| Late Friends Page |
 Peter and Bill Reid age 11 and 10 |
 Bill Reid takes a break from bridge building to chat with Alice. |
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Silent movie-star Wallace Reid's son was Peter's room mate at Hollywood Military
Academy in 1927. They slept in a wooden-floor tent when Peter was 11. In 1932 attended Hollywood
High together where Bill would speed his "hot-rod" around school. In 1936, Bill & Peter
signed a contract with Universal Studio to "act" in "Frank Merriwell." Peter was tested to for
the leading-roll, that Richard Cromwell played. In 1936, Peter sold Bill his cruiser after he put it
through his "capsize test." Bill told the Gowlands about a 3/4 acre, Rustic Canyon lot, across a
stream. Bill built the necessary bridge. He was supposed to build their # 3 studio-home, but
was too expensive, so the Gowland's hired sub-contractors, for an 11 room building with
swimming pool. Later, Bill assembled a Long-easy "pusher" plane, in his living room. Alice wouldn't get in. Later Bill was killed, ........when his
Long-Easy, dived into the Santa Monica Bay. Bill Reid 1917-90 |
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| Peter Marquardt, a dental technician by trade, used the beach to show off his energy and acrobatic talent. A head stand, walking on his hands, leaping, seemed to take no effort. Sadly, Peter was brutally murdered for gold that he kept in his dental safe. | ||
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| Actor, Peter Lawford was a regular volleyball player in the late fifties and early sixties. He later married President Kennedy's sister. 1933-84. 91 films. | ||
 Christopher Isherwood, renowned writer, shown here with Peter and Alice, donated his time to narrate a short film, "Save State Beach." A causeway was proposed stretching across this popular stretch of coastline. The film helped defeat it. We socialized with Christopher on many occasions and were proud to know him. Christopher Isherwood, 1904-86; writer of 13 films and many books; He is listed under "plots" at IMDb.com. |
 Joe Bardo always had pretty women around him. His handsome face and physique appeared with Mae West in her Las Vegas Act. Always a soft-spoken charmer, Joe worked his way from cameraman to successful producer. He also married happily. His wife and children carry on his work. Peter worked with Joe often. He was a good friend. |
 For all his fame and popularity, famous surfer Miki Dora was basically a quiet, private person. I was honored to have him pose for me. 1934-02 8 films. Research this actor at IMDb.com. |
 Actor John Dierkes was a regular at the beach, but I liked the drama of this portrait, made in my studio. 1905-75 55 films. Research this actor at IMDb.com. |
 Ernie Missions was a stunt man and body builder. |
 Joe Grey, long-time double for Dean Martin, brought lots of laughs to the beach. He stopped to eat with us on his way home... called himself "save a plate." 1912-71 105 films 15 stunts. Research this actor at IMDb.com. |
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| Jo Lathwood lived in a tiny 2nd floor apt. just one-half block from State Beach. She rented it after the 1938 flood, which had inundated the ground floor. It became her “nest” as well as a custom boutique, with a magnificent un-blocked view of the ocean. Jo was a regular at State Beach. Everyone knew her for her friendly personality and her excellent physique. When she met Ben, a Marine, in 1945, they hit it off just right. He was an aspiring writer while Jo was already gaining fame for her sports wear and particularly the first bikinis seen on local beaches. Ben moved in, he wrote and she designed for Saks, Neiman Marcus, White Stag and for her private customers; many of them movie people. They traveled for six months each year, always to islands where she painted water colors of the local scenes and people and Ben worked on TV scripts, magazine articles and books. His script for “Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” won an Emmy. We were fortunate to have these two special people as our closest friends, both geographically and as kindred spirits. Jo Lathwood 1902-1987 Ben Masselink 1915-2000. See IMDb.com under "plots" for credits. | |
 Good friend Joe Hartman doubled for Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan but decided at age 31 to return to school. Became a successful radiologist. |
 Long-legged beauty, Marianne Skatch, friend, decorator, great gardener and mother. Left us too soon. This jetty is now covered with sand that drifted from the North with the currents. |
