Marguerite: Hi, I am Marguerite and I am here on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Now, this is the main artery of Los Angeles and it stretches all the way from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. Now that is about 23 miles long, so if you are thinking of going to the beach from downtown, you might want to think of another way to go.
Now, let us take it back 60 years. The time was in 1940, we had World War II going on. Humphrey Bogart was in the middle of meeting the love of his life in Casa Blanca and that area up there that was full of brankles underground gambling, trying cockatoos and anything scandalous that you can think of is going on at that time up on those hills.
Now, this area was run by gangsters, gangsters like 0.43 and Mickey Cohen. These guys that I would not want to run into, but I do know where they used to hang out.
Alright, I cannot moonwalk. You will know this place, right? This is the world famous Comedy Store. Comedy giants like David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey and Richard Pryor, gosh, and I have performed here. Do not forget me. I did, I was funny, just once, but it was fine. Everyone needs to start in Hollywood and sometimes, people start it right here. Now this was known as Ciro’s back in the day and it was opened in 1940 by a man named Mr. Billy Wilkerson.
Now, it did look a little different back in the day. It had a white exterior and kind of like a red velvety interior and maybe that is why it attracted the gangster crowd, and I am not talking P. Diddy. I am talking Mickey Cohen. It is alleged that Mickey Cohen put out a hit on one of his rivals right inside here. But, let me not scare you. This is a great place to be. It is really funny. Go, check it out. Do not be scared.
Okay, you know what, I think it is time to get my drink on and I am so glad we are here at Boardners. So, they once called this place “the last of the neighborhood bars,” and rightly so, it is still a popular bar after a decade right here in the heart of Hollywood. It was opened in the early 30s and was originally called My Blue Heaven after the 1927 hit. it then changed hence, several times. It was a restaurant, it was a gay bar, and then in 1942, Steve Boardner bought this building. He put his name on it and stayed that way ever since. Like I said it is martini time and I am buying. Come on.
I am sitting here in the bar of the original part of Boardners where many patrons have come and gone over the years. And I think one of the most interesting stories that were heard is about a woman named Elizabeth Short. She was also known as the Black Dahlia.
Now, this woman was a regular back in the 1940s and because she lived on this block, but she is actually a Turkistry. Unfortunately, she was gruesomely murdered and her murder remains officially unsolved today. But legend has it that she had her last drink before her death right here at this bar before she was named the Black Dahlia. And some people say that her spirit is still around here somewhere. Cheers.
Okay, now I am here in Los Feliz which is the town that actually means the “happy people,” and I actually still live here and that I have to tell you it is really cool.
The Derby is a nightclub that was featured in a movie “Swingers.” On the other side is an Italian restaurant called Louise’s. Sixty-five years ago, this was known as the Round Derby and it was the happening spot to be. It was opened by a film giant Cecille B. DeMille and it was one in a chain of four restaurants and it is the only still standing today. And it has been named as the LA Historical Society. They are going to take this piece of history and they are going to build around it. Amen for that.
Alright, I think we should go inside and check it out and maybe get a drink. Where should I stay? Okay, that guy looks harmless. Hi, how are you doing?
Man: Well, you want to try that?
Marguerite: Yes, I will definitely.
