Martin Turnbull
@martinturnbull.bsky.social
Author of a series of historical novels set in and around the real-life Garden of Allah Hotel on Sunset Blvd from 1927 to 1959, as well as other novels set during Hollywood's golden era.
For those of you who have enjoyed the first two books in my Hollywood's Greatest Year trilogy, I have posted on my blog the Chapter 1 preview of book 3: "Selznick's Confidant" due out in January 2026.
tinyurl.com/yx6bd2xp
tinyurl.com/yx6bd2xp
December 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
For those of you who have enjoyed the first two books in my Hollywood's Greatest Year trilogy, I have posted on my blog the Chapter 1 preview of book 3: "Selznick's Confidant" due out in January 2026.
tinyurl.com/yx6bd2xp
tinyurl.com/yx6bd2xp
Looking east along Wilshire Blvd from near Robertson Blvd looking toward the Park La Brea towers, circa late 1940s. I do love that vertical MUSIC HALL sign—they’re something we don’t see anymore. I don’t know what that MOVING sign refers to--any guesses? ("now" photo September 2025)
December 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Looking east along Wilshire Blvd from near Robertson Blvd looking toward the Park La Brea towers, circa late 1940s. I do love that vertical MUSIC HALL sign—they’re something we don’t see anymore. I don’t know what that MOVING sign refers to--any guesses? ("now" photo September 2025)
In the neon glow of 1942 Hollywood, a missing Maltese Falcon draws an unwilling courier to Warner Bros. Amid whirring cameras & war-darkened soundstages he finds an unexpected friendship with Humphrey Bogart during the filming of "Casablanca."
TODAY ONLY
tinyurl.com/5ejb3w3a
TODAY ONLY
tinyurl.com/5ejb3w3a
December 5, 2025 at 8:59 PM
In the neon glow of 1942 Hollywood, a missing Maltese Falcon draws an unwilling courier to Warner Bros. Amid whirring cameras & war-darkened soundstages he finds an unexpected friendship with Humphrey Bogart during the filming of "Casablanca."
TODAY ONLY
tinyurl.com/5ejb3w3a
TODAY ONLY
tinyurl.com/5ejb3w3a
These Angelenos gathered at this 4-carriage Pacific Electric streetcar were the 1st passengers to arrive on the line to Santa Monica all the way back on April 1, 1896. Wherever that first streetcar took them to, it wasn’t paved over yet because they’re all standing on dirt.
December 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
These Angelenos gathered at this 4-carriage Pacific Electric streetcar were the 1st passengers to arrive on the line to Santa Monica all the way back on April 1, 1896. Wherever that first streetcar took them to, it wasn’t paved over yet because they’re all standing on dirt.
How very film-noir-esque. We’re facing north from near Sunset Blvd and Vine St toward Hollywood Blvd, circa 1940s. All that’s missing is a sidewalk slick with rain—although LA doesn’t get as much rain as the film noir movies of that era would have you believe. ("now" photo December 2024)
December 4, 2025 at 2:43 PM
How very film-noir-esque. We’re facing north from near Sunset Blvd and Vine St toward Hollywood Blvd, circa 1940s. All that’s missing is a sidewalk slick with rain—although LA doesn’t get as much rain as the film noir movies of that era would have you believe. ("now" photo December 2024)
Aerial shot of massive storm waters flooding the streets of Venice Beach, California, after a series of heavy rain, March 3, 1938. Some of those streets had once been the canals built in the early 1900s and were—involuntarily—canals again.
December 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Aerial shot of massive storm waters flooding the streets of Venice Beach, California, after a series of heavy rain, March 3, 1938. Some of those streets had once been the canals built in the early 1900s and were—involuntarily—canals again.
Looking across Pershing Square from 6th St #DTLA. In 1952, the square was demolished to build a parking structure. Consequently a much-enjoyed, greenspace was lost. This photo was taken in 1965, when Pershing Square had had a chance to rebound albeit a shadow of its former self. (now photo May 2024)
December 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Looking across Pershing Square from 6th St #DTLA. In 1952, the square was demolished to build a parking structure. Consequently a much-enjoyed, greenspace was lost. This photo was taken in 1965, when Pershing Square had had a chance to rebound albeit a shadow of its former self. (now photo May 2024)
We’re facing north up Broadway from 7th St #DTLA, circa early 1930s. I’m concerned about those people waiting for a streetcar on a patch of asphalt with only a painted line to separate them from traffic. Granted, those cars were moving as fast as those pedestrians, but still. ("now" photo Dec 2022)
December 1, 2025 at 2:43 PM
We’re facing north up Broadway from 7th St #DTLA, circa early 1930s. I’m concerned about those people waiting for a streetcar on a patch of asphalt with only a painted line to separate them from traffic. Granted, those cars were moving as fast as those pedestrians, but still. ("now" photo Dec 2022)
A 1977 photo of a Foster’s Freeze restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd near Vermont Ave. The sign says “Old Fashion” instead of the more typical “Old Fashioned.” And on the far right, way in the distance, we can see the Griffith Observatory.
