The Ravenswood . . .

By Rick Farris

Shortly after I stopped boxing in the mid 70's, I drove my sister-in-law into Hollywood.
Kam was an actress and had some composite photos taken by a top glamour photographer, Ian Vaughn.
We were going to meet Vaughn at his apartment to pick up the photos.

As we drove down Vine Street, Kam asked me if I was familiar with the "Ravenswood"?
She explained that the Ravenswood was an upscale apartment building, an art deco masterpiece, located on Rossmoor Ave. on the edge of Hollywood and Hancock Park.
The classic apartment was built in 1930 by Paramount Studios, the design of a legendary architect of the era.

The Ravenswood served as home to a number of Hollywood stars at one point, including Clake Gable, Ava Gardner and the legendary Mae West.
Mae West had bought the building not long after making a name for herself in the movie business, and lived there right up to her death in 1980. A half-century resident.
Once I learned that Mae West owned the building, it became of great interest to me as Ms. West was a legendary boxing fan who was friends with my ex-manager, Suey Welch.
Suey, actor/gangster George Raft, wrestler Mike Mazurki, middleweight champ Gorilla Jones, and Mae West had been friends for decades, all coming west from Ohio at about the same time.

When we pulled up in front of this magnificent building my mind raced, attempting to visualize how it looked nearly a half-century previous.
I thought back to stories I'd heard of Mae West, who had hired former featherweight champ, Chalky Wright, as her personal Chauffeur.
Rumor was that the actress had a thing for prizefighters, and the former 126 lb. would also serve his boss as a lover.

As we entered the building, Kam spoke with the doorman, an elderly gentleman who looked like something from another era. He was hired when the bulding had opened.
The doorman phoned Ian Vaughn's room and we were granted permission to enter.
In those days, Ian Vaughn was a hot young photographer, and he had a room full of half naked models running around his place, serving him like he was a king.
I liked Ian, who had come to Hollywood via Brighton, England and made a name for himself.

At the time I was new in the film industry and Ian told me of his desire to shift from shooting stills to making movies.
I looked around the room at the stunning beauties waiting on him hand & foot and I asked why he'd want to change things.
Vaughn laughed.

On the way out, I marveled at the old building. I asked the doorman if Mae West still lived there.
The elderly man said in a very proper voice, "Miss West owns the building. Her suite occupies the entire top floor."

"Do you see her much?" I ask.
The man smiled, "Yes, you just missed her. She returned from her walk while you were in Mr. Vaughn's residence."

"Damn!" I wanted to tell her I knew Suey, and Gorilla Jones, and Mike Mazurki, some of her old friends. I wanted meet her.
I had always felt a connection with her era, although I was just twenty-four.

When I told this to the doorman, he just smiled and replied, "She'd probably like to meet you as well."

I left with the doorman's words on my mind.
I looked over Kam's head shots. It was obvious why Ian Vaughn was so popular. He was an artist.
Today Ian Vaughn lives in Las Vegas and shoots resorts. When you see dramatic Las Vegas Hotel photos, chances are Ian shot them.
He also makes movies.

As for Mae West, next year will mark the 30th anniversary of her death, and the 80th anniversary of the Ravenswood's birth.