Whenever I have people come and visit who are LA newbies, I like to give them the "Dark Side of LA" tour (in addition to the "There's the Hollywood Sign" tour). We drive by the
Viper Room (for River Phoenix), the
Peterson Automotive Museum (RIP Biggie),
South Norton Ave (Black Dahlia),
Johnnie's Coffeehouse (OK,
the Big Lebowski isn't dark in the same way per se, but Johnnie's always makes the list), and finally FINALLY:
The Chateau Marmont, the hotel of socialite debauchery, legendary rockstar behavior, and at least one mention in every E! True Hollywood story ever aired. (That last bit could be a slight exaggeration. But it feels true.)
Now, a few years back, we spotlighted the
lobby at Christmas, but in honor of Escapes month, let's take a peek at one of the Chateau's more intimate Hillside Bungalows. This particular one, frequented by Humphrey Bogart, was designed by
Craig Ellwood in 1956 and was an extension of the
Case Study Houses. Seeing this place will help you ignore the fact that Britney Spears is poolside dropping y'alls and snapping gum, or the crafts service truck from
Entourage taking up 5 parking spots (FYI, parking sucks in general over here, but rent one of the cottages and you get your own driveway)--the mid-century architecture and the privacy of being tucked away will recall memories of Hollywood's golden age. That is, until someone tells you that John Belushi OD'd a few yards away. (RIP,
Bluto Blutarsky.)
Continuing with the dark side tour of LA thread... If you're headed up to the Strip for the Chateau and Viper Room stops, don't forget about the Shoreham Towers (a block above the old Spago). Diane Linklater committed suicide by jumping off the roof; and Alexander Gudonov was found dead in his apartment (acute alcoholism-related death).
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Oh damn Enrique! I'll put that in next time. Perhaps we should start an Underbelly of LA Tour Map...or does someone already do that?
view grace's profile
There is the Sunset Junction Map of Infamy, particularly relevant as SJ is coming up this weekend!
view chiffonade's profile
(and the 1974 Project site in general)
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