November 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A 1977 photo of a Foster’s Freeze restaurant on Santa Monica Blvd near Vermont Ave. The sign says “Old Fashion” instead of the more typical “Old Fashioned.” And on the far right, way in the distance, we can see the Griffith Observatory.
As the strippers in “Gypsy” wisely taught us: ya gotta have gimmick. By my rough estimation, there are about 130 used tires out from of this used tire store in Hollywood. The photo is from 1933, during the Depression, when people were keen to make a buck however they could.
November 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
As the strippers in “Gypsy” wisely taught us: ya gotta have gimmick. By my rough estimation, there are about 130 used tires out from of this used tire store in Hollywood. The photo is from 1933, during the Depression, when people were keen to make a buck however they could.
Looking east on Hollywood Blvd toward Vine as a Red Car rolls west. “The Caine Mutiny” was playing at the Pantages so it was 1954. The NW cnr of Hollywood & Vine was a succession of different cafés. When this photo was taken, it was a Melody Lane with a Pig'n Whistle next door. (now photo Sept 2025)
November 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Looking east on Hollywood Blvd toward Vine as a Red Car rolls west. “The Caine Mutiny” was playing at the Pantages so it was 1954. The NW cnr of Hollywood & Vine was a succession of different cafés. When this photo was taken, it was a Melody Lane with a Pig'n Whistle next door. (now photo Sept 2025)
1938 looking east along Wilshire from Catalina: Bullocks Wilshire, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Talmadge apartments. In the foreground is the sign for the Mona Lisa restaurant, 3343 Wilshire: “Franco-Italian restaurant and an ideal place to take a woman guest for luncheon." (Now photo August 2025)
November 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM
1938 looking east along Wilshire from Catalina: Bullocks Wilshire, Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Talmadge apartments. In the foreground is the sign for the Mona Lisa restaurant, 3343 Wilshire: “Franco-Italian restaurant and an ideal place to take a woman guest for luncheon." (Now photo August 2025)
This crisp photo takes us to the night of November 1, 1932, when Eddie Cantor’s “The Kid from Spain” got its razzle-dazzle premiere at the Wiltern Theatre on the SE corner of Wilshire and Western. Back then, the Wiltern was still owned by Warner Bros, who opened it in 1931. ("now" photo August 2025)
November 26, 2025 at 2:39 PM
This crisp photo takes us to the night of November 1, 1932, when Eddie Cantor’s “The Kid from Spain” got its razzle-dazzle premiere at the Wiltern Theatre on the SE corner of Wilshire and Western. Back then, the Wiltern was still owned by Warner Bros, who opened it in 1931. ("now" photo August 2025)
The bright light framing the silhouettes of these seven men is so perfectly timed that it could almost be a still from a movie. Seven men watch an atomic blast exploding in the Nevada desert from the safe distance of downtown Los Angeles at 5.10am on May 5, 1955.
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The bright light framing the silhouettes of these seven men is so perfectly timed that it could almost be a still from a movie. Seven men watch an atomic blast exploding in the Nevada desert from the safe distance of downtown Los Angeles at 5.10am on May 5, 1955.
Facing north up Beachwood Dr toward the Hollywood Hills. I wonder if people who lived on the left took the sign for granted and barely even saw it. The Hollywoodland sign went up late in 1923, and it looks pretty intact, so I’m going to guess this photo is mid-to-late 1920s. ("now" photo Oct 2025)
November 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Facing north up Beachwood Dr toward the Hollywood Hills. I wonder if people who lived on the left took the sign for granted and barely even saw it. The Hollywoodland sign went up late in 1923, and it looks pretty intact, so I’m going to guess this photo is mid-to-late 1920s. ("now" photo Oct 2025)
It must have been a slow day on Hollywood Blvd (or perhaps on a Sunday morning?) when this photo of Grauman’s Chinese was taken from across Hollywood Blvd during the run of "Morocco." But it gives us a clear view of the theater during its early days; it was 3 years old here. ("now" photo July 2022)
November 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
It must have been a slow day on Hollywood Blvd (or perhaps on a Sunday morning?) when this photo of Grauman’s Chinese was taken from across Hollywood Blvd during the run of "Morocco." But it gives us a clear view of the theater during its early days; it was 3 years old here. ("now" photo July 2022)
Here’s a 1950s shot if ever I’ve seen one: the parking lot of the Valley Plaza shopping mall, which was one of the first malls in the San Fernando Valley. (1951) According to my car expert, the newest vehicle in the image is a 1957 Plymouth, so let’s call this circa late 1950s.
