Book Reviews: The Man Who Seduced Hollywood and Hollywood Godfather

The Man Who Seduced Hollywood
The Life and Loves of Greg Bautzer, Tinseltown's Most Powerful Lawyer
by B. James Gladstone
Hardcover
285 pages
9781613745793
Chicago Review Press
2013

"Get me Greg Bautzer!"

Gregson Edward Bautzer was born on April 3, 1911 in San Pedro, California. In 1918, he applied was accepted to USC and never looked back. He was tall and athletic, in addition he excelled in debate, which would later assist him in his career as a lawyer.

Over the years he would represent the Hollywood elite in the courtroom. Even a future United States President and the richest man in the world at the time sought his advice. In 1950, he handled the biggest divorce of his career, Nancy and Frank Sinatra's.

He had a flair for charming men and more importantly, women. He was the Leonardo Decaprio of his day when it came to dating beautiful and famous women. He would marry four times and divorce three.

There were two pivotal events that set his new life into motion. In 1936, he somehow raised $5,000 ($93,000+ in 2020) and purchased, "the best wardrobe in town". Also in 1936 he rented an office in the Equitable Building on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. This was the crossroads of the young movie industry at the time. Just up Vine was the location of the Brown Derby, a popular eatery for the industry. Greg would make it a point to showcase his $5,000 wardrobe at the Derby and never forgot to generously tip the maítre d'. This resulted in seating at the best table which in turn created new and important business relationships.

Bautzer and Wilkerson crossed paths in 1938, when Bautzer and Lana Turner were engaged and their relationship was cemented as both men were obsessed with gambling.

Unfortunately, underneath the movie star good looks, the highly successful lawyer, and the perfect clothes lie an alcoholic. He would inherited his father's predisposition for alcoholism and everyone around him suffered. The high rigors and stress of his busy and demanding law practice accelerated his consumption and he would pass away on October 26, 1987 from a heart attack.

   


Hollywood Godfather
The Life and Crimes of Billy Wilkerson
by W. R. Wilkerson III
Hardcover, 310 pages
9781613736609
Chicago Review Press, Inc.
2018

"Luck always found Mr. Wilkerson at the last minute."

William "Billy" Wilkerson was born on September 29, 1890 in Nashville, TN. He grew up with a doting mother and a physically abusive father. Instead of alcohol, Wilkerson's father was mired in the compulsion of gambling. One story reveals, how William Sr. won the rights to bottle Coca-Cola in 13 states. Unable to see the future of the soft drink, he swapped the rights for a movie theater. Had he held onto this winning lottery ticket it would have been worth today, conservatively, hundreds of millions of dollars. Coca-Cola would play a huge part in William Jr's. life years later as he drank twenty bottles a day!

His clout in the movies started the day The Hollywood Reporter went to print in 1930. Unfazed by autocratic studio bosses, he would print unbiased, truthful reviews of movies. He would use the power of print to his advantage when he needed something. As the paper became more and more successful, the powerful Wilkerson became. He was notorious for screaming at his employees and his short, explosive temper. The success of the trade paper segued into creating some of the most popular restaurants and clubs in Hollywood; The Vendome, Trocadero, Ciro's, and the Sunset House.

He would follow in his father's footsteps in massive gambling losses; $150,000 minimum for years and in the end he lost over $10 million in 2020 money. He even resorting to funneling company revenue to cover his losses. Finally, a friend suggested building a casino to attempt to recoup some of his losses. This led to his involvement in the construction of the ill-fated casino, The Flamingo.

His addiction to gambling, his long work hours, and his commitment to his restaurants and clubs, culminated in five divorces.

In the end, his 3+ a day cigarette habit and his 20 bottle a day consumption of Coca-Cola compounded by intestinal problems caused his death on September 2, 1962.


There were many famous people in the very early days of Hollywood. However, the names of Bautzer and Wilkerson do not resonate like Cagney or Goldwyn. Both men were involved in the fringes of the movie industry, but did not operate entirely in the movie industry. This what makes their biographies so compelling.

