Back to the 1920s in Glendale, California

Had enough of the Great Depression comparisons this week? Here is probably your only chance to experience the bright side of the 20s era: the Alex Film Society Vaudeville Extravaganza, an annual event in Glendale and Southern California’s only regularly produced vaudeville show, this Saturday, September 20, 8 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Six live acts, followed by three historic films, including a vintage newsreel and Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 film The Cure, make up the program.

The Alex Theatre, built in 1925, and restored and reopened in 1994, is “one of the most important surviving examples of grande Vaudeville and movie palaces of the early 20th century.” The Alex Film Society promotes and screens classic films at this classic location – I’ve seen many wonderful films on the big screen at the Alex. Its a definite asset to the city of Glendale. Upcoming films on the schedule include King Kong (October 25), and the society’s annual Three Stooges event (November 29).

Now back to the 1920s in Glendale housing: I stopped by a brokers’ open house yesterday to see a new listing. 850 Cumberland Road is landmarked as historical and a Mills Act Tax grant is in place as of September 2006. This is a notable week to be listing a property that was originally built in 1929. Many homes in the 91202 neighborhood were built during the 1920s and have sought after custom features; this one is among the larger properties in the neighborhood (4,271 square feet, on a 14,200 square foot lot). The listing price is also notable for this week (better have that down payment in a safe haven!): $1,995,000. It last sold for $1,500,000 in 2004.

There are twelve other Redfin listings in 91202 priced over $1,000,000; the Cumberland property ranks third on the list (if you exclude the $15 million Wonderview property).

Photo of the Alex Theatre courtesy of Ilpo Sojourn.