We started off with lunch in Downtown Los Angeles at Cole's French Dip, which vies with nearby Philippe's as the originator of the French dip sandwich. Both restaurants were established in 1908 and are among the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the city.
The public TV series LOST L.A. recently did an episode on Cole's and its (no longer) secret bootlegger tunnel. Here's the "historic cultural monument" placque outside Cole's:
We enjoyed the food and the friendly service, and I particularly liked the shoestring-style French fries which accompanied the sandwich.
Of the two restaurants, I give the edge to Philippe's and its unique "pre-dipped" sandwich roll. I also really like Philippe's chili and brownies and its overall sunnier ambiance; the menu at Cole's is much more limited, and the pub-style lighting is relatively dark.
Los Angeles City Hall, recognizable to classic film and TV fans all over the world:
We next headed to Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park. Our destination was the cave which was a location used in countless movies and TV series. Indeed, while we were visiting a rather large film crew scouting locations toured the site!
One of the cave's most famous uses was as the Bat Cave on the TV series BATMAN (1966-68). Here's a short video montage of the Batmobile exiting the Bat Cave:
The cave is actually a short tunnel which can be walked through, or if preferred visitors can circle around to the back entrance without walking through.
There's a beautiful view from the far side of the cave! Click on this or any photo to enlarge for a closer look.
Many movies have been shot here, including INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1956), but for me personally the most significant movie filmed at the cave was John Ford's THE SEARCHERS (1956). While most exteriors seen in THE SEARCHERS were filmed at Monument Valley, as I recounted here after our 2013 visit, the famous climactic reunion of John Wayne and Natalie Wood was filmed right here in Bronson Canyon, on the "far" side of the cave.
The exact locations pictured above and below can be seen in this short clip from the movie. As someone who loves the film, a truly great American masterwork, it was quite a thrill to stand in the very spot where Ethan Edwards said "Let's go home, Debbie."
After our short hike, our next stop was the recently opened Funko store on Hollywood Boulevard. My husband collects Funkos from his favorite childhood TV cartoons, and I have a small collection as well.
The store turned out to be quite a fun stop, with elaborate displays which made it fun to tour as well as shop. Batman seemed to be a theme of the day, seen here with other DC characters:
There was also a BLACK PANTHER (2018) display...
...and Captain America from his "bearded" phase:
We also saw Greedo from STAR WARS (1977), and many more fun sights.
I left with Cara Dune, from the MANDALORIAN (2019) TV series I loved on Disney+.
We then made our annual visit to Milk Jar Cookies on Wilshire Boulevard...
...popped into Larry Edmunds briefly...
...and wrapped things up with dinner at Miceli's.
Then it was on to opening night of the Noir City Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre. A delightful day in every way!
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