph Story called "Things that aren't there anymore".

It traces the disappearance of many sites, places we all took for granted in what was our very personal Los Angeles. A damn shame, true, but it was all in the name of progress. Born three blocks from where the Olympic Auditorium now stands, educated at John Adams Jr. High (like Don Fraser) Poly and Fremont High Schools, L.A. City College, I was always a fiercely proud Angeleno.
Then they had to change my old home town......bah. Humbug!

hap navarro

[Rick Farris]

Hey Guys, thanks to Bruce, I have been "Officialized" in BoxRec at http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer, one more to go. It ain't much, but it's mine.

Thanks Bruce
It's truly appreciated
Randy

Randy . . . You have always been an "official" Los Angeles Prizefighter. You walked the walk and did it in the right place, one of the toughest fight towns on earth. Nobody will ever be able to take that from you. Thanks to Bruce for bringing Boxrec up to speed and acknowledging your boxing history.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom:

Try to locate a great documetary featuring Ralph Story called "Things that aren't there anymore".

It traces the disappearance of many sites, places we all took for granted in what was our very personal Los Angeles. A damn shame, true, but it was all in the name of progress. Born three blocks from where the Olympic Auditorium now stands, educated at John Adams Jr. High (like Don Fraser) Poly and Fremont High Schools, L.A. City College, I was always a fiercely proud Angeleno.
Then they had to change my old home town......bah. Humbug!

hap navarro

September 28, 2006...4:24 AM
Things That Aren’t Here Anymore: Ralph Story

If you grew up in Southern California you know what good journalism, good reporting is because you heard Ralph Story. If you weren’t lucky enough to see his work: it’s too late, Ralph Story died.

Unique, Superb
After retiring from evening news reporting, Ralph Story began a series: telling us what Los Angeles used to be like, using pieces he found, hidden away by somebody who cared –bits, pieces used to illustrate good stories –of things that “Aren’t Here Anymore.” Now: he is one of them. May seem an odd way to characterize a reporter, but: he was refreshing. He told good stories very well. With his pieces as good as they were: it was easy to get annoyed –angry –that something had carelessly disappeared. Many many parts that made Los Angeles unique –distinct from Anywhere USA, were trashed by politicians du jour –with and without PROTEST at their stupidity.

I remember a fascinating one, about the little public tram and the hill tailored for it, downtown –so public could go up long steep street above. One look at that piece and it smashes one’s forehead: WHY would politicians destroy THAT? TOO useful??? Not enough money in it? –Pinheads couldn’t just raise the $.25 fare???

“Things That Aren’t Here Anymore”
Why protest –when it’s too late? Remembering that series, I borrowed his line to speak before Los Angeles Unified School Bored members –when they were about to rip down the last important landmark left in LA: the Ambassador Hotel.

So many hundreds, representing thousands, wanted to speak, protest, that open comment to the Bored ran three weeks, then extended. Despite Ralph Story’s good title, which got a few to actually look at me, those people were too indifferent, pre-programmed/agenda set, too bored to care. That’s why I label them “Bored members.”

–Learn history in historical setting –part school, part condo, part housing for teachers, part low-income rental –mixed use –last LA landmark in situe? –even though lots protested Hell No.

The Bored: caved to their little “leader” –who arrived here only four years earlier, but who refused to listen –to thousands of natives, long-time residents who spoke, wrote, e-mailed –called –begged Roy Romer to create a unique school, to leave the Ambassador Hotel intact. He ignored –city leaders, agency heads –his own friends and got down where ugly politics thrive –with stirred-up immigrant parents, who were told: Ambassador Hotel OR a school . They allowed themselves to be used, manipulated –Roy Romer delighted to appease the uninformed.

Jose Huizar –Bored President?
He Could cozy up to MALDEF lawyers (how much did they make off the deal?) “representing” parents, who just wanted a school in the neighborhood –to five of Robert F. Kennedy’s kids –to union members –to arrogant egoist Romer. To fat-cat contributors, campaign strategists –and pro fund-raisers?

