January 21

If these walls could talk:
Gay Hollywood Lovers & Joan Crawford
at 513 N. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills

Built in 1925, this unassuming five bedroom, five bath Spanish style house was originally owned by Herbert Howe, a publicist and writer for the fan magazine, “Photoplay.” Howe was also well known for being Ramon Novarro’s lover (as well as his publicist). Novarro (1899-1968), the heartthrob successor to Rudolph Valentino, was not only a Hollywood actor, but an aspiring opera singer. He was also gay, and notoriously promiscuous. His relationship with Howe was his only long-term relationship.

At left: Ramon Novarro in the silent film "The Midshipman" from 1925. Joan Crawford appeared as an uncredited extra, and she provides the next link to this house.








In later years, Novarro sought solace in young men obtained through a male escort agency. Two of them, brothers aged 17 and 22, murdered Novarro in stupendously grisly fashion in 1968, but that's the subject for another post.

In 1927, just two years after it was built, this house became the home of Joan Crawford. MGM provided a $6,000 loan for the down payment against the purchase price of $28,000, completely furnished. The interior was stuffed full of dark Spanish furniture and yards of red velvet. As a personal touch, Ms. Crawford installed her collection of 200 dolls and nearly nude paintings of herself. The house is located at what is today the commercial center of Beverly Hills, the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire Blvds.

Crawford lived in this home during the years 1927 and 1928, until she married Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. The house stands today, so the next time you stay at the Beverly Hilton, walk over and take a look. Go out the front door, cross over Wilshire Blvd., walk up Carmelita Ave. and make the third right onto N. Roxbury and there you are, staring Hollywood history in the face.


But I digress. Time for a massage.