LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Over the years of exploring our city, Eye on LA has discovered some incredible locations that give us a glimpse into LA’s fascinating history. Now the hostess Tina Malave unlocks our vault and opens the time capsule “Eye on LA”.
We open our first capsule and discover the enchantment of The Magic Castle by entering the exclusive Beverly Hills witch house. Did you know LA County once had a lion farm?
The magic castle
The 30,000-square-foot Magic Castle has five bars, 13 wizarding performance areas, and a 150-seat restaurant! Occasionally they provide guest cards when reserving dinner. Call to inquire.
7001 Franklin Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 851-3313
www.magiccastle.com
Beverly Hills Witch House
Originally built as an office and set up for silent movies at Willat Studios in Culver City, the witch house was moved to Beverly Hills and converted into a private residence in 1926. When the current owner started a little remodeling, it was just being completely renovated and removed every right angle, replacing it with curves and details that really fit into a proper witch house. For the first time ever, Eye on LA got an exclusive look inside the legendary house, which attracts over 3,500 trick or treating every Halloween.
516 N. Walden Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Gay’s Lion Farm – El Monte Historical Museum
Gay’s Lion Farm was a tourist attraction with over 200 lions and brought millions of visitors to El Monte almost a hundred years ago. You can still see memorabilia from Gay’s Lion Farm at the El Monte Historical Museum.
3150 Tyler Ave.
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 444-3813 or (626) 580-2232
www.ci.el-monte.ca.us
Continue our time capsule exploration of LA, see where to spot real fossils, and visit Old Trapper’s Lodge for crazy sculptures you might know about. Then check out what’s been going on in the old Clifton’s cafeteria on DTLA for decades and go behind the walls of a hidden chocolate shop and see the treasure they discovered!
Fossil Ridge Park
To learn more about the fossils found in Los Angeles, visit the Los Angeles County’s Natural History Museum.
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-DINO
www.nhm.org
Old Trapper’s Lodge
The Old Trapper’s Lodge is a sculpture garden tucked away in an agricultural area of Pierce College in Woodland Hills. It is the brainchild of John Ehn, whose early life as a trapper on Michigan’s upper peninsula is depicted in the park’s sculptures and headstones.
6201 Winnetka Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 347-0551
www.spacesarchives.org
Clifton’s cafeteria
This legendary LA cafeteria is currently being renovated by the owners behind another of LA’s iconic hotspots, The Edison.
648 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-1673
www.cliftonscafeteria.com
The Chocolate Shoppe – Batchelder tiles
Take a walking tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy to see the beautifully preserved batchelder tiles discovered downtown.
(213) 623-2489
www.laconservancy.org
Do you remember Dr. Demento? We do! And Tina works with Vintage LA to see who stole Paul McCartney’s head from the famous Beetles billboard on Sunset Boulevard in the 1960s. Then you can step into Jim Morrison’s Love Street House – only on Eye on LA!
Dr. Denial
From 1970 to 2009 the top rated radio show Dr. Demento listeners young and old to some of the quirkiest songs and artists of all time like “Fish Heads”. Dr. Demento is still broadcasting live on the internet, and a documentary about his life called “Under the Smogberry Trees!” Is being worked on.
www.drdemento.com
“Under the Smogberry Trees” – Meep Morp Studios
www.facebook.com/underthesmogberrytrees
Barnes & Barnes – “Fish Heads”
www.voobaha.com
Jim Morrison’s Love Street House
Rock icon Jim Morrison lived at Love Street House with his girlfriend Pamela Courson in the heart of Laurel Canyon. It was nearly decimated in the 2012 new year arson, but the current owner restored every inch and Eye on LA got the exclusive first look inside.
8021 Rothdell Trail
The angel
Who stole Paul’s head?
For more information on this LA legend and a look back at LA history, please visit www.facebook.com/VintageLosAngeles. Further information on the book “Rock N Roll Billboards des Sunset Strip” by Robert Landau can be found at www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Billboards-Sunset-Strip.
We end our LA time capsule show at a 100 year old movie studio, Mack Sennett Studios and The Cinefamily Silent Theater, where they still show Hollywood gems on the big screen. And go to the living time capsule on Melrose Avenue that is The Groundlings.
Mack Sennett Studios
The legendary studio in Silverlake was built almost 100 years ago by Hollywood pioneer Mack Sennett for his fiancé starlet Mabel Normand and again bears the name of the man who built it. Today, the ultra-modern studios for advertising and music videos are in high demand.
1215 Bates Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 660-8466
www.macksennettstudios.net
Silent Theater – Cinefamily
The Cinefamily’s Silent Theater in the Fairfax district shows silent films every first Wednesday of the month. The Art Deco theater first opened in 1942. Today, the Cinefamily keeps its vintage atmosphere by hosting special screenings, silent films with live music, as well as classics and new releases.
611 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, 90036
(323) 660-8466
www.cinefamily.org
The Groundlings
You could call it a living time capsule on Melrose Avenue. Founded in 1974 by Gary Austin, it has produced some of the most recognizable talent in comedy history. Drop in and see a show Wednesday through Sunday.
www.groundlings.com
Be sure to have Eye on LA “LIKE” and host Tina Malave on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
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[Original air date: March 29, 2014]
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