Both these biographies are worth the time and purchase price as they are mere glimpse into how old Hollywood was run, with its womanizing, obtaining illegal liquor from the Mob, blackmail, raids on backroom gambling, and payoffs to the police.

Two reviews for Raquel's Summer Reading Challenge #ClassicFilmReading

2017 Turner Classic Movie Film Festival, Part I: Exploring LA

The first stop after we land is In-N-Out Burger. Fortunately there is a location just outside of LAX. I alway order number #1. My order is top and my wife's is on the bottom as she likes the sauce on her fries. 

We met friends Robby and Zinnia Cress for dinner. Robby suggested Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. Midway through the meal, he tells me they shot a part of Heat here! It's the scenes where Don Breedan shows up to work as part of his parole and when Neil recruits him to drive the getaway car. 

The world famous record store, Amoeba Records. I went in, "just to look around", and walked out with 4 Blu-rays. 

The Griffith Observatory is the sight of many movies and tv shows. Oh, and you can learn about about the cosmos, if you are into that thing.

The Observatory also has amazing views of the city. 

Shhh! Don't tell my wife...

Did she or didn't she?

Larry Edmunds Bookshop 6644 Hollywood Blvd.

My wife and I both hard core bibliophiles and cinephiles. So whenever we visit Los Angeles, we make it a point to visit Larry Edmunds. She always picks up a several books for research and pleasure. I have purchased a few books myself, mostly about the local history of Los Angeles. One cannot underscore the depth of material within the four walls. Not only do they sell books and vintage posters, they hold readings, screenings, and book signings. The shop has been open for 82 years and has been frequented by scores of actors, producers, and directors.  

Charlie Chaplin's old studio is now the home of Jim Henson's Company.

Kat Von D's Tattoo Parlor

Cantor's Deli

Season seven, episode one of Mad Men was filmed here. Don was, "visiting", California and met Pete here for lunch. 

Drinking Herradura Tequila at the infamous rock and roll bar, The Rainbow Bar and Grill, with cousins, Nick and Rod. 

More alcohol consumption with Nick. This one hooked me on Micheladas so now everytime I eat at a Mexican restaurant I order one. Here we are at Oscar's downing 25 ouncers. 

Galbi King Los Angeles

Nick suggested Galbi King Korean BBQ in Westside Plaza for dinner. I haven't this good Korean BBQ since my San Francisco days. 

Los Angeles Door Tour Part V and Part III Update

The Doors were in downtown LA taking pictures for the, "Morrison Hotel", album. The day was December 17, 1969 and photographer Henry Diltz just finished taking pictures at the actual, "Morrison Hotel," on Stanhope Street. 

Needing the quench his thirst, Jim suggested they head to a bar in Skid Row. They popped into the, aptly named,  Hard Rock Cafe. Diltz photographed them drinking, hanging out, and interacting with the other patrons. The photos from Morrison Hotel were used on the front cover of the album and the photos from the Hard Rock Cafe were used on the inner sleeve and the back of the album.

Years later, The Doors received a call from two gentlemen in London asking permission to use, "Hard Rock Cafe", for a chain of restaurants. The rest is history. A side note; someone was smart enough to place The Doors star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in front of The Hard Rock Cafe.

Photo Source: The Selvedge Yard

Photo Source: The Selvedge Yard

This is what the Hard Rock Cafe looks like today.

In Part IV, I made it to downtown LA, but I went to the West end of 5th St, not the East end. Last time I did not have a rental car, this time I did. I plugged the correct address into my iPhone and drove there. As I was getting close, I started to look for a place to park. As I got closer and closer, I realized while looking for a place to park, I passed the location. No problem, I will just loop around, find a place to park, find the location, and walk back to the car I told myself. As I was driving and looking to find a place to park, I started noticing the condition of the neighborhood and the people who lived there. At this point, I made sure all the doors were locked. Unbeknownst to me, I was smack dab in the middle of Skid Row. Living in San Francisco for almost three years, I was exposed to extreme poverty, but this was on a level I had never seen. The only way I can describe the homeless people is walking dead. These were not human beings; only shells of their former selves. The streets were filled with detritus, filth, and homeless encampments. Was I in America or some Third World country that I was instantly transported to? I was in such shock, I abandoned my plan of getting out of the car in this battlefield and drove back to Hollywood (I know that sounds so bourgeoisie). 