Huizar used children –to step on, to get on another rung of another career. –But: Tell their parents, that NONE of their children will attend school in destroyed Ambassador Hotel site? –That it won’t be finished in time? –That the Ambassador Hotel “EIR” kinda wasn’t done too well? –ANY truth? Hell NO.

Un-informed Parents
Los Angeles Conservancy members and volunteers walked surrounding neighborhood. When they knocked on doors, told parents the Rest of the Story: immigrant parents also wanted to save the Ambassador Hotel –their children to have unique opportunity.

LAUSD Bored members –not interested in doing the educating thing –too hot, busy congratulating themselves: for being in real estate biz.. Marlene Cantor, Bored, realtor…. The pandering Bored ‘caved’ and voted –to demolish .

LAUSD Bored
They use our money to do secret polls, surveys –to find out –best way to ‘market’ –push their garbage on voters –to get ever more bond money to do this sort of act.

Pile
David Tokofsky, Schoolboard member District 5: lone voice, pleaded with the lemmings. Two joined him. You can see what’s left of the lemmings’ latest adventure into incompetence and spending your money .

But Oops –they be sooo busy they “forgot” to do homework –proper EIR –a ‘tad’ short. Once the great Ambassador Hotel: Rubble sitting on exposed toxic waste .

Gosh, toxic waste site –too bored to bother doing due diligence, before they destroyed the Hotel, even though there is still-closed toxic dump “Belmont High School” –they be sloooow learners….

LA Conservancy : accepted $5 million to ’settle’ –claiming they needed the money –to give to historical schools that call when they need light fixtures and light bulbs??? The Bored ‘don’t have the money’ for light bulbs –for necessities??? Say What???

The Bored trashed the hotel to get “more school” instead of smaller learning units –for the same land –when they full well know: enrollment is falling. –No, not only the Drop-Out rate. Past two years: 20,000 fewer students. Projected: 5,000 fewer students every year. –Who can afford to live here, on Minimum Wage? The Bored doesn’t care. –They got your money –gonna rip down more houses, apartment buildings, shops to build those schools. Less housing = Empty schools? Too damn bad, the Bored are Busy mak’n Real Estate Deals.

If –IF they had Listened to the thousands, and not to some newly-arrived Kennedy kids, who want to pretend their father wasn’t murdered in the kitchen, and to construction companies… school AND living space –for teachers, for low-income, for condo owners –meeting and hotel rooms for LAUSD meetings, that now costs thousands –free. Duh. Ballroom for parties, proms, events –that could have, duh, generated income? Hmmm…just How did we get so lucky to get such morons?

I don’t imagine Mr. Story was any more amused than the rest of us who opposed actions of those people.

City Counsel
Your representative –did not care either: each “deferred” to the “member” in who’s district the Ambassador Hotel sat. They kept their mouths firmly shut. While the “member” used the Hotel: as political fodder –to wrongly enrage immigrant parents, who only wanted a new school –without ever mentioning: the school would not be completed in time for any of their children to attend it –or: that it didn’t need to be trashed to have a school.

The Member
Your “rep” in City Council obeyed –your wishes? –Common sense? Naw,
obeyed “tradition” –kept mouth SHUT –for: City Council “rep” who used Ambassador Hotel, fake facts, Latino parents –mess, to step directly into a job with a union –where he committed various acts to which he recently pled
“guilty.” His sentencing is coming up soon.

Things that aren’t here any more…
Common sense, common decency; doing things for the greater good, doing the right thing; organizations that report actual news that matters, informs –without “sellebrity” trash; regular salary for government employment –not using government to get personal wealth by ‘helping’ developers. We are awash with carpetbaggers, car chases, sellebrity crap.
Corrupt City Council?

Ralph Story is gone and so is fine journalism and the times in which people strove for the best, instead of for the shoddy quick, dirty, cliche-ridden avaricious with which we are now stuck. Good reporter –smart, witty, engaging, fine…daVine. Sorry to see you go, Mr. Story. You are already missed….
Ralph Story

[Rick Farris]

Tom . . . I truly appreciate all you post about Jim Jeffries, Burbank, etc. Like you, I freely confess that I wasn't around when Jeff's house located on that corner. I also cannot ask my grandad "which corner was the one Jeff lived on?" Regardless, we know where it was, give or take a hundred yards. What is important, is that it be remembered for what it once was to the City of Burbank. However, if they don't care, why should I? I haven't lived in that town since I was 18.

