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Errol, Patrice, and Arnella at the Huntington Hartford House, Autumn of 1957

10 Dec

hartford t&n hartford tennis t&n

— Robert

 
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Inga
11 years ago

It’s all gone, too? Yay… I can’t believe they leave this open space, it would be an idea spot for building expensive homes? And why was it all destroyed, do you happen to know, Robert?

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Robzak
11 years ago
Reply to  Inga

The location is part of what is now Runyon Canyon Park, Inga, owned by the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy and maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. Hartford sold the property in the mid-60s and over time it changed hands. Along the way the structures became run down and an eyesore–not to mention dangerous–so they were all gradually razed. The house that Flynn had occupied was destroyed in a 1972 canyon fire. The photo session of him at the house (from which the two I’ve included are derived) sadly represents the last time his family was intact.

As for expensive homes, though private dwellings cannot be built on public park land, Runyon Canyon is surrounded by an ample amount of high-priced real estate.

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Inga
11 years ago
Reply to  Robzak

Thank you very much for these interesting details, Robert!

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David DeWitt
11 years ago

Love these pics! Always wanted to find the tennis courts one day, and so far that little dream has not come true. Thanks for posting!

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Tim
11 years ago

Great photos, Sir Robert. Thanks for posting! … One of the places I visited over the Thanksgiving weekend, this site has a fascinating history. As I recall from prior research, the legendary Irish tenor Frank McCormack first built his estate “San Patrizio’ on this site, then known as No Man’s Canyon. Then A&P heir Huntington Hartford came in (circa ’42, I believe), renaming the estate “The Pines”. Frank Lloyd Wright’s son (known as “Lloyd”), also a noted architect, was involved, and may have also stayed at the poolhouse, before Errol.

Hartford ran through his IMMENSE fortune – a significant contributing factor leading to the demise of the estate, I believe. Additionally, his request to convert the property to a resort hotel was denied by the city. So, it ultimately went down the proverbial tubes. Key scenes from “Breathless” were filmed there, including the famous ending. (posted recently on another thread.) As you well know, of course, it was also an important location in the story of Beverly Aadland.

Here’s a promo shot of Errol in Huntington Hartford’s adaption of “Jane Eyre”, prominently and poignantly discussed, as I recall, at the end of My Wicked, Wicked Ways:

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