Feb 2020 - Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf
Event Supported by Funding From
Friends of Oakridge were honored to be asked to present our historic house tour entirely in American Sign Language, accompanied by a captioned version of Dave Kelly's film Paul R. Williams: A Legend in Architecture. Thank you long time docent Joyce Linden, film maker Dave Kelly and invited ASL interpreters for making the day possible.
Feb 2020 - Dave Kelly presents his film Paul R. Williams: A Legend in Architecture
Event Supported by Funding From
Dave Kelly, Emmy nominated documentary film maker and Director of Advanced Media Production, California State University, Long Beach.
Mr. and Mrs Dave Kelly
Jan 2020 - Friends of Oakridge join Neighborhood Councils Northridge East and West for historic plaque unveiling
Dana Amann talking Valley history
Trainer Heidi P., Deborah Donnelly, Officer David R. on Trigger,
Pat LoPresti, David Lasky, Glenn Bailey, John Lee, Jorge de Leora, Officer Katrina on Sherman
Friends of Oakridge - Dianne Kartialla, Deb Donnelly, Phyllis Winger, Sandy Winger, Councilmember Lee
Video by Mark Hovater
Jan 2020 - Bill Wellman, Jr. and Wyatt McCrea The Great Man's Lady (1942)
Event Supported by Funding From
Rancho Cordillera del Norte
Bill Wellman Jr & Wyatt McCrea, @ Shel Mosk
Bill Wellman Jr & Wyatt McCrea, @ Shel Mosk
Bill Wellman Jr & Wyatt McCrea, photo by Shel Mosk
Bill Wellman Jr & Wyatt McCrea, @ Art Jacobs
Wyatt McCrea & Dana Amann, moderator
June 2019 - City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Mounted Rangers visit The Oakridge Estate Park
photo by Shel Mosk
May 2019 - Bill Wellman, Jr. presents Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick (1995)
William Wellman, Jr. delighted a packed room with memories of his father and a screening of his award winning documentary Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick, a film about the life and career of his father, the legendary director William Wellman.
Wild Bill, who earned his nickname as a decorated WWI fighter pilot, directed his favorite actress Barbara Stanwyck in five films and Jack Oakie in four, including some of their best lifetime work.
Wild Bill is connected to Oakridge history in other ways. He won the Academy Award for Best Writing (1937) for the original screenplay of the first A Star is Born, which he also directed. A Star is Born, based, in part, on the relationship between Barbara Stanwyck and her husband Frank Fay, earned Janet Gaynor the nomination for The Academy Best Actress Award. That same year, Stella Dallas earned Stanwyck the same nomination. In 1942, Janet Gaynor and her husband Adrian, purchased the Zeppo Marx home at Marwyck, making it their residence for roughly a decade. Adrian designed costumes for some 200 MGM films, including the Wizard of Oz. Yup, he designed those ruby red slippers.
William Wellman, Jr.
William Wellman, Jr. sharing memories with Kathlenn Carr, Barbara Stanwyck's great-niece
April 2019 - William Harper Carter presents Titanic (1953)
January 2019 - Richard Adkins presents Adrian
For the past dozen years Richard Adkins has been researching the life and career of costumer and fashion designer (Gilbert) Adrian in preparation for his book, "Adrian - American Designer". Friends of Oakridge was delighted when Richard offered to share his research in two sold out presentations at The Oakridge Estate. For nearly forty years, Richard has volunteered for Hollywood Heritage and the Hollywood Heritage Museum.
Adrian and his wife, actress Janet Gaynor purchased the Zeppo Marx home at Marwyck Ranch in 1942, living there for roughly a decade. Adrian designed costumes for over 200 MGM films, including the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy's ruby slippers are considered the most valuable fashion/popular culture item in existence. Janet Gaynor is the winner of the first Academy Award for best actress (1927).
February 2014 - Victoria Wilson booksigning
After a decade researching and writing her comprehensive biography "A Life of Barbara Stanwyck: Steel-True 1907-1940" , Victoria Wilson visited Oakridge for a booksigning and the launch of her book. Over 200 guests attended. Marwyck Ranch was Stanwyck's home for roughly half of Wilson's book. Once part of a 130 acre Thoroughbred Ranch co-owned by Zeppo and Marion Marx, the house and remaining 9.5 acres are now part of Oakridge Estate Park. Oakridge is owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by the Recreation and Parks Department. Photos by Bob Bladow