On the other hand, that Barn is a true historical landmark, a designation recognized by the State of California. Walter Knott, the guy who opened Knott's Berry Farm as a fried chicken and berry pie cafe, has been dead for decades, as is his wife who cooked the food eaten there. Some corporation owns the amusment park today. How much do they care about a barn? Today, the Jim Jeffries Barn is history and lives only in our minds. Maybe that is how it should be? Just like the Hollywood LegionStadium, the Main St. Gym and Olympic Auditorium. I felt that way about the Olympic when they renovated it, chaned it's name to the "Grand Olympic Auditorium". That wasn't the place I knew.

-Rick

[kikibalt]

Old family photo


Frankie, Linda, Anthony, Bobby and Connie..Circa 1968

Frank, these are my favorite type of pictures. Old family photos. They tell our stories.

Randy

I wasn't close to the Baltazar Family when I was boxing. We crossed paths when I started boxing as a kid. I'd see Frank and the boys at Jr. GG events. You couldn't miss their talent. Those kids were good, everybody knew that. And Frank was a good man, everybody knew that, too. I was older than the boys, we trained in different gyms, lived in different parts of the town, yet what they were were part of what I was. I saw them grow in the ring, from children winning gold jackets to adults closing in on world championships. I saw the guy that used to run the Jr. GG's in their corner. It made me feel good, to see the Baltazar's, Duarte, Davila, and the rest make it to the top.

Frankie Jr. and I didn't know each other as kids. It was nice to talk to him at the amateut show last week. Like his dad, he's a class act. Seeing these photos is good for me.

-Rick

When this picture was shot Frankie and Tony were 4-5 year veterans of the fistic wars

[Rick Farris]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom:

Try to locate a great documetary featuring Ralph Story called "Things that aren't there anymore".

It traces the disappearance of many sites, places we all took for granted in what was our very personal Los Angeles. A damn shame, true, but it was all in the name of progress. Born three blocks from where the Olympic Auditorium now stands, educated at John Adams Jr. High (like Don Fraser) Poly and Fremont High Schools, L.A. City College, I was always a fiercely proud Angeleno.
Then they had to change my old home town......bah. Humbug!

hap navarro

Hap . . .

I used to love the weekly TV show, "Ralph Story's Los Angeles". Even when I was young, I was glued to the TV when it came on. He visited so many L.A. landmarks and this is responsible for my interest in L.A. history today. Yes, Ralph Story really put it together nicely, in a way that has influenced my interest in Los Angeles. It was telecast on L.A.'s CBS affiliate, which as you know, was right around the corner from the Legion on Sunset Blvd.

Hell, even that has changed. When Monica and I were in Hollywwod on Wedensday, I pointed to the now vacant KCBS studio. Today, CBS headquarters are located three blocks from my home in Studio City. They have merged with local station KCAL Ch.9 and both newscasts are broadcast from the CBS Studio Center, which before that was Republic Pictures, and before that was the Mack Sennett Studios when it was built in 1928.

Since I'm on a roll about that studio lot, where I worked on Seinfeld a few years back (and dozens of productions over the years), let me say that this is where they once filmed Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, Gilligans Island (they finally buried the Lagoon in the 90's and turned it into a parking lot), My three Sons, Hill St. Blues, and on and on. My grandfather just knew it as, "Republic". Today, it's where CBS president, Leslie Mooneves has his office. It's also my favorite L.A. Studio, small, cozy, friendly. About 22 sound stages. In the old days, the San Fernando Valley was the studio's back lot.

You guys can think I'm crazy, but I feel this town. I truly believe that i lived here before, I am often overcome with Deja Vu when I walk a studio lot, or L.A. boxing locations. I lived here before, in another time, one I truly miss, and don't know why. For some reason, these postings are something I am both enjoying, yet leaving me feeling out of place, in the worng time. I dunno, I'm just crazy, that's no secret.


