When Drive-in’s Fly, Los Angeles, CA, 1954
This mesmerizing masterpiece of mid-century modernity landed at the NE corner of La Brea and Sunset Boulevards in 1949. The sage green and buttery yellow color combo is simply delicious. Those towering twin palms remind me of giant frilly toothpicks. And that soaring stucco canopy hovering over the plate glass walls of the dining room is more than inviting. The fastbacks, coupes and convertibles are snuggled up to it like ‘lil piglets to their mother at feeding time.
After a 35-year flight, this drive-in starship enterprise came crashing down. In 1984 it was bulldozed and before you could say “Hey, what happened to Tiny Naylor’s?” it was replaced by a mega mini-mall. Too bad, because even today it still looks futuristic. So go ahead and feast your eyes on it. I bet your imagination is inspired and your spirit is soaring!
Here’s to Tiny Naylor’s and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
August 2, 2012
View more great vintage slides of Americana!
I wish we could turn the clock back and go back in time!
I can dream can’t I?
Atrocious mini-malls, the athlete’s foot of architecture. To think they tore THIS down to spread mini-mall fungus is just too much to bear.
Dan, I grew up near Henry’s in Pomona. It was treat to have dinner there, car hop style! The bowling alley on North Garey was another favorite! MMMMMMMM…… hot dogs!!!!!
Made quite a few trips to Hollywood to cruise this beautiful drive-in. Was sad to see it go as it was when they tore down our home town Pomona drive-in, Henry’s. Lots more dynamics in these places than just the architecture. Though the architecture was cool the memories are priceless.
PS-Charles-you’re the Best!
My heart aches for these wonderful structures. Just hate those mini-malls. Thanks for posting this terrific image of Tiny Naylors and the Piglet automobiles-beautiful cars too! I’d frequent Tiny Naylors and Carolina Pines often. I remember DL’s too.
Cool Pic Charles,
Adriene and I were just dreaming about this lovely bird the other day.
The piglets-cars are incredible as well! Perhap lightning could strike twice Charles if you were to make an appeal to L.A. City and show just what the lost on this corner.
“Rebuild it and they will come!” It worked for out Broiler!
M.B,
Since Adriene and I worked on the Broiler project, we know that this Googie Icon did not have the same architect, but many Googie features are apparent in both buildings. Going to this place as a yong adult, It was truly a treat!
Best SOTW in a long time! Thanks.
It is a shame they tore it down, there are pics of the demolition on Flickr…this corner now is one of the ugliest corner’s in Hollywood, the mini mall that replaced it is hideous. There is a Pollo Loco there now which is garbage food compared to what they used to serve here.
They need to start tearing down mini malls and replacing them with updated versions of this!
Hey Mama Brea, I thought the same thing. Thanks for yet another inspirational slide, Charles. Always enjoy getting these emails.
There’s no law saying that a developer could not crib that design and use it for a new restaurant. Can you imagine the word of mouth and built-in promotion it would have? Call it “Tony Noylar’s” or ?
Oh yes, that color combo is yummy. Love the cars/piglets analogy. You so funny! Missed you at Galco’s Hope it was a blast!
Hey, I wonder if that building had the same plans as Johnny’s Broiler in Downey? When I first looked at it, that’s where I thought it was and then I read the location was in L.A. and enjoyed seeing the building and reading the delightful description! Thanks for all you do, Charles!