November 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Here’s a 1950s shot if ever I’ve seen one: the parking lot of the Valley Plaza shopping mall, which was one of the first malls in the San Fernando Valley. (1951) According to my car expert, the newest vehicle in the image is a 1957 Plymouth, so let’s call this circa late 1950s.
In this serene image treats us to the night lights Los Angeles in 1908. (Population approximately 317,000) It reminds us that the city was still very much clustered around downtown LA. This shot was taken from the Mount Wilson Observatory, so we’re looking southwest.
November 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
In this serene image treats us to the night lights Los Angeles in 1908. (Population approximately 317,000) It reminds us that the city was still very much clustered around downtown LA. This shot was taken from the Mount Wilson Observatory, so we’re looking southwest.
This view of Venice, California was taken from the top of a rollercoaster. We can see (a) how sparsely populated Venice still was in 1918, and (b) how degraded the canals already were a dozen years after opening. In the foreground, we can see the main canal already filling in.
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This view of Venice, California was taken from the top of a rollercoaster. We can see (a) how sparsely populated Venice still was in 1918, and (b) how degraded the canals already were a dozen years after opening. In the foreground, we can see the main canal already filling in.
It doesn’t take much to make me happy: give me a vintage photo taken at night in Los Angeles, preferably with a neon sign and during Hollywood’s golden age. This beauty ticks all those boxes. We’re looking south down the eastern side of Vine St past the Brown Derby circa 1950s. (now photo June 2021)
November 19, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It doesn’t take much to make me happy: give me a vintage photo taken at night in Los Angeles, preferably with a neon sign and during Hollywood’s golden age. This beauty ticks all those boxes. We’re looking south down the eastern side of Vine St past the Brown Derby circa 1950s. (now photo June 2021)
In all the time I've lived in LA, I've never been to the Shrine Auditorium. So when the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles recently organized a series of walking tours of the place, I sighed up immediately. So can see my pics on my blog.
tinyurl.com/8r8jfr2d
tinyurl.com/8r8jfr2d
Touring the landmark Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles
Although I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 30 years, and although the Shrine Auditorium has been standing on Jefferson Blvd south of downtown LA and north of the USC campus for almost 100 years, …
tinyurl.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In all the time I've lived in LA, I've never been to the Shrine Auditorium. So when the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles recently organized a series of walking tours of the place, I sighed up immediately. So can see my pics on my blog.
tinyurl.com/8r8jfr2d
tinyurl.com/8r8jfr2d
Here we have a 1938 view of Warner Bros from the top of the hillside overlooking Barham Blvd. In March, LA suffered through catastrophic rains that damaged the bridge crossing the LA River south of the studio. That’s why all those cars are parked along Barham.
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Here we have a 1938 view of Warner Bros from the top of the hillside overlooking Barham Blvd. In March, LA suffered through catastrophic rains that damaged the bridge crossing the LA River south of the studio. That’s why all those cars are parked along Barham.
A Pacific Electric Red Car rolls past the Rialto Theatre on Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena. The streetcar is so vividly red that I wonder if it was freshly painted. But as the photo was taken circa early 1950s, when the streetcar network was facing extinction, I’m guessing not. ("now" photo May 2024)
November 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
A Pacific Electric Red Car rolls past the Rialto Theatre on Fair Oaks Ave. South Pasadena. The streetcar is so vividly red that I wonder if it was freshly painted. But as the photo was taken circa early 1950s, when the streetcar network was facing extinction, I’m guessing not. ("now" photo May 2024)
Elevated view of the Hollywood Hotel on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave, circa 1920s. By this time, the center of Hollywood's social life was the Hollywood Hotel, especially on Thursdays, which, for some reason, became the big social night of the week. (now photo June 2024)
November 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Elevated view of the Hollywood Hotel on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave, circa 1920s. By this time, the center of Hollywood's social life was the Hollywood Hotel, especially on Thursdays, which, for some reason, became the big social night of the week. (now photo June 2024)
This is a rare photo of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre taken *before* the theater opened on May 18, 1927, with Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings.” In this photo, it looks almost finished I wonder if those workers in front knew they were helping to build a soon-to-be legend. ("now" photo July 2022)
November 15, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This is a rare photo of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre taken *before* the theater opened on May 18, 1927, with Cecil B. DeMille’s “King of Kings.” In this photo, it looks almost finished I wonder if those workers in front knew they were helping to build a soon-to-be legend. ("now" photo July 2022)