Comments on: Rudolph Valentino's Falcon Lair for Sale http://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/ The Oscars, film awards, new releases, Los Angeles screenings, movie classics, gay movies, film festivals, box office, foreign and independent films Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:29:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chris Riordanhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-524974 Chris Riordan Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:07:46 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-524974 That stupid film "Return To Babylon" shouldn't be promoted here. It was never released in theaters for a reason and showings in people's backyard with a white sheet strung up don't count as being released. Go promote your YouTube video elsewhere. This site is for Falcon Lair and sneaking onto the property of the estate and filming a few mins doesn't qualify you for anything other than jail time. You are lucky charges weren't pressed. That stupid film "Return To Babylon" shouldn't be promoted here. It was never released in theaters for a reason and showings in people's backyard with a white sheet strung up don't count as being released. Go promote your YouTube video elsewhere. This site is for Falcon Lair and sneaking onto the property of the estate and filming a few mins doesn't qualify you for anything other than jail time. You are lucky charges weren't pressed.

]]> By: mark mccardellhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-520826 mark mccardell Tue, 31 May 2011 21:47:32 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-520826 I also feel the destruction of historic properties is awful. However this case may be unique. After Doris died, the house sat on the market a long time. It eventually sold for about half the listing price. Going thru Doris s household accts on line it appears she spent alot of money on structural engineers on the property prior to her death. It is built on a substantial sloping lot and was 85 years old. It also suffered significant damage in the 94 quake. An architect bought the property and after much construction/ remodel I am guessing the structural issues were too much to overcome. I dont know all of this for a fact but reading the available info on line this is my guess. Also nobody has rushed in to build an ugly mac mansion on the property after it was demolished.........plus they kept the original elaborate garage and 6 room staff quarters above garage building, indicating they recognize the historic value. I dont think this was a ruthless tear down for profits sake, I think it was prohibitively expensive to try and repair or couldnt be at any cost, and the last owner suffered alot of anquish over the situation as an educated guess. I also feel the destruction of historic properties is awful. However this case may be unique. After Doris died, the house sat on the market a long time. It eventually sold for about half the listing price. Going thru Doris s household accts on line it appears she spent alot of money on structural engineers on the property prior to her death. It is built on a substantial sloping lot and was 85 years old. It also suffered significant damage in the 94 quake. An architect bought the property and after much construction/ remodel I am guessing the structural issues were too much to overcome. I dont know all of this for a fact but reading the available info on line this is my guess. Also nobody has rushed in to build an ugly mac mansion on the property after it was demolished………plus they kept the original elaborate garage and 6 room staff quarters above garage building, indicating they recognize the historic value. I dont think this was a ruthless tear down for profits sake, I think it was prohibitively expensive to try and repair or couldnt be at any cost, and the last owner suffered alot of anquish over the situation as an educated guess.

]]> By: Chris Houghhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-516134 Chris Hough Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:46:52 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-516134 I'm a real estate agent in Atlanta and I hear/see this all the time. People tend to want the history, but they want a 2011 house at the same time. So what often happens is that they either renovate the house beyond recognition or worse: tear it down and just say the house was once there. It makes me really sick. I'm a real estate agent in Atlanta and I hear/see this all the time. People tend to want the history, but they want a 2011 house at the same time. So what often happens is that they either renovate the house beyond recognition or worse: tear it down and just say the house was once there. It makes me really sick.

