'Eye on L.A.' Time Capsule: Tales of LA's fascinating history
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Over the years of exploring our city, "Eye on L.A." has come across some incredible places giving us a peek into L.A.'s fascinating history. Now, host Tina Malave is unlocking our vault and cracking open the "Eye on L.A." time capsule.
We're opening up our first time capsule and uncovering the enchantment of The Magic Castle, going inside the exclusive Beverly Hills Witch's House, and did you know that there was once a Lion Farm in L.A. County?
The Magic Castle
The 30,000 square foot Magic Castle has five bars, 13 performance areas for magicians and a restaurant that seats 150! Occasionally they make guest passes available with dinner reservations. Call to inquire.
7001 Franklin Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
(323) 851-3313
Beverly Hills Witch's House
Originally built as an office and set for silent films at Willat Studios in Culver City, the Witch's House was moved to Beverly Hills and became a private residence in 1926. When the current owner started a small remodel, he ended up fully renovating and removing just about every right angle, replacing them with curves and details truly fitting of a proper Witch's House. Eye on L.A. got an exclusive, first-time look inside the iconic home which draws over 3500 trick-or-treaters every Halloween.
516 N. Walden Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Gay's Lion Farm - El Monte Historical Museum
Gay's Lion Farm was a tourist attraction that featured over 200 lions and brought millions of visitors to El Monte almost a hundred years ago. You can still see memorabilia from Gay's Lion Farm at the El Monte Historical Museum.
3150 Tyler Ave.
El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 444-3813 or (626) 580-2232
Continuing our time capsule exploration of L.A., see where you can unearth real fossils, and visit the Old Trapper's Lodge with crazy sculptures you might find familiar. Then see the one thing that has been on for decades inside the old Clifton's Cafeteria in DTLA, and go behind the walls of a hidden chocolate shop and see the treasure they uncovered!
Fossil Ridge Park
To learn more about the fossils found in Los Angeles, visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 763-DINO
Old Trapper's Lodge
The Old Trapper's Lodge is a sculpture garden hidden in an agricultural area of Pierce College in Woodland Hills. It is the brainchild of John Ehn, whose early life as a trapper in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is depicted in the sculptures and headstones that dot the park.
6201 Winnetka Ave.
Woodland Hills, CA 91371
(818) 347-0551
Clifton's Cafeteria
This legendary L.A. cafeteria is currently undergoing renovation by the owners behind another of L.A.'s iconic hotspots, The Edison.
648 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 627-1673
The Chocolate Shoppe - Batchelder Tiles
To see the beautifully preserved Batchelder tiles discovered downtown, take a walking tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy.
(213) 623-2489
Remember Dr. Demento? We do! And Tina teams up with Vintage L.A. to see who stole Paul McCartney's head off the famous Beetles billboard on Sunset Boulevard in the '60s. Then you get to go inside Jim Morrison's Love Street House - only on Eye on L.A.!
Dr. Demento
From 1970-2009, the top rated Dr. Demento radio broadcast introduced listeners young and old to some of the quirkiest songs and artists of all time like "Fish Heads." Dr. Demento still does live broadcasts over the Internet, and a documentary is in the works about his life called "Under the Smogberry Trees!"
"Under the Smogberry Trees" - Meep Morp Studios
www.facebook.com/underthesmogberrytrees
Barnes & Barnes - "Fish Heads"
Jim Morrison's Love Street House
The Love Street House was where rock icon Jim Morrison lived with his girlfriend Pamela Courson in the heart of Laurel Canyon. It was nearly decimated in the New Year's arson fires of 2012, but the current owner restored every inch and Eye on L.A. got the exclusive first look inside.
8021 Rothdell Trail
Los Angeles
Who Stole Paul's Head?
For more info on this L.A. legend and a look back into L.A.'s history visit www.facebook.com/VintageLosAngeles. For more on the book, "Rock N Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip," by Robert Landau visit www.amazon.com/Rock-Roll-Billboards-Sunset-Strip.
We wrap up our L.A. time capsule show inside a 100-year-old movie studio, Mack Sennett Studios, and The Cinefamily Silent Theatre where they still show Hollywood gems on the silver screen. And go inside the living time capsule on Melrose Avenue that is The Groundlings.
Mack Sennett Studios
Built nearly 100 years ago by Hollywood pioneer Mack Sennett for his fianc, starlet Mabel Normand, the legendary studio in Silverlake once again bears the name of the man who built it. Today, the state of the art studios are in high demand for commercials and music videos.
1215 Bates Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 660-8466
Silent Theatre - Cinefamily
The Cinefamily's Silent Theatre in the Fairfax district shows silent movies the first Wednesday of every month. The Art Deco theatre first opened in 1942, and today, the Cinefamily maintains its vintage vibe by hosting special screenings, silent films accompanied by live music, as well as classics and new releases.
611 N Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, 90036
(323) 660-8466
The Groundlings
You could call it a living time capsule on Melrose Avenue. It was founded in 1974 by Gary Austin and has produced some of the most iconic talent in comedy history. Stop by and see a show, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Be sure to "LIKE" Eye on L.A and host Tina Malave on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
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[Original air date: March 29, 2014]