South Broadway appears to be the main economic drag but its grittiness was still painfully apparent. South Main Street is the geographic line that separates west from east and the geography changes very quickly when you head towards the setting sun. 

What tales could the storefronts and architecture of Downtown tell from the last 100 years of its existence?

The second stop on the tour is Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana. This is the final resting place of Pamela Susan Courson, the longtime girlfriend of Jim Morrison. Although they were never officially married she insisted on the surname of Morrison. Jim, however, was married in an unofficial Celtic ceremony in 1970 to on-and-off girlfriend Patricia Kennealy. Interesting fact from the Park's website, Pam was listed to be buried in Pere-Lachaise with Jim. Unfortunately, the massive amount of red tape to transport a dead body to another country convinced the family to have her interred here. 

To say Jim and Pam's relationship was tumultuous is an understatement. Unfaithfulness and rampant drug use on both sides only fueled the passion of their 5 year relationship. No matter how bad it got between them, they also ended up back together...for the time being!

The influence of The Doors has reached into the popular culture of today. Two of the central characters of The Office are named Jim and Pam. I submit any two names could have been chosen, but it was decided on these. 

Other notable people who are buried here are Leo Fender, Bob Nieman, who is the only MLB player to hit consecutive home runs in his first two major league at-bats, and C.J. "Pappy" Hart, who has been credited with starting the sport of drag racing. 

To say Jim and Pam's relationship was tumultuous is an understatement. Unfaithfulness and rampant drug use on both sides only fueled the passion of their 5 year relationship. No matter how bad it got between them, they also ended up back together...for the time being!

The influence of The Doors has reached into the popular culture of today. Two of the central characters of The Office are named Jim and Pam. I submit any two names could have been chosen, but it was decided on these. 

Los Angeles Doors Tour Part IV

When I visit Los Angeles, I enjoy the warm weather, meeting up with my cousins, and watching classic films on the big screen. However, the highlight for me is my annual Los Angeles Doors Tour!

I have found most of the places the Doors hung out in Los Angeles. The two that eluded me are The Topanga Corral which was the inspiration for, "Roadhouse Blues" and the home Jim lived in on Kings Road. 

Unfortunately, The Topanga Corral is no longer standing. It burnt down in the 1970s, rebuilt, then burnt down again. If there was something left I could justify trekking out there, but not for an empty lot.

I found out about the Kings Road location only recently. Jim had purchased a property on the advice of his accountant to reduce his tax liability. Tony Funches, a former bodyguard, remembers going there with Jim a few times. Jim never intended to live there, having a, "few crates and a lamp of two." Tony cannot remember the number on the residence. I stumbled across a forum on the mystery home and one person who worked for a real estate title company spent hours and hours pouring over real estate records with no success. He speculated it was listed under another name as he could not find any connection to Jim Morrison ever owning a house on Kings Road.

8826 Lookout Mountain Ave., home of 3 of The Doors in 1966

This location in Laurel Canyon is the house Jim, John and Robby lived in 1966. It was here Jim feeling depressed went for a walk and came up with the lyrics for, "People Are Strange".

Another view of 8826 Lookout Mountain Ave.

I walked from the corner of La Brea and Hollywood Blvd to Laurel Canyon Blvd in Part III. When I could not walk any more because I was running out of room to walk safely, I found a cab who took me to the Country Store. This time I drove from Hollywood Blvd. to Laurel Canyon. I was blown away by how steep and narrow the roads are. How does a delivery truck or fire engine navigate these hills?

1246 Stanhope St.

This is the location of the, "Morrison Hotel", cover shoot for the album of the same name. It was shot by Henry Diltz who also shot the locations on Brooks Ave. in Venice.

