Lisa Burks Online

Things Will Be Great When You're Downtown

Took a research run over to the AMPAS Margaret Herrick Library yesterday, via the awesomely convenient Metro Bus. Love that it routes through downtown because I hate driving and parking, but love to explore.

On my way home I took time between transfers to traverse a portion of the historic Broadway Theatre District between 6th and 7th. Mainly I wanted to snap exteriors of the Los Angeles and Palace Theatres, and to grab a tray of late lunch comfort food at Clifton's Cafeteria.

An elderly gent dining at the table next to me asked if I had ever seen the film Amelie. Why, yes. Why? "Because you and your little camera reminded me of it just now." Sweet!

More snaps here.

Slide on, Charles!

Got my tickets today for the United States of Charles Phoenix (at Goldstar Events, saving 50%!) on May 11th at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 8:30 p.m., in Hollywood.

Phoenix's official website describtes it as "a retro slide show extravagnze celebrtating mid-century American" featuring cooking live on stage.  Vintage attire and pre-show picnics are encouraged.

Here's more from Goldstar Events:

"The Ford Amphitheatre opens its Summer Season with "histo-tainer" Charles Phoenix who shares his uniquely fresh, insightful and humorous perspective on mid-century American culture with a comedy performance based on other people's old slides. Celebrate the 1950s, 60s and 70s theme parks, tourist traps, car culture, space age style, parties and more in color. All live on stage under the stars."

Essential Links...
Goldstar Events discount tickets
Charles Phoenix Slide-of-the-Week
Charles Phoenix MySpace
Ford Theatre

Hobnobbing at Harlow's

Last night Walter and I were invited to a very special Jean Harlow Junkies mixer at 512 N. Palm in Beverly Hills, the last house she lived in before her untimely death in 1937.

Here we are sitting on the staircase just inside the front door.

If I didn't take photos I would have woken up this morning thinking it had all been a dream: To walk the hardwood floors that Jean herself once did, to stand inside the bedroom where she grew increasingly ill before being taken to Good Samaritan Hospital.  And to think of the happier times she hopefully spent inside those walls.

This is just a sneak preview to a full article I'm working on for The Platinum Page to be posted this weekend.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, very special thanks to our hosts, Mark Walsh & Nancy Nadel (who just listed the house this week) and my buddy Scott Michaels for making it all possible!