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Thursday, February 28, 2013 / 1 Comment

Tarzana Home Supposedly A Part of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Estate Hits The Market

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 / 2 Comments
[Update June 5, 2013]: This home sold for $1,110,000 on May 10, 2013 which was $115,000 more than the original list price of $995,000 and $792,000 more than the original purchase price of $318K on June 9, 1987.

[Original Price]:
Image courtesy Deasy/Penner & Partners
5 Beds/4 Baths on 3,725 sqft on a total lot size of 0.51 acres built in 1938 in Tarzana currently listed for $995,000. The home was last purchased on June 9, 1987 for $318,000. The listing states that the home is "originally part of Edgar Rice Burroughs' estate (author of Tarzan)." So any prospective buyer must ask, was this home really a part of the Burroughs' Ranch as I will try to investigate below?

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here

The original estate is located at 18500 Tarzana Drive (which is still present) and was last purchased on April 30, 2004 for $2,850,000. According to erbzine.com (official site for Edgar Rice Burroughs and Tarzan), General Harrison Gray Otis (founder and publisher of LA Times) purchased 550 acres in 1911 of what is now Tarzana. In 1919, Burroughs purchased the Otis Ranch and built his home there calling it the Tarzana Ranch. In 1923, Burroughs subdivided a portion of his land for homes that was known as the Tarzana Tract that was bordered by Ventura Blvd, Avenida Oriente, Tarzana Drive, and Mecca Ave which was directly north of the Tarzana Ranch. I also recommend visiting interior pictures here, early Tarzana pics here, WW2 history on the ranch here, and ground level picture from the 1920s here

Mil Flores, country estate of General Harrison Gray Otis on the site of the Trazana Ranch. This structure was known as the Koonskin Kabin which served as a guest house which Burroughs rented out as a set for film companies. Image courtesy ERBzine.com.
The original Tarzana Ranch circa 1920s. Image courtesy ERBzine.com.
The original Tarzana Ranch circa 1920s. Image courtesy ERBzine.com.
The original Tarzana Ranch circa 1920s. Image courtesy MSFV.
Map of Subdivided Tarzana Tract north of Burroughs' Ranch. Image courtesy ERBzine.com
The Tarzana Ranch shown in 1952 which was still empty land. Image courtesy Historicaerials.com.
The Brewster House shown in 1952 surrounded by other homes but also empty land nearby. Image courtesy Historicaerials.com.

The Tarzana Ranch shown in 1977 with development on the left hand side and the El Cabellero  Country Club fully developed. Image courtesy Historicaerials.com.
The Tarzana Ranch shown in 2003 with a portion of the ranch subdivided and homes already being built. Image courtesy Historicaerials.com.
Tarzana Ranch today (center) with new development all around. Image courtesy Google Maps.
Tarzana Ranch today (center) with new development all around. Image courtesy Google Maps.
Brewster House for sale shown in green marker compared to Tarzana Ranch shown in red marker which are approximately 0.70 miles apart in a straight line.  Image courtesy Google Maps.
So to answer the question above, it appears that this home is not a part of the Tarzana Ranch and Burroughs' Estate using the images and development history above. It looks like Burroughs didnt own any land west of Reseda Blvd which is where the Brewster house is located. I could be wrong on this one but the limited information above suggests that the Brewster house was not a part of the Tarzana Ranch. If I am wrong, I hope the Realtor has supporting documentation. If you are purchasing this home, do your due diligence so you are not short changed on a $1 million purchase. 

Listing Description and pictures:
Originally part of the Edgar Rice Burroughs' estate (author of Tarzan), this eclectic, character rich, expanded rustic estate is situated on over 1/2 acre of manicured grounds with enormous swimmers pool on a quiet cul-de-sac in the historic heart of Tarzana. An historic cabin occupies the lower level and features an expansive stone and brick fireplace, rough hewn beam ceilings, 2 bedrooms w/ baths and spacious cook's kitchen made for entertaining. The upper level includes a spacious master suite with fireplace and 2 additional bedrooms with vintage bath. A completely unique, spacious family home steeped in local history, folklore and rustic charm.





 

Filming Locations: Alpha Dog (2006)

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 / 6 Comments








Alpha Dog is a 2006 American crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007. The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz and related events in 2000. It portrays the involvement of Jesse James Hollywood, a young middle-class drug dealer in California. The film stars Emile HirschJustin TimberlakeShawn HatosyBen FosterOlivia WildeAmanda SeyfriedAnton Yelchin with Harry Dean StantonSharon Stone and Bruce Willis (Wikipedia).

I blogged about the true story of Alpha Dog in the post, Dont Raise Your Kids In The West Valley: A Retrospective Review of Young Adult Crime In The West Valley, which also discussed some of the actual locations for where this story took place including Jesse James Hollywood's home. 

Unfortunately, this movie was fictionalized due to the pending court case at the time the movie was filmed. The true events took place in the West Valley and Santa Barbara rather than Claremont and Palm Springs as shown in the film. However, several locations were still filmed in the SFV as discussed below.

Also check out Frankie's House, The Glen Capri Inn & Suites, Caliente Tropics Resort, and The Hartunian House from IAMNOTASTALKER.COM. Additionally, Scott Trimble who worked on the film also listed locations on his site, FilmInAmerica.com. Some of the locations listed from that site that I am not able to find were Burbank, Granada Hills, Northridge, Studio City, Sylmar, and Universal City. 

On a completely separate note, Anton Yelchin, who play Jake Mazursky recently purchased a home in Studio City and grew up in Tarzana discussed here

You can view more SFV Filming Locations here

The opening scenes starts at Johnny Truelove's home which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys or Encino but no luck finding anything. 



The beginning scenes starts with Johnny Truelove meeting with his father who is holding baseball practice at the Hjelte Sports Center at 16200 Burbank Blvd Encino. 



Johnny Truelove conducts a drug transaction at Circus Liquor (which has been used in several films) 5600 Vineland Ave North Hollywood.  



Jake, Butch, Olivia, and Zack Mazursky have dinner at the family home which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Granada Hills but no luck finding anything

Johnny Truelove and his gang try to meet Jake Mazursky at this apartment which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys but no luck finding anything

Zack Mazursky is kidnapped by Johnny Truelove and gang where those ugly power lines run along Whitnall Highway near Cahuenga Blvd which is next to Whitnall Highway Park in North Hollywood. This scene takes place in front of DWP Receiving Station E. 





Frankie Ballenbacher and Zack Mazursky are hanging out at the Street Fiesta at West End Liquor Store 21500 Sherman Way Canoga Park which is across from the old Aaardvark's store. 



Johnny Truelove speaks to Jake Mazursky and his attorney at the Norwood Bar & Lounge at 16200 Nordhoff Street North Hills.  




Johnny Truelove and Elvis Schmidt meet Pick Giaimo and used his vehicle to help with the murder of Zack Mazursky which which I am unfortunately not able to locate but has a feel and look to be somewhere in the SFV. I am guessing Van Nuys but no luck finding anything



Johnny Truelove, Pick Giaimo, and lady friend eat at Salsa Club 2000 at 6439 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood.


Johnny Truelove and girlfriend, Angela Holden purchase a vehicle from a used car lot that I am not able to locate but feels like somewhere in the SFV. 



Johnny Truelove and girlfriend, Angela Holden, stay at the Glen Capri Motel (used in several films) 6700 San Fernando Rd Glendale. 

Johnny Truelove meets his childhood friend, Buzz Fecske, which could be located in the SFV but not sure.


Johnny Truelove returns home to his godfather, Cosmo Gadabeeti which looks like its in the SFV but cannot locate.