Pershing Square, downtown Los Angeles

Here things got murky. I was looking for 300 5th St. This would be the location of the Hard Rock Cafe. I was looking for street numbers to determine where the Cafe would be. Unfortunately they are not clearly marked so I walked to the next block. I took this photo thinking the Cafe resided on this block and the building had been demolished. Consulting Google Maps, it looks like I was at 300 West 5th St.not 300 East 5th St. I was on the north side of Main St., when I should have been on the south! Hopefully next time I can make it downtown and find the original Hard Rock Cafe.

14 Westminster Ave.

This is the building Jim lived on the roof in June of 1965. As I have mentioned before this location is important because it is here Jim "heard a concert" in his head thus spawning the lyrics for the first two Doors albums. This what the front "Door" looks like. I was waiting around to see if the manager might pop out to ask questions about Jim's time living here. No luck!

Dios mio! I don't think even Jim could afford these 2016 rents. After all he did live on the penthouse level for free.

A better view of the roof.

30 Brooks Ave.

We go back to Brooks Ave. This is the location at number 30. As you can see the white "doors" are covered.

50 Brooks Ave.

A fence stands in the spot the guys posed for the shoot at number 50 Brooks Ave.

Cabot Cinema

Before I left for LA, I was on Robby Krieger's website and noticed he was on tour and going to make an appearance near my home the week after I got back from LA. I immediately purchased a ticket for only $55 and started counting down the days.

This was truly one of the highlights of my life! Meeting John Densmore in 2013 was a great experience, but this was the music of The Doors being played live by the guitarist of The Doors. It was surreal that I was at the closest I would ever get to a Doors concert and twenty-five percent of The Doors was on stage in front of me. The auditorium was filled to capacity and everyone was singing along. Waylon Krieger, Robby's son, was filling in for Jim. 

The picture is a bit fuzzy. He was wearing a shirt with a white body and under the harsh white lights it completely washed him out in the photos I took. 

Fuzzy picture of Robby, sorry!

When the lights changed to color, I started snapping away! A sign on the "door" to the cinema stated, "Absolutely no photography during the performance". I looked around during the show and everybody was taking photos! So I did the same, thinking when will I get this opportunity again?

Robby up close!

I waited an hour after the show ended to see if I could catch a glimpse of Robby. A crowd had gathered in front of the parking lot where his ride was parked. He took a few minutes to greet the people waiting as he left. As he went by me he shook my hand!

Here is the playlist from the show (I arrived late and missed the first five songs):

Wild Child
When The Music's Over
The WASP
Peace Frog
Waiting For The Sun
Riders On The Storm
20th Century Fox
The Changling
Maggie M'Gill
LA Woman
Touch Me
People Are Strange
Light My Fire

Los Angeles Doors Tour Part III

The third installment of the LA Doors Tour starts us in Venice and Santa Monica. After that we go back to West Hollywood, Hollywood, and then Fairfax.

#30 Brooks Ave., Venice

#50 Brooks Ave., Venice

These were the locations of Harry Diltz's photo shoot in 1969. Jim stood in front of the second panel from the right.

#1 Navy St.?, Venice

This location was a bit of a mystery. I was looking for the Cheetah Club which existed from 1967-70. It was destroyed by a fire in 1970. I'm guessing it was renumbered when it was rebuilt because the address of the above building is 11 Navy St. It is the first odd numbered building on Navy St. I thought the building in the picture below was the former location as this is the first building on the odd-numbered side of the street. However, it has an Ocean Front Walk address. One could submit this is the former location because Ocean Front Walk did not exist in 1970 and was once was 1 Navy St. I am doing supplementary research on this and will update my findings. 

1855 Main St., Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The Doors played here on July 3, 1967.

2615 Main St., Santa Monica

This is the former location of Olivia's, a soul food eatery. This eatery was the inspiration for Soul Kitchen.

147 Fraser St., Santa Monica

Ray and Dorothy were living here in July 1965.  Ray invited Jim to live with them after that faithful chance meeting on beach where they decided to start a rock-and roll band. However, there is a problem with this location. It appears the correct address 154 Fraser St. A thread on a Doors forum  and the ariel view on Google Maps supports this. There is a video where Ray goes back to this location to reminisce the old days. When I went to 147, I walked down the driveway to see the apartment over the garage. It did not look the same. What I saw was different house in the video. Since I was very pressed for time, I could not investigate this further (more on that later).

