Local News in Brief : Studio Declared Landmark
The City Council on Tuesday declared Hollywood’s Falcon Studios a landmark, even though the owner said any events of historical importance linked to it actually occurred elsewhere.
The obscure Hollywood Boulevard studio--for years a fencing and dancing school--was purportedly frequented by such stars as Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Barrymore and Errol Flynn. But owners Paul and David Pan insist that the luminaries worked at Falcon Studios’ previous location nearby, not the grounds the studio has occupied since 1944.
“This one is a tired old building,” said Polly August, who represented the owners.
Nonetheless, the council voted 10 to 5 for the monument designation, which will block demolition of the buildings. The Pans had planned to tear down the structures and build a mini-mall.
“Hollywood does not need another mini-mall,” said Jonathan Polansky, who led the preservation fight. Such developments, he added, are “killing the character of Hollywood.”
The film studio on the site went out of business a few years ago. But it includes footprints and handprints of celebrities--a la the Chinese Theater--of those who have worked there.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
