Construction on the Beach House began in 1926, with both media mogul William Randolph Hearst and film star Marion Davies actively involved in its creation. Contributions from architect Julia Morgan created a cohesive grace to the rambling Beach House estate, which featured an ornate swimming pool, several houses, gardens, and a 110-room mansion. Davies, an under-appreciated actor, a generous philanthropist, a keen business person, and a loyal companion to Hearst for over thirty years, owned the estate. She was in forty-eight movies during Hollywood’s Golden Age, fourteen of which she produced. The Beach House was the backdrop against which Davies and Hearst threw lavish theme parties, solidifying their reputation as the power couple of Hollywood. These parties guaranteed Davies’ renown as unequaled in generosity, but also contributed to a party-girl reputation. The Beach House served as Davies’ primary residence from 1929 to 1942.
William Randolph Hearst
Marion Davies was William Randolph Hearst’s companion for thirty-two years. They met in New York in 1915 when Marion was eighteen years old and a dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies–Hearst was fifty-two. They were together for the rest of Hearst’s life.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst invented the concept of the multimedia empire and set the standard for luxury consumption. Hearst was an insatiable art collector in the 1920s and 30s, reputed to hold twenty-five to thirty percent of the world art market.
William Randolph Hearst
Morgan’s most famous venture with Hearst was San Simeon (shown here). Her contributions to the Beach House are not as well known; she may have been personally responsible for the interiors.
Marion Davies
Marion Davies was known for the theme parties she threw at the Beach House. Her Circus Party in 1937 transported a carousel from the Warner Brothers lot to her tennis courts.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
Marion Davies
The pool at the Beach House had marble ladders, staircase, and bridge, shown here with William Haines, Marion Davies, and George K. Arthur lounging in front.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
Marion Davies
Marion Davies and Claudette Colbert in costume at the Circus Party, 1937.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
Marion Davies
Very early in her career, Marion Davies had a few stints as a photographer’s fashion model and as an artist’s model.
Marion Davies
Marion Davies had a slight stutter that added to her affability and charm. She was a talented performer despite her speech impediment, and continued on making &ldqoute;talkies&rdqoute; well after the silent film era was over.
John Payne
Many actors visited the Beach House, like John Payne, pictured here with surfboard in front of the mansion, who is most famous for his role in Miracle on 34th Street.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
The Marion Davies Estate
Construction on the Beach House began in 1926, with both media mogul William Randolph Hearst and film star Marion Davies actively involved in its creation. Contributions from architect Julia Morgan created a cohesive grace to the rambling Beach House estate, which featured an ornate swimming pool, several houses, gardens, and a 110-room mansion.
The Marion Davies Estate
The first architect of the Beach House was not Julia Morgan but William Edward Flannery, who moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s to work for William Randolph Hearst. Problems arose, and by the middle of 1926 Hearst began to rely on Julia Morgan.
The Marion Davies Estate
The Georgian mansion had 110 rooms and was lavishly decorated, including a room covered in gold leaf and more than thirty-five fireplaces. The estate also had a pool with marble staircases and tennis courts.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
The Marion Davies Estate
Architect Julia Morgan contributed a cohesive grace to the rambling Beach House estate. She designed or altered at least three other properties connected with Marion Davies and over fifteen associated with William Randolph Hearst.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
The Marion Davies Estate
The Beach House was the backdrop against which Davies and Hearst threw lavish theme parties, solidifying their reputation as the power couple of Hollywood. These parties guaranteed Davies’ renown as unequaled in generosity, but also contributed to a party-girl reputation. The Beach House served as Davies’ primary residence from 1929 to 1942.
Credit: Library of Moving Images
Doubles Sand Volleyball
Santa Monica is the birthplace of doubles sand volleyball, with the first documented game at the Edgewater Beach Club in 1937. This volleyball scene is from the 1949 Beach Olympics.
Beach Competitions
Beach competitions gained popularity in the 1930s with the rise of Muscle Beach, sand volleyball, and cycling, like this race at Ocean Park in 1930.
Fun in the Sun
In the bathhouse era, ropes were tied to buoys to assist bathers in swimming in the ocean. After lifeguarding was introduced, people frolicked in the sea like these five bathers in 1947.
Fun in the Sun
The beautiful beaches of Santa Monica have drawn visitors since the late 1800s. This crowded scene shows Santa Monica Beach in 1934.
Flood of 1938
In 1938, the deadliest flood of the twentieth century hit Southern California, leaving hundreds dead and more homeless. Many buildings were devastated by the flood, like Ted’s Grill in Santa Monica Canyon, shown here.
Flood of 1938
In 1938, the deadliest flood of the twentieth century hit Southern California, leaving hundreds dead and more homeless. Many buildings were devastated by the flood, like Fredericksburg Brewing Company in Santa Monica Canyon, shown here.
Breakwater
In 1933, a breakwater was built just off the Santa Monica Pier for the anchorage of pleasure crafts. The breakwater reduced the mean high-tide line greatly, creating the large stretches of beautiful beach that exist today.
Route 66
Route 66 was established in 1926. This photo shows a sign marking the end of the trail in Santa Monica in 1935.
Lifeguarding
George Freeth moved to Venice in 1907 and brought with him the culture of surfing and water safety practices, a legacy for lifeguards in Santa Monica like these pictured in 1930.
Waverly Beach Club
Private beach clubs were an indication of growth and prosperity. However, the clubs favored the privileged over the general public and boasted “limited membership.” Pictured here is the Waverly Beach Club in 1939.