Lighting the Hollywood Sign
In 1961, a fire swept the Hollywood Hills. Our home was completely burned--a life collection of annotated library from all of the world, several unpublished manuscripts of Aldous, his notes and diaries, letters to and from internationally known artists, writers, philosophers and from his first wife and his family: a piece of history went up in smoke.
A few weeks ago, Councilmen John Ferraro and Michael Woo promised to withhold their approval for advertising on these hills in order to avoid, among other hazards, the danger of fire. That promise was not kept.
As I write this letter, helicopters are swooping down these hills, which could be used--as they are now--to advertise products of all kinds: rat poison, toilet paper, condoms, etc. Other legitimate businesses have the right to avail themselves of this cheap advertising gimmick as Fox at the Hollywood sign. At present, we have no guarantee--no trust.
The pollution and cheapening of these hills, where I have lived for more than 40 years, the violation of the quiet beauty of the flora and fauna is an offense to us all who have chosen this corner of the world for our homes--and it is an offense to anyone who cares about the image of Hollywood.
MRS. ALDOUS HUXLEY
Los Angeles
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