The first trailer for the upcoming feature film Gangster Squad was released today and it looks spectacular. A period piece set in the 1940′s, the story chronicles the LAPD’s fight to keep the east coast mob out of Los Angeles, specifically mafioso Mickey Cohen. Based on a true story, this realistic portayal of mid-century Los Angeles along with a well selected all-star cast is sure to make for quality film. I really like the promo picture they have as well, posing in front of City Hall with the San Gabriel foothills in the background. Classic Los Angeles. [LAist]
In 1884, Los Angeles was still a very young city only being incorporated as an official municipality of the state a few decades before. Over at the Big Maps Blog, the were able to dig up the Stevenson Survey of Los Angeles map which gives a fascinating visual account of the land making up downtown Los Angeles and surrounding neighborhoods in 1884. These kind of maps give a great historical account of our fine city, and are fun to see how things the built environment has changed or stayed the same. Go to the link above to zoom in and see in more detail. [LAist]
My love for baseball is indescribable. Since an early age I always watched, played and attended baseball games, to the point where it has become an integral part of life. One of my biggest claims to fame is that I attended the Dodgers 1988 World Series Game where Kirk Gibson hit his famous walk-off home run. Most people don’t believe me, because I was only 3 years old at the time, but I was definitely there and actually remember parts of it. Well, my dad dug through his old scrap book and found the actual tickets with a little hand written not about the game. It is now one of most prized possessions. Events like this mold your love baseball, and mine just happened to be one of the greatest in sports history.
Located on the the corner of Venice and La Brea in a building that used to be a Conroy’s flowers, Australian motorcycle company Deus Ex Machina has opened their flagship American store. The stores concept extends beyond just being a bike shop, it also houses a showroom for their line of apparel, their surfboards and a coffee shop for people to hang out. With a very open space and a casual Venice vibe, they really have achieved a wonderful environment inside. I spent about an hour hanging out their recently checking out the clothes and reading the various books they have on the tables, and it was super cool. Thanks to RackedLA for the photographs.
On display now at drkrm gallery is a collection of rare Ansel Adams photographs of Los Angeles. The pictures were taken all throughout the city from Downtown to the ocean, capturing what life was like in Los Angeles in the 1940′s. [LAI'mYours]
Modern day Beverly Hills has very few redeeming qualities. It’s essentially turned into insular community of wealthy people that want to disjunct themselves from the real world. Not cool. However, back in the day, the physical and cultural landscape of the greater Los Angeles area was quite different, as was Beverly Hills. As you can see in the aerial photograph above from the 1920′s, the city was not sprawled out yet and left a lot of open land to be developed. And of all the things you would imagine to see in glitzy and glamorous Beverly Hills, the Southeast corner of Wilshire Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd (current site of Beverly Hills High School) was the site of the Beverly Hills Race Track. Yes, a race track in Beverly Hills. Very cool. Built as a board track with a surface constructed from wooden 2×4′s, the speedway hosted many motorcycle and automobile races. To help glorify this amazing piece of Los Angeles history, the National Film Preservation Foundation has put together a film highlighting this legendary track, compiling footage they have received from Indian Motorcycles and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
The rejuvenation of the historic core of Downtown Los Angeles over the last 10 years has been an absolutely amazing development for our fine city. Scores of new shops, restaurants, bars and loft developers are taking intrepid steps to restore once vibrant streets that have become dilapidated in the second half of the 1900′s. The latest to join the party is Umamicatessen of the very successful Umami franchise, founded right here in Los Angeles. Comprised of Umami Burger, PIGG pork park, The Cure deli, Spring For Coffee and & A Donut, the Umamicatessen will be an amalgamation of 5 great eateries in one establishment. Additionally, the space will also house The Back Bar, a bar by the creators of Harvard Stone serving craft beers and classic cocktails. Located on Broadway in the historic Orpheum building, head on Downtown so we can start Bringing Back Broadway. [EaterLA]
Many menswear stores in Los Angeles carry a variety of apparel and products, but none have a full offering of goods as does Standard Goods on Beverly Blvd. And I do mean FULL offering of goods. We’re talking clothes, books, accessories, vinyl records, skateboards, household items, fresh preserves and art, nearly all done by independent designers and many sourced locally. It takes someone from a different part of the country to put together a “general store” such as this, and upon visiting last week I felt a strong Midwest vibe from this place. Well my suspicions were true, because the proprietor of this fine establishment, Garret Colton, hails from none other than the great state of Oklahoma. If you find yourself in the Mid Wilshire or Miracle Mile area, head on down to Standard Goods and take a gander for yourself.
When I was in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles last weekend to hang out at my favorite bar Villains, I saw a fantastic looking historical building lit up across the street that I have never noticed before. I was in awe that such a building was so well kept amongst the old industrial infrastructure along the Los Angeles River. To my surprise I have found out this is the new headquarters for Lucky Brand, founded in Los Angeles but had there headquarters located in nearby Vernon up until now. It is absolutely wonderful to see companies such as Lucky establishing themselves Downtown to contribute to this burgeoning part of Los Angeles. Furthermore, the design of their new building appropriately adheres to the neighborhood’s century old industrial aesthetic rather constructing a glass laden modern looking monstrosity. Mad props to you Lucky Brand, this is extremely refreshing. [RackedLA]
I can eat a sandwich every single day for lunch for the rest of my life, they might be my favorite food group. You might as well refer to me as the Earl of Sandwich. One of my most loved past times has been finding the best sandwich shops of whatever city I’m in, whether they be some fancy new gourmet place or some hole in the wall mom & pop deli. I’ve done pretty well finding the great sandwich shops of Los Angeles, but the LA Weekly has put together what looks to be the comprehensive list of the best sandwiches in the city. My only addition to this would be the Larchmont Wine and Cheese, which is where you can find me nearly every Saturday having their amazingly fresh array of sandwiches. Click above to see to the complete LA Weekly article, and check the list with links to each place below:
Los Angeles coffee makers Handsome Coffee Roasters have been selling their grounds and doing guest barista events at local shops for sometime now. After much anticipation, they are opening a brick and mortar location in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles for Angelenos to imbibe in their world class coffee making skills. [CoolHunting]
Part of the lore and legend of the Los Angeles Lakers is their longtime season ticket holder Jack Nicholson. As famous as he is for his on-screen acting, he is just as famous for his court-side theatrics as a fixture at nearly every Laker home game in the Staples Center (and back in the day at The Forum). Whether it be cheering his team on, berating referees or hosting other movie stars at his seats, the Los Angeles Times has compiled a great collection of photographs showcasing some of his finest moments. [Kempt]
