Until arriving in Hollwood January 2013, I thought I share some stories with you, from what use to be one of my favorite sparetime hobbies, when I lived in L.A. This city never seize to amaze me with all its history, magic, energy and hidden treasures if you only stop, look close enough and take your time to understand.
For instance, when not busy working, I use to look up Golden Era Hollywood landmarks, specifically those not so well known to the public. Let me take you on a quick trip back to 1917!
Hollywood was not yet blooming but Charlie Chaplin saw its potential and decided to purchase the lot of land located on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. The lot had at the time an orchard of lemon trees. Chaplin wanted to create his own Motion Picture Studios with a feeling of old English Citystreet vibe, hence the village of English style cottages highlighted in Los Angeles times in year 2000 as a English Cottage Fairytale.
The studio served as the recording studio for Chaplins early movies such as The Kid (1921) Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). Charlie sold he property in 1942 and it has since had numerous owners such as A&R studios, Red Skelton etc.
In 2000 it was up for sale once again. That's when the children of the Jim Henson family, the Muppets, grabbed it. To owner the memory of Charlie Chaplin, a 12 feet statue of Kermit the frog dressed as the Tramp was put up by the front gate to the property greeting visitors as they arrive. It is said Charlie Chaplin's footprints in cement are still somewhere to be found inside this whimsical architectural jungle.
For instance, when not busy working, I use to look up Golden Era Hollywood landmarks, specifically those not so well known to the public. Let me take you on a quick trip back to 1917!
Hollywood was not yet blooming but Charlie Chaplin saw its potential and decided to purchase the lot of land located on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. The lot had at the time an orchard of lemon trees. Chaplin wanted to create his own Motion Picture Studios with a feeling of old English Citystreet vibe, hence the village of English style cottages highlighted in Los Angeles times in year 2000 as a English Cottage Fairytale.
The studio served as the recording studio for Chaplins early movies such as The Kid (1921) Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). Charlie sold he property in 1942 and it has since had numerous owners such as A&R studios, Red Skelton etc. In 2000 it was up for sale once again. That's when the children of the Jim Henson family, the Muppets, grabbed it. To owner the memory of Charlie Chaplin, a 12 feet statue of Kermit the frog dressed as the Tramp was put up by the front gate to the property greeting visitors as they arrive. It is said Charlie Chaplin's footprints in cement are still somewhere to be found inside this whimsical architectural jungle.
Worth mentioning is that the hit single "We are the World" was recorded here while under ownership of A&R Studios.
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