In August of 1934, vaudeville performer Don Dixon was arrested by LAPD after officers found him sleeping in his car. The police suspected him of being intoxicated. Later, Dixon successfully argued in front of a judge that he had fallen asleep inside his car after playing an accordion at a wedding. “I was not drunk, your honor,” Dixon told Judge […]
In the 1950s, Los Angeles was the country music capital of the world. One of its local favorites was Joe Maphis (1921-1986), “The King of the Strings” and star of the TV show “Town Hall Party.” If you’ve never heard Maphis and his band, you’re in for a treat. He was incredible…
Stunt woman Edith Happy (1925-1999) performs her famous hippodrome stand at the Sheriff’s Rodeo at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1958. Happy started her trick riding career in 1943 at the Salinas Rodeo. In 1945, she met her future husband, Don Happy, who taught her stunt work. Edith quickly became a rodeo favorite and later toured […]
11-year-old Eric Henderson (left) and his 9-year-old brother, Lars, train their cap guns on a stewardess in this 1957 publicity photo. The San Fernando Valley boys, touted as the fastest cap gunslingers in the country, appeared on a television show, brandishing their new cap gun models. Following the broadcast, the brothers were challenged by other […]
The life of strongman Arthur Blackmer, aka Arthur Santell (1910-1998), is interesting — if a little sketchy. He was born Ezra Arthur Blackmer Jr. in Orange County on February 2, 1910. He came from a large family, and had three siblings. His father was a ranch hand, who moved around a lot. His mother died when […]
A racing team advertising Puente Gas pose next to their Peugeot in 1914. Ed Berman appears to be the man on the right. In November of 1914, Berman’s Peugeot competed in the Corona Road Race in Southern California. His driving partner, Eddie Rickenbacker (not pictured), later became the United States’ leading WWI fighter ace. Berman did not […]
In January 1965, Douglas Arthur, a 22-year-old motorcyclist turned hairstylist, came up with a novel idea. He decided to operate a Rolls Royce beauty salon in Los Angeles. Hoping to attract entertainers and wealthy Beverly Hills socialites on the go, he fitted the backseat with a curling iron, hair dryer, assorted brushes, and hairsprays. He then hired […]
Doctor Newman, a forgotten Hollywood hermit, failed to cult-ivate much of a following in his lifetime. He did, however, make LIFE Magazine in 1938.
Beverly Shaw (1909-1990) was a local singer who owned one of the first lesbian night clubs in the San Fernando Valley. It was called the Club Laurel and its address was 12319 Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. The club existed from 1954 to 1968. Shaw regularly performed at her club in a suit and bow tie. Prior to its opening, she sang […]
Would you fly on a Passenger Carrying Kite? On the back of this 1926 photo reads: Los Angeles — Shown to the public for the first time, after more than 200 trial “flights,” this huge passenger carrying kite is being studied by aero experts here. Invented by George A. Agrabrite, who has flown kites since […]