-Rick Farris

[Randyman]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom, there is a movie that was made in 1952 Called "The Ring" that takes place in Los Angeles. It's somewhat of a low budget movie but might give a little insight to an earlier L.A.. The beautiful Rita Moreno is in the movie but the big thrill for guys like us is Art Aragon, and in a small part in the gym skipping rope is a young Keeny Teran. Off the screen and unseen, with Keeny, was our very own Frank Baltazar. It's worth watching. It's a personal favorite of mine. Frank can tell you more.

I'm a fan of all the above movies. Admittedly, the Black Dahlia, while not the best of the bunch was at least tolerable.

Back in the days before the malls and before the homogenization of the big cities, Downtown Los Angeles was the place to go shopping. I made regular trips with my father, who bought most of his clothing in the old downtown haberdasheries. Sometimes we would stop and see a movie at one of the grand downtown theaters, and we would always stop by the Main Street Gym. I can see the changes. Like Hap, Frank and Rick, I am a born and bred Angeleno. We don't like the changes.

Randy

[Dongee]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom:

Try to locate a great documetary featuring Ralph Story called "Things that aren't there anymore".

It traces the disappearance of many sites, places we all took for granted in what was our very personal Los Angeles. A damn shame, true, but it was all in the name of progress. Born three blocks from where the Olympic Auditorium now stands, educated at John Adams Jr. High (like Don Fraser) Poly and Fremont High Schools, L.A. City College, I was always a fiercely proud Angeleno.
Then they had to change my old home town......bah. Humbug!

hap navarro

Hap . . .

I used to love the weekly TV show, "Ralph Story's Los Angeles". Even when I was young, I was glued to the TV when it came on. He visited so many L.A. landmarks and this is responsible for my interest in L.A. history today. Yes, Ralph Story really put it together nicely, in a way that has influenced my interest in Los Angeles. It was telecast on L.A.'s CBS affiliate, which as you know, was right around the corner from the Legion on Sunset Blvd.

Hell, even that has changed. When Monica and I were in Hollywwod on Wedensday, I pointed to the now vacant KCBS studio. Today, CBS headquarters are located three blocks from my home in Studio City. They have merged with local station KCAL Ch.9 and both newscasts are broadcast from the CBS Studio Center, which before that was Republic Pictures, and before that was the Mack Sennett Studios when it was built in 1928.

Since I'm on a roll about that studio lot, where I worked on Seinfeld a few years back (and dozens of productions over the years), let me say that this is where they once filmed Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, Gilligans Island (they finally buried the Lagoon in the 90's and turned it into a parking lot), My three Sons, Hill St. Blues, and on and on. My grandfather just knew it as, "Republic". Today, it's where CBS president, Leslie Mooneves has his office. It's also my favorite L.A. Studio, small, cozy, friendly. About 22 sound stages. In the old days, the San Fernando Valley was the studio's back lot.

You guys can think I'm crazy, but I feel this town. I truly believe that i lived here before, I am often overcome with Deja Vu when I walk a studio lot, or L.A. boxing locations. I lived here before, in another time, one I truly miss, and don't know why. For some reason, these postings are something I am both enjoying, yet leaving me feeling out of place, in the worng time. I dunno, I'm just crazy, that's no secret.


-Rick Farris

One more thing, fellas, please. My boxing hangout was located smack dab in the heart of the electronic media world in those days. Just walking distance from the stadium were CBS, NBC, KHJTV. ABC, with their first rate sports reporters. Even Warner Bros. had an outlet upstairs over the old Sardi's on Hollywood Blvd, and KTTV was just a bit east of the stadium by the freeway offramp.

The old Hollywood Citizen News, where John Hall first began his career, was also nearby. The Olympic had an advantage in printed matter, what with all the major newspapers close by, but the Legion counted heavily on the airwaves for adequate coverage. I can't think of another boxing venue that was so perfectly located as the Legion Stadium.

