It Is a Real De Luxe Train -- August 10, 2013

The Golden State Limited ran from Chicago to Los Angeles over the tracks of the Rock Island and the Southern Pacific's Sunset Route.  This ad, from the July, 1929 Photoplay touts the train's comfort and service.  Actor George O'Brien, a native of San Francisco, was the son of police chief Dan O'Brien.  George was known for his remarkable physique.  He served in the Navy in both world wars and saw combat in each, as a stretcher bearer in the first and a beachmaster in the second. 

Orpheum -- August 9, 2013

The Orpheum opened as a vaudeville house in 1926.  Later it had a vaudeville and movies policy.  Now it hosts musicals.  I took the photo on 10-May-2013. 

SamTrans #5 -- August 9, 2013

Having eliminated my DX express bus and others in 2009, SamTrans continues to eliminate service into San Francisco.  Starting 11-August-2013, routes 390 and 391 will be replaced by the ECR (El Camino Real).  ECR will terminate at the Daly City BART station.  The name of the route disregards the work of the highly paid consultant who came up with their numbering scheme about ten years ago. 

Tom Mix #8 -- August 8, 2013

I like the portrait of Tom Mix in this ad for his movie Hard Boiled, from the 06-May-1926 Film Daily.

Overland Route to Europe, Through America -- August 8, 2013

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company had a monopoly on carrying the United States Mail across the Pacific.  It also did a big business in passengers to and from Australia, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Hawaii, Japan and China. This ad from the 14-November-1876 Brisbane Courier reports the upcoming sailing of Zealandia for Honolulu and San Francisco. 

Train Station #62 -- August 7, 2013

San Francisco native Ruth Asawa has placed many of her sculptures around the city.  One of the favorites with many people is the fountain in the plaza of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.  The fountain, installed in 1973, was formed using baker's clay, with help from friends and school kids who created some of the people, animals and autos.  It was then cast in bronze.  Unfortunately, the fountain has been threatened by Apple, which wants to replace the building at Post and Stockton with an ugly Apple Store which would displace the fountain.

Ruth Asawa passed away Monday night.  

This section of the fountain depicts the old Southern Pacific Depot at Third and Townsend.  The Mission Revival depot opened in 1912, in preparation for the Panama Pacific International Exposition.  The depot was in very bad shape when I was young.  The current Caltrain Depot at Fourth and King opened in 1975. 

Bessie Love #8 -- August 6, 2013

I have always been fascinated by the career of actress Bessie Love.  She was born in Texas.  Her name was Juanita Horton.  Her family moved to Los Angeles and she went to Los Angeles High School.  Looking for work, she met director  DW Griffith and got a small part in Intolerance.  She appeared in movies with William S Hart and Douglas Fairbanks.  She was a 1922 WAMPAS (Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers) Baby Star.  She played many leading roles, most famously in The Lost World, but never broke through until the talkies came, when she starred in The Broadway Melody.  Her career was hot for a few years, but then tailed off.  She continued to appear in small parts in movies until the early 1980s.

This item, from the February, 1930 New Movie has Bessie in some sort of a preposterous costume. Is it supposed to be from the South Seas?