]]> By: Trina Dolbearehttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-487158 Trina Dolbeare Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:48:36 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-487158 I just was there at Falcon's Lair in November 2009. They still have the sign Falcon's Lair on the gate but it's so sad that the only thing left is the garage. I don't understand how people can do this to history, Pickfair, Jayne Mansfield's Pink Mansion, Jimmy Stewart's home, Marlon Brando's home are all gone just to name a few. Don't they understand that these people made help make the film industry what it is today and that we should preserve that history. Just like the original MGM studio is gone, not one trace of it as well as The Brown Derby and many other historical places that should have been museums. I love the history of the entertainment industry but it really saddens me when people of that industry doesn't take pride in preserving it. I read that when Englebert Humperdinck sold the Mansfield Mansion, he specifically told the new owners that he would only sell them the home if they promised him that they wouldn't change it or demolish it but low and behold, a few months later, they tore it down to build a new mansion. If I was him, I would have put that in writing before I sold the home to them. And also, the only thing left of Pickfair is the front gates. How sad this is. I just was there at Falcon's Lair in November 2009. They still have the sign Falcon's Lair on the gate but it's so sad that the only thing left is the garage. I don't understand how people can do this to history, Pickfair, Jayne Mansfield's Pink Mansion, Jimmy Stewart's home, Marlon Brando's home are all gone just to name a few. Don't they understand that these people made help make the film industry what it is today and that we should preserve that history. Just like the original MGM studio is gone, not one trace of it as well as The Brown Derby and many other historical places that should have been museums. I love the history of the entertainment industry but it really saddens me when people of that industry doesn't take pride in preserving it. I read that when Englebert Humperdinck sold the Mansfield Mansion, he specifically told the new owners that he would only sell them the home if they promised him that they wouldn't change it or demolish it but low and behold, a few months later, they tore it down to build a new mansion. If I was him, I would have put that in writing before I sold the home to them. And also, the only thing left of Pickfair is the front gates. How sad this is.

]]> By: michaelhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-485524 michael Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:14:02 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-485524 As a silent film fan and an antique automobile enthusiast I had thought about the possibility of approaching investers about the Falcon Lair property. I saw no reason why something like Monticello or Graceland couldnt have been put together with a museum near the home. Several of the Valentino automobiles still exist , the famous Issotta Fraschini , Avion Voison , the Stearman aircraft. Im not sure about the Pheonix Yacht however many of these things could have been housed near the home which could have been toured as well. The tourism would have easily paid for the upkeep. Why is Hollywood history any less improtant than any other kind ? As a silent film fan and an antique automobile enthusiast I had thought about the possibility of approaching investers about the Falcon Lair property. I saw no reason why something like Monticello or Graceland couldnt have been put together with a museum near the home. Several of the Valentino automobiles still exist , the famous Issotta Fraschini , Avion Voison , the Stearman aircraft. Im not sure about the Pheonix Yacht however many of these things could have been housed near the home which could have been toured as well. The tourism would have easily paid for the upkeep. Why is Hollywood history any less improtant than any other kind ?

]]> By: geneen cookhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-475678 geneen cook Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:51:25 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-475678 I think the show was called haunted hollywood. They would show it at halloween. it was a tour of hollywood homes that were haunted.They would interview the people that lived in the homes. I remember the guy(at the time)that owned falcons lair. he proudly gave a tour of the home and told of the things he saw. I wish he would have sold the home to someone who promised to preserve and love it as he did. It's sad...we are losing our history, our stories. all for mcmansions that have the warmth of stone cold cement. I think the show was called haunted hollywood. They would show it at halloween. it was a tour of hollywood homes that were haunted.They would interview the people that lived in the homes. I remember the guy(at the time)that owned falcons lair. he proudly gave a tour of the home and told of the things he saw. I wish he would have sold the home to someone who promised to preserve and love it as he did. It's sad…we are losing our history, our stories. all for mcmansions that have the warmth of stone cold cement.

]]> By: Frances Hixenbaughhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-474832 Frances Hixenbaugh Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:57:49 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-474832 One day while watching SUNSET BOULEVARD I suddenlly had a thought: What if it had been a young Ste- phen Spielberg who'd happened into Norma Desmond's property. Would he have called her a has-been, her friends "relics" or disdainfully looked at her past,but glorious career!!! CERTAINLY NOT! He'd have had every one of Norma's scrapbooks out, spread across the floor, taking notes, asking end- less questions of her---writing everything she said down, and absolutely basking in the film history she was providing him...all the while, contemplating the great film he'd make about her life in the glory days of film. Like everyone else, I was saddened to hear of the loss of Falcon Lair--truly a piece of Hollywood history. I hope that someone had the good sense to save the scrap lumber---so that some of it can be sold on the collector market! I personally would buy even a small piece of concrete from that mansion. One day while watching SUNSET BOULEVARD I suddenlly
had a thought: What if it had been a young Ste-
phen Spielberg who'd happened into Norma Desmond's
property. Would he have called her a has-been, her
friends "relics" or disdainfully looked at her past,but glorious career!!! CERTAINLY NOT!