116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica

This now British pub was once known as the Turkey Joint West. Jim used to eat here but, far more significantly, it is the first time Jim Morrison was on a stage with an audience present. The exact date of this occurrence is bit fuzzy, around late May of 1965 to early June of 1965.

1616 Butler Ave, West LA

This is Village Recorders Studio and this location is important because on December 8 1970, Jim recorded what was to become, "An American Prayer". It was his birthday and he wanted to record some of his poetry. I wandered in and was greeted by Jeff Greenberg, the CEO of The Village Studios. I explained what I was doing and asked if I could take a picture of the studio Jim used. Unfortunately, that was not possible as there were paying clients using the studios and he was not sure which studio Jim had actually used. I had the same experience when I went to Sunset Sound which I completely understand. He asked me the name of my blog and brought it up in his iPad. He took the time to check it out and ask me a few questions. He suggested maybe with a heads up next time I was in LA he could do something for me. I thanked him for his time and went on my way. 

I am noticing a slight difference in the name. My sources have it listed as, "Village Recorders" and now the name is, "Village Studios". I wonder when the name changed and why.

11272 Santa Monica Blvd, West LA

This is the former location of the Lucky U, a UCLA days eatery.

Hollywood/West Hollywood/Fairfax

1441 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood

This is where, "Waiting for the Sun", was recorded.

8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood

Source

This is what the stairs looked like back in 1968. On this trip, the stairs are now enclosed and closed off. If you look closely, it is the black square to the left of the brown wooden pole. No chance to get to them. Damn!

947 N. La Cienega, West Hollywood

Suite K was where Jim edited his film, HYW. I went to the door and knocked. No answer. I started to walk away when a woman on the phone opened the door. I wanted to ask her if I could enter the room, but she cut me off saying she was on the phone, then she closed the door. So close! I could not wait for her to get off the phone because my stomach gave me a subtle reminder that it was lunch time.

Canter's Deli

This is a famous eatery in LA. Canter's has been around since 1931 and is open 24 hours a day. I included in my tour because, I was hungry and it was popular with the rock-and-rollers of the 60's. After you finished your gig this was the place to eat and be seen.

As much as I throughly enjoy visiting the sites of my all-time favorite band, my quest is hampered by two challenges, time and distance.

The locations are spread out throughout the metropolis that is known as Los Angeles. Being based in Hollywood does not help. Just to get to Venice, it took me 50 minutes by the Metro to get to Culver City, then a 20 minute bus ride that eventually dropped me off near Brooks Ave. Then I hit spots between Brooks to Santa Monica Blvd, another 30 minutes. Then another bus to the 11000 block of Santa Monica Blvd to check out Lucky U and Village Recorder. Finally a 15 minute taxi ride to Culver City where I had another 50 minute Metro ride back to Hollywood. I wanted to check out Lookout Mountain Ave in Laurel Canyon and The Topanga Corral in Topanga Canyon. Unfortunately, Lookout Mountain is 5 miles away and The Topanga Corral is 24 miles away from where I was staying. These locations would require a rental car or a very expensive taxi ride. I walk to as many locations as humanly possible.

My visit to LA is not primarily to research The Doors. I attend the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival. That is why I am based out of Hollywood. I purchase an expensive pass to see classic movies on the big screen and attend once-in-a-lifetime events. So I need to be at a certain place by a certain time. This makes the time I have to visit Door sites very very limited. That is why I could not take more time to figure out the Fraser Street location. I was also in the vicinity of 14 Westminster Ave., but was too pressed for time to visit. The Laurel and Topanga Canyon sites continue to elude me. I would also like to visit Fairhaven Cemetery in Santa Ana to see where Pam Courson is interred.

I consulted the my usual sources and came up with more locations for next year. They are The Sea Witch, The Warner Playhouse, Brave New World, and 1403 N. Laurel Ave. These locations are not too far apart.