Donn Blog
A deep dive into the history of Donn Beach, Don the Beachcomber restaurants, and all things related to that story. Never-before-seen items from Donn’s personal archives.
Donn Cooking For Guests Encino 1946
Donn, behind the bar, cooking for guests circa 1946 at his Encino home.
Writer Leonard Lyons on Don the Beachcomber Waikiki 1950
Don the Beachcomber Waikiki 1954 “like a pig-killing festival in Tahiti” – Leonard Lyons
Edgar Bergin Elyse Knox, Encino 1946
Encino 1946. Edgar Bergin Elyse Knox
Waikiki Don the Beachcomber Interior 1948
A glimpse into the Waikiki Don the Beachcomber in 1948
Bob Stack, June Haver, Merle Oberon, Barbara Britton Donn’s Encino Home
Donn with celebrities Bob Stack, June Haver, Merle Oberon, Barbara Britton Donn’s Encino Home
Nadia and Reginald Gardiner and Georgia and Red Skelton at Encino Party
Nadia and Reginald Gardiner and Georgia and Red Skelton at Encino Party
Ethel Merman at Waikiki beachcomber 1954
https://youtube.com/shorts/_JClsiHCyE8?feature=share Ethel Merman at Waikiki beachcomber 1954
Full Moon Party 1946 Don the Beachcomber Encino Home
https://youtu.be/reytn783vLA?si=A_S8syNuwurYeYEM Full Moon Party 1946 Don the Beachcomber Encino Home
Vintage Don the Beachcomber Carving at La Mariana
https://youtu.be/p6gSPXIZMXs?si=dxpf_qCtfG72CZjo Vintage Don the Beachcomber Carving at La Mariana
Don the Beachcomber Waikiki 1948
Donn enjoys a Missionary's Downfall and a Pi Yi with a lovely companion. https://youtu.be/JDH_9vDvSnE
New Donn of Tiki Trailer
https://youtu.be/XzzyemzosSE I'll be in Anaheim on September 17th for a fundraiser for the documentary. Details HERE.
A Letter to Bob Van Dorpe – Aug 1974
When I found this letter in Bob Van Dorpe's archive, it just made me happy. It still makes me happy. It is signed from "Huge" which I thought for a bit was "Hugh" Donn's brother. No return address, but the address mentioned in the letter lead me, by way of help from a...
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