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Florentine Gardens


{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| name = Florentine Gardens
| name = Florentine Gardens
| image = The Los Angeles Times Tue Jan 3 1939.jpg
⚫
| caption = Florentine Gardens, Jan 1939
| nickname =
| nickname =
| location = 5955 Hollywood Boulevard<br> Hollywood, California<br>United States
| location = 5955 Hollywood Boulevard<br> Hollywood, California<br>United States
Line 10: Line 9:
| built = 1938
| built = 1938
| opened = 1938
| opened = 1938
| renovated = 1982
| renovated = 1981
| expanded =
| expanded =
| closed = 1948; transformed into The Cotton Club; Returned to the Florentine Gardens in 1982
| closed = 1948; transformed into The Cotton Club; Returned to the Florentine Gardens in 1982
| website = https://www.florentinehollywood.com/
| website = https://www.florentinehollywood.com/
}}
}}
'''Florentine Gardens''' is a [[nightclub]] in [[Hollywood, California]], at 5955 [[Hollywood Boulevard]], opened on December 28, 1938 by restaurateur Guido Braccini <ref>Wanamaker 2009, p.92</ref>. The building was designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufman<ref>Wanamaker 2007, p.121</ref> and featured a European garden motif. Manager and emcee [[Nils Granlund]]. Nils Thor Granlund (known as N.T.G.) had been a radio announcer, as well as a promoter and producer of live shows in New York. He became manager and emcee of the club and brought in big bands and well-known performers including The Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, Sophie Tucker, and fan dancer Sally Rand<ref>Williams 2005, p.265</ref>..
The '''Florentine Gardens''' was a [[nightclub]] in [[Hollywood, California]], at 5955 [[Hollywood Boulevard]], opened on December 28, 1938, by restaurateur Guido Braccini.<ref>Wanamaker 2009, p.92</ref> The building was designed by architect [[Gordon B. Kaufmann]]<ref>Wanamaker 2007, p.121</ref> and featured a European garden motif. Manager and emcee [[Nils Granlund]]. Nils Thor Granlund (known as N.T.G.) had been a radio announcer, as well as a promoter and producer of live shows in New York. He became manager and emcee of the club and brought in big bands and well-known performers including The Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, Sophie Tucker, and [[fan dancer]] Sally Rand.<ref>Williams 2005, p.265</ref>
[[File:Grand opening, Florentine Gardens (1938).jpg|250px|thumb|left|Advertisement for grand opening, 1938]]
⚫
The original Florentine Gardens was a restaurant serving Italian food that also offered dancing and live entertainment – often of the burlesque variety. The venue seated over 1000 patrons for dinner and was popular with American servicemen on leave in Hollywood during World War II.<ref>Geary 2016, p.149</ref> Dance performances at the club helped launch the careers of actors Gwen Verdon and Yvonne DeCarlo. Sixteen-year-old Norma Jeane Baker ([[Marilyn Monroe]]) met 22-year-old defense plant worker Jim Dougherty at the Florentine Gardens and the couple held their wedding reception at the venue in June 1942.<ref>Alleman 2005, p.89</ref>


The club closed in 1948 and new owners renamed it The Cotton Club.<ref>Williams 2005, p.166</ref> It later became a club featuring scantily clad dancers, was a Salvation Army outpost,<ref>Alleman 2005, p.89</ref> a dental school, salsa club, and hip hop club.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Rasmussen| first1=Cecilia| title=Club Shone Brightly in Its Heyday| access-date=19 November 2020| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| date=October 10, 2004| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-oct-10-me-then10-story.html}}</ref> Avalon Attractions started booking acts at the “New Florentine Gardens” in 1981, featuring such acts as [[Chuck Berry]], [[X (U.S. band)|X]], [[Dead Kennedys]], [[Circle Jerks]], [[Fear (band)|Fear]], and [[The Blasters]]. Between 1982 and 1983 on Friday nights they had KROQ Nights (A So Cal New Wave Dance Music Station) with KROQ's & VH1 DJ Richard Blade and Saturday nights was Florentines resident DJ Ralphie D. <ref>{{cite news| last1=Hilburn| first1=Robert| title=X's Zoom Marks the Wedding Spot| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| date=20 May 1994}}</ref>
⚫
The original Florentine Gardens was a restaurant serving Italian food that also offered dancing and live entertainment – often of the burlesque variety. The venue seated over 1000 patrons for dinner and was popular with American servicemen on leave in Hollywood during World War II. <ref>Geary 2016, p.149</ref>. Dance performances at the club helped launch the careers of actors Gwen Verdon and Yvonne DeCarlo. Sixteen-year-old Norma Jean Baker (Marilyn Monroe) met 22-year-old defense plant worker Jim Dougherty at the Florentine Gardens and the couple held their wedding reception at the venue in June of 1942<ref>Alleman 2005, p.89</ref>.


