Like Hollywood & Me Pt. II
This post is the last (for now) of my small series on my West Coast adventures. It is easy to romanticize California as a vintage lover because so many of the spaces invoke Old Hollywood through the preserved architecture of yesteryear, the old and glamorous signage, and the spaces where you can still enjoy a cocktail or meal in some of the haunts where some of your favorites used to frequent. I found so many places in Los Angeles charming and nostalgic.
My favorite restaurant and bar was, hands down, the Formosa Cafe. It is situated right on Santa Monica Boulevard and was started in Los Angeles in the 1930s. At the time, the Formosa was located across the street from Samuel Goldwyn film studio. The Formosa is a glamorous Chinese restaurant that stars such as Humphrey Bogart, and Frank Sinatra frequented.
Regarding food, all the dishes are served in hefty sizes meant for sharing. Everything that my friend and I ordered was a hit to us both. The walnut shrimp, marinated cucumbers, Szechuan wings, and veggie bao dumplings were immaculately prepared, flavorful, and filling. The drinks only elevated the experience. The Formosa serves house cocktails as well as tropical.
As a self-professed tiki cocktail enthusiast, I couldn't resist ordering my all-time favorite tiki drink, the Singapore Sling, made with my preferred gin, Bombay. And to my surprise, I also tried a green tea shot, served in an elegant cut glass. It was, without a doubt, the best green tea shot I've ever had. If you find yourself in Los Angeles, The Formosa is a must-stop!
During my stay in LA, I had to visit the Chateau Marmont, a luxurious hotel located on Santa Monica Boulevard. The Chateau is known for celebrities from yesteryear to today who stay there for short—and/or long-term stays. Many films have been shot at the Chateau, including The Strip (1951), The Night Walker (1964), and La La Land (2016). You are almost guaranteed to spot a celebrity or two when dining or ordering a drink there. While I enjoyed my meal and cocktail, I found the whole experience a bit underwhelming, but I am still glad I got to check it out!
Any film enthusiast has to go to the Academy of Motion Pictures just to experience it! I am fortunate that I got to attend while the John Waters: Pope of Trash exhibition was still going strong—it will be until August 4th! I loved seeing filmmaker John Waters' artistry revered in the way it was with scripts, photographs, costume renderings, props, etc., from his iconic cult films. My favorite sections of the museum were the ones on Old Hollywood. I loved seeing original film posters, costume sketches from highly regarded designers such as Edith Head, and film clips from lesser-known independent films.
There was one haunting image in the museum that I think about often, which was in the area where they hold important Oscar statuettes won by various figures. An empty section is dedicated to iconic actress, comedienne, and singer-songwriter Hattie McDaniel, the first black Oscar winner for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind (1939). She won Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards in 1940. Her section has no Oscar statuette because the original award went missing and is said to have been last seen at Howard University during the 1960s/70s. Howard created a replacement award and held a ceremony for it in the fall of 2023. There is something both sad and unsurprising about seeing that missing statuette that I will never forget.
During my time in California, I had to do some vintage shopping. One of my favorite shops I knew I had to visit was Larry Edmunds Bookshop on Hollywood Boulevard. This bookshop was established in 1938 and preserves film history through books, magazines, scripts, posters, lobby cards, and photographs. As an avid collector of vintage Old Hollywood books, I find this shop a treasure filled with many gems and rich film history on and off the shelves. Film stars such as Jeanne Moreau and Donald Sutherland were filmed there for the movie Alex in Wonderland (1970). According to You Must Remember This Podcast, film producer, screenwriter, and production designer Polly Platt was employed at Larry Edmunds briefly to do video script copywriting of historical films.
I purchased two books, including My Way of Life by Joan Crawford, a how-to book detailing her beauty regime, home decor, etc. I also bought a 1980 book titled The Films of Greta Garbo by Michael Conway, which is a deep dive into several Garbo movies I've never watched. Not only did I purchase two divine books in excellent condition, but I also received several Greta Garbo film recommendations and had a lovely chat with one of the workers at Larry Edmunds, who provided me with such great information on the influential silent and golden era star.
During my time in California, my friend and I stayed in Pasadena, northeast of Los Angeles, known for its architecture. Some areas, such as Old Pasadena, have well-preserved, lavish Art Deco and Victorian buildings. Needless to say, Pasadena has fabulous vintage shops, but my favorite was the Pasadena Antique Mall, which has many vintage vendors in the space. My favorite sections of the Antique Mall were the shelves upon shelves of vintage books, where I purchased way too many, and the areas that sold the 1940s-60s vintage pieces at such affordable prices!
Lastly, another favorite visit of mine was to The Huntington Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. Imagine 130 acres filled with over 83,000 plants, including rare and endangered vegetation. The property was purchased by American magnate Henry E. Huntington in 1903. I was in awe of the various themed gardens and all their beauty. There was the Jungle Garden with its beautiful waterfalls, vines, and bamboos. The Lily Ponds with colorful Japanese koi, water lilies reminiscent of a Monet painting, and tranquil turtles. The Rose Garden needs no further explanation. The Desert Garden consisted of many cacti that I had no idea existed. My favorite was the Japanese Garden, which had a moon bridge, a ceremonial teahouse, and a Zen garden.
On this trip, I realized that I am a person who is constantly seeking and finding beauty and learning about rich history. I found this trip to be very informative and inspirational. I am returning to Los Angeles in a few weeks to visit my dear friend from childhood, so I am sure I will have more wonderful, vintage-inspired adventures to share with you!
I hope you've enjoyed these posts, and I will see you next week! :)