Felix In Hollywood

A Blog for the Smart Set

Sunday, July 31, 2011

I've Been Advocated!!!


What a lovely thing it was to wake up yesterday and discover that the online version of an interview I did in Advocate magazine is out! (to coin a phrase)

The magnificently gifted writer Christopher Harrity reviews my tour and then we cozy up for a little Q & A.  It's great fun and I hope you'll all read it.  After which, doubtless you'll be planning your trip to Hollywood to take the tour for your self!

There are several photos from the Felix In Hollywood Facebook Page in the article including a snappy little photo of yours truly the was shot by the ever-elegant George Snyder, novelist extraodinaire.

Simply click the Advocate logo below and dazzle your selves:



Myself.  (as captured by George Snyder)


Friday, July 29, 2011

Monday, July 18, 2011

Where Have I Been All Of It's Life!

I just stumbled upon a blog that, if you don't already know about, you've Got to know about!

It is:


For non-Angelenos, Hancock Park is one of the original hoity-toity areas of the city.  A neighborhood that was established (and restricted) before the advent of Beverly Hills.  Some say that HP's reticence toward Jews and Show People is what helped get Beverly Hills going.  It's a stately, tree lined, district that has managed, for the most part, to escape McMansionism.

The blog is written by "Woody", a chap who gladly gives credit where it's due, but will also cut a bitch (or house) without reserve or delay.

I've been going through the archives and cackling all the way.

I've seen coverage on the former home of Mr. Blackwell:
As well as a couple of different posts on the notorious home of Norwood Young known in these parts simply as, "The David House":

If you visit L.A. my tour and this house are really the only things that should be on the top of you list.

So if you like to look at beautiful homes (and travesties) and enjoy reading snappy critique, hop on over there.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Confidence Man.

The above title is a phrase given to grifters or 'con' men.  After researching the life of today's spotlighted character, I'm very clear as to why.

Mike Romanoff


The life of Mr. Romanoff has been exhaustively chronicled many times and better than I could ever attempt.  For one of the better sketches, go here.

Here are the broad points:

*Was born Herschel Geguzin in Lithuania.

*Came to the US at age 10.

*Was alternately known as Harry Ferguson and Harry Gerguson.

*Ultimately settled on the name and persona of
Prince Michael Alexandrovitch Dmitri Obolensky Romanoff.

*At one point after a lengthy stay in England, was expelled for "Impersonating   and Marauding"

*Found his place finally in Hollywood where veneer and artifice are understood.

*Proprietor of Romanoffs, the see-and-be-seen eatery of the 40s and 50s.

Now, you've heard of Romanoffs, but did you know (if you spend any time at all looking at photos of Old Hollywood) that you've seen Romanoffs too.  The iconic candid photos below were all taken there:




Everybody, everyday and everynight went there.  And all of Hollywood knew he wasn't really a prince but he was so charming and the act was so good ("I'm tired", he tells a friend, "I've been on my Imperial feet all day") that the A crowd was perfectly happy to go along, and so from a life of conning and grifting he settled into a legitimate business that made him a fortune and a legend.

Of course, to go straight, he had to use a little larceny at the beginning.  David Niven (one of Mike's closest friends) recounts in his autobiography how the restaurant started:


Mike struck gold. He obtained an option on the lease of a defunct restaurant… His friends became stockholders in the shoe-string enterprise and the place reopened in a blaze of black ties, mink, well-known faces and publicity.
The invitation was a classic:–
I am commanded by His Imperial Highness Prince Michael Alexandrovich Dmitry Obolensky Romanoff to request your presence at a soiree he is giving in his own honour.
Couvert fifty dollars
Bring your own wine and kindly fee the waiters.
Harry Gerguson, Comptroller to the Imperial household
Le tout Hollywood turned out in force, and so many people brought wine that few realised the place had no arrangements whatever for cooking. A sparse menu was serviced by a nearby hash joint on a strictly cash basis (the money collected for the first two ‘couverts’ started the ball rolling): a riotous evening was had by all, and enough money was raised to install a kitchen and launch Mike on a fabulously successful career as a restaurateur.
Now that's Confidence, man!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011

The Mystery Gets Revealed!!!

Well kids, I gotta fess up here.  I might have slightly misled you.  Typically when we've played this game in the past, the person or people in the mystery photo are famous.  This time the handsome couple are not as known as their offspring.



Georgia and John Sarkisian.


You see, Georgia and John are the parents of Cher!

Cher at 16.


*both photos found on Cher's twitter.  Following her is one of the smartest things I've ever done.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Mystery Guest(s) Will You Enter And Sign In Please....

Been a while since we played this game, soooooo...........

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS GAME PLEASE READ.  If you've seen this picture before, or know for sure who this is, feel free to send me an email, but for the sake of unbridled mystery and tension, let the gang have a go guessing in the comments section. 





Now just who are these sexy young love birds in the snapshot??????

Friday, July 1, 2011

What The......

On a couple of different occasions I've done a feature hear called Odd Duos.  Photos of people that you wouldn't normally expect to see together.

Well, I may be about to out-odd myself hear:


Yes it's Allen "The Caftan Queen" Carr and "Broadway" Joe Namath!  Now aren't they cute.