Owner Kenneth MacKenzie fought efforts by the City of Los Angeles to demolish the club in 2005 to build a new fire station.<ref>Geary 2016, p.150</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Panel's Decision Angers Club's Backers|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=October 29, 2003|page=B3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63791946/panels-decision-angers-clubs-backers/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=L.A. Fire Station Plan Would Spare Razing Florentine Gardens Building|author=Steve Hymon|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=August 4, 2005|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-04-me-florentine4-story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Property Owner Ready for Fire Fight|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Steve Hymon|date=October 11, 2005|page=A13|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63792157/property-owner-ready-for-fire-fight/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
The club closed in 1948 and new owners renamed it The Cotton Club <ref>Williams 2005, p.166</ref>. It later featured nude dancers and was a Salvation Army outpost<ref>Alleman 2005, p.89</ref>. Avalon Attractions started booking acts at the “New Florentine Gardens” in 1981<ref>{{cite news| last1=Hilburn| first1=Robert| title=X’s Zoom Marks the Wedding Spot| access-date=30 May 1981| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| date=20 May 1994}}</ref>. Owner Kenneth MacKenzie fought efforts by the City of Los Angeles to demolish the club in 2005 to build a new fire station<ref>Geary 2016, p.150</ref>..


==Notable performers==
==Notable performers==
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*[[The Mills Brothers]]
*[[The Mills Brothers]]
*[[Yvonne DeCarlo]]
*[[Yvonne DeCarlo]]
*[[Gwen Verdon]]
*[[Gwen Verdon]]
*[[Sally Rand]]
*[[Sally Rand]]
*[[Sophie Tucker]]<ref>{{cite news|title='Girls Are Back' at Florentine Gardens|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=John L. Scott|date=September 13, 1944|page=I-10|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63792472/girls-are-back-at-florentine-gardens/|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*[[Sophie Tucker]]
*[[Ozzie Nelson]]
*[[Ozzie Nelson]]
*[[Joe E. Lewis]]
*[[Joe E. Lewis]]
Line 35: Line 36:
*[[Fats Waller]]
*[[Fats Waller]]
*[[Lily St. Cyr]]
*[[Lily St. Cyr]]
*[[Al Jolson]]
}}
}}



==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=The Story of Hollywood: An Illustrated History |last=Williams |first=Gregory |year=2005 |publisher=BL Press LLC |isbn= 9780977629909 |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Story_of_Hollywood.html?id=9W4R_CZtFe8C |page=166 }} }})
* {{cite book |title=The Story of Hollywood: An Illustrated History |last=Williams |first=Gregory |year=2005 |publisher=BL Press LLC |isbn= 9780977629909 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9W4R_CZtFe8C |page=166 }}
* {{cite book |title=Hollywood 1940-2008|last=Wanamaker |first=Marc |year=2009 |publisher=Arcadia Press |isbn= 9780738559230 |url= https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738559230 }}
* {{cite book |title=Hollywood 1940-2008|last=Wanamaker |first=Marc |year=2009 |publisher=Arcadia Press |isbn= 9780738559230 |url= https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738559230 }}
* {{cite book |title=Early Hollywood|last=Wanamaker |first=Marc |year=2007 |publisher=Arcadia Press |isbn= 9780738547923
* {{cite book |title=Early Hollywood|last=Wanamaker |first=Marc |year=2007 |publisher=Arcadia Press |isbn= 9780738547923
|url= https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738547923}}
|url= https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9780738547923}}
* {{cite book |title=L.A.’s Legendary Restaurants |last=Geary |first=George |year=2016 |publisher=Santa Monica Press |isbn=9781595800893 |url= http://santamonicapress.com/celebrating-the-famous-places-where-hollywood-ate-drank-and-playedl-a-s-legendary-restaurants/ }}
* {{cite book |title=L.A.'s Legendary Restaurants |last=Geary |first=George |year=2016 |publisher=Santa Monica Press |isbn=9781595800893 |url= http://santamonicapress.com/celebrating-the-famous-places-where-hollywood-ate-drank-and-playedl-a-s-legendary-restaurants/ }}
* {{cite book |title=Hollywood : the movie lover's guide : the ultimate insider tour to movie L.A.|last=Alleman |first=Richard |year=2005 |publisher=Broadway Books |isbn=0767916352
* {{cite book |title=Hollywood : the movie lover's guide : the ultimate insider tour to movie L.A.|last=Alleman |first=Richard |year=2005 |publisher=Broadway Books |isbn=0767916352
|url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/Hollywood_The_Movie_Lover_s_Guide/OPRKEpwjfLQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Hollywood+:+the+movie+lover%27s+guide+:+the+ultimate+insider+tour+to+movie+L.A.&printsec=frontcover}}
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OPRKEpwjfLQC&q=Hollywood+:+the+movie+lover%27s+guide+:+the+ultimate+insider+tour+to+movie+L.A.}}