Three blocks away on Vine just south of Hollywood Blvd. was the old Brown Derby Restaurant, and directly west of the stadium was an upscale eatery called the Nickodell. That was so popular with our Legionaires that they ended up buying the place just after I departed. Rick, it was on the corner of Selma and Ivar(?) one block away from us. The last time I was in the area I found an empty lot had replaced our delicious pasta haven, the Nickodell.
memories.

hap navarro

[kikibalt]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

[kikibalt]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom...I liked all three movies you mentioned above, the time fame for LA Cofidential was in the early 1950s, I remember those years as shown in the movie. Sometimes riding the streetcars to the Olympic to see the fights, going to the Golden Gate Theater to watch movies, meet a girl and after the movies take her to some Mom and Pop Hamburg stand for a burg, fries and a coke,. And then I met Connie and not long after meeting we got married (1954) and we are still in love... Sorry I got away from the movies

[Randyman]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

Frank, the Golden Gate Theater on Whittier Blvd and Atlantic, in the heart of east L.A., was still going strong when I was a kid. I saw so many movies there and spent so much money on candy, popcorn and soda I should have been made a partner. I went there with my father and uncles to see Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry, and Mike Quarry and Bob Foster (on closed circuit). It was a tough night for the Quarry's.

Thanks for the memories!

Randy

[Randyman]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom...I liked all three movies you mentioned above, the time fame for LA Cofidential was in the early 1950s, I remember those years as shown in the movie. Sometimes riding the streetcars to the Olympic to see the fights, going to the Golden Gate Theater to watch movies, meet a girl and after the movies take her to some Mom and Pop Hamburg stand for a burg, fries and a coke,. And then I met Connie and not long after meeting we got married (1954) and we are still in love... Sorry I got away from the movies

Frank, believe it or not, that was a mini tribute your wife Connie. Only a real man would do that. That's why we respect you!!

Randy

[kikibalt]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

Frank, the Golden Gate Theater on Whittier Blvd and Atlantic, in the heart of east L.A., was still going strong when I was a kid. I saw so many movies there and spent so much money on candy, popcorn and soda I should have been made a partner. I went there with my father and uncles to see Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry, and Mike Quarry and Bob Foster (on closed circuit). It was a tough night for the Quarry's.

Thanks for the memories!

Randy

Randy...Like Hap likes to say "Memories"

[Randyman]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

Frank, the Golden Gate Theater on Whittier Blvd and Atlantic, in the heart of east L.A., was still going strong when I was a kid. I saw so many movies there and spent so much money on candy, popcorn and soda I should have been made a partner. I went there with my father and uncles to see Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry, and Mike Quarry and Bob Foster (on closed circuit). It was a tough night for the Quarry's.

Thanks for the memories!

Randy

Randy...Like Hap likes to say "Memories"

The other theaters that were nearby and just as popular (and crowded) were The Boulevard, The Garmar (on Garfield and Whittier) , and the Vogue. Remember those?

[kikibalt]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom...I liked all three movies you mentioned above, the time fame for LA Cofidential was in the early 1950s, I remember those years as shown in the movie. Sometimes riding the streetcars to the Olympic to see the fights, going to the Golden Gate Theater to watch movies, meet a girl and after the movies take her to some Mom and Pop Hamburg stand for a burg, fries and a coke,. And then I met Connie and not long after meeting we got married (1954) and we are still in love... Sorry I got away from the movies

Frank, believe it or not, that was a mini tribute your wife Connie. Only a real man would do that. That's why we respect you!!

Randy

Thanks, Randy, I didn't started out with that in mind, my mind just took a trip to the early 1950s, and some how I got lost in the clouds, it was a good trip down memory lane never the less...

[kikibalt]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

Frank, the Golden Gate Theater on Whittier Blvd and Atlantic, in the heart of east L.A., was still going strong when I was a kid. I saw so many movies there and spent so much money on candy, popcorn and soda I should have been made a partner. I went there with my father and uncles to see Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry, and Mike Quarry and Bob Foster (on closed circuit). It was a tough night for the Quarry's.

Thanks for the memories!

Randy

Randy...Like Hap likes to say "Memories"

The other theaters that were nearby and just as popular (and crowded) were The Boulevard, The Garmar (on Garfield and Whittier) , and the Vogue. Remember those?

Sure do! I went to all of them, the Vogue was on Whittier and Montebello Blvds, when I was living in Simons we used to ride the bus to the Vogue and beyond for 7 cents one way.

