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Many/most of Raymond Chandler’s works are set in the time period when LA was gradually shifting from oil to film as its predominant industry. I believe oil executives were in a few of the stories as villains too. Great reads if you’re interested in the era.
I heard the movie business started there to get out of reach of enforcement of movie camera patents back east. If true that’s pretty ironic since the whole industry is built on IP rights.
I heard the movie business started there to get out of reach of enforcement of movie camera patents back east. If true that’s pretty ironic since the whole industry is built on IP rights.
Huntington Beach located in Orange County, south of Los Angeles used to have oil wash up on the beach due to it seeping from the ocean bottoms. Signal Hill located near Long Beach California used to be completely covered with oil pumping rigs. Even in Long Beach close to PCH and 2nd street there are still active oil wells.
Tar on the beach was a mainstay of my childhood, and now almost completely gone. No more pressure pushing oil naturally on to the beach. Turpentine on my feet post beach was never fun.
PS: I absolutely loved living in LA. Alas, we only stayed 2 years.
Many/most of Raymond Chandler’s works are set in the time period when LA was gradually shifting from oil to film as its predominant industry. I believe oil executives were in a few of the stories as villains too. Great reads if you’re interested in the era.
Incidentally, while re-reading Chandler's "The Lady in the Lake," I realized that the scene in which Marlowe meets his employer, dozing off in a "high-backed chair" in his club's library, was a description of the library at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Today, if you're a member (or know one), you can pop up to the third floor, still preserved in all of its interwar ersatz-Gilded-Age splendor, and doze off in one of those distinctive high-backed chairs after a drink and schvitz.
It turns out that Chandler had worked across the street when employed by Dabney Oil, and visited the L.A. Athletic Club frequently.
Baldwin Hills is my favorite part of LA. Historically rich African American neighborhood. Tons of great views, really good location overall in LA. Nice access to LAX, the water and downtown isn't too far. And of course tons of oil derricks near Kenneth Hahn. Highly recommend.