The Architecture of Entertainment: LA in the Twenties - Hardcover

Winter, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1586857975 ISBN 13: 9781586857974

Publisher: Gibbs Smith, 2006

Synopsis

"As the most pervasive influence life has yet known motion pictures have had a definite influence on trends taken by architecture within the last decade."

Cecil B. DeMille writing for the Bulletin of the Allied Architects of L.A. in 1925

The 1920s were a time of dramatic change and burgeoning growth in the City of Angels. Much of the varied architectural milieu of Los Angeles came to be during this decade, as the center of the city was planned and talented architects from around the world flooded into the area and competed for projects. Images of flappers, booze, and jazz combined with the escapist attitude that came to dominate the decade and led to much of the early-twentieth-century "escape" architecture of Los Angeles.

In L.A. in the '20s, noted architectural historian and author Robert Winter explains this "architecture of entertainment"-the inherent beauty and mystery of the era when historic architectural styles became adventurous escapades. Chapters cover topics such as "Planning the City Beautiful," "Eclecticism," "Housing for the Masses," "Gardens," "Public Architecture," and more. Architects covered in this book include Bertram Goodhue; Morgan, Walls and Clements; Allison and Allison; and Parkinson and Parkinson working in public architecture; as well as Frank Lloyd Wright and Wallace Neff working in residential architecture. Also included here are works from noted modernists Irving Gill, Alfred Loos, Richard Neutra, and others.

Some of the buildings featured in this book include:

Fine Arts Building (1925)

the Pantages Theater (1920)

Huntington's gardens

Milestone Mo-tel (1924-25)

St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church (1923-25)

Hall of Justice Building (1925)

City Hall (1926-28)

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

THE ARCHITECTURE OF ENTERTAINMENT LA IN THE TWENTIES

The 1920s brought dramatic change and burgeoning growth to the City of Angels. Much of the varied architectural milieu of Los Angeles originated during this decade, as the center of the city took shape and talented architects from around the world flooded into the area to compete for projects. Images of flappers, booze, and jazz―combined with the escapist attitude that came to dominate the time―brought about much of the early-twentieth-century “escape” architecture of California’s largest city. Architectural historian Robert Winter explains the inherent beauty and mystery of an era when historic architectural styles became adventurous escapade influenced by the advertising and film industries. The book features the work of architects such as Bertram Goodhue; Morgan, Walls and Clements; Allison and Allison; and Parkinson and Parkinson in the public sector, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright and Wallace Neff in residential design. Also featured are works from noted modernists Irving Gill, R. M. Schindler, Richard Neutra, and others.

Some of the buildings and designs featured in the book include the following:

· The Fine Arts Building (1925)

· El Capitan Theatre (1926)

· Huntington Botanical Gardens (1905–2006)

· Biltmore Hotel (1922–23)

Author Robert Winter received his Ph.D. in American cultural history from the Johns Hopkins University. He taught at UCLA for seven years, and then at Occidental College for thirty-one years. Winter co-authored A Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles and Southern California with David Gebhard, which has now gone through five editions and is often called “The Bible.” Since retirement in 1994, he has published a number of books related to the California Arts and Crafts movement, and has also been active in historic preservation affairs, serving on both the Los Angeles and Pasadena historic preservation commissions. In 1998, the governor appointed him to the State Historic Resources Commission on which he served for one term. He resides in Pasadena, California.

Photographer Alexander Vertikoff has had his award-winning images featured on the covers of dozens of magazines, including American Bungalow and Architectural Digest. His previous books include American Bungalow Style, Weird Rooms, Greene & Greene: Masterworks, Hidden L.A., Bungalow Nation and more. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts and lives in Tijeras, New Mexico.

Jacket design by Deibra McQuiston

All jacket photographs © 2006 Alexander Vertikoff

On the front jacket:

(top, left) Lloyd Wright House;

(top, right) Millennium Biltmore Hotel;

(bottom) Avalon Casino

On the back jacket: Hollyhock House

On the back flap: Avalon Casino Theater

From the Back Cover:

“As the most pervasive influence life has yet known, motion pictures have had a definite influence on trends taken by architecture within the last decade.” ―Cecil B. DeMille, writing for the Bulletin of the Allied Architects of L.A. in 1925.

About this edition

• Publisher: Gibbs Smith
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1586857975
• ISBN 13: 9781586857974
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160