Hollywood Post 43 History

  
 

1916-1917:
17th Co. California Coast Artillery Corps, C.N.G. composed of Motion Picture employees was commanded by Captain Taylor Duncan. Headquartered at filling station on corner of Hollywood and Cahuenga.

1919:
Actor/Extra Taylor Duncan campaigns "Ex-Servicemens Club of Hollywood" which met at Wilcox Hall on Hollywood Blvd. to establish American Legion Post. Says, "Hollywood should have a post of it's own".

 
  August 25, 1919:
Charter granted to Hollywood post #43. First meeting of charter signators took place at Steve Hall's Grocery Store on Hollywood Blvd. Episcopal Church on the S.E. corner of Hollywood and Vine used as meeting place dureing first election where Harold G. Furguson was elected 1st Commander.		  
 


Cast of Arizona


Post Boxing Stadium

1920:
The Legion fight stadium was built partially from the instigation of Al Jolson. One night while out at the fights in Vernon, he kept complaining that they had to drive too far to see the fights. Post member Baron Long mentioned the post wanted to build one in Hollywood but had given up the idea. After a long drive home and a night cap,
Producer Theodore "Daddy" Roberts suggests a way that the legion might be able to swing it. He put together The Play "Arizona". With the cast of Who's Who in Hollywood. It ran June 3, 4, 5, 1920 in Hollywood and then San Diego. The proceeds from the play went to the Post Treasury.

C.B. de MIlle was helful in getting the post a low rental lot on El Centro. Members arrived on the site with hoes, rakes and shovels and began the work of cleaning and leveling the property.

 
  Al Jolson started up the Hollywood rumor mill - then as now, a most effective form of mass communication, and interest built. A tent was erected, circus seats were installed and the ring itself was only completed five minutes before Dan Tobey stepped in and made the first announcements to a sold out house.  
  From its first day, the Legion Fight Stadium was wildly popular among Hollywoods boxing fans. It rapidly became a case of be there or be square and Hollywoods royalty turned out in droves. They made grand entrances in long limousines or walked down from Clara Bow's, IT Café in the Hollywood Plaza Hotel with a posse of their buddies.  
  Just a sampling of those who were regular habitués would include Tom Mix, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Harold Lloyd, Jean Harlow, Richard Arlen, Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Buster Keaton, the Ritz Brothers, the Marx Brothers, and the Three Stooges (one of whom was rumored to have died there).  
  The arrival of sound in Hollywood created a whole new batch of Show Biz royalty who were also regulars at the Hollywood Legion Stadium. Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Clark Gable (who became a member of the Post and whose name can be found on the Posts Memorial Wall), Carole Lombard, Jimmy Cagney, George Raft, Mae West, Anthony Quinn, Georgie Jessel, Ruby Keeler, Cary Grant, William Powell, Joan Blondell, Wallace Berry, Dick Powell, Lupe Velez and Frank Sinatra all attended fights at the El Centro arena.

 
  1928: Dedication of new clubhouse on Highland Ave.  
       
 


 
     
   
  1932 - 1963:
Post 43 plays host to introducing Studio Starlets to the Hollywood community. Young stars such as: Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Shirley Temple, Jayne Mansfield, and Mariyln Monroe.		  
 

 
     
  Post member Humphrey Bogart with buddies from his old unit.  
  Howard Hughes visits Hollywood Post 43  
  1940's:
Walt Disney helps with Navy recruiting		  
 

1978:
Post 43 Member Drama group is established