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.
Toni and Alma Who at Donn’s House
I have a number of images of "Toni" at Donn's Encino house parties circa 1946. On none of them does it give her last name. I'm sure one of you can identify her as she was famous enough not to need her last name written down in 1946! UPDATE: The answer seems to be Alma...
Chicago Charity Tokens
From the Phoebe Beach Archive I had long heard that at the Chicago Don the Beachcomber the coat check didn't take tips, but instead they suggested donating to various charities. I have pictures of the boxes labeled for those donations. The above picture has a Red...
Help ID Unknown Donn People
From the Phoebe Beach Archive These images are from negatives in the Phoebe Beach Archive and thus have no notes for clues. I'd assume they are famous people to be included in Donn's photo collection, but they may be business associates or simply friends. If you...
1930s McCadden Place Mystery Men
From the Phoebe Beach Archive No notes on this to tell me who is in this picture. Maybe they are famous enough one of you knows who they are?
Elyse Knox, Edgar Bergen and Mrs. Gardiner
From the Phoebe Beach Archive Edgar Bergen, Donn, Elyse Knox and Mrs. Reginald Gardiner. They were all regulars at Donn's Encino parties in 1946. Elyse is best know now as the mother of actor Mark Harmon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ScUuxZ-8Jw...
Steve Crane at Donn’s Home 1946
In this 1946 Life magazine article you see Steve Crane arriving with Lila Leeds. She had just been in The Show Off with Red Skelton, another regular at Donn's parties. He was 10 years Donn's junior and would go on about ten years later to be a competitor/copycat. With...
Alice Faye at Donn’s 1946
From the Phoebe Beach Archive Actress/Singer Alice Faye with her husband, actor/bandleader Phil Harris started a radio show together a couple of years after this The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show on NBC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHS9q4BRwgM From the Phoebe Beach...
Jean Wallace and Franchot Tone Visit Encino
From the Phoebe Beach Archive UPDATE March 28, 2021: Thanks to commenter JC, it turns out the notes on the back of these images is incorrect. After Mrs. Swanky and I stared at many many images of Barbara Payton and Tone's then wife Jean Wallace, we concluded these...
Phil Harris Visits Donn’s Encino Home 1946
From the Phoebe Beach Archive Phil really went all out on the wardrobe! He and his wife Alice Faye were regulars and I have lots of images of her at Encino as well. He was a pioneer of radio situation comedy, band leader and voice actor know for Babalu in The Jungle...
Rosalie Stevenson
From the Phoebe Beach Archive Here with a nice fernwood tiki. From the Phoebe Beach Archive Mel Peterson to her right. This article mentions her as being active in hula and dance in the 40s and 50s.
Great Band at Don the Beachcomber
From the Phoebe Beach Archive Left to right is Joe Custino on steel, Simeon Bright on guitar, Mel Peterson on uke, and Eddie Spencer on bass. Joe's wife Lani was a dancer at Don's. Check out this video of her and Ed Kinney. And of course what are likely a treasure of...
Exciting Don the Beachcomber Announcements
Searching For Don the Beachcomber On the 114th anniversary of Donn’s birth, I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Short Version: I have started on a biography of Don the Beachcomber with the working title of Searching for Don the Beachcomber.I have...
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