[kikibalt]

Randy...Up the block (West) from the Golden Gate was the United Artist Theater, did you go there too?

[Randyman]

Another sad ending for another historical landmark


The Golden Gate Theater, East Los Angeles.
I spent my early teenage years going to the Golden Gate to meet girls

Frank, the Golden Gate Theater on Whittier Blvd and Atlantic, in the heart of east L.A., was still going strong when I was a kid. I saw so many movies there and spent so much money on candy, popcorn and soda I should have been made a partner. I went there with my father and uncles to see Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry, and Mike Quarry and Bob Foster (on closed circuit). It was a tough night for the Quarry's.

Thanks for the memories!

Randy

Randy...Like Hap likes to say "Memories"

The other theaters that were nearby and just as popular (and crowded) were The Boulevard, The Garmar (on Garfield and Whittier) , and the Vogue. Remember those?

Sure do! I went to all of them, the Vogue was on Whittier and Montebello Blvds, when I was living in Simons we used to ride the bus to the Vogue and beyond for 7 cents one way.

Back then it was different time. When my parents would go visiting relatives, they would take me to one of the shows, and then pick me up on the way back home, hours later. In those days you could stay all day long and get two movies and cartoon. It's different now. Can't do that anymore.

randy

[raylawpc]

Frank, Hap, Rick and Randy:

There have been a number of movies in recent years about LA as it was back in the 1940s and early 1950s. Two that come to mind are LA Confidential (a great picture) and The Black Dahlia (a horrible picture). Also, Mullholland Drive. And that movie about the suicide of the George Reeve, Hollywoodland.

I guess this is more for Frank and Hap (since Rick and Randy weren't alive yet or just kids), but what recent movies are accurate in describing the flavor of LA as it was in those days? The way LA felt in those days.

I hope LA Confidential is one. I really love that movie!!

Tom, there is a movie that was made in 1952 Called "The Ring" that takes place in Los Angeles. It's somewhat of a low budget movie but might give a little insight to an earlier L.A.. The beautiful Rita Moreno is in the movie but the big thrill for guys like us is Art Aragon, and in a small part in the gym skipping rope is a young Keeny Teran. Off the screen and unseen, with Keeny, was our very own Frank Baltazar. It's worth watching. It's a personal favorite of mine. Frank can tell you more.

I'm a fan of all the above movies. Admittedly, the Black Dahlia, while not the best of the bunch was at least tolerable.

Back in the days before the malls and before the homogenization of the big cities, Downtown Los Angeles was the place to go shopping. I made regular trips with my father, who bought most of his clothing in the old downtown haberdasheries. Sometimes we would stop and see a movie at one of the grand downtown theaters, and we would always stop by the Main Street Gym. I can see the changes. Like Hap, Frank and Rick, I am a born and bred Angeleno. We don't like the changes.

Randy

Between the ages of 6 and 11, I lived in an area of Kansas City called "Kansas City north" (not to be confused with North Kansas City, which was just south of us). It, too, was the place to go shopping. On Thursday mornings during the Summer, I used to take the bus downtown with my Mom and meet her mother - my Swedish grandmother - to go shopping. I liked going downtown to see the buildings and all the people and take the bridge across the w - i - d - e Missouri River, but - gosh - I hated shopping with my Mom and my grandmother, especially my grandmother who was always after me to "stand-up straight," "don't chew gum with your mouth open," "watch where you're walking," "oh my God, did you spit on the sidewalk?" etc., etc., etc.

My grandmother was a private care nurse, and she took care of a very elderly - and rich - lawyer near downtown Kansas City. I remember visiting her at his huge mansion, where she lived on the 4th floor upstairs in the servant's quarters. His mansion was quite impressive - when he got old, they installed a special elevator so he could avoid the stairs. I remember that he had a golf putter made of gold. That's when I decided to become a lawyer, I suppose.

However, something went arwy because I don't have a gold putter or live in a mansion with a elevator . . . Oh well, maybe if I've stood up straight, chewed my gum with my mouth closed . . . etc . . . etc. I'd have done better for myself.