There seems to be some difference of opinion regarding the the photo above taken from Czar of the Underworld. Does anyone else want to weigh in on this?

Richard Lassner responded first:

That is a picture of Sunset and Vine and the parking lot was where the old Wallach Music Store was. That was the best place to buy records.

Then Michael Hayde added:

I was under the impression that Wallach's was on the northwest corner of Sunset and Vine (the parking lot in the picture is on the southeast corner). Wallach's building was also the first home of Capitol Records, and wasn't torn down until the early 1980's.

More specifics: the shot is of Vine Street heading north toward Hollywood Blvd, with Sunset Blvd going across from east to west. NBC studios is where Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life was filmed, even after their new facility in Burbank was constructed. It was demolished in the early sixties, and became Home Savings of America (I had a bank account there in my L.A. days).

The bowling alley you see on the West side of Vine Street later became the TAV Television Theater, where Merv Griffin's talk show was taped. Back in the eighties, if you wanted to try out for Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy, that's where you went. The Hollywood Brown Derby was on the east side of Vine.

The sign that says "Broadway" is for the famous Hollywood department store "The Broadway," which was on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. The store has long since closed its doors, but last time I was there (May 2002), the sign was still on top of the building. Perhaps it's been declared a landmark.

I hope someone will be able to identify the "Machine that Could Plot Crimes" location - I'm sure it's closer to downtown, but it'd be nice to know exactly where.

I like Michael's suggestion, so look for video captures of scenes from "The Machine The Could Plot Crimes" soon.

From Jay Crosby (March 23, 2004)

That photo is DEFINITELY the corner of Sunset & Vine in Hollywood. The NBC TV studios on the right were eventually torn down when NBC moved the whole operation out to the Burbank Studios when everything went to "Living Color."

When I was just a kid my folks and I saw the popular quiz show of the day, It Could Be You, taped at Sunset & Vine. And Truth or Consequences, too, with a young host named Bob Barker, who was probably just a flash in the pan. He'll never amount to much.

Always a joy to visit your site, Jim!

Drom Duane Collins... Kid Collins maybe? (October 22, 2005)

Jim,

I frequently visit your website. I just want to say that I appreciate all the information that you have collected on George Reeves. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

I have been researching the photo you posted from "Czar of the Underworld" and was able to locate some detailed information and pictures to clearly identify this location.

It appears that the picture is indeed the corner of Sunset and Vine. Michael Hayde is correct about Wallichs Music City being on the northwest corner.

As Michael stated, the picture is of Vine Street heading north toward Hollywood Blvd, with Sunset Blvd going across from east to west.

I located the information and pictures at the following websites.

http://www.yesterdayla.com/hollywood.html

http://www.historicla.com/hollywood/block09.html#anchor371313

Here's a little information on "Wallichs Music City":
Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) was the owner of Wallichs Music City. Wallichs Music City opened in 1940 and closed in 1978. Wallichs Music City at the time was the biggest record store in Los Angeles, California and was located on the corner of Sunset and Vine.

Here's a little information on "The Broadway Hollywood":
The Broadway Hollywood Building at 1645 Vine Street and was designated as a landmark in 1999. The Broadway Hollywood Building is currently undergoing a conversion to luxury condos by Kor Development and is scheduled for a 2006 opening. You can find information on this at the following website.

http://www.preservela.com/archives/000659.html#more

I hope this clarifies the location of this picture.

Duane Collins
Vandalia, Ohio