An intersection in Silver Lake recently designated as historic for its connection with the 1932 film, “The Music Box,” will receive a sign in the coming months honoring the fact, Los Angeles city officials announced on Thursday, June 6.
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to name the intersection of Vendome Street and Del Monte Drive as the “1932 site of the ‘The Music Box’ starring Laurel and Hardy.” Comedic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy won an Academy Award for short comedy for their work, which was filmed on what are now known as the Music Box Steps, built on a steep hill in residential Silver Lake.
Dressed in overalls in the film, the duo struggles against gravity as they attempt to deliver a piano to a house at the top of the steps — which are still intact to this day, and visited by fans who travel from all over the world to visit the historic site.
“Silver Lake is home to so many historic outdoor staircases, contributing to the rich cultural fabric of our community,” Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martínez said in a statement. “We are proud to recognize this small but mighty landmark in the history of our city’s most important industry.”
The Music Box Steps are a landmark in Silver Lake, already honored with a plaque erected by the Hollywood Heritage Museum, The Society of Operating Cameramen, and The Silver Lake Improvement Association. The city of Los Angeles joins them as plans move forward to erect a permanent commemoration.
“With this renaming, I am delighted that we are able to both recognize an important piece of our city’s movie history and mark one of our city’s unique and beautiful outdoor staircases,” City Councilwoman Nithya Raman said in a statement.
The Society of Camera Operators, who in 1992 co-sponsored The Music Box Steps plaque, expressed their support for the city to dedicate this location. Michael Frediani, historical chair of the organization, who brought this site to the city’s attention, said they hope to shine a spotlight on as many iconic film locations as possible.
In the second week of October, the Silver Lake Improvement Association will host its annual Music Box Steps Day Festival at Laurel and Hardy Park, across the street from the Music Box Steps.
“On behalf of the Silver Lake Improvement Association (SLIA), we’re thrilled that the city is giving this official recognition to the Music Box Steps, one of the most famous and beloved film sites in cinema history,” Vincent Brook, SLIA board member and founder of Music Box Steps Day, said in a statement.
He noted their annual festival has been going on for 29 years as a way to honor the “legendary comedy team, their Oscar-winning film and the world-renowned film site.’ Brook added that it’s intended to remind the surrounding community and the city at large of this “historic jewel.”