He'd have had every one of Norma's scrapbooks out,
spread across the floor, taking notes, asking end-
less questions of her—writing everything she said down, and absolutely basking in the film history she was providing him…all the while,
contemplating the great film he'd make about her
life in the glory days of film.

Like everyone else, I was saddened to hear of the
loss of Falcon Lair–truly a piece of Hollywood
history. I hope that someone had the good sense
to save the scrap lumber—so that some of it can
be sold on the collector market! I personally
would buy even a small piece of concrete from
that mansion.

]]> By: alex monty canawatihttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-473540 alex monty canawati Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:55:28 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-473540 i filmed at FALCON LAIR for my "silent" film RETURN TO BABYLON. the film is a tribute to the stories of the silent movie stars of the day. i was quite saddened to know that this icon of architecture has been torn down. *alex monty canawati i filmed at FALCON LAIR for my "silent" film RETURN TO BABYLON. the film is a tribute to the stories of the silent movie stars of the day.

i was quite saddened to know that this icon of architecture has been torn down.

*alex monty canawati

]]> By: Manonhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-470993 Manon Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:46:37 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-470993 I am horrified by the tear down of historical places like Falcon Lair and Pickfair. It too sickens me. One thing I have noticed about Hollywood and Southern California in general: they don't value the great Hollywood history. If this occurred anywhere else in the country or in Northern California, you would have several museums filled with old film history, wardrobes, artifacts, etc. But no one here has that value or insight or the ones that do, like me don't have the money. I can't believe there isn't one decent museum with all of our film/hollywood history. Unless I am missing something. The only thing I have seen that has come close to preserving some history is the Max Factor Museum and I can guarantee that will be gone before we know it, if it isn't already. Such a shame. Such a loss. If I had had the money, I would have purchased Pickfair and made it a museum, a landmark where everyone from around the nation and the world could celebrate our great silver screen history. I am horrified by the tear down of historical places like Falcon Lair and Pickfair. It too sickens me. One thing I have noticed about Hollywood and Southern California in general: they don't value the great Hollywood history. If this occurred anywhere else in the country or in Northern California, you would have several museums filled with old film history, wardrobes, artifacts, etc. But no one here has that value or insight or the ones that do, like me don't have the money. I can't believe there isn't one decent museum with all of our film/hollywood history. Unless I am missing something. The only thing I have seen that has come close to preserving some history is the Max Factor Museum and I can guarantee that will be gone before we know it, if it isn't already. Such a shame. Such a loss. If I had had the money, I would have purchased Pickfair and made it a museum, a landmark where everyone from around the nation and the world could celebrate our great silver screen history.

]]> By: lydia lomonosowhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-421550 lydia lomonosow Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:22:37 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-421550 i filmed the place when they torn it down the only thing they kept was the fireplace. i cried they left the left side known as the stable alone as far as iv last seen i met doris there and her butler. im a fan i own property at hollywood cemetery where rudy is buried and the street in front i filmed the place when they torn it down the only thing they kept was the fireplace. i cried they left the left side known as the stable alone as far as iv last seen i met doris there and her butler. im a fan i own property at hollywood cemetery where rudy is buried and the street in front

]]> By: Jiniahttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-410531 Jinia Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:41:48 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-410531 When are people going to wake up and realize their history is in danger.I don't understand the tear down craze and never will.Our older homes have a quality and presence which lets us go back in time and have a learning experience far beyond what a book can give us. When are people going to wake up and realize their history is in danger.I don't understand the tear down craze and never will.Our older homes have a quality and presence which lets us go back in time and have a learning experience far beyond what a book can give us.

]]> By: Pattyhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/actors/rudolph-valentino-falcon-lair-for-sale/#comment-329607 Patty Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:32:02 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=279#comment-329607 I know my opinion isn't worth anything since I did not have the money to buy, "falcon lair." However, I don't understand why the person who purchased the house stated that he liked it because it was liveable, than proceded to tear it down. As a lover of history, antiques and old houses this always sickens me. I wish hollywood would start doing more to protect some of these old historic mansions. I know my opinion isn't worth anything since I did not have the money to buy,
"falcon lair." However, I don't understand why the person who purchased the house stated that he liked it because it was liveable, than proceded to tear it down. As a lover of history, antiques and old houses this always sickens me. I wish hollywood would start doing more to protect some of these old historic mansions.

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