A while back, I finally did it . . . pulled a U-turn on busy Magnolia Boulevard in Sherman Oaks and circled back to the retro-looking “Horace Heidt’s Magnolia Estate Apartments” sign. Curiosity had finally gotten the best of me. I drove into the dated-looking complex and followed a lane that meandered past small bungalows, two-story apartment buildings, swimming pools, palms and hibiscus, waterfalls, vacation-themed signs, and faux flamingoes. It felt like a small tropical resort from the 1950’s. It was definitely tired-looking (in need of fresh paint and some of the water elements were not working), but certainly had the feel of a private little community. I snapped a few photos and drove away determined to solve this local mystery.
Who was Horace Heidt and what was the story behind this surprising little gem in the heart of the San Fernando Valley?
Turns out, Horace Heidt, Sr., was a big-band leader back in the 1930’s—with popular radio programs on both CBS and NBC. He was originally from California, and in 1939, he came to Hollywood to co-star with actor Jimmy Stewart in a film called Pot o’Gold. It was based on Heidt’s popular Depression-era radio program of the same name that was the first “money giveaway” show of its kind. The band leader needed a home, as well as a place to house the hundred or so members of his 30-piece orchestra. He ended up buying a 10-acre horse ranch in the San Fernando Valley. Back then, the Valley was considered “country,” and was mostly populated by wheat fields; peach, orange, grapefruit, and lemon groves; ranches; farms; and large estates owned by movie stars. Its proximity to Hollywood and the entertainment industry made it the perfect getaway for celebrities such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Jack Oakie, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Everett Horton, James Cagney, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and many more.
Heidt proceeded to transform his ranch into a small tropical country club. Taking his cue from the resort cultures of Palm Springs and Hawaii, he added themed bungalows and apartments, four 
sparkling pools surrounded by lounge furniture, a par-three miniaturized 18-hole golf course, a tennis court, and a recreation room to host parties, luaus, and live talent shows. The complex was lushly landscaped with imported palm trees, hibiscus, bubbling waterfalls, tiki statues, and even a tiny “Kauai River.” The Estates—originally designed for the pleasure of Heidt’s family and co-workers—was later opened to and attracted all manner of show biz folks.
Today, the Magnolia Estates is home to nearly 300 residents, young and old alike and from all walks of life. It is a village of loyal folks who often share informal gatherings and “happy hours.” The property is secluded behind a wall and has 160 apartments and 20 bungalows. It is still in the family and managed by son, Horace Heidt, Jr. (Heidt, Sr., died in 1986.), who has added a wing to the original ranch house that is now the Horace Heidt Museum. It is filled with memorabilia from the famed band leader’s career. Though faded with time, Horace Heidt’s Magnolia Apartments still casts a tropical (and kitschy) spell over those who take a moment to stop by.
Links you may enjoy:
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- San Fernando Valley (Images of America)
(2011, Marc Wanamaker)
- “San Fernando Valley” song (1944, Bing Crosby, YouTube)
- San Fernando Valley (Images of America)
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My father was a Holocaust Survivor who had a second GO at life as a Character actor in Hollywood in the 1950s-70s. He appeared in Disney films… and on Bonanza and High Chapparal among other shows. When I first went to visit him…in 1980 (My parents had Never married. They were “lovers”, a fact my Mom only revealed to me when I was a senior in high school,) my father “Patrick Sullivan Burke” (actual name Merrill Levine) and his wife Ruth, a Hollywood costumer, were living at Horace Heidt’s Magnolia Estates. They had a beautiful first floor apartment with a lovely walled terrace, and a Frigidaire Flair stove in their kitchen.
At about 5 pm, every afternoon… the “crowd” would gather beside the pool for Happy Hour. I remember meeting Roberta Sherwood, “The Singing Grandma,” and other minor characters of Hollywood and music fame. (You can find Sherwood on Youtube.)
My father was the community’s events coordinator. He arranged the holiday parties and social gatherings held around the pool, and at the Aloha Room. He had a real knack for finding forgotten talent and persuading them to come out of retirement…one last time: Herb Jeffries “The Bronze Bucharoo,” Fayard Nicholas of the fabulous “Nicholas Brothers” dance duo. He arranged a special concert so that I could perform with Horace Heidt “Himself.”
Wonderful memories of a time gone by.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0121825/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm
My father’s entry on the Internet Movie Database.
Hello, Michael! Thank you for commenting about your dad and his personal history at the Horace Heidt apartments . . . I often wish there was a way to better capture what life was like in the early days of the Valley. The social vibe at the Heidt property must have been amazing as a living/gathering spot for so many entertainment folks. Tho’ showing its age, glad that it still stands. I imagine your dad was in a number of the old TV show re-runs that saved my sanity during the worst days of the Covid pandemic. Was he ever on Perry Mason? Will keep an eye out – so many were on that classic! –Cindy/L1OTB
Horace Heidt, Jimmy Stewart, Paulette Goddard and Adaline Heidt on set of “Pot o’ Gold” movie.