{{Refend}}
{{Refend}}


[[Category:Former music venues in California]]
[[Category:Music venues in California]]
[[Category:Hollywood history and culture]]
[[Category:Jazz clubs in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Jazz clubs in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Music venues completed in 1938]]
[[Category:Music venues completed in 1938]]
[[Category:Music venues in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Music venues in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Nightclubs in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Nightclubs in Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Hollywood, California]]
[[Category:Defunct restaurants in Hollywood, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Hollywood history]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hollywood, Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Hollywood, California]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1938]]
[[Category:Commercial buildings in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Greater Los Angeles]]
⚫
[[Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California]]

Latest revision as of 23:12, 22 November 2024

Florentine Gardens
Florentine Gardens, Jan 1939
Location5955 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, California
United States
TypeNightclub
Construction
Built1938
Opened1938
Renovated1981
Closed1948; transformed into The Cotton Club; Returned to the Florentine Gardens in 1982
Website
https://www.florentinehollywood.com/

The Florentine Gardens was a nightclub in Hollywood, California, at 5955 Hollywood Boulevard, opened on December 28, 1938, by restaurateur Guido Braccini.[1] The building was designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann[2] and featured a European garden motif. Manager and emcee Nils Granlund. Nils Thor Granlund (known as N.T.G.) had been a radio announcer, as well as a promoter and producer of live shows in New York. He became manager and emcee of the club and brought in big bands and well-known performers including The Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, Sophie Tucker, and fan dancer Sally Rand.[3]

Advertisement for grand opening, 1938

The original Florentine Gardens was a restaurant serving Italian food that also offered dancing and live entertainment – often of the burlesque variety. The venue seated over 1000 patrons for dinner and was popular with American servicemen on leave in Hollywood during World War II.[4] Dance performances at the club helped launch the careers of actors Gwen Verdon and Yvonne DeCarlo. Sixteen-year-old Norma Jeane Baker (Marilyn Monroe) met 22-year-old defense plant worker Jim Dougherty at the Florentine Gardens and the couple held their wedding reception at the venue in June 1942.[5]

The club closed in 1948 and new owners renamed it The Cotton Club.[6] It later became a club featuring scantily clad dancers, was a Salvation Army outpost,[7] a dental school, salsa club, and hip hop club.[8] Avalon Attractions started booking acts at the “New Florentine Gardens” in 1981, featuring such acts as Chuck Berry, X, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, Fear, and The Blasters. Between 1982 and 1983 on Friday nights they had KROQ Nights (A So Cal New Wave Dance Music Station) with KROQ's & VH1 DJ Richard Blade and Saturday nights was Florentines resident DJ Ralphie D. [9]

Owner Kenneth MacKenzie fought efforts by the City of Los Angeles to demolish the club in 2005 to build a new fire station.[10][11][12][13]

Notable performers

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wanamaker 2009, p.92
  2. ^ Wanamaker 2007, p.121
  3. ^ Williams 2005, p.265
  4. ^ Geary 2016, p.149
  5. ^ Alleman 2005, p.89
  6. ^ Williams 2005, p.166
  7. ^ Alleman 2005, p.89
  8. ^ Rasmussen, Cecilia (October 10, 2004). "Club Shone Brightly in Its Heyday". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  9. ^ Hilburn, Robert (20 May 1994). "X's Zoom Marks the Wedding Spot". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ Geary 2016, p.150
  11. ^ "Panel's Decision Angers Club's Backers". Los Angeles Times. October 29, 2003. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Steve Hymon (August 4, 2005). "L.A. Fire Station Plan Would Spare Razing Florentine Gardens Building". Los Angeles Times.
  13. ^ Steve Hymon (October 11, 2005). "Property Owner Ready for Fire Fight". Los Angeles Times. p. A13 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ John L. Scott (September 13, 1944). "'Girls Are Back' at Florentine Gardens". Los Angeles Times. p. I-10 – via Newspapers.com.
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