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’s Book and Record Shelf and Stuff
I was scouring the background of images to see what was on the shelves of Donn's home. This is just from 2 images, one in Encino and the other his Waikiki home. I was interested in carvings and Oceanic Art. It then dawned on me there were books and records. I know...
The Bar at McCadden Place
From the Phoebe Beach Archive A rare image inside 1727 N. McCadden Place circa 1937. The front bar where more traditional drinks were made rather than the "Rhum Rhapsodies" which were made in the back of the house. As you can see by the stool shadows, the light for...
Digitizing The Phoebe Beach Archive
In case you didn't catch it in the announcements, I am in receipt of "The Phoebe Beach Archive". This represents all the photos, documents, and various other bits of paper and ephemera that Phoebe inherited from her husband Donn Beach. It was this information that her...
Donn With Cousins Waikiki
From the Phoebe Beach Archive I assume the two little ones are cousins. At his Waikiki show.
Mystery Man at Don the Beachcomber Waikiki
From the Phoebe Beach Archive I am assuming this is in Waikiki. This is from a negative so there is no notation or hints of any kind. He looks pretty distinctive. Someone can surely